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Cabinet of Quadrupeds;

HIGHLY-FINISHED ENGRAVINGS,

BY JAMES TOOKEY;
DRAWINGS, BY JULIUS IBBETSON;
HISTORICAL AND SCIENTIFIC DESCRIPTIONS,

BY JOHN CHURCH,

FELLOW OF THE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.

VOL. II.

Londen:

PRINTED FOR DARTON AND HARVEY, GRACECHURCH STREDIT;
AND W. BELCH, CARDIFF;

By Darton and Harvey, Gracechurch Street.-

1805.

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THE LION.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Six cutting and two canine teeth, and fix grinders in each jaw(a).
Five toes before; four behind. | .
Sharp hooked claws, lodged in a fheath(s), capable of extenfion or.
retraction at pleafure. .

Head round, vifage fhort, tongue rough.

(a) The members of the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, who diffeGted two Lions, give the
following account of the teeth, which is fomewhat different. “ It had fourteen teeth in each jaw, viz. four
incifores, four canini, and fix molares. The incifores were little, and the canini very uneven, having two great
and two fmall ones. The great ones, which were an inch and an half long, are thofe which Ariftotle calls
canini: but each of thefe was accompanied with another little one, which was at the fide of the incifores, and
which left in the upper jaw, between it and the great one, as much void {pace on each fide, as was neceflary to
lodge and infert the hook of the great caninus of the inferior jaw, in which there was likewife a fpace
between the great caninus and the firft of the molares, defigned to lodge the great caninus of the upper jaw,
but which was much larger, to the end the lowerjaw might be advanced forward occafionally.”—Memoirs Royal
Acad. Scien. Paris, p. 4. We have carefully examined the mouth of a Lion, now in the Tower, and find the
account given by the gentlemen of the Royal Academy is founded on fa&t. The fame conformation is
likewife obfervable in the teeth of the Leopard.

(8) The fame accurate anatomifts give the following curious account of the claws, which we cannot
refift the temptation of inferting. ‘ The claws had no cafes, as Pliny reports they have, to keep them from
being dulled by walking; but it appears rather, that thefe animals, as Plutarch and Solinus obferve, provided
for that, by retracting them between their toes, by means of the particular articulation of the laft joint,
which was fuch, that the laft bone, fave one, by bending itfelf outwards, gives place to the laft, which is
articulated to it, and to which the claw is faftened, to bend itfelf upwards and fideways, more eafily than
downwards; being drawn upwards, by means of a tendinous ligament, which faftens together the two laft
bones in their fuperior and external part only; and which, fuffering a violent diftention, when the toe is
bent inwards, extends this laft articulation, as foon as the flexor mufcles come to flacken, and ftrengthens the
action of the exterior mufcles; fo that the bone, which is at the end of every toe, being almoft continually

bent upwards, it is not the end of the toes which refts upon the ground, but the node of the articulation of

THE LION.

SYNONIMS. ~
Leo, Plin. Hit, Nat. lib. viii. c. 16. Gefner Quad. 572.
Rai Syn. Quad. 162.
Fextts Leo, Linn. Syft. 60.
Lowe, Klein Quad. 81.
Lion, Pennant Syn. Quad. 146.
Le Lion, de Buffon, ix. i. tad. i. i.

THE majeftic deportment of the Lion, united with his decided fuperiority

over, moft other animals, has, as it were, by common confent, obtained for
him the title of the king of beafts. Bold and confident in his look, and

proud in his gait and demeanour, he commands refpeét at firft fight. His figure ©

is ftriking and his voice terrible. His length is fometimes between eight and
nine feet, and his height four feet and a half ; notwithftanding which, he is fo
far from appearing clumfy or unwieldy, that he may juftly be confidered as a
perfe& model of ftrength and activity. His head is large and mufcular, and his
face broad, furrounded with a long fhaggy mane, which covers the top of his
head, and extends along his neck, breaft, and fhoulders. This he can erect upon
the leaft irritation, when his eye-balls inftantly flath fire, the mufcles of his face
become convulfed, and form frightful wrinkles on his forehead and cheeks ;
he fhews his tremendous teeth, and exhibits a {pectacle of horrid grandeur,
which beggars defcription. ‘The eyes of the Lion are lively and piercing,
they are furnifhed with a membrane(a), which he can extend over them at

pleafure, like Owls, and moft animals which hunt their prey in the dark ; it

the two laft bones; and thus, in walking, the claws remain elevated and retraéted between the toes; to wit,

all thofe of the right paws, towards the right fide of every toe; and all thofe of the left paws, towards the

left fide; the bending of the toes to walk being caufed only by the tendons of the higher mufcles, and thofe—

of the lower mufcle never moving, but when it is neceflary to extend the claws, which proceed out of the
toes when the laft joint is bent downwards. This admirable ftruéture is not found in the great toe, whofe laft
joint bends only downwards, becaufe that this-toe refts not on the ground, being shorter than the reft, and

having but two bones as is ufual.”—Jdid. p. 3.

(a) Tbid. p. 4.

THE LION.

is probable that this circumftance has given rife to the common opinion, that
the Lion always fleeps with his eyes open. His eyebrows are large and lofty,
and he wrinkles them in a manner equally menacing and terrible. His
nofe is large and bread, his mouth wide, and his jaws are formed with
prodigious ftrength; his tongue is large and rough; it is covered with
crooked pointed hard fubftances, refembling the claws of a Cat in fize and.
fhape, and bent back towards the throat: this conformation of the tongue
renders his carefles particularly dangerous, for his licking foon benumbs and
excoriates the place, fo as to give him a tafte of the blood, which will
infallibly tempt him to bite the limb he is carefling. The general appearance
and fhape of the Lion is greatly altered by his fhaggy mane; diveft him of
that, and he is much like the Lionefs, except that his head is rather larger in
proportion, and his face more mufeular. The hair under the belly is
likewife much longer in the Lion than the Lionefs. His tail, which is about
four feet long, is not, as it appears to be, of the fame thicknefs throughout,
but gradually tapers, as in other quadrupeds: the deception arifes from the
lengthening of the hairs, as they approach towards the extremity of the —
tail, which is adorned with a large tuft of long hair. ‘The legs and feet
appear thick and large in proportion to the fize of his body; they are
amazingly {trong, yet withal fo fupple and active, that he moves with as
much eafe and agility as a Cat. The ufual colour of the Lion is a tawny
yellow, inclining to white on the belly; but it is fubject to fome varieties.
In the burning and uninhabited dees of Zaara and Biledulgerid, the
Lion is found replete with favage rage and undaunted ferocity. Accuftomed
to conquer every animal he meets, he becomes terrible and intrepid by
habit, and appears not to know the fenfations of fear. Unacquainted with
the dangerous arts and arms of man, he feems neither to apprehend nor
dread the power of them: he boldly defies and attacks his antagonitt:
refiftance and wounds ferve but to provoke his rage, and increafe his ardor,
and, when he is overpowered by the fuperior addrefs of his enemy, he {corns
to feek his fafety in flight, but, valiant in death, faces him to the laft, and
difputes the victory till he is totally fubdued. But, in the cooler regions,

THE LION.

inhabited by man, the cafe alters; there, become prudent by experience,
his natural boldnefs is abated, and fhunning the unequal combat, he feeks to
avoid thofe weapons, which his valour will not enable him to fubdue.
Thus the courage of the Lion feems much to depend on the heat of the places
he inhabits, and the degree of refiftance he meets with; and is fometimes fo |
much fubdued, that even the crack of a whip(a), or a loud fthout will {care
him away; and women, nay, even children, are fufficient to drive him from
the cattle he is about to attack. It is probable, from this evident alteration
in the difpofition of the Lion, that he is capable, in fome meafure, of receiving
the impreffions of education: he is certainly fenfible of careffes, and will lick
his keeper’s hand, and fuffer his tongue and mouth to be handled with
impunity; he even bears chaftifement with grave compofure; but, like
the Cat, his friendfhip is not to be depended on, and if his refentment
is once excited, the confequences are terrible. It appears, however,
from innumerable teftimonies, that his anger is noble, and his courage
magnanimous; and fome inftances are recorded, which prove him grateful ;
among others, the famous ftory of Androclus the flave, related by Aulus
Gellius. This man was compelled, by the feverity of his mafter, to efcape
by flight, and conceal himfelf in the defert parts of Africa. Scorched by the
burning heat of the fun, he took fhelter in a cave, which he met with; he
had not remained there long, before a Lion entered the fame cave, moaning
and fhewing evident marks of diftrefs and pain; as foon as Androclus
had recovered a little from the terror excited by the appearance of. the
tremendous animal, he obferved that the Lien was lame in one of his feet,
which he prefented to Androclus, feeming to entreat his afliftance;
encouraged by the gentle demeanour of the Lion, he ventured to examine
his foot, in which he found a very large thorn ftuck faft; this he prefently
extracted, and {queezed out the blood and matter from the wound, to which
he applied proper remedies, and fhortly completed the cure. During, this
period, the Lion conftantly brought him the beft parts of the animals he

(a) Sparrman.

THE LION.

killed, which, having no fire, he drefled by the heat of the fun. They lived
thus in harmony above three years, when Androclus, tired of the company
of his favage friend, quitted the cavern and went to Rome, where he was foon
recognifed, and condemned to be torn in pieces by wild beafts. A Lion was
accordingly turned loofe upon him, which, as foon as he faw him, inftead of
attacking him, inftantly paufed, as if to recollect himfelf; then gradually
approaching him, he began to fawn on him, and loaded him with his
carefles: when Androclus was recovered from his firft panic, he foon
recollected his old friend and companion in the cavern, who had been taken
captive foon after their feparation, and by that means, had this opportunity
given him of showing his grateful remembrance of his friend’s fervices, by
{paring the life of him, from whom he had received fo much benefit. Their
joy and carefles were mutual, the {cene was truly affecting, and Androclus
obtained his-pardon (a.) | | |

But a more recent inftance of the Lion’s recollection, is related by
Mr. Hope (z,) in the following words: ‘One day that I had the honour of
dining with the Dutchefs of Hamilton, her Grace told the company, after
dinner, if they had any curiofity to fee her Lion, the would attend them,
and order the keeper to feed him. We gladly accepted the offer, and went
down to the court, to fee the Lion get his dinner. While we ftood at the
cage, admiring the fiercenefs of his looks, and his terrible roar, each time we
provoked him with fticks to fly at us and abandon his prey, the porter
came and told the Dutchefs, that a fergeant, with fome recruits at the gate,
‘begged leave to be admitted to fee the Lion. Her Grace, with great
condefcenfion and good-nature, afked permiflion of the company to let the
travellers come in, as they would then have the fatisfaction of feeing the
animal fed. ‘They were accordingly admitted, at the moment the Lion was
growling over his prey. The fergeant advancing to the cage, called out,
«« Nero, Nero, poor Nero, don’t you know me?” The animal inftantly

turned his head and looked at him; then rofe up, left his prey, and came

(A) Aulus Gellius, lib. 5. cap. 14.. (8) Thoughts, in Prose and Verse, by Johu Lope, Stockton, 1782):
5 ase

THE LION.

‘A farmer, who had the misfortune to fee a Lion feize two of his Oxen,
at the very inftant that he had taken them from his waggon, informed me
that they immediately fell down dead upon the {pot, clofe by each other,
though, upon examining the carcafes afterwards, it appeared that their backs
had only been broken.” ‘But his condué towards the human fpecies
appears to be more noble; fatisfied with merely wounding his unhappy
victim, he feldom deprives it of life, unlefs he is very much provoked; or at
leaft he waits fome time before he gives the fatal blow. In fupport of this
opinion, the Do¢tor has favoured us with the two following narratives: « Near
the upper part of Dayven-hoek Rivier, I myfelf,” fays he, “ faw an elderly
Hottentot, who at that time, his wounds being {till open, bore under one
eye and direétly upon his cheek-bone, the ghaftly. marks of a Lion’s bite,
which was the only chaftifement this noble animal had thought it worth his
while to inflict upon him, for having, along with his matter, whom I alfo
knew, and feveral other Chriftians, hunted him with great intrepidity, though
unfuccefsfully.” <’Ehe converfation turned every where, in this part of the
country, upon one Bota, a farmer and a militia captain, who had lain for
fome time under a Lion, and had received feveral bruifes from the beaft,
having been, at the fame time, feverely bitten by him in one arm, as a
memorial to remember him by; but, upon the whole, had his life given him
by this generous animal.” It mutt ftill, however, remain a matter of doubt,
whether this merciful difpofition of the Lion, towards man, is the effe@ of
real generofity; or whether it is the confequence of mere caprice or want of
appetite.

But let us take a view of the Lion ina ftate of favage freedom, uncontrolled
by the confinement of a cage, or the chains of flavery; and this we are enabled
to do by the affiftance of Dr. Sparrman, who penetrated far into the interior
parts of Africa, and had frequent opportunities of obferving the habits of this
animal, as well as of being informed of them by the natives; we thall
therefore clofe this account with fome obfervations and anecdotes chiefly on
his authority.

THE LION.

From feveral facts related by the Doctor, it may fairly be inferred, that 1%
is not true magnanimity, but rather an infidious and cowardly difpofition,
mixed with a certain ‘degree of pride, which forms the character of the
Lion; and that uncommon degree of courage and fortitude, which he
fometimes appears to poflefs, is perhaps more the effect of hunger than
natural difpofition: unaccuftomed to meet with any oppofition, it.1s no
wonder that he is foon daunted when he does, and that when he has once
proved by experience the refiftance man is able to make againft him, he
fhuns the unequal combat, and feeks his fafety in flight.

The Lion will-not attack any animal openly, unlefs he is urged by rage
or extreme hunger; in either of thefe cafes, he is fearlefs of danger, and his
fury is not to be checked by any refiftance. His.method of feizing his prey,
is generally to fpring or throw himfelf on it, with one great leap from the
place where he lies concealed. If by chance he mifles his aim, the Hottentots
unanimoufly agree he will not repeat the attack, but, as-if afhamed of his
_awkwardnefs, turning towards the place from whence he fprang, he
‘meafures flowly, ftep by ftep, the exact length between the two points, as if
it were to afcertain the caufe of his miftake. The following narrative will
ferve to thew that this is his ufual mode of attack. “An elderly Hottentot,
in the fervice of a Chriftian, near the upper part of Sunday-rivier; obferved:a
Lion following him at a great diftance, for two hours together: he naturally
concluded that the Lion only waited the approach of night to make him his
prey; and as he was at a confiderable diftance from home, with no weapon
of defence except a {taffy he gave himfelf up for loft. Being, however, well
acquainted with the nature of the Lion, and his manner of feizing his prey;
_ he availed himfelf of the leifure he had, to confider what would.be the moft
probable means by which he would be deftroyed; and, at laft, providentially
hit upon the following method of faving his life: he looked out for what
is there called a kliphrans, | which is a rocky place level at top, and having a
perpendicular precipice on one fide of it, and fitting himfelf down on the
edge of this precipice, he obferved, to his great fatisfacticn, that the Lion alfo
made a halt, and kept at the fame diftance as before. As foonas it began te

3

THE LION. =>

grow dark, the Hottentot, fliding gently forwards, let himfelf down below
the upper edge of the precipice, upon a projecting part of the rock, where he
had barely room to keep from falling: but in order to deceive the Lion, he
fet his hat and cloak on the flick, making with it a gentle motion juft over
his head, a little way from the edge of the precipice: this crafty expedient
had the defired effet: the Lion foon came creeping foftly towards him like
a Cat, and miftaking the fkin cloak for the Hottentot himfelf, took his leap
with fuch exact precifion, that he fell headlong down the precipice, and thus
relieved the poor Hottentot from his fears and danger.”

The Lion is hunted on horfeback in Africa, much in the fame manner as
they hunt the Elephant: as many particulars refpeting the difpofition of
this animal may be learned from it, we fhall add the following concife
account of it. ! |

The hunters never venture to purfue the Lion on horfeback except on the
open plains. If it keeps in fome coppice, or wood, on a rifing ground, they
teafe it with Dogs, till it is provoked to come out ; they generally go two or
more in company, that one may affift and refcue the other, if the firft thot
fhould chance to mifs. | |

If the Lion firf fees the hunters at a confiderable diftance, he takes to his
heels as faft as he can, and endeavours to get out of fight; but, if he is
diifcovered near, he walks off in a furly manner, without hurrying himfelf in
the leaft, as if he {corned to betray any fear. When he finds himfelf
vigoroufly purfued, he is foon provoked to refift, or at leaft he difdains to fly
any longer. He now flackens his pace, and at length only fidles away
_ flowly, ftep by ftep, eyeing his purfuers afkaunt as he retreats ; at length he
makes a ftand, turns round to face them, and, giving himfelf a fhake, he
roars with a fhort and fharp tone, to thew his rage, being then in fact ready
to feize on them and tear them in pieces. This is the precife time for
the hunters to approach the Lion, keeping at a proper diftance from each
other, and he that is neareft, and has the beft mark prefented him of that
part of the Lion’s body which contains his heart and lungs, fhould be the firft
to jump from his Horfe, and, fecuring his bridle, by putting it round his arm,

pal — ——— ee

THE LION.

difcharge his gun; then inftantly recovering his feat, he mutt ride obliquely
athwart his companions, and, giving the reins to his Horfe, muft truft entirely
to his {peed and fear, to convey him from the reach and fury of the enraged
beaft, if he has only wounded, or totally miffed him. In either cafe, a fair
opportunity offers for fome of the other hunters to fire in their turn, in the

fame manner, and divert the attention of the Lion from their companion. In

this manner they mutually relieve each other, til the deftruction of the beaft

clofes the fcene. There has never been an inftance known of any accident
happening to thofe who hunt the Lion on horfeback, provided they are
accuftomed to the fport, and conduct themfelves with prudence. The
African Colonifts being in general good markfmen, and far from deficient in
courage. |

The Lion is eafily killed: with a bullet: if it enters the heart or lungs, his
death is immediate; but fhould it wound the inteftines, or lodge in the
cavity of the abdomen, he is prefently thrown into vomitings, which difable
him from running.

The largeft Lion is eafily overcome by twelve or fixteen of the common
farm-houfe Dogs, provided they attack him in the day time, and on an open

plain. As foon as the Dogs approach the Lion, he difdains to fly any farther,

but fits himfelf down. The Hounds then get round him, and rufhing on
him all at once, are thus, with their united ftrength, enabled to tear in

pieces, almoft in an inftant, the ftrongeft of all wild beatfts, before he has

time to give more than two or three flight ftrokes with his paws; each of

which, however, is inftant death to the dog which is unfortunate enough
to receive it. . | ,

It is difficult to deferibe the roaring of the Lion, fo as to convey. an
adequate idea of it: it confifts of a hoarfe, inarticulate, hollow found, ~

fomething like that which proceeds from a {peaking trumpet, but much more

~ tremendous: it feems as if it proceeded from under the earth, and its flow,

prolonged note, accompanied by the nocturnal darknefs, and the terrible
idea one is ready to form of this tremendous animal, never fails to make the

moft alarming impreflion on the hearer, and ferves as a warning to other

THE EION.

animals to betake themfelves to flight ; but as, according to univerfal report,
he always puts his mouth to the ground when he roars, the found is equally
diffufed in all directions, fo that it is impoflible to eicerinin. from what
quarter it proceeds; the poor animals, therefore, are fo affrighted and teafed,
that they fly about in every direétion, and frequently run to the very {pot
they ought to fhun, and become the eafy prey of the animal they are fo
anxious to avoid. Dogs and cattle betray a confcioufnefs of the vicinity of

a Lion, whether he roars or not. Dr. Sparrman fays, in this fituation his
-Hounds did not venture to bark, but kept quite clofe to the Hottentots; his
Oxen and Horfes fighed deeply, frequently hanging back, and pulling flowly
with all their might at the ftrong ftraps with which they were tied up to the -
waggon. ‘They alfo laid down on the ground and ftood up alternately, as if

they did not know what to do with themfelves; and this, as he obferves,
— from pure inftinét, having never feen a Lion in their lives.

The Lion is not very ferviceable when dead ; his hide is much inferior to
that of the Cow, and feldom ufed, unlefs to fupply the want of a better. The
farmers near the Cape of Good Hope fometimes ufe it as upper-leathers for.
their thoes, and fay it is both pliable and lafting.

ow

Fon Uy

L195.

re

Published by W.Darion and Harvey,

TIGER.

THE ROYAL TIGER,

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Six cutting, and two canine teeth in each jaw.
Five toes on the fore-feet, four on thofe behind.
Claws iharp and hooked, lodged in a fheath, capable of being extended of
‘drawn in at pleafure. !

Head round, vifage fhort, tongue rough.

SYNONIMS.
Ferris Ticris, Lenn. Sy/i. 61.
Ticrer, Pennant Syn. Quad. 121.
Trerts, Plin. lib. viii. c. 18. Gefner Quad. 936. Raw Syn. Quad, 105.
Ferts Frava, Briffon Quad. 194.
Le Tiere, de Buffon, ix. 129. tad. ix.

THE Royal Tiger is certainly the moft beautiful creature of the Cat kind;
_ put, as if it were to thew the danger of attachment to beauty, merely for its
own fake, it is at the fame time the moft cruel, rapacious, and deftructive
animal in the creation.

The fize of the Royal Tiger is often fuperior to that of the Lion; its ufual
length, when full grown, is about nine feet, and it frequently is four feet
ten inches in height ; notwithftanding which, it is pofleffed of as much agility
as the Cat, united with prodigious ftrength ; thus qualified, it is no wonder
that it carries dread and devaftation wherever it goes. The Tiger refembles
the Cat in its general form. Its colour is a full yellow, inclining to fawn
eolour, which is deeper on the back, and becomes gradually lighter as it
approaches towards the belly, where it is white, as are alfo the throat and
the infide of the legs; the whole body is beautifully marked with deep black

THE ROYAL TIGER.

ftripes or bands, which run in the fame direCtion as the ribs, from the back
down to the belly, and form a ftriking and elegant contraft with the yellow :
round each eye there is a white {pace {potted with black, and a {tripe of the
fame colour extends along the cheeks, from the ear to the throat; the legs are
yellow, with fome black ftripes on them, the hair is beautifully glofly and
{mooth, and looks like very fine velvet.

The Royal Tiger may be confidered as one of the {carceft of elaine
and much lefs diffufed than the Lion: i is a native of the Eaft ice where
it is only to be found in the warmeft regions.

The Tiger is feldom heard to roar, with much violence, in a ftate of
captivity; but, when he ranges at large the tyrant of the forefts, his cry is
horrible beyond defcription. It begins by intonations and reflections which
are at firft deep, melancholy, and flow; thefe prefently become more acute,
when fuddenly collecting himfelf, he fends forth a violent cry, interrupted by
long tremulous founds, which make a diftraéting impreflion upon the mind.
The night is the time when his roarings are ufually heard, the horror of which
is increafed by the filence and darknefs, and his cries are repeated by the
echoes of the mountains.

At the dreaded appearance of this cruel monfter, which always feems to
tremble with a favage joy at the fight of the animal whofe blood he is about
to drink, moft other creatures think only of flight, which is often unavailing :
if the Bear has not time to afcend a tree, he is dead: the Dog has fearcely a
moment allowed him to utter the cry of defpair, he is inftantly feized and
torn in pieces: a large Bull is prefently overthrown, and dragged away with
eafe: the wild male Buffalo indeed will dart at his enemy, but if he is alone,
he foon falls a victim to his cruel antagonift(a).

ee oN peafant, in the Sundah Rajha’s dominions, had a Buffalo fallen into a
quagmire, and while he went for affliftance, a large Tiger, with its fingle |
ftrength, drew forth the animal, though the united force of many men was
infufficient for the purpofe. ‘The firft object which prefented itfelf to the
people on their return to the place, was the Tiger, who had thrown the

(A) D’Obfonyille. —

THE ROYAL TIGER:

Buffalo over his fhoulder, as a Fox does a Goofe, and was carrying it away,
with the feet upwards, towards its den; as foon as it faw the men, it let fall
its prey, and inftantly fled to the woods: but it had previoufly killed the
Buffalo, and fucked its blood. The Indian Buffalo ufually weighs a thoufand
pounds, which is twice the weight of our black cattle; from hence fome
idea may be formed of the enormous ftrength of this cruel and rapacious
animal, which could run off with a creature twice its own weight with fuch
apparent eafe (A).”’

Father Tachard gives an account of a combat he faw between a Tiger and
three Elephants at Siam, which we fhall infert, to furnifh a more complete idea
of the amazing ftrength and courage of this terrible animal. A lofty palifade
was built with bamboo cane, an hundred feet fquare; and in the midtt of
this place were three Elephants appointed for combating the Tiger. Their
heads and a part of their trunks were covered with a kind of armour, to
defend thofe parts from the claws of their fierce adverfary. <“ As foon,”
fays he, “ as we arrived at the place, a Tiger was brought forth from its |
den, of a fize much larger than we had ever feen before. It was not at firft
let loofe, but held with cords, fo that one of the Elephants approaching,
gave it three or four terrible blows, with its trunk, on the back, with fuch
force, that the Tiger was for fome time ftunned, and lay without motion, as
if it had been dead. However, as foon as it was let loofe, and at full liberty,
although the firft blows had greatly abated its fury, it made at the Elephant
with a loud fhriek, and aimed at feizing his trunk. But the Elephant,
wrinkling it up with great dexterity, received the Tiger on his great teeth,
and toffed it up into the air. This fo difcouraged the furious animal, that it
no more ventured to approach the Elephant, but made feveral circuits round
the palifade, often attempting to fly at the fpeCtators. Shortly after, three
Elephants were fent againft it, and they continued to {trike it fo terribly with
their trunks, that it once more lay for dead; and they would certainly have
killed it, had not there been a ftop put to the combat.”

«From this account, we may readily judge of the {trength of this animal,
which, though reduced to captivity, and held by cords, though firft difabled,

(a) Captain Hamilton,

THE ROYAL TIGER.

and fet alone againft three, yet ventured to continue the engagement, and
even that againft animals covered and protected from its fury.”

Mr. D’Obfonville relates, that he had occafion to traverfe one of the defiles
of High Canara, fituated between Boncombondi and Baflovapatnam, in
company with Mr. de Maifonpré: at this place they were informed a Royal
Tiger had, for fome time paft, committed dreadful ravages. ‘* When we
came to the place,’ fays he, “ we faw him lying in the fun; and, as we
approached at the diftance of about twenty paces, he inftantly arofe; but,
feeing many of us well armed, he climbed with agility up the other part of
the mountain, difturbed but not afraid. He appeared to us nearly as high as
a middle-fized poney. As we were accompanied by fix chofen feapoys, it 1s
more than probable we might have killed him, but we were encumbered
with horfes, and on a ftony road, not above eight or ten feet wide, at the
edge of which was a precipice: it would, therefore, have been very
imprudent to have attacked an animal which, though wounded, would not
have fallen unrevenged.

«« We had not gone aboye ten paces from the place where the Tiger had
lain, before we faw a tolerably large Dog, with long hair, come from
behind a rock, the mafter of which had perhaps been devoured: the poor
animal jumped upon us, carefled us exceedingly, and would not leave us

Many intelligent Indians affert, that the Tiger prefers the Dog to any other
food, and that they will fometimes fteal them by night from houfes where
there are other animals, which they will leave untouched. It has alfo been
obferved, that Dogs, even when young, and confequently inexperienced, have
been feized with an univerfal trembling at the fight of a Tiger, and feemed
fenfible of the great danger they were in. Perhaps that innate and almoft
uinconquerable repugnance between the Dog and Cat, the latter being nearly
related to the Tiger, is only the remains of this inftinétive antipathy.

The Tiger is fierce without provocation, and cruel without neceflity ;
when he meets with a herd of cattle, he levels all with indifcriminate cruelty,
and hardly finds time to appeate his appetite, while intent on fatisfying the
malignity of his nature; if undifturbed, he plunges his head into the body

of the animal up to the eyes, as if it were to fatiate himfelf. with blood, of

THE ROYAL TIGER.

which he drinks every drop before he tears the body in pieces(a). He does
not purfue his prey, but lurks among the buthes, on the fides of rivers, from
whence he fprings or bounds on the unhappy victim with an elafticity and
from a diftance fcarcely credible: if he mifs his aim, he inftantly makes off,
and does not renew the attack. <“ I was informed, by very good authority,”
fays Mr. Pennant, << that, in the beginning of this century, fome ladies and
gentlemen, being ona party of pleafure, under a fhade of trees, on the banks
of a river in Bengal, obferved a Tiger preparing for its fatal {pring; one of
the ladies, with amazing prefence of mind, laid. hold of an umbrella, and
furled it full in the animal’s face, which inftantly retired, and gave the
company opportunity of removing from fo terrible a neighbour (B).”
Another party, the memory of one of which is {till dear to thofe who
knew his worth, had not the fame good fortune. The event is thus related,
by a gentleman who was an eye-witnefs of the horrid fcene. <‘‘ Yefterday
morning, Dee. 22, 1792, Mr. Downey, Bigut. Pyefinch, poor Mr. Munro(c),
and myfelf went on fhore, on Saugur Ifland, to fhoot Deer. We faw
innumerable tracks of them, as well as of Tigers; notwithftanding which
we continued our fport till half paft three, when we fat down on the
edge of the jungle, to refrefh ourfelves, and had juft commenced our
meal, when we were told a fine Deer was within fix yards of us:
Mr. Downey and I immediately jumped up, to take up our guns; I had but
juit laid hold of mine, when I heard a roar like thunder, and faw an immenfe
Royal Tiger {pring on the unfortunate Munro, who was fitting down: in
a moment his head was in the beaft’s mouth, and he rufhed into the
jungle with him, with as much eafe as I could lift a kitten; tearing him
through the thickeft buthes and trees, every thing yielding to his monftrous
firength. The agonies of horror, regret, and, I mutt fay, fear, (for there were
two Tigers, a male and a female), rufhed on me at once; the only effort I
could make, was to fire at him, though the poor youth was {till in his mouth.
[ relied partly on Providence, partly on my own aim, and fired a mufket.
The Tiger fiaggered and feemed agitated, which I took notice of to my

(a) Pennant. (8) Pennant’s Syn, Quad, 168. (c) Only fon of Sir Heétor Munro, K. B,

THE ROYAL TIGER.

companions. Mr. Downey then fired two fhots and I one more. We
retired from the jungle, and a few minutes after, Mr. Munro came up to us,
all over blood, and fell. We took him on our backs to the boat, and got ~
every medical affiftance for him, from the Valentine Eaft Indiamen, but in
vain; he lived twenty-four hours in the utmoft torture; ‘his head and {kull
were torn and broke to pieces, and he was wounded by the claws, all over
his neck and fhoulders; but it was. better to take him away, though
irrecoverable, than leave him to be mangled and devoured.

«« | mutt obferve, there was a large fire blazing clofe to us, compofed of
- ten or a dozen whole trees ; and eight or ten of the natives were about us;
many fhots had been fired near the fpot, and there was much noife and
laughing at the time; but this ferocious animal difregarded all.

«The human mind cannot form an idea of the {cene; it turned my very
foul within me. The beaft was about four feet and a half high, and nine
long. His head appeared as large as an Ox’s, his eyes darted fire, and his
roar, when he firft feized his prey, will never be out of my recollection. We
had {earcely pufhed our boat from that curfed fhore, when the Tigrefs made
her appearance, raging mad almoft, and remained on the fand, as long as the
diftance would allow me to fee her.”

Thus is the Tiger the fcourge of the countries where he is found ; he fears
neither man nor beaft, and will attack the Lion, Elephant, and Rhinoceros, and
often with fuccefs. His {pirit feems untameable, neither foree nor kindnefs
can make the leaft impreffion on his ftubborn nature. The carefles of his
keeper have no influence on his heart of iron; he fnaps at the hand which
feeds him, and feems to confider every living object as deftined for his prey.
When the Tiger exprefles his refentment, he {hews his teeth, moves the
mufcles and fkin of his face, and fends forth horrible fhrieks.

Hunting the Tiger is a favourite amufement with fome of the eaftern
princes, who go in fearch of them, attended by confiderable bodies of men
well mounted and armed with lances; as foon as they are roufed, they are
inftantly attacked by pikes, arrows, and fabres on all fides, and prefently
deftroyed; but this diverfion is always attended with danger, for if the Tiger

THE ROYAL TIGER.

feels himfelf wounded, he feldom retreats without facrificing fome one to

his vengeance.

The female Tiger goes three months with young, and produces feverat at
a litter(a): it is therefore no wonder that the endeavours of the inhabitants,
to extirpate this cruel and deftruCtive creature, prove ineffe@ual. Whilft fhe
has young ones to bring up, fhe exceeds, if poffible, her ufual rapacity: if her
young are taken from her during her abfence, fhe purfues the robber with
inconceivable fury, who, to fave a part, is contented to lofe a part, and lets
fall one of her cubs, which fhe immediately carries to her den, and inftantly
renews the purfuit; he then drops another, and by the time fhe has placed
that in fafety, he generally gets clear off with the remainder. If fhe cannot
find any of her young, fhe then becomes defperate; boldly approaching
towns, and committing horrid flaughter wherever fhe goes,

The only benefit man derives from this dreadful animal is the fkin, which
is held in high efteem all over the Eaft, and particularly in China, where the
mandarins cover their feats of juftice with it, and apply it to other purpofes:
perhaps it acquires an additional value from the difficulty and danger with
which it is procured.

(a) D’Obfonville.

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LEOPARD

THE LEOPARD.

GeneRiIC CHARACTERS.
Six cutting and two canine teeth in each jaw.
Five toes on the fore-feet; four on thofe behind.
Claws hooked, fharp, and lodged in a fheath, capable of being extended or
drawn in at pleafure. |

Head round, vifage fhort, tongue rough.

Sy NONIMS.
Unica, Cati Opufc. 42. Gefner Quad. 825.
‘Le Leoparp, de Buffon, tx. 151. tab. xiv.
Leoparp, Pennant Syn. Quad. 123.

THE Leopard emulates the Tiger in the elegance of his form, and the
beautiful marking with which his {kin is adorned ; the colour of his hair isa
lively yellow, he is ornamented on the back and fides with {mall black fpots,
which are difpofed in circles not far diftant from each other; his face and
legs are marked with fingle black {pots; the hairs on the breaft and belly are
longer than thofe on the reft of the body, and they are of a whitith colour;
the tail is yellow, and adorned. with oblong black marks; the length of the
body is four feet from the nofe to the infertion of the tail, which is two feet
andahalf, This animal feems to be fubject to greater variety of colour, than
is ufually obferved in wild creatures; indeed it is feldom that two of them
are feen exactly alike.

