THE WAH, OR PANDA. 



337 



upon its eyes. The piipils of the eyes are capable of great dilatation, and when the unwel- 

 come light of day falls upon them, they contract to a singularly small size, and their owner 

 testifies by its uneasy movements the inconvenience which it feels. Not even the owl appears 

 to be more disconcerted by the glare of the noontide light than does the Kinkajou. During 

 the day, the animal lies buried in profound repose, from which it can with difficulty be aroused ; 

 but when the unwelcome light has passed away, the Kinkajou becomes extremely lively, and 

 exhibits considerable activity of limb and playfulness of character, and runs up and down the 

 branches with great skill, uttering at intervals a low, bleating kind of sound, and descending 

 every now and then to drink. In descending, it makes use of its hinder claws in the same 

 manner as has been related of the coaitis. In its native state, its food is of a mixed nature, 

 consisting of fruits, insects, honey, small 

 birds, eggs, and other similar substances. : - fe * wmtaMmsms*," - ■-:• 



It is easily tamed, and when domesticated 

 is of a sportful nature, delighting to play 

 with those persons whom it knows and trusts, 

 and making pretence to bite, after the man- 

 ner of puppies and kittens. It is very sus- 

 ceptible to kindness, and is fond of the 

 caresses which are offered by its friends. In 

 its wild state, however, it is a rather fierce 

 animal, and when assaulted, offers such a 

 spirited resistance even to human foes, that 

 it will beat off any but a determined man, 

 supposing him to be unarmed and unassisted. 



Q&) „ 



PANDA, OK WAH.— Ailurus fulgens. 



There are few of the Mammalia which 

 are decorated with such refulgently beautiful 

 fur as that which decks the body of the Wah, 

 or Panda, as it is also called. 



This beautiful creature is a native of Ne- 

 pal, where it is known under the different 

 names of Panda, Chitwa, and Wah, — the 

 last-mentioned name being given to it on 

 account of its peculiar cry. The fur of the 

 Panda is of a bright rich chestnut-brown, 

 which rapidly darkens into a peculiarly rich 

 black upon the ribs and the outside of the 

 legs. The head is of a whitish-fawn color, 

 with a ruddy chestnut spot under each eye. 

 The tail is of the same chestnut hue as the 



body, and is marked with a series of dark rings. The head is very short, and thick muzzled, 

 presenting a curious contrast to the coaitis and racoons. 



It is generally found among the trees that grow near rivers and mountain torrents, but does 

 not seem to occur in sufficient numbers to render its beautiful fur an object of commercial 

 value. This is the more to be regretted, as the coat of the Panda is not only handsome in 

 appearance, but is very thick, fine, and warm in texture, being composed of a double set of 

 hairs, the one forming a thick woolly covering to the skin, and the other composed of long- 

 glistening hairs that pierce through the wool and give the exquisitely rich coloring to the 

 surface of the fur. The soles of the feet are not merely defended by nailed and thickened 

 cuticles, but are furnished with a heavy covering of woolly hair, which in some species is of a 

 light gray color, and in others of a snowy white, that contrasts strangely with the deep rich 

 black of the legs and paws. 



The food of the Panda is usually of an animal character, and consists chiefly of birds, 

 their eggs, and the smaller Mammalia and insects, many of which it discovers on the trees 

 whereon it is generally found. 



