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THE FIGURES ENGRAVED ON woop, SHIEFLY COPIED FROM THE ORIGINAL OF tT! ‘REwicx, er Sas me et. Anderson. SOME AMERICAN ANIMALS | FIRST AMERICAN EDIGLON tea. TUHith an Append, - CONTAINING NOT HITHERTO DESCRIBED. OE OE ED) SS OS OC NEW-YQORK: > T. PRINTED BY G. & R. WAITE, Now 1804, SA VXy5 MAIDEN-LANE, Baie gy oe ao q ¢ POe i * Wego, PA Se oa pes = “ v@') = es T Tt mt i+ a a = —— eT oe ee ee Phe Apnertisement, . Iwai disposing the order of the following work, we have not thought it. necessary to confine ourselves saat within the rules prescribed by systematic writers on this part of Natural History ; as it was not so much the object of our plan to lay down a methodical arrangement of the various tribes of four- footed animals, as to give a clear and concise account of the | nature, habits, and disposition of each, accompanied with more accurate representations than have hitherto appeared in any work of this kind. Our disregard of system, however, has not prevented us from attending to the great divisions of Quadru- peds, so obviously marked out by the hand of Nature, and so clearly distinguished, that the most careless observer cannot avoid being forcibly struck with an agreement of parts in the outward fakes of the different individuals of which it consists. The intermediate stations, however, have not been always clearly defined ; these are frequently occupied by characters so dubious, that naturalists have not always agreed in ascrib- ing to each its proper place: Of this kind are the Elephant, the Hippopotamus, the Rhinoceros, the Cameleopard, the Beaver, the Hedge-hog, the Sloth, the Jerboa, &c. which bear in themselves characteristics so pecuiiar, that they might seem to constitute distinct genera. | We have endeavoured to lay before our readers a particular account of the animals with which this country is abun- dantly stored, especially of those which so materially contri- bute to the strength, the wealth, and the happiness of a nation; of these the Horse, the Cow, and the Sheep, claim the first place ; and in treating of these, we have noticed the improvements which an enlarged system of agriculture, sup- ported by a noble spirit of emulation, has introduced into all a jas apes ---~~ weauuay auu iat most Use= ful animal the Dog, the account of which forms a conspicu- ous part of our history, and we trust will afford some enter- tainment to those who are pleased with contemplating the va- rious talents of that trusty servant and humble companion of man: We have selected the most remarkable of the different kinds, and have given faithful portraits of them, drawn from the life: there are still others, not unworthy of attention, which might have been added; but to have noticed ali the - variations and shades of difference observeable in the canine race, would have swelled our account, already large, to an immoderate length, and have left us too little room forvothers — of equal importance, in a comprehensive view of this part of the animal creation. Our attention has been directed in a particular manner to the various instinctive powers of animals—that hidden prin- ciple, which actuates and impels every living creature to pro- cure its subsistence, provide for its safety, and propagate its kind. To discover more and more of this unerring guide, direCling the brute creation to their highest good by the simplest and most certain methods, is a pursuit worthy of the most refined understanding, and leads us to contem- plate the wisdom and goodness of the adorable Author of Nature, who “‘openeth his hand, and all things are filled with good.” It may perhaps be thought necessary to offer some apology for the evident want of proportion observable in the size of the different animals; adefeét to which every work of this kind must, in some measure, be liable. In adverting to this, we found, at whatever point, between the Elephant and the Mouse, the scale were to be fixed, a great and unavoidable deficiency would be the consequence ; we were therefore ob- bliged to relinquish a plan, which, so far from being practi- cable, would have been the means of throwing the whole into irregularity and confusion. Wunder. A PAGE. PAGE. A : Badger, Stinking - 276 DIVE * ah eee Sow « 284, Agouti - - 382 | Bat = - 510 Akouchi — - - 383 the Short-eared - zbid. Al - 4.94 the Long-eared- = 512 Amphibious inheith aks 527 ~ the Noctule, or Great zbzd. Ant-eater, the Great 4.95 the Pipistrelle - 513 the Middle 496 the Barbastelle += zbid. the Lesser = zbzd. the Serotine - ibid. Antelope, the Common 106 the Horse-shoe - ibid. ‘ the Barbary 107 the Great Ternate 515 the Scythian 100 the Rougette, or Les- the Striped = zbzd. |: ser lemate ), «' (S16 Ape, the Long-armed 452 the Spectre - 517 the Barbary - 453 the Senegal - wid. Armadillo - - 498 the Bull-dog - dd. _ the Three- the Bearded 518 banded - 499 the Striped ibid. the Six-banded 500 | Bear, the Brown - 288 the Eight- the Polar * 294 banded - 20rd. the Black - 288 the Nine-band- Beaver ee teh. - 417 ed - 501 | Bison ° - A3 the Weasel- | Blue-Goat » 90 headed - 502 | Boar, the Wild + 160 Ass - - 19 | the Common, or Axis - - - 141 Domestic - 162 : the African Wild 167 B Bucha - - - 46 - Baboon 454 | Buffalo : . - AF the Gieat Ribbed- nose 456 C the small Ribbed- Callitrix - - 466 nose - 458 | Camel ~ Fide fs the Pig-tailed 459 the Arabian 154 the Dog-faced 460 | Cameleopard . -~ 118 the Ursine - 461 | Capibara - 381 Babiroussa’—- - 172 | Caracal - . 23 Babr - . - 213 the Nubian 25 Badger - “ 281 | Carcajou = 283 vi INDEX. Caribou . . 134 | Dog,the Lyemmer - 843 Cat, the Domestic - 231 the Lurcher - ibid. Cat, the Wild = 228 the Tumbler ~ (¢44. the Wild Red 227 the Terrier - $45 Angora _ - 230 the Beagles 346 Cavy, the Restless - 377 the Harrier - 347 the Spotted -. 379 the Fox Hound 348 the Long-nosed 382] the Old English the Akouchi - 383 Hound - 351 the Rock . 384 the Kibele Hound 352 Chevrotain - 107 the Blood Hound éd. Chinche - = 265 the Spanish Pointer 355 Civet - : 270 | the English Setter 356 Coaita - 2 471 the Newfoundland 357 Coati * - 277 the Rough Water 360 Conepate - - 267 the Large Water-. Corin = - 107 Spaniel - 361 Couguar - : 219 the Small Water- Coquallin - * 388 Spaniel - 362 Cow - - 25 the Springer, or Cocker « 363 King Charles’s bid. D the Pyrame - zbvd. Deer, Red Pea i the Shock - = ibid. the Fallow - 143 the Lion = 364 Dog - “ 324 the Comforter zbid. the Shepherd’s au the Turnspit - 365 ‘ the Cur < 329 the Pug - bid. the Greenland - 331 | Dormouse, the Greater 392 the Bull - - $334 the Lesser 393 the Mastiff = 336 | Douc - : + 469 the Ban - 338 | Dromedary - 154 the Dalmation, or Coach - 339 E the Irish Greyhound 340 Elephant = - 186 the Highland Grey- | Elk - - 120 hound : 341 | the American a 5 $25 the Gazehound zbid. , Elk Antelope Fs ee the Greyhound 342 | Ermine - - 247 the Italian Grey- | [E-xquima - - 472 hound” - tbhid. INDEX. Vil if Horse ao - ul Ferret . - 248 the Arabia - 4 Fitchet 252 _the Race-horse - 6 Fossane - - 264 tie Humter <<: = 28 Foumart - - DAS. the Black “‘- = 0 Fox - - 363 Old English Road - 9 the Greyhound §- 307 Poney : aft Be the Mastiff = hoe Daigle the Common Cart 13 the Cur - 308 the Improved Cart 14 the Black apa LO Pack-horse. - ibid. the Cross - 310 | Hyena, the Striped ~ 298 the Arctic - 311 the Spotted <= 301 Free Martin - - 28 : I G | Thex - - = &0 Gazelies - - 89} Ichneumon = aie S61 Gemse-Bok | - «= 101 | Ibrys Ne ae : 236 Genet - “9 268 | | Giraffe - - - 118) J Gnu - - 104} Jackali - = = ge 820 oat... - - 77 , Jaguar - - = 5217 the Chamois = 81 | Jerboa > = = X8997 of Angora a 86 aH of Thibet - idid. K of Portugal - ibid. | Kabassou . = 502 the Syrian - 88 | Kanguroo - - 39 African - = ibid. | Kanguroo-Rat~ - - 441 Grunting-Ox = FS 46 | Kevel = = 107 Grys-Bok = - 103 | Klip-Springer ro ROS Guanacas ~ - 156 | Koba - = 108 Guinea-Pig - 377 | Koedoe - - - 100 Glutton e = 285 ! L H Lama - SOR Ro BEF Hamster. - - 404 | Leming - - - 409 y(0f, Georgia’ §.- 525 ;)i Leopard - - 214 | Hare - uy ¥ 369 | Lion ~ - 199 the Alpine > 372 | Lion-Ape - 476 Hart-Beast - - 98 | Loris - é . aS Hedge-hog - = 484 | Loucku - 213 Hippop.tamus . 182 | Lynx " il a ecles Hog 7 5 = 159 the Bay ™ 236 Vill M Macauco, the Yellow 448 the Ring-tailed 442. the Tail-less 44,4, the Mongooz 4435 the Black - 446 Mammeth of New-York 528 Mangabey - 465 Wianis: . - 4.97 the Long-tailed 498 - 112 Oo Ocelot = = =. 299 Ondatra = - 415 Opossum, Saragoy - 430 Murine - 432 Mexican - 433 the Phalanger 434 — the Spotted 435 the Vulpine = zdzd. the Flying 4.36 of Van Die- y men’s Land 437 Squirrel - 438 Ouran-Outang . 449 Otter - - = 487 the Sea - 491 Ounce ai iam - 216 25 Ox * wewate Ox, Holstein, or Dutch Breed - = Improved ditto the Lancashire the Lancashire Ox Kyloe z - Wild Cattle - Original i E P Pacos . sf i Panther . - - Patas - - - _ Peccary - - Persian Savage = Phalanger - ~ Pied-Goat - - Pigmy - - - Polecat - - Porcupine ~ - the Brazilian Porcupine, the Canada Potto - - R Raobit a the Domestic of Angora - the Hooded = Racoon e - Ram, Black-faced Heath a= Cheviot - ‘Tees-Water Ditto Improved Rat - - W: ater - Musk of Ganads' Muscovy Musk Ratel " 2 3 Ree-Bok Se 2 INDEX. Ree-Bok, Riet - = Rein-Deer ~ “ Rhinoceros - the eo Bomicd Roe-Buck - : Ruminating Animals S Sable - mt ws Sagoin - - Sajou > - » Saki - - ~ Sacawinkee oi “i Sand-Bear - - Sapajou - - Sarluc - - ~ Scaly Lizard - Sea Horse - = Seal - the Hooded the Ursine - Serval - 226 Shark Viviparous of Hens Island = 3530 Sheep, wild of Californa 526 Sheep - - 50 Sheep, Linco Breed 54 Dorsetshire Ditto zdzd. the Short = Leicestershire ditto Mr. Culley’s breed the Shetland the Dunky or Dwarf - the Tartarian - 68 the African, or Guinea - the Many-horned 2bid. 72 the Broad-tailed zdid. of Thibet 73 the Wallachian did. Sifatc -- -, a Skunk - .-* Sloth - = Souslik - - Sow, of the improved breed - Chinese * Springer - - Squirrel = the hibon’ s Bay the Gray cs 6: the Black - the Ground - the Barbary - the Palm - the Fae. <> i- the Garden - the Flying - the Great Flying the Hooded the Long-tailed Stag, or Red Deer - the Corsican - the Axis or Ganges Steen-Bok 3 Stfling, or paeeh = Stoat 4 ws Suricate = zs Syah-Gush 2 2 Swift Antelope _— - T Talapoin - - Talgoi - ~ e Tanrec é a Tapiir - m ~ Tarsier a: = INDEX. 265 1 Ten ac Kyat ‘scan 244 Tiger 7 > eee 4.93 the Black - 407 | Gat - ~ 164) U 166 | Unau i 94; Urus, or Wild Bull 385 | Urchin 2 g 390 | 387 |} V 388 | Vansire - 4 389 391 W 1to:cd. | Walrus se a 39 Wanderou - = ibid | Weasel - - °- - 394 - the White - . 395 the Madagascar tbid. the Pine. - 396 the Fisher = 135 the Four-toed © 140 | the Brazilian 141 | Woif A x a 105 the New South- 266 Wates - 246 | Wolverine we 2 274. | Wombach 3 238 | Woeod-Goat “7S00REe 105 Zz Zebra “ iB _ AGe| Zebu = = Fee 496 | Zemni : ee 486 | Zibet - - 174} Zizek «= a ei a 446 | Zorilla — . _ 408 267 ae # a General HISTO ft o QUADRUPEDS. geen Wy, /62998q ———= Y Cer Tin Segge® Oy THE HORSE. : ( Equus Caballus, Linnzeus.—Le Cheval. Buffon.) | oS various excellencies of this noble animal, the grandeur of his stature, the elegance and proportion of his parts, the beautiful smoothness of his skin, the va- riety and gracefulness of his motions, and, above all, his utility, entitle him to a precedence in the history of the brute creation. The Horse, in his domestic state, is generous, docile, spirited, and yet obedient; adapted to the various pur- poses of pleasure and convenience, he is equally ser- viceable in the draught, the field, or the race. | There are few parts of the known world where the Horse is not produced; but, if we would see him in the enjoyment of his native freedom, (unsubdued by the restraints man has imposed upon him) we must look for him in the wild and extensive plains of Afvica and Arabia, where he ranges without controul, in a state of entire independency. In those immense tracts, the wild Horses may be seen feeding together, in droves of four or five hundred; one of them always acting as centi- nel, to give notice of approaching ‘danger: This, he 5 CON ty Og de, Je

SSDs eee oH a Ls ‘gl i= 3 ‘ 4, * “4 = x“ 2 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. does by a kind of snorting noise, upon which they all fly off with astonishing rapidity. The wild Horses of Arabia are esteemed the most beautiful in the world: They are of a brown colour, their mane and tail of black tufted hair, very short; they are smaller than the tame ones, are very active, and of great swiftness. The. most usual method of taking them is by snares or pits formed in the sand.—lIt is probabie there were once wild horses in Europe, which have long since been brought under subjection——Those found in America were originally of the Spanish breed, sent thither upon its first discovery, which have since become wild, and spread themselves over various parts of that vast conti- ent. They are generally small, not exceeding four- teen hands high; with thick heads, and clumsy joints: Their ears and necks are longer than those of the En- glish Horses. ‘They are easily tamed; and if by acci- dent they should regain their liberty, they seldom be- come wild again, but know their master, and may be easily caught by him. At the age of two years, * the Esco: is in a condition to propagate.—— ‘The mare is generally in season from the * There are various ways of judging of the age of a Horse. The following are.the most generaj:---The eye-pits of old Horses are commoniy hollow; but that mark is equivocal, young Horses, begot by oid stallions, having them also hollow.---The teeth afford the best criterion of the age of Horses. The Horse has, in all, forty teeth; viz. twenty-four grinders, four canine teeth or tusks, and twelve fore-teeth: Mares have either no tusks, or very short ones. Five days after birth, the four teeth in front begin to shoot: These are called nippers, and are cast at the age of two years and a half: They are soon renewed: And the next year, he again casts two above, and two below,---one on each side of the nippers.. At four years and a half, other four fail out, next these last placed: nese last four foal teeth are succeeded by other four, which grow ‘HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, # «3 latter end of March till the beginning of June; but her chief ardour for the Horse continues only fifteen or twenty days. She goes with young eleven months and some days; continues to breed till the age of sixteen or eighteen years; and lives on an average, between twen- ty and thirty years. _ Although the Horse 1s endowed ane vast strength and powers, he seldom exerts either to the prejudice of his master: On the contrary, he shares with him in his labours, and seems to participate in his pleasures ; ge- nerous and persevering, he gives up his whole powers to the service of his master; though bold and intrepid, he represses the natural vivacity and fire of his temper, and not only yields to the hand, but seems to consult the inclination, of his rider. But it must continue to be matter of regret to every feeling mind, that these excellent Cmtities should be often shamefully abused in the most unnecessary exer- tions; and the honest labours of this noble animal ‘thrown away in the ungrateful task of aay ee the purposes of Gheline. folly, or lavished in gratifying the expectations of an intemperate moment. much more slowly than the first eight: And it is from these last four corner teeth, that the age ofa horse is distinguished: They are somewhat hollow in the iaele, and have a black mark in the cavities. At five years, these teeth scarcely rise above the gums; at six, their cavities begin to fill up, and turn to a brownish spot, like the eye of a garden bean; and before eight years the mark ge- nerally disappears. ---The tusks also indicate the age of a horse. Those in the under jaw generally shoot at the age of three years anda half; and the two in the upper jaw atfour: Till six, they con- tinue sharp at the points; but at ten, they appear long and blaotd. ~--T hese are the general rules for ascertaining the age of a Horse; but there are frequent exceptions, as some Horses retain the mark two or three years longer. A 2 THE ARABIAN HORSE. Tuer is scarcely an Arabian, how poor soever in other respects, but is possessed of his Horse, which he considers as an invaluable treasure. Having no other dwelling but a tent, the Arabian and his Horse live upon the most equal terms: His wife and family, his mare and her foal, generally lie indiscriminately toge- ther; whilst the little children frequently climb without fear-upon the body of the inoffensive animal, which permits them to play with and caress it without injury. The Arabs never beat their Horses; they speak to, and seem to hold friendly intercourse with them; they never whip them; and seldom, but in cases of necessity, make use of the spur. Their agility in leaping is wonderful; and if the rider happen to fall, they are so tractable as to stand still inthe midst of the most rapid career—The Arabian Horses, in general Jess than the Race-Horses of | this country, are easy and gracefuPin their motions, and rather inclined to leanness.—It is worthy of remark,” that, instead of crossing the breed, the Arabs take HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 5 every precaution to keep it pure and unmixed: They preserve with the greatest care and for an amazing length of time, the genealogies of their Horses; those of the first kind are called Nobles, being “ of a pure and ancient race, purer than milk.” ‘They have like- wise two other kinds, which, having been degraded by common alliances, sell at inferior prices. From Arabia, the race of Horses has probably ex- tended into Barbary and other parts of Africa; those being considered as next to the Arabian Fivses 3 In swiftness and beauty, though they are somewhat smaller. The Spanish Genette is held in great estimation: Like the former, it is small, but beautiful, and extreme- ly swift. The Horses of India and many parts of China are ex- tremely small and vicious. One of these was some years ago brought into this country as a present to the queen, which was very little larger than some mas- tiffs, measuring only nine hands in height. THE RACE H HORSE. In Great-Britain the breed of horses seems to be as mixed as that of its inhabitants.—By great attention to the improvement of this noble animal, by a judicious mixture of several kinds, and by superior skill in ma- hagement, the English Race-Horse* is allowed to excel 3 “ + Y \ wit, eon er * The following account of the prizes won by some of our capi- tal Race-Horses, will shew the importance of that breed in Eng- Jand where such vast sums frequently depend on the issue oftheir — contests :—— Bay Mattovy, (by Sampson) the property of the late Magus of Rockingham, in seven prizes won the amazing sum of §,900l. At York, he ran four miles in seven minutes and forty-three and an half . > . a seconds, which was seven and an half seconds less time than it was ever done before over the same course. Cuixpers, (well known by the name of Fiying Childers) the pro- perty of the Duke of Devonshire, was allowed by sportsmen to be the fleetest Horse that ever was bred in the world: He started re- peatedly at Newmarket against the best horses of his time, and was Never beaten: he won, in diferent prizes, to the amount of nearly ¢ zoool.; and was afterwards reserved as a stallion.—The sire of Cniakis was an Arabian, sent by a gentleman asa present to his brother in England. ; DoriMANT, a famous Horse | belonging to Lord Ossory, won pri- zes to the greatamount of 13,3631. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 7 those of the rest of Europe, or perhaps the whole world. For supporting a continuance of violent exertion, (or what is called, in the language of the turf, bottom) they are superior to the Arabian, the Barb, or the Persian ; and for swiftness they will yield the palmtonone. An ordinary Racer is known to go at the rate of a mile in less than two minutes; but there have been instances of much greater rapidity: The famous Horse Childers has been known to move eighty-two feet and an half in a second, or nearly a mile in a minute; he has run reund the course at Newmarket, which is little less than four miles, in six minutes and forty seconds. Ecirpse was allowed to be the fleetest Horse that ever ran in England since the time of Childers. After winning king’s plates and other prizes to a great amount, he covered, by subscription, forty mares, at thirty guineas each—besides those of his owner. HiGHFLYER was accounted the best Horse of his time in Eng- land. The sums he won and received amounted to near 9,000. though he never started after five years old. He was never beaten, nor ever paid a forfeit. « Marcuem,a horse belonging to the late W. Fenwick, Esq. besides being a capital racer, was particularly remarkable as a stallion; and may be truly said to have earned more money than any other Horse in the world. He was engaged during nine years of his life, to cover twenty-five mares, at fe) guineas a mare, and was uncom- monly successful in the celebrity of his progeny, having been sire to many of our most famous running Horses. He was remarkable for being the quietest stallion that ever was known; to which per- haps may be attributed his great age, being in his thirty-third year when he died. SHARK won, besides a cup value 120 gs. and eleven hogsheads of claret, the astonishing sum of 15,507 gs. in plates, matches, and forfeits. On the 25th of March, 1799, a match for 3000 gs. was run at New- market, by Sir H. Vane Tempest’s Hamsieronray, and Mr. Crookson’s Dramonp, and won by the former. It was supposed that wagers to the amount of nearly two hundred thousand pounds were betted on the event of this severe race. A 4 $. