TWO RARE EAST AFRICAN ANIMALS 125 
obtained is the potto ( Perodicticus Ibeanus). The East African 
potto is represented in the British Museum by one specimen 
(the type), which was obtained by Mr. Robin Kemp from near 
Mumias and described by Mr. Oldfield Thomas in 1910 ; in 
the Smithsonian Institute the species is represented by four 
specimens collected by Mr. Edmond Heller some two years ago. 
This animal is extremely difficult to obtain owing to its 
nocturnal habits and the inaccessible forests it inhabits. It 
seems to lead a solitary life, as on no occasion did I find more 
than one in a tree, but obtained my specimens here and there, 
often miles apart. 
Getting about and searching in these forests is very hard 
work, chiefly owing to the number of fallen trees, which in fall- 
ing have opened up air spaces in which an almost impenetrable 
growth of a kind of nettle springs up. Here the heavy growths 
of wild vines reach down from the tree tops to the undergrowth. 
In these vine-covered trees round these openings I found most 
of the pottos. I do not think these animals ever leave the 
trees, a live specimen making poor progress over a flat surface. 
Their movements are very slow at all times, and if frightened 
they ascend a branch slowly or hide their heads between their 
fore limbs. They assume remarkable attitudes and appear 
to be broader than they are long. They rest with the hind 
quarters drawn up and the head tucked in between the fore 
legs. In this position the vertebrae behind the head present 
a series of spines which do not penetrate the skin ; for, in 
skinning, a cavity, but no hole, is left in the skin which the sharp 
points of the vertebrae pull out of. I suppose they sleep with 
their heads towards the tree trunk. 
I think the scent glands of this animal help to keep their 
would-be enemies away, for they are very objectionable. 
The fur of the upper parts is dark grey near the skin and 
for three parts of its length tipped with pale brown showing a 
drab brown surface which is sprinkled all over with white- 
tipped hairs which increase in numbers towards the shoulders 
where they end abruptly, giving place to black-tipped hairs on 
the shoulders and head, forming a well-marked line in some 
specimens and less distinct in others — while a sprinkling of 
long hairs, which stand erect on the neck and head, give the 
Vol. IV.— No. 8. 
K 