_The general appearance of the Leopard is fierce, his eye is reftlefs, and his
countenance cruel; his motions are fhort and precipitate; he attacks and

devours every animal he meets, {paring neither man nor beaft; and when thofe

THE LEOPARD.

which are wild, are infufficient to fatiate his cruel appetite, he defcends with
great numbers from their lurking places, and makes dreadful deftru@ion
among the numerous herds of cattle, which adorn the fertile meadows of the
lower Guinea. He tears his prey both with teeth and claws, and although
he is conftantly devouring, his appearance is always thin (a.)

The method generally ufed by the negroes to take this animal, is to dig
pits and cover them flightly over with flender hurdles, on which a piece of
fleth is placed as a bait. |

The fleth of the Leopard is eaten by the negroes, and is faid to be as white
as veal, and as well tafted.

The fkins are brought into Europe, and held in high eftimation; fome of
the moft beautiful being fold for eight or ten guineas each.

The Leopard inhabits Senegal, Guinea, and moft parts of Africa. He
delights in the thickeft forefts, and frequents the borders of rivers, to wait for
animals which come there to quench their thirft.

An ingenious French philofopher (B) remarks, that nature employs clafhing
oppofitions of colour, and other omnious figns to exprefs the characters of
favage and dangerous animals of all kinds, and to warn man of their

approach or prefence. ‘Thus, the Lion announces his vicinity by tremendous
| roarings, which refemble thunder, and by the vivid and inftantaneous flafhes
which proceed from his eyes in the dark: the Tiger, Panther, &c. are
rendered con{picuous by their beautiful colour and markings; the cries of
birds of prey are fhrill and piercing; the Gnat hums, and the Wafp is
{peckled like the Tiger, with black ftripes on a yellow ground. If there be
any truth in this obfervation, it is in no inftance more remarkable than in the
animal we have juft been treating of, the beautiful yellow colour of whofe
{kin, adorned as it is with elegant black markings, forms a contraft which
renders him confpicuous at a confiderable diftance, and gives the object of his
purfuit fome chance of efcaping from his fury.

A variety of this animal is found in the Eaft Indies, which has been called
the Leffer Leopard. Its general colour is much paler than that of the Leopard

(a) Pennant. (8) De Saint-Pierre.

THE LEOPARD.

of Senegal, and inclines more to ochre; the face is {potted with black, as are
the breaft and belly, but the {pots are {maller: the belly is white, {potted with
black; the back, fides, and rump, are yellowith, and beautifully marked with
circles of black fpots; the tail, which is {hort in proportion to the length of
the body, tapers toa point.

- The late Sir Afhton Lever had one of thefe animals, which he kept in a
cage at Leicefter Houfe. We have often admired and careffed this creature, ©
who always feemed pleafed and gratified by the attention paid it, purring and
rubbing its fides againft the cage like a cat. Sir Afhton prefented it to the
royal menagery in the Tower, in which fituation we faw it, after an interval
of more than a year, notwithftanding which feparation, it appeared perfectly
to recognife its old acquaintance, and began to renew its carefles as ufual;
hence it appears, that this animal is capable of recollection and attachment.

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HUNTING LEOPARD.

THE HUNTING LEOPARD.

Generic CHARACTERS.
- Six cutting, and two canine teeth in each jaw.
Five toes before, four behind.
Sharp hooked claws, lodged in a fheath, that may be extended or
drawn in at pleafure.

Round head, fhort vifage, and rough tongue.

SYNONIMS.
FELIS JUBATA, Schreber, cv.
Le Gueparp, de Buffon, xiii. 240.
Le Leoparp, Voy. de Boullaye-le-gouz, 248.
Huntine Leoparp, Pennant Hifi. Quad. vol. i. p. 284.

THIS creature, notwithftanding the natural ferocity attached to its
genus, is frequently tamed by the Indian hunters, and rendered fubfervient
to their interefts, in purfuing Antelopes, Jackalls, and other beafts of
chafe.

It is about the fize of a large Greyhound, with a fmall head, ‘hort ears,
narrow cheft, and long legs. Its face, chin, and throat, are of a light brown
colour, inclining to yellow; the irides of its eyes are ota pale orange; the
end of the nofe is black. From each corner of the mouth, to that of each
eye, runs a dufky line: the ears are tawny, and marked with a brown ftripe.
The body is of a tawny brown, diverfified with round black fpots; the
infides of the legs, however, are plain, and the belly is white. ~The hair ‘on
the top of the neck is longer than the reft; the tail is of a confiderable
length, of a reddifh brown colour, and marked on the upper furface with
black {pots. — |

THE HUNTING LEOPARD.

The Hunting Leopard, when properly trained for the chafe of Antelopes,
is hood-winked, and fecured in a {mall kind of waggon, till it approaches the
herd; when, being fet at liberty, it winds flowly and cautioufly along ~
the ground, occafionally ftopping and concealing itfelf till it gains an
advantageous fituation. It then darts.on the unfufpe@ing animals with —
aftonifhing agility, and generally overtakes them by the rapidity of its
bounds; but, if its firft efforts, confifting of five or fix furprifing leaps,
happen to prove ineffectual, it prudently relinquithes the fruitlefs purfuit,
and, after ftopping to regain its breath, readily returns to its mafter. |

‘This fpecies of Leopard is known-in India by the name of the Chittah.

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THE CAT.

| Generic CHARACTERS.
Six cutting teeth, and two canine teeth, in each jaw.
Five toes before, four behind.
Sharp hooked claws, lodged in a fheath, that may be exerted or drawn
in at pleafure.

- Round head, and fhort vifage: rough tongue.

SYNONIMS.
(Witp Car.) Carus sytvestris. Boumriter. Gefner Quad. 325.
CaTUS SYLVESTRIS, FERUS VEL FERALIS, EQUES ARBORUM. Klein

Quad. 75. |

Wipe Karze. . Kram. Aujfir. 311.
FeLis syLtvestris. Briffon Quad. 192.
Kor Drixi, Zeix. Rzaczinfke Polon. 217. Schreber, cvii. A. evii. B.
Le Cuat sauvace. De Buffon, vi. 1. tab. i. Brit. Zool. i. 67.
Common Cat. Pennant Hift. Quad. vol. i. p. 295.

IN the gentle habits of our common domettic Cat, we have a ftriking
exhibition of the conciliatory effeéts of kind ufage, even on difpofitions the
moft ferocious. : 7

- This demure looking creature, fitting fo placidly by the firefide, is no other
than a defcendant of the Ferus, or Wild Cat, the moft fierce and deftructive
animal which yet continues to range the woods and wilds of thefe iflands,
_ deftroying poultry, lambs, and kids, as well as vermin and different kinds of
game.

THE CAT.
The Wild Cat, which has been called the Britith Tiger, though found in

every quarter of the globe, is three or four times as large as the Houfe Cat,
and very ftrongly made, with tremendous claws and teeth. It lives moftly
in trees, feeding chiefly by night; for prowling at which feafon it feems
peculiarly adapted. Not having the delicate {cent of the Dog, it depends
only upon its fight, lying clofely in ambufh, and attacking animals by
furprife. ‘The pupil of its eye is capable of great contraCtion and dilatation:
it is narrow, like a line, during the glare of day; but round and wide in the
dark, which gives it great advantage in difcovering and feizing its prey. Its
long, foft hair, is of a yellowifh white colour, and of a deepifh grey ; really,
though rather indiftinétly, difpofed like the ftreaks of the Tiger’s {kin.

How changed from the wild animal is that which we rear in our houfes!
but which retains enough of its fanguinary difpofition, to effectually rid us
from thofe deftructive and troublefome little creatures, by which we fhould
otherwife be overrun. In the deftruction of thefe vermin, it gives a
difguiting proof of its native cruelty; for, when it has got them within its
clutches, it affects to let them efcape, and feems to {port with the feelings
of the little victims, till, by a coup de grace from its jaws, it relieves them
from their horrors, and gluts itfelf with blood.

While the Cat of the woods fhews fo very little diverfity of colour in its
fur, it is well known that the Houfe Cat, like other animals changed by
domeftication, exhibits the greateft variety. This creature, when. young, is
extremely playful; but, with age, it lofes its {portive habits, and puts on
the appearance of great gravity and fedatenefs. When pleafed it purrs,
moves its tail, and rubs itfelf againft the perfon who takes notice of it. It
is is alfo fond of rubbing itfelf againft thofe who carry any kind of perfume,
and is fond of the fmell of valerian, marum, catmint, and certain aromatics,
to diftraction; whilft it fhews the greateft diflike to bad fmells. Its fleep is
very light; it is extremely vigilant, and fo artful as to imitate the appearance
of death, for the purpofe of deceiving the unfufpecting obje& of its prey.
When irritated it fets up its back, lafhes with its tail, {pits, hiffes, and
firikes with its foot.

THE CAT.

The Cat, though fo ufeful a domeftic, feems perfectly untractable, or
incapable of any attachment unconnected with its own eafe, comfort, or
gratification. Its difingenuity of character has been thought to be pourtrayed
in the obliquity of its movements, and the ambiguity of its looks; but this
delicate, cleanly, and voluptuous animal, feeking the fofteft and warmeft
places to repofe,on, though fo active and fierce, is timid and miftruftful,
dreading blows and every violence; feeling, as it were, confcious of its
weaknefs and the tendernefs of its fkin, which alfo may account for its
great antipathy to water, humidity, and cold. Though peculiarly fond of
fifth, it very feldom ventures to wet its foot by feizing them in their own
element; though inftances have fometimes occurred to the contrary. The
Cat, different from other carnivorous animals, has its claws retractile. It
can bend them backwards, and fix them between its toes, when it has no
occafion for them. ‘This preferves their edge and their point, and enables
the animal to tread without noife, and to touch foftly. The Cat’s eyes
fhine in the dark; its hair, when rubbed, emits electric fparks, and, on the
approach of a ftorm, it is obferved to thew its fenfibility of the change in the
atmofphere, by its rubbing and wathing its face with its fore feet.

Cats are about eighteen months in acquiring their full growth; but are
capable of propagation in twelve, and retain this faculty nine or ten years,
nearly the term of their life. ‘The female goes with young from fifty-five to
fifty-eight days, producing four or five at a litter.

The old popular tale of Whittington and his Cat may be a fiction, or not
traceable to any good authority; but this animal was once of fuch great
account in our ifland, that we cannot but fuppofe that the creature, which
multiplied fo fait, muft then have been but lately imported. In the tenth
century, the Welch prince Hoel Adda, or Howel the Good, among his
laws relating to the prices, &c. of animals, included that of the Cat, and
defcribed its neceflary qualities. The price of a kitten before it could fee
was to bea penny; till it caught a moufe, twopence; when it commenced
moufer, fourpence; which at that day were confiderable fums: but it was

required that it fhould be perfect in its fenfes of feeing and hearing, be a

THE CAT.

good moufer, have the claws whole, and be a good nurfe; and, if it failed
in any of thefe qualities, the feller was to forfeit to the buyer the third part
of its value. If any one ftole or killed the Cat that guarded the Prince’s
granary, he was to forfeit a milch ewe, its fleece and lamb; or as much
wheat as, when poured on a Cat fufpended by its tail, (the head touching
the floor,) would form a heap high enough to cover the whole creature to
the tip of the tail.

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LYNX.

THE OCELOT.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
_ Six cutting and two canine teeth in each jaw.
Five toes before; four behind.
Claws fharp and hooked, lodged in a fheath that may be exerted or °
drawn in at pleafure.

Head round, vifage fhort, tongue rough,

Sy NONIMS.
FeLis SYLVESTRIS AMERICANUS, Ticrinus, Sed. Muf. 1. 47. tad.
xxx. fig. 2 and 177. tad, xlviii. fig. 2.
Yr vi r
TLacoozELotL; TLracoceLotTy. Carus pARDUS MEXICANUSs,
Hernandez Mexican. 512.

LOcexrot, de Buffon, xiil. 239. tab. xxxv. xxxvi.

THE male Ocelot is a very beautiful quadruped, the elegant variety of
the ftripes and {pots with which it is adorned, added to the richnefs of its
colours, rendering it a moft charming creature. It is two feet and a half in
Jength, from the end of the nofe to the infertion of the tail(a.) The head,
back, upper part of the rump, and tail, are of a bright tawny colour; the
top of the back is adorned with a black firipe, which extends the whole
length from the head to the tail; the forehead is {potted with black, and a
ftripe of the fame colour extends from the corners of the eyes to the noftrils;
the fides are whitith, beautifully marked with long ftripes of black, extending
lengthways, which are hollow, and tawny in the middle, and {prinkled with
fmall black fpots: others, of the fame fhape and colour, extend from the

(a) Mr. Buffon says it is four feet long, but this appears to be a mistake.

THE OCELOT.

neck towards the fhoulder point; and the rump is marked in the fame
manner. The legs are whitith, and marked with {mall black fpots; the tail
is marked with black fpots near the bafe, and black lines towards the
extremity. ‘The colours of the female are in general fainter, though the ~
markings are like the male.

The Ocelot is ftrongly made, and very voracious; it is fearful of mankind,
but preys on young Calves(a)and different kinds of game. It frequents
mountainous places, where it lurks among the leaves of trees, extending
itfelf along the branches, as if it were dead, till the Monkeys (B,) tempted
by their natural inquifitivenefs, approach too near to examine it, and fall a
facrifice to their rath curiofity. It is afraid of Dogs, and flies to the woods
when it is purfued by them Like the Tiger, it prefers the blood of animals
to their flefh, which it leaves untouched; great numbers, therefore, are
deftroyed, to fatisfy its hunger.

The Ocelot is impatient of captivity: when under confinement, it is in
perpetual motion, and nothing can tame the fiercenefs of its nature: it returns
the carefles of its keeper by nee growls, which {ufficiently indicate its
vindictive {pirit.

This animal inhabits Mexico, the neighbourhood of Gander, and
Brafil,

(4) Dampier’s Voy. ii. 62. (8) Hernandez Mex. 514.

THE LYNX.

GENERIC CHARACTERS,

The fame as the Ocelot.

SYNONIMS.
Avy£, Atlan. lib. xiv. c. 6. Oppian Cyneg, ili. 84.
Cuaus, Plin. lib. vill. c. 19. Lupus cERVARIUS, Cc. 22.
Lupus cervarius, Lynx, Cuaus, Ge/ner Quad. 677, 678.
Lynx stve Leuncia, Cazz Opufc. 50.
Lynx, Carus cervarius ANGLICE, THE OuncE, Razi Syn. Quad. 166.
Fexris Lynx, Linn. Syft. 62.
WarcG Lo, Kartio, Faun. Suec. No. 10, 11.
Carus Cervarivus, Briffon Quad. 199.
Rys, OstrowiDz, Rzaczinfkt Polon. 222.
Lux, Kramer Aufir. 311. Ridinger Wilden Thiere, 22.
Le Lywx, or Loup Cervier, de Buffon, ix. 231. tad. xxi.

THE Lynx is readily diftinguifhed from all other animals of the Cat kind
by the length of its ears, which are tufted at the end with long black hairs:
this is a character peculiar to thefe animals. The fhortnefs of the tail,
which does not exceed fix inches in length, though the animal fometimes
meafures four feet fix inches from the end of the nofe to the infertion of the
tail, is another mark of diftinétion. The extremity of the tail is black. The
body of the Lynx is covered with long, foft hair, which is of an afh-colour,
tinged with red, and marked in fome parts, particularly on the thighs, with
dufky fpots, which are more or lefs vifible in different individuals, and in
fome fearcely difcernible. ‘The throat and belly are white. The colour is

THE LYNX.

fubject to great variety, | and the farther north this animal is bred, the fur is
proportionably whiter, and the fpots.are more diftin@. It becomes the
more valuable on this account. The fkin of the moft elegant variety, which
is called the Irbys, and is taken near the Lake Balckafh, in Ufbec Tartary,
fells in that country for one pound fterling. The fkin of the male is more
{potted than that of the female. The furs of thefe animals are much
efteemed for their warmth and foftnefs, and great numbers. of them are
imported from North America and the northern parts of Europe and Afia.

The afpec&t of the Lynx is confiderably lefs favage than that of the
Panther or Ounce; the eyes are of a pale yellow, and furrounded by a circle
of white hair; the hair under the chin is long and full; the legs and feet are
very thick and ftrong. :

The Lynx brings forth: two or three young ones at a litter: itis very
long lived: it climbs trees in purfuit of its prey, which it follows to the
extremity of the branches. It feeds on Weafels, Ermines, and Squirrels,
which are unable to efcape from it. Like the Glutton, it lies concealed on
the lower branches of a large tree, watching the approach of the Fallow
Deer, Hare, and other animals, on which it darts, feizing them by the throat,
when it fucks their blood, and then leaving the. carcafe untouched, goes in
fearch of other game. It will not attack mankind. Its fight is very quick
and penetrating, and it diftinguifhes its prey at a great diftance. It feldom
eats more of a Goat or a Sheep than the liver, brain, and inteftines; and,
like the Wolf, will fometimes dig under the threfhold of the door, to gain
admiffion into the fheepfold. |

When the Lynx is attacked by a Dog, it lies down on its back, ftriking
defperately with all its claws, and often obliges its enemy to retire.

It howls fo like the Wolf, that, when heard at a diftance, it is eafily
miftaken for that animal. |

The Lynx inhabits the vaft forefts of the north of Europe, Afia, and
America; but it is not found in India, notwithftanding the poets have
harnefled them to the chariot of Bacchus, when he conquered that country:

it even prefers cold climates to thofe which are temperate.

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THE BROWN BEAR,

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
- Six cutting and two canine teeth in each jaw.
Five toes on each foot.
In walking, refts on the hind feet, as far as the heel.

SYNONIMS.
Ursus caupa AaBrupta, Linn. Sy/i. 69.
Brorn, Faun. Suec. No. 19.
Ager@:, Oppran Cyneg. ili. 139.
NiEDZWIEDZ, Rzaczinjfke Polon. 225.
Bar, Klein Quad. 82.
L’Ours, de Buffon, viii. 248. tab. xxxi. xxxil.

_ NATURALISTS and travellers have differed very much in their accounts
of this animal, fo as, in many inftances, even to have contradicted each other.
This feems to arife from their not having properly diftinguifhed the different
kinds of Bears, in confequence of which, they have afcribed to one the
qualities of another. All agree, that the White or Polar Bear is a diftinc
fpecies from both the Brown and Black Bear; but fome(a) affert that the
two latter are only varieties of the fame fpecies, whilft others(s) contend that
they are quite diftin@, and differ from each other both in their inclinations
and appetites. White land Bears are alfo found in Great Tartary, Mufcovy,
Lithuania, and other northern countries ; but as Bears are likewife found

in the fame places, whofe colour is an intermixture of brown and white,

(a) Mr. Pennant, &c. ; (8) Buffon, &c.

THE BROWN BEAR.

Mr. Buffon confiders them as varieties of either the brown or black fpecies.
However the fact may be, the Brown Bear, which is the fubject of the
prefent account, is by far the moft common, and is found of two fizes, the
one large, the other {mall. |

The large Brown Bear is generally about fix feet in length; his head is
long, his eyes {mall, and his ears fhort, in proportion to his fize; his {kin is
hard and thickly covered with long coarfe hair, notwithftanding all which,
he poflefles the fenfes of feeing, hearing, and feeling, in high perfe@ion:
the internal furface of his nofe being very extenfive, it is probable that his
{mell is more exquifite than that of any other animal: his limbs are ftrong,
thick, and clumfy; his feet large, and furnifhed with a fhort heel bone,
which makes part of the fole of the foot ; his tail is very fhort, and hardly
vifible. ‘The Brown Bear is favage and folitary ; he deftroys cattle, and feeds
even on carrion; his general food, however, is roots, fruits, potatoes, corn,
and other vegetables. He is very fond of peas(a), “ of which he will tear up
great quantities, and, beating them out of the fhells on fome ftone or hard
{pot of ground, eats the grain, and carries off the ftraw.”” When he attacks
an adverfary, he feldom makes ufe of his teeth, but ftrikes very ftrongly with
his fore feet like a Cat, and, feizing his enemy between his paws, preffes him
againft his breaft with fo much ftrength, that he almoft inftantly fqueezes his
opponent to death. ‘The voice of the Bear is a deep harfh murmur, which
he heightens by grinding his teeth, when he is enraged. Highly irafcible,
and capricioufly furious, he is never to be trufted, however gentle and
placid towards his owner he. may appear, being always treacherous and
vindictive. Although his external appearance is clumfy and ftupid, he is,
notwithftanding, fufficiently docile, to be taught to dance in a rude and
awkward manner, provided his education, for this purpofe, commences when
he is young, and that he is kept in continual reftraint. It is impoffible to
tame an old Bear, or keep him in any degree of fubjection ; perverfe, favage,
and uncontrollable in his nature, he never betrays any fear of danger, and

obftinately refifts every attempt to fubdue his ferocity. He will not turn out

(a) Pennant.

THE BROWN BEAR.

of his path at the fight of a man, or even endeavour to fhun him; but it is
afferted, that he is fo far furprifed and confounded by a particular fort of
whittle, as to rife upon his hind feet, which is the precife time to fhoot and
endeavour to kill him.

The Brown Bear inhabits the moft dangerous precipices of unfrequented
mountains ; a cavern which has been hollowed by time, or the cavity of
fome old enormous tree, fituate in the moft gloomy and retired parts of the
foreft, are the places he fixes on for his den. To one of thefe he retires at the
approach of winter, and there paffes {ome weeks in gloomy folitude, without
provifions, and almoft without motion. He does not, however, appear to be
totally deprived of fenfation, like the Bat and fome other animals, but feems
to fubfift on the fuperfluity of fat acquired before his retirement, and does
not feel the calls of returning appetite, until that fupply is exhaufted, and he
is become lean; he then iffues forth in fearch of food, and nothing comes
amifs to him ; he makes the beft ufe of his time in the fummer, to fupply
the lofs he has fuftained by his winter abftinence, and by the beginning
of autumn, he becomes fo fat, as to be hardly able to walk; at this
period the fat on his fides and thighs is fometimes ten inches thick. It has
been faid that the male quits his winter retreat at the end of forty days, but
that the female continues in it during four months, till fhe has brought up her
young. Mr. Buffon thinks this highly improbable, as the female, having young
now to nourifh with her milk, ftands in much greater need of fupply than the
male ; however this may be, it is certain that the females, after conception,
retire into the moft fecret and folitary places, left the male fhould devour the
young, which they never fail to do, if they find them. It is affirmed, as
matter of fact, that among the many hundreds(a) of Bears killed in America.
during winter, which is the breeding feafon, fcarcely one female is found, fo
impenetrable is their retreat during that period. (8) The female goes with

young from fix to {even months, and, previous to her confinement, provides

(a) Out of five hundred Bears that were killed in one winter, in two counties of Virginia, only two

females were found, and thofe were not pregnant. Lawf 117, quoted by Pennant.

(8) Buffon’s Supplement.

THE BROWN BEAR.

a warm bed of hay and mofs at the bottom of her den. She generally
produces one, two, or three, at a litter, but never more. When the young
ones are firft whelped, they are yellow, with a white mark round the neck,
and do not look much like Bears; their eyes are clofed during four weeks ;
at firft they are about eight inches long, and at the end of three months
fourteen or fifteen; at that age they appear almoft round, and their f{nout is
very {harp and pointed. They do not acquire much ftrength, till they are
full grown, before which time they have loft their white hair, which
gradually decreafes, and the yellow is changed into brown. The male and
female always live in feparate dens, and fometimes fight furioufly when they
meet, growling horribly at each other. ;

The Bear is extravagantly fond of honey, in fearch of which he will climb
hollow decayed trees, which he afcends and defcends with furprifing agility.

This animal is not confined to any particular country, but is found in
almoft all the high mountains, forefts, and deferts of the earth.

The flefh of the Bear is with fome held in high eftimation, particularly
the hinder legs made into hams, and the feet, which are efteemed great
delicacies. The {kin is the moft valuable of all coarfe furs; the fat is much
ufed, and yields a great quantity of oil, which, if properly prepared, is equal
in goodnefs to the beft oil olive. ‘The method made ufe of to feparate and
prepare it, is thus defcribed by Du Pratz. “ The flefh and fat are boiled
together, and then the oil is feparated; this done, it is purified by throwing
into it, while hot, a very large quantity of falt and water; a thick {moke
arifes, which carries off the difagreeable {mell of the fat; when the fmoke is
evaporated, they pour the greefe, while it is ftill warm, into a pot, where it is
left to fettle during eight or ten days, at the expiration of which a clear oil
is found fwimming at the top; this is taken off with ladles, and is perfectly
{weet and fine. Under it remains a lard, as white as Hogs-lard, but rather
fofter, which has neither a difagreeable {fmell nor tafte.”’ This account ts
confirmed by Mr. Dumont, who fays, that the favages of Louifiana carry on
a confiderable trade with the French in this article; that the oil never loofes
its fluidity, except in the time of intenfe frofts, when it becomes clotted, is

of a dazzling whitenefs, and is then eaten on bread, inftead of butter. Bears

THE BROWN BEAR.

are excellent fwimmers, while they retain their fat, and crofs the largeft
rivers with perfect eafe. |

The chafe of the Bear is attended with little or no danger, if properly
conducted ; and, as it-is highly lucrative, when fuccefsful, it is much
practifed in thofe parts where the animal is found. Other means are
likewife ufed to take them. In Sweden, Norway, and Poland, they mix
fpirits with honey, and leave this compofition in the Bear's way ; the animal
drinks eagerly of it, and, becoming intoxicated, is eafily fubdued. In Canada
and Louifiana, where the Black Bears ufually refide in the decayed parts of
old trees thirty or forty feet high, they kindle a fire at the bottom of the tree, ,
by the f{moke of which the family, confifting generally of a female and her
| cubs, are prefently difturbed; the mother defcends firft, and is killed before
fhe reaches the ground; the cubs foon follow, and are eafily fecured, by
throwing a noofe round their necks ; they are then all carried home, the
young ones are either preferved and brought up, or killed for the fake of
their {kin and.flefh, which is very delicate and good.

In the northern parts of Siberia and Kamtfchatka(s), the Bears are
neither large nor fierce; they are in general quiet and inoffenfive, unlefs
they happen to find one of the natives afleep, when they often tear the {calp
from the back part of their heads, and fometimes lacerate the flethy parts,
but never eat them. People are frequently met with, who have
experienced this uncivil treatment, and thofe who have been thus wounded
are called Dranki. Although the Bears are fo numerous in Kamtfchatka, as
to cover the fields in fummer like cattle, they never hurt the women, but
accompany them like tame animals, when they go to gather berries, which
- indeed the Bears fometimes rob them of, but do them no other harm. ‘They
are very fond of fifh, and defcend from the hills to the proper places for
catching them, which are the mouths of large rivers, into which the fifth enter
in vaft fhoals at certain feafons of the year. At firft, the profufion is fo great,
that they only eat and fuck the bones of the heads, and will not meddle with —
the bodies; but, as they become {carcer, they are glad to return to what they

(A) The following particulars are extratted from the Hiftory of Kamtfchatka, tranflated by Dr. Greive.

THE BROWN BEAR.

refufed in the time of plenty. They often fteal fith from the Coffacks,
although a woman is left to watch them, but they never offer her any |
violence.

Many devices, for killing Bears, were practifed by the inhabitants of
Kamtfchatka, before they knew the ufe of firearms. The following are
ingenious, and, we truft, will prove entertaining. Having found the Bear’s
habitation, they cut feveral billets of wood, with which they blocked up
the entrance of the den; the Bear, to prevent his being fhut up, never
failed to draw thefe in. More billets were then introduced in the fame place,
and thefe, in their turn, were drawn in by the Bear, till, at length, by
frequent repetition of this procedure, he was fo ftraitened in his den, that he
could fearcely turn himfelf; the hunters then dug down from above, and
difpatched him with their fpears. ‘The Koreki ufe other methods to catch
the Bear: for this purpofe, they fingle out a tree which is crooked above, to
which they faften a noofe, and place a proper bait behind it; which the
animal endeavouring to feize, is held faft by the head or paw. Heavy logs
of wood are fometimes placed in fuch fituations, as to fall with the flighteft
touch, and crufh the Bear, as he paffes under them. Sometimes they place a
board, with many iron hooks driven into it, in the Bear’s track, and near this
board they place fomething which will eafily fall down, in fuch a fituation
that the Bear muft touch it as he pafles by; terrified by its fall, the Bear
runs with great force on the board, and, finding one paw wounded and
detained by the hooks, he endeavours to liberate himfelf, by ftriking the
board with the other; but, inftead of fucceeding in his attempt, this paw
likewife foon becomes entangled by the hooks, and increafes his difficulties.
In this ftate of embarraffment, he raifes himfelf up on his hind legs, which
caufes the board to rife before his eyes, and perplexes him in fach a manner,
that he prefently becomes furious, and beats himfelf to death. The people,
who live about the rivers Lena and Hinu, make ufe of a very fingular
method to catch Bears. A noofe is faftened to the end of a large log of
wood, which they place in the Bear’s track, or at the entrance into his
den; when the Bear finds himfelf entangled in the noofe, and that the log
of wood, which is faftened to it, interrupts his walking, he takes it up, and .

THE BROWN BEAR.

carries it to fome precipice, from whence he throws it down with great
violence, and, of courfe, falling with it, is terribly bruifed. This, however,
does not prevent him from repeating the practice, till it ends in his own
deftruction.

Baiting the Bear was formerly a favourite diverfion in England, and was
thought not unworthy the attention of people of the firft fafhion, and even
the fovereign was fometimes feen at the Bear Garden. But fuch cruel {ports
have now given way to entertainments of a milder nature. The Bear,
however, ftill affords a favourite amufement to children, for which purpofe
he is led about by the Savoyards, fecured by a chain faftened to his nofe, and
taught to dance in his awkward manner, and perform other diverting actions,

at his keeper’s command.

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THE POLAR BEAR.

Generic CHARACTERS.
Six cutting and two canine teeth in each jaw.
Five toes on each foot.

In walking, refts on the hind feet, as far as the heel.

SYNONIMS.
Wuirr Bear, Martin's Spitz. 100. Ellis’s Voy. 41.
Ursus Asus, Klein Quad. 82.
‘L’Ours Branc, de Buffon, xv. 128. Briffon Quad. 188.

THE Polar Bear, in fize and ftrength, furpaffes moft other beafts of prey ;
it is fometimes found from twelve to thirteen feet in length, from the extremity
of the nofe to the infertion of the tail; its head and neck are long ; its ears
round and fhort; the termination of its nofe is black ; its jaws are furnifhed.
with very fharp and ftrong teeth, of an extraordinary fize; its hair, which is

of a yellowith white, is long and foft; and its limbs are remarkably large
and ftrong.

When the failors land on the unfrequented fhores, bordering on the icy
mountains of Spitzbergen and Greenland, the White Bears come down,
look at them with an awkward kind of curiofity, and feem in doubt how
to act; their hunger, however, foon determines them to make an attack, in
which, if they meet with any refiftance, or happen to be fhot at or wounded,
their courage inftantly forfakes them, and they endeavour to make their

_ efcape; but, finding that impracticable, they become defperate by neceflity,
and make a fierce defence, till they are overpowered.

THE POLAR BEAR.

Thefe animals feed on feals, fifth, and the carcafes of whales, which
naturally give their flefh a ftrong, fifhy flavour ; notwithftanding which,
Captain Cook fays, it is infinitely fuperior to that of the Sea-~Horfe, which
is often eaten by our failors, in preference to their falted provifions. The
fat is melted for train oil: the liver is very unwholefome: three of Barentz’s
failors became dangeroufly ill, after eating fome of it boiled(a). ‘They are
very fond of dead human bodies, which they will {cratch out of the ground,
after they have been buried, and devour them greedily ; they delight in
human blood, and will attack companies of armed men, and even {wim
towards {mall veflels at fea, and attempt to board them; they likewife eat
birds and their eggs. ‘Their moft formidable enemy is the Morfe, with
which they have terrible engagements, and are generally overpowered by the
vaitt teeth of their adverfary.

In the inhofpitable regions about the north pole, where there is fuch a
{carcity of every other terreftrial animal, the White Bears are found in great
abundance ; as their principal food is fith, they feldom remove very far from

the fhore; when provifions run fhort, they will fometimes venture into the
deep, in fearch of feals, which they devour, if they can catch them.

; The White Bear is often feen on ice-floats, feveral leagues from the
land; in this manner, they are tran{ported to the fhores of Iceland, where
they meet with a rough reception from the natives, who generally quickly
deftroy them. For this purpofe, they make ufe of fpears; and although
a Bear will turn upon his purfuer, yet they have plenty of time to
difpatch him, by throwing a glove in his way, which never fails to
excite his attention fo much, that he will not ftir, till he has turned
every finger of it infide out; which takes him fome time to execute,
as he is not very dexterous with his paws, and gives his purfuer an
opportunity of killing him, or making his efeape. The Bear, however, is
feldom fuffered to get away, as government gives a reward, of ten dollars,
for every Bear that is killed, and purchafes the hide of the perfon who kills
him(s). In thefe excurfions, it fometimes happens, that they meet with a

(a) Pennant. . (8) Horrebow’s Iceland.

THE POLAR BEAR.

Greenlander and his wife paddling out at fea in their canoe, who coming
too near an ice-float, are furprifed by an unexpetted vifit from a White
Bear, which jumps into their boat, and if he does not overfet it, fets himfelf
down very quietly as a paflenger, till the Greenlander, not very fond of his
new guett, rows him on fhore; and what is very remarkable, the Bear, as if
in return for the good office, feldom offers any violence to either of them.
They prowl about upon the flakes of ice, in fearch of feals and dead whales,
and when urged by hunger, they will even attack the Sea-Lion, though
they often fall a facrifice to their temerity, and are obliged to fubmit to
the fuperior ftrength of their antagonitt. They {wim from one piece of ice
to another, and, if attacked, will defend themfelves againft a boat full of
men(a). |

The affection fubfifting between the White Bear and its young is fo very
remarkable, that they will rather die than forfake each other. Hiftory
furnithes us with feveral extraordinary inftances, where the maternal love,
difplayed by this animal, has been equally ftriking and affecting. They
generally produce two young ones at a time.

An animal of this fpecies was publicly exhibited in England a few years
fince. It appeared to be very furious, roared tremendoufly, and feemed
always agitated and uneafy, except when it was kept cool, by having large
quantities of water thrown over it.

There is now one of them alive in the exhibition of wild animals at
Exeter ‘Change, of which the annexed plate is a faithful portrait. The
conduct of this individual agrees perfectly with what has been related.