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 25; THE HUNTER Is a happy combination of the Race-Horse with others ' of superior strength, but inferior in swiftness; and may be considered as the most useful breed of horses in Europe. Their spirit and activity in the field are well known, and can only be equalled by the perseverance with which they endure the much more severe labour of posting on the road, which is now carried on by this” active and hardy race, with a celerity unknown at ay former period. Geldings of this kind are sent over to the continent in great numbers: Their superior worth is universally ac- knowledged abroad; and they are sold at very high ‘prices to foreigners of the first distinction. The mixture of this with others of inferior rank forms an endless variety, the different gradations becoming too _ minute to be discriminated. CU OOO HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 9 Tee TENN peal | ii} ———i ea A (em Ez : eae VLE ge pe Z E ae sao re - 5 Zi = ey Me nett - a = = sf ay Bm SS ey So ae ee ee SOG I RE Pee amd us ES nag / a PELE apaanaiiose PE ig THE OLD ENGLISH ROAD-HORSE Is astrong, vigorous, and active kind, capable of en- during great hardship; its stature rather low, seldom ex- ceeding fifteen hands; the body round and compact, its limbs strong, and its head thick. Although this breed has of late years been neglect- ed, and almost totally superceded by Horses of another kind, more nearly related to the Race-Horse, where the fashion of figure seems to have been preferred to utility, we cannot help congratulating our associated country- men* on their spirited exertions towards public improve- ment, in which nothing of excellency in the various kinds of domestic animals is suffered to escape their vigilance, and this kind is again likely to be brought into notice. A mare of this breed, in the possession of Arthur Mowbray, Esq. of Sherburn, appears to us to possess all the valuable properties attributed to the old Road- Horse. \ * Agricultural Societies, 10 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE BLACK HORSE. / No other country has produced a breed of Horses equal in size and strength to the larger kind of our draught Horses. The cavalry of England formerly con- sisted of this class of Horses; but their inutility being experienced in most situations, others of a’lighter and more active kind have been oe siberian except in a few regiments. The fens of Lincolnshire produce a larger breed than any other part of the kingdom. In London, there have been instances where a single Horse of that kind has drawn, fora small space, the enormous weight of three tons, half of which is known to be their ordinary draught. | Considerable improvements have of late years been made in this kind of Horses, by Mr. Bakewell of Dish- ley, and others; who, by great ingenuity and attention, | have acquired such celebrity, that they frequently. sell stallions of their respective breeds for two hundred gui- neas;,or, what is a more general practice, let them to HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. gf hire by the season, for forty, eighty, or perhaps an hun- dred guineas; and some of them cover at five guineas a mare. The form of the black Lincolnshire Horse has, by their management, been materially altered; The long fore-end, long back, and long thick hairy legs, have gradually contracted into a short thick carcase, a short but upright fore-end, and short clean legs; expe- rience having at length proved, that strength and activi- ty, rather than height and weight, are the most essential properties of farm Horses. Another advantage possessed by this improved breed, is his hardiness, or thriving quality; its being able to carry flesh, or stand hard work, with comparatively lit- tle provender. ‘This hardiness of constitution, or natu- ral propensity to thriving, the Leicestershire breeders assert is hereditary in particular individual breeds or lines of Horses. If this observation be just, and that the feeding quality can be obtained with any degree of cer- tainty by management in breeding, in this as well as other kinds of live stock, it 1s a most interesting cir- cumstance in the nature of domestic animals. A strong, bony, and active kind of Horses is now used in our carriages, instead of the old black Coach- Horse, which is almost universally laid aside. The docked tail, offensive both to humanity and decency, is rarely to be seen: Propriety and good sense have at length prevailed over a custom replete with absurdi- ty; and our Florses are permitted to retain a member both useful and ornamental. But we have still to re- gret, that the cruel practice of forming the tail, by cut- ting and nicking it on the under side, is yet continued. Although it would be impossible to trace out the kind -of Horses with which our British ancestors opposed themselves to the legions of Julius Cesar, on his Janding _ — TZ HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. in this country; yet that celebrated warrior himself bears testimony to their activity and discipline. _ The Ponies of Wales, and those brought out of the Highlands of Scotland, seem to be original and un- | mixed. They are both much esteemed for the neat- ness and beauty of their forms, for the nimbleness of their motions, and, above all, for being remarkably sure footed in the most difficult roads, which renders them extremely valuable in the mountainous tracts to which they originally belong —Those brought from Shet- land are the smallest of the genus, being in general, much less than the Ass. Ne att SS UTR: aye aN), RAS ARN, wis 5 Lees re — 77 Se F SEES 13 x ig Mi Saihip 2 uh a Hl Sani eS at isl ul SS * = : SSS i eae ~- KUrGie PRE ee aad THE COMMON CART HORSE Is inferior to the Black Horse both in size and strength: His form is heavy, his motions slow, and his aspect without sprightliness: he is nevertheless extremely use- ful, and is employed in the business of agriculture and other domestic concerns. 3 ASS WS 4 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. Yfyg\\ Y Yip, | | Y y Yi! iy i S Ht ib Uy ( THE IMPROVED CART HORSE. Ir will be gratifying to most of our readers to know that the spirit of improvement has extended itself great- ly to this useful breed; and, to the advantages of strength and docility, has added those of form, activity, and vigour.—George Baker, Esq. of Elemore, in the county of Durham, has a remarkably fine Horse of this kind, from which this figure was drawn. © Till of late years, Pack-Horses were employed in the northern counties of England, to carry the different ma- nufactures and articles of trafic from one part of the kingdom to another; but the improved state of our. roads has caused that mode of conveyance to be almost laid aside. In their journies over trackless moors, they strictly adhere to the line of order and regularity custom has taught them to observe: The leading Horse, which HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 15 is always chosen for his sagacity and steadiness, being furnished with bells, gives notice to the rest, who fol- low the sound, and generally without much deviation, though sometimes at a considerable distance. ‘The fol- lowing anecdote will shew with what obstinate perse- verance they have been known to observe the line of their order:—Some years AZO one of these Horses, which had been long accustomed to follow his leader, by accident or fatigus, was thrown into an inferior rank y The poor animal, as if sensible of his disgrace, by the most strenuous exertions, at length recovered his usual station, which he maintained during the re- mainder of the journey; but, on his arrival in the inn- yard, he dropped down dead upon the spot, his life fal- ling a sacrifice to his ambition,—a species of heroism ' we must admire even in the brute creation. i6 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE MULE. Tuts useful and hardy animal is the offspring of the Florse and the Ass, and being generally barren, fur- nishes an indisputable proof that the two species are perfectly distinct. Nature has providentially stopped the further propagation of these heterogeneous produc- tions, to preserve, uncontaminated, the form of each animal; without which regulation, the races would in a short time be mixed with each other, and every crea- ture, losing its original perfection, would rapidly dege- netate. | Mules have not unfrequently been known to bring forth young, especially in hot countries; and instances have not been wanting, though they are rare, both in England and Scotland. But it would require a sluicces= sion of experiments to prove that Mules will breed — with each other, and produce. an ofispring equally ca- pable of continuing the race. ee The common Mule is very healthy, and will live above thirty years. It is found very serviceable in car- HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 17 tying burthens, particularly in mountainous and stony places, where Horses are not so sure-footed.—The size and strength of our breed have lately been much im: proved by the importation of Spanish Male-Asses; and it were much to be wished, that the useful qualities of this animal were more attended to: For, by proper care in its breaking, its natural obstinacy would in a great measure be corrected; and it might be formed with success for the saddle, the draught, or the bur- then. - . : Bas | People of the first quality in Spain are drawn by Mules, where fifty or sixty guineas is no uncommon price for one of them; nor is it surprizing, when we consider how far they excel the Horse in travelling in a mountainous country, the Mule being able to tread sci where the former can hardly stand.—Their manner of going down the precipices of the Alps, the Andes, Bc. is very extraordinary; and with it we will ‘conclude their history. In these passages, on one side, are steep eminences, and, on the other, frightful abyss-- es; and, as they generally follow the direction of the mountain, the road, instead of lying in a level, forms, at every little distance, deep declivities of several hundred yards downward. ‘These can only be descended by Mules; and the animal itself seems sensible of the dan- ger, and the caution that is to be used in such descents. When they come to the edge of one of these precipi- ces, they stop without being checked by the rider; and if he inadvertently attempt to spur them on, they con- tinue immoveable. ‘They seem all this time ruminat- ing on the danger that lies before them, and preparing themselves for the encounter. They not only atten- B 18 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. tively yiew the road, but tremble and snort at the dan- ger. Having prepared for the descent, they place their fore feet in a posture, as if they were stopping them- selves; they then also put their hind feet together, but a little forward, as if they were going to lie down. In this attitude, having taken as it were a survey of the road, they slide down with the swiftnes’ of a meteor. In the mean time, all the rider has to do is to keep himself fast on the saddle without checking the rein, for the least motion is sufficient to disorder the equili- brium of the Mule; in which case they both unavoid- ably perish. But their address in this rapid descent is truly wonderful; for in their swiftest motion, when they seem to have lost all government of themselves, they fol- low exactly the different windings of the road, as if they had previously settled in their minds the route they were to follow, and taken every precaution for their safety. In this journey, the natives place themselves along the sides of the mountains, and, holding by the roots of the trees, animate the beasts with shouts, and encourage them to persevere. Some Mules, after be- ing long she to these journies, acquire a kind of repu- tation a their safety and skill; and their value rises in proportion to their fame. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 19 Yj Wi cs Hil) 7H ie AN Ly 7 cM tf 3 a j aS aa { Aue By a | i BI 17 ; fis ly aD alin y} F yey ‘Se | \ es y a Mie ai THE ASS. (Equus Asinus, Lin:—L’ Ane, Buff.) Tue Ass, it is probable, was originally a native of Arabia and other parts of the East: The deserts of Ly- bia and Numidia, and many parts of the Archipelago, contain vast herds of wild Asses, which run with such amazing swiftness, that even the Heetest Horses of the country can hardly overtake them. They are chiefly caught by the natives on account of their flesh, which is eaten by them, and considered as a delicious repast. ‘The flesh of the common or tame Ass is however drier, more tough, and disagreeable than that of the Horse: Galen says, it 1s even unwholesome: Its milk, on the contrary, is an approved remedy for certain disorders. The Ass, like the Horse, was originally imported in- to America by the Spaniards, where it has run wild, and become extremely numerous. Ulloa informs us that, in the kingdom of Quito, they hunt them in the following B 2 20 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. manner:—A number of persons on horseback, attend- ed by Indians on foot, form a large circle in order to drive them into a narrow compass, where at full speed they throw a noose over them, and having secured them with fetters, leave them till the chace is over, which frequently lasts for several days. A warm climate is most favourable to the growth of this animal: The Ass produced in this country is much inferior in size and beauty to those of Spain and other warm countries: In Guinea, they are larger and more beautiful than even their Horses: In Persia, they have two kinds,—the one slow and heavy, which is made use of for carrying burthens; the other nimble, smooth, and stately, used chiefly for the saddle. Holingshed informs us, that, in the reign of queen Elizabeth, there were no Asses in England: How soon after they might be introduced, is uncertain. How- ever they are at present naturalized in this kingdom, where their utility becomes daily more universally ex- — perienced. q The qualities of this animal are so well known as, to need no description: His gentleness, patience, and per- severance, are without example: He is temperate with regard to food, and eats contentedly the coarsest and most neglected herbage: If he give the preference to any vegetable, it is to the plantain, for which he will neglect every other herb in the pasture. In his water he is singularly nice, drinking only from the clearest brooks. He is so much afraid of wetting his feet, that even when loaden, he will turn aside, to avoid the dir- ty parts of the road. He is stronger, in proportion to his size, than the Horse; but more sluggish, stubborn and untractable. a ee eee eee eee eee ” —-—~ HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 21 _ He -his hardier than the Horse; and, of all other qua- drupeds, is least infested with lice or other vermin; pro- bably owing to the extreme hardness and dryness of his skin. For the same reason, perhaps, he js less sensitive of the goads of the whip, or the stinging of flies. He is three or four years in coming to perfection; and lives to the age of twenty, or sometimes twenty-five years. He sleeps much less than the Horse, and never lies down for that purpose but when he is much fa- tigued. The She-Ass goes eleven months with young, and seldom produces more than one at a time. The services of this useful creature are too often re- paid by hard fare and cruel usage ; and being general- ly the property of the poor, it partakes of their wants and their distresses: Whereas, by due cultivation and care in its education, the Ass might be usefully and profitably employed in a variety of domestic purposes, and in many cases supply the place of the Horse, to which only it is second, though generally degraded into the most useless and neglected of domestic quadrupeds. Wain nit) Sots Uy Arn SS wi) Wb UL aa, ‘ capt ae \ : ib UNS\) Des ema Reet! SS —'? Tae tN TS Sst ae, ee ) it es PP ee SN Pers arg aa es ee FT MT =i LI Ne B 3 22 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, THE ZEBRA. hy (Equus Zebra, Lin.—Le Zebre, Buff.) Many authors have mistaken the Zebra for a wild Ass; it is the most beautiful, as well as the wildest, most timid, and untameable animal in nature. It is larger than the Ass, and rather resembles the Mule in shape: Its head is large; its ears long; its legs beauti- fully small, and well placed; and its body well formed, round, and fleshy: But the beauty of its shape is great- ly heightened by the glossy smoothness of its skin, and the amazing regularity and elegance of its colours, which in some are white and brown, and in others white and black, ranged in alternate stripes over the whole body, in a style so beautiful and ornamental, that it would at first sight seem rather the effect of art, than the genu- ine production of nature: The head is striped with fine bands of black and white, which form a center in the forehead ; the neck is adorned with stripes of the same colour running round it; the body is beautifully varie- HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 23 gated with bands running across the back, and ending In points at the belly ; tts thighs, its legs, its ears, and even its tail, are all beautifully streaked in the same manner. i The Zebra inhabits the southern parts of Africa, where whole herds are seen feeding in those extensive plains that lie towards the Cape of Good Hope. How- ever, their watchfulness is such, that they will suffer nothing to come near them; and their swiftness so great that they easily leave their pursuers far behind. Such is the beauty of this creature, that it seems by nature fitted to gratify the pride, and formed for the ser- vice of man; and it is most probable, that time and as- siduity alone are wanting to bring it under subjection. As it resembles the Horse in regard to its form, as well as manner of living, there can be little doubt but it pos- sesses a similitude of nature, and only requires the ef- forts of an industrious and skilful nation, to be added to the number of our useful dependents. Nevertheless its liberty has hitherto remained uncontrouled, and its natural fiercéness has as yet resisted every attempt to subdue it: Those that have been brought to this coun- try, have discovered a degree of viciousness that render- ed it unsafe to approach them too familiarly; but it is by no means to be concluded from hence, that they are untameable. They have Continued to be wild, because they are natives of a country where the wretched inha- bitants have no other idea of advantage from the animal creation than as they are good for food, paying more regard to that which affords the most delicious repast than to delicacy of colouring, or beauty of conformation, B4 24: HISTORY OF QOUADRUPEDS, i RUMINATING ANIMALS. Tue various animals of this kind are entirely confin- ed to grain and herbage for their nourishment and sup- port; it is therefore necessary that they should be ena- bled to receive a large quantity into the stomach, as well as to retain it for a considerable time before it be reduced to proper chyle: For this purpose, their intes- tines are remarkably long and capacious, and formed in- to a variety of foldings. They are furnished with no Jess than four stomachs. The food, after mastication, is thrown into the first stomach, where it remains some time; after which, it is forced up again into the mouth and undereoes a second chewing: Iti is then sent direct- ly into the second stomach, A gradually passes into the third and fourth; from whence it is transmitted through the convolutions of the intestines. By this conformation, ruminating animals are enabled to de- vour large quantities of vegetable aliment, to retain it long in otieis bowels, and contenucaliy extract from it a quantity of nutritious matter sufficient for their growth and support. The great obligations we are under to those of this class, render them objects of the highest importance to us. We are nourished withgtheir milk, we are support- ed by their flesh, and we are clothed and warmed with their fleeces: Their harmlessness and innocence endear them to us, and claim from us that protection which their natures seem to require ; ; and, in return, they sup- pl y us with the necessaries and comforts of life. . HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 2 ta -° THE OX KIND. (Bos Taurus, Lin.—Le Taureau, Buf.) OF all guadrupeds, the Cow seems most extensively propagated: itis equally capable of enduring the ni- gours of heat and cold; and is an inhabitant of the fro- zen, as well as the most scorching climates. Other animals preserve their nature or their form with inflex- ible perseverance ; but these.in every respect, suit them- selves to the wants and conveniences of mankind. In no animal is there to be met with a greater variety of kinds; and in none, a more humble and pliant disposi- tion. : The climate and pastures of Great Britain are adapt- ed to the nature of this animal; and we are indebted to the variety and abundance of our wholesome ve- getables, for the number and excellence of our cattle, which range over our hills, and enliven our plains—a source of inexhaustible wealth—the pride and boast of ' this happy country. 