Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/232

204 coil themselves up in some dark corner. In this latter position they sit rolled up nearly in a ball, the hind legs frequently crossed, like those of a tailor. The right hind leg is, as a rule, stretched out, the left thrown across it, which both fore paws grasp. The tail is curved forward and upward, past the left ear, and the head bends deeply over the fore paws.

Their walk, during which the tail is kept straight out, is firm and sure, and very much approaches the so-termed "amble." They are clever climbers; their run is a kind of quick trot, or perhaps, more correctly, a very fast crawling; and although in the daytime they seem sluggish animals, one is surprised at the wonderful agility which they exhibit at night, or when in danger of life.

The breeding takes place all the year round, and the young remains in the pouch of the mother until it acquires the thick fur characteristic of the adult animal. After this stage of development it follows the parents for a longer space of time, probably until its own sexual propensities are awakened.

The food is grasped first with the mouth, afterwards with the hand, the first and second fingers of which may be put in contraposition to the others. As a rule the left hand is used. They eat sitting on the hind legs, in a very prone position, the back shot up, the head and fore limbs low. Water they lick in the same way as a dog. The meal finished, the face and snout are cleaned with the fore paws, very much on the same principle as that employed by the Cat, but, contrary to the Cat, they use both fore paws at once, one on each side of the face.

Their temperament must be characterized as soft, but attacked they will defend themselves fiercely with teeth and claws. Fights between the males are scarce, or do not perhaps take place at all; but the female sometimes vigorously pulls the ears of her better half, a course of proceeding which may with impunity be adopted, as she is the bigger and stronger of the two.

The muscular power of the animal in proportion to its size must be termed colossal, and a man must strain every nerve and fibre of the hand and arm to master a living individual.

The "Wogoit" is an utterly nocturnal animal, and can only with great difficulty bear the daylight, and except compelled by the utmost necessity never leaves the stone-heap or cave where it lives.