The Polar Bear inhabits the fhores of Hudfon’s Bay, Greenland,
Spitzbergen, and Nova Zembla, and is found no where elfe, unlefs when it
is tranfported involuntarily on floating iflands of ice.

During the depth of winter, thefe animals retreat under the fnow, in

which they form deep dens, fupported by pillars of the fame(s).

(4) Crantz’s Greenland. (8) Egede 60, quoted by Pennant.

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WOLVERENE.

THE WOLVERENE.

Generic CHARACTERS.
Six cutting and two canine teeth in each jaw.
Five toes on each foot.

| In walking, refts on the hind feet, as far as the heel.

SYNONIMS.
Ursus Luscus,, Linn. Sy/t. 71.
Ursus, Frete Hudfonis, Briffon Quad. 188.
Quicxuatcu, Catefby's Carol. App. xxx. _
QuicxHatTcu, or WoLvERENE, Ellis’s Hudfon’s Bay, 42.
Edwards, 103. F° Fe

Carcajyou, or Quickuatcu, Dobb’s Hudfon’s Bay, 40.
Giurton, Grieve's Kamtfchatka, 99.
Guo, Olaii Mag. gen. Sep. 138.
Guo, VrevLrrass, Gefner Quad. 554. Klein Quad. 83.
Roromak, Rzaczinfky Polon. 218.
Jerr, Frerprross, Strom. Sondmor. 152. Pontop. Norw. 11. 22.
Mosrera Guta, Linn. Sy/t. 67.
Jarr, Firrross, Faun. Suec. No. 14.
Ja@erven, Gunner's A. Nedros. 111. 148. tab. iii.

_ Le Guiurron, Buffon, xiii. 278.

THE Wolverene is the moft beautiful animal of the Bear kind, The
extraordinary luftre of its hair, which reflects the light like the richef filk

damafk, added to the pleafing variety of its colours, renders its fur: very
valuable.

THE WOLVERENE.

This animal is about twenty-eight inches, from the nofe to the tail, which
is feven inches long. The vifage is fharp-pointed, and black, as far as the
eyebrows; the eyes are {mall and black; the ears fhort, round, and almoft
hid in the fur: the hairs of the head, back, and belly, are reddifh, tipped
with black, which caufes thofe parts at firft fight to appear quite black: the
fides are adorned with a yellowifh-brown band, which is continued quite
over the hind part of the back, above the tail; there is a white mark on the
throat, and a crefcent of the fame colour on the breaft. The legs are very
firong, thick, and fhort; the toes are not very deeply divided; they are armed
with ftrong and fharp claws, which are white at the ends; the general
colour of the legs and feet is a deep black; but the paws of fome individuals,
particularly thofe found in Kamt{chatka and the neighbouring iflands, are
white. The bottoms of the feet are covered very thickly with hair. In
walking, it refts on the foot, as far as the firft joint of the leg, like the Bear:
the hair on the tail is of the fame colour as the back; but is fo coarfe and
long, as to make that part appear twice its real length.

The voracious appetite of the Wolverene, caufes it to live in a ftate of
continual rapine and depredation: the Horfe, the Elk, the Stag, and the
Rein-Deer are frequently the victims of its ferocity, particularly the latter:
it is, notwithftanding, fo flow in its motions, that almoft every quadruped
would efcape from it, did it not poffefs a degree of cunning and fagacity
which amply compenfates for this defe@. Having found a place ufually.
frequented by the Rein-Deer, they climb up into a tree, carrying with them
fome of the mofs, which is the favourite food of that animal. This they let
fall on the ground, exa@ly under the branch on which they have fixed
themfelves, and then patiently wait till the unfufpecting Deer comes to eat
his beloved mofs; when they inftantly dart down on his back with unerring
aim; and fixing themfelves between the horns of the Deer, they tear out
his eyes, and torture the poor animal to fucha degree, that, to put an end to
his torment, or, if poffible, to free himfelf from the caufe of it, by deftroying
his enemy, he ftrikes his head with great violence againit the trees, which
generally kills him. Having thus brought his prey to the ground, the

THE WOLVERENE.

Wolverene divides its flefh carefully, and hides it in the earth, to preferve it
from being eaten by any other creature; and never eats a bellyful before he
has done this(a). |

Though the Wolverene, in his native wilds, exhibits fuch a degree of
fiercenefs and barbarity, as to become a terror to the Wolf and the Bear; ina
fate of confinement, he difcovers a confiderable fhare of gentlenefs and
docility. M. Buffon had one in his poffeffion, which, he fays, was tolerably
gentle in his nature; but in a great meafure retained its voracity, and would
eat above four pounds of raw flefh daily, devouring it fo greedily, that it
{carcely appeared to chew it.

There is an animal of this fpecies, now in the poffeffion of the Hudfon’s
. Bay Company, at their houfe in Fenchurch Street, London, from which, by
permiffion, the annexed portrait was taken, which agrees with Buffon’s
experience with regard to gentlenefs of nature; but, refpecting appetite,
feems effentially different; his keeper afferting, that he is {atisfied with lefs
than will ferve an ordinary Maftiff, though the animal is remarkably healthful
and vigorous. ;

Without diffenting from the experience of fo great a naturalift as Buffon,
we cannot reconcile this feeming contradiction any other way than by
analogy; for, as in the human kind, there are great diverfities of conftitution
and appetite; the brute creation, agreeably to the conformation of their parts,
muft experience the fame variety. |

Dr. Grieve fays, they are eafily tamed, and capable of being taught feveral
tricks; but perhaps they are not exactly alike in all countries.

The natives of Kamtfchatka hold the fur of this animal in fuch high
eftimation, that when they with to Ave a man moft richly attired, they
fay, he is clothed in the fur of the Glutton(s). ‘The women adorn their
bair with the white paws of this animal, which they confider as highly
ornamental. It appears, however, that they kill but few of them, as they
import fome of them from Jakutfki at a very high price. ‘They fet the higheft

value on the whiteft and yelloweft furs, although thefe are reckoned inferior

(A) Grieve’s Kamtschatka. (8) Grieve.

THE WOLVERENE.

every where elfe. They carry their ideas of the value of thefe furs even to
a degree of enthufiafm, and fay, that the garments worn by the heavenly
beings are made of it; nor can they make their wives or miftrefles a greater
prefent than one of thefe fkins, which was formerly fold for thirty, and even |
fixty rubles(a); and for the two paws, which the women wear in their hair,
they frequently give one, and fometimes even two, Sea-Beavers.

Linneus, in his Syftema Nature, p. 67, edit. 13, defcribes an animal, —
which he calls. Muftela Gula, and fays it pofleffes moft of the properties of
the Wolverene. As he candidly confefles that he has never had an
opportunity of examining the living animal, and is, therefore, at a lofs where
to clafs it, it is probable that they are both the fame.

The Wolverene often examines the fnares and traps which are fet by the
hunters for other animals, and fteals the Sables, &c. from them. It defends
itfelf ftrongly, when attacked, and will tear the ftock from a gun with its
teeth, or break a trap in pieces(B). In America it watches and furprifes the
Beavers, as they are coming out of their houfes; and fometimes even breaks
into their habitations, and devours them; whence it is there called the
Beaver-Eater.

This animal is found in Canada, Hudfon’s Bay, and in all the countries
bordering on the Northern Ocean, where it is called by the different names
of Wolverene, Quickhatch, Carcajou, and Glutton.

(a) The average value of the ruble is about four shillings sterling. (8) Pennant...

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RACCOON.

THE RACCOON.

| GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Six cutting and two canine teeth in each jaw,
Five toes on each foot.

In walking, refts on the hind feet, as far as the heel.

SYNONIMS.
Ursus Loror, Linn. Syjt. 70.
Coati, Worm. Mus. 319. Braffon Quad. 189.
Raccoon, Catefby’s Carol, App. xxix.
Mapacu, Fernandez Nov. Hifp. 1.
Vue AFFINIS AMERICANA, Raz Syn. Quad: 179.
Le Raton, de Buffon, vii. 337. tab. xliii.

‘THE Raccoon, in fize, nearly approaches the Badger; its head refembles
that of a Fox, excepting the nofe, which is fharper, and not quite fo long;
the eyes, which are encircled with a broad patch of black, are large and
yellow; the teeth fimilar to thofe of a Dog; the tail, which equals the length
of the body, is thick, tapers towards the point, and is beautifully and
regularly marked with alternate rings of black and white; its feet and toes
are black; the fore feet are much fhorter than the hinder, and each is armed
with five fharp claws, which, in conjunction with the teeth, enable the
animal to make a vigorous refiftance if attacked. Its general colour is a
greyifh black. Like the Squirrel, it fits on end while eating, and holds its
food in its fore paws. ‘Though this quadruped will eat its provifions dry,
it prefers dipping them in water, as if with a defign to wath them; and has
one peculiarity, which few other animals poffefs: that is, in drinking both by

THE RACCOON.

lapping and fuction. Whatever is prefented, it eats; and if left at large,
carefully examines every corner, and feems to feaft indifcriminately on
whatever it finds; whether flefh, raw or boiled, eggs, fruit, corn, infects,
{nails, or worms, all feem equally acceptable to its general appetite. When
inhabiting places near the fea, it fhews a great predilection for oyfters, which
it opens with much addrefs, by placing them under its hinder paws, and
fearching with the fore feet for the weakeft part, where it fixes its | claws,
forces the fhells afunder, and devours every morfel of the fifth. ‘The whole
of this operation is performed without once looking at the oyfter. Among
other partialities, it is paflionately fond of things that are {weet, and ftrong
liquors, of which it will drink till completely intoxicated. Poffeffed of
the fubtilty of the Fox, it fpreads, like him, deftruction among the poultry ;
neverthelefs, it is good-natured and fportive, always in motion, very
inquifitive, and examines every thing with its paws. In fhort, the Raccoon
is an active and nimble animal, and, although it bounds in an oblique
direction, yet it runs with great {wiftnefs; climbs trees with much adtivity;
runs on their trunks as rapidly as on plain ground; and plays at the extremity
of the branches with the greateft fecurity and eafe.

Thefe animals inhabit the fouthern parts of America, and are very
numerous on the Ifland of Jamaica, where they are very deftructive to the
fugar canes; and, though various means are ufed to extirpate them, they
breed fo faft, that they have hitherto been found ineffectual. |

The fur of the Raccoon is held in eftimation next to that of the Beaver,

for the fabrication of hats.

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THE RATEL.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Six cutting and two obtufe teeth in each jaw.
Nofe fharp; body flender.
Five toes before, five behind.

SYNONIMS.
Fizzuer, Pennant Syn. Quad. 234.
Srinx-sinesem, Kolben Cape, ii. 133.
STtinksinks, Schreber Mammal. p. 450. tab. 125.
Buereav-puant, Voy. de la Calle, 182.

THE Ratel, according to Dr. Sparrman, is about forty inches in length,
from the extremity of the nofe to the infertion of the tail, which is about
twelve inches long. The nofe is fhort and pointed: it has no external
ears, but only a trifling border, which furrounds a large aperture, in which
the organs of hearing are placed. The top of the head is of a whitifh grey,
which colour extends the whole length of the back, and half way down
each fide: it is laterally bounded by a narrow, whitifh ftripe, which extends
from behind the ear to the end of the tail; the extremity of the tail is of a
brownith black, the reft of that part is of the fame colour as thé back ; the
lower parts of the fides, the belly, legs, and feet, are nearly black: the toes
on the fore feet are furnifhed with claws, an inch and a half long; thofe on
the hinder feet are more than three quarters of an inch: thefe claws have a
fharp edge, which is double half way on the fore part of it, or rather
hollowed with a deep furrow. This conformation, added to the extraordinary
length of the claws on the fore feet, is well adapted to the manner in

THE RATEL.

which it obtains its food, which is honey. ‘The Ratel is endowed with a
furprifing faculty of difcovering the fecret retreats where the Bees hide this
delicious viand. This inveftigation the Ratel ufually undertakes about
funfet, at which time it watches the motions of thefe induftrious infects
with great attention, holding one of its paws before its eyes, in order to
modify the rays of the fun, fo as to render them inoffenfive to the organs of
fight, and that it may at the fame time have a diftinct view of the object of
its purfuit. Having thus well remarked their route, it carefully follows the ©
fame courfe. In thefe refearches, it is often aflifted by a bird, which the
natives call the Honey-guide, (Cuculus Indicator,) which is equally fond
both of honey and of the larve of Bees. ‘This bird, when in quett of its
favourite food, frequently fends forth a grating cry, refembling the found of
the monofyllables cherr, cherr, cherr, at the fame time gradually approaching
the place where the Bees have depofited their treafure. ‘The Ratel carefully
and inftinctively attends to this call, which it follows till it arrives at the
obje& of its purfuit, when it plunders the neft, always leaving a fufficient
quantity, as a reward to its faithful conductor. ‘Thus thefe two animals
hunt, by a fort of inftinctive confent, till they have obtained the common
object of their defires, which the Cuckoo could not eafily procure without
the afliftance of the Ratel, to dig it out of the recefles in which it is
concealed ; nor could the Ratel, on the other hand, fo readily difcover thefe
recefles without the afliftance of the Cuckoo, to point out-their fituation.
The conformation of the Ratel is particularly well adapted to its:manner
of living: the long claws, with which the toes of the fore feet are fabuiteeds
are of fingular fervice to the animal, in digging into the hollows of the
earth; and the toughnefs, thicknefs, and loofenefs of its {kin effectually
defend it from the vindictive ftings of the vineyard Bees. ‘This ftructure of ©
the {kin is likewife a great fource of defence, to the animal, againft all other
attacks; for, like the Badger’s, it is fo loofely attached to the body, that,
when it is feized by a Dog, or any other creature, it gives way, and enables
the Ratel to turn round and bite its enemy; which it often does with fo
much effect, as.to oblige it to defift from the attack. Dr. Sparrman

THE RATEL.

obferves, chat “it is a remarkable circumftance, that fuch’a number of
Hounds as, collectively, are able to tear a Lion, of a moderate fize, in
pieces, are frequently forced to leave the Ratel, only dead to appearance ;
and that on the fur of one, which had been worried by a number of
Hounds, there was fearcely the mark of a bite to be feen.”

The fame gentleman likewife remarks, that the wild Bees of Africa
ufually build their nefts in the holes which have been made in the ground
by the Hyftrix Jerbua Capenfis, Sus Aithiopicus, and other animals, as trees
are feldom to be met with fufficiently excavated for their purpofe ; and that
thofe Bees, which build their nefts in trees, are perfectly fecure from the
attacks of the Ratel.

This animal inhabits the interior parts of the country, behind the Cape of

Good Hope, where it is pretty common. ©

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THE BADGER.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Six ‘cutting and two canine teeth in each jaw.
Five toes on each foot; the claws on the fore-feet very ftraight
and long. |

A tranfverfe orifice between the tail and the anus.

SYNONIMS.

Meves, Plin. Hift.- Nat. lib. viii. c. 38. Gefner Quad. 327.
Briffon Quad. 183. |

Mess, stve Taxus Raid Syn. Quad. 185.

Taxus, Aldrovand. digit. 264. Fonft. Quad. t. 64.

Ursus Metres, Linn. Sy/t. Nat. 70.

Grar-suin, Lin. Faun. Suec. No. 20.

Me es, Taxus, Tassus, BLERELLUS, Jazwiec, Borsux,
Rzaczinfki Polon. 233. —

Dacus, Kramer Aujir. 313.

CoaTI CAUDA BREVI, CoaTI GRrIsEuS, Taxus, MELEs, Tax,.
Klein Quad. 73.

Common Bapcer, Pennant Syn. Quad. 142.

Le Buaireav, ov Tarson, de Buffon, viii. 104. tad. vii.

PERHAPS no animal has been more defamed, by vulgar prejudices, than
the Badger. Harmlefs and inoffenfive in its nature, it is accufed of ferocity,
merely becaufe it is furnithed with formidable weapons of offence, and has

fufficient ftrength to ufe them ; of which, however, it avails itfelf only for its

THE BADGER.

convenience and fupport, unlefs when attacked by its enemies, at which
time it defends itfelf with great fiercenefs and effect. It is as wrongfully
charged with killing Rabbits, and even Lambs; for which fcandalous
afperfions there feems to be no other foundation, than the fimilitude between
the formation of its teeth and thofe of carniverous animals. A ufeful leffon
may be learned from hence, by thofe who are but too prone to afperfe the
chara@ers of their neighbours: they fhould be well affured of the authenticity
of flanderous reports, before they venture to fpread them abroad; and, even
then, it is generally much better to conceal them, or at leaft only to
admonifh their neighbours privately.

‘The Badger is in general rather more than two feet in length, from the
extremity of the nofe to the infertion of the tail, which is fix inches long.

The hair on the body is long, coarfe, and briftly: each hair is of three
colours; the bottom, next the root, is of a dirty yellowith white, the middle
is black, and the extremity grey: hence arofe the old proverb, “‘ as grey as
a badger.” ‘The general colour of the head is white, except’a black
pyramidal line, which begins between the nofe and eyes, and extends beyond
the ears; the throat, breaft, belly, and legs are black; the eyes are fmall,
the ears round, and the neck fhort and thick. Under the tail is a gland, from
which exudes a white fubftance, of a foetid fmell. The toes on the fore-feet
are furnifhed with claws, which are remarkably long and {ftrong, and well
adapted to the purpofe of digging in the ground. ‘This animal, in walking,
treads on its whole heel, like the Bear, which, added to the extraordinary
length of the hair on the body, gives its legs the appearance of being fo
fhort, that the body feems almoft to touch the ground. ;

The Badger is a ftupid, folitary animal; it carefully fhuns the vicinity of
man, and lives retired in a deep fubterraneous hole, which it digs with great
affiduity and addrefs, throwing out the loofe earth behind as it advances. — It
is an idle, indolent animal, and fleeps much, confining itfelf to its hole
during the whole day, and feeding only in the night, when it fallies forth in
fearch of roots, fruits, grafs, infects, and frogs. During thefe nocturnal

excurfions, the Fox, which is not fo expert at digging in the earth, cunningly

THE BADGER.

takes pofleflion of the Badger’s empty den, and, fome fay, forces the true
owner from its habitation, by leaving offenfive difcharges at the mouth of it.
Nature, having denied the Badger that {peed which is neceflary to fecure
its efcape from its enemies, has kindly compenfated for that defect, by
furnifhing it with fuch weapons of offence, that very few creatures will
hazard the attacking it. When clofely purfued, it foon comes to bay, and,
taking the advantage of fome corner, rifes up on its hinder legs and combats
with defperate refolution. On this account it is often baited with Dogs
properly trained for this purpofe ; but this inhuman diverfion is ufually
confined to the indolent and vicious, who take delight in the favage pleafure
of feeing a poor innocent animal furrounded by its enemies, and, although
overcharged by numbers, defending itfelf from their combined attacks with
wonderful activity and effect. It is fo rapid in its motions, that the dogs are
often defperately wounded on the firft afflault, and compelled to give up the
conteft. The loofenefs of the Badger’s {kin enables it to turn itfelf eafily
round when feized, and gives it an opportunity of wounding its enemies in
their moft tender parts; and the thicknefs of it, added to the length and
coarfenefs of the hair, defends it much from the bites of the Dogs. Thefe
animals are hunted with Dogs in the winter nights, and afford a {pecies of
diverfion to thofe who are fond of the fport : when taken, their hind quarters
are fometimes made into hams, which are well flavoured, but the fat is apt
to become rufty by keeping. The {kin, dreffed with the hair on, is made
ufe of as piftol furniture, and brufhes are made of the hair, which painters
call fweetening tools, and ufe them to harmonize and foften their fhades. -
The ufual method of catching Badgers is with a fteel trap, or {pringe; or
elfe to dig a pitfall, acrofs their Aecukomed path, which muft be five feet
deep, and four feet long, narrow at the top and bottom, and wide in the
middle. This pit muft be covered with {mall fticks which have their leaves
on.them, fo as that the Badger may not fufpect any defign, and fall into it
when. he attempts to crofs over. They are alfo, fometimes, hunted into

their holes on a moon-fhine night, and then dug out again(A).

(a) Mortimer’s Hufbandry, Vol. I. p. 314.

THE BADGER.

The female brings forth but once a year, which is in fummer time, and
ufually produces four or five at a litter.

_ The Badger is found in moft parts of Europe, as far north as Norway and
Ruffia, and the defert beyond Orenburgh, north of the Cafpian Sea. It is
alfo found in China, where it is much efteemed as food, and the fleth is
frequently expofed for fale in the butchers fhops in Pekin. The parts of
England where they are moft common, are Suffex, Effex, and fome of the
inland counties. , |

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THE FLYI

THE FLYING OPOSSUM.

Generic CHARACTERS.
The number and difpofition of the teeth uncertain.
Five toes on each foot ; the hind feet formed like a hand with a
diftin& thumb. | |
~The body alated like the Flying Squirrel.

| SyNonis.
Potaurus, Dr. Shaw's Naturalift Mic.
Heroona Roo, White's Botany Bay.

THIS animal has not long been added to the catalogue of quadrupeds ;
it isan inhabitant of New South Wales, and is hitherto not fufficiently known
to afcertain either its generic characters or its habits with any degree of
accuracy ; it is however probable, from analogy, that it fomewhat refembles
the Flying Squirrel in its manners. The ingenious Dr. Shaw, whofe
knowledge of natural hiftory gives great weight to his opinion, feems ~
inclined to make a new genus of this animal, under the generic name
Potaurus, as, although it greatly refembles the Opoflum genus in fome
particulars, it differs from it in others : the decifion muft, perhaps, be
referved for more accurate inveftigation than we are hitherto poffeffed of.

This animal is nearly as large as a Cat, and is very active and playful ;
its colour is dark, very rich and glofly, and mixed with grey; it is white
under its belly, throat, and thighs; each hip is adorned with a round {pot of
the colour of tanned leather; the texture of its fur is beautifully foft and
fine, and much more delicate than that of the Sea-Otter; it is continued

down to the claws: the nofe is fharp and pointed; the ears upright and

THE FLYING OPOSSUM.

large ; it has five toes on each foot ; but, on the hind feet, one of the toes
refembles a thumb, by means of which the animal can ufe thofe feet as
hands; the three outfide claws on the hind-feet are conne@ted by a
membrane ; like the Flying Squirrel, the {kin of the fides and belly is loofe,
and capable of great extenfion; it is connected to the feet, both before and
behind ; fo that, when the animal ftretches out its legs, the {kin on the fides
becomes extended fomewhat like the Bat. By this means, the furface of the
animal’s body is increafed, and the little creature is enabled to keep itfelf
buoyant in the air, till the projectile force of its leap is expired, when it
naturally defcends. By this means, it is enabled to jump from one tree to
another, at the diftance of above one hundred yards ; but it always mounts
to the top of a tree before it takes its leap. As this membrane is broader in
this animal than in the Flying Squirrel, it is probable, that it is capable of
leaping further.

THE VIRGINIAN OPOSSUM.

‘Generic CHARACTERS.
The cutting teeth unequal in number in each jaw.
Two canine teeth ineach jaw. |
Five toes on each foot: the hind feet formed like a hand, with
a diftinct thumb.
The tail very long, flender, and naked.

. SYNONIMS.

DIDELPHIS MARSUPIALIS, Linn. Sy/t. 71.
Le Saricue ov L’Opossum, de Buffon, x. 279. tab. xlv. xlvi.
Mus marsupiaLis, Klewn Quad. 71.
PHILANDER SATURATE SPADICEUS, &c. Briffon Quad. 207.
Woop-Rat, Du Pratz Louifiana, ii. 65.
SEMI-VULPA, Ge/ner Quad, 870.
TraquaTzin, Hermandez Mex. 330. ;
Tai-1B1 (maf.) Caracueya (fem.) Marcgrave Bra/fil, 222.

Rai Syn. Quad. 182. 185.

THIS animal is about feyenteen inches in length, without the tail, which
is fourteen. Its head is tharp, refembling that of a Fox; the eyes are round,
{mall, black, and lively, and placed upright ; the ears are long, broad, and
tranfparent, refembling thofe of the Rat. The face is covered with hort,
foft hairs, of a dufky-colour; befides which, it has fome long ftiff hairs on
) each fide of the nofe, and behind the eyes; and over each eye there is a large
white fpot. The cheeks incline to white: the fides of the neck are of a

THE VIRGINIAN OPOSSUM.

whitith yellow; the hair on the hind part of the neck and the back is foft
to the touch, but appears uneven to the eye; it is above two inches long,
each hair is of a yellowifh white at the root, black in the middle, and
whitith at the end; the fides are covered with dufky hairs; thofe on the
belly are of a dirty white; they are foft and have a woolly appearance; the
legs and thighs are fhort and black; the feet dufky ; the toes armed with
whitith claws; that part of the tail which is next to the body is covered
with long black hairs for the {pace of three inches; the reft, to the extremity,
is all over fmall fcales of a whitith colour, which gives it an uncouth
appearance, fomewhat refembling the body of a Snake; it has a prehenfile
quality, and the animal frequently hangs by it, fufpended from the branch of
a tree, and, by {winging its body, eafily tranfports itfelf from branch to
branch; the body is round and thick; the belly of the female is furnifhed
with a large pouch or bag, in which the teats are fituated, and which ferves
as a fhelter for the young, as foon as they are produced; which period
happens long before they have attained: to that degree of perfection
obfervable in other quadrupeds, when newly born; and, indeed, before they
have arrived at one fourth part of the proportionable fize of animals at their
birth ; in this ftate they are blind, naked, and totally helplefs; they are, .
however, directed by the unerring guide of inftinét, to feek for this fafe
afylum, into which they all creep, and faften fo clofely to the teats, as not to
be feparated but with great difficulty (4): here they not only find fhelter,
warmth, and fafety from external accidents, but are amply provided with
nourifhment, till they have attained their perfect thape and fight, and are
- covered with hair, and poffeffed of fufficient ftrength to quit their retreat,
and undergo what may be called a fecond birth: after this time they only
ufe the pouch as a fafe retreat from danger, and the parent carries them
about with her. The attachment of the female to her young is at this

period exceflive, and fhe will endure any tortures, rather than fuffer this

(a) Ulloa afferts, that he has found five of thefe little creatures hid in the pouch of the mother, three

days after fhe was dead, and that they were’ ftill alive, and clinging ftrongly to the teat.

THE VIRGINIAN OPOSSUM.

receptacle to be opened, if fhe can prevent it, being furnifhed with the power
of opening or clofing it by the affliftance of fome very {trong mufcles.

The Opoflum, when on the ground, appears to be a very helplefs animal,
the formation of its hands preventing it from walking faft, or running with
any tolerable degree of {wiftnefs; but its alertnefs in climbing trees makes
ample amends for this defect ; it af{cends them with the greateft facility and
expedition, and, by the additional help of its prehenfile tail, is more active in
this fituation than moft quadrupeds, Monkeys excepted; it hunts eagerly
after birds and their nefts, is very deftructive to poultry, of which it fucks
the blood without eating the fleth ; it will alfo eat roots, and wild fruits;
when it is purfued and overtaken, it will feign itfelf dead, till the danger is
over: it is as tenacious of life as a Cat, and cannot be killed without great

difficulty. The female brings forth four, five, or fix young ones at a time.

| The fleth of the old animals is wholefome good food, and refembles that
of a fucking pig; the fkin has a very foetid {mell: the Indian women dye
the hair, and weave it into their garters and girdles.

The Opoffum is found in Virginia, Louifiana, Mexico, Brafil, and Peru.
Mr. de Buffon fuppofes this genus is confined to America, and warmly:
combats the opinion of other naturalifts on this fubjet But Mr. Pennant
feems fatisfied from the authority of Pifo, Valentyn, and Le Brun(a) ; who
have feen it both in Java and the Molucca Ilands, and from that of many
collectors in Holland, who have received it frequently from thofe places,
that a fpecies of the genus, perhaps only a variety of that jut defcribed,
inhabits the Indian iflands, as well as the continent of America. But this
matter is now put out of doubt by fome animals of this genus, which have

been fent from our fettlement lately eftablifhed in New South Wales.

(4) En Indiis orientalibus, idque folum, quantum ha&enus conftat, in Amboina, fimilis Beftia (Carigueya):
frequens ad felis magnitudinem accidens, maétata ab incolis comeditur, fi rite preparetur, nam alias feetet,
nomen illi Cotis Cous inditum.—Pis Brefl, 323. Le Brun, in his voyage to. the Eaft Indies, defcribes this

animal under the name of Filander, i. 347. tad. 213.

Lublifhed. Ly WLartin JHarvey, and Welch. Landon Geel L7G 8.

=

KANGURUW.

THE KANGURU.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.

No canine teeth; four broad cutting teeth in the upper jaw; two long
lanceolated teeth in the lower, pointing forward ; four (a) grinding teeth
in each jaw, remote from the others. ‘This animal has the very fingular
power of feparating the lower incifores, and bringing them again clofe to
each other. Pennant's Hift, of Quad. 3d. edit. vol. ii. p. 29.

SYNONIMS.
Jerpoa Gicantea, Zimmerm. Zool. Geogr. 526.
Kaneuroo, Cook’s Voy. ili. p. 577. pl. 20.
Kaneuru, Pennant’s Hift. Quad. p. 336. pl. 35.

IT is to the indefatigable ardour and enterprifing fpirit of Sir Jofeph
Banks, that we are indebted for our firft acquaintance with this moft
fingular quadruped. Separated, by its native abode, from the enquiring eye
of the naturalift, it remained wholly unknown till the country, of which it
is a native, was firft explored by that great circumnavigator, Captain Cook,
who, fortunately for the lovers of that branch of fcience, was accompanied
by that eminent enquirer into the productions of nature.

The uncommon general appearance of this animal, added to the
difpofition of its teeth, would almoft warrant its being made a new genus
of; although it muft be confeffed, on the other hand, that fome properties

it pofleffes, in common with the Opoflum, feem to declare it of that genus ;

(a) Mr. White, in his Account of the Produétions of South Wales, fays this animal has five grinders

on each fide, in each jaw; and that the moft forward of them is very fmall.—P. 274.

THE KANGURU.

to which Mr. Pennant has accordingly referred it, in his excellent Hiftory of
Quadrupeds, and we are unwilling to differ in opinion from fo good a judge.

The individuals, which have hitherto come within our obfervation, vary
confiderably in fize; the largeft fpecimen meafured eight feet five inches from
the tip of the nofe to the end of the tail, and weighed one hundred and fifty
pounds ; and it is generally believed they attain to a much larger fize.

The Kanguru refembles the Jerboa in its mode of ftanding and running,
or rather jumping, but in no other particular. Its general colour is a

_greyith brown, much like the Wild Rabbit of Great Britain.

Its fhape appears to be greatly difproportioned, being very fmall about
the head and fhoulders, and gradually increafing in bulk to the bottom of
the belly and hips, where it is largeft. Its legs likewife differ much in their
proportionate length, the hinder ones being three feet feven inches long,
whereas the fore legs meafure but nineteen inches. ‘This extraordinary
difproportion in the length of the legs obliges the animal to walk ere& on
its hind legs, and it performs its progreflive motions by fprings or leaps, like
fome {mall birds, but with fuch furprifing ftrength and activity, that it will
traverfe twenty feet of ground at one bound, and jump over obftacles nine
feet high, with the greateft facility; and thefe bounds are repeated fo
rapidly, that the {wifteft Greyhound finds it a difficult tafk to overtake it;
and if by chance caught by the Dog, it ftruggles with fo much ftrength,
that it foon efcapes from its adverfary, and aéts the fame part over again.
In thefe ftruggles, it ufes the tail as a weapon of defence, and ftrikes fo hard
with it, as to make the Dog fhy of a fecond engagement. The ufual method,
therefore, of obtaining this animal, is to le in wait with a gun, and fhoot it.
The hinder legs are very ftrong, and, when fitting, the Kanguru refts on the
whole of their length, and ufes the tail as an additional leg, to balance
and fupport the body, the rump being elevated feveral inches from the
ground; the under part of thefe legs is callous, and wholly divetted of hair:
the toes on thefe feet appear to be only three in number, although there are
really four; the inner one is of a peculiar ftructure, appearing at firft fight

to be fingle, though, on more accurate infpection, it is found to be actually

THE KANGURU.

divided down the middle, which divifion extends through the ball of the toe
belonging to it, the whole appearing as if the feparation was made by a very
fharp inftrument. ‘The middle toe eveatly exceeds the others in length, is
by much the ftrongett, and bears a great refemblance to that of an Oftrich.
The fore legs are furnifhed with five toes and as many claws, but their
fhortnefs prevents their being applied to the purpofe of walking, and the
animal only ufes them, as hands, to convey its food to the mouth, and to
f{cratch and dig holes in the earth. ‘The tail is near three feet nf length, it is
very thick at the rump, and tapers gradually towards the end. When the
animal is at reft, the tail appears to lie at eafe behind it; but, when in
motion, it is ufually carried quite erect. ‘The countenance of this animal is
mild and pleafing ; the fhape of the head bears fome refemblance to that of
a Fawn; the ears are large, and generally ftand erect.

The ingenious Mr. Home, who has obliged the world with fome very
curious and interefting anatomical obfervations on the mode of generation of
the Kanguru, obferves(a), “ that it differs in the economy of its young from
all other quadrupeds, except thofe of the genus Opoffum, to which, in this
particular, it feems to be related; the foetus of this tribe neither deriving its
fupport from a connection with the uterus of the mother, like other
quadrupeds, nor receiving it in the manner in which it is conveyed to the
young of fuch animals as are hatched from the egg, but having a mode of
fupport peculiar to itfelf and its congenera. It therefore appears to form a
link in the chain of gradation from the one to the other.”

_ The female Kanguru has two mamme, and each is furnifhed with two
nipples: they are not placed upon the abdominal mufcles, as in mott
quadrupeds, but are: fituated between two moveable bones conne&ted with
the os pubis, peculiar to this tribe of animals. ‘The mammez are covered by

the lining of the pouch, or falfe belly, and the nipples: project into that
cavity. The {kin of this covering is thinly fcattered over its furface with
fhort hair, except at the root of the nipples, where there are tufts of fome

length, one at the bafis of each. It is from thefe nipples that the young

(a) Philofophical Tranfadtions for the Year 1795. Parti. p. 221.