3 Being destitute of the upper fore teeth, the Cow pie- fers the high and rich grass in pastures, to the short and more delicate herbage generally selected by the Horse. For this reason, in our English pastures, where the grass is rather high and floifthing. than succulent and nutritious, the cow thrives admirably; and there is no part of Europe in which this animal grows larger, yields more milk, or fattens sooner. It has often been remarked, that the Horse and Sheep impoverish the soil on which they graze, whislt the pas- ture where the Cow is fed, acquires a finer surtace, and every year becomes more level and beautiful: The i ‘ 26 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. Horse selects the grass that is most delicate and tender: and, being furnished with fore teeth on each jaw, nips it close, and frequently pulls it up by the roots, thereby preventing its future growth and propagation: The Sheep also, though formed like the Cow with respect to its teeth, only bites the most succulent part of the herbage. The age of a Cow is known by its horns: At the age of four years, a ring is formed at their roots; and every succeeding year, another ring isadded. ‘Thus, by allow- ing three years before their appearance, and then reckoning the number of rings, the creature’s age may be exactly known. The quantity of milk given by Cows is very various: Some will yield only about six quarts in one day: while others give from ten to fifteen, and sometimes even twenty. The richness of the pasture contributes not a little to its increase. There have been instances of Cows giving upwards of thirty quarts of milk in one day. In. such cases, there is a necessity for milking them thrice: —From the milk of some Cows, twelve or fourteen ie pounds of butter are made in a week. | It has been advanced by some naturalists, as a gene- ral principle, that neither animals, nor parts of animals, appear to be primarily intended for the use of man; but are only capable of a 1 secondary application to his purposes: Yet it must be allowed that, in many instan- ces what they term the secondary use, Is so manifest and important, that it cannot, with propriety, be suppo- sed to be excluded from the original design of the all- wise Creator: and it must be allowed that the Cow, in its faculty of giving in such abundance and with so much ease, its milk, which forms so rich and nutritive HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 27 an aliment for the human species, is a striking example of this subordination to the interests of mankind: For this animal differs, in some parts of its organization, from most others, having a larger and more capacious udder, and longer and thicker teats, than the largest animal we know of: It has hkewise four teats, whilst all other animals of the same nature have but two: It also yields the milk freely to the hand, whilst most ani- mals, at least those who do not ruminate in the same manner, refuse it, except their own young, or some adopted animal, be allowed to partake. The Cow, having four teats, is a striking peculiarity ; the number in all other animals bearing some propor- tion to the number of young ones they bring forth at a time; as in the Bitch, the Cat, the Sow, &c. The Cow will yield her milk as freely, and will conti- nue to give it as long, without the aid of the calf, as if it were permitted to suck her constantly. ‘This is not the case with the Ass; which, it is well known, will soon grow dry, if her foal be not permitted to suck part of her milk every day. 7 Upon the whole, it appears, that the property of yield- ing milk, without the young one, is confined to those kinds of ruminating horned animals which have cloven hoofs, four stomachs, long intestines, are furnished with suet, and have no fore teeth in the upper jaw; that Cows, Sheep, Goats, and Deer, are of this kind, and no other; and that the Cow has this property in 2 more eminent degree than others, owing to the capaciousness of her udder, and the size and form of her teats. The Cow goes nine months with young, and seldom produces more than one at a time. \ 5 i 4 i * 2s | HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. It is a curious fact, that when a Cow happens to bring forth two calves,—one of them a male, the other a female,—the former is a perfect animal, but the latter is incapable of propagation, and is well known to farm- ers under the denomination of a Free Martin. It re- sembles the Ox, or spayed Heifer, in figure; and is considerably larger than the Cow. It is sometimes pre- served by the farmer, for the purpose of yoking with the Oxen, or fattening for the table —Mr. Hunter observes, that the flesh of the Free Martin, like that of the Ox, is much finer in the fibre than either the Bull or Cow. It is supposed to exceed that of the Heifer in delicacy of favour, and bears a higher price at market. By. great industry and attention to their breed, and by judicious mixtures with those of others countries, our horned cattle are universally allowed to be the finest in Europe; although such as are purely British are in- ferior in size to those on many parts of the continent. ee Le ee ee HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ZH hres : pie ee 2 SERA Ae, iw) oe ee SS ROSES SN Nae s ee EN S&S Seas Sy ) : oS ; AX ' eC MVSs ss ‘ SS eee Cita, THE HOLSTEIN, OR DUTCH BREED, Has been introduced with great success, and is now the prevailing stock in all the counties on the eastern coast of this kingdom.—In good pastures, cattle of this kind grow to a great size*; and the Cows yield a greater abundance of milk than those of almost any other kind. : ' * An Ox, fed by Mr. Edward Hall, of Whiley in Northumber- land, and killed in March, 1789, when seven years old, measured, from the head to the rump, nine feet eight inches and an half; és g0 HISTORY. OF QUADRUPEDS. v eae : f La = dl 2253 ES a —= — i 3 Ses ee SS ’ =< Hy Ye fe a Wy; Wy | MM — Le OOD MOS ae Se ATE SM SEE THE IMPROVED HOLSTEIN, OR DUCTH BREED. ae Tus rapid improvements which have taken place in this and other kinds, form an interesting subject of en- quiry, of which the limits of our work will not allow us the height, at the shoulder, was five feet ten inches; and it weigh- 4 ed, without the offal, one hundred and eighty-seven stone five pounds---fourteen pounds te the stone, ' oil aN ae, be HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. le to give ™ outlines. We shall however notice the ge- ner principles which have been laid down, and stead- ily adhered to, in the improvement of the several breeds of cattle; and which have been so successfully brought into practice. ‘The first, and most obvious, is gee: of form,—a principle which has been in common ion ed to every species of domestic cattle; and, with grea seeming propriety, was supposed to form the basis z every kind of improvement; under an idea, that beauty of form and utility were inseparable. But at present, a distinction is made, by men who have been long con- versant in practice, between a useful sort and a sort that is merely handsome. Utility of form is therefore the next general principle, and may be considered as arising from a larger proportion of those parts which are the most useful: Thus, for instance, all those parts which are deemed offal, or which bear an inferior price, should be small in proportion to the better parts. A third principle of improvement, laid down by breeders, con- sists in the fineness of the muscular parts, or what is termed flesh. But the great object which engrosses the attention of breeders at present is the fattening quality, or a natural propensity in cattle to arrive at a state of fatness at an early age, and in a short space of time: And it appears, from observation, that beauty and uti- lity of form, the quality of the flesh, and its propensity to fatness, are principles consistent with each other, are frequently found united in the same individual, and he- reditary in particular lines or families of cattle.—In re- gard to the means of improvement, it has long been an established maxim, that, to improve the breed, it Is ne- cessary to cross it with others of an alien stock, under eile HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. an opinion, that continuing to breed from the same line, weakens the stock. This idea, however rooted it may have been in the minds of former practitioners, 1s now entirely set aside by the modern practice of breeding, not from the same line only, but from the same family: The sire and the daughter, the son and the mother, the bro- ther and sister, are now permitted to improve their own kind. ‘This practice is well known under the term of breeding, 77-and-in ; and, in this way, the improvement of the several breeds has advanced rapidly to a height _ unknown before in any age or nation. The practice of letting out Bulls by the season has contributed very materially towards the improvement of this valuable breed; as, by this means, one Bull, in- stead of being useful to his proprietor only, may, in a few years, extend the benefits of his stock through a whole district; and so fully are the stock-masters con- vinced of its advantages, that eighty guineas have been given for the use of a Bull for one season. Some Bulls are in such estimation, as to leap at the extraordinary price of five guineas a Cow: And it is, perhaps, a cir- cumstance worth mentioning, that Mr. Fowler, of Roll- right, in Oxfordshire, in 1789, for ten Bull calves, refus- : ed five hundred guineas. * es * This valuable stock was sold of in March, 1791, at the fol- > lowing enormous prices, viz. Garrick, a five-year old bull, 205 jee me, Sultan, two years old, 210 Washington, two years old, 206 Young Suitan, a yearling bull, 200 Two yearling bulls, 245 _Brindled Beauty, a cow, 260 Vashington’s mother, in calf 185 Some of the rams sold as high as 60 ie (id LHE LONG HORNED, OR LANCA- SHIRE BREED, Is common in Lancashire,' Westmorland, and Cumber- land, and some of the neighbouring counties; and, not- withstanding the changes which have taken place by the introduction of foreign kinds, there is reason to be- lieve that this, for a considerable time at least, has been es prevailing stock of the kingdom at large. © Mr. Marshall, in his excellent treatise on the « Qi¢o- nomy of the Midland Counties,” observes, that, from this kind the present improved breed of cattle in Leicester- shire is traceable, by the most indisputable evidence. From Bulls brought out of Westmorland and Lanca- shire, and Cows from the banks of the ‘Trent, the celebra- ted Canley breed, the property of Mr. Webster, derived its origin; and about fifty years ago it Was esteemed the & ra a4, HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. most valuable at that time in the kingdom. From this breed, the late Mr. Bakewell obtained the ‘source of his spperior stock of cattle: and ‘several other eminent breeders are also indebted to the same origin for the ce- lebrity they have since attained. Great improvements have of late years been made tn the old Lancashire kind, both in size and beauty. Cra- ven, in Yorkshire, has long been celebrated for a supe- rior variety of the long-horned kind: And from thence ' the graziers of Westmorland and Lancashire purchased the flower’ of their Heifers; which, by crossing with the original stock of those counties, have produced a breed, wie is now had recoursé to, for the improve- ment of this kind of cattle, in every ls of the kingdom. —Some of the Bulls are extremely large. ‘Their horns are not long, but beautifully aneas their hair short and smooth ; their crests rise extremely high; theirchests are let down to their knees; their bodies are long, and inthe form of a perfect cylinder. arg es pet i ra ug ieee eet Sire 7 re 7 .- bites . CA SER ee NS HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 3 ee Nig bie ae Ko WZ i? ! By ip \ iN GY Al ee E Hie Was aa CZ i} —— Wp ip if) i hid i go LANNY A = Rh Ai 3 —— t SANE =a = SON ie ae ae “ pte ZN) Su] ve SF Ie —— — Mees Lay, a ZAG Vt a 47 ge z iy a gee THE LANCASHIRE OX. Tus Cows and Oxen are smaller. Their horris are long and small, very smooth; and their colour, in ge- neral, approaches to yellow: their hair is beautifully curled, and their whole form extremely handsome— The Oxen frequently grow to a considerable size, are “very active, and consequently useful in the draught. They are well suited to a cold climate, and grow iat - on different pastures. ‘In Scotland there are two kinds, achich differ greatly tl each other, as well as from all those in the south- gern parts of this island. ~ Those of the county of Galloway are without horns, and generally of a reddish-brown colour, mixed with black. Large droves of these are yearly brought into the southern parts of this kingdom, where they soon greatly improve. ni ay 36in MISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. LHE KYLOE OX. i, Tut Highland cattle, and those bred in the Western Islands, are very small, and partake much of the wild- ness of the country in which they are bred. They are mostly black, with fine white horns, very sharp, and black at the points; their hair is thick and furry., Great numbers of these are likewise sold into England at the great northern fairs. ‘They are greatly esteem- ed for the fineness and sweetness of their beef, as well as for the facility with which they acquire a considera-_ ble degree of fatness, even with moderate feeding. Aliiotal the oxen of this breed, when fed in the or- dinary way, do not exceed forty stone the four quarters, one of them, fed by Mr. Spearman of Rothley Park, in Northumberland, weighed, when killed.in 1790, at the age of six years, eighty-one stone. In Great Britain the Ox is the only horned Baiwal that will apply his strength to the service of mankind ; and, in general, is more profitable than the Horse for 4 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 37 the plough or the draught. There is scarcely any part of this animal without its use: The skin is made into va- rious kinds of Jeather; the hair is mixed with lime for plaistering ; the bones are made use of asa substitute for ivory, and, being calcined, are used by the refiner as an absorbent to carry off the baser metals in refining silver, &c.: combs, and many other articles are made of the horns; we are supplied with candles from the tallow; and from the feet is procured an oil, of great use in pre- paring and softening leather; besides the well-known benefits derived fin butter, milk, and cheese; its blood, gall, liver, and urine, have their respective uses in manufactures and medicine. oe aL eta Ka See Shae BQ Ws RO Me WN » 4 wy “XS C 3 Bs 9 ae 38 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. se WILD CATTLE. TuHrre was formerly a very singular species of wild cattle in this country, which is now nearly extinct. Numerous herds of them were kept in several parks in England and Scotland; but they have been destroyed by various means: And the only breeds now remaining HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 89 in the kingdom, are in the park at Chillingham-castle, in Northumberland; at Wollaton, in Nottinghamshire, the seat of Lord Middleton; at Gisburne, in Craven, Yorkshire ; at Lime-hall, in Cheshire ; and at Chartley, in Staffordshire. | The principal external appeances which distinguish this breed of cattle from all others, are the follow- ing :—Their colour is invariably white ; muzzles black ; the whole of the inside of the ear, and about one-third of the outside, from the tip downwards, red* ; horns white, with black tips, very fine, and bent upwards : Some of the Bulls have a thin upright mane, about an inch and an half, or two inches long. ' At the first appearance of any person they set off in full gallop, and, at the distance of two or three hun- dred yards, make a wheel round, and come boldly up again, tossing their heads in a menacing manner: On a sudden they make a full stop, at the distance of forty or fifty yards, looking wildly at the object of their sur- prise; but, upon the least motion being made, they all again turn round, and fly off with equal speed, but not to the same distance: Forming a shorter circle, and again returning with a bolder and more threatening as- pect than before, they approach much nearer, probably * About twenty years since, there were a few, at Chillingham, with BLACK EARs, but the present park-keeper destroyed them; —since which period there has not been one with black ears.— The ears and noses of all those at Wollaton are BLack.—At Gis- burne there are some perfectly waire, except the inside of their ears, which are Brown. They are without horns, very strong- boned, but not high. They are said to have been originally brought from Whalley-abbey, in Lancashire, upon its dissolution in the thirty-third of Henry the Eighth. Tradition says, they were drawn to Gisbune by the ¢ power of music.’ C 4 40 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. within thirty yards; when they make another stand, and again fly off: This they do several times, shorten- ing their distance and advancing nearer, till they come within ten yards; when most people think it prudent ‘to leave them, not chusing to provoke them further; for there is little doubt but in two or three turns they would make an attack. The mode of killing them was, perhaps, the only modern remains of the grandeur of ancient hunting. On notice being given that a wild Bull would be killed on a certain day, the inhabitants of the neighbourhood came mounted, and armed with guns, &c. sometimes to the amount of an hundred horse, and four or five hundred foot who stood upon walls, or got into trees, — while the horsemem rode off the Bull from the rest of | the herd, until he stood at bay; when a marksman dis- mounted and shot. At some of these huntings twenty or thirty shots has been fired before he was subdued. On such occasions the bleeding victim grew desperately furious from the smarting of his wounds, and the shouts of savage joy that were echoing from every side: But, from the number of accidents that happened, this dan- gerous mode has been little practised of late years; the park-keeper alone generally shooting them with 4 a rifle gun, at one shot. When the Cows calve, they hide their calves for a week or ten days in some sequestered situation, and go and suckle them two or three times a-day. If any per- son come near the calves, they clap their heads close to the ground, and lie like a hare in form, to hide them- selves: This is a proof of their native wildness, and is corroborated by the following circumstance that hap- pened to the writer of this narrative, who found a hid- HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. Al aden calf two days old, very lean and very weak:—On stroking its head, it got up, pawed two or three times like an old Bull, bellowed very loud, stepped back a few steps, and bolted at his legs with all its force; it then began to paw again, bellowed, stepped back, and bol- ted as before ; but knowing its intention, and stepping aside, it missed him, fell, and was so very weak that it could not rise, though it made several efforts; But it had done enough; the whole herd were alarmed, and coming to its rescue, obliged him to retire; for the dams willallow no person to touch their calves, without attacking them with impetuous ferocity.* When any one happens to be wounded, or is grown weak or feeble through age or sickness, the rest of the herd set upon it, and gore it to death. The weight of the Oxen is generally from forty to fifty stone the four quarters ; the Cows about thirty. The beef is finely marbled, and of excellent flavour. Those at Burton-Constable, in the county of York, were all destroyed by a distemper a few years since. They varied slightly from those at Chillingham, having black ears and muzzles, and the tips of their tails of the same colour: They were also much larger, many of them weighing sixty stone; probably owing to the richness of the pasture in Holderness, but generally at- tributed to the difference of kind between those with black and red ears, the former of which they studiously endeavoured to preserve. ‘The breed which was at Drumlanrig, in Scotland, had also black ears. * Tame Cows, in season, are frequently turned out amongst the Wild Cattle at Chillingham, and admit the Bull. It is somewhat extraordinary, that the calves produced by this means are invaria- bly of the same colour with the wild breed, (white, with red ears) and retain a good deal of the fierceness of their sire, ee THE URUS, OR WILD BULL, Is chiefly to be met with in the extensive forests of Li- thuania. It grows to asize almost equal to the Elephant, and is quite black; the eyes are red and fiery, the horns thick and short, and the forehead covered with a quan- tity of curled hair; the neck is short and strong, and the skin has an odour of musk. The female, though not so big as the male, exceeds the largest of our bulls in size: Nevertheless, her udder is extremely small. Up- on the whole, however, this animal, which greatly re- _ i sembles those of the tame kind, probably owes its va- riety to its natural wildness, and the richness of the pastures where it is produced. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 43° eat —— oa ue es = *. J yp, Y Pa, = Uy : ee ees = EL LEE] ‘i p we eae : ee G ice elt Soyprerw oes (tt are Foe E “0 OL Up ge OOS Tom ee AO I een ET NERA? x FS ss ttf, SLATED ee ae ont er ere LHE BISON, (Bos Bison. Lin.—Le Bison, Amerique, Buff.) Dirrers from the rest of the Ox kind, in havinga large lump between its shoulders, almost as high as that ofacamel. He has a long shaggy mane, which forms a kind of beard under his chin; his eyes are fierce, his forehead large, and his horns extremely wide. It is dangerous to pursue him, except in forests abounding with trees large enough to conceal the hunters. He is generally taken in pits covered with branches of trees and erass, on the opposite of which the hunters tempt the animal to pursue; and the enraged creature run- ning towards them, falls into the trap prepared for it, and is then overpowered and slain. The Bison, or the animal with the hump, is found in all the southern parts of the world, though greatly differing from each other in size and form. t pe | hh HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE ZEBU. Tuey, are all equally docile and gentle, when tam- ed; and are in general covered with fine glossy hair, softer and more beautiful than that of the common Cow.