1126 On the Cat-toed Subplantigrades. [Nov. 



It is thus demonstrated that the Potos of the new world represent 

 with considerable accuracy the Pandas or Wahs of the old world ; that 

 the two have much conformity of structure and of habits ; and that 

 both exhibit that leaning towards the Lemurs whereby the perfectly 

 vegetalivorous diet, quasi ruminant teeth and scull, extreme gentleness 

 of aspect and of nature, slow movements, and somnolent propensities 

 of the Wahs are perhaps best explained. Those who would trace to 

 full advantage the identities of organization and of economy that exist 

 between the Potos and Wahs, must compare at first hand the statements 

 of Messrs. Owen and Cuvier as referred to below, with the details of 

 this paper. 



The differences are as follows. Cercoleptes differs from Ailurus by 

 the more confined palmation of the digits (to 2nd phalanx only) by the 

 nakedness of the soles, by the large eye, with higher contractility of 

 pupil, by the lesser development of the external ear, by the prehensile 

 tail, suctorial tongue, limited number of teats (two), absence of mous- 

 taches, and possibly by some diversities of dentition, though so far as 

 may be judged by description (Regne II. 267) the discrepancies must 

 be inconsiderable ; and lastly, by the non-terminal position of the upper 

 orifice of the stomach. The identities consisting in the proportion 

 and form of the chylopoietic viscera, in the long horned uterus, in the 

 large bony tentorium, in the wanting clavicle, the simple anus and 

 prepuce, and in the smoothness of the tongue, are among those best 

 worthy of note in regard to structure, whilst in reference to manners 

 and habits, so far as these are reported, the only differences would 

 seem to consist in the nocturnal, not crepuscular activity of the Potos, 

 in their honey-sucking or suctorial propensities, like to those of the 

 Ratel and Labiate Bear, and lastly, in the greater addiction to tree 

 haunting and to clambering there by the help of the prehensile tail. 

 Again, the suggested Lemurine resemblances of Cercoleptes hold won- 

 derfully true of Ailurus, and hardly less so (though this makes against 

 the Cat-toed grouping) the Procyonine and Nasuan resemblances, as 

 any one may satisfy himself who will compare the foregone account of 

 Ailurus with what he will find in the Regne relative to the Lemurs* 

 and to the Racoons and Coatis.f With respect to these Lemurine 

 affinities, now demonstrated by science, but first suggested by unlettered 

 * Regne I. 322-332. | And II. 248—262. 