THE KANGURU.

foetus receives its nourifhment, from the time of its exclufion from the
uterus, which happens at fo early a period, that, at that time, the little
animal does not exceed an inch in length, and weighs but twenty-one grains.
At this early period of the growth of the fcetus, its mouth is merely a round
hole, juft large enough to receive the point of the nipple; this hole gradually —
enlarges as the animal advances in fize, till it is capable of receiving the
whole of the nipple into its mouth, where it lies in a groove, formed in the
middle of the tongue, well adapted for that purpofe. Mr. Home thinks it
probable, that the mouth of the foetus, in this very early ftate, is attached to
the nipple by means of the vifcid gelatinous fubftance, which is always
found in the uterus. It is obfervable that, in this young ftate, the fore
paws, when compared with the reft of the body, are large and ftrong, and
the little claws extremely diftin&, to facilitate the motion of the little animal
during its refidence in the large pouch, while the hind legs, which are
afterwards to become very large, were both fhorter and fmaller than the
others. The young ones continue to refide in this bag, or pouch, till they
have attained their full maturity, only quitting it occafionally for exercife or
amufement ; and, even after they have quitted it, they have been obferved
to run into the pouch, for fhelter, on the leaft appearance of danger; on
which occafion, the tender mother contracts the part with fo much ftrength,
that it cannot be forced open without the greatett difficulty.

The Kanguru is an inhabitant of New Holland, and has not hitherto
been found in any other place. Its flefh is eaten by the natives and
colonifts, and accounted excellent food.

The animals, from which the annexed plate was drawn, are now living
in the Royal Garden at Kew, where they breed, and appear quite naturalifed.
They produce one young at a birth, and feed chiefly on grafs.

Lieutenant Shortland defcribes them as feeding in herds, confifting of
thirty or forty; and fays, that one is always on the watch, at a diftance
from the reft.

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MARTIN

ISO,

THE MARTIN.

Generic CHARACTERS,
Six cutting and two canine teeth in each jaw.
Nofe fharp; body flender.

Five toes on each foot.

SYNONIMS.
MARTES GUTTURE ALBO, Gefner Quad. 764.
Marres, alias Foryna, Martin, or Marruet, Rat
Syn. Quad. 200.
Musrera Martes, Linn. Sy/t. 67.
Marp, Faun. Suec. No. 15.
Kuwa, Rzaczinfke Polon. 222.
Srein-Marver, Klein Quad. 64.
La Foutine, de Buffon, vii. 186. tab. xviii.
Martin, Brit. Zool. 1. 79.

THE Martin is the moft beautiful of the Britifh beafts of prey. The
elegance of its form, the brilliancy of its colours, and the graceful agility of
all its motions, render it at once a moft pleafing and entertaining little
creature. Its odour is likewife an additional recommendation to it; for,
inftead of being offenfive, like moft of its tribe, it has the agreeable flavour
ef mufk, without being fo predominant.

The length of the Martin is generally eighteen inches from the end of
the nofe to the infertion of the tail, which is ten inches long, well clothed
with long hair, and bufhy at the end. Its head is {mall, and the form of it
elegant ; its eyes are lively and full of exprefflion; its ears broad, rounded,

THE MARTIN.

and open. The body, fides, and tail, are entirely covered with a fine, thick,
downy fur, intermixed with long hair, the roots of which are ath-coloured,
the middle of a bright cheftnut, and the points black, giving a darkith
brown appearance to the whole; the belly is rather paler, and the breaft and
throat are white; the legs and upper parts of the feet of a deep chocolate
colour; the under fides of the feet covered with a thick down, like that on
the body; the feet broad, the claws white, large, and fharp, and well adapted
to the purpofe of climbing trees, but, like all others of the fame tribe,
incapable of being fheathed or unfheathed at pleafure. The cry of the Martin
is fharp and piercing, but it never utters it, except when in pain or diftrefs,
The Martin is a great deftroyer of Rats, Mice, and other {mall
quadrupeds; poultry, game, and {mall birds are its conftant prey; and it is
remarkably fond of honey. Its retreat is generally in the hollow of fome
tree, towards the top, and fo fituated as to place the animal in perfect
fecurity. It generally prefers the nett of a Squirrel, which, after that little
creature has taken great pains to complete, the Martin, by the ufual claim of
fuperior ftrength, difpoffefles the ingenious archite@, by killing it; after which
it enlarges its dimenfions, lines it with fofter materials, and in that fecure
and convenient retreat, brings forth its young. Its little family does not
confift of more than three or four, which, like the reft of this tribe, are
brought forth with their eyes unopened, but quickly arrive ata ftate of
perfection. ‘The female has but a fmall quantity of milk, in proportion to
her fize, but fhe amply compenfates for this natural defect, by bringing home
eggs and live birds to her offspring, and thus early accuftoming them to a
life of carnage and plunder. As foon as the young are able to leave the nett,
they are led by their dam into the woods, where the birds at once recognife
their enemies, and fail not to attend them, as they do the Fox, with every
mark of animofity and terror.
The Martin is valiant and courageous, and will attack animals much
larger and ftronger than itfelf; as the Sheep, the Hare, and even the Wild
Cat, which, though much ftronger, is always worfted, and often killed, in

the combat. Indeed, thefe animals feldom meet without a mutual attack.

THE MARTIN.

Notwithftanding this ferocity of difpofition, the Martin feems capable of
being tamed. Gefner fays, “he kept one, which was very tame, and
extremely playful and entertaining: it ufed to go to the houfes of the
neighbours, and always came home when it wanted food; it was
particularly fond of a Dog, with which it had been. bred up, and would
play with it, as Cats do, lying on its back, and pretending to bite without
anger or injury.” The Count de Buffon fays, he kept one tame, which,
though it had loft its ferocity, did not difcover any marks of attachment,
and ftill continued fo wild as to require being chained. On the appearance of
a Cat, it inftantly prepared for war, and, if any of the poultry came within
its reach, flew upon them with great eagernefs. It made frequent efcapes
from its confinement; at firft it returned after fome-hours abfence, but
without appearing pleafed ; the time of abfence of each fubfequent elopement
gradually increafed, and at laft it took its final departure. He remarks, that
this individual drank frequently, that it would continue fleeping for two
days without intermiflion, and would then remain awake for as long a
period of time. When preparing for fleep, it formed its body into a circle,
hid its head, and covered it with its tail.

The Martin is an inhabitant of Europe and North America, but is mott
plentiful in the latter. It is likewife found in all the northern parts of the
world, from Siberia to China and Canada. They are every where hunted for
their furs, which are held in great eftimation, and are moft valuable when
the animal is taken in the beginning of winter. In England they are ufed
to line the robes of magiftrates. ‘The moft valuable part of the {kin is that
which is browneft, extending along the back bone. ‘They forma confiderable
article of commerce; above twelve thoufand of thefe {kins being annually
imported into England from Hudfon’s Bay, and above thirty thoufand from
Canada, :

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THE COMMON WEASEL.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Six cutting and two obtufe teeth in each jaw.
Nofe fharp; body flender.

Five toes on each foot.

| SYNONIMS.
Musrea, Ge/ner Quad. 752.
Weaset, Fircwet, or Foumart, Razz Syn. Quad. 195.
Wuitrep, $20. Scot. III. ii.
WieseEL, Klein Quad. 62.
Weeset, Brit. Zool. I. 82.
La Bevette, de Buffon, vii. tab. 225, xxix.

THE fingular difproportion between the length and height of the little
animals, which compofe this family, is completely chara¢teriftic of them,
and is alone fufficient to diftinguifh them from all other carnivorous
quadrupeds. The'length of the Wolf, in proportion to its height, is as one
and a half to one; whereas the length of the Weafel, compared with its
height, is as five to one. But, befides this ftriking charater, they have
another equally pointed; namely, the extraordinary {mell of their bodies,
which, in fome, as the Weafel, Ferret, Polecat, and a few others, is highly
foetid and offenfive, and in the Skunk, infupportably fo; whereas in others,
as the Civet-Cat and Martins, it is equally pleafant, and is ufed, even as a
perfume, by the ladies. This odour, whether agreeable or not, is furnifhed
by two glands placed under the tail, from which an unétuous matter
continually exudes. Though thefe animals are comparatively {mall, they

THE COMMON WEASEL.

become formidable, from their enterprifing activity; and their eagernefs after
plunder is only equalled by the cruelty with which they commit their
depredations. Unable, from their fize, to make much refiftance, they find
their chief protection in their minutenefs; and, confcious as it were, of their
thieving difpofition, they fhun the fight of man, hiding themfelves in holes
in the day time; from whence, at the approach of evening, they fally forth
to commit their devaftations. They are all cruel, voracious, and cowardly;
and, being flow in purfuit, from the fhortnefs of their legs, depend on their
affiduity, patience, and cunning for their fupport. The flendernefs of their
body enables them to infinuate themfelves into very {mall holes, in fearch
of their prey; whence they have obtained the appellation of vermin, from
their fimilitude to a worm in this particular.

The Weafel is the fmalleft of this numerous family; its length being
only feven inches, from the end of the nofe to the infertion of the tail, which
is two inches and a half long, and adds confiderably to the apparent length
of the body: its colour is a reddifh brown, refembling cinnamon. This
colour extends all over the head, neck, back, fides, and legs; but it is white
under the throat and belly. There is a brown fpot on each jaw, beneath
the corners of the mouth. It has whifkers, like a Cat, and its mouth is
armed with thirty-two teeth, which are two more than to be found in any
of the Cat kind, and well adapted for tearing and chewing. The eyes are
black and fmall; the ears fhort, broad, and roundifh; and have a fold at the
lower part, which gives them the appearance of being double.

The Weafel, like all its congenera, does not walk or run, as other
quadrupeds do; but advances, by bounding or jumping; and, when it
afcends a tree, it gains a confiderable height by a fingle fpring. It feizes its
prey, by jumping on it in the fame manner, and, having great flexibilty of
body, eafily evades much ftronger animals, when they attempt to feize it.
The Weafel always preys in filence; and never utters any cry, except it is
ftruck, when it expreffes refentment and pain by a rough kind of {queaking.
Its appetite, for animal food, is infatiable, and never forfakes it; and it

prefers eating it in a ftate of putrefaction; nay, it feems even to delight in

THE COMMON ‘WEASEL.

the vicinity of putrid effluvia; for the Count de Buffon tells us of a Weatel,
which was found, with three young ones, in the carcafe of a Wolf that was
become putrid, having been hung up by the hind legs, as a terror to others.
This horrid retreat: the Weafel had pitched upon, as a proper place to retire
to, in order to bring forth her young; fhe had, accordingly, lined the cavity
with hay, grafs, and leaves, for that purpofe; and the young ones were juft
brought forth, when the neft was difcovered by a peafant, paffing that way.

Although the fize of the Weafel is comparatively diminutive, it is,
neverthelefs, a very deftructive and formidable enemy to animals a hundred
times its own fize. The Hare is terrified into a ftate of defencelefs
imbecility at the fight of this little creature, and refigns itfelf to its fate,
without making the leaft attempt either to refift or efcape, fending forth,
at the fame time, cries, which indicate the greateft diftrefs: it is equally
deftructive to Rabbits, poultry, and young birds, and greedily devours eggs,
wherever it can find them. Its bite is generally fatal; it makes its attack
near the head, and artfully fixes its fharp teeth in a vital part, making a
wound fo fmall, as fcarcely to be perceived. We are told, that an Eagle
having feized a Weafel, mounted into the air with it; and was after
obferved to be in great diftrefs. Its little enemy had extricated itfelf fo far
as to be able to bite the Eagle feverely in the throat, which prefently
brought it to the ground, and afforded the Weafel an opportunity of making
its efcape. . |

This little animal is very common and well known in moft parts of the
country; but it is held in very different, and even oppofite, degrees of
eftimation in different parts of it. In thofe places where Lambs are bred,
the Weafel is a moft formidable and noxious inmate, and its deftruction is
attempted by every poffible contrivance; while, on the other hand, in thofe
places where much grain is produced and preferved, its friendly offices, in
leffening the number of thofe little animals which feed on corn, are
univerfally acknowledged. It is, perhaps, one of the moft untameable of
quadrupeds.. When kept in a cage, it conftantly refufes to eat in the
prefence of any one. It is in perpetual agitation, and fo much difturbed.

THE COMMON WEASEL.

and molefted by the fight of man, that: it will even die if not permitted to
hide itfelf. .

In a ftate of nature, it fleeps during the day time in its hole, and, at the
approach of evening, is obferved peeping and ftealing out of its retreat, and
creeping about the farm yards, in fearch of its prey. When it enters a
Hen-rooft, it inftantly attacks and kills the young ones, leaving the old Hens
and Cocks unhurt.. It does not devour its prey on the fpot, but carries it off
to.its young, or its retreat, to be eaten at leifure. It is difficult to fecure
any place from its depredations, as it runs up the fides of walls with the
greateft facility; and the f{mallnefs and flexibility of its body enable it to
pafs through almoft every crack and crevice. During the winter feafon, the
Weafel chiefly confines its noéturnal excurfions to barns and farm yards,
where it deftroys more Rats and Mice than even the Cat; purfuing them
into their holes, and always killing them after a fhort refiftance. It is very
deftructive to young Pigeons, and, indeed, to all kinds of young birds; and
hunts with increafed boldnefs and avidity, when it has young ones to
provide for. In fummer, it ventures farther from home, and always follows
its favourite prey, the Rat, to its fummer recefles; accordingly, it is found
with that animal in low grounds, by the fides of waters, and near mills.

When the female is about to bring forth her young, fhe takes uncommon
pains for the accommodation and comfort of her little family, by lining the
hole with grafs, hay, leaves, and mofs; and generally brings forth from
three to five at a litter; which, like thofe of the Dog kind, are born with
their eyelids unopened, but foon acquire their fight, and fufficient pit
to accompany and affift their dam in her nocturnal depredations.

The Weafel has a ftrong, difagreeable fcent, which is the moft offenfive
‘in fummer time, and particularly fo, when the animal is irritated or purfued.

Notwithftanding what has been afferted, refpecting the untameable
nature of this little animal, the Count de Buffon relates, ‘ that a lady fo far
familiarized a young Weafel, which was taken in her garden, that it foon
learned to lick the hand which fed it, and became as frolicfome and carefling
as a Squirrel.” The fame author makes mention alfo of “‘a gentleman who

ond it

THE COMMON WEASEL.

trained a young Weafel to follow him wherever he went. This he

accomplifhed by ftroking it gently over the back, and threatening and even

beating it whenever it offered to bite.” If thefe fads can be well

authenticated and eftablithed by future experiments, the Weafel may prove
to be a very advantageous fubftitute for the Cat, particularly on board of
fhips, where its fize and fhape render it very well adapted to the purfuit of
Rats and Mice into their holes and lurking places.

This animal inhabits the temperate parts of Europe, but is {carce in the
north. It is alfo found in Barbary (a,) and in Siberia there is a white
variety, which is called Lafmitika: the {kins of thefe are fold to the Chinefe
for three or four rubles the hundred (z.) |

(4) Shaw’s Travels, 249. (3) Pennant’s Syn. Quad. p. 212.

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THE FERRET.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Six cutting and two canine teeth in each jaw.
Nofe fharp ; body flender.

Five toes on each foot.

SYNONIMS.
Musteia Furo, Linn. Sy/ft. 68.
VIVERRA, Phin. lib. vill. cap. 55.
MustTeELA RUSTICA, viverRA, Furo, Ictis, Ge/ner Quad. 762.
| Rai Syn. Quad. 108.
Fret, Klein Quad. 63.

THE Ferret, though fo frequently feen, and apparently common in this
country, is by no means indigenous here, being originally a native of Africa,
whence it was firft introduced into Spain, to counteract the great fecundity
of the Rabbits, with which that kingdom was overrun. For the fame
purpofe, it afterwards found its way into England, where it lives and breeds,
provided it be kept warm. It is, however, difcoverable, that the offspring of
this anima: very foon degenerates, and every generation gradually lofes its
ferocity ; to remedy which, warreners are obliged to improve the breed, by
leaving the female near the haunts of the Polecat: the produce of this
mixed breed regain their original fiercenefs, but they lofe the colour. of
their mother, and become darker, like the Polecat.. The original colour of
the Ferret is a very pale yellow ; the eyes are red and fiery, the ears round,
and the nofe very fharp.. The length of this animal is about fourteen inches ;

it is lively and active, and, being the natural enemy of the Rabbit, is not

THE FERRET.

only ufeful, but even neceflary, in warrens, to force them out of their burrows,
in order that they may be taken; for which purpofe the fhape and fize of the
body are admirably well adapted, being flender and very flexible. It feldom
tears its prey, but is content with fucking its blood: it is therefore neceflary,
when the Ferret is turned into the hole, in purfuit of the Rabbit, that it fhould
have a muzzle on its head, otherwife it would fatiate itfelf with the blood
of its prey, at the bottom of the hole, and, inftead of returning to its mafter,
would go to fleep there, and only wake to renew its depredations, till the
cold of a northern winter put an end to its carnage and exiftence together:
It often happens, that the Ferret gets the muzzle off his head, in which cafe
he is generally loft, unlefs he is immediately dug out. Attempts are fometimes
made to bring him from the hole, by burning ftraw and other fubftances at
the mouth of it; but this method feldom fucceeds.

The female is confiderably lefs than the male: fhe produces from five or
fix, to nine, at a litter, twice a year. :

Being a native of the torrid zone, the Ferret cannot bear the rigour of
our northern climate; it is, therefore, found neceflary to keep it in boxes,
in a bed of wool; where it {pends an idle life, between eating and fleeping,
except when called upon to exercife the talents for which it is kept. It is
ufually fed on bread and milk.

The fcent of this animal is offenfive, and its manners difgufting; for,
although it appears to be tame and familiar, it is fo without attachment; and
fo great is its thirft after blood, that it has been known to attack, and even
kill, children in the cradle(a). It is very irafcible, and its bite is not to be
cured without great difficulty. |

(as) Buffon.

Lbbetson del ,

Published by WDarton, J Harvey, @W Belch, London. Movtt1}99..

ICHNEUMON.

THE ICHNEUMON.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Six cutting and two canine teeth in each jaw.
Nofe fharp; body flender.
Five toes before, five behind.

SYNONIMS.
Iyvevpov, Arift. Hit. An. lib. ix. c. 6.
Icuneumon, Plin. lib. vili. c. 24. Briffon Quad. 181.
Metes Icuneumon, Hafelquzji Itin. 191.
Viverra Icuneumon, Linn. Sy/t. 63.
Musrecra Ascypriaca, Klein Quad. 64.
Vutrecura ZEILANIcA, Seba. Mu/. i. p. 66. tab. xli. fig. 1.
Mus Puaraonis, Profp. Alpin. i. 234. Briffon Quad. 181.
QUIL, VEL QUIRPELE, Gare. Arom. 214. |

THIS beautiful little animal is the handfomeft of the genus to which it -
belongs. It is fo mild and gentle in its manners, that, in Egypt, it is
domefticated like a Cat, and much efteemed for poe the houfes clear of
Rats, Mice, and Serpents.

The individuals differ greatly in their fize and Ee being found from
twenty-four to forty-two inches, including the tail, which is nearly as long
as the body. The domefticated ones are generally larger than thofe which
are wild; their colours are, likewife, more beautifully variegated. It is, in
general, about the fize of the common Cat, but the body is thinner and
longer, and the legs fhorter than thofe of that animal. Its general figure is like

- that of the Polecat, but its fur is much more beautiful and elegant, confifting

THE ICHNEUMON.

of fhades of white, brown, fawn-colour, and filver-grey ; forming together a
moft agreeable and rich mixture. The colour, however, is fubjec to great
variety. Like its congenera, it has fmall eyes, but they have the colour of
fire, and {parkle with the moft brilliant vivacity. ‘The ears are {mall, round,
and almoft naked; the nofe long and flender. The body is thicker than that
of others of this genus. ‘The tail is covered with long hair at the bafe,
which gives it the appearance of being very thick at that part, from which
it gradually tapers to the point. The belly and throat are brown. Beneath
the tail is an orifice, in which a very foetid humour is fecreted. Its claws
are long and fharp. When it attacks its prey, it darts on it with great
velocity, and feldom mifles its aim. It is a mott inveterate enemy to Serpents
and other noxious reptiles which inhabit the torrid zone, and difplays great
bravery in attacking the moft dangerous kind without fhowing any marks
of fear, even the Cobra di Capello; and fhould it receive a wound in the

combat, is faid inftantly to retire(a), in order that it may obtain an

(a) Mr. Pennant juftly remarks, that “ this fa& is not yet well eftablifhed. Botanifts, he obferves, are
not yet agreed about the fpecies of this fanative plant, whofe ufe, it is pretended, this Weefel pointed out to
mankind. Thofe who have feen the combats between the Ichneumon and Naja, or Cobra di Capello, never
could difcover it. Kaempfer, a writer of the firft authority, who vifited India, and who kept a tame
Ichneumon, and had been witnefs to its battles with the Serpent, fays no more than, that it retired and eat
the roots of any herb it met with. It is from the Indians he received an account of the root, of whofe
veracity he {peaks with the greateft contempt. Amen. Exot. 576. Rumphius never faw the plant growing;
but defcribes it from a fpecimen fent him from Java; for he fays, the Indians would perfuade him that it
had noleaves. Vide Herb. dmboiz. App.71. All that feems certain is, that the Indians have a plant, of whofe
alexipharmic virtues they have a high opinion, and are faid to ufe it with fuccefs againft the dreadful
macaffar poifon, and the bite of Serpents. Kempfer fays he had good, fuccefs with one fpecies, in putrid
fevers, and found it infallible for the bite of a mad Dog. As there feems no doubt but that a moft ufeful
plant of this nature does exift in the Indies, it is to be hoped that ftri€t enquiry will be made after it. In
order to direé&t and facilitate thefe refearches, reference may be had to Garcia ab Horto’s Hiff. Aromat. in Cluf.
Exot. 214. Kempfer dmen, Exot. 573. Rumph. Herb. Amb. App. 29. Aman. Acad. ii.89. Flor. Zeylanica. AG,
190, 239.”

But while we remain in this ftate of uncertainty with regard to vegetable antidotes, we cannot help
congratulating the public on the difcovery of a certain antidote to the fatal effects of the poifon of {nakes
and other reptiles, namely, the cauftic volatile alkaline fpirit, forty drops of which, given internally in fome
water, and repeated at intervals of ten minutes, and at the fame time fome of the fpirit being applied to the

wound, never fails of curing the malady. We believe Dr. Beddows firft mentioned this antidote in three

THE ICHNEUMON.

antidote from a certain herb, after which it returns to the attack, and feldom
fails of victory. It is likewife a great deftroyer of the eggs of the crocodile,
which it digs out of the fand; and even kills multitudes of the young of
thofe terrible reptiles: the Egyptians, therefore, had abundant reafon for
ranking the Ichneumon among their objects of worfhip.. It is more ufeful,
for deftroying Rats and Mice, than the Cat, having a much greater appetite
for carnage: it is active and cunning in its mode of attack, and glides along
the ground, towards its prey, like a Serpent, as if it had no feet: it fits erect
like the Squirrel, and holds its food in its fore paws like that animal : it will
catch any thing that is flung at it. Poultry are its favourite food, and it will
feion itfelf dead, till they come within its reach, when it will {pring on them
with great velocity and unerring aim, and, after fucking their blood, draw
them to its hole: it is likewife very fond of fith. When it fleeps, it brings
its head and tail under its belly, and looks like a round ball with two legs
{ticking out. It is remarkably {kilful in feizing Serpents by the throat, fo as
to avoid being injured by them. Ina domeftic ftate they are capable of great
attachment, and will follow thofe they are accuftomed to, like a Cat;
appearing, like that animal, to be much delighted with being careffed.
Mr. D’Obfonville fpeaks of one which he reared, and which, he fays, became
tamer than a Cat, and would imitate that animal in many of its actions.
** One day he prefented to it a {mall Water-ferpent alive, being defirous to
know how far inftinét would carry it againft an animal with which it was
hitherto unacquainted. At firft it appeared aftonifhed and angry; its hair
became erect; in an inftant, it flipped behind the reptile, and, with
wonderful {wiftnefs and agility, leaped on its head, which it feized, and
crufhed with its teeth. This firtt regale feemed to have awakened its

effays, which he publifhed from the German of Dr. Girtanner, where the curious reader will find a
fatisfactory account of its mode of operating. It has fince been ftrongly recommended, and fupported by
fome remarkable cafes, in an effay, written by John Williams, efq. and publifhed with other valuable
tracts, in a late work, entitled, Differtations, &c. relating to the Hiftory and Science of Afia, vol. ii, p. 222.
As oil is a common remedy, in fuch cafes, it is proper to obferve, that it fhould never be adminiftered with
the canftic volatile alkali, as it not only retards, but even prevents, its operation; and, under all circumftances,

the internal ufe of it does more harm than good.

THE ICHNEUMON.

natural propenfity for carnage, which had not before thewed itfelf: the
poultry:now no longer efcaped unnoticed, and from this period, he never
failed to take every opportunity of feizing them and fucking their blood.”
~ The Ichneumon has a foft, fmall, murmuring voice, which it never exerts,
unlefs it is ftruck or irritated. | |
Thefe animals are found in great plenty in all the fouthern parts of Afia,
but more particularly in Egypt. They are alfo found in Africa about the
Cape of Good Hope.

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THE SKUNK.

Generic CHARACTERS.
Six cutting and two canine teeth in each jaw.
Nofe fharp; body flender.
Five toes before and five behind.

SYNONIMS.
Cuincue, Feutllee Ob/. Peru, 1714, p. 272.
Sxunx, Fisxatra, Kalm’s Voyage, Forfter’s Travels, i. 273. tad. ii.
Foffelyn’s Voyage, 85.
Enrant pu Diaste, Bete puante, Charlevoix Nouv. France. v. 196.
Sxunx, Pennant’s Hit. Quad. vol. ii. p. 65.
Le Cuincue_E, de Buffon, xili, 294. tab. xxxix. Schreber, cxxi.

THIS animal, known to the natives of Brafil by the name of the Chinche,
is about the fize of a Domettic Cat; its nofe is long and flender, and extends
a confiderable way beyond the lower jaw; its ears are fhort and rounded; a
white ftripe is drawn from the nofe over the forehead, and the upper part of
the neck, till it is interfected by a black line, that commences at the tail and
afcends towards the middle of the back, which would otherwife be entirely
white: its belly and legs are black; its tail, abounding with long, coarfe
hair, is generally black; fometimes, however, it is fringed with white at the
extremity: and it has been defcribed by fome naturalifts as being perfectly
white. ‘The nails on each of the feet are extremely long, like thofe on the
fore feet of a Badger.

The Skunk, like the Stifling, the Conepate, and the Zorilla, is remarkable.
fora feetid, fuffocating vapour, which it emits from behind, as its beft means

THE SKUNK.

of defence, when frightened, attacked, or purfued. The ftench of this effluvia
is fo intolerable, that infected clothes are faid to retain it feveral days, Dogs
that are not properly bred, are fo ftrongly affected by this {mell as to abandon
their purfuit; and even thofe which, in confequence of cuftom and tuition,
perfevere in the chace till they have flain the fugitive, are obliged to relieve
themfelves by thrufting their nofes into the frefh foil.

Yet, notwithttanding this offenfive quality, thefe animals are fometimes
tamed, when they obediently follow their mafter, and are never known to
emit this peftiferous odour, unlefs they are beaten or irritated. They are
frequently killed by the Indians, who make purfes of their fkins, and, after
cutting away the noxious glands, regale themfelves on the flefh, which is
faid to refemble, in flavour, that of a young Pig.

The Skunk is an inhabitant of Peru, and is found in North America, as.

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THE CIVET CAT.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Six cutting teeth, and two canine teeth in each jaw.
Nofe tharp, body flender.
Five toes on each foot.

SYNONIMS.
ZiBETTvs, Caiz Opus, 43. .
Fexis Zizettus, Gefner Quad. 837.
Anima ZiBpetTHIcuM, Hernandez Mex. 580, 581.
Civet Cat, Raz Syn. Quad. 178.
La Civette, de Buffon, ix. 299. tab. xxxiv.
MELES FASCIIS ET MACULIS ALBIS NIGRIS ET RUFESCENTIBUS
VARIEGATA, Briffon Quad. 186.
Coati Crvetta vutco, Klein Quad. 73.
Viverra ZIBETHA, Linn, Sy/t. 65.

THE Civet Cat bears.a ftrong refemblance to animals of the Weafel kind
in many particulars, but the nofe and tail are more extended, and the animal
islarger. Itslength, from the nofe to the tail, is about two feet three inches;
the tail is fourteen inches long; the body is rather thick in proportion to
the fize of the animal. The ears are rounded; the eyes fky-blue; the
nofe fharp, and black at the tip; the front of the face and fome part of the
fides of the neck are of a yellowifh white; the fides of the face, as alfo the
chin, breaft, legs, and feet, are black; the fides and back are of a yellowith
afh-colour, beautifully marked with rows of large dufky {pots: the hair, in

THE CIVET CAT.

general, is coarfe; that on the top of the body particularly fo, and, longer
than the reft, ftanding up like a mane: the tail varies in colour, being
fometimes all black, and fometimes {potted near the bafe. The whole body
is covered with two kinds of hair, one of which is (hort, foft, and of a woolly
contexture, and a greyifh brown colour; the other is much longer, and
barred or varied with white, black, and reddifh brown, which occafions the
beautiful {potted and banded appearance fo remarkable in this animal. The
general colour of the female is paler than that of the male, and the {pots are
larger. ‘Three black ftripes, proceeding from each ear and ending at the
throat and fhoulders, add greatly to its beauty. The mouth is adorned with
whifkers. - 6

The teeth of the Civet are fharp and ftrong, though its claws are weak.
It is active and nimble, jumping.like a Cat, and running very fwiftly. It
feeds on fmall animals and birds, which it takes by furprife; “and will
fometimes commit depredations on the poultry in .the farm yard. As its
eyes fhine in the dark, it is probable that it fees well by night, gape
as that is the time when it is moft ative.

The Civet inhabits India, the Philippine Ifles, Guinea, Ethiopia, and
Madagafcar; where it is very prolific, but is never known to breed in more
temperate regions, although it will live in them, and appear in perfect health,
producing its perfume in great abundance. ‘The Dutch know this,’ and keep
numbers of them alive at Amfterdam, on purpofe to collect. the civet they
produce; the quantity of which always bears proportion to the quality
of the nourifhment the animal takes, and the appetite with which it eats it.
Its favourite food confifts of boiled fleth, rice, eggs, birds, {mall animals, and
efpecially fifh; and, in order to preferve it in a good ftate of health, its
appetite fhould be excited by variety. ‘Though it drinks feldom, it difcharges
its urine frequently.

The civet which is procured at Amfterdam is lefs adulterated, and
therefore held in higher eftimation, than that which comes from India or the
Levant. To facilitate the colleting this perfume, the animal is put into a

long cage, fo narrow that it cannot turn itfelf: the cage being opened by a

THE CIVET CAT.

door at the hinder part, the creature is drawn backwards by the tail, and
held fecurely, whilft a {mall {poon, or fpatula, is introduced, through an orifice
fituated under the tail, into the pouch containing the perfume, which is
carefully {craped, and the contents of it are put into a proper veffel. This
operation may be performed two or three times a week ; and it is remarked,
that the animal produces moft after having been irritated. This perfume is
fo ftrong, that it infects every part of its body, and even the hair and {kin,
which retain the fmell for a long time after they have been feparated from
it. If a perfon be fhut up in the fame apartment with it, it is almoft
infupportable.

Though the Civet is naturally favage, it is capable of being tamed, and
rendered tolerably familiar. Its voice is ftronger than that of a Cat, and
fomewhat refembles the cry of an enraged Dog.

The general value of civet in Holland is about fifty fhillings per ounce ;
but, like all other objects of tafte and fafhion, its price varies. It fhould be
chofen new, of a good confiftence, whitifh colour, and a ftrong, difagreeable
{mell. This perfume is much more grateful than mutfk, to which it bears
fome refemblance. It formerly found its way into phyficians’ prefcriptions,

but is now quite difcontinued as a medicine.

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THE GENET. |

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
‘Six cutting teeth, and two canine teeth in each jaw.
Nofe fharp, body flender.

~ Five toes on each foot.

. ‘SYNONIMS.
La Genetre, Belon Obf. 74. de Buffon, ix. 343. tab, xxxvi.
GeneTHa, Gefner Quad. 549, 550.
Coati, GIneTTA Hispanis, Klewn Quad. 73.
MusTELA CAUDA EX-ANNULIS ALTERNATIM ALBIDIS AT NIGRIS
VARIEGATA, Brzffon Quad. 186.

Viverra GenettTa, Linn. Sy/t. 65.

THE body of the Genet is about eighteen inches long, the tail ten. The
head is long and flender, ending in a fharp nofe like the Civet, but the ears
are more pointed. ‘The body is clothed with two kinds of hair, the longeft
of which is about half an inch, and, like the Civet, poffeffes the variety of
colour, from which the fpots and marks are formed. The colour of this
animal is a tawny red, {potted with black ; thefe {pots are diftin@ and
feparate on the fides, but unite together on the back, fo as to form a black
line or lines, which extend the whole length of the animal. The tail is
beautifully annulated with tawny and black alternately. The feet are black.
The Genet, like the reft of its family, is furnifhed with glands under its tail,
which fecrete a kind of perfume, fomewhat refembling civet, but the fmell
of it is fainter, and it foon evaporates; thefe glands open rather differently

from thofe of other animals of its kind.

THE GENET.

The Genet has a ftrong appetite for petty carnage, which renders it a —
very ufeful animal for deftroying Rats, Mice, &c. in houfes; as it is eafily
domefticated, and is a harmlefs and inoffenfive creature, thefe qualities
added to its exceflive elegant and beautiful figure, and the value of its fur,
render it a proper object of that care and attention, whereby it would
become a ufeful addition to our ftock of domeftic quadrupeds. Belon affures
us that he faw fome at Conftantinople, which were as tame as Cats, and kept
the houfes quite clear of Rats and Mice, who were driven from them by
their fmell. Upon the whole, it is a moft beautiful, cleanly, and induftrious —
little animal; is very active in purfuit of its prey, and mild and gentle in its
manners. }

It is found in Syria, Spain, and ‘Turkey, frequents the banks of rivers,
and avoids mountainous dry places.

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Publijhed by WDartonTHarvey &WBelchLondon, Jub 4 P1800.

OTTER.

THE GREATER OTTER.

Generic CHARACTERS.
Six cutting and two canine teeth in each jaw.
Five toes on each foot; each toe connected by a ftrong web.