—Their humps are of different sizes, in some weighing from forty to fifty pounds, but in others less. That part is in general considered as a creat delicacy ; and, when dressed, has much the appearance and taste of udder. The Bisons of Madagascar and Malabar are of the great kind; those of Arabia Petrea, and most parts of Africa, are of the Zebu or small kind. In Ameriea, especially towards the North, the Bison is well known. They herd together, in droves of from one to two hundred, on the banks of the Missisippi; where the inhabitants hunt them ;—their flesh is esteem- ed good eating. | They all biked with the tame Cow. The hump, which is only an accidental characteristic, gradually de- clines; and, in a few generations, no vestiges of it ree HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ap’ main.— Thus we see, whether it be the wild or the tame Ox, the Bonasus or the Urus, the Bison or the Zebu, by whateyer name they are distinguished, or _ however variously classed by naturalists, in reality they are the same; and though diversified in their appear- ance and properties, are descendants of one common- stock ; of which the most unequivocal proof is, that they all mix and breed with each other. The Oven of Indiaare of different sizes, and are made use of in travelling, as substitutes for Horses. Instead. of a bit, a small cord is passed through the cartilage of the nostrils, which is tied to a larger cord, and serves asa bridle. ‘They are saddled like Horses; and, when pushed, move very briskly. “They are likewise used in drawing chariots and carts. For the former purpose, white Oxen are in great esteem, and much admired. They will perform journies of sixty days, at the rate of from twelve to fifteen leagues a day; and their travel-— ling pace is generally a trot. In Persia, there are many Oven entirely white, with small blunt horns, and humps on their backs. ‘They are very strong and carry heavy burthens. When about to be loaded, they drop down on their knees like the Camel, and rise when their burthens are properly fas~ tened. AG HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE GRUNTING OX. (Bos Grunniens, Lin. —La Vache de Tartarie, Buff.) Tue Sarluc, or Grunting-Cow of Tartary, from its resemblance to the Bison, may be considered as belong- ing to the same species: Its horns are short, upright, slender, and very sharp; the hair on its body is black, except the mane and ridge of the back, where it is white ; its whole body is acne with very long hair, hicr: hangs down below its knees, and taalkee its legs appear short; it has a hump on its back; its tail resembles that of a horse, is white, and very bushy; it strikes with its head like a goat, and is very unruly; its a distinguishing peculiarity is, that it makes a grunting ~~ noise like a hog, instead of lowing like the Ox, which in every other instance it greatly resembles. It abounds in the kingdom of Thibet, where it is domesticated. _ The wild breed, called Bucha, is extremely fierce. When wounded, it will sometimes turn upon its assail- ant and attack him with great fury. It copulates with the tame Cow. Their produce is employed in domestic purposes. Its tail is very valuable, and is sold at a great price in Thibet. When mounted on a silver handle, it is used by the principal men in India, as a brush to chase away the flies. It is sometimes fastened, as an ornament, to the ear of the Klephant.—The Chinese dye the hair red, and form it into tufls to adorn their bonnets. a”. « Ks Hi ArT ee ARN ; — SEM Seg PP ifs 5 ae uae a : CUP fist 5 ies 2 = ae SANTI INGER ESS ny gS oe te Nias WAS SPS SWE srg Ew Lak BUFFALO. (Bos Bubalus, Lin.—Le Buffle, Buff.) TuHere is the most striking general resemblance be- tween the Buffalo and the G@@mmon Ox; their habits and propensities are nearly similar; they are both ‘equally submissive to the yoke, and may be employed im the same domestic services; yet it is certain, from experience, that no two animals can, in realitv, be more distinct: The Cow refuses to breed with the Buffalo, while it is known to propagate with the Bison, to which it bears, in point of form, a much more distant similitude. The buffalo is found, in a wild state, in many parts of Africa and India, and is common in the countries near the Cape of Good Hope, where he is deseribed, - by Sparrman, as a fierce, cruel, and treacherous animal. He frequently rushes from behind a thicket upon some » unwary passenger; and, having thrown him down, . atramples him to death with his feet and knees, tearing a . . * . . . ' y . ' m him with his horns and teeth, and licking him with his mE y ef » 6 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. rough tongue, till the skin is nearly stripped from the body.—The following accurate description we owe to the same author: the length of the Buffalo, from head to tail, is eight feet; the havent five anda half; and the ‘fore legs bard fect and 2 halt long: From the tip of the muzzle to the horns, twenty-two inches: His limbs in proportion to his size, are much stouter than those of the Ox; his fetlocks likewise hang nearer the ground: The Horde are singular, both in their form and position ; the bases of chen are thirteen inches bread, and only an inch distant from each other, having a narrow chan- nel or furrow between them; from this furrow the horns assume a spherical form, extending over a great ‘part of the head; the distance between the points is often aboye five feet: The ears are a foot long, some- what pendulous, and in a great measure covered and defended by the lower edges of the horns, which bend down on each side, and form a curve upwards with the points: The hair is of a dark brown colour, about an inch long, harsh, and, upon those males that are advan- ced in years, straggling and thin, especially on each side of the belly, srhiet gives them the appearance of being girt with a belt: The tail is short, and tufted at the ae the eyes are large, and somewhat sunk w ith- in their prominent orbits, which are almost covered with the bases of the horns overhanging its dangling ears, this, witha peculiar inclination of the head to one side, produces an aspect at once fierce, cunning, and — ‘tremendous: The flesh is coarse, rather Jean, bee full” of juice of a high but not unpleasant flavour: The hide is thick and tough, and of great use in making thongs and harness; it is so hard, as not to be penctatal bya aye common maibhet ball; those made use of for hooting 3 0 e HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 49 the Buffalo are mixed with tin; and even these are frequently flattened by the concussion. In Italy the Buffalo is domesticated, and constitutes the riches and food of the poor, who employ them for the purposes of agriculture, and make butter and cheese from their milk. The female produces but one ata time, a conti- -nues pregnant twelve months ; another striking charac- teristic difference between the Buffalo and the’ common Cow. THE MUSK BULL Innazits the interior parts of North-America, on the west side of Hudson’s Bay,.Bbetween Churchill and Seal rivers. “They are very numerous in those parts, ‘and. live in herds of twenty or thirty. The Indians eat the flesh and make coverings of their skins. They are brought down in sledges, to supply the forts during the winter. Notwithstanding the flesh is said to havea strong flavour of musk, it is reckoned very good and wholesome. _ The Musk-Bull is somewhat lower than a Deer, but more bulky. Its legs are short; and it has a small hump on its shoulder: Its hair is of a dusky-red colour, very fine, and so long, as to reach to the ground: Be- neath the hair, its body 1s covered with wool of an ash colour which is exquisitely fine, and might be convert- ed into various articles of aera rane tark joke Je- remie says, that stockings made of it. are finer than silk: Its tail is only three inches long, and is covered with long hair, of which the Esquimaux Indians make caps, which are so contrived, that the long hair, falling D So. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. round their faces, defends them from the bites of the musquitos: its horns are close at the base, they bend downwards, and turn out at the points; they are two feet long, and two feet round at the base; some of them will weigh sixty pounds. These animals delight chiefly in rocky and moun- taineous countries: They run nimbly, and are very ac- tive in climbing steep ascents. THE SHEEP. (Ovis Aries, Lin.—La Brebis, Buff.) Tue Sheep, in its present domestic state, seems so far removed from a state of nature, that it may be deemed a difficult matter to point out its origin. Cli- ‘mate, food, and, above all, the unwearied arts of culti- — ‘vation contribute to render this animal, in a peculiar manner, the creature of man; to whom it is obliged to trust entirely for its protection, and to whose necessi- ties it largely contributes. Though singularly inoffen- sive, and harmless even to a proverb, it does not appear to be that stupid, inanimate creature described by Buf- fon, “ devoid of every art of self-preservation, without courage, and even deprived of every instinctive faculty, we are led to conclude that the Sheep, of all other animals, is the most contemptible and stupid :” But amidst those numerous flocks which range without con- troul on extensive mountains, where they seidom depend upon the aid of the shepherd, it will be found to assume HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 5i avery different character: In those situations, a Ram or a Wedder will boldly attack a single dog, and often come off victorious; but when the danger is more alarming, they have recourse to the collected strength of the whole flock. On such occasions they draw up > into a compact body, placing the young and the fe- males in the centre; while the males take the foremost ranks, keeping close by each other. Thus an armed front is presented to’all quarters, and cannot easily be attacked without danger or destruction to the assailant. In this manner they wait with firmness the approach of the enemy; nor does their courage fail them in the mo- ment of attack: For, when the aggressor advances within a few yards of the line, the Rams dart upon him with such impetuosity, as to lay him dead at their feet, unless he save himself by flight. Against the at- tacks of single Dogs or Foxes, when in this situation they are perfectly secure—A Kam, regardless of dan- ger, will sometimes engage a Bull; and, as his forehead is much harder than that of any other animal, he sel- dom fails to conquer: For the Bull, by lowering his head, receives the stroke of the Ram between his eyes, which usually brings him to the ground. In the selection of their food, few animals discover greater sagacity than the Sheep; nor does any domestic animal shew more dexterity and cunning in its attempts to elude the vigilance of the shepherd, in order to steal such delicacies as are agreeable to its palate. Besides its hardiness in enduring great severities of weather, the natural instinct of the Sheep, in foreseeing the approach of a storm, is no less remarkable: in their De 52 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. — endeavours to secure themselves under the shelter of some hill whole flocks have frequently been buried for many days under a covering of snow, and have after- wards been, taken out without any material injury. Thus beautifully described by Thompson :— °c “ Oft the whirldwind’s wing “ Sweeps up the burthen of whole wintry plains «© At one wide waft; and o’er the hapless flocks, «« Hid in the hollow of two neighbouring hills, «“ The billowy tempest whelms.” There have been instances where Sheep, at the ap- proach of a storm, have fled for shelter to a neighbour- ing cottage, and taken refuge under the same roof with their shepherd. The variety in this creature is so great, that scarcely any two countries produce Sheep of the same kind :-— There is found a manifest difference in all, either in the size, the covering, the shape, or the horns. The woolly Sheep is found only in Europe, and in the temperate provinces of Asia. When transported into warmer climates, it loses its wool, and becomes hairy and rough; it is likewise less fertile; and its flesh no longer retains the same flavour. ‘Xx No country produces finer Sheep than Great-Britain ; 5 Their fleeces are large, and well adapted to the various purposes of cloathing. The Spanish fleeces are indeed finer, but stand in no degree of comparison with those of Lincolnshire or Warwickshire for weight or utility — In Edward the Third’s time, when woo! was allowed to be exported, it brought 150,0001. per annum, at 2]. 10s, a pack, which was a great sum in those debi At this time, when our wapllen, manufactory stands un- rivalled by any nation in the world, and every method HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 53 Y is taken to prevent this valuable commodity from being sent out of the kingdom, the annual value of wool, shorn in England, is supposed to be about five millions sterling ; ad. when manufactured conjointly with the Spanish wool impoxted, amounting to about six hundred thousand pounds, must be above twenty millions. Like other ruminating animals, the Sheep wants the upper fore teeth: It has eight in the lower jaw; two of which drop out, and are replaced at two years old; four of them are renewed at three years, and the re- mainder at the age of four. The ewe produces one or two lambs at a time, and sometimes though rarely, three or four. She bears her young five months, and brings forth in the spring*.— The Ram lives to the age of about fifteen years, and begins to procreate at one. When castrated, they are called Wedders: They then grow fat sooner, and the flesh becomes finer and better flavoured. There is hardly any part of this animal that is not serviceable toman: Of the fleece we make our cloaths ; the skin produces leather, of which are made gloves, parchment, and covers for books; the entrails are form- ed into strings for fiddles and other musical instruments, likewise coverings for whips; its milk affords both but- ter and cheese; and its flesh is a delicate and whole- some food. * An Ewe, of the small black-faced Scotch breed, produced two Ewe lambs before she had completed her first year; and be- fore the end of the second year, these two produced each of them two lambs also. . It isa remarkable circumstance, that this great increase took place in the coidest and most mountainous part of Northumberland ; and it is further necessary to observe, that this breed of Sheep seldom produces more than one lamb ata time, and that not till they are two years of age, D's Be HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. The following remarks, taken from Mr. Culley’s “ Ob- servations on Live Stock,” will not be unacceptable to many of our readers, as they convey a just idea of some of the most noted kinds of Sheep at this time in the island.—He begins with those of Lincolnshire, which are of alarge size, big-boned, and afford a greater quantity of wool than any other kind, owing to the rich, fat marshes on which they feed; but their flesh is coarse, leaner, and not so finely flavoured as that of smaller Sheep. The same breed extends, with some variations, through most of the midland counties of England.—The Dorsetshire breed is likewise remarkably prolific, the Ewes being capable of bringing forth twice a year. It is from these that the tables of our nobility and gentry are supplied with early lamb at Christmas, or sooner, if required.— Great numbers of those early victims to luxury are yearly sent to the London Markets, where they are sold at the enormous price of 10s. 6d. or perhaps 15s. per quarter.—The manner of rearing the lambs 1s curious: They are imprisoned in little dark cabins; the Ewes are fed with oil-cakes, hay, corn, turnips, cabbages, or any other food which the season of the year affords; these are given them in a field contiguous to the apart- ments where the lambs are kept; and, at proper inter- vals, the nurses are brought in to give suck to their young ones; while the attendants, at the same time, make their lodgings perfectly clean, arid litter them with fresh straw. Great attention is paid to this, as much of the success of rearing these unseasonable pro- ductions depends upon warmth and cleanliness. The Dorsetshire Sheep are mostly white-faced; their legs are long and small; and great numbers of them have HISTORY OF OUADRUPEDS. 5S no wool upon their bellies, which gives them an un- couth appearance. They produce a small quantity of wool, but of a good quality; from which our fine Wilt- shire cloths are made. The mutton of these sheep is very sweet ‘and well fiavoured.—The variations of this breed are spread through most of the southern coun- ties; but the true kind is only to be found in Dorset- shire and Wiltshire.—There is a breed, not unlike this in Norfolk and Suffolk; but they are all gray or black- faced. a The South Down Sheep are of the same hardy nature as the Cheviot breed, and, like them, can live and thrive on the barest heaths; their wool is also fine, and mutton well flavoured. The sheep in the low parts of Northumberland are of a mixed breed, between the long kind, the Tees wa- ter, and the Lincolnshire. The Mug or Muff kind was formerly common in that county. They were so call- ed, from their wool growing round their heads into their very eyes, so as almost to prevent them from seeing. This breed is now nearly exploded, being considered, by every breeder of experience, as unprofitable, from their thriving slowly and being very tender. In the northern districts of Scotland; and in manyof the islands, there is a breed of Sheep, which differs from the others in the smailness of their size, many of them, when fed, weighing no more than six, seven, or eight pounds per quarter. They have dun faces, with- out horns; and their wool, which is very fine, is vari- ously mixed, and streaked with black, brown, and red. D 4 56° HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. — = 2 > re zy YY ~ i ’ he ws THE BLACK-FACED OR HEATH RAM. Tue north-west part of Yorkshire, with all that mountainous tract of country running toward Lanca- shire southward, and to Fort, William northward, is occu- pied by a hardy, black-faced, wild-looking tribe, gene- rally called short Sheep, which differ from our other breeds, not only in the darkness of their complection and horns, but principally in the coarse shaggy wool which they produce, Their eyes have a fiery, sharp, and wild cast. They run with great agility, and seem quite adapted to the heathy mountains they inhabit. Their flesh is peculiarly fine and high flavoured. The three great fairs for these Sheep. (where amazing num- bers of them are sold every year) are, Stagshaw-bank, in Northumberland; Brough, in Westmorland; and Linton, in Scotland. There is likewise a breed of Sheep inhabiting the same country as the former; but peculiarly distinguished from them by long, thin bodies, white legs, white faces, and by having no horns. Their wool is fine, and thickly planted. ‘HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 57 HEATH RAM OF THE IMPROVED BREED. Tue ram from which we took this drawing, in July, 1798, belongs to the Bishop of Durham. It obtained the premium given for the best Tup, shewn for that purpose, at Blanchland, in the county of Durham, in 1797. Exclusive of the symmetry of proportions and beauty of its form, a more important object has been obtained in the quality of the wool. They are also as hardy as the unimproved breed, and can equally endure the severity of the cold and wet to which they are ex- posed on the bleak heaths which they are doomed to inhabit. | eS ci aie LM a TONE Ce he n §5 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, THE CHEVIOT RAM. Tue Cheviot breed have a fine open countenance, lively prominent eyes, have no horns, and are mostly white taced and white legged; the body long, with fine, clean, small-boned legs: Weight of the carcase from 12 to 18 lb. per quarter; and the mutton is high. ly esteemed for its flavour. The best breeds of these Sheep are to be found in the north-west parts of the county of Northumberland, and on the range of hills adjoining them in Scotland, and are maintained (except when prevented by snow) solely from the natural produce of the grounds on which they de epasture, which, in general, are very mountainous, and consist of ling, moss, ather deer-hair, and wire-bent, with a mixture of green sward.— We can find no account’ from whence ifs valuable breed originally sprung, which, as mountain Sheep, are unrivalled, as well on account of their carcases and hardiness, as from the su-< HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. &9 perior value of their wool, which is in the highest esti- mation for cloathing, and sells from 2d. to 2d. per pound higher than the best in the district. The great demand that has been made for this wool, added to the _ encouragement given by Sir John Sinclair, (who, for a few years, bought considerable numbers of these Sheep, which he took to the Highlands of Scotland, and now breeds them upon the same kind of heathy mountains _ as the original stock were taken from) caused an emu- lation among the breeders, which has been productive of considerable improvement in their stocks, both in the wool and fore-quarter, in which they were general- ly deficient. But as improvements in stock can only be effected by slow gradations, and as this improved breed is but of a few years standing, it will probably be advantageous, not only to individuals but to the pub- lic at large, to encourage exertions which, if fortunate- ly successful, might place these Sheep upon a level with those produced upon well cultivated grounds, which might be otherwise more advantageously em- ployed for the use of the public. Thus the difficulty of producing an improved breed for heath pastures has, in a great measure, been remov- ed by the skill and attention of the Northumberland far- mers, to whom we think the community much indebt- ed; and we doubt not that, in the course of a few years, this breed will become the parent stock of all the Sheep bred for grazing on heathy, and what are called waste, grounds. ‘They thrive on the most sterile heaths, their wool is of the most desirable texture, they are easily fat- tened, and their whole conformation is so properly suit- ed to mountainous pasture, that we are surprised the breed has not already been more generally diffused. 