12 



FO UB— HANDED FOLK 



on to a chair, but he preferred the sofa. This 

 had a high back, which he quickly mounted, 

 running along the thin edge of carved wood, and 

 standing up on the highest point, to smell at a 

 picture frame on the wall. 



Sometimes he curled down on the sofa for a 

 nap, but usually he proceeded with his tour of 

 the room, climbing the tall easel to the top, and 

 there standing up to reach still higher ; sliding 

 down again by twining his tail around, and 

 clasping with his four little hands the back 

 support ; inspecting the bell-pull, and trying to 

 understand the mystery of the speaking tube. 



The kinkajou's tail was an interesting mem- 

 ber, plainly for use more than ornament. As 

 he walked along the floor it dragged over every- 

 thing with a sort of clinging feeling, and if 

 it touched anything, like the leg of a chair, it 

 curled around it. It was a great help in stand- 

 ing up, and in steadying his body when climb- 

 ing. It was partly if not fully prehensile. 



The little creature was very deliberate in his 

 usual movements, hobbling around the room like 

 a small bear, his long hind legs and turned-in 

 toes giving him a peculiarly awkward gait ; 

 climbing tables and chairs, and coming down 

 head first in a cautious manner. If startled, he 

 galloped clumsily back to his corner, scrambled 

 into the cage, pulled himself up to his nest, 