SYNONIMS.
Lurra, Gefner Quad. 687. Razz Syn. Quad. 187.
Mustrera Lurra, Linn. Sy/t. 66.
Urrer, Faun Suec. No. 12.
Wropra, Rzaczinfke Polon. 221.
Le Lourre, de Buffon, vii. 134. tab. xi.
Orrer, Brit. Zool. i. 67.

THE Otter feems to conftitute the link of gradation, in the great chain
of nature, between terreftrial and aquatic animals; refembling the former in
its fhape, and the latter in being able to live for a confiderable {pace of time
under water, and in being furnifhed with membranes, like fins, between the
toes, which enable it to {wim with fuch rapidity, that it can overtake fifhes
in their own element.

The general fhape of the Otter fomewhat refembles that of an overgrown
Weafel, being, like that animal, long and flender. Its {kin is covered with
very foft hair, which is generally brown; but fubjeét to fome varieties in this
refpect, depending, perhaps, on climate. It is ufually two feet in length,
from the tip of the nofe to the infertion of the tail; the head and nofe are
broad and flat; the mouth fomewhat refembles that of a fifh; the eyes are
{mall and brilliant, and placed nearer the nofe than is ufual in the generality of

THE GREATER OTTER.

quadrupeds; the neck is fhort, and as thick as the head; the body long; the
tail broad at the infertion, but tapers off to a point at the end; the legs are
remarkably fhort, ftrong, broad, and mufcular. The joints are fo loofely
articulated, that the animal is enabled to bend them back, and bring them
on a line with the body, fo as to make them perform the office of fins.
_Each foot is furnifhed with five toes, which are connected by ftrong and
broad webs, like thofe of water-fowl. This peculiar conftruction of the legs
and feet is admirably well adapted to the purpofe of {wimming; for, by
taking fhort ftrokes, they make them oftener and with greater velocity.

The Otter is a very voracious animal, and well known by the damage
it does to fifh-ponds, &c. It is always found by the fides of lakes and
rivers, but more particularly the former, as being more commodious for
catching its prey; for the bulk of its body giving the current of water greater
power of refiftance againft it, than it has againft the fifhes, which are the
object of its purfuit, if it hunts againft the ftream, it {wims too flow; and if
with the ftream, it overfhoots its prey. When it fixes its refidence in rivers,
it is always obferved to purfue its prey in a direction oppofite to that of the
current. It deftroys much more fifh than it devours, and has been known
to fpoil a pond in a few nights. But they do the greateft damage to the nets
of fifhermen, which they never fail to gnaw and tear in pieces, if once ~
entangled in them.

The Otter catches its prey in two very different manners: one is by
purfuing it from the bottom upwards; the other is, by hunting it into fome
little corner of the pond, and there feizing it. The conformation of its
lungs, which are proportionably longer than in moft other quadrupeds, is
well adapted to the former mode of purfuit, as it is thereby enabled to
continue for a confiderable time under water without inconvenience; and
whatever fith happens then to pafs over the place, becomes, infallibly, its
prey; for, the eyes of fifhes being placed fo as not to fee under them, the
Otter attacks them by furprife from below, and feizing them by the belly,
drags its prey on fhore, where it often leaves it untouched, to continue the

purfuit for hours together. The other method is confined to lakes and ponds,

THE GREATER OTTER.

where there is no current, and is only practifed on the {maller fifhes; for it
is impoffible to force the large ones from the deep water.

It is thus that the Otter amufes and fupports itfelf during the fummer
months, and eafily procures a fupply of provifions, far exceeding its actual
| wants; infomuch that the edges of the lakes it frequents are infected by
the putrid remains of half-confumed fith; the Otter never eating farther
than the vent of the fifh; but, when the feverity of the winter has frozen
over the ponds and lakes, and the heavy falls of rain have increafed the
currents of the rivers into rapid torrents, the Otter is often much embaraffed
to procure a maintenance for itfelf, and is reduced to the neceflity of eating
grafts, leaves,’ weeds, and even the bark of trees. It then leaves its watery
abodes, to prey on Rats, infects, and even Sheep: it is fatisfied with much
lefs food, during this inclement feafon, than in fummer; for, though it does
not become quite torpid, like the Dormoufe and fome other animals, yet it
keeps much more within its retreat, which is generally the hollow of fome
bank, worn away by the water. In this place it often forms a paflage,
which extends for feveral yards along the edge of the water, and has an
opening at each end, through one of which it efcapes, when attacked at the
other. vt

The Count de Buffon fays, that, in France, the Otter couples in winter,
and brings forth its young in the {pring. However true that may be in
France, it is certainly not fo with refpect to this country; as the young
never make their appearance till the latter end of fummer. ‘The account
given by Mr. Lots, of the Academy of Stockholm, feems nearer the truth,
who affures us, that it couples about the middle of fummer, and, at the end —
of nine weeks, brings forth three or four young ones. The obfervations
made by that gentleman, on this fubjeét, appear, to be fo accurate and well
related, and fo ftrongly confirmed by the perfonal knowledge of the late
Dr. Goldfmith, that we fhall not hefitate to clofe this account with a
tran{cript from this ingenious effay.

“In the rivers and the lakes frequented by the Otter, the bottom is

generally ftony and uneven, with many trunks of trees, and long roots

THE GREATER OTTER.

ftretching’ underneath the: water. The fhore alfo’ is: hollow, and: {cooped
inward by the waves. Thefe are the places the Otter chiefly chufes for its
retreat; and there is fcarcely a ftone which’ does not bear the mark of its
refidence, as upon them its excrements are always voided. It is chiefly by
this mark that its lurking places: are known,. as well as by the quantity of
dead fifh found lying here and there upon the banks of the water. To take
the old ones alive is no eafy tafk, as they are extremely fierce, and there are
few Dogs that will dare to encounter them. They bite with great feverity,
and never let go their hold, when they have once faftened. The beft way,
therefore, is to fhoot them at once, as they never will be thoroughly tamed;
and, if kept for the purpofes of fifhing, are always apt to take the firft
opportunity of efcaping. But the young ones may be more eafily taken, and
converted to very ufeful purpofes. The Otter brings forth its yonng
generally under the hollow banks, upon a bed of rufhes, flags, or fuch weeds
as the place affords it in greateft quantities. I fee in the Britith Zoology a
defcription of its habitation, where the naturalift obferves, ‘that it burrows
under ground, on the banks of fome river or lake, and always makes the

entrance of its hole under water, then works up to the furface of the earth,

and there makes a minute orifice for the admiffion of the air; and this little |

air-hole is often found in the middle of fome thicket.’ In fome places this
may be true, but I never obferved any fuch contrivance; the retreat, indeed,
was always at the edge of the water, but it was only fheltered by fome
impending bank, and the Otter itfelf feemed to have but a fmall fhare in its
formation. But, be this as it may, the young ones are always found at the
edge of the water; and, if under the protection of the dam, fhe teaches them
inftantly to plunge, like herfelf, into the deep, and efcape among the ruthes
or weeds that fringe the ftreaam. At fuch times, therefore, it is very difficult
to take them; for, be they ever fo young, they {wim with great rapidity,
and in fuch a manner that no part of them is feen above water, except the
tip of the nofe. It is only when the dam is abfent that they can be taken;
and in fome places there are Dogs purpofely trained for difcovering their
retreats. Whenever the Dog comes to the place, he foon, by his barking,

‘

ms

_ THE GREATER OTTER.

thows that the Otter is there; which, if it be an old one, inftantly plunges
into the water, and the young all follow. But if the old one be abfent,
they continue terrified, and will not venture forth but under her guidance
and protection. In this manner they are fecured and taken home alive,
where they are carefully fed with {mall fifth and water. In proportion,
however, as they gain ftrength, they have milk mixed with their food, the
quantity of their fifh provifion is retrenched, and that of vegetables is
increafed, until at length they are fed wholly upon bread, which perfectly
agrees with their conftitution. ‘The manner of training them up, to hunt for
fifh, requires not only affiduity, but patience; however, their activity and
ufe, when taught, amply repay the trouble of teaching; and, perhaps, no
other animal is more beneficial to its mafter. ‘The ufual way is, firft to teach
them to fetch, as Dogs are inftructed; but, as they have not the fame
docility, fo it requires more art and experience to teach them. It is ufually
performed, by accuftoming them to take a trufs, ftuffed with wool, of the
fhape of a fith, and made of leather, in their mouths, and to drop it at the
word of command; to run after it, when thrown forward, and to bring it
to their mafter. From this they proceed to real fifth, which are thrown dead
into the water, and which they are taught to fetch from thence. From the
dead they proceed to the living, till at laft the animal is perfectly inftructed
in the whole art of fifhing. An Otter, thus taught, is a very valuable
animal, and will catch fifh enough to fuftain not only itfelf but a whole
family. I have feen one of thefe go to a gentleman’s pond, at the word of
command, drive up the fifh into a corner, and, feizing the largeft of the
whole, bring it off, in its mouth, to its mafter (a.”’)

The Otter is found in all parts of Europe, north and northeeaft of Afia (a),
even as far as Kamtfchatka: it abounds in North America, particularly in

Canada, where its fur is moft valuable.

(1) Journal Etranger, Juin. 1755, p. 14, quoted by Goldsmith. (s) Pennant.

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THE GUINEA P1JG.

GENERIC CHARACTERS,
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Four toes on the fore-feet, three behind.
Ears fhort. |
No tail, or a very fhort one.

SYNONIMS.
CunicuLus vEL Porcetuus Inpicvus, Ge/ner Quad. 367.
Mus Porcetuus, Linn. Sy/t. 79.
Mus seu Cunicutus AMericanus, Razz Syn. Quad. 223.
Cavia Cospata, Marcgrave Brajfil, 224. Pifo Brafil, 102. Raw Syn.
Quad. 223. Klein Quad. 49.
Mus Puaraonis, Tatu piztosus, Klein Quad. 49.
CunicuLus Ecaupatus, Briffon Quad. 102.
Restiess Cavy, Pennant’s Syn. Quad. 176.
Le Cocuon p'Inpe, de Buffon, viii. 1. tab. i.

THIS little, reftlefs animal has the good fortune to enjoy univerfal
admiration, without appearing to poffefs any one good quality which entitles
him to it. Helplefs and inoffenfive in its nature, it {carcely pofleffes courage
fufficient to defend itfelf from the attacks of a Moufe; but its animofities
againft thofe of its own fpecies are violent and obftinate: thefe jealoufies,
which are very apparent, frequently arife from a defire of poflefling the
warmett place, or the moft agreeable food.

It is matter of wonder, that an animal, poflefling neither ftrength,

{wiftnefs, nor even the natural inftinéts of felf-prefervation, fo obfervable in

THE GUINEA PIG.

moft other creatures, fhould be able to protect itfelf, in its wild ftate, from
the attacks of beafts and birds of prey; and that the fpecies does not become
extiné; which mutt, in many inftances, be the cafe, did not Providence take
care to maintain and continue every created fpecies.

Though the Guinea Pig is a native of the warmer climates, it has been
fo long domefticated in Britain, and fo widely diffufed elfewhere, that it is
now fo univerfally known, as to render a very particular defcription of
it unneceflary; we fhall, therefore, only obferve, that it is not fo large as
the Rabbit; its upper lip is partially divided; its ears large and round; its
legs very fhort; it has four toes on the fore feet, and but three on the
hinder ones; and it has no tail. Thefe little animals vary much in colour;
fome are black, fome white, and fome barred with large blotches of black,
white, and orange colour. ‘They appear to be totally void of attachment
even to their own young, which they will fuffer to be taken from
them, and even devoured, as foon as they are born, without difcovering
the leaft concern or reluctance, or attempting to make the {fmallett
refiftance.

The Guinea Pig moves like the Rabbit, though much flower; when it
walks, it lengthens its body, and its feet are then moft confpicuous; and,
when at reft, it contracts itfelf into a heap. When kept in a room, it
feldom crofles the floor, but creeps round by the wall. It ftrokes its head
with its fore feet, like the Rabbit, and fits on its hind legs like that animal.
The male ufually obliges the female to go before him, and follows exa@ly
in her footfteps. It is fond of dark and intricate retreats, where it fleeps
with its companion, and feldom ventures out when danger is nigh. When
about to quit its retreat, it fprings forward to its entrance, where it ftops to
liften and look round, and if no danger is near, it fallies forth in fearch of
food: but, on the leaft alarm, it inftantly runs back to its hiding place.
Their manner of fighting is equally fingular and ridiculous: one of them
feizes the neck of its antagonift with its teeth, and attempts to tear the hair
from it; mean time the other turns its pofteriors to its enemy, kicks up
behind, like a Horfe, and, by way of retaliation, fcratches the fides of its

THE GUINEA PIG.

opponent with its hinder claws, fo that they are frequently both covered
with blood. |

The Guinea Pig repofes flat on its belly, and, like the Dog, turns itfelf
round feveral times, before it lies down, to fix on a convenient fituation. It
fleeps with its eyes half open, and is extremely wakeful. The male and
female never fleep at the fame time, but each by turns keeps watch while
the other takes its repofe.

This animal delights fo much in cleanlinefs, that, if the young ones
happen, by accident, to be foiled or dirtied, the female takes fuch a diflike
to them, that fhe will never after fuffer them to approach her. Indeed, the
_ whole employment of both male and female feems to confift in {moothing
each other’s hair, which office, when they have mutually performed, they
both turn their attention to their young ones, whofe hair they take particular
care to keep fmooth and even, and bite them, if they are refractory.

The voice of the Guinea Pig greatly refembles the grunting of a fmall
Pig, which circumftance probably gave rife to its name; and the notes,
which it utters when in pain, are very fhrill and piercing.

The female goes with young about five weeks, and ufually produces
three or four at a birth, and fometimes as many as twelve, which fhe fuckles
for twelve or fifteen days, and then leaves them to fhift for themfelves,
which, by that time they are well qualified to do. The dam, though only
furnifhed with two teats, abundantly fupplies her offspring with milk; at
the fame time, fhe appears fo indifferent about them, that fhe cannot
diftinguifh her own progeny from another's. |

The Guinea Pig feeds on vegetables of all kinds, but feems to give the
preference to parfley and carrot tops. If its food is green vegetables, it never
drinks; but if it is fed on bran, bread, grains, or any dry fubftance, it will
drink both water and milk, which it laps with its tongue like a Cat.

This animal is a native of Brafil.

THE SPOTTED CAVY.

Generic CHARACTERS.
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Generally four toes on the fore feet, three behind.
Ears fhort.

No tail, or a very fhort one.

SyNoNIMs.
Mus Paca, Linn. Sy/t. 81.
CunicuLus caupatus, Briffon Quad. gg.
~Cunicutus major, Paca, Marcgrave Brafil, Pifo Bra 101.
de Laet, 484.
Cavia Paca, Klein Quad. 50.
Mus Brasiviensis Macnus, Paca pictus, Raz Syn. Quad. 226.
Le Paca, de Buffon, x. 269. tad. xliii.

THE Spotted Cavy bears fome refemblance to the Guinea-Pig, except
that it ftands higher on its legs. It is about ten inches long; the head
round, and rather large in proportion to the fize of the body; the nofe
broad, and of a blackith colour; the eyes large, and prominent; the ears are
broad, and almoft without hair: the neck is thick; the hair coarfe and fhort,
and in general of a dufky-brown colour, elegantly marked on the fides with
whitith-grey {pots, difpofed in lines extending from the head to the tail: the
belly is white. In fome individuals, which are perhaps young ones, the
fides and {pots are of a pale yellow: there are five toes on each foot: the
tailis a mere rudiment. This little animal does not fit up to eat, as moft of

this genus do, but feeds on the ground, like a Pig, and makes a grunting

THE SPOTTED CAVY.

noife, like that creature, more efpecially when irritated, when it likewife
exprefles its anger by chattering its teeth. It feeds on all forts of grain,
roots, fruit, and almoft all kinds of vegetables: it frequents fenny places and
the banks of rivers, where it lives concealed in burrows under ground: it
grows very fat, and is accordingly much fought after. As thefe animals
feldom quit their hole during the day, they are ufually difcovered by Dogs,
trained for the purpofe, who point out their lurking places, over which the
hunter digs, and when he comes near the animal, transfixes it with a knife,
to prevent its efcape. When preffed hard, they will bite dreadfully, and
make a defperate defence. Man is not their only enemy: every beaft and
bird of prey watches their motions, and is fure to feize them, if they ftray
from home. ‘Thus attacked on all fides, the fpecies would foon become
extinét, were not the animal fo prolific, that the diminution, if any, is
imperceptible. |
This animal inhabits Brafil and Guiana.

THE LONG-NOSED CAVY.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Four toes on the fore feet, three behind.
Ears fhort.

No tail, or a very fhort one.

SYNONIMS.
Acuti vet Acuti, Marcgrave Brafil, 224. Pifo Brafil, 102.
Acuti ov Acourtis, de Laet. 484. Rochefort Antilles, i. 287.
Mus Acuti, Linn. Sy/t. 80.
Cavia Acuti, Klein Quad. 50.
Mus Sytvesrris Acuti, Raz Syn. Quad. 226.
. Cunicutus caupatus, Briffon Quad. 98.
CuNICULUS OMNIUM VULGATISSIMUS, AGUTI VULGO, Barrere
France A:quin, 153.
L’Acout1, de Buffon, vill. 375. tab. 1.
SMALL Inp1an Coney, Brown’s Jamaica, 484,

Lone-Nosep Rassit, Wafer’s Voy. in Dampier, ili. 401.

THIS animal is about the fize of a Rabbit: its nofe is long; the upper
lip is divided in the middle, like the upper lip of the Hare; the ears are
fhort and round; the eyes black and lively; the legs almoft deftitute of hair,
and very flender and black; the tail fhort and without hair: it has four
toes on the fore feet, and three on the hinder ones; its hair is harfh and

ftiff, like that of a fucking Pig; the colour of the hair on the body is a

THE LONG-NOSED CAVY.

mixture of red, brown, and black; that which covers the rump is of a
bright orange, and the belly is yellow.

This animal is very numerous in the fouthern parts of America, and has
been called by fome the Rabbit or Hare of that continent, from a fuppofed
refemblance to one or both of thofe animals: it differs, however, very
effentially from them in many particulars.

This little creature equals the Hog in voracity: every thing that is
eatable comes alike to its infatiable appetite; and when it has eaten till it
can eat no longer, it hides the remainder fora future meal. It feems to
delight in gnawing and tearing every thing within its reach. When
provoked, it erects the hair on its back, and ftrikes the ground violently
with its hinder feet, like the Rabbit. It lives in cavities, which it digs for
itfelf in hollow trees. Though its appetite is general, it gives the preference
to yams, potatoes, and fruits. It fits on its hind legs to eat, like the Squirrel,
and conveys the food to its mouth with its fore paws. Like the Hare or
Rabbit, it runs fwiftly on the plain ground or up a hill, but is in danger of
falling on a defcent, on account of the length of its hinder feet. Its fight
and hearing are both excellent, and, if whiftled to, it will ftop to liften to
the found. ‘The flefh is tolerable food, provided it be fat and well fed; but
it is rather tough, and has a peculiar flavour. It is hunted with Dogs, and,
if it happens to get into a place covered with fugar-canes, is eafily taken,
from the embarrafiment it meets with; but, if it takes to the open plain, it
runs freely before the Dogs, till it has gained it hole, from which nothing
can force it but filling the hole with fmoke. During this procefs, the poor
little creature frequently fends forth plaintive cries, but feldom leaves the
hole till the laft extremity, when it once more bolts out, and depends on its
{peed for fafety. If the Dogs come up with it, and there is no poffibility of
making good a retreat, it boldly faces its purfuers, and, ftanding on its hind
feet, erects the hair on its back, and defends itfelf very gallantly. It will
fometimes bite the legs of thofe who attempt to catch it, and always takes
out the piece on which it fixes its teeth (a). When provoked, it makes a

(a) Raii Syn.

THE LONG-NOSED CAVY.

noife like a young Pig. It is eafily tamed, if taken young, and becomes
very familiar. The female felects a retired place to bring forth her young,
where fhe conftructs a bed of hay and leaves, and ufually brings two at a
time, which foon arrive at maturity. She breeds two or three times in the
year; and often removes her young for conveniency or greater fecurity.

The Long-nofed Cavy having been very generally, though erroneoufly,
called by travellers, the Rabbit or Hare of the New Continent, it may not be
amifs to point out a few particulars in which it either refembles or differs
from thofe animals, with which we fhall conclude this account. It refembles
the Rabbit in fize and in the form of the head, except that the ears are
much fhorter. Like the Rabbit, the form of its back refembles an arch; its
hind legs are longeft, and the cutting teeth are exactly alike, as to form and
number. On the other hand, it differs from the Rabbit in the ftructure
of its hair, which is not foft and downy, but hard and harfh, like that of a
young Pig. The tail is likewife fhorter, and entirely without hair, Laftly,
the number of the toes is different, the Cavy having but three on the hinder
feet, whereas the Rabbit has five. It differs, likewife, very materially from
the Rabbit, in its habits and difpofitions: fo that, upon the whole, the
fuppofed refemblance arifes merely from the want of attentive obfervation.

It is found in great abundance in Brafil and Guiana, where, Mr. Buffon
fays, the French drefs it like a fucking Pig, and efteem it excellent food; the
Englith who refide there drefs it like a Hare, with a pudding in the belly.

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THE HARE.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Five toes before; four behind.

Ears long ; tail thort.

SYNONIMS. :
Lepus, Plin. lib. viii. c. 55. Gefner Quad. 605..
Rai Syn. Quad. 204.

Lepvus tTimipus, Linn. Syft. 77:
Le Lievre, de Buffon, vi. 246. tad. 38.
Hasse, Klein Quad. 51. Faun, Suec. No. 25.
Hare, Brit. Zool, 41. -

| Pr,

NO animal in the creation furnifhes more ftriking proofs of the
providential care of the great Creator, in the prefervation of his creatures, than ©
this little, helplefs animal. Its propenfities and habits, as well as the
peculiar conformation of its parts, are fo admirably well adapted for this
grand purpofe, that, without them, the fpecies muft foon become extind.
Eagerly fought after by man, as well as by beafts and birds of prey, and
totally incapable of felf defence, the race would foon be deftroyed by its
numerous enemies, were it not for the means of prefervation and efcape
with which it is fo amply furnifhed. The Hare owes its chief {afety to its
prevailing paffion, fear: confcious of its weak and defencelefs ftate, it lives

in conftant alarm and apprehenfion, which, by keeping it lean, fits

THE HARE.

it the better for efcaping the impending danger by flight. The fhape of the
ears is admirably well contrived, to collect and convey the moft diftant and.
minute impreffions of founds; they are very long, and formed like the tubes,
or trumpets, made ufe of by deaf perfons; and, being flexible in every direction,
cannot fail to catch and convey the {malleft vibrations of the air. ‘The eyes
are remarkably large and prominent, and well adapted to receive the rays of
light in all directions, fo that the creature has no occafton to turn its head
to either fide, to gain information of the fituation of its purfuers. Like
many other animals which feed by night, the eyes are furnifhed with a
membrana nictitans, which can be drawn over them at pleafure; and thus
the creature is enabled to bear the light of the day, which it could not
otherwife endure. ‘The comparative length of its hind legs is, likewife, of
fingular fervice to it in peculiar fituations, particularly in afcending fteep
and hilly places; and fo fenfible is the Hare of this advantage, that, when
clofely purfued, it always fhapes its courfe towards rifing ground. The Hare
is alfo furnifhed with remarkably ftrong mufcles, whereby it is enabled to
fupport more fatigue than it otherwife could. Its general colour is a tawny,
reddith brown, which frequently fo nearly refembles the colour of the land
on which it lies, that it is eafily overlooked: this is another great fource of
its fafety, and fo confcious is the animal of it, that, when clofely preffed by
the Hounds, it will frequently fquat behind a clod, and fuffer the Dogs to run
over it, which is no fooner perceived, than it inftantly takes a contrary
direction, and by this artifice often effects its efcape.

In northern countries, where the feverity of the winter covers the ground
with perpetual fnow, the colour of the Hare is always changed, during that
feafon, from brown to white, which renders it lefs vifible to its numerous
enemies, by which it would foon be deftroyed, were it not for this
providential circumftance: we fay providential, becaufe the Hares which
inhabit warmer climates are not fubject to this change of colour during the
winter feafon, which furely is not the effect of mere chance.

The thape, fize, and general appearance of the Hare are fo well known,

that an accurate defcription of them feems needlefs; we fhall, therefore,

: THE HARE.

only remark, that the ears are tipped with black; the tail is black above and
white underneath; and that the feet are all clothed on the underfide, with
long, thick hair, even to the ends of the toes.

The fur of the Hare is generally very full of fleas; and it would feem
that thefe troublefome infects are particularly fond of refiding in it; for
Linneus tells us, in his account of the animals of Sweden, that the
Dalecarlians manufacture a fort of clothing of this fur, which they call felt ;
the wearer of which is thereby preferved from the tormenting attacks of the
fleas, which all creep into the garment, and remain there.

The Hare multiplies very faft; the female breeds three or four times in
the year; fhe goes with young thirty days, and ufually produces from two
to four ata lathe ; fhe fuckles them only twenty days, and then leaves them
_ to fhift for themfelves. It feeds during the night, and remains motionlefs
on its form during the day, unlefs it is difturbed. It lives entirely on
vegetables, and gives the preference to the moft tender blades of grafs, pinks,
-parfley, and plants which contain a milky juice; it is likewife fond of the
bark of trees, particularly the birch, which it frequently ftrips of its bark in
the winter. |

The hair of this animal is much ufed in the hat manufa@ure; and as the
_ produce of this country is infufficient for that purpofe, great quantities of
hare-{kins are annually imported from Ruflia and Siberia, and form a very
confiderable article of commerce.

The flefh of the Hare is accounted a favourite article of food, but the
manner of obtaining it, by hunting, where a numerous band of dogs;
accompanied by men and horfes, is at once let loofe on the moft timid and
defencelefs animal in the brute creation; where the poor creature, in its
fears, is made to die a thoufand deaths, feems fo incongenial with our ideas
of humanity and polifhed fociety, as to require our marked difapprobation.
‘This practice is thus beautifully defcribed by Thomfon:

Vain is her beft precaution, tho’ fhe fits
Conceal’d, with folded ears, unfleeping eyes,

By Nature rais’d to take th’ horizon in,

THE HARE.

And head couch’d clofe betwixt her hairy feet,

In a& to fpring away. The fcented dew

Betrays her early labyrinth; and deep,

In featter’d fullen op’nings, far behind,

With every breeze fhe hears the coming ftorm:

But nearer, and more frequent, as it loads |

The fighing gale, fhe fprings amaz’d, and all

The favage foul of Game is up at once:

The pack full-op’ning various; the fhrill horn

Refounding from the hills; the neighing fteed,

Wild for the chafe; and the loud hunter’s fhout ;
O’er a weak, harmlefs, flying creature,

Mix’d in mad tumult and difcordant joy !

If the flefh of this animal is become a neceflary appendage at the tables of
the opulent, fhould it not be obtained in a manner that does leaft violence
to the tender feelings of humanity? Indeed fhooting, or taking them in traps
or fnares, feems lefs exceptionable, though not fo generally praifed as the
method of hunting with Harriers, or {mall Hounds; or that of courfing with
Greyhounds.

The Hare is found in all parts of Europe, and moft parts of Afia and
North America. .

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THE RABBIT.

GeNERIC CHARACTERS.
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Ears long, tail fhort.
Five toes before, four behind.

SYNONIMS.
Cunicutus, Plin. lib. viii. c. 55. Gefner Quad. 362.
Lerus Cunicuxus, Linn. Syft. 77. |
Kanin, Faun Suec. No. 26.
Lepus Cuttin tus, Briffon Quad. 95.
Leruscuius, Kanincuen, Klein Quad. 52.
Le Lapin, de Buffon, vi. 303. tab. 1. li.
RaBBet, or Coney, Rati Syn. Quad. 205. Pennant’s
Brit. Zool. i. 90. —

THE Rabbit, though not originally a native of Britain, is become fo
completely naturalized, and fo well and univerfally known, that a particular
defcription of it feems unneceffary. -.In its external appearance it much
_refembles the Hare; but it differs materially from that animal in its habits,
and, notwithftanding their fimilitude, they cannot be brought to affociate,
and fometimes will fight till one of them is difabled or killed.

_ That great naturalift, Pliny, has judicioufly remarked, that thofe animals
which are the moft innocent, and of the greateft fervice to man, particularly
in the article of food, are generally the moft prolific: this obfervation is in
no inftance more clearly verified than in the Rabbit: it produces feven times

in the year, and often brings eight young ones at a birth; on a fuppofition,

THE RABBIT.

therefore, that this happens conftantly and regularly during the period of
four years, a fingle pair will, in that time, produce one million two hundred
and feventy four thoufand, eight hundred and forty: no wonder then, that
Spain, a country fo congenial to their conftitution, fhould have been once fo
overrun by them, as to reduce the inhabitants to the neceflity of fending to
Africa for Ferrets to deftroy them, as has been already obferved in the
account given of the Ferret. From this amazing difpofition to increafe, we
fhould certainly be overftocked by them, were they not furrounded by a hoft
of enemies, confifting of almoft every beaft and bird of prey, to whofe attacks
they are unable to make the fmalleft refiftance ; and, indeed, were it not for
the fecurity they find in their burrows, the race would foon be extirpated.
But their greateft enemy is man, who, like a falfe friend, appears to take
them under his protection, that he may have it in his power to deftroy them
when he pleafes, for the fake of their flefh and fkin; the former of which
every one knows is an elegant article of food, and the hair of the latter is
much ufed in the manufacture of hats; the .{kin, with the hair on, is alfo
ufed as a fubftitute for fur to trim garments; and fuch parts of the hair as
are too coarfe for thefe purpofes, are often made ufe of as ftufling for beds,
to fave the expence of feathers.

To protect them from thefe numerous foes, the Creator, ever watchful
over the fafety of his creatures, has endued them with the inftinctive faculty,
of forming fubterraneous retreats, which are fo conftructed, as to be
inacceflible to any but the fmaller quadrupeds, and fecure them entirely
from the attacks of birds of prey, which are well known to avoid places
impervious to light. They dig thefe burrows with their feet, and often
extend them to a confiderable length, contriving that each burrow is
furnifhed with two apertures, which, although at a confiderable diftance
from each other, always communicate, fo that, in cafe of an attack, the
poor animal has always a door to efcape at. In thefe burrows it {pends the
| day in fafety, and only comes out morning and evening, to feed. |
When the female is about to bring forth, fhe makes choice of a burrow,

feparate from the male, which fhe forms very different from the ordinary

THE RABBIT.

one, and much more intricate; at the bottom of this fhe conftructs a {pacious
apartment, which fhe lines with down plucked from her own body, and
thus forms a warm bed for the reception of her young. Thefe fhe feldom
leaves during the two firft days, unlefs forced by hunger; and then the
returns to them with all poffible expedition. She fuckles them near fix
weeks, when they are generally fit. to come abroad, and are received, with
great appearance of affection, by the male, who, though prior to that period
he will frequently kill them, feems now to acknowledge his offspring, by
taking them between his paws, fmoothing their {kins, and licking their eyes ;
each in its turn receiving an equal fhare of his careffes.

Wild Rabbits are invariably brown, but, when domefticated, become,
like all other creatures taken under the protection of man, fubject to almoft
every variety of colour. Pennant fays, white Rabbits have eyes of a
beautiful red colour; but this is not uniformly the cafe. ‘Tame Rabbits are
larger than the wild ones, but their flefh is fofter, and not fo high-flavoured.

_ The Rabbit is fubje& to two diftempers equally fatal. The moft common
and dangerous of thefe is called the rot. This is brought on by fuffering
them to eat food which is too full of moifture. Their greens fhould
therefore be always given them dry, and a proper quantity of fhort hay
fhould be mixed with them. But the beft food for tame Rabbits is the
fhorteft and fweeteft hay that can be procured; one load of which will
maintain two hundred couple for a year: of this ftock four hundred couple
may be yearly confumed or fold, and a fufficient number will remain to keep
up the ftock, and guard againft accidents: fo that, reckoning the price of
each Rabbit at the very moderate rate of fixpence, which is confiderably
below the ufual value, the amount of the profits on one year’s produce will
be twenty pounds, which is confiderably more than three hundred per cent.
exclufive of the fkins. |

They are likewife fubject to a fort of madnefs: when attacked with
this diforder, they wallow and tumble about, with their heels upwards,
and hop in a very fingular manner. The caufe of this difeafe is not certainly

known, but it is generally fuppofed to be occafioned by the ranknefs of their

THE RABBIT. |
food; though, it is probable, that is not the only caufe. The ufual method
of cure is to keep them low, and fupply them clea with the prickly
herb, called tare-thiftle.

The Rabbit is a very generally diffufed animal, and capable of exifting in
any climate which is not very cold; but in Sweden, and the northern parts
of Europe, it muft be conftantly houfed. It is found wild in the temperate
and hot parts of Europe, and the hotteft parts of Afia and Africa. It is not ~

a native of America, but increafes greatly in South America.

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THE BEAVER.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Five toes on each foot.

Tail comprefied, and covered with fcales.

SYNONIMS.
Kacrup, Arift. Mift. Ann. lib. viii. c. 5.
Castor Fiser, Linn. Syfl. 78.
Castor, Gefner Quad. 309. Briffon Quad. go.
Fizer, Pin. lib. viii. ¢. 30. ;
BaFWeER, Brvr, Faun. Suec. No. 27.
Biper, Klein Quad. 91.
Bosr, Rzaczenfki Pol, 215. |
Beaver, Brit. Zool. 1. 70. tab. ii. Rait Syn. Quad. 209.
Le Castor, ov LE Birvre, de Buffon, Viil. 282. tab. xxxvi.

THERE is nothing very remarkable in the general external appearance
of the Beaver, except that its tail is very broad, flat, and covered with {cales_
like a fifth; and that its hinder feet alone are furnifhed with membranes
which conne@ the toes: in other refpects, it. greatly refembles a very. large
Rat. Confidered as an individual, it does not exhibit any ftriking inftinctive
qualities ; but, on the contrary, is perfectly harmlefs and inoffenfive, and
feems hardly to poflefs cunning enough for its own defence and preférvation.
But if we view it living in a ftate of fociety with others of its own fpecies,
and uniting its efforts with theirs to the attainment of one great end,

combining the important objects of the fafety, welfare, and maintenance of

THE BEAVER,

the family or colony to which it belongs; our wonder and aftonifhment will
be inftantly excited, and inftead of the moft inaive and unmeaning, we
thall be led to pronounce it one of the mof provident, fagacious, and aétive
animals in the creation. |

Few opportunities of obferving the habits of the Beaver having occurred,
to thofe who know how to make the proper ufe of them, the accounts given
of it have in confequence been various, often contradictory, and always full
of the marvellous ; which is not at all to be wondered at, when we reflect
that the greateft part of them have been related on the authority of Beaver
hunters, whofe only object being to obtain the animal itfelf, its habits and
natural hiftory could but little concern them.