60 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. mee a = ~ re Mit == ~ (hiss oa = SSS SR maresrki bg oe nee > Maa reir en, ; : PR teatg. " LEES-WATER OLD OR UNIMPROP- ED BREED. Tue largest breed of Sheep in this island is to be met with on the banks of the Tees, which runs through a rich and fertile country, dividing the two counties of Yorkshire and Durham. ‘This land digo from the Lincolnshire sheep, in their wool not being so long and heavy; their legs are longer, but finer boned, and sup- port a thicker, frmer carcase; their flesh is likewise much fatter, and finer grained. Our figure was taken in July, 1798, froma Ram which had been purchased for the purpose of shewing its uncouth and uncultivated appearance, in contrast te those of the improved kind. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 64. LEES-WATER IMPROVED BREED. By persevering in the same laudable plan of improve- ment so successfully begun by the late Mr. Bakewell, the stock-farmers or graziers of Tees-water have produc- ed a kind which is looked upon by judges as nearly ap- proaching to perfection. Many of their Sheep possess the thriving or fattening quality of the Dishley breed, and are fit for the butcher at as early an age. These Sheep weigh from twenty-five to forty-five pounds per quarter; some have been fed to fifty pounds; -and one in particular was killed, which weigh- ed sixty-two pounds ten ounces per quarter, avoirdu- pois; a circumstance never before heard of in this island. The Ewes of this breed generally bring forth two lambs each season; sumetimes three, four, and = 62 HISTORY OF OUADRUPEDS. even five. Asan instance of extraordinary fecundity, 3t deserves to be mentioned, that one of these Ewes, at the age of two years, brought forth four lambs at one time; the next season five; both within eleven months. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 63 LEICESTERSHIRE IMPROVED BREED. To these various and numerous tribes of this useful animal we must add, that, by the persevering industry and attention of Mr. Bakewell, of Dishly, in Leicester- shire, our breed of Sheep has been greatly improved; and he has been followed by many eminent breeders with nearly equal success. It seems to be generally agreed, that in Sheep, as well as in all other animals, there is a certain symme- try or proportion of parts, which is best adapted to the size of each particular animal: All those of each kind that exceed or fall short of this pitch, are more or less disproportioned, according to the size they attain; and in the degree they are advanced beyond this line of per- fection, we find them less active, weaker, and always less able to endure hardship. Thus, by selecting the handsomest and best proportioned of their kinds, the judicious breeder has gradually arrived at a degree of perfection in improving this animal, unknown at any former period. G4 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. The superior qualities of the Leicestershire breed are, that they will feed quickly fat at almost any age, even on indifferent pastures, and carry the greatest quantity of mutton upon the smallest bone. Their carcases are round, have remarkably broad backs, and short legs; and to shew the immense weight to which they may be fed, we give the measurement of a Ram of Mr. Bake- well’s, mentioned by Young in his “ Eastern Tour:” —At three years old, his girt was five feet ten inches ; height, two feet five inches; breadth over his shoulders, one foot eleven inches a an half; breadth over his ribs, one foot ten inches and at Hele: breadth over his hips, one foot nine inches and an half. The great importance of this breed of Sheep will best be shewn, by stating the following facts respecting the modern practice of ietting out Rams for hire by the season; which, from very small beginnings, has al- ready risen to an astonishing height; and is likely, for some time, to prove a copious source of wealth to the country at large. About forty years ago, Mr. Bakewell Jet out rams at sixteen and seventeen shillings a-plece 5 ; and from that time, the prices kept graduall ly rising from. one guinea to ten. But the most rapid increase has yes place since the year 1780. Four hundred gui- neas have been repeatedly given. Mr. Bakewell in the year 1789, made twelve hundred guineas by three Rams; two thousand of seven; and, of his whole stock, three thousand guineas. Astonishing as this may ap- pear, it is nevertheless an undoubted fact. But it ought to be observed, that these great prices are not given by graziers, for the purpose of improving their grazing stock; but by principal breeders, in order to procure a stock of Rams of the improved breed, which s <7 ‘HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 65 they let out again to breeders of an inferior class. The prices given by graziers, for the sole purpose of getting grazing stock, seldom exceed ten guineas, which is considered as an extraordinary price, five or six guineas being most frequently given. This valuable breed has likewise found its way into Northumberland. Mess. Culley, of Fenton; Mr. Thomp- son, of Liburn; and Mess. Donkin sy Co. of Hex- ham-brewery, with great spirit, and at considerable ex- pence, have greatly improved their respective breeds of Sheep, by an admission of the Dishley blood. 66 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. AWEDDER OF MR.CULLEY?’s BREED. We are favoured, by Mr. Culley, with the following account of a Wedder of his breed, fed at Fenton in Northumberland, and killed at Alnwick in October, 1787, when four years old:—His dimensions were as follow :—Girt: four feet eight inches and an half; breadth over his shoulders, one foot three inches; over his mid- dle, one foot. seven: inches and a quarter; across the breast, from the inside of one fore leg to the inside of the. cther, nine inches. At the dividing of the quarters through the ribs, it measured seven inches and one-— eighth of solid fat, cut strait through without any slope; and his mutton was of the most beautiful bright colour. But in nothing was he so remarkable as in the small- ness of his bones.—The proprietor of this Sheep la- ments that he had not the offals exactly weighed (by offals, we would be understood to mean not only the tallow, but the head, pluck and pelt, with the blood and entrails); because it is now. well known, that this HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 67 breed of Sheep have a greater quantity of mutton, in proportion to the offal, than any other kind we know of, and is consequently cheaper to the consumer. {The drawing from which the preceding cut was ta- ken, was made by Mr. Bailey, of Chillingham, soon af- ter the Sheep had been Shorn.] Before we quit this article, we must take notice of a breed of Sheep which have hitherto been but little known or attended to; although, it is probable, they ‘possess advantages of equal importance with those we have just mentioned; and, in all likelihood, they might have continued still longer in the same neglected state, but for the endeavours of a set of men, who, actuated by a truly patriotic zeal, are labouring to draw out the natural resources of their country, and secure, to the most distant and long-neglected parts of this kingdom, whose permanent advantages to which they are by their situation entitled. In pursuing these important objects, the Highland Society of Scotland have discovered, that the Shetland islands, and some parts of the Highlands of Scotland, are in possession of a breed of Sheep, which produces wool! infinitely superior to that of any other in the kingdom, and equal to Spanish wool in fine- ness and texture.—By order of the Society, specimens of these Sheep have been obtained, for the purpose of a fair investigation into the nature and quality of their wool, which, upon examination, proves much finer than was at first imagined.— We are favoured, by Dr. James Anderson, nih the’ following: particulars : E? ee ee eee es ee 68 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE SHETLAND SHEEP. Art handsome, small, and in general hornless; and are peculiarly distinguished by the unusual shortness and smaliness of their tails. They weigh, when fat, from eight to ten pounds per quarter. Their fleeces are, on an average, about two pounds weight. The wool, when properly dressed, is of a pure and glossy white: Some small specimens of it, compared with Vigognia wool, were allowed, by good judges, to be fully as fine; and, in softness, equal to that of which the Indian _ shawls are made. The Sheep producing this fine wool are said to be of the hardiest nature: They are never housed, and, in the winter season, are often so pinched for food, that they are obliged to feed upon the sea- ware driven upon the shore. Besides the wool with which they are covered, they have long hairs growing amongst it, which serve to shelter it. It is a singular circumstance, that the Shetland Sheep are never shorn; but, about the beginning of June, the wool is pulled off, without the smallest pain or injury to the animal, leaving the long hairs already mentioned, which contribute to keep the creature warm and com- fortable, at a season of the year when cold and piercing ~ winds may be expected, in so northern a latitude. From the spirited measures which are now taking to ‘preserve this valuable breed*, we are led to hope, that British wool may in time regain that great superiority * See the Report of the Committee of the Highland Sogiety, on the subject of wool. 1789. i HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 65 for which it was once so famous; and that, by perse- verance and attention to this important object, we may in time be enabled to produce not only as fine wool as can be obtained from any other country, but may also, in the same breed, be able to conjoin with it every other desirable peculiarity,—-such as closeness of.fleece, beauty and utility of form, hardiness, a capability of be- ing easily fattened, largeness of size, and other valuable qualities, adapted to every peculiarity of situatian in these islands. 5 ULL EE < ene j ewe ed 70 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE DUNKY, OR DWARF SHEEP. ANOTHER variety of the Sheep kind, deserves to be no- ticed for the singular and grotesque formation of its fea- tures. The wool, growing round its head, forms a kind of hood or ruff, before which stand its short erect ears: The uncommon protrusion of its under jaw considera- bly before the upper, by which the fore teeth are left exposed, and the shortness of the nose, which lies un- der its high- projecting forehead, altogether give it the appearance of deformity, and make a striking contrast to most animals of the Sheep kind—A Ram, from which the drawing was made, came from abroad, with two Ewes, asa present to a gentleman in the county of Northumberland. They are very small, and have no horns.—In Lincolnshire there is a small kind, mention- ed, by Mr. Culley, under the name of Dunkies ; which we suppose to be the same with this. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ren => awe vs oe AMARONE. tate THE TARTARIAN SHEEP. Tue Sheep, of which the annexed cut is an accurate representation, seem to be the same with those describ- ed by Mr. Pennant, under the name of the fat-rumped Sheep. A pair of them was brought to this country, by _ way of Russia, from the borders of Tartary. They are rather larger than the English Sheep. The colour of the male is roan, or light. brown mixed with white; that of the female, black and white: Their ears are pen- dulous; and, instead ofa tail, they have a large protu- berance of fat behind, which covers the rump. When the drawing was made, they had just been shorn; at other times, the wool is so long and thick, that their form cannot well be distinguished. The African or Guinea Sheep are found in most of the tropical climates. ‘They are large, strong, and swift; with coarse hairy fleeces, short horns, pendulous ,ears; have a kind of dew-lap under the chin; and, though domesticated, seem to approach nearest to a state of nature 72 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. SAT isl it he Cha, Oy ea gems niin Be THE MANT- IORNED SHEEP. Tue Iceland Sheep, as well as those of Muscovy and the coldest climates of the north, resemble our own in the form of the body, but differ in the number of their horns, having generally four, and sometimes eight, growing from the forehead. Their wool is long, smooth and hairy: They are of a dark-brown colour; and, un- der the outward coat of hair, which drops off at stated periods, there is an internal covering resembling fur,’ which is fine, ‘short, and soft: The quantity produced by each Sheep is about four pounds. The d4road-tatled Sheep, common in Persia, Barbary, Syria, and Egypt, are remarkable chiefly for their large _and heavy tails, which grow a foot broad, and so long, that the shepherds are obliged to put hone with small wheels under them, to keep them from galling. The flesh of these tails is esteemed a great delicacy: It is ‘ofa substance between fat and marrow, and eaten with ‘ HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 19 2 the lean of the mutton: They generally weigh from twenty to fifty pounds each. The sheep bred on the mountains of Thibet produce wool of extraordinary length and fineness, of which is made the Indian shawl, frequently sold 1 in this country for fifty porns: or “apes THE WALLACHIAN SHE EEP. (Ovis Strepsiceros, Lin.—La Chevre de Crete, Buff. ) In Wallachia, they have Sheep with curious spiral horns, standing upright, in the form of a screw ; long shaggy fleeces; and, in size and form, nearly resem- bling ours. They are also found in the island of Crete, and in many of the islands of the Archipelago.—This is said to be the Strepsicheros of the ancients, rs Ae HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDs. THE MOUFLON, OR MUSMON, ( Capra Ammon, Lin.—Le Mouflon, Buff.) Has been classed both with the Sheep and the Goat kind, and may be considered as standing in a middle place, and forming the link between each; for it is curious to observe, that Nature, in all her variations, proceeds by slow and almost insensible degrees, scarce- ly drawing a firm and distinguishing line between any two races of animals that are essentially different, and yet, in many respects, nearly allied to each other. In all transitions from one kind to the other, there is to be found a middle race, that seems to partake of the nature of both, and that can precisely be referred to neither. Thus it is hard to discover where the Sheep kind ends, or the Goat begins ——The Musmon, there- fore, which is neither Sheep nor Goat, has a strong affinity to both. ‘Though covered with hair, it bears a strong similitude to the Ram: Its eyes are placed near the horns; and its ears are shorter than those of the Goat: Its horns resemble those of the Ram, in being HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 75 Si yellow colour, and a triangular shape; they like- wise bend backward behind the ears: In some they grow to an amazing size, and measure above two yards long. ‘The general colour of the hair is reddish- brown ; the inside i; the thighs and belly white, tinctur- ed with yellow; the muzzle and inside of the ears are of a whitish colour; the other parts of the face are of a brownish-grey. The Musmon is found in the wild and uncultivated _ parts of Greece, Sardinia, Corsica, and in the desarts of Tartary. The form of this animal is strong and muscular, and it ‘runs with great agility. It is very timorous, and, when old is seldomtakenalive. It frequents the highest sum- mits of the mountains, and treads securely on the most dangerous precipices.—The old Rams have often furi- ous battles with each other, in which one of the con- tending parties will sometimes be thrown down from the heights on which they stand, and dashed in pieces at the bottom. If their horns should by accident entangle, they have been known to fall and perish together. The chase of the Musmon is attended with great danger. At the sight of a man, they fly to the highest parts of the rocks, where they cannot easily be follow- ed: They are sometimes taken in pit-falls. The Tar- tars pursue them with horses and dogs, and, surround- ing a pretty large tract of land, wine them towards the centre, where hey are caught. The Kamschatkans pass the latter part of the summer, with all their.families, among the mountains, in pursuit of these animals.—The flesh and fat of the young Mus- mons are esteemed by the natives, as most delicious 76 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. -— —- eating. The skins serve them for warm raiments and coverings: The horns are made use of for a variety of useful purposes. | | This creature has been known to breed with the Sheep; and from that circumstance, is supposed, by M. Buffon and others, to be the primitive race. pee The female of this species is rather less than the- male ; and her horns never grow to that prodigious size. Those of Kamschatka are so strong, that tea men can scarcely hold one; and the horns are so large, that young foxes often shelter themselves in the hollow of such as fail off by accident. They grow to the size of a young stag, copulate in autumn, and bring forth one young at a time, though sometimes two. 3 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ” i | SY) % \ ANS\\io \ O\i i, Ze Ty | { \ \\ — yy ‘I SS ~ NV PaaS S Nt S a Oy) SQW ool ole RSS ot Mik 5 GOWN PLZ ee SIS : ft j I f si \S : NEN, Fz Fe - i 4” UE SR ne UG) N Ba AN ON TS WG 2 LY a LHE COMMON GOAT. (Capra Hircus, Lin.—Le Bouc, La Chevre, Buff.) Tats lively, playful, and capricious creature occu- pies the next step in the great scale of Nature; and, though inferior to the Sheep in value, in various instan- ces bears a strong affinity to that useful animal. The Goat and the Sheep will propagate together: The He- Goat copulates with the Ewe, and the Ram with the She-Goat; the offspring likewise is prolific. - The Goat is much more hardy than the Sheep, and is, in every respect, more fitted fora life of liberty. It is not easily confined to a flock, but chuses its own pasture, straying wherever its appetite or inclination leads —It chiefly delights in wild and mountainous re- gions, climbing the loftiest rocks, and standing secure on the verge of inaccessible and dangerous precipices; although, as Ray observes, one would hardly suppose 78 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. that their feet were adapted to such perilous achieve- ments; yet upon a nearer inspection, we find that Na-_ ture has provided them with hoofs well calculated for the purpose of-climbing; they are hollow underneath, with sharp edges, like the inside of a spoon, which prevent them fib sliding off the rocky eminences they frequent. The Goat is an animal easily sustained, and is chiefly therefore the property of those who inhabit wild and un- cultivated regions, where it finds an ample supply of food from the spontaneous productions of Nature, in situations inaccessible to other creatures. It delights in the heathy mountain, or the shrubby rock, rather than the fields cultivated by human industry. Its favourite food are the tops of the boughs, or the tender bark of young trees. It bears a warm climate better than the Sheep, and frequently sleeps exposed to the hottest rays of the sun. ‘The milk of the Goat is sweet, nourishing, and me- dicinal, and is found highly beneficial in consumptive cases: It is not so apt to curdle upon the stomach as that of the Cow. From the shrub and heath on which it feeds, the milk of the Goat acquires a flavour and wildness of taste very different from that of either the Sheep or the Cow, and is highly pleasing to such as have accustomed themselves to its use: It is made into whey for those whose digestion is too weak to bear it in its primitive state. oN places in the north of En’ gland and the mountainous parts of Scotland are much Hearted to for the purpose of drinking the milk of the Goat; and its effects have been often : salutary’ in vitia= ted and debilitated habits. In many parts of Ireland, and in the Highlands of Scotland, their Goats make the chief possessions of the HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 19 inhabitants ; and, in most of the mountainous parts of Europe, supply the natives with many of the necessa- ries of life: They lie upon beds made of their skins, which are soft, clean, and wholesome; they live upon their milk, and oat bread; they convert part of it into butter, and: some into diccan: The flesh of the kid is considered as a great rarity; and, when properly prepar- ed, is esteemed by some as little inferior to venison. The Goat produces generally two young at a time, sometimes three, rarely four: In warmer climates, it is more prolific, and produces four or five at once; though the breed is found to degenerate. “The male is capa- ble of propagating at one year old, and the female at seven months; but the fruits of a generation so prema- ture are generally weak and defective: Their best time is at the age of two years, or eighteen months at least. ~The Goat is a short-lived animal, full of ardour, but soon enervated. His appetite for the female is exces- sive, so that one buck is sufficient for one hundred and fifty females. &O HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. Si SASS a SEARS GLE ig, Ly 7 ‘ \ Z See Soc THE IBEX,” (Capra Ibex, Lin.—Le Bouguetin, Buff.) Tr we believe M. Buffon, is the stock from whence our ~ domestic Goat is descended ; itis larger, but resembles it much in the shape of its body ;: its horns are much lar- ger; they are bent backward, and are full of knobs: Every year the creature lives, it is asserted, one is added to the number of them. Some of these horns have been found at least two yards long. ‘The head of the Ibex is small, adorned with a dusky beard; and has a thick \ coat of haiv of a deep brown colour, mixed with ash: A streak of black runsalong the top of its back: The belly and thighs are of a delicate fawn colour.