THE MASKED PAGUMA. 



195 



It seems to be a very indolent animal, passing the day in sleep, and being with difficulty 

 aroused from its slumbers. When irritated, it utters a sharp fierce growl, shows its teeth, and 

 curls itself up again to sleep. While sleeping, it lies partly on its side, curled round with its 

 head snugly sheltered under its bushy tail. ' The muzzle of the Binturong is short and sharp, 

 rather turned up at its extremity, and covered with long brown hairs which radiate around 

 the face, and impart a very curious expression to the animal. The eyes are of a dull chestnut, 

 unless the creature is excited, when they flash out with a momentary fire which dies away as 

 soon as the cause is removed. 



It is a good climber of trees, being assisted in this task by its tail, which is prehensile at 

 the tip, and capable of grasping an object with some force. When in captivity it seems to 

 prefer a vegetable to an animal diet, and feeds on rice, fruit, and other vegetable productions. 

 But it is fond of eggs, birds, the heads of fowls, and other animal substances, and perhaps is 





MASKED PAGUMA.— Paguma larvata. 



best kept in health by a mixed diet. It enjoys a very excellent appetite, and whether its food 

 be animal or vegetable, consumes an exceedingly large amount in comparison with the size of 

 the consumer. 



The length of the Binturong is about two feet six inches, exclusive of the tail, which 

 always equals, and generally exceeds, the body in length. Its height varies from a foot to 

 fifteen inches. 



The curious animal which is represented in the engraving, has, until lately, been placed 

 among the weasels, under the title of Masked Glutton, and has only of late years been referred 

 to its proper place in the scale of creation. The title of Larvatus, or Masked, is given to it on 

 account of the white streak down the forehead and nose, and the white circle round the eyes, 

 which gives the creature an aspect as if it was endued with an artificial mask. There is a pale 

 olive-gray band extending from the back of each ear and meeting under the throat, and the 

 general color of the fur is an olive-brown, besprinkled and washed with gray. It has been 

 found in China, from which country several specimens have been imported. There are many 

 other species belonging to the same genus, such as the Nepal Paguma, the White Whiskered 

 Paguma of Sumatra and Singapore, the Woolly Paguma from Nepal, and the Three-streaked 

 Paguma of Malacca. 



The animals which compose the little group of Paradoxures are very closely allied to the 

 Pagumas and the Ichneumons, and appear to be confined to the Asiatic continent and its 