In this embarrafled fituation, fcarcely knowing what we ought to admit
and what reject, we are happy to avail ourfelves of the opportunity offered
by a recent account of the Beaver, publithed by Captain G. Cartwright (a),
who refided nearly fixteen years on the Labrador Coaft, and appears to have
taken great pains to acquire a knowledge of this extraordinary animal. He
very judicioufly apprizes the reader, that his account will appear to be very
different, in many inftances, from what Buffon and others have written on
the fubject ; and begs it may be remembered that they wrote chiefly from
hearfay, but that what he advances is the refult of his own actual
obfervation. |

The length of the Beaver, from the nofe to the tail, is about three feet ;
the tail is eleven inches long and three inches broad; the cutting teeth are
very ftrong, and well adapted to the purpofe of gnawing wood; the ears are
fhort, and almoft hid in the fur; the note is blunt; the fore feet are fmall;
but the hinder ones are large and ftrong; the tail is broad, almoft oval,
comprefied horizontally, and covered with {cales. The hair, or fur, with
which the Beaver is covered, is generally of a dark-brown colour, with fome
few inftances of variation to black, and very rarely white. This valuable fur

is well known to be the foundation of the hat manufactory.

(4) Journal of TranfaGions, &e. on the Labrador Coaft, by G. Cartwright, Efgq. 3 vol. 4to, 1792.

THE BEAVER.

The Beaver feeds on the leaves and bark of fuch trees and fhrubs as have
not a refinous juice. Lawfon fays, they prefer the faffafras, ath, and {weet
gum ; but Captain Cartwright afferts their favourite food to be the afpen,
the birch, and the root of the water lily. When they eat, they hold the
food in their fore paws, and fit up like Squirrels. The Count de Buffon, |
hurried on by the impetuofity of his lively imagination, has faid, that “a

3

Beaver has fcaly tail, becaufe he eats fith ;” on which paflage Mr. Cartwright
pleafantly obferves, ‘‘ I wonder that M. Buffon has not one himfelf, for the
{ame reafon, for I am fure he has eaten a great deal more fifh than all the
Beavers in the world put together.” ‘The fact is, Beavers will neither eat
fifh, nor any other animal food whatever, but fubfift wholly on vegetable
fubftances. ‘They bring forth their young towards the end of June, and
generally have two at a time, which are for the moft part male and female ;
the firft time of breeding, indeed, they often have but one, and fome of the
old ones have been known to produce three or four, and even more at a birth.
The firft year they are called Pappoofes; the fecond, Small Medlers; the
third, Large Medlers ; the fourth Beavers; and, after that, Old or Great
Beavers. ‘The young ones continue with their parents till they are full three
years old; when they pair off, build a houfe for themfelves, and begin to
breed. Sometimes, if they are undifturbed and have plenty of provifions,
they remain with the old ones, and the fociety is then called a double crew.
Sometimes a fingle Beaver lives by itfelf, and is then called a Hermit, or
a Terrier. Whatever may have been the caufe which has feparated thefe
individuals from fociety, it is certain that they always have a black mark on
the infide of the fkin upon their backs, which is called a faddle, and
diftinguifhes them from the others. Cartwright fuppofes this feparation
from fociety may arife from their fidelity and conftancy to each other; and
that, having by fome accident loft their mate, they will not readily pair again.
He thinks likewife that the mark on the back may proceed from the want of
a companion to keep that part warm. They move but flowly on land, and
being cowardly, are eafily killed, notwithftanding they are poflefled of the
means to make a flout refiftance, as their teeth are long, fharp, and ftrong,

THE BEAVER.

and firmly fet in their jaws, which are likewife very ftrong. ‘If they chance
to be met on fhore by a man, they will fit down on their bottom and cry
like a child. ‘Thefe folitary Beavers inhabit holes, which they burrow in the
banks of rivers, below the freezing point, and work their way upward to
the height of many feet, ftocking them with provifions for the winter ; but
the generality of Beavers live in aflociated communities, confifting of two or
three hundred ; inhabiting houfes, which they raife to the height of eight
feet above the water. They build thefe houfes on piles, and form them
either round or oval, with arched tops, which give them the appearance
of a dome on the outfide, and within they refemble an oven. The
community generally build from ten to twenty-five of thefe houfes, the
conftruction of which, together with the choice of a proper place, and the
fitting it to the intended purpofe, furnifh the moft ftriking inftance of
inftinGive fagacity, as it is impoffible thefe works could be accomplithed
without the combined affiftance of many individuals, who muft be mutually
acquainted with each others intentions, and know how to direct their ations
fo as to promote the defired end. If they find a place fuitable to their
purpofe, which is generally a pond in the vicinity of afpen and birch trees,
they begin to erect their houfes in the month of Auguft. If they cannot
find a fpot naturally adapted to their operations, they make choice of a level —
piece of ground, having a fmall rivulet running through it, in which they
conftruct a dam, which, {topping the courfe of the water, forms a pond, which
they can make as deep or as {pacious as they pleafe, by proportioning the
dam accordingly. Thefe dams are formed with prodigious ftrength, by
means of ftakes driven into the ground, fome fay five or fix feet long ; thefe
are placed in rows, and pliant twigs are wattled between them, as hurdles
are made ;’ the interftices are then filled with clay, ftones, and fand, which
are well rammed down. ' They are fhaped with a flope on the fide next
to the water, but are perpendicular on the other fide: they are ten or
twelve feet thick at the bate, but gradually diminifh towards the top, which
is ufually two or three feet thick. Some of thefe dams are a hundred feet

in length, and are exactly level from end to end. Mr. Cartwright fays, he

THE BEAVER.

has walked over them with the greateft fafety. Having by thefe. means
collected a fufficient quantity of water for their purpofe, they begin to erect
their houfes near the edge of the fhore. Thefe houfes are conftructed of
earth, ftones, and fticks, cemented together with great art and ingenuity, and
plaiftered within as neatly as if they were built bya mafon. They have but
one opening(s), which is always next the water; for, were it on the land
fide, the frofty air would enter at that hole and freeze up the water, whereby
they would be cut off from their magazine; and the cold would be greater
than they could bear; for, although they are very warmly clad, it is well
known that they cannot endure fevere froft, but will die if expofed to it for
a fhort time. Each houfe contains from two to thirty Beavers. Every
Beaver forms its own bed of mofs; and each family fills its magazine with
provifions againit the winter, which they lodge under water, and bring into
their apartments as they want them(s). If there is an ifland in the pond,
they generally make choice of that, as the fafeft place to build on; and the
greateft number of their houfes are placed on the north fhore, that they may
enjoy more of the fun. If the pond, in which they have lived during one
winter, has plenty of their favourite food in its vicinity, and they have not
been difturbed, they very rarely quit it; but if the fupply of provifions runs
fhort, they will wander about, till they have found another {pot where there
is greater plenty. When they remain three or four years in the fame pond,
they frequently erect a new houfe every year, although the old one is not
_much the worfe for wear; fometimes they will repair an old one which has
been forfaken, and live in that. It often happens that they build a new
houfe upon, or clofe by, an old one, joining the two tops into one, and cut
a communication between them from one to the other: hence it is probable
that the idea of their having feveral apartments took its rife. They are fo
induftrious, that even when they have laid in an abundant ftock of provifions,
they {till go on adding to the ftore ; and when their houfes are completely
finifhed, they {till carry on frefh works; nor will they defift when the pond

is frozen firmly over, but continue to work on the houfe for fome nights

(a) Cartwright. (s) Pennant,

THE BEAVER.

after, through a hole which they keep open on purpofe, if the froft is not
too fevere. They forfake their houfes during the f{ummer, and ramble about
from place to place, fleeping on a bed which they make of fticks fhred fine,
under the covert of fome buth near the water fide. Although the fagacity
of the Beaver appears fo aftonifhing, it is certainly not infallible ; as they
have been known to eftablifh their colony in a pond, where their food was
fo f{earce, that all have died with hunger; or to chufea fituation fo flat, that
a fudden thaw in the winter has flooded the whole place. Sometimes they
have fixed on a brook where a thaw has {welled the ftream of water to. fuch
a height as to wafh away all their food, and ftarve them to death.

Much has been faid by different writers, of their gnawing down large
trees, and tranfporting them to their works by their united ftrength; but
thefe accounts appear to have been greatly exaggerated, although there is
fome foundation for them. It has likewife been faid, that they ufe their
tails as trowels to plaifter their houfes with, but Mr. Cartwright feems to
doubt this circumftance, and obferves, in fupport of his opinion, that their
tails are too heavy, and the tendons which move them toa weak, to enable
them to perform fuch an operation: he rather thinks they daub the earth on
with their fore feet. He profeffes not to believe the affertion, that they ufe
their tails as fledges to draw ftones and earth upon, becaufe the tail being
thickeft at the root and down the centre, he conceives it impoffible that
a {tone fhould be kept on it, unlefs it were held there by another Beaver:
he fays, he never obferved that they had removed any ftones off the ground,
but that they bring them in their fore paws from the fides and bottom of the
pond. But what feems to put the-matter out of all doubt is, that the fkin on
the under fide of the tail never appears in the leaft rubbed or {cratched,
which would inevitably be the cafe, were that part made ufe of for the
purpofe of drawing heavy loads.

The fkins of the Beaver form an amazing article of trade. In the year
1763, fifty-four thoufand fix hundred and feventy {kins were fold in a fingle
fale of the Hudfon’s Bay Company. They are diftinguifhed by different -

appellations. ‘Thofe {kins which have been worn by the Indians are called

THE BEAVER.

Coat Beaver; Parchment Beaver is fo called, becaufe the under fide of it
refembles that fubftance; and Stage Beaver, which is the worft, is that
which the Indians kill out of feafon, when they are out on their ftages and
journeys(a).

The well-known, valuable drug, caftoreum, or caftor, is the inguinal
glands of thefe animals ; that which comes from Ruffia is five times more
valuable than what is brought from America.

The fleth of the Beaver is efteemed good eating: it is ufually preferved
by drying it in the fmoke, after the bones have been taken out.

The Beaver inhabits Europe from Lapland to Languedoc(s) ; it is found
in great plenty in the North; is met with in abundance in the Ruffian and
Afiatic dominions ; but is found in greateft plenty in North America.

_ & Beavers were formerly found in Great Britain; but the breed has been
long fince extirpated. The latett accounts we have of them is in Giraldus
- Cambrenfis(c), who travelled through Wales in 1188: he gives a brief
hiftory of their manners, and adds, that in his time they were found only in
the river Teiri; two or three lakes in that principality ftill bear the name of
Llyn yr Afange(p), or the Beaver Lake; which is a farther proof, that thefe
animals were found in different parts of it. But we imagine they muft have
been very f{carce even in earlier times; for by the laws of Hoel dda, the price
of a Beaver’s {kin (Croen Lloftlydan, or the broad-tailed animal) was fixed

at one hundred and twenty pence, a great fum in thofe days(e£).”

(a) Pennant. (8) Buffon.
(c) Girald Camb. Itin. 178, 179. (p) Raii Syn. Quad. 213.
(£) Pennant’s Britifh Zoology.

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HAMSTER.
MARMOT.

THE HAMSTER.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Four toes before, five behind.
Very flender taper tail, naked, or very flightly covered with hair.

Sy NONIMS.
Hamester, Cricetus, Gef/ner Quad. 738. Raz Syn. Quad. 221.
Krietscu, Hamster, Kramer Auftr. 317. Zimmerman, 343. 511.
Hamster, Pennant Aift. Quad. vol. ii. p. 206.
Le Hamster, de Buffon, xiii. 117. tad, xiv. xvi. Suppl. ili. 183.
PoRCELLUS FRUMENTARIUS, Schwenkfelde Thertotroph. 118.
Mus cricetus, Linn. Sy/t. 82.

TO form an opinion of animals from their re{pective good or evil qualities,
we fhould rather act like biaffed individuals than impartial hiftorians; and
therefore, notwithftanding the univerfal deteftation in which the Hamfter
is held by the inhabitants of thofe countries where it abounds, we do not
-hefitate to affign it a place among the greateft curiofities of nature, on account
of its fingular habits, and thofe admirable inftinéts that conduce to its
prefervation: and, in this view, we prefume to recommend it to the
contemplation of our readers.

_ The head of this animal is furnifhed with large rounded ears, and full
black eyes; its fore feet are divided into four toes, with a fifth claw; its
hind feet have five toes; and its tail meafures about three inches. Each
cheek has two pouches, which are frequently diftended with food till they
feem ready to burft: its colour, on the head and back, is a reddifh brown;
the cheeks are red; the breaft, belly, and upper part of the fore legs black ;

THE HAMSTER.

each ear is diverfified with white {pots, and a {mall portion of white appears
near the hind legs. Sometimes, however, thefe colours vary; and, it is
afferted, that in the vicinage of Cafan there is frequently found a family of
Hamfters that are entirely black.

The habitation of this animal is exceedingly curious, and difplays a
confiderable fhare of ingenuity in its conftruction. It confifts of feveral
apartments, defigned for different purpofes, and wonderfully adapted to the
convenience of the inmates. The firft entrance is formed in an oblique
direction from the furface of the earth; and at the bottom of this entrance
a perpendicular hole is funk by the male, for his own accommodation.
Various fimilar excavations are made by the female, for herfelf and young
_ ones, as each individual has a feparate apartment, and each fort of grain is
depofited ina feparate magazine. ‘The depth of the caverns differs according
to the age of the inhabitant; that of a young Hamfter being fcarcely twelve
inches deep, while thofe of the old ones are funk to the depth of four or five
feet, and the whole diameter of the habitation, including the communications,
will fometimes meafure eight or ten feet.

In the month of Auguft, the Hamfters begin to lay up a ftore of food,
confifting of corn, beans, or peas, which they carry in their pouches to the
magazines, and there clean it for their fubfiftence(a.) The quantity of grain
found in thefe holes depends greatly on the fex, or age, of the animals that
occupy them; but we are affured, that the old males will fometimes amafs a
collection of one hundred pounds weight.

At the approach of winter, the animals clofe the entrance which might
difcover their retreat, and feed tranquilly on their provifions till the feafon
becomes very cold: they then fink into a lethargic ftate, which continues till
the return of fpring. Sometimes, however, they are difturbed by thepeafants,
who carefully feek out their dwellings, and dig down till they come to the
hoard, in which they frequently find two bufhels of good grain, befides the
animals themfelves, which yield valuable furs. When thus difcovered, the
Hamfter lies upon a bed of foft ftraw, with its head turned under its belly,

(A) The Hamsters will carry their provisions either by grains, or in the ears or pods, and when they

adopt the latter expedient, they clean out the corn, or pulse, in their holes.

THE HAMSTER.

while its hind feet reft upon the muzzle. Its eyes are clofed; its members

perfectly ftiff; and all fenfation fo completely fufpended, that nofymptom of '
life can poflibly be perceived, Even if diffected in this ftate the fat feems

coagulated, the inteftines are cold, and the flow contracting or dilating of the

heart is the only proof of exiftence. The animal feems to feel but little

from the operation, merely opening its mouth occafionally, as if attempting

to breathe, without being fufficiently fenfible to awake from its profound

fleep.

At the time of its annual revival, it firft begins to lofe the ftiffnefs of its
limbs; it then breathes deeply, and by long intervals; its firft motions are
attended with a frequent gafping and rattling in the throat: after fome days
it opens its eyes and makes an effort to ftand, but its attempts, for fome_
time, are like thofe of a perfon much inebriated: at length, however, it
regains its ufual attitude, and refts for a long {pace in perfe&t tranquillity, as
if to recollect itfelf, and to recover from the effects of its ftrange fenfations.

We have already obferved that every Hamfter occupies a feparate
apartment, and indeed the whole race is fo malevolent as to reject all fociety
with each other, excepting that which refults from their fhort courtthip.
If it happens, at this feafon, that two males meet in fearch of a female, a
battle immediately enfues, which generally terminates in the deftruction of
the weaker: the female then makes a fhort attachment to the victorious
Hamfter, and will defend him from any attack with furprifing fury; but this
connexion foon ceafes.

The females are very prolific, bringing forth twice or thrice in a year,
and producing fixteen or eighteen young ones at each litter. Thefe, ina
few weeks, are forced out of their burrows, and left to provide for their
future fubfiftence.

The Hamfter will kill and devour both its own {fpecies and other {mall
animals, and frequently ventures to attack where he cannot poflibly vanquith.
Thus it is faid to feize on Horfes, Dogs, and even men, with incredible fury,
and to fubmit to death rather than relinquifh its hold.

The rapid increafe of thefe animals has been almoft fufficient, in fome

years, to occafion a dearth; but the ill effects of their fecundity’ are, ina

THE HAMSTER.

great meafure, prevented by the ferocity with which they deftroy each other
upon all occafions; and by the exertions of their enemy the Polecat, which
purfues them into their fubterraneous retreats, and devours great numbers.

Hamfters are commonly found in Ukraine, Poland, and Germany; in all
the temperate parts of Ruflia and Siberia; and in the Tartarian deferts.
They fwarm in fuch a manner at Gotha, that, in one year, 80,139 of their
fkins (a) were delivered at the Hotel de Ville of the capital (B;) thefe animals

having been profcribed on account of their devaftations among the corn.

(A) It is remarkable, that the hair adheres so closely to the skin of the Hamster, as not to be plucked
off without the greatest difficulty.

(s) De Buffon, Suppl. iii. 185. quoted from Mr. Sulzer.

THE ALPINE MARMOT.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Four toes before, five behind.
Short ears, or none.
Tail covered with hair, and of a middling length; in fome, very fhort.

SYNONIMS.
La Marmorte, de Buffon, viii. 219. tab. xxviii.
Giis Marmora, Klein Quad. 56. Hift. Mur. Alp. 230.
MurMELTHIER, Kramer Auftr. 317.
Mus Marmora, Lenn. Sy/t. 81.
AvpinE Marmot, Pennant Hit. Quad. vol. ii. p. 128.
Mus Avpinus, Plinzz, lib. viii. c. 37. Agricola An. Subter. 484.
Gefner Quad. 743. Rait Syn. Quad. 221.

NATURALISTS have placed the Marmot in the fame clafs with the
Hare and the Rat; and, on a careful examination of its different parts, we
difcover a partial agreement with both thefe animals: its nofe, lips, and the
general form of its head refembling the former; and its ears, teeth, and
claws correfponding exactly with thofe of the latter: in other refpects,
however, it has no analog’y to either kind, but, on the contrary, is diftinguifhed
from almoft every fpecies of quadrupeds, by various habitudes that are entirely
peculiar to itfelf.

Its ears are round, and fo fhort as to be almoft hidden in the fur; its
cheeks are large; its head, and the upper part of its body, are of a brownifh
ath colour, mingled with tawny; its legs and belly are reddifh ; its tail is

THE ALPINE MARMOT.

about half a foot long, and tolerably bufhy; its body is thick; and its length,
from the nofe to the tail, about fixteen inches, |

In its natural ftate it fubfifts on roots, vegetables, and infects; but when
domefticated it will participate of other food, and is particularly fond of milk,
which it laps with a murmuring noife, expreffive of fatisfaction.

Its dwelling is ufually in fubterraneous holes, confifting of two entrances
and three chambers, carefully lined with mofs and hay. At the approach
of winter the animals retire to thefe afylums, and obviate the dread of
intrufion by ftopping up each entrance, in the moft effectual manner, with
earth. Here they remain, from five to twelve in a chamber, completely
covered with hay, and infenfible to the rigours of the feafon, till the
invigorating influence of the fun awakens them to a fenfe of their wants, and
calls them forth to love and induftry,

When they retire to their holes, which is generally at Michaelmas, they
are extremely fat, but they gradually lofe their flefh, and, on their return in
April, they appear lean and emaciated. If they are difcovered and taken out
during the torpid ftate, they remain infenfible and inanimate, unlefs brought
before a fire, which foon revives them. . |

When a number of thefe animals are at food, an individual is placed as
a centinel, to give timely notice of any approaching danger, which it
accordingly does by a fhrill whiftle, that operates as the fignal for a general
and immediate retreat to the private caverns.

Marmots are faid to be eafily tamed: they are remarkably playful, and
will learn to hold a ftick, to dance, to exhibit a variety of geftures, and |
readily to obey the voice of their owner. When they are irritated, or
confcious of an impending ftorm, they whiftle with fuch ftrength and

-acutenefs as to pierce the ear, but at other times their voice refembles the
murmuring of a young puppy.

They feem to have a violent antipathy: to Dogs, which they will attack
fiercely upon the flighteft provocation: they are very apt to gnaw linen or
woollen clothes, and always eat in the manner of a Squirrel, carrying their
food to their mouth with their fore paws. ‘They produce annually, and the
litter generally confifts of three or four young ones,

THE ALPINE MARMOT.

Their flefh, though attended with an unpleafant odour, is fometimes
eaten; but they are more frequently caught for the purpofe of exhibition.

The Marmot delineated in our plate, inhabits the higheft fummits of the
Alps and Pyrenean mountains. Some varieties are alfo found in Poland,

Ukraine, and Chinefe Tartary.

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THE CRESTED PORCUPINE.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
The body covered with long, hard, and fharp quills. |
The upper lip divided.

SYNONIMS.
sez, Arift. Hift. An. lib. i. c. 6.
Hysrrix, Plin. lib. viii. c. 35. Gefner Quad. 563. Rai Syn. Quad. 206.
Hystrix Cristata, Lenn. Syft. 76.
Acanruion Cristatus, Klein Quad. 66.,
Le Porc-epic, de Buffon, xii. 402.

THE general appearance of this animal, when compared with its habits,
fhould teach us not to draw too hafty conclufions from external appearances.
Formidable as he feems to be, from the weapons with which Nature has
armed him, he is notwithftanding perfectly harmlefs and inoffenfive. It
mutt be allowed, indeed, that he appears highly irafcible, which has induced
the poet to call him the Fretful Porcupine; but that apparent irafcibility
probably arifes partly from fear, and partly from the great redundancy of bile
in his conftitution. His tharp quills, with which he fo often threatens his
adverfary, are never ufed but for his own prefervation. Inoffenfive in his
nature, he is never the agereflor, but when roufed to a neceflity of felf-defence,
even the Lion(a) dares not attack him.

The Porcupine is in general about two feet long, from the nofe to the tail,

which is four inchesin length. ‘The legs are fhort in proportion to the body ;

(a) Kolben.

THE CRESTED PORCUPINE.

there are four toes on the fore feet, and five on thofe behind. The head is
about five inches long, the muzzle bears {ome refemblance to that of a Rabbit,
except that it is always black; the upper lip is divided; the eyes are {mall ;
the ears refemble thofe of a Monkey, and are covered with very fine hair ; fhe
mouth is furnifhed with whifkers of a confiderable length: the tongue is
covered at its extremity with feveral little bony bodies, like teeth. The
largeft are a line in breadth; their extremities are fharp and divided by three
notches, making as it were four {mall teeth of each(4). The back part of
the head is adorned with a long creft compofed of {tiff briftles, which recline
backwards; the body is covered with quills from ten to fourteen inches long;
they are thickeft in the middle and fharp at the points; thefe quills are
inferted in the animal's {kin in the fame manner as the feathers of birds, the
quills of which they much refemble in their conftruction ; their colour is
black and white alternately, which gives the animal a very beautiful
appearance; the tail is covered with fhort, white quills, which are
tranfparent, and appear as if they were cut off at the ends. All the quills
naturally incline backwards, and the creature can erect them at pleafure,
which he never fails to do when irritated ; the opinion which once prevailed,
that the Porcupine can dart his quills at his enemy, is now known to be
entirely unfounded; the fides, belly, and legs are covered with ftrong
briftles, and a few hairs are thinly fcattered all over the fkin.

‘When the Porcupine is hunted, or purfued by any other animal, it never
attempts to bite or defend itfelf, but climbs up the firft tree it can reach,
where it remains till the patience of its adverfary is exhaufted; if it cannot
reach a tree, and is hard preffed, it lies down on one fide, and prefents its
quills to its enemy, in which fituation it finds perfect fecurity.

The late Sir Afhton Lever ufed to keep a live Porcupine, which he —
frequently turned out on the grafs behind the houfe, to play with a tame
Hunting Leopard and a large Newfoundland Dog. As foon as they were let
loofe, the Leopard and Dog began to purfue the Porcupine, who at firtt
endeavoured to efcape by flight; but finding that ineffetual, he thruft his

(a) Memoir. de l’Acad. de Scien. p. 149.

THE CRESTED PORCUPINE.

nofe into fome corner, making a {norting noife, and erected his {pines, with
which his purfuers pricked their nofes, till they quarrelled between
themfelves, and: gaye him an opportunity to make his efcape: we have
frequently been eye-witnels to this diverting {cene.

The Indians make ufe of the quills of the Porcupine to adorn the many
_ curious articles they make, the neatnefs and elegance of which would not
difcredit more enlightened artifts; for this purpofe they dye them of various
beautiful colours, and {plit them into flips, with which they embroider their
bafkets, belts, &c. in a great variety of ornamental figures.

The Porcupine fleeps during the day, and feeds only by night. It has a
voracious appetite, although it fupports hunger for a confiderable time
without any apparent inconvenience. The female goes with young feven |
months, and produces only one at a time, which fhe fuckles about a month;
during this period, like all other females, fhe becomes refolute in the defence
of her offspring.

This animal inhabits India, Perfia, Paleftine, and all parts of Africa; it is
alfo now found wild in Italy, though not originally a native of any part of |

Europe. It is reprefented in the Plate as ftanding on the ground.

THE BRASILIAN PORCUPINE.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
‘The body covered with hard and fharp jails
The upper lip divided.

SYNONIMS.
Hystrrix Prensizis, Lenn. Sy/t. 76.
Hystrix Americanus, Raz Syn. Quad, 208.
Cuannu, Marcgrave Brafil, 233. Pifo Brafil, 99, 325.
Horirziacuatzin, Hernandez Mex. 322.
Cuat Epinevux, des Marchats, iii. 303.

THIS animal is not fo large as the Crefted Porcupine. Its quills are
likewife much fhorter, being not more than three inches long; they are
white, barred with black near their points, and are exceedingly fharp ; its nofe
is fhort and blunt, adorned with white whifkers, and furnifhed underneath
with a {mall bed of fpines. It has four toes armed with very long claws
on each foot, and in the place of the thumb there is a great protuberance.
The tail is eighteen inches in length; that half of it which is next to the
body is covered with fharp fpines, the other half is naked, excepting only a
few hairs; the end is ftrongly prehenfile. It is a native of Mexico and Brafil,
where it lives in the woods, and feeds indifferently on fruits and poultry,
It fleeps in the day-time, and goes out during the night in fearch of its food.
Its voice refembles the grunting of a Hog, and it makes a noife with its
noftrils, as if it were out of breath. It climbs trees with great agility, and
prevents itfelf from falling, as it defcends, by twifting its tail round the
branches. Its fleth is fat and well flavoured. ‘This {pecies is reprefented in
the Plate ftanding on the bough of a tree.

&

Publifhed by WDarton, THarv ey, &WEetth, London Julyl 1799.

SOMMON SQUIRREL,

THE COMMON SQUIRREL().

GENERIC CHARACTERS. |
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Four toes before ; five behind.
Tail long, cloathed with long hair.

SYNONIMS. ~
Scrurus, Gefner Quad. 845. Ratz Syn. Quad. 214.
Sc1uRUS RUFUS, Briffon Quad, 104.
Scrurus vuuearis, Linn. Syft. 86.
Ixorn Grasxin, Faun. Suec. No. 37..
Eicunorn, Klein Quad, 53.
WiewiorKa, Rzaczinfke Polon. 225.
L’Ecurevit, de Buffon, vii. 258. tab. xxii.

THE Squirrel is perhaps the moft beautiful of the Britifh quadrupeds :
elegant in its form, and lively and active in its manners, it is a univerfal
favourite ; its difpofition is fo gentle and fanailiar) that it feems to be but
half favage; and as foon as it becomes a captive, it appears happy and
reconciled to its fituation, and prefently difcovers an attachment: to thofe
who feed and carefs it. | ay

The head and body of the Squirrel are fhaped very much like the Rabbit;
the eyes are large, black, and lively; the ears are terminated with long tufts
of hair; the legs are fhort and mufcular; thofe before are furnifhed with
long ftiff hairs, which project on each fide, near the joint, like whifkers: the

(A) The name of this animal is derived from the Greek words cx, feia, fhade; and ovga, onra, a tail A

‘becaufe it carries its tail over its head in the manner of an umbrella, ;

THE COMMON SQUIRREL.

fore feet are ftrong ; the toes are long and divided their whole length, which

enables the animal to ufe them as hands to hold its food with; the toes of.
the hind feet are likewife divided to their origin. This conftruction of the.
toes is admirably well adapted to the animal’s way of life, enabling it to

cling to branches of every diameter, and to run on them with the greateft

fecurity. The tail of the Squirrel differs from that of every other animal ;

it is extremely long and bufhy, covered with long hairs, which fpread like

a fan, and, when erected over its back, ferves as a covering to the whole

body and head: it likewife afflifts it greatly in leaping from tree to tree,

performing the office of a rudder.

This animal fits on its hinder legs to feed, ufing its fore feet as hands to
hold its food. It never leaves the fupply of this neceflary article to chance ;
but, during the fummer feafon, fecures to itfelf a vaft magazine of nuts,
which it depofits in the hollow of fome tree, and referves them for winter
provifion. Its food during this feafon confifts of acorns, nuts, and beech-
mafts; but in the fummer it feeds on fruit, and the tender buds of young '
fhoots, particularly thofe of the fir,.to the young cones of which it fhews a
great partiality. |

The Squirrel is fond of warmth, and will creep into a fleeve or pocket, to ~
procure itfelf the enjoyment of it. It conftruéts its neft of mofs, twigs, and
dry leaves, which it places between the clefts of the branches where the
tree begins to decay, and weaves them together with fo much art and
firength, that they refift the impulfe of the moft violent ftorm without
receiving any damage from it, The neft is covered on all fides except two
openings, which are left to enter at; of thefe it always ftops that which is
next to the wind: over the top of the neft a kind of canopy is conftrued,
fhaped like a cone, to defend it from the attacks of rain. |

The fpring, which is the ufual feafon for love, fhews its influence over
thefe little creatures; at this time, Mr. Pennant remarks, it is entertaining to
{ee the female feeming to attempt an efcape from two or three males, which
- purfue her, by jumping and leaping from branch to branch with aftonifhing
agility. She brings forth from three to five young ones at a birth, about the

THE COMMON SQUIRREL.

middle of May; her period of geftation is about fix weeks, and this happens
but once a year.

The Squirrel feldom makes any noife, except when it experiences either
pain or pleafure; in the former of which fituations it utters a fharp piercing
note, and in the latter makes a noife not unlike the purring of a cat.

This pretty, little creature has but few enemies, and being furrounded by
plenty, appears to lead'a happy, playful life; fometimes, indeed, it happens
that its peaceful retreat is attacked by the Martin, who, after deftroying the
little family, takes poffeffion of their habitation for its own ufe, and thus
adds cruelty to injuftice ; but this is a misfortune which happens but feldom.

Linneus, Scheffer, and other naturalifts of undoubted credibility, affert,
that the Squirrel ufes its tail, as a fail, to affift it in crofling rivers, which in
Lapland they often do in large bodies. "When they are on a journey, and
their courfe is interrupted by a river, they all return to the next foreft, as if
by mutual confent, and provide themfelves with a piece of the bark of a
tree, with which they return to the river, and launching their little boat,
jump on it with great agility, when, erecting their broad tail like a fail, they
are wafted by the wind to the oppofite fhore. In this manner they often
crofs lakes of feveral miles in breadth, and if the weather is calm and fine,
have a pleafant and profperous voyage ; but it often happens that a fingle
gutt of wind overfets the whole fleet, and configns the little, hardy
adventurers to the watry grave. When fuch a cataftrophe happens, the
Laplanders confider it as a moft fortunate event ; and collect the dead bodies
as they are wafhed on fhore, the flefh of which they eat, and fell the fkins.

The common Squirrel inhabits Europe, North America, and the northern
temperate parts of Afia, and a variety is found as far fouth as the ifland of
Ceylon(a). In Sweden and Lapland the colour of the hair changes to grey
in the winter. A black variety is fometimes found in Ruffia and Lapland;
and in many parts of England a beautiful variety occurs with tails as white

as fnow.

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GROUND SQUIRRE

THE GREY SQUIRREL.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Four toes before, five behind.
Tail long, and clothed with long hair.

SYNONIMS,
Sciurus cinEREvSs, Linn. Sy/t. 86.
Le Petrt-Gris, de Buffon, x. 116. tab. xxv.
Grey SquirreEL, Pennant Hift. Quad. vol. ii. p. 144.
Fox SaurrreL, Lawfon’s Carolina, 124. |
ScruruS CINEREUS ViIRGINIANUS Major, Rati Syn. Quad, 215.

THE fize of this animal is fimilar to that of a young Rabbit. Its ears
are fhort and plain; its coat of a grey colour, mingled with black, and
fometimes tinged with dirty yellow. Its belly and the infides of its legs
are white; and its tail, which is long and bufhy, is grey, diverfified with
white and black. |
Thefe creatures are very numerous’ in Pere, Chili, and North America,
where they commit great depredations on the plantations of maize, by
running up the ftalks and eating the young ears. On this account they
have been profcribed by the provinces, and a reward of three-pence per head
is given for every one that is killed (a.)

They make their nefts in hollow trees, with ftraw, mofs, wool, &c. and
form fubterraneous magazines for their ftock of winter provifions, ‘They

are particularly induftrious at the approach of bad weather, and frequently

(4) Sach numbers of these animals were destroyed in one year, that Pennsylvania alone paid 8000J,

of its currency in rewards.

THE GREY SQUIRREL.

vifit their hoards, which, however, are fometimes deftroyed by fwine, and
occafionally covered with {now to fuch a height, that the Squirrels perith
for want. |

The Grey Squirrel, though not eafily fhot on account of its activity, may _
be domefticated with facility. Its actions are fimilar to thofe of the
Common Squirrel; its flefh is reckoned very delicate; and its fur, imported
in great quantities under the name of petzt-gris, is very valuable.

THE GROUND SQUIRREL.

