204 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



coil themselves up in some dark corner. In this latter position 

 they sit rolled up nearly in a ball, the hind legs frequently crossed, 

 like those of a tailor. The right hind leg is, as a rule, stretched 

 out, the left thrown across it, which both fore paws grasp. The 

 tail is curved forward and upward, past the left ear, and the 

 head bends deeply over the fore paws. 



Their walk, during which the tail is kept straight out, is firm 

 and sure, and very much approaches the so-termed "amble." 

 They are clever climbers ; their run is a kind of quick trot, or 

 perhaps, more correctly, a very fast crawling; and although in 

 the daytime they seem sluggish animals, one is surprised at the 

 wonderful agility which they exhibit at night, or when in danger 

 of life. 



The breeding takes place all the year round, and the young 

 remains in the pouch of the mother until it acquires the thick 

 fur characteristic of the adult animal. After this stage of deve- 

 lopment it follows the parents for a longer space of time, pro- 

 bably until its own sexual propensities are awakened. 



The food is grasped first with the mouth, afterwards with the 

 hand, the first and second fingers of which may be put in con- 

 traposition to the others. As a rule the left hand is used. 

 They eat sitting on the hind legs, in a very prone position, the 

 back shot up, the head and fore limbs low. Water they lick in 

 the same way as a dog. The meal finished, the face and snout 

 are cleaned with the fore paws, very much on the same principle 

 as that employed by the Cat, but, contrary to the Cat, they use 

 both fore paws at once, one on each side of the face. 



Their temperament must be characterized as soft, but at- 

 tacked they will defend themselves fiercely with teeth and claws. 

 Fights between the males are scarce, or do not perhaps take 

 place at all ; but the female sometimes vigorously pulls the ears 

 of her better half, a course of proceeding which may with im- 

 punity be adopted, as she is the bigger and stronger of the two. 



The muscular power of the animal in proportion to its size 

 must be termed colossal, and a man must strain every nerve and 

 fibre of the hand and arm to master a living individual. 



The " Wogoit " is an utterly nocturnal animal, and can only 

 with great difficulty bear the daylight, and except compelled by the 

 utmost necessity never leaves the stone-heap or cave where it lives. 



