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Show 1870.] MR. A. D. BARTLETT ON THE HABITS OF THE PANDA. 771 resemblance to the Kinkajou in its movements, running, walking, climbing, mode of feeding, and its food. In drinking, it inserted the lips, and would suck up the fluid after the manner of Bears; it does not lap like the Dog or Cat. At the same time the fur of the Panda, not only in quality but also in the colour and marking, especially that of the tail, exhibits a remarkable affinity to the Coati, Raccoon, and Binturong. I am, however, more inclined to think its affinities are greater with the Kinkajou than with any other animal. The Coati and Raccoon are far more carnivorous than the Panda, Kinkajou, or Binturong; they are also less nocturnal than these last mentioned species. In the use of the front paws the most perfect of the animals alluded to in this paper is perhaps the Raccoon, of which the naked toes form a strong contrast with the thickly muffled foot of the Panda-the fur covering the whole of the underside of the foot of this animal, except a space about the size of a small pea in the middle pad. This thick clothing of the paw would lead one to doubt whether the Panda would grasp with its paw as firmly and perfectly as I have seen it do. The eyes of the Panda are small and Bear-like. It does not appear to have the power of smelling well developed, like the Coati or Raccoon ; it is also much slower in all its movements than those animals. I must not omit to remark that the voice of the Panda, Kinkajou, Otter, and Coati are wonderfully alike, especially the short faint squeak, or call-note. Fig. 1. Hair and wool of Ursus piscator, magnified. 2. Hair and wool of Cercoleptes caudivolvulus, magnified. 3. Hair and wool (two varieties of) of Ailurus fulgens, magnified. I have submitted a small portion of the hair or fur of the Panda to m y friend Mr. Richter, in order to have it examined under the microscope, and to obtain his opinion. I will read an extract from his letter, which was accompanied by the drawing which I now exhibit. |