—The female is one-third less than the male; her horns are very small, and not above eight inches long. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 21 The Ibex inhabits the highest Alps of the Grisons country and the Vallais, and is also found in Crete :— They are very wild, and difficult to be shot; and as they always keep upon the highest points of the rocks, the chase of them is attended with great danger: They are very strong and often turn upon the incautious huntsman, and tumble him down the precipice, unless he have time to lie down, and let the animal pass over him. They bring forth one young at a time, seldom two; and are said not to be long-lived. HALT: WZ R AY a NI 1p 77; , A RK C iG ReiA a) LY th > 4 » i 2 je 4 \ \ i) ) | THE CHAMOIS-GOAT. (Capra Rupicapra, Lin. —Ysarus ou Sarris, Buff.) Tue Chamois, though a wild animal, is very easily made tame-and docile. It is to be found only in rocky B 82 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. and mountaneous places; is about the size of a domes- tic Goat, and resembles it in many respects. It is most agreeably lively, and active beyond expression. The hair is short, like that of the Doe: In spring, it is of an ash colour; in autumn, dun, inclining to black ; and in win- ter, of a blackish brown. The animal is found, in great plenty, in the moun- tains of Dauphiny, Piedmont, Savoy, Switzerland, and Germany. They are very gentle, and live in society with each other. They are found in flocks from four to four score, and even an hundred, dispersed upon the crags of the mountains. The large males are seen feed- ing, detached from the rest; except in rutting time, when they approach the females, and drive away the young. The time of their coupling is from the begin-' ing of October to the end of November; and they bring forth in Marchand April. ‘The young keep with the dam for about five months, and sometimes longer, if the hunters and the wolves do not separate them. It is asserted, that they live between twenty and thirty years. Their flesh is good to eat; and they yield tenor tweive pounds of suet, which far surpasses that of the Goat in hardness and goodness. The Chamois has scarcely any cry: It has akind of feeble bleat, by which the parent calls its young: But in cases of danger, and when it Is to warn the rest of the flock, it uses a hissing noise, which is heard at a great distance: For it is to be observed, that this creature is extremely vigilant, and has an eye remarkably quick and Piercing: Hts smell also is not less distinguishing. When it sees its enemy distinctly, it stops for a moment; and, if the person be near, it flies off in an instant... In the HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 83 same manner, by its smell, it can discover a man at half a league distance, and give immediate notice. Upon the feast alarm, the Chamois begins its hissing note with great force. ‘The first hiss continues as ne as the time of one respiration: In the beginning it is very sharp, and deeper towards the close. The animal hav- ing, after this first alarm, reposed a moment, again Jooks round; and perceiving the reality of its fears, con- tinues to hiss by intervals, until it has spread the alarm toa very great distance. During this time, it seems in the most violent agitation; it strikes the ground with one fore feot, and sometimes with both; it bounds from rock to rock, turns and looks round, runs to the edge of the precipice, and, still perceiving the enemy, flies with all its speed. The hissing of the male is much Jouder and sharper than that of the female: It is perform- ed through the nose, and is properly no more than a very strong breath driven vioiently through a small aperture. The Chamois feeds upon the best herbage, and chuses the most delicate parts of the plants, the flowers, and the tender buds. It is not less delicate with regard to several aromatic herbs, which grows upon the sides of the mountains. It drinks very “little while it feeds upon the succulent herbage, and chews the cud in the inter- vals of feeding. This animal is greatly admired for the beauty of its eyes, which are round and sparkling, and mark the warmth of its constitution. Its head is furnished with two small horns of about half a foot long, of a beautiful black, rising from the forehead almost bhberixt the eyes: These, instead of going backwards or sideways, stand Fe , an Yy tek Or, / Or /, ’ ee 84 - -— «HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. forward, and bend a little backward at their extremities, ending in a very sharp point. The ears are placed, in a very elegant manner, near the horns; there are two stripes of black on each side of the face, the rest is of a whitish-yellow. The horns of a female are less, and not so much bent; The natives have been known to bleed cattle with the m. These animals are so much iicdiventeel by heat, that they are never found in summer, except in the caverns of rocks, amidst fragments of unmelted ice, under the shade of high and spreading trees, or of rough and hang- ing precipices, that face the North, and keep off entire- ly the rays of the sun. ‘They go to pasture both morn- ing and evening, and seldom during the heat of the day. They run along the rocks with great ease and seeming indifference, and leap from one to another, so that no dogs are able to pursue them. Nothing can be more extraordinary than the facility with which they clime and descend precipices, that to all other quadru- peds, are inaccessible: ‘They always mount or descend in an oblique direction, and throw themselves down a rock of thirty feet, and light with great security upon some. excrescence or fragment, on the side of the precipice, which is just large crete to place their feet upon; They strike the rock, however, in the descent, with their feet, three or four times, to stop the velocity of their motion; and, when they have got upon the base below, they at once seem fixed and secure. In fact, to see them jump in this manner, they seem rather to have wings than legs. Certain it is, that their legs are formed for this arduous employment; the hind be- ing rather longer than the fore legs, and bending in such HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 85 a manner, that, when they descend upon them, they break the force of their fall. During the rigours of winter, the Chamois sleeps in the bk ask forests, and ae upon the sehiabs, and the buds of the pine-tree. The hunting of the Chuan: is very laborious and difficult. The most usual way is to shoot them from be- hind the clefts of the rocks. Some also pursue them as they do the Stag, by placing proper persons at all the passages of a glade or valley, and then sending in others to rouse the game. Dogs are quite useless in this chase, as they rather alarm than overtake: Nor is it without danger to the men; for it often happens, that, when the animal finds itself overpressed, it drives at the hunter with its head, and often tumbles him down an adjoining precipice—The Chamois cannot go upon ice when smooth; but if there be the least inequalities on its sur- face, it then bounds along in security, and quickly evades. all pursuit. — | The skin of the Chamois was once famous, when tanned, for its softness and warmth: At present, how- ever, since the art of tanning has been brought to great- er perfection, the leather called shammoy is made also from those of the tame Goat, the Sheep and the Deer. ‘ile 86 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. . ENS \ MN Vt ‘\y San ee RIVE IL Nara | A Nd J CRS: \ “ le Le \\ OA ere NN SE ) (hs) GOAT OF ANGORA, Is well known for its long hair, which is thick, glossy, ef a dazzling whiteness, and so fine, that cloths as beautiful as silk, known among us by the name of camblets, are made of it. Its ears are long and pendu- lous. The male is furnished with horns, curiously twisted, which proceed horizontally from each side of. the head, forming a screw; those of the female are shorter, and encircle the ear somewhat like those of the common Ram. ‘They inhabit the rocky mountains of Pontus, where they experience a considerable degree of cold: They would probably thrive in Britain as — well as in their native country. The same might be said of the Goat of Thibet, so famous for the fineness of its wool: It lives ina climate colder than ours in win- ter, and might probably be transplanted with success. In Portugal there is a breed of fine large Goats, re- markable for yielding a great.quantity of milk,—a gal- t , HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 87 Jon and a half per day. These, if introduced into our Navy, might be of infinite services in long voyages. Experiments of this kind would certainly be attended with many great advantages; and it were much to be wished, that the great and opulent would employ some portion of their time and affluence in procuring, from distant countries, such useful animals as would propa- gate in our island, and are yet unknown in it. By this means many of our lofty mountains might contribute to support a variety of useful creatures, that would at the same time, beautify the most paren and rugged parts of our eoustry- ! - os F 4 $$ HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ~ ee we = *\ SX be SS Se AN > & = an iy THE SYRIAN GOAT. M. Buffon makes this a variety of the Goat of Ango- ya; it differs from ours in nothing more than the length of its ears, which are pendulous, dal from one to two feet long; They are often troublesome to the creature in feedine® ; for which reason, the owners are sometimes obliged to cut one of them off, Their horns are short and black.—They are vy, numerous in the neighbour- hood of Aleppo, and supply the inhabitants with milk, which they prefer to that of the Cow or the Buffalo. These are the principal varieties of the Goat kind; of which there are others of Jess note; such as the African Goat or Buck of Judah, which is not much larger than a Hare; it is extremely fat, and its flesh is well tasted: The horns are short, smooth, and turn a little { forward. It is common in Guinea, Angola, and all along the coast of Africa, ~ In America there are nike ofa smal] kind, not much larger than a kid, with long hair: The horns, which are HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 89 Short dnd thick, bend downwards so close to the head, as almost to penetrate the skull. ‘Fhese are, in every respect, similar to the dwarf Goat found in Africa; and, according to Buffon, have been sent from that country. <—It is certain that before the discovery of America by the Spaniards, the Goat, and every other domestic ani- mal were unknown there. ‘ - THE GAZELLES, OR ANTELOPES. THESE are a numerous and beautiful race of animals, inhabiting the hottest parts of the globe. They are classed by systematic writers, with the Goat kind ; and, like them, have hollow horns, which they never cast; In other respects they greatly resemble the Deer, espe- cially in the elegance of their form and the swiftness of their motions. . They are of a restless and timid dispo- sition, remarkably agile; their boundings are so light and elastic, as-to cite the spectators with astonishment. Of all animals, the Gazelle has the most beautiful eye; to which the eastern poets have made frequent al- lusions, in describing those of their favourite beauties. The distinguishing marks of this tribe of animals, in which they differ both from the Goat and the Deer, are principally these :—Their horns are different, being an- nulated or ringed round, and at the same time marked with longitudinal depressions or furrows, running from the base to the point: Besides the extreme beauty and meekness of its aspect, the Gazelle is more delicately and finely limbed than the Roe-buck; its hair is finer and more ‘glossy: Its swiftness is so great, that the Greyhound, the fleetést of Dogs, is unequal to the 90 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. course; and the sportsman is obliged to call in the aid of the Falcon, whigh, being trained to the work, seizes on the animal, and impedes its, motion, so as to enable the Dogs to overtake it. In India and Persia a sort of Leopard i is sometimes made use of in the chase, which. takes its prey by the greatness of its springs; but should he fail in his first essay, the game escapes. Some species of the Antelope form herds of two or three thousand, while others keep in small troops of five or six. They for the most part live in hilly coun- tries. They often browse like the Goat, and feed on the tender shoots of young trees, which gives their flesh an excellent flavour. There are many varieties of this animal; some of them little known or described. THE BLUE GOAT, . (Antelope Leucophea, Pallas.) Mr. Pennant considers this as being next to the Goat, from the length of its hair, and form of its horns. The colour of this creature is a fine blue, resembling velvet; but when dead, it is said to change to a bluish _ grey: Its belly is white ; beneath each eye it has a large white mark: Its tail is seven inches in length, with long hairs at the end; Lis horns incline back ward,and form a curve; three- anh of their len sth are decorated with twenty-four rings ; the uppermost quarter is smooth, and runs tapering to a point. It inhabits the hottest parts of Africa.—Sparman describes one which he saw at the Cape of Good Hope, and calls it a Blaaw-bok. a beh oa ee Bie HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. gi wert oat ah Ee ee idee at Sr ag F 5 a r ty} cis Soe ee Tais-animal is likewise an inhabitant of the Cape, as well as the plains and woods of Senegal, where large herds of them are to be seen. ao ~ Tt is remarkable for having a white band running along each of its sides, crossed by two others from the back to the belly, disposed somewhat like a harness, from whence it is called the Harnessed Antelope: On each side of the rump it has three white lines pointing downwards; its thighsare spotted with white; the colour of the body is a deep tawney; beneath each eye there is a white spot; its horns are straight, nine inches long, pointed backward, with two spiral ribs. Great flocks of them are found in the plains and woods of the coun- try of Poder, in Africa.—It is called, by M. Buffon, the Guib, and, by Sparman, the Bonti-bok, or Spotted Goat. - ‘92 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE WOOD GOAT. We are indebted to the indefatigable labours of Dr. Sparrman, for an accurate description of this rare ani- mal, which is found'in the country about the Cape of Good Hope, and lives chiefly in woods and groves, from whence it derives its name. . Tts horns are black, somewhat more than ten inches long, and have three sides wreathed in a spiral direc- tion towards the top; at the bottom, they are rough, in consequence of a number of wavy rings, which, how- ever, are not elevated much above the surface; at the top, they are round, sbarp-pomted, and in that part as smooth as if they had been polished; their position 1s almost in the same line with the forehead, inclining a little forwards, and, by means of the twist they make, recede from each other towards the middle, where they ‘are three inches anda half distant; at the base they are only one inch. | HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. G3 The Wood-Goat is somewhat more than two feet and a half high, of a dark brown colour, in some parts bor- dering upon black: On each cheek-bone there are two large white spots ; another, still larger, occupies the forepart of the neck, somewhat below ‘the top of the wind-pipe; and several smaller white spots. are scatter- ed over the haunches: A narrow line of white hair ex- tends from the neck all along the back and tail, but is not easily distinguished, being hid by the length of the dark brown hairs on the top of the back, which are three or four inches long, so as to form a kind of mane: The hair on the head is very short and fine; in other parts of the body it is longer, resembling that of Goats: Its tail is not more than a finger’s breadth in’ length, covered with long hairs, which extend down the hind part of the thighs and buttocks; the legs and feet are slender; the fetlock joints are likewise small; the nose and under lip, which are white, are decorated with black wiskers about an inch long. As this creature runs but slowly, it is sometimes caught with dogs. When it finds there is no other re- _ source, it boldly puts itself into a posture of defence; and when going to butt, kneels down, and in that po- sition sells its life at a very dear rate, killing and goring some of the best and most spirited hounds. It carries its head straight forward whilst it runs, laying its horns upon its neck, to prevent their being entangled in the bushes. The female is without horns: and, being lighter than the male, runs more freely through the forests, and is not so easily caught, her breast is said to be very plump: But the flesh of this animal is not very tender. 94 _ HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE SPRINGER. Tae White-Antelope, which is supposed to be the same with the Pygarg, mentioned in the book of Numbers, is an inhabitant of the Cape of Good Hope, where it is called the Spring-bok, and is to be seen in herds of seve- ral thousands, covering the plains as far as the eye can reach. Sparman says, that having shot at a large herd of them, they formed a line, and immediately made a circular movement as if to surround him; but after- wards fiew off in different directions. The height of this beautiful creature is two feet and a half; it measures, from the ears to the tail, somewhat above ‘thice feet: the tail is rather less than a foot long: The length of the ears six inches and a half; that of the Hine. measuring them along their curvatures, nine inches; their distance from the base, where they are . HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 95 nearly three inches thick, is one inch; they gradually widen from thence to the distance of Gee inches from each other, when they turn inwards, so that at the tip they are not above three inches and a half asunder; they are of a deep-black colour, annulated above half way up; toward the top they are quite smooth, and end in a sharp point. The predominant colour of this animal is brown, ora light rust colour: The breast, belly, and inside of the limbs are white ; as is also the head, excepting a dark- brown list, which passes from each corner of the mouth, over the eyes, to the base of the horns: A stripe of the same dark colour extends, on each side, from the shoul- ders to the haunches, forming a boundary between the snowy whiteness of the belly and the rusty colour of the sides: The buttocks are white; and from the tail, half way up the back, is a stripe of white, bounded on each side by a dark brown list: The tail, at least the lower part of it, is aot thicker than a goose quill; the under side is quite bare; towards the tip there are a few dark brown hairs, Gia one to two inch- es and a half long. The ears are of an ash colour, tipt on the edges vvith fine light-gray hairs: The eye-brows and enteeets are black: The hair in general is fine and short ; but the dark line which borders upon the white consists of longer hairs, which the animal is able to expand to the breadth of eight or nine inches, particu- larly on taking a high leap. When pursued, it is ne Jess pleasant than curious to see the whole herd jump- ing over each other’s heads to a considerable height: Sortie of them will take three or four high leaps succes- sively. In this situation, they seem suspended in the a ee ee ee ee eee Oe a 96 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. air, looking over their shoulders at their pursuers, and at the same time shewing the white part of their backs in a most beautiful manner. The Springers are so extremely swift, as to require a good horse to overtake them; altho’ they are sometimes. bold enough to allow a sportsman, either on foot or on horseback, to come within gun-shot of them.—Their flesh is very palatable, and has a more juicy and deli- cate taste than that of the other Gazelles. Oe ait ¥/ Ny iy Shit RNY ip f oh } . CO ————— a ———— ——— << SSS NSN = 2 = ——— SS. ~ ex ——— > ee eee ————— = > ~~ Se — THE ELK-ANTELOPE. (Le Coudous, Buff.) Tuts is an inhabitant of the Cape, as well as the greatest part of India, and is one of the larger kinds of | Gazelles. It has straight horns, two feet in length, of a dark-brown colour, marked with two prominent spiral ribs running near two-thirds of their length, but HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS.