r." Its grotesque appearance makes it a great favourite
with the Indian mountebanks; but, as many other species are also trained
to dancing and monkey-tricks, the name is not characteristic.

This bear is not quite so large as the _ursus arctos_; though
individuals are sometimes met with approaching the bulk of the latter.
The fur is longer and "shaggier" than in any other species--being upon
the back of the neck full twelve inches in length. In this mass of long
hair there is a curious line of separation running transversely across
the back of the neck. The front division falls forward over the crown,
so as to overhang the eyes--thus imparting to the physiognomy of the
animal a heavy, stupid appearance. The other portion flaps back,
forming a thick mane or hunch upon the shoulders. In old individuals
the hair becomes greatly elongated; and hanging down almost to the
ground on both flanks, and along the neck, imparts to the animal the
strange appearance of being without legs!

The general colour of the coat is black, with here and there a dash of
brown over it. Upon the breast there is a white list of a triangular
shape; and the muzzle is also a dirty yellowish white. There is no
danger of mistaking this species for any other of the black Asiatic
bears, or even any black bears. The long shaggy hair, hanging loosely,
presents an appearance altogether different from the uniform brush-like
surface, which characterises the coats of _ursus malayanus, euryspilus,
americanus, ornatus_, and _frugilegus_.

Perhaps the most peculiar characteristic of the sloth bear is the
capability it possesses of protruding the lips, which it can do to a
length of several inches from its jaws--shooting them out in the form of
a tube, evidently designed for suction. This, together with the long
extensile tongue--which is flat shaped and square at the extremity--
shows a peculiar design, answering to the habits of the animal. No
doubt the extraordinary development of tongue is given to it for the
same purpose as to the _edentata_ of the ant-eating tribe--to enable it
to "lick up" the _termites_.

Its great curved claws, which bear a very striking resemblance to those
of the ant-eaters--especially the large _tamanoir_ of South America--are
used for the same purpose: that of breaking up the glutinous compost
with which the termites construct their curious dwellings.

These insects constitute a portion of the sloth bear's "commissariat