42 ZOOLOGY OF THE VOYAGE OE H.M.S. SAMAEANG. 



Fam. 7. DASYPIDjE. 



1. MANIS. 



1. Manis Dalmanni, Sundeval, K. V. Acad. Hand., 1842, 256. 

 Hab. China; Dalmann. 



Plate VII. 



Galidictis vittata, Gray, Pro.Zool. Soc.Lond., p. 22. (1848). 



Hab. Madagascar. 



Grey, black and white grizzled ; back and sides with eight nearly equal parallel, narrow, 

 black-brown streaks ; chin and beneath pale brown ; hind-feet and outer sides of fore-legs 

 reddish brown. Tail subcylindrical, bushy, black and grey grizzled, white towards the ends ; 

 hairs elongate, brownish white, with two (rarely three) broad black rings. 



Length of body and head (when stuffed), 14 inches ; tail, 12 inches. 



The skull, which shows that the animal was not quite full grown, agrees in all the 

 particulars with that figured by M. J. Geoffroy, in Guerin's Mag. Zool. t.19, but is about one- 

 fourth smaller in all its parts, and it has one more very small roundish false grinder on each 

 side in front of the other (between it and the canines) in the upper jaw, which is not noticed 

 in M. Geoffroy's figure and description, and which probably falls out when the animal arrives 

 at adult age. 



Dr. T. R. H. Thomson, Surgeon, R.N., who had one of these animals for six months 

 on board ship, says it was procured at Tulyah Bay, Madagascar. It was at first extremely 

 timid, but soon became tame and acquainted with the different parts of the vessel, and very 

 partial to those who bestowed any attentions on it. It was remarkably agile, keeping its 

 long bushy tail somewhat erect in running about, and uttering a sort of chirp not unlike a 

 rat. Its chief food was uncooked meat, but it preferred raw eggs above all other articles 

 when they could be procured. Its method of breaking them was not a little amusing ; on 

 receiving one it would roll it towards a projecting timber or gun-slide ; then lying down on 

 its side, the little creature would grasp the egg with all its feet and throw it by a sudden 

 jerk, repeating the attempt until the contents were obtained. Turtles' eggs, being so soft 

 and rich, were always eagerly sought by it. It was very irascible while feeding, and would 

 attack those who interfered with it at such a time, although at others it delighted in being 

 fondled, and would play like a kitten with those it knew. The habits of this interesting 

 animal were not nocturnal. It died from convulsions, under which it had suffered for 

 five weeks. 