~ 97 some towards the ends, which are turned a little in- wards : The forehead is flat, and broad at the top; and has a forelock standing erect, the whole length of it: Its nose is sharp; and its breast is covered with a loose skin. age This animal is of an ash colour, inetining a little to- wards blue; has a thin upright mane, quite black, which extends from the nape of its neck along the top of its back; it has a tuft of black hair at the end of the tail. The Elk- Wnidopes live chiefly in plains “il valleys ; ; and, when hunted, always run, if possible, against ie wind: They are not very swift; and being in general fat, especially the males, which are always the largest and fattest in the herd, are soon tired. ‘The hunter ge- nerally endeavours to get to windward of the animal, which when he has accomplished, he takes an opportu- nity of throwing hiniself from his: horse, and instantly shoots the flying game: At this practice, the Dutch colonists at the Cape are so expert, as seldom to fail. Sparrman says, there have been many instances where keen sportsmen, as well for their own pleasure as con-— venience, have hunted Elk-Antelopes and other Ga- zelles, for many miles together, from the open plains, and driven them to their own doors, before they thought it worth while to shoot them. The female has horns like the male, bit smaller. They are used by the Hottentots for tobacco-pipes. G g$ eee ee FF Stim po aw A Oil THE HART-BEEST. (Le Bubale, Buff.) Tuts is the most common of all the larger Gazelles, known in any part of Africa. "The following accurate description is taken from Sparrman, to daha we are in- debted for the best accounts of such of these rare ani- mals as are to be met with near the Cape. Its height is somewhat above four feet: The horns are from six to nine inches long, very strong and black, almost close at the base diverging cee and at the top bending backwards in an horizontal direction almost to the tips, which turn a little downwards; they are embossed with about eighteen rings of an irregular form. The general colour of the Hart-Beest is that of cinnamon; the front of the head is marked with black, as is likewise the fore part of the legs; the hind part of the haunch is co- HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, | 99 vered with a wide black streak, which reaches downtg. . the knee ; a narrow stripe of black begins behind each’ ear, and runs all along the ridge of the neck; a dark- brown oval spot extends over the back, terminating just above the tail; which is slender, somewhat like that of © an Ass, and is covered with strong black hairs about six inches long: There is a pore about an inch below the eye, from which a matter is distilled, somewhat like ear- wax, which the Hottentots presen as a rare and ex- cellent medicine. This animal is supposed to be the Bubalus of the an- » cients; itis the Cervine Antelope of Mr. Pennant. The hair of the Hart-Beest is very fine; and its long ears are covered with white hair on the inside; it has only eight teeth in the lower jaw, none in the upper; the legs are rather slender, with small fetlocks and hoofs. The large head and high forehead, together with the assanine ears and tail, of the Hart-Beest, render it one of the least handsome of the whole tribe of Antelopes. Its pace, when at full speed, appears like a heavy gal- lop; notwithstanding which, it runs as fast as any of the larger Antelopes. When it has once got a-head of its pursuers, it is very apt to turn round, and stare them full in the face.—lIts flesh is fine, rather dry, but of an agreeably high flavour. G2 100 —- HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS.. THE KOEDOE, OR STRIPED ANTELOPE, (Le Conduma, Buff.) Is a beautiful tall Gazelle, inhabiting the Cape of Good Hope ;: has long slender shanks:; 1s larger, though © not so clumsy, as the Eik-Antelope’: Its horns are smooth, twisted spirally, with a prominent edge or nb following the wreaths; they are three feet nine inches long, of a pale-brown colour, close at the base, and at the | points round and sharp. The colour of this animal is-a rusty-brown; along the - ridge of the back there is a white stripe, mixed with brown; from this are eight or nine white stripes, point- ing downwards; the nad and the forepart of the nose are brown; a white stripe runs from the corner of © each eye, and meets just above the nose; upon each cheek-bone, there are two small white spots; the inner edges of the ears are covered with white hair, and the upper part of the neck is adorned with a brown mane, an inch long ; beneath the neck, from the throat to the breast, are some long hairs hanging down ; the breast and belly are gray; the tail is two feet long, brown above, white beneath, and black at the end. The Koedoe, though a tall and slender ani mal, isnot. so swift as many of the Gazelle kind, and is easily over- _ taken by the hounds: On these occasions, the males de- fend themselves with great spirit with their horns, and will come to close quarters with the dogs; but the fe- males, having no horns, are obliged to depend on their speed. | "Ee ER ERTS ee ee ee HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 101 THE GEMSE-BOK, (Capra Gazella, Lin.—Le ee Buff.) Ir is called by Mr. Pennant, the Reiipiian Antelope. The horns are straight, slender, of a black colour, about three feet long, with above twenty rings reaching half way to the point, which are smooth ined taper; it is of an ash colour, ‘inclining to red; the belly, legs, and face are white ; a black line extends from the back to the loins; the tail is about two feet long, terminated with black hairs. This animal js famous for a concretion in its stomach or intestines, called the oriental bezoar, which was much esteemed in former times for its great virtue in expel- ling poison in the human frame, and was sold at enor- _mous prices, its value increasing in proportion to its size.—ILhere was atime when a stone of four ounces sold in Europe for above £.200; at present, however, its estimation and price are greatly decreased. ‘The virtues which ingorance and } inexperience attributed to it, are now found no longer to exist; and this once ce- lebrated medicine is now only consumed in countries where the Knowledge of Nature has been but little ad- vanced. Similar concretions are likewise found in a variety of animals of the Gazelle and Goat kind: Even Apes, Serpents and Hogs are said to have their bezoars. In short, there is scarcely an animal, except of the car- nivorous kind, that does not produce some of these con- cretions in the stomach; intestines, kidnies, and even the heart. ue ‘G3 102 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. These are the principal animals of the Gazelle kind described by Dr. Sparrman, in his voyage to the Cape of Good Hope. He mentions a variety of others that are to be met with there, of which he gives us little but their names. THE REE-BOK, — Ts two feet in height; of an ash colour, somewhat re- sembling that of a Hare, but a little more inclining to red: The belly and anus are white: The tail is ‘short: “The horns are black and straight, very similar to those of the Gemse-bok, but barely a foot long, very ta- per, and sharp pointed. ; they are used by the Hotten- tots as awls or bodkins, for boring holes in making their shoes or cloaks. The flesh of this animal is dry, and accounted worse to eat than that of any other Gazelle. THE RIET-REE-EOK, ‘Is twice as big as the last-mentioned animal; is mo- nogamous (or keeps in pairs) it generally lies conceal- ed among the reeds and marshy places, and resembles the Ree-bok, wh HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 103 ceo “y Za ee TE - a THE GRYS- BOK. ue Grimme, Buff.) Is of a grayish or ash colour, with large black ears, and a black spot round the eyes; straight black horns, slen- der and sharp-pointed, not three inches long, slightly annulated at the base: Its height is about ‘eighteen inches; and it 1s most elegantly een Beneath each eye is a Cavity, that contains a strong-scented oily li- quor, which smells something like musk, and, when ex- posed to the air, becomes hard and black. —It is the gr ae Antelope of Mr. Pennant. Sas alee =e THE KLIP-SPRINGER, Is of a light-red colour, inclining to yellow, intermixed with black streaks; the tips and edges of its ears are black: It runs with great swiftness, and makes large bounds, even on the steepest precipices, and in the most rocky places, where it cannot easily be caught with hounds. G 4 104 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ay t a seam amen rat LE Sa n THE GNU. ' Yo these we may add the Gxu, the ‘Hottentot name for a singular animal, which, with respect to its form, is aha the Horse and the Ox. It-is about the size of a common Galloway, the length of it being some- what above five feet, and the height rather more than four. - This animal is of a dark- brown colour; the tail and mane of a light-gray ; the shag on the chin and breast, and the stiff hairs which stand erect on the forehead an Mpper part of the face, are black: Fhe curvature the horns is sin gular ; and the animal i 1S ‘represented in bee cut in the attitude of butting, to give an idea of isg form and position. | 3 ‘The legs of the Gnu are small ; its hair is very fine ; and it has a cavity beneath each eye, like most of the. Antelope kind. : ge me eS esd HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 105 ‘THE STEEN-BOK, Ts found in oes re and at ae Cape of Good Hope.— Its whole body 1 is of a pale-réd colour; it is as large as a Roe-buck;. its horns, which do not exceed six inches in length, are almost smooth, and bend a little forward; its ears are five inches long; and it has a white spot over each eye.—It is called, by Mr. Pennant, the Red “Antelope. : THE SWIFT ANTELOPE, (Le Nanguer, Buff.) i Is Pec a native of Africa, and is found in Senegal. —It is three feet and a half in length, and two and a half high; the horns are black A round, eight inches in length, and what 1s singular, bend forward at the points ; its general colour is tawny; belly and es white ; it has likewise a white spot under the aeipe: a very handsome animal, and easily tamed, its swift ness is compared to that of the wind. SP eee eee 106 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE COMMON ANTELOPE. (Capra Cervicapra, Lin.—L’ Antelope, Buff.) ‘Tue Antelope, properly so called, abounds in Barbary, : and i in all the northern parts of Africa—lIt 1s somewhat less than the Fallow-deer: Its horns are about sixteen. inches long, surrounded with prominent rings almost to. the top, where they are twelve inches distant from point to point. The horns of the Antelope are remarkable for a beautiful double flexion, which gives them the ap- pearance of the lyre of the antients. The colour of the hair on the back is brown, mixed with red; the belly and inside of the thighs are white; the tail chee! HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 197 THE BARBARY ANTELOPE, (Capra Dorcas, Lin.—La Gazelle, Buff.) Is likewise common in all the northern parts of Africa, in Syria, and Mesopotamia; and seems to bea variety se the Jast mentioned animal, which it strongly resembles; only the two colours on the back are separated from each other by a strong dusky line on each side, and on each_knee there is a tuft of hair. THE KEVEL, (Le Kevel, Buff.) Is a native of Senegal: and, in colour and marks, very much resembles the preceding animal. It isaboutthe size of a small Roe-buck ; and its horns, instead of be- ing round, are flatted on their. sides, and the rings are more numerous. It lives in great flocks, may be easily tamed, and is excellent meat. (Le Corine, Buff.) Is still less than the two former animals: Its horns are very slender, only six inches long, and almost. smooth, the annular prominences being scarcely discernible; each side of its face ismarked witha white line, and beneath , See aes 108 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. that a black one; the upper part of the body is tawny; the belly and inside of the thighs white ; a dark line on each side forms a separation pecweda the two colours on the back and belly; on each knee is a tuft of hair.— Some of these animals are irregularly spotted with white, : LHE KOBA, (Le Koba, Buff.) Is remarkable for the form of itshorns, which are almost close at the base, bending out towards the middle, where they form a curve inwards, and again fly off at the points, which bend backward; they are seventeen inches long, surrounded with fifteen rings; the ends are smooth and sharp, HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 169 Opie oh nit We fe Jeena = SS SR; WENE Grae Ves We Ley a = ee exeoutritite Dauner mane Om ” WX» we pa “te Rp tel Lal rane incu Le ‘cama THE CHEVROTAIN AND MEMINNA. (Le Chevrotain de Guinea, Buff.) Tue Chevrotain, or little Guinea Deer, is the smallest of all the Antelope kind, the least of all cloven-footed quadrupeds, and, we may add, the most beautiful. Its fore legs, at the smallest part, are not much thicker than 2 tobacco: -pipe; it is not more than seven inches in height, and about twelve from the point of the nose to the insertion of the tail; its ears are broad; and its horns, which are straight, and scarcely two inches long, are black and shining as jet ; the colour of the hair isa reddish-brown ; in some a beautiful yellow, very short and glossy. These elegant little creatures are natives of Senegal andthe hottest parts of Africa; they are likewise found in India, and in many of the islands adjoining to that vast continent. In Ceylon, there is an animal of this kind called Afe- minna, which isnot larger than a Hare, but perfectly re- 11o" HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. sembling a Fallow-deer. It is of a gray colour; the sides and haunches ate spotted and barred with white ; its ears are long and open; its tail short. None of these small animals can subsist but ina warm climate. They are so extremely delicate, that it is with. the utmost difficulty they can be brought alive*into Eu- rope, where they soon perish. They are gentle, familiar, most beautifully formed; and their agility is such, that they will bound over a wall twelve feet high. In Gui- nea, they are called Guevez. The female has no horns. THE SCYTHIAN ANTELOPE (Capra Tartarica, Lin.—Le Saiga, Buff.) Tuts is the only one of the species that is to be found in Europe. ‘The form of its body resembles the domes- tic Goat; but its horns are those of an Antelope, being marked by very prominent rings, with furrows between; - they are a foot long, the ends smooth, of a pale-yellow colour, almost transparent. The male, during winter, is covered. with long rough hair, like the Fete and has a strong scent; the fe- male is smoother, and without horns. The general co- Jour is gray, mixed with yellow; the under part of the body 1s white. These animals inhabit Poland, Moldavia, about Mount Caucasus, the Caspian Sea, and Siberia; are fond of salt, and frequent the places where salt-springs abound. In the rutting season, at the latter end of autumn, great flocks of them, consisting id ot thousands, migrate HISTORY OF QOUADRUPEDS. 11L towards the south, and return in the spring, in smaller flocks, to the great northern deserts, where the females bring forth their young, and rear them. The males, the females and their young, generally feed together ; and, when a part of them are resting, others, by an instinctive kind of caution, are always keep- ing watch ; these again are relieved in due time; and, in this manner, they alternately rest and keep watch; frequently preserving themselves, by this | means, aon the attacks of men and wild beasts. Their common pace i is a trot; but, when they exert their speed, they bound like the Roe-buck, and exceed it in fleetness. They are so timid, as to suffer themselves to be taken through fear: If once bitten by a dog, they instantly fall down, and give themselves up without fur- ther effort to escape —When taken young, they are easi- ly tamed; but the old ones are so wild and obstinate, as to refuse all food, whilst in a state of captivity—They are hunted for the sake of their flesh, horns, and skins; the latter are excellent for gloves, belts, &c. The hunts- man is extremely cautious in approaching a herd of these animals, lest they should discover him by the excellen- cy of their smell, ‘They are either shot, or taken by dogs; and sometimes by the black eagle, which is train- ed for that purpose. In running, they seem to incline to one side; and their motion is so rapid, that their feet.seem scarcely to touch the ground. THE NYL-GHAU. _ Tuts animal is a native of the interior parts of India. Tt seems to be of a middle nature, between the Cow and the Deer, and carries the appearance of both in its form. In size, it is as much smaller than the one, as it is larger than the other: Its body, horns, and tail, are not unlike those of a Bull; and the head, neck, and legs, are similar to those of a Deer. The colour, in general, is ash or gray, from a mixture of black hairs and white: All along the ridge or edge of the neck the hair is blacker, longer, and mote erect, making a short, thin, and upright mane, reaching down to the hump: Its horns are seven inches long, six inches round at the root, tapering by degrees, and terminating ina blunt point: The ears are large and ee eee ee! " HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS.. 113 _ beautiful, seven inches in length, and spread to a consi- derable breadth; they are white on the edge and on the inside, except where two black bands mark the hollow -of the ear with.a Zebra-like variety. The height of this animal, at the shoulder, is four feet one cone behind the loins, it only measures four feet. The. female differs considerably from the male, both in height and thickness 3; it is much smaller; in shape and colour it very much resem bles a Deer, and has no horns: She has four nipples, and is supposed to go nine months with young: She has lg aie one at a birth, and sometimes two. Several of this species were brought to this country in the year 1767, which continued to breed annually for some years aiter.—Dr. Hunter, who had one of them in his custody for some time, describes it as a harmless and gentle animal; that it seemed pleased with every kind of familiarity; always licked the. hand that either stroked or fed it, and never once attempted to use its horns of- fensively. Itseemed to have much dependance on its or- gans of smell, and snufied keenly whenever any person came in sight: It did so likewise, when food or drink was brought to it, and would not taste the bread which was offered, if the hand that presented it happened to smell of turpentine. Its manner of fighting 1s very particular, and is thus described :— Two of the males at Lord Clive’s being put into an inclosure, were observed, while they were at some distance from each other, to prepare for the attack by falling down upon their knees:,They then shuffled towards oh other, still keeping upon their knees, and, H 411A HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. at the distance of a few yards, they made a spring, and darted against each other with great force. The following anecdote will serve to shew, that dur- ing the rutting season, these animals are fierce and vi- - cious, and not to be depended upon: A labouring man, without knowing that the animal was near him, went up to the outside of the inclosure; the Nyl-ghau, with the . quickness of lightning, darted against the weod-work with such violence, that he dashed it to pieces, and broke off one of his horns close to the reot. The death of the animal, which happened soon after, was supposed to be owing to the injury he sustained by the blow. Bernier says, that it is the favourite amusement of the Mogul Emperor to hunt the Nyl-ghau ; and that he kills them in great numbers, and distributes quarters of them to his omrahs; which shews that they are esteemed good delicious food. The Nyl-ghau is frequently brought from the interior parts of Asia as a rare and valuable present to the na- bobs and other great men at our settlements in India. It remains to be considered, whether this rare animal might not be propagated with success in this country, That it will breed here, is evident from experience; and, if it should prove docile enough to be easily trained to la- bour, its great swiftness and cangiticrable strength might be epplicd to the most valuable purposes. : WISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 115 Wie Paes ee: ras YY t vommmmets 7, 1 eA 2 so, et Ye / ——$ SSS ti, sts == SS x 6 ue < bt ee > — Let ia SS — Va . Ss = y) ‘4 AWW ake Ls SRR == — WH See | 2 SSS oF i} ul = Se a Taree cp > ‘ TOW mn Mee TTT THE MUSK. (Moschus Moschiferus, Lin—Le Muse, Buf.) Tuere have been various accounts given of this ani- _ mal by naturalists and travellers; by whom it seems to have been taken notice of more for the perfume which it produces, than for the information of the curious en- quirer into its nature and qualities: For we are still at a loss what rank to assign it among the various tribes of quadrupeds. | It has no horns; and whether it ruminates or not, is uncertain: But, by its wanting the fore teeth in the up- per jaw, we are led to suppose that it belongs either to the Goat or the Deer kind; and have therefore given it a place after the Gazelles, relying upon those cha- racteristic marks which are known, and leaving it to those naturalists, who may be possessed of better means of information, to ascertain its genuine character, Fii:2 =? ie ew Teagan ne * Cee ee ? 116 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. The Musk of Thibet resembles the Roe-buck in form. It is somewhat above two feet in height at the shoulder; the hind le gs, which are longer dian the fore legs, are two feet nine inches high at. the haunches; the length is three feet six inches fie the head to the tail ; the: head i is above half a foot long: its upper jaw is much lar: ger than the lower ; and on each side of it there. is a slender tusk, near two inches long, which hangs down, bendis ng it inwards like a hook, and very sharp on the inner aie: ts lower jaw contains eight small cutting teeth; and in each jaw there are six grinders: Its ears are long, small, and erect, like those of a Rabit: The hair on the whole body is long and rough, marked with small waves from top to bot- tom: The colour is a rusty-brown; under the belly and tail it is white: On each side of. the lower jaw there is a tuff of thick ‘hair, about an inch long: Its hoofs are deeply cloven, slender, and black ; the spurious hoofs are lixewise very long: Its tailis not more than.two inches in length, and hid in the hair—The use it makes of its tusks is not well known: The most proba- : ble is that of hooking up roots out of the ground, and catching at small twigs and branches of trees, upon which it feeds.—The female has no tusks, is less than than the male, and has two small teats. _ The Musk is found in the kingdom of Thibet, in se- veral of the Chinese provinces, pee the lake Baikal, and near-the rivers Jenisea and Argun, from lat. 60 to 45; but seldom so far south, except arivee by great falls of snow to seek for food in more temperate climates.—It is naturally a timid animal, and endowed with a quick sense of hearing. Its solitary haunts are usually moun- tains, covered wiih pines ; where it avoids mankind, and, HISTORY OF QU ADRUPEDS. 117 when pursued, flies to the highest and most inaccessible summits. The perfume produced by this animal, which is so ‘well known in the fashionable circles, and of late so much used in the practice of physic, needs little descrip- tion. Itis found in a bag or tumour, nearly of the size of a hen’s « egs, on the be oe of the male only. ‘These bags the hunters cut off, and tie them up for sale; many thousands of | which are sent over annually to Europe, be- -- sides what are consumed in-different parts of the East. To account. for this ereat consumption; it is. supposed that the musk is frequently adulterated. and mixed with the blood of the animal. _ It. comesto-us from. China, Tonquin, Bengal, and Muscovy ; but that of: ‘Thibet is reckoned the best, and sells at a much higher Price. The flesh of the males, ‘especially i in the PENS Season is much infected ‘with the flavour of the musk; but is, nevertheless, eaten by the Russians and to Or a 118 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, pt De oes F 2 OTIEY \FHE CAMELEOPARD. (Cervus Camelopardalis, Lm.—La Giraffe, Buff.) Tuts animal, (the existence of which has frequently. _ been called in question) is a native of the wild and un; ~ frequented desarts of Ethiopia, and other interior parts of Africa, where it Jeads a solitary life, far-from the ha- bitations of m en, for whose use it is rendered unfit by the enormous disproportion of its parts. It has hither- to been regarded chiefly as an object of curiosity, and may lead us to admire the wonderful productions of that creative Power, which has filled the earth with life in such a boundless variety of forms. The height of this extraordinary animal, from the crown of the head tg the ground, is seventeen feets HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 119 while at the rump it only measures nine; the neck alone is seven feet long; and the length, from the extremity of the tail to the end of the nose, is twenty-two feet The fore and hind legs are nearly of an equal height; but the shoulders rise so high, that its back inclines ie the roof of a house: Its neck is slender and elegant, adorned on the upper side with a short mane: On the highest part of the head it has two perpendicular horns, six inches long, covered with hair, and round at the ends, where they are encompassed witha circle of short black hairs*: On the middle of the forehead there is a protu- berance, about two inches high: -its ears are long, and its eyes large and beautiful. The colour of the male is light-gray, aa witlt large dark-brown spots over the whole body ; the spots on the female are of a pale-yellow colour. It is a timid and gentle creature, but not swift; from the great length of its fore legs, it is obliged to divide them to a great distance when it grazes, which it does with great difficulty ; it lives chiefly by browsing on the leaves and tender branches of trees: it lies on its belly, and has hard protuberances on its breast and thighs, like the Camel; its tail is similar to that of an ox, with strong black hair at the end; it is cloven-footed, has no teeth in the upper jaw, and is a ruminating animal.— The female has four teats, and is less than the male.— This animal was known to the, Romans in early times. ¥ Mr. Vaillant, who shot several of these animals, says, that these horns differ from those of the Stag or the Ox, in being formed by a continuation of the bone of the sku#l. Ei 4. 4 120 _ HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE ELK, (Cervus Alces, Lin.—L’Elan, Buff.) Is the largest and most formidable of ail the Deer kind. Jt is a native of both the old and the new continent, being known in Europe by the name of the Elk, and in. America by that of the Moose-deer. It is sometimes ta- ken in the forests of Russia and Germany ; though it is rarely to be seen, on account of its extreme wildness. It likewise inhabits Norway, Sweden, Poland, and Tar- tary, as far as the North of China. It is common in Canada, and in al] the northern parts of America. _ . The Elk has been variously described by nagmeists and travellers:*By some it is said to be twe ve feet high ; whilst others, with greater appearance of proba- bility, describe it as being not much higher thana Horse. It is, however, a matter of doubt to which a greater degree of credibility should be given. ye ee Pee ee ee ee ce! F HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 121 From a variety of Elks’ horns preserved in the cabi- nets of the curious, some of which are of a most enor- mous size, there is every reason to conclude, that the animal which bore them must have been of a propor- tionable bulk and strength. Those who speak of the gigantic Maddie, say, their horns are six feet long, and measure, from tip to tip, above ten feet: the beams of the horns are short; from which they spread out into large and broad palms, one side of which is plain, but on the outside are several sharp snags or shoots. . The European Elk grows to tha height of seven or eight feet; and in length, from the ent of the muzzle to the nena of the tail, measures ten feet: The head 1s two feet long; the neck, on which is a short upright mane of a light brown colour, is much shorter : Its eye is small; and, from the lower corner of it, there is a deep slit common to all the Deer kind as well as most. of the Gazelles: The ears are upwards of a foot in length, very broad, and somewhatslouching; the nostrils are wide; and the upper lip, which is square, and has a deep furrow in the middle, hangs greatly over the lower, from whence it was imagined by the ancients, that this. creature could not graze without going backward: The withers are very high, the hind legs much shorter than the fore legs, and the hoofs deeply cloven: From a small excrescence under the throat, hangs a long tuft of coarse black hair: The tail is very short, dusky above, and white - beneath: The hair is long and rough, like a Bear, and of 129 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. a hoary brown colour, not much differing from that of ibe Ass. The pace of the Elk is a high, shambling trot; but it goes with great swiftness—Formerly these animals were made use of in Sweden to draw sledges; but as they were frequently accessary to the escape of such as _ had been guilty of murders or other great crimes, this use of them was prohibited under great penalties. In passing through thick woods, these animals carry their heads horizontally, to prevent their horns being en- tangled in the branches. The Elks are timid and inoffensive; excépt when wounded, or during the rutting season, when the males become very furious, and at that time will swim from isle to isle in pursuit of the females. They strike with both horns and hoofs, and possess such agility and — strength of limbs, that with a single blow of the fore - feet, they will kill a Wolf or a Dog. Their flesh is extremely sweet and nourishing. The Indians say, they can travel farther after eating heartily of the flesh of the Elk, than any other animal food. Their tongues are excellent; but the nose is esteemed the greatest delicacy in all Canada. The skin makes ex- cellent buff leather, and is strong, soft, and light: The Indians make their snow-shoes, and likewise form their | canoes with it. The hair on the neck, withers, and hams, of a full-grown Elk, from its great length and elasticity, is’ well adapted to the Porpors of ‘making mattrasses and saddles. The methods of hunting these animals in Canada are curious, The first and most simple, is,—before the lakes or rivers are frozen, multitudes of the natives assemble in HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 123 their canoes, with which they form a vast crescent, each horn touching the shore ; whilst another party on the shore surround an extensive tract: ‘They are at- tended by dogs, which they let loose, and press towards the water with loud cries. The animals alarmed by the noise, fly before the hunters, and plunge into the Jake, where they are killed by the people in the canoes with lances and clubs.—Another method requires a greater degree of preparation and art. The hunters inclose a large space with stakes and branches of trees, forming two sides of a triangle; the bottom opens into a second inclosure, which is fast on all sides: Atthe opening are hung numbers of snares, made of the slips of raw hides. They assemble, as before, in great troops: and with all kinds of hideous noises, drive into the inclosure not only the Moose, but various other kinds of Deer, with which that country abounds. Some, in forcing their way through the narrow pass, are caught in the snares by the neck or horns; whilst those which escape these, meet their fate from the ar- rows of the hunters, directed at them from all quarters. ——They are likewise frequently killed with the gun. _ When they are first discovered, they squat with their hind parts, and make water; at which instant the sportsman fires: If he miss, the Moose sets off in a most rapid trot, making, like the Rein-deer, a prodigious rattling with its hoofs, and running twenty or thirty miles efor it stops or takes the water. The usual time for this diversion is in winter. The animal can run with ease upon the firm surface of the snow; but the hunters avoid entering on the chase till the heat of the sun is strong enough to melt the frozen crust with which it is covered, and render it so soft as to im- EA HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. pede the flight of the Moose, sinks up to the shoulders, flounders, and gets on with great difficulty: The sports- man pursues in his broad rackets, or snow shoes, and makes a readv prey of the distressed animal. “ As weak against the mountain-heaps they push “ Their beating breasts in vain, and piteous bray, “ He lays them quiv ring on th’ ensanguin’d snows. « And with loud shouts rejoicing bears them home.” The female is less than the male, and has no horns. They are in season in the autumn; and bring forth in April, sometimes ane, but generally two young ones at a time, which arrive at their full growth in six years. “ty : = ’ HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 125 ine... 2 ci Aas eee Si Me LB “Fe x, LLL LC UU Ved & Be LLL IPs) 777 TP ed THE AMERICAN ELK. We have given a faithful portrait of this animal, from a living one lately brought from the interior parts of America. It seems to be very different from that generally described under the name of the Elé or Moose-deer, to which it has very little resemblance. It seems, indeed, to belong toa distinct species, and is probably the Lk or Orégital of Canada and the nor- thern parts of America. At the age of five years, the length of this creature was nine feet, from the end of the muzzle to the inser- tion of the tail, the head and neck being extended in a line with the body: Its height at the shoulder was four a, 126 HISTORY OF OUADRUPEDS. feet six inches; length of the head, one foot six inches s breadth over the forehead, seven inches; length of the fore legs, two feet five inches; length of the neck, two feet ig ; its ears, nine inches; and tail, three. Its horns, which it had just shed, are not palmated, like those of the Moose: They are large; and when full grown measure above six feet, from tip totip. The antlers are round, and pointed at the ends: The lowermost antler forms a curve downward over each eye, to which it appears a defence. _ Its hair was long, of a dark-dun colour on the back and sides; on the head and legs dark brown: Its eyes full and lively; and below each there is a deep slit, about two inches in length, the use of which we are unable to discover. It was very lively and active; of great strength of body and limbs: Its hoofs choi, and like those of a calf: the division between them is less than in those of the Rein-deer; and, when the animal is in motion, they do not make a rattling noise. It hasno mane; but the hair under its neck is longer than es on any other part of the body. We were told by the owner of this very rare and beautiful animal, that it does not attain its full growth till twenty years old, and that it sheds its horns every third year. | | - | HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 127 : EGG ame a “i ERTS ie oh ; " CS ————— ay x 1 - ae Héarex sates wally i Lill ASeaveswrons= AUSSVAQAND YANN THE REIN-DEER. (Cervus Tarandus, Lin.—Le Renne, Buff.) Tuis extraordinary animal is a native of the icy te- gions of the North; where, by a wise and bountiful dis- pensation, which diffuses the common goods of Nature over every part of the habitable globe, it is made subser- vient to the wants of a hardy race of men inhabiting the countries near the pole, who would find it impossible to subsist among their snowy mountains without the aid of this most useful creature.. In more temperate regions, men are indebted to the unbounded liberality of Nature for a great variety of va- luable creatures to serve, to nourish, and to cloath them. To the poor Laplander, the Rein-deer alone supphes the place of the Norse, the Cow, the Sheep, the Goat, &c. ; 128. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, and from it he derives the only comforts’that tend te soften the severity of his situation in that most inhospi- - table climate. s ; The Rein-deer of Lapland are of two kinds—the wild and the tame: The former are larger, stronger, and more hardy than the latter; for which reason, the tame females, in the proper season, are often sent out into the woods, where they meet with wild’ males, and return home impregnated by them. The breed from this mixture is stronger, and better adapted for drawing the sledge, to which the Laplanders accustom them at an early THE SLEDGE. age. They are yoked to it bya collar, from which a trace is brought under the belly between the legs, and fastened to the fore part of the sledge. These carriages are extremely light, and covered at the bottom with the skin of the Rein-deer. The person who sits in it guides the animal with a cord fastened to itshorns; he drives it witha goad, and encourages it with his voice. Those of the wild breed, though by far the strongest, often prove refractory, and not only refuse to obey their master, HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 129 turn against him, and strike so furiously with their feet, that his only resource is to cover himself with his sledge, upon which the enraged creature vents his fury: The tame Deer, on the contrary is patient, active, and wil-. ling.—When hard pushed, the Rein-deer will trot the distance of sixty miles without stopping; but in such exertions, the poor obedient creature fatigues itself so exceedingly that its master is frequently obliged to kill it immediately, to prevent a lingering death that would ensue. In general they can go about thirty miles with- out stopping, and that without any great or dangerous effort —This mode of travelling can be performed only in the winter season, when the face of the country is covered with snow; and, although the conveyance is speedy, is inconvenient, dangerous, and troublesome. As the Rein-deer constitutes the sole riches of the Laplander, it may well be supposed that a constant at- tention to preserve and secure it, forms the chief employ- ment of his life. It is no uncommon thing for one per- son to possess above five hundred in a single herd. As soon as summer appears, which forms but a short interval from the most piercing cold, the Laplander, who ‘had fed his Rein-Deer upon the lower grounds during the winter, drives them up to the mountains, leaving the woody country and the low pastures, which at that sea- gon are in a state truly deplorable. Myriads of insects, bred by the heat of the sun in the woods and fens with which this country abounds, are all upon the wing; the _ whole atmosphere swarms with life; every place and eve- ry creature is infested; the natives are obliged to cover their faces with a mixture of pitch and milk, to shield I # ee ee RR ee is, - ak at 130 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. them from these minute invaders, which are drawn in with the breath, and enter the nostrils, and even the eyes: But they are chiefly inimical to the Rein-deer; The horns of that animal being then tender, and covered with a skin which renders them extremely sensitive, a cloud of these insects settle upon them, and drive the poor animal almost to distraction. In this extremity, there is no resource but flight. The herdsmen drive their flocks from the plains to the summits of the moun- tains, whither the foe cannot follow them: There they will continue the whole day with little or no food, ra- ther than venture down into the lower parts, where they have no defence against their unceasing persecutors. Besides the gnat, the gadfiy is a common pest to the Rein-deer. In the autumn this insect deposits its eggs in their skin, where the worms burrow, and often proves fatal to them. The moment a single fly is seen, the whole herd is in motion; They know their enemy, and endeavour to avoid it, by tossing up their heads, and run- ning among each other; but all this too often proves in- effectual. Every morning and evening during the summer, the herdsmen returns to his cottage with the Deer to be milked, where a large fire of moss is prepared, for the purpose of filling the place with smoke, to drive off the gnats, and keep the Deer quiet whilst milking —The quantity of milk given by one female in a day, is about a pint. It is thinner than that of a Cow, but sweeter and ~ more nourishing. The female begins to breed at the age of two years, is in season the latter end of Septeniber, goes with young eight months, and generally bring forth two at a time. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 131 ~—The fondness of the Dam for her young is very re- markable. They follow her two or three years, but do not acquire their full strength until] four. It is at this age that they are trained to labour; and they continue serviceable four or five years. They neverlive above fif- teen or sixteen years. At eight or nine years old, the Laplanders kill them for their skins and their flesh. Of the former they make garments, which are warm, and cover them from head to foot: They also serve them for beds; they spread them on each side of the fire upon the leaves of trees, and in this manner lie both soft and warm. ‘The latter affords a constant supply ef good and wholesome food, which, in the winter, when other kinds ‘of provision fail, is their chief subsistence. ‘The tongue of the Rein-deer is considered as a great delicacy; and, when dried, great numbers of them are sold into other countries. ‘The sinews serve for thread, with which the Laplanders make their cloaths, shoes, and other neces- saries; and, when covered with the hair, serve them for ropes. Innumerable are the uses, the comforts, and advan- tages, which the poor inhabitants of this dreary climate derive from this animal. We cannot sum them up bet- ter than the beautiful language of the poet:— “ Their Rein-deer form their riches. These their tents, “ Their robes, their beds, and all their homely wealth, * Supply their wholesome fare, and chearful cups: * Obsequious at their call, the docile tribe “« Yield to the sled their necks, and whirl them swift “ Over hill and dale, heap’d into one expanse “ OF marbled snow, as far as eye can sweep, “ With a blue crust of ice unbounded glaz'd.” I 2 ‘ 132 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. The horns of the Rein-deer are large and slender, bending forward, with brow antlers, which are broad and palmated: A pair in our possession are in length. two feet eight inches, and from tip to tip two feet five ; they weigh nine pounds: The projecting brow antler is fourteen inches long, one foot broad, and serrated at the end: It should seem both from its situation and form, an excellent instrument to remove the snow, under which its favourite moss lies. Both sexes have horns: Those: of the female are less, and have fewer branches. Weare happy in being able to give an accurate repre- sentation of this singular creature. “The drawing was taken from one in the possession of Sir H. G. Liddell, Bart. which he brought over from Lapland, with four others, in 1786. ‘The height at the shoulder was three feet three inches. The hair onthe body was of a dark- brown colour; and on the neck brown, mixed with white: A large tuft of hair, of a dirty-white colour, hung down from the throat, near its breast; and it had. a large white spot on the inside of each bind leg, close by the joint: Its head was long and fine; and round each eye was a large black space: Its horns were covy- ered with a fine Son like velvet. The hoofs of this animal are large, broad, and deeply cloven: They spread out toa great breadth on the ground; and, when the animal is in motion, make a eeretine noise, by being drawn up forcibly together. Not many attempts have been made to draw the Rein- deer from its native mountains, and transport it to mild- er climes; and of these few have succeeded. Natural- ists from thence have concluded, that it cannot exist but amidst ice and snow. M. Buffon regrets the impossibi- HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 135 lity of procuring the animal alive; and says, that, when transported to another climate, it soon dies. M. Regnard mentions some that were brought to Dantzick; where, being unable to endure the heat of the climate, they all perished, Queen Christina of Sweden procured five and _twenty, which she purposed