GENERIC CHARACTERS,
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Four toes before, five behind.
_ Tail long, clothed with long hair.

| Sy NONIMS.
~ Scrurus Listert, Raz Syn. Quad. 216.
Sciurus minor vircatus, Nov. Com. Petrop. v. 344.
Scrurus Caroxrnensis, Braffon Quad.
Scrurus striatus, Linn. Syft. 87. Klein Quad. 53.
- Boern-poeske, le Brun Voy. Mofcov, ii, 432.
Mouse SquirreEL, Foffelyn’s Voy. 86.
Grounp Squirrev, Pennant Syn. Quad. 216. Lawfon’s Carolina,
41.75. Edwards, 181. Kalm. i. 322. tad. i.
Le Suisse, de Buffon, x. 126. tab. xxviii. Charlevoix Nouv.
France, v. 198.

THIS beautiful little animal is of a reddifh brown colour; its back is
marked with a black ftripe, which extends the whole length; and on each
fide are two black lines, extending from the ear to the tail; thefe lines
approximate at the extremities, and gradually feparate towards the middle,
and between them is an elegant ftripe of pale yellow: the breaft and belly
are white; the nofe and feet are of a pale red: the eyes full and prominent;
and the ears plain, having no tufts of hair upon them. The tail is not fo
large as that of the Common Squirrel.

THE GROUND SQUIRREL.

This animal differs greatly from the Common Squirrel in its habits,
Timid and wild in its difpofition, it cannot be tamed without the greateft
difficulty, and feldom difcovers any marks of attachment; it never afcends
trees, except when it is purfued, and cannot efcape by any other means,

The Ground Squirrel lives in burrows, which it forms for itfelf under-
ground; thefe it conftruéts with two entrances, both for conveniency and
fecurity. Although thefe retreats are conftructed in the dark, they are
formed with great fkill: they confift of a long gallery, which branches on
each fide into two avenues, each terminating in a large chamber, which
ferves as a magazine, or ftorehoufe, for their ftock of winter provifions. In
one they depofit acorns, in another hickery nuts, in a third maize, and in the
fourth the chinquapin chefnut, which is their favourite food (a. )

They feldom ftir out of their burrows during the winter, unlefs their
{tock of provifions is exhaufted: when that happens, they dig their way into
cellars where apples are kept, or into granaries of maize, where they do
great mifchief. On thefe occafions they are often interrupted by Cats, which
deftroy great numbers of them. Thefe Squirrels are very active in the maize .
harveft, biting off the ears, and cramming their mouths full of the grain, It
appears that they give the preference to certain foods, for if they are going
home with their mouth full of rye, and chance to meet with wheat, they
inftantly get rid of the former, and fill their mouth with the latter.

The Ground Squirrel inhabits the vaft forefts of North America, where it
is found in great abundance; it is likewife found in the northern parts of
Afia.

The {kin of thefe animals is of little value: it is, however, fometimes

ufed as a lining for cloaks.

(A) Pennant,

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Publifhed by WDarton, Harvey, &WB eli London. Septet 40-1802.

JERBOA.

THE JERBOA.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Fore legs very fhort; hind legs long, and fimilar to thofe of cloven-
footed water-fowl.
Tail very long, and tufted at the end.

SYNONIMS.
Mus sires, Pliniz, lib. x. c. 65, Texetra’s Travels, 21.
Le Jerso, de Buffon, xiii. 141.
EGYPTIAN JERBOA, Pennant Hift. Quad. vol. ii, p. 164.
Gersua, Edw. 219. Plaifted’s Fournal, 59.
Mus Jacuxus, Linn. Syft. 85.

THIS animal is faid to be the Lamb of Ifrael, and is fuppofed to have
been defignated in Scripture by the name of the Coney, as our Rabbit was
unknown in Paleftine. It is alfo the Moufe fpoken of in the lxvi. chapter
of Ifaiah’s Prophecies: Achbar fignifying, in the original, a male Jerboa.

The head of the Jerboa greatly refembles that of a Rabbit: its ears are
thin, broad, and erect ; its eyes large and full; and its whifkers long. The
length of its fore legs is but one inch, and the ufe of them is chiefly to
convey victuals to the mouth; they are divided into five toes, and pointed |
with fharp claws. The hind legs are two inches and a quarter long, flender,
and very fimilar to thofe of a bird : having but three toes on each, and the
middle one the longeft. The length of the body is about feven inches and
a quarter, and that of the tail ten inches. The head, fides, back, and thighs,
are clothed with long hair, afh coloured at the bottom, and of a pale tawny
at the ends; the breaft and belly are white; and the upper part of the

THE JERBOA.

thighs is marked with a broad dufky band, in form of a crefcent. Its tail is
terminated with a black tuft, the tip of which is white.

Equally curious for its motions and conftruction, the Jerboa always
ftands on its hind feet, runs with great {fpeed, and when purfued will take
fucceflive leaps of five or fix feet from the ground. It does not follow a
direct courfe, but turns frequently to the right and the left, till at length it
gains a burrow, and there fecretes itfelf from obfervation. When in the act
of leaping it carries its tail ftretched out, but in ftanding or walking it carries
it in the form of an S, the lower part touching the ground. |

The Jerboa is a lively, inoffenfive animal, fubfifting entirely on vegetables,
and burrowing in the earth like a Rabbit. It forms its neft of the moft
delicate herbage, roils itfelf up with its head between its thighs, and fleeps
away the dreary months of winter without requiring any nutriment.
When firft taken it utters a plaintive cry, but foon becomes tame and docile _
under confinement. 3 .

It is found in Egypt, Barbary, Paleftine, the deferts between Baffora
and Aleppo, the fandy tracts between the Don and Volga, and on the hills
fouth of the Irtith, from Fort Janiyfchera to the commencement of the
‘Altaic mountains.

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THE BROWN RAT.

GENERIC CHARACTERS,
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Four toes before, five behind.
Slender taper tail, naked, or very flightly haired.

SyNoNIMS.
~ Norway Rat, Br. Zool. i. No. 26.
Le Surmutort, de Buffon, viii. 206, tab. xxvii.
Brown Rat, Pennant Hifi. Quad. vol. ii. p. 178.
Mus Decumanus, Pallas nov. fp. fafe. i. 91.

THIS bold invader, commonly diftinguifhed by the name of the Norway
Rat, was a ftranger in Great Britain about fixty years ago; fince that
period, however, it has nearly extirpated the Black Rat, which was formerly
univerfal in the country, and has increafed with fuch rapidity, that every
attempt to exterminate it has proved ineffectual. It is now commonly
found in moft parts of Europe, India, Perfia, and Ruffia. Mr. Pennant
alludes to an immenfe migration of thefe animals, which arrived, fome years
ago, from the wett at the town of Jaik; and to an equal number which,
in the year 1727, appeared in the vicinage of Aftracan, completely filled the
bed of the Volga, and infefted the houfes in a moft dreadful manner.

The Brown Rat is about nine inches long. Its head, fides, and back, are
of a light brown colour, mixed with afh and tawny; its breaft and belly
are of a dirty white; its feet naked and of a dark flefh colour; the length

of its tail is equal to that of its body; and its ufual weight about eleven
ounces.

THE BROWN RAT.

Like the Water Rat, it can dive or {wim with facility, and commonly
burrows on the fides of ponds, ditches, or rivers, where it finds a partial
fubfiftence among fifhes, frogs, and fmall animals: its rapacity, however, is
by no means confined to thefe, as it deftroys game, poultry, fruits, and grain
with equal avidity. Its difpofition is bold and fierce, and when affaulted or
purfued it will faften on the hand er ftick-of its enemy. During the
fummer it remains in the fields, but on the approach of cold weather it feeks
a fhelter in fome dwelling-houfe, to the great annoyance of the proprietors.

The females of this {pecies are exceedingly prolific, commonly bringing
from twelve to eighteen young ones at atime. ‘Proyidence has, however,
wifely decreed that this furprifing increafe fhould fuffer a conftant diminution
from the infatiable appetite of thefe animals, which induces them to feaft
upon each other. ‘They have alfo many formidable and inveterate enemies,
that hunt and deftroy them upon every occafion; among thefe we muft
rank the Cat, the Weafel, and feveral forts of Dogs, all of which prove
fubfervient to the interefts of man, who aids their vigorous exertions by a
variety of inventions.

A truly curious circumftance is mentioned in Mr. Bewick’s Hiftory of
Quadrupeds (a) concerning thefe animals. It is there faid, that the {kins of
fuch as.have been devoured in their holes have frequently been difcovered
turned infide out, every part being inverted, even to the ends of the toes.
It is impoffible to afcertain the mode of performing this operation, but it
moft probably refults from the method of eating out the fleth, .

(a) Vide Bewick’s History of Quadrupeds, p. 412.

THE WATER RAT.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Four toes before, five behind.
Slender taper tail, naked, or very flightly haired.

_ SYNONIMS.
Wasser-maus, Kramer Aujfir. 316.
Le Rar v’Eau, De Buffon, vii. 348. tad. xiii.
Mus aevatixis, Gefner Quad. 732. Raiz Syn. Quad. 217. Klein
Quad. 57. |
Water Rat, Pennant Hifi. Quad. vol. ii. p. 182.
Mus AmpuiBius, Linn. Syn. 82.

THIS variety is rather fmaller than the Brown Rat: its nofe is thick;

its eyes fmall, and its ears hid in the fur: its teeth are large, ftrong, and
yellow. Its head and body are thickly covered with long hair, chiefly of a
dark brown colour mingled with red. Its belly is grey, and its tail black,
except the termination, which is white. The length of the body, from the
tip of the nofe to the infertion of the tail, is about feven inches; but that of
‘the tail is two inches lefs. |

This animal commonly frequents the fides of rivers, lakes, and other
pieces of water, where it burrows, and brings forth its young, generally, by
fix at a time. It feeds on infects, frogs, fmall fifth, and fpawn; but is
occafionally devoured itfelf by the pike. The idea which fome authors
have entertained of it as being web-footed, is erroneous; yet it can dive and
fwim with remarkable facility.

It is univerfally known as an inhabitant of Europe; and is found in the
north of Afia and North America.

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Short tailed Field. Water Shrew

THE COMMON MOUSE.

_ Generic CHARACTERS.
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Four toes before; five behind.
Tail very flender and taper; naked, or very flightly haired.

| SYNONIMS.
Mus Muscuuuvs, Lznn. Sy/t. 83.
Mus Caupa Lonetssima, Briffon Quad. 119.
Mus Domestrcus, Gefner Quad. 714. Raii Syn. Quad. 218.
Mus minor, Klein Quad. 12
Mauss, Kramer Aujtr. 316. |
La Souris, de Buffon, vii. 309. tad. lix.

THIS little domeftic animal is fo well known, that a_ particular
defcription of it is wholly unneceflary. It is naturally the moft timid
of quadrupeds; yet neceffity teaches it an appearance of boldnefs and
familiarity; and, being unable to provide for its own wants, it follows
man wherever he fixes his abode, and is his conftant, though unwelcome,
attendant; and, fo great is its apparent attachment, that, when it has once
fixed its refidence, it is impoflible to diflodge it but by actual deftruGion,
Notwithftanding its predilection for the habitations of man, it cautiouily
fhuns his prefence, and, as if confcious of the mifchief it does him, feems
anxious to fhun the punifhment due to its petty offences. All its motions
feem to be prompted either by fear or neceflity: it never quits its retreat
but in fearch of food, and for this purpofe it generally prefers the night, and
feldom ventures far from home, and, on the leaft appearance of danger,

THE COMMON MOUSE.

inftantly flies to its retreat. No animal is fo incapable of felf-defence as the

Moufe, nor has any one more enemies: befides the great deftruction occafioned

by the contrivances of man, it is in conftant danger from the attacks of the

Cat, the Owl, the Hawk, the Weafel, the Snake, and the Rat, with many
others, which deftroy this {pecies by millions; in fhort, it would be foon

extinct, were it not for its natural fears and aftonifhing fecundity. The

Moufe brings forth its young many times in the year, and at all feafons,

and produces from fix to ten at a litter; the young ones aré produced.
without hair, but are able to fhift for themfelves in about a fortnight after
their birth. Ariftotle gives us an idea of their amazing increafe, by affuring

us, that, having put a female Moufe, with young, into a veflel of corn, in

fome time after he found one hundred and twenty Mice, all fprung from one

dam (a.)

The Moufe is not only an inhabitant of man’s dwellings; it is alfo
frequently found, in great abundance, in farmers’ yards, among the ricks of
corn; but it fhuns thofe ricks which are infefted with Rats, They are
generally found moft numerous on the fouth-weft fide of the rick, which is
moft expofed to the rain, and may often be feen in the evening, venturing
forth to drink the little drops of rain or dew, which hang at the ends of the
ftraw. As the Moufe quickly arrives at a ftate of maturity, the duration of
its life is but fhort, feldom exceeding the term of two or three years. ‘The
Moufe inhabits all parts of the world, except the arétic regions: it has
always been found in almoft all parts of the old continent, and has been
exported to the new (B.)

The ingenuity of man has contrived various means of deftroying this

little animal; the curious reader will find a great variety of traps, adapted to
this purpofe, very minutely defcribed by Gefner.

_A beautiful and elegant white variety of the Moufe is fometimes met
with, the eyes of which are bright fcarlet, like the eyes of the White Rabbit,
and, from their prominence and brilliancy, make a very fplendid appearance
among the {nowy fur of the animal. |

A) Pennant. (8) Lisle’s Husbandry, vol. i. p. 391.
y>

THE COMMON MOUSE.

Though prejudice and apprehenfion have attached a kind of difguft to the
fight of this little animal, it is neverthelefs, when viewed difpaffionately, a
moft elegant creature: its colour is pleafing; its hair is foft and fleck; its
eyes bright and lively; its limbs.are moft delicately formed, and its motions
full of lively action: to which we may add, that it is cleanly in the extreme.

THE DWARF MOUSE.

Generic CHARACTERS.
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Four toes before; five behind.
Tail very flender and taper; naked, or very flightly haired.

WE are obliged to Dr. Sparrman for the difcovery of this beautiful little
quadruped, which is fuppofed to be the moft diminutive that is known in
the world. wi

The top of the head is black; the eyes are encircled by a broad border
of white; the nofe is white; and the back, fides, and legs are of a ferruginous
brown. The back is adorned by four black ftripes, which extend from the
nape of the neck, the whole length of the body, to the tail. It is found in
the interior parts of the country behind the Cape of Good Hope.

THE LONG-TAILED FIELD-MOUSE.

GreneRic CHARACTERS.
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Four toes before, five behind.

Tail very flender and taper; naked, or very flightly haired.

SYNONIMS.
Mus Aerestis MINOR, Ge/ner Quad. 733.
Mus Domesticus MEptIus, Raz Syn. Quad. 218.
Mus Sytvaticus, Linn. Sy/ft. 84.
Mauss MIT WEISSEN BAUCH, Kramer Aufer. 317.
Mus Caupa Lonea, Briffon Quad. 123.
LE Mutor, de Buffon, vii. 325. tab. xli.

THIS animal greatly refembles the Common Moufe in its form, but it is
rather larger. In its colour it refembles the Norway Rat, the head, back, and
legs being of a yellowifh brown; the breaft is of an ochre colour, and the
belly is white. Its eyes are remarkably large and prominent. It meafures
four inches and a half, from the tip of the nofe to the infertion of the tail,
which is four inches in length, and is flightly covered with hair.

This {pecies of Moufe is found only in fields, woods, and gardens: it
feeds on nuts, beech-mafts, acorns, and all kinds of grain, which it collects
during the fummer and autumn, and forms large magazines for a winter
fupply. The {mell of this buried corn often tempts Hogs to do much
damage to the fields, by digging up the ground in fearch of thefe hoards. If
they are fhort of provifions, they will devour each other, and even their own

young. ‘They make a neft near the furface of the earth, and often in a thick

THE LONG-TAILED FIELD-MOUSE.

tuft of grafs; they are very prolific, and produce from feven to ten little ones
at a birth. | | |
This Moufe feldom makes its appearance in the winter, during which
inclement feafon it lies fheltered under the ground, in a warm bed, which it
conftructs of dry grafs and leaves; but, during the harveft time,. it is feen in
great numbers among the fheaves and ricks of corn. This fpecies is found
all over England, in fome parts. of which it is called the Bean-Moufe, from
the great havock it makes among the beans, when they are newly-fown (a.),

(4) Pennant..

THE SHORT-TAILED FIELD-MOUSE.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Four toes before, five behind.
Tail very flender and taper; naked, or very flightly haired.

SYNONIMS.
Mus Acrestis, Razz Syn. Quad. 218.
Mus Terrestris, Linn. Sy/t. 82.
Motte, Faun. Suec. No. 31.
Mus Caupa Brevi, Briffon Quad. 125.
ErpzeisL, Kramer Auftr. 316.
Le CampaGnot, de Buffon, vii. 369. tad. xlviie

THIS fpecies of Moufe is remarkable for the prominence of its head,
which gives that part the appearance of being remarkably large; the
nofe is blunt; the ears are fhort, and almoft hid in the fur; the eyes
are full and prominent; the tail is fhort. The general colour of the head and
upper part of the body is a rufty brown, mixed with black; the belly is of a
deep ath-colour; its length, from the nofe to the infertion of the tail, is about
three inches; the tail is one inch and a half long; it is very thinly covered with
hair, and is terminated by a {mall tuft.

This {pecies, like the Long-Tailed Field-Moufe, feeds on nuts, acorns,
and corn, and lays up a ftore of provifions for the winter; and, Mr. Buffon
affures us, thefe hoards will contain fometimes more than a bufhel at a

time,

THE SHORT-TAILED FIELD-MOUSE.

This animal inhabits Europe: in England it is chiefly found in moift
meadows, where it makes its neft underground, and brings forth eight young
ones at a time, for which it hasa ftrong affection. With us it feldom infefts

gardens; but, in Newfoundland, where it breeds in great abundance, it does
much mifchief to thofe places, |

THE WATER SHREW MOUSE.

_Geweric CHARACTERS. |
Two cutting teeth in each jaw, pointing forward.
Nofe long and flender: ears fmall.

Five toes on each foot.

: SYNONIMS.
Mus AraNneus Dorso niGRO, VENTREQUE ALCO, Merret Pinax. 157.
Sorex ropiens, Pallas. |
La Musaraicne p’Eau, de Buffon, viii. 64. tad. xi.
Warver Sarew Mouss, Brit. Zool. illuft. tad. cii.

THIS {pecies is confiderably larger than the Shrew Moufe: it meafures
three inches and three quarters, from the extremity of the nofe to the infertion
of the tail, which is two inches in length. Its nofe is long and flender ; its
ears and eyes are very fmall, and both are nearly concealed in the fur; the
colour of the head and upper parts of the body is a very dark brown,
approaching nearly to black; the throat, breaft, and belly, are of a light
‘ath-colour : beneath the tail is a dufky, triangular {pot. |

This animal frequents the banks of rivulets and marfhy places, where it
lives in burrows, in which it makes its neft. It is met with in moft parts of
Europe. Mr. Pennant fays it has been long known in England, but was
loft till May, 1768, when it -was again difcovered in the fens near Reveily
Abbey, Lincolnfhire. The fen-men call it the Blind Moufe.

Doétor Pallas difcovered it at Berlin, where it is called Groeber, or the

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THE SHREW MOUSE.

GreNERIC CHARACTERS,
Two cutting teeth in each jaw, pointing forward.
Nofe long and flender; ears fmall.
Five toes on each foot.

SYNONIMS.
Muyaan, Aclian hf. An. libs whee. 22%
~ Mvoyean, Diofcored. lib. ii. c. 42.
Mus Araneus, Agricola An. Subter. 485. Gefner Quad. 747.
Mus AraAneus, SHREW, SHREW-MouseE, or Harpy SHrReEw, Rai
Syn. Quad. 233,
Sorex Araneus, Linn. Sy/t. 74.
Nassmus, Faun Suec. No. 24.
Spirsmaus, Kleen Quad. 57. Kramer Auftr. 317.
Mus Aranevus, Briffon Quad. 126.
La MusaraieneE, de Buffon, viii. 57. tad. x.
Surew Mouse, Brit. Zool. i. 112.
Farip Surew. Pennant Syn. Quad. 235.

THE Shrew Moute is readily to be diftinguithed from all other Mice, by ©
the extraordinary length of its nofe, which fomewhat refembles that of the
Hog. It is rather {maller than the Common Moufe, meafuring only two
inches and a half from the end of the nofe to the infertion of the tail, which
is one inch and a half long.

The head is rather large, in proportion to the fize of the body; the ears
are fhort and rounded; the eyes {mall, and almoft hid in the fur; the nofe is

THE SHREW MOUSE. —

long and flender, greatly refembling that of the Hog; the upper mandible
extending confiderably beyond the lower. The head and upper part of the
body are of a brownifh red colour; the belly is of a dirty white. This little
animal differs confiderably from the Common Moufe, in the number of its
teeth, fixteen being the number ufually found in animals of that kind;
whereas, the Shrew Moufe has no lefs. than twenty-eight; but the difference
of the two upper incifive teeth is ftill more remarkable ; they are not only
very fharp, but are furnifhed on each fide, at the point, with an apparatus,
not unlike the barbs of an arrow, which is fo fmall, that it is {carcely vifible,
but on the clofeft infpection; it is, however, admirably well adapted to the
purpofe for which the little creature ufes it, namely, that of drawing little
worms out of their retreats in the earth, which we have often feen it do
with great addrefs and dexterity, and afterwards devour them; and, although
it will eat other infects, and even corn, yet its favourite food feems to be »
worms, as it is frequently feen on dunghills, routing in the muck, with its long
{nout, like a Hog, in fearch of its favourite food. And here the kind care
of Providence is no lefs vilible, in conftructing its fnout of fuch a length and |

form as feems beft fuited to the fupply of its neceffities. From its habits of
| living, as it were, among filth and naftinefs, it contracts fo difagreeable a f{mell, —
that Cats will not eat it when they have killed it.

This little animal is a general inhabitant of Europe: it is frequently
found in old walls, among heaps of ftones and rubbifh ; it likewife frequents
hayricks, dunghills, and neceflary houfes. It conftruéts a neft of hay, mofs,
&c. which has an aperture {carcely vifible: in this it depofits its young, of
which it produces four or five at a litter. It isa harmlefs little animal, and
does not do much mifchief to the corn.

The month of Auguft feems peculiarly fatal to thefe little creatures, great
numbers of them being found dead in the fields, paths, and roads, about
that time.

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LAPLAND MARMOT.

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THE LAPLAND MARMOT, or LEMMUS.

| GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Two cutting teeth in each jaw.
Four toes before, five behind.
Slender, taper tail, naked, or very flightly haired.

SYNONIMS.
Leem vEL LeEMMER, Gefner Quad. 731.
Le Lemine, de Buffon, xiii. 314.
Mus Norvecicus vuteo Lemine, Razz Syn. Quad. 227.
Mus Lemmovus, Linn. Sy/i. 80. 7
- Cuntcutus Caupatus AURITUS, EX FLAVO, RUFO ET NIGRO

VARIEGATUS, Briffon Quad. 100.

IN confequence of the uncertainty that exifts refpecting the native place
of this little animal, it has been ferioufly fuppofed, by the ignorant and
fuperftitious, to have defcended from.the clouds in fhowers of rain.

The {pecies is only found in the northern parts of Europe, Afia, Norway,
Sweden, and Lapland, where it is fometimes feen in immenfe numbers,
overf{preading large tracts of country, like the army of locufts defcribed by
the prophet Joel. Innumerable troops of them march together, in regular
lines, about three feet afunder, and, like a refiftlefs torrent, mark their
courfe with ruin and defolation. No oppofition impedes their progrefs;
fire and water are pafied with equal facility, and, though thoufands fhould
be deftroyed, thoufands would ftill fupply their place, and the number
would feem to fuffer no fenfible diminution. They bend their courfe
ftraight forward with incredible obftinacy, {wimming over lakes and rivers,

THE LAPLAND MARMOT, or LEMMUS.

traverfing the greateft mountains, and attacking every object that would
attempt to turn them. If they meet a peafant they will leap as high as his
knees in defence of their progrefs, boldly lay hold of a ftick, and fuffer
themfelves to be fwung round before they will quit it. If they receive a
blow, they will immediately revenge the injury with their teeth, and make a ©
noife like a dog.

Their march is generally performed in the night, as they devote the day
to reft, or to the deftruction of every root and herb they meet with. ‘They
are even faid to infect the very ground, and it is afferted that cattle will
inevitably perifh on tafting the grafs which they have touched. The
f{uppofition, however, that they are themfelves poifonous, is certainly
erroneous; as they are frequently eaten by the Laplanders, who compare
their flefh to. that of Squirrels.

So numerous and truly formidable an enemy would certainly depopulate
the countries they pafs through, if their migration occurred frequently: this,
however, feldom happens above once or twice in twenty years, and even
then it fortunately turns out that their infatiable rapacity finally impels
them to deftroy each other. After they have utterly deftroyed their means
of fubfiftence, they are faid to divide into two bodies, which, like hoftile
armies, engage with incredible hatred, and continue fighting, or devouring each
other, till both parties are deftroyed, and the air is actually contaminated by
their putrid carcafes. Great numbers of them alfo fall a facrifice to the Foxes,
Weatels, Lynxes, and other animals which follow them during their migration.

The ordinary length of the Lemmus is about five inches from the nofe
to the tail. Its head is pointed: its mouth fmall, and furnifhed with long
whifkers: its eyes are black: its ears fmall, and reclining backwards. Each
jaw contains two long cutting teeth, and the upper lip is divided. The fore
feet are divided into four flender toes, and a fharp claw, like a cock’s {pur,
in place of a thumb: the hind feet are furnifhed with five toes. The {kin
of the animal is extremely thin, and its tail fhort. The colour of the head
and body is black and tawny, difpofed in an irregular manner; the belly is
white, and flightly tinged with yellow.

THE LAPLAND MARMOT, or LEMMUS.

The females breed feveral times in the year, and bring forth five or fix
young ones at a birth. Sometimes their migration happens at the feafon of
parturition, and in that cafe they carry their litter with them, holding fome
in their mouths and others on their backs.

Naturalifts have not yet been able to afcertain where thefe wonderful
animals are collected. Linnzeus afferts that they are produced among the
Lapland and Norwegian Alps; and Pontoppidan imagines that Kolen’s
Rock, which divides Nordland from Sweden, is the place of their nativity.
Thefe, however, are but conjectures; and we can only fay with Mr. Pennant,
that thefe quadrupeds purfue their fate, as, wherever they come from, none

return.

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THE COMMON MOLE.

| GENERIC CHARACTERS,
Long nofe; upper jaw much longer than the lower.
No ears,
Fore feet very broad, with fcarcely any apparent legs before; hind
feet {mall. |

SYNONIMS.
Tapa, Gefner Quad. 931. Klein Quad, 60. |
Muttvap, SurKk. Faun. fuec. No. 23. Br. Zool. i. 108.
Kret, Rzaczinfki Polon. 236.
Evroprean Mote, Pennant Hift. Quad. vol. ii. p. 229.
La Taupe, de Buffon, viii. 81. tab. xii.
TaLPA, THE Mote, Moxp-warp, or Want, Razz. Syn. Quad. : 236.
TALPA Europzus, Linn. Syft. 73.

FEW fubjeéts of natural hiftory are, in reality, more worthy our
confideration than the animal delineated in our plate; for, whilft the birds
are permitted to tranfport themfelves at pleafure through the regions of the
air, the fithes to {port fecurely in the bofom of the ocean, and the majority
of quadrupeds to enjoy the umbrageous wood, the verdant hill, or the
enamelled meadow, the Mole is deftined to feek its food beneath the furface
of the earth, and to fix its habitation in darknefs and obfcurity. Its ftru@ure
and organization are, however, admirably adapted to its mode of living;
particularly the conftruction of its fore feet, which greatly facilitates its
fubterraneous labours; and the {mall degree of its vifion, which muft certainly
conduce to its happinefs and convenience.

The ufual length of this creature’s body is near fix inches; the fore. part
is thick and mufcular, but the hind part tapers gradually towards the tail,

THE COMMON MOLE.

which is very fhort. Its head is furnifhed with {mall orifices inftead of ears,
and terminates in a long nofe. Its eyes are extremely {mall, and totally
hidden by the fur. Its upper jaw contains fix cutting and two canine teeth,
and the lower has eight of the former and two of the latter. Its fore feet,
which are placed obliquely, are very broad, naked, formed like hands,
and divided into five toes pointed with ftrong claws. Its hind feet are
confiderably lefs, but divided in a fimilar manner. Its {kin is fo exceedingly
tough as {carcely to be cut through. Its hair is fhort, clofe, and fofter than
the fineft velvet; generally of a black colour, but Sacaw diverfified
with white {fpots, and fometimes perfectly white.

The Mole burrows rapidly with its fore feet, ufing its hind ones at the
fame time for the purpofe of throwing back the earth. It enjoys the fenfes
of hearing and {melling in an exquifite degree; the former of which enables
it to elude deftruction by a {wift retreat, and the latter directs it to its food,
confifting of roots, worms, infects, &c. It proves very injurious to gardens
and other cultivated grounds, by turning up the foil, and loofening the roots
of plants and flowers, for which reafon its deftruction is of great importance
to hufbandmen and gardeners.

In the vernal feafon the female prepares a commodious apartment
beneath the furface of her higheft hillock, and, after contriving feveral
paffages in different directions, for the purpofe of concealment or the
convenience of excurfion, fhe brings forth her young, by four or five ata
time, in a warm bed of mofs and herbage.

The activity of this animal is moft obfervable before rain, or at the
commencement of a thaw, when the worms are in motion; but it feldom
raifes any hillocks in dry weather, as it is then compelled to penetrate deeper
in queft of its accuftomed prey. If furprifed on the furface of the ground,
it generally difappears fo fuddenly as to preclude the poflibility of prevention;
but when taken it utters a violent {cream.

Animals of this defcription are found in moft sani of Europe, Ireland
excepted, and in the fouthern parts of Ruffia and Siberia as far as the river
Lena. Some varieties are alfo faid to inhabit the Cape of Good isin and
North America,

THE HEDGE-HOG.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Five toes on each foot.

Body covered with ftrong fhort {pines.

SyNONIMS.
EcuINUS TERRESTRIS, Gefner Quad. 368.
Icer, Kramer Auftr. 314.
Erinaceus Evropeus, Linn. Syft. 75.
L’Herisson, De Buffon, viii. 28. tad. vi.
ERINACEUS TERRESTRIS, Razz. Syn. Quad. 231.
Common Hepce-Hoe, Pennant Hit. Quad. vol. ii. p. 234.

THIS little animal, unable to defend itfelf from the infults of the {maller
beafts of prey, is provided, by indulgent nature, with a f{pinous armour,
that well fupplies the want of bodily ftrength. When alarmed it collects
itfelf into the form of a ball, and in that pofition prefents a furface, fo
admirably fortified on all fides with fharp points, that few animals, but fuch
as are trained to the fport, will venture to attack it. The more it is
tormented, the clofer it rolls together; and fometimes, by voiding its urine
through extreme timidity, it exhales fo fetid a vapour as to obtain a
deliverance from its difgufted annoyer. |

The length of the Hedge-Hog is about ten inches. Its nofe is long, and
the noftrils are bordered on each fide with a loofe flap. Its ears are naked,
fhort, and rounded; its eyes fmall; its legs of a dufky hue, and deftitute of
hair; its toes pointed with weak claws; and its tail fhort. The upper part
of its face, together with its fides and rump, are covered with coarfe

THE HEDGE-HOG.

yellowifh and cinereous hair; and its back is armed with a row of ftrong,
fharp fpines, of a whitifh colour, interfected with a black fiPIes Lice

During the day this animal keeps retired in {mall thickets, hedges, or
dry ditches; but in the night it roams abroad in queft of worms, fruits,
beetles, and all kinds of infeéts, which conftitute its food. Peafants have
fometimes accufed it of nocturnal depredations on the udders of their cows,
but this charge is confidered, by naturalifts, as altogether groundlefs.

The Hedge-Hog is naturally a mild and inoffenfive creature; and is
eafily taken, as it neither attempts to defend itfelf, nor eludes the danger by
flight; but merely fhrinks from the touch into its circular form, which it
will not eafily relinquifh unlefs immerfed in water. It is faid, that an
animal of this defcription was once fo completely domefticated as to obey —
the call of its mafter, and occafionally to perform the duty of a turnfpit.

When the cheerlefs feafon of winter congeals the limpid rivulets, and
fpreads a mantle of fnow over the bofom of the earth, the Hedge-Hog
wraps itfelf fecurely in a comfortable neft of mofs and leaves, and repofes
{weetly till the return of fpring. If taken out in this fituation it appears
completely torpid, but foon recovers on being laid before the fire.
iS Hedge-Hogs are commonly found in Europe, Madagafcar, and fome

parts of Rufiia,

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THE THREE-TOED SLOTH.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Without cutting teeth in either jaw.
With canine teeth and grinders.

The fore legs much the longett.

SYNONIMS.

ArcropvirHecus, Gefner Quad. 869. Icon. Quad. 96.

IGNAVUS SIVE PER avrigoacw AGILIS, Clus. exot. 110, 372.

At, stvE Ienavus, Marcgrave Braf. 221. Seb. Muf. xxxiii. fig. 2.
Srotu, Raz Syn. Quad. 245. Edw. 310. A gti
Icnavus AMERICANUS, RISUM FLETU MiscENs, Klein Reet. 43,
Brapypvus Tripacty us, Linn. Sy/t. 50.

Tarpicrapus, Briffon Quad. 21.

OvarkaRE, Paressteux, Barrere France A:quin. 154.

L’A1, de Buffon, xiii. 44. tad. v. vi. 3

WERE we to form an idea of the internal fenfations of this extraordinary
animal from its outward appearance, the conclufion muft be extremely
unfavourable. It is certainly the meaneft, moft contemptible, fluggifh, and
ill-formed animal in the creation; it is probable, however, that it pofleffes
fome fource of comfort unknowu to us, which places it on a level with
many other creatures; and notwithftanding its uncouth appearance it will,
on examination, be found to be furnifhed by the great Creator with parts fo
formed as to be beft adapted to its neceflities.

This fpecies of the Sloth is generally about two feet fix inches in length.
It is covered all over with a harfh, coarfe, tiff fur, which ftands in almott

THE THREE-TOED SLOTH.

every direétion, and has fome refemblance to the ftalks of dried grafs. Its
face is flat and broad, fomewhat refembling that of a Monkey; the mouth
extends from ear to ear; the nofe is blunt; the ears very fmall; and the
eyes {mall, black, and heavy: upon the whole, the countenance exhibits
fuch appearance of diftrefs as to excite compaffion in the beholder. Its
general colour refembles that of dry duft or dirt, with a yellowith caft, but
it is fubject to fome flight variations; the colour of the face and throat is a
dirty white, and a dark coloured broad ftripe extends the whole length of
the back. The legs are thick and ftrong, and the feet proceed from the
body in fuch an oblique direétion, that the foles of them cannot touch the
ground, fo that when the animal attempts to walk, it fcrapes the back of its”
nails along the furface of the earth, and then wheeling the limb about in a
circular direction, it at length advances flowly one {tep; the other limbs are
then moved in their turns with equal difficulty: no wonder then that this
animal is not able to advance more than three yards in the {pace of an hour.
But although the legs and claws are ill formed for walking, they are moft
admirably well adapted to cling round the boughs of trees with the moft
perfect fecurity, in which fituation it paffes the greateft part of its life, and
fo ftrong is its grafp, that nothing which it has once feized can ever efcape
from it without permiffion; for Kircher (a) informs us, that a Sloth feized
a Dog, which was let loofe at it, and held it faft with its feet for four days,
at the end of which time the poor Dog perifhed through pain and hunger.
The Sloth never changes its fituation, except when ftrongly urged by’ the
powerful calls of hunger; and then it only crawls from one tree to another,
which is a work of infinite labour, and often takes the poor creature a
whole week to accomplifh. Providence has, therefore, kindly given it a
conftitution which enables it to exift a long time without food, as appears
from an experiment tried on one which, having faftened itfelf to a long pole
by its feet, remained in that fituation without motion, fleep, or fuftenance,
during the {pace of forty days. It fubfifts entirely on vegetable fubftances,
and chiefly on the leaves and fruit of trees, and it will frequently alfo eat

(a) Quoted by Pennant.

THE THREE-TOED SLOTH.

the bark. When it has afcended a tree with extreme labour and difficulty,
it never quits the fituation till the leaves, fruit, and bloffoms, are entirely
confumed, which, if the tree is large, will maintain it about a fortnight; it is
then forced by hunger to quit its fituation in fearch of another tree, and as
it is unable to defcend gradually, it forms itfelf into a round ball, and thus
drops from the branches to the ground. And here we muft again admire
the kind care of Providence, in clothing it with hair of fuch a thicknefs and
ftrength as to break the force of the fall, and preferve the creature from
the accidents to which fuch an event muft continually expofe it. Having
fallen from the tree, it lies on the ground motionlefs for fome time, as if to
recover itfelf; during this period it is expofed to the attacks of wild beatts;
but from this danger it is likewife preferved by its miferable countenance,
which is fo deplorable as to difarm the moft favage rage; and the cry
which it utters is fo plaintive, and generally accompanied with a kind of
tears, that the fierceft beaft feems to pity its fituation, and forbears to
moleft a creature fo completely wretched. The Sloth is a ruminating
animal, and has four ftomachs, like all others of this defcription.. It is very
tenacious of life, and like the tortoife, retains the vital principle for a long
time after the nobler parts are taken away.

This animal inhabits many parts of the eaftern coaft of South America.

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THE SIX-BANDED ARMADILLO.

Generic CHARACTERS.
Without either cutting or canine teeth.
Head and upper part of the body guarded by a cruftaceous covering; the
middle by pliant, cruftaceous bands, formed of various fegments, reaching
from the back to the edges of the body.

-

SyNoNIMs.
Tarovu, Belon Odf. 211. Raiz Syn. Quad.
Tatu er Taru pasa, Brafil: ArmapiLLo, Hifpanis, Lufitanis:
Encuserto, Marcgrave Brafii, 131.
CaTAPHRACTUS ScUTIS DUoBUS, CiNGULIS SEX, Briffon Quad. 25.
Dasipus sex-cinctus, Linn. Sy/t. 54.
L’EncouBert, ov LE Tarou A six Banpes, de Buffon, x. 209.

tab. xlii.

THIS extraordinary animal, as well as all the other {pecies of this kind,
was wholly unknown to naturalifts, before the difcovery of America, being
only found on that continent. Mild and peaceful in its nature, it is equally
incapable of giving offence to other creatures, as it is of defending itfelf
againft their attacks; and, were it hot for the fecurity it finds in the ftrong
covering with which nature has armed it, the whole of its life would be in
perpetual danger. The hell, or rather fhells, with which this animal is
covered, differ from the fhell of the Tortoife, in being unconne@ed with the
fkeleton of the animal; the fhell of the Tortoife is united with the back-bone
and ribs, whereas, the fhells of the Armadillo form a moveable covering,
which is connected only with the fkin, and completely eclipfes the real

THE SIX-BANDED ARMADILLO.

fhape of the animal; making it appear, at firft view, like a round, misfhapen
mafs, with a long head faftened to one end, and a very long tail fticking out
at the other, which, as well as the feet and legs, feem not to be of a piece
with the body. This extraordinary clothing confifts of a large feale, which
covers the rump; and another, which extends all over the fhoulders: thefe
are united, by feveral bands which encircle the back and fides; the number
of thefe bands differs greatly in the different {pecies, fome having but three,
fome fix, fome eight, ten, twelve, and even eighteen; and the number of
thefe bands afcertains the {pecies. They are all connected by a yellow
membrane, like the articulations in the tail of a Lobtter, and flide readily
over each other, fo as to afford the animal a free and eafy motion. Befides
thefe tranfverfe divifions of the fhells, they alfo articulate by a joining, which
extends all along the back, and gives the animal liberty to move in every
direction. ‘The colour of thefe fhells is ufually a dirty grey, but it differs in
different fpecies: this difference arifes from a peculiar circumftance in their
conformation, the fhell itfelf being covered with a foftith kin, which is
{mooth and tranfparent. This fhell covers the top of the head, and the tail
to the utmoft extremity; the only parts which want it, are the throat, breatt,
and belly; thefe are covered with a foft fkin, which is white, and greatly
refembles the {kin of a fowl ftripped of its feathers. Although this {kin is
apparently naked, if it be obferved with attention it will be found to be
covered with the rudiments of fhells, of the fame fubftance with thofe which
cover the back.
But, however fecure the Armadillo may appear to be, under the
protection of this covering, it is not a fufficient guard againft the attacks of
its more powerful enemies. Providence has, therefore, kindly inftructed it
to roll itfelf up, like the Hedge-Hog, on the appearance of great danger,
When it is violently attacked, it withdraws its head under its fhell, which
covers the fhoulders, leaving nothing in view but the extremity of the nofe.
If the danger increafe, the feet are all drawn up under the belly, and the two
extremities united together, while the tail forms a connecting band, which

gives great ftrength to the fituation. When thus rolled up, it refembles a

THE SIX-BANDED ARMADILLO.

ball, flattifh on one fide, and in this pofture it continues obftinately fixed,
till the danger is over, and often for a long time after; and this it is enabled to
do, by the affiftance of ftrong, lateral mufcles, confifting of numberlefs fibres,
which crofs each other in the form of the letter X, and give the animal a
power of refiftance which the ftrongeft man is fcarcely able to overcome.
When the Indians find it in this form, they lay it clofe to the fire, the heat
of which foon obliges the poor creature to unrol itfelf, and {ubmit to a milder
kind of death.

All thefe animals root up the ground, like the Hog, to fearch after roots.
They alfo eat melons, potatoes, and other vegetables, and do great mifchief
to gardens, when they chance to enter them. They frequent damp and
watery places, where they will eat fmall fifth, worms, water infects, and
animal flefh, when they can get it. Though naturally accuftomed to a warm
climate, they do not feem to be much affected by cold; feveral of them have
been brought into England, where they appear to enjoy perfect health.
Thefe animals live in deep burrows, which they dig for themfelves in the
ground: they feldom quit their abodes, except during the night time, when
they come out to feed: they feldom go far from their hole, and if furprifed,
immediately run towards it, to fecure themfelves. If they have not time to
reach their hole, they inftantly fet about digging a frefh one, which they
generally accomplith before they are overtaken by their adverfary; and this
they are enabled to do, by the affiftance of their claws, which are extremely
large, ftrong, and crooked. ‘They are, however, fometimes overtaken by their
purfuers, and caught by the tail before they have quite made good their
retreat: in this fituation it patiently awaits its fate. |

‘Their motion is a fwift kind of walk, but they can neither run, leap, nor
climb trees. The flefh of the fmaller kinds, when young, being delicious
eating, they are much fought after, and many contrivances are practifed to
take them. Sometimes they are driven out of their holes by fmoke, fometimes
by water, and fmall Dogs are alfo taught to chafe them, and force them to
roll themfelves up into a ball, before they have time to reach their holes; in
which fituation they are eafily overtaken by the hunters, If the Armadillo

THE SIX-BANDED ARMADILLO.

be near a precipice, when it is purfued, it avails itfelf of it, by rolling itfelf
up in a ball, clofe to the edge, and then tumbling down, from rock to rock,
without receiving the leaft injury. Snares are alfo very often laid for them,
in places which they ufually frequent, and this method of taking them is
commonly the moft fuccefsful.

The general account we have given of this moft extraordinary animal,
will apply equally to all the fpecies. .

The Six-banded Armadillo, of which we give the figure, is about the fize
of a young Pig; the fcales on the head, fhoulders, and rump, are formed of
angular pieces: it has fix bands on the back; between thefe, as alfo on the
neck and belly, are a few hairs thinly fcattered; the tail is not fo long as the

body, but is very thick at the largeft extremity, and tapers towards the point.
There are five toes on each foot.

It is found in Brafil and Guiana.

THE GREAT ANT-EATER.

GENERic CHARACTERS.

Body covered with hair.
Mouth {mall.
Tongue long and cylindric.
No teeth.

SYNONIMS.

MyrMecopuaca juBATa, Linn. Syft. 52. Klein Quad, 45. tab. v.
Tamanpvua-cuacu, Maregrave Brafil, 225. Pifo Brafil, 320.
Tamanpua major, Barrere France Aquin. 162.
Mance-rourMIs, des Marchats, iii. 307.
Great Ant-Bear, Razz Syn. Quad. 241.
Le Tamanorr, de Buffon, x. 141. tab, xxix.

- Great Ant-Eater, Pennant’s Syn. Quad. 260.

THE extraordinary figure of this animal readily diftinguifhes it, at the
firft view, from every other quadruped. ‘The Horfe has the longeft head of
any creature we are acquainted with, in proportion to the length of its body,
but the fnout of the Ant-Eater is fo much elongated, that the head, meafured
from the ears to the end of the nofe, is more than twice as long, in proportion,
as that of the Horfe. This extraordinary form of the fnout is neceflary for
the reception of its long and flender tongue, which is two feet and a half
in length, and lies doubled in the mouth, without which fingular apparatus
the animal could not maintain itfelf.

The length of the Ant-Eater is nearly four feet, from the tip of the {nout
to the infertion of the tail, which is two feet and a half long. The eyes are

THE GREAT ANT-EATER.

fmall and black; the ears fhort and round; the noftrils are placed clofe
together, at the extremity of the nofe. It has four toes on the fore feet, and
five on the hinder ones; the two middle claws on the fore feet are very
large, ftrong, and hooked: the colour of the hair, on the upper part of the
neck, fhoulders, and back, is black, mixed with grey. A broad, black line
extends from the lower part of the neck crofs the fhoulders, which becomes
gradually narrower, as it proceeds along the fides towards the back. It is
bounded above by a narrow line, which extends its whole length. The hair,
on the upper part of the body, is half a foot long, and has the appearance of
a thick mane; the fore legs are whitifh, marked above the feet with a black
fpot; the tail is covered with very coarfe, black hairs, a foot long. The
animal, being very fearful of rain, ufes this part as a defence againit the wet,
by throwing it over its back, like the Squirrel.

The Ant-Eater is flow in its motions, it fleeps during the day time,
concealed under the fallen leaves, in the woods, and feldom ventures from
its retreat, except to fatisfy the calls of hunger, when the induftry of an hour
fupplies it with a fufficiency to laft it for feveral days. It feeds on Ants, and
the fingular method it makes ufe of to catch them is, perhaps, one of the moft
curious facts in natural hiftory. In the countries where this animal is found,
the Ants are in great abundance, and conftruct hills, or nefts, which are
frequently five or fix feet high, where they live in fociety. The Ant-Eater,
having found one of thefe nefts, approaches it with caution, creeping flowly
on: its belly, and concealing itfelf with as much care as poflible, till it is
fufficiently near for the execution of its purpofe, when, extending its tongue
acrofs the path ufed by thefe bufy infects, it remains motionlefs, in that
pofture, for fome minutes. ‘The Ants, miftaking the tongue for a piece of
flefh, or a worm, never fail to crawl on it, in great numbers, and wherever
they touch it, they are inftantly entangled by the flimy fluid with which the
tongue is covered, and which is as tenacious as bird-lime. When the tongue
is fufficiently covered with Ants, the animal inftantly draws it into its mouth,
and devours them in a moment; and this operation is repeated till its hunger
is completely fatisfied, when it retires to its lurking place; but, thould the

=

THE GREAT ANT-EATER.

badnefs of the weather, or the late hour, caufe the Ants to remain in their
habitation, the Ant-Eater overturns the hill, or digs holes in it with its ftrong
claws; when, thrufting its long tongue into the retreats and paflages of the
nett, it withdraws it, loaded with prey, which it inftantly devours.

Notwithftanding this animal is deftitute of teeth, and fhuns the combat,
it is fierce, and even dangerous when attacked; and, if it can once get its
adverfary within the grafp of its fore feet, nothing but the death of the.
animal will make it quit itshold. In this manner it fubdues even the Panther
of America (a,) when it has the imprudence to attack it, and having once
fixed its talons in the fides of its enemy, they both fall together, and both
generally perifh ; for fuch is the obftinacy of this creature, that it will not
extricate itfelf even from a dead adverfary (B.)

An ingenious writer(c) remarks, that the moft active, {prightly, and
ufeful quadrupeds affemble themfelves round the habitations of man; where
they are either fubfervient to his pleafures, or maintain their independence,
by their cunning and induftry. It is in the remote folitudes of the foreft, or
on the defert mountains, that we mutt look for the helplefs, deformed, and,
as it were, monftrous births of nature, who find fafety in places which are
fhunned by the bolder and more active animals. ‘This remark is verified in
the Ant-Eater, which lives chiefly in woods, and lies concealed under the
fallen leaves.

This animal inhabits Brafil and Guiana, where its flefh is eaten by the
Indians, but is of a ftrong, difagreeable tafte.

(s) Gumilla Orenoque, ili, 232. (2) Piso Brasil, 320. (c) Dr. Goldsmith.

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GREAT MANIS

Ly WDartoe Hervey

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THE GREAT MANIS.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Back, fides, and upper part of the tail, covered with ftrong {cales.
Mouth fmall; tongue long; no teeth.

SYNONIMS.
Manis pentrapactyia, Linn. Sy/i. 52.
LACERTUS SQUAMOSUS, Bontius Fava, 60. Pet. Gaz. tab. xx. fig. xi.
ARMADILLUS SQUAMATUS MajoR, Ceilanicus, SEU DIABOLUS
Tajovanicus pictus, Seb. Muf. i. tab. liii. liv. Klein Quad. 47.
PHILODOTUS PENTADACTYLIS, SQUAMIS SUBROTUNDIS, Briffon
Quad. 18. ,
Le Pancottn, de Buffon, x. 180. tab. xxxiv.
SHoRT-TAILED Manis, Pennant’s Syn. Quad. 259.

The uncommon fhape of this animal, together with the fealy coat of mail
with which it is entirely clothed, gives it, at firft fight, fome refemblance to
the Crocodile; and an incautious obferver would be induced to pronounce it
a large Lizard. It has, however, no real affinity with that genus of animals,
- but is a true viviparous quadruped. :

In order, fully,,to fubftantiate this fa&, we ‘fhall enumerate a few
particulars, which conftitute an undoubted effential difference between thefe
creatures. The Lizard is produced from an egg; the Manis is brought forth
alive, and perfectly formed: the Lizard is covered all over with the marks
of fcales, which adhere to the body even clofer than thofe of fithes do;
whereas the Manis has no {fcales on the throat, breaft, or belly; and thofe
which cover the other parts of the body, tail, and legs, are not only real

THE GREAT MANIS.

{cales, united to the body by one edge only, but are capable of being moved
whenever the animal pleafes, The Lizard is wholly deftitute of the means
of felf-defence in time of danger, and knows no fafety but in flight and
concealment: the Manis, on the approach of an enemy, rolls itfelf up into a
ball, and is proof againft the moft powerful attacks of its aflailant. ‘The
{cales of this extraordinary animal differ, as to their fize and form, but all
are fixed to the body, fomewhat like the leaves of an artichoke. Thofe near
the tail are the largeft. ‘They are thickeft in the middle, and fharp at the
edges, and all end in a roundith point. They are extremely hard, and of a
fubitance refembling horn. ‘They are convex externally, and concave on the
fide next the body ; one edge is fixed to the {kin, while the other laps over
that which is immediately behind it, much like the tiles on the roof of a
houfe. The f{cales, which cover the tail, are accommodated to the fhape of
that part: they are all of a dufky-brown colour, and fo hard, when the
animal has attained its full growth, that they will turn a mufket ball.

This fingular quadruped grows to the length of eight feet, including the
tail, which is four feet long. The back, fides, and legs, are covered with
fcales, between each of which is a briftle: thefe fcales it can erect at pleafure,
in the fame manner as the Porcupine erects his quills, and thereby arm itfelf
with a formidable battery, capable of refifting the attacks of any enemy. The
moft fierce and favage quadrupeds in vain attempt to feize it; the inftant it
perceives the approach of danger, it rolls itfelf round, like a Hedge-Hog,
fecuring thereby the moft vulnerable parts of its body with its head and feet,
and in this fituation it remains till the danger is over. In this pofture, it is
faid to be capable of deftroying even the Elephant, by twifting itfelf round
the trunk, and comprefling that tender organ with its hard fcales (a.)

The throat, belly, and infide of the legs are hairy; the ears greatly
refemble thofe of the human fpecies: it has five toes on each foot, furnifhed
with claws, which it bends under its feet when walking. It feeds on
Lizards and infects, in fearch of which it turns up the ground with its nofe,

(4) Pennant.

THE GREAT MANIS.

like a Hog. It grows very fat; its fleth is efteemed delicious food, and is
eaten by the negroes. It makes no noife, except a kind of {norting.
Harmless and inoffenfive in its nature, it fhuns the fociety of man, and lives
in obfcure retreats, in woods, and damp places, where it digs itfelf a hole, in
the cleft of fome rock, and there brings forth its young. It is, therefore,
feldom met with, and paffes its time in folitary retirement, a wonderful
inftance of the variety of nature,

It walks flowly, and would, unavoidably, become the prey of every
ravenous beaft, were it not for the impregnable coat of armour, which
Nature has fo bountifully beftowed on it.

This animal inhabits the iflands of India and that’ of Formofa: it is alfo
found in Guinea, where the negroes call it Quogelo, It is very fond of
Ants, which it takes, like the Ant-Eater, by laying its long tongue acrofs
their paths, which, being covered with a fticky faliva, effectually entangles
whatever infects attempt to pafs over it. As foon as the Manis perceives
that the tongue is fufficiently loaded with food, it fuddenly withdraws it into
its mouth, and feafts on the delicious morfels with which it is loaded; and
this procefs is repeated, till the calls of hunger are fatisfied. It is againft
thefe infects, (o noxious to the human {pecies, that their whole force and
cunning are exerted, and, were the negroes but fenfible of the fervices
this animal renders them, by deftroying one of the greateft pefts of the
country, they would not be fo eager to kill it. ‘But it is the nature of
favage man, to purfue immediate, apparent good, without confidering the
confequences.”

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STubiified ty Warton. THarvey & Welch London, Sept? 23 8 1623,

WALRUS «

THE WALRUS.

Generic CHARACTERS.
- Two great tufks in the upper jaw, pointing downwards.
Four grinders on both fides, above and below.
No cutting teeth.
-» Five palmated toes on each foot.

SyNONIMS.
Le Morse, de Buffon, xiii. 358. tad. liv.
‘Rosmarus, Gefner Pifc. 211. Klein Quad. 92.
Watrvus, Mors, Rosmarus, Razz Syn. Quad. 191.
Sea Cow, Schrever, ii. 88. | |
Opvosenus, La Vacue Marine, Briffon Quad. 30.
TricHEecus Rosmarus, Linn. Sy/t. 49.

AMONG a variety of animals, whofe peculiar ftructure capacitates them
to inhabit, without reftraint or inconvenience, both the land and the water,
the fubject of our plate holds a diftinguifhed rank, on account of its
magnitude, curious tufks, and other particulars,

The head of the Walrus is round; with a {mall mouth; broad lips,
covered with ftrong pellucid briftles; diminutive, red eyes; two {mall
orifices inftead of ears; and femicircular noftrils, through which it throws
out water like the whale, though with lefs noife. Its neck is fhort. Its
body, which has been fometimes found to meafure eighteen feet in length,
and ten or twelve in circumference, at the thickeft part, is covered with a
thick, wrinkled fkin, lightly fprinkled with fhort, brownith hairs. Its legs
are fhort, and loofely articulated. Each foot is divided into five toes,
connected by webs or membranes, and furnifhed with fmall nails. Its tail

is very fhort, and its hind feet are extended nearly ona level with its body.

THE WALRUS.

Thefe animals are gregarious, and have been fometimes feen in great
numbers fleeping on the fea fhore, or on iflands of ice; but they are
extremely fhy, avoiding fuch places as are frequented by mankind, and
plunging impetuoufly into the..water upon the leaft alarm: yet, if they
happen to receive a wound, they become bold and furious, and will
inftantly unite in attempting, a,revenge.. It is even faid, they will attack
a boat, and ftrive to fink it by ftriking their’ teeth into. its poet bellowing
at the fame time in the moft hideous manner, bai

The females produce one or two young at a time; saahieth they fuckle
upon land. ‘Their ordinary food confifts of fea weeds, fith, and fhells. In
afcending mafles of ice, or ftone, they make ufe of their teeth, as hooks, to
fecure their hold, and to draw up their. unwieldy bodies.

They are killed for the fake of their teeth, which are comparable to the
fineft ivory for whitenefs and durability: and for their oil, of which an
ordinary Walrus will yield half a tun, equal in. quality to that of the
whale. ‘Their greatett enemy, exclufive of man, is the White Bear; but the
combats between thefe animals are generally terminated in favour of the
Walrus, whofe victory refults from the dreadful wounds inflicted on its
opponent by its tufks, which fometimes meafure two feet in length, and
weigh from three to twenty pounds each. |

It is faid, that the Walrus hunters, on the Magdalene Ifles, in the Gulf
of St. Lawrence, watch the landing of thefe animals, and, after waiting a
favourable opportunity, go on fhore, armed with fharp fpears, with which
they cut their throats. Great caution is, however, requifite on this occafion,
to prevent the fugitives, who tumble headlong into the fea, from crufhing
their difturbers by their vaft weight. The knowledge of this chace appears to
have been of great antiquity, a report having been made'concerning it, by Other
the Norwegian, in the reign of Alfred; and we have {ufficient reafon to fuppofe
that the teeth of the Walrus, in early times, afforded a fubititute for ivory to
the inhabitants of the northern part of the globe.

The Walrus inhabits the coaft of Spitzbergen, Nova Zembla, Hudfon’s
Bay, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the Icy Sea, as far as Cape Tfchuktfchi,
and the adjacent iflands

Lublifhed by WDarton,THarvey &WBetch, London, Janl 157% 1802

SEAL.

=

THE SEAL.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
Cutting teeth, and two canine teeth in each jaw.
Five palmated toes on each foot.
Body thick at the fhoulders, but tapering towards the tail,

Sy NONIMS.
Virutvus Oceant, Rondeletiz, 453. 458.
Puoca, Gefner Pife. 830. Klein Quad. 93. Briffon Quad. 162.
Sear, Pennant Hift. Quad. vol. ii. p. 270.
PHoca vitutina, Linn. Sy/t. 56.
Kassig1ax, Crantz Hift. Greent. i. 128. |
Le Puoaue, de Buffon, xiii. 333. tab. xlv. Schreber, cxxxiv.
Le Veau Marty, ov Lour-pe Mer, Belon Potffons, 25.
Puoca stve Viruutus Marinus, Razz Syn. Quad. 189.

THE object of our prefent contemplation has been found, with fome
variety, in almoft every quarter of the globe; particularly towards the north
and fouth; near the Arétic Circle, and the lower parts of America in both
oceans; near the fouthern extremity of Terra del Fuego, and among the
floating ice, as low as fouth lat. 60 deg. 21 min. It is alfo an inhabitant of
the Cafpian Sea, and of the frefh water lakes, Baikal and Oron.

Its body, which is covered with fhort, fmooth hair, commonly meafures
_ from five to fix feet in length: its head and nofe are flat, with full black eyes,
large whifkers, oblong noftrils, and a forked tongue. Its upper jaw contains
two canine, and fix cutting teeth; and its lower jaw has two of the former,
and four of the latter. Each of its feet is furnifhed with five toes, armed

THE SEAL.

with ftrong fharp claws, that enable it to climb the rocks with facility. Its
tail is fhort; and its colour various.

Seals are faid to exhibit a confiderable fhare of firength and agility in the
water, where they find an ample fupply of food and paftime; feafting on
various forts of fifh, and {porting about fhips and boats without the leaft
appearance of timidity. ‘They cannot, however, continue long beneath that
element, but are frequently obliged to rife for breath, and are often feen
floating on the furface of the ocean.

The female ufually brings forth two young ones ‘at a time, which,
for a fhort fpace, are white and woolly: thefe are fuckled on rocks, or
in caverns, for about fix weeks, when they are conducted by their mother
to the fea, and inftructed, by her example, in the means of procuring a future
fubfiftence. |

In fummer they fleep on rocks, or fand banks, from whence, if furprifed,
they precipitate themfelves into the fea: but if their diftance from that
afylum precludes the poffibility of an immediate efcape, they {cramble along
the ground, throwing up the fand or gravel with their hind feet, at the fame
time uttering a cry expretlive of lamentation. If overtaken, they make a
moft vigorous defence with their feet and teeth: yet their docility is great,
and their natural difpofition gentle, infomuch, that Dr. Parfons (a) has
recorded an inftance of one which was fo completely tamed as to crawl out
of its tub at command, ftretch itfelf at full length, extend its neck to falute
its mafter, and return into the water purfuant to his direction.

Prodigious numbers of thefe animals are found in the Cafpian Sea, where.
they poflefs a great diverfity of colour; fome being perfectly white, others
black, others moufe-coloured, and others fpotted like a Leopard. On
crawling to the fhore they are immediately killed; yet they are followed by
others, which fhare a fimilar fate.

At the approach of winter they go up the Jaik, and are killed in great
numbers on the floating ice. They are likewife deftroyed, occafionally, by
Wolves and Jackalls, for which reafon the Seal hunters are VEEP afliduous.

in driving away thofe ferocious Quadrupeds.

(a) Ph. Trans. xlvii, 113.

THE SEAL.

The feafon for taking Seals is in October and November; when the
hunters enter the mouths of the caverns at midnight, with torches and
bludgeons, and, after ftationing themfelves in the moft advantageous manner,
alarm their prey by making a great noife. The Seals then advance in a
confufed throng from all parts of the cavern, filling the air with the mott
piteous moans; and, when the firft crowd is paft, whofe refiftlefs impetuofity
might prove fatal to the hunters without proper cautioh, great numbers of
the young ones are killed by a blow on the nofe, which {peedily terminates
their exiftence, though any other method would prove tedious, and poffibly
ineffectual.

The fleth of the Seal is fometimes eaten by voyagers, and was formerly
confidered as an article of luxury, as appears by a bill of fare of a coftly
entertainment, given by Archbifhop Nevil, in the reign of Edward IV. At
prefent, however, the animal is hunted chiefly for its fkin, which is ufed for
numerous conveniencies, and makes a beautiful kind of leather; and for its oil,
of which more than eight gallons are commonly extracted from a young one.

The Seals found in the lakes Oron and Baikal are fmaller than thofe which
inhabit {alt waters, but fo extremely fat as to feem almoft thapelefs. The
voice of the young ones is clear, and fomewhat fimilar to the mewing of a
cat; but that of the old ones refembles the hoarfe barking of a dog.

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Lublifhed by W Darton, . Harvey, & WRelch,London, Jan V 16 RIS 02.

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«

RT EARED BAT.

THE BAT.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
The fore feet furnifhed with long extended toes, connected by broad,
_ thin membranes, that reach to the hind legs.
Ears fhort.

SYNONIMS.
Bat, Fuitrer Mouse, Raz Syn. Quad. 243..
VeEsPERTILIO, Pliniz, lib.x.c. 61. Gefner Quad. 766.
Rear Mouse, Charlton Ex. 80.
Vespertitio Major, Klein Quad. 61.
VESPERTILIO MURINUS, Linn. Sy/l. 47.
Common Bar, Pennant Hift. Quad. vol. ii. p. 319.
Le GRANDE CHAUVE-EOURIS DE NOTRE Pats, de Buffon, viil. 113,

tab. xvi.

THIS fingular animal feems to form a connecting link in the great chain
of nature, between the Quadrupeds and the winged inhabitants of the air.
Yet we are at no lofs refpecting its true ftation in natural hiftory, fince its
wings are the on/y mark of alliance with the birds, whilft it is evidently
related to the four-footed tribe, both by its internal and external formation.
In either capacity, however, it feems imperfect; its motions on the ground
being awkward and encumbered, its afcent difficult, and its flight ill-directed :
a circumftance which has induced Mr. Ray to give it the fignificant appellation
of the ‘“ Flitter Moufe.” |

THE BAT.

_ The body of the common Bat is about two inches and a half long;
covered with fhort, foft fur, of a moufe-colour, tinged with red. Its eyes are
very {fmall. Each of its jaws is furnifhed with cutting teeth; and its ears
are fimilar to thofe of a Moufe. Its wings, or membranes, are of a dufky
colour, and extremely thin: they reach from the fore feet to the tail; and,
when extended, meafure nineinches. Its hind feet are divided into five toes,
pointed with claws.

The Bat makes its firft appearance at the commencement of fummer,
when it frequents the fides of glades and fylvan walks, in the dufk of the
evening, and frequently fkims along the furface of the water, in queft of
gnats and other infects, that conftitute the chief part of its food. Towards
the end of its favourite feafon it retires into caverns, hollow trees, or
dilapidated buildings, where it either fufpends itfelf by its hind feet, or
covers itfelf with its wings, and finks intoa kind of lethargy, which continues
till the loud ftorms of winter have fubfided, and cheerful {pring has announced
the approach of her gay fucceffor.

The female Bat produces two young ones at a time, which fhe nourifhes
with her milk, and carries with her in her aérial excurfions.

Thefe animals inhabit almoft every part of Europe, and are univerfally
known in England. Some varieties are alfo found in Guinea, Jamaica,

America, and the Molucca Iles.

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LONG EARED BAT
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TERNATE BAT.

Lublifhred Ferg. 4805 by WDartonTHarvey & Welch London.

THE LONG-EARED BAT.

GENERIC CHARACTERS.
The fore feet furnifhed with long, extended toes, connected by broad,
thin membranes, that reach to the hind legs.

SYNONIMS.

VeESsPERTILIO AuRITUS. V. CAUDATUS, ORE NASOQUE SIMPLICI,
AURICULIS DUPLICATIS CAPITE MAJoRIBUS, Linn. Sy/t.
Nat. 47.

VESPERTILIO MURINI COLORIS, AURICULIS DUPLICIBUS, Briffon
Quad. 160.

Souris CHauveE, RATTE PENADE, Belon. Oyf. 147.

L’OrEILLAR, de Buffon, vili. 118.

Lone-EARED Enerisu Bart, Edwards, pl. 201.

THIS fpecies nearly refembles the Common Bat, but is rather {maller,
and has lefs of a reddifh tinge. Its diftinguifhing mark is the uncommon
fize of its ears, which are more than an inch long, and very wide. T hey
are furnifhed with a kind of fecondary ear, or internal flap, ferving as a
protection to the auditory orifice. It is common in England, lodging in
great numbers in the holes of old buildings, under eaves, and in cavities of

rocks, where they become torpid in the winter.

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THE TERNATE BAT.

Generic CHARACTERS.
The fore feet furnifhed with long, extended toes, connected by broad,

thin membranes, that reach to the hind legs,

: SYNONIMS.
VESPERTILIO Vampyrus. V. ECAUDATUS NASO SIMPLICI,
MEMBRANA INTER FEMORA DIvISA, Linn. Sy/t. Nat. 46.
VESPERTILIO INGENS, Cluf. exot. 94. |
CANIS VOLANS TERNATANUS ORIENTALIS, Sed. i, 57.
La Roussetre, de Buffon, x. 55.

Vampyre Bat, Shaw.

THIS large fpecies of Bat is a formidable animal, meafuring from four
to five or fix feet from one tip of the wing to the other, with a body of
about a foot in length. Its general colour is a deep reddifh brown, brighter
on the upper part of the neck and fhoulders, and likewife on the under fide
of the body. It has a fharp, black nofe; four cutting teeth above and below,
and large and ftrong canine teeth; a pointed tongue, terminated with fharp -
prickles; large, naked ears; and no tail. The fingle claw on its wings is
large and ftrong; the talons on its feet ftrong, crooked, and flattened
fideways. Its flying membrane is divided below quite to the rump.

This {pecies is found in Guinea, Madagafcar, and all the iflands in the
Indian Ocean, as well as that from which it takes its name. It is not

gregarious, though many often refort to the fame tree in queft of food.

THE TERNATE BAT.

They fly by day. While eating, they make a great noife. ‘Their {mell is
rank; and they bite fiercely when taken.

Linneus has given the name of Vampyre (an imaginary blood-thirfty
montter) to this fpecies, from its propenfity to fuck blood from perfons in
their fleep; which, from its fize, it is able to effe& to an alarming degree.
It inferts the point of its tongue into a vein, and drains the blood till it is
fatiated, fanning the air all the time with its wings, which occafions an
agreeable fenfation in thofe hot climates, and prolongs fleep. Perfons lying
with their feet uncovered are often thus blooded, till they are near pafling
into the fleep of death. Cattle are likewife attacked by thefe animals, and
are faid to be frequently deftroyed by them. It is conjectured, from the
uncouth appearance and difgufting qualities of the large Bats, that they have
given rife to the ancient fables of Harpies. 4

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