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Show 770 MR. A. D. BARTLETT ON THE HABITS OF THE PANDA. [Nov. 15, shoots of the roses, and, finding some unripe apples that had fallen from the trees, greedily devoured them. I had a fear they might disagree with him ; this, however, was not the case, for he rapidly improved in condition. At night his usual supply of beef-tea &c. was given to him in his cage; and this was always consumed by morning. W e have in the Gardens two or three trees upon which grow bunches of yellow berries (Pyrus vestita). Upon giving some of these to the Panda, I noticed his fondness of them. He would grasp the bunch in his paw, holding it tightly, and bite off these berries one by one ; so delighted with this food was he, that all other food was left as long as these berries lasted. I have every reason to believe that berries, fruit, and other vegetable substances constitute the food of this animal in a wild state. It was upon this food the animal became more vigorous, and the old ragged and matted coat was thrown off, and the beautiful new fur began to grow rapidly. One important operation was performed almost every morning, that of a shower-bath, administered by means of a garden-syringe; this was done before letting him out of his cage; it induced him to bask in the sun, to clean and dry himself. The biting, scratching, and shaking to get rid of the old and clotted fur was a sure sign of good health. Animals recovering from sickness show signs of improvement by their attempts to clean themselves ; and it is of the utmost importance to aid them, by judicious means, to accomplish this object. Many valuable animals are lost in consequence of their neglected condition ; they fret and die more on account of the filth about them than from actual disease, although disease is a sure attendant upon animals allowed to become filthy. This individual was not disposed to become a pet; for, notwithstanding every attempt to induce it to be caressed, it continued lo exhibit a rather fierce and angry disposition-probably only an individual peculiarity, and not at all characteristic of the species. When offended, it would rush at me and strike with both feet, not, like a cat, sideways or downwards, but forward, and the body raised like a bear, the claws projecting, but not hooked or brought down like the claws of a cat; for although the claws are partly retractile, the animal cannot use them in that manner. At the moment of making the attack, it would utter a sharp spitting hiss; this, and a weak, single, squeaking call-note, are the only sounds I ever heard it utter. Its mode of progression on the ground corresponds with that of the Kinkajou, Otter, and Weasel-running on all fours, or jumping with a kind of gallop, its back rather arched. In climbing, the Panda is not. quite so expert in trees as the Kinkajou, the prehensile tail of which renders that animal much assistance in swinging from branch to branch. The Kinkajou has also a far higher intelligence. In forming an opinion of the affinities of the Panda from its general appearance and habits, as far as it is possible to judge of these bv observing an animal in captivity, I am led to remark the strong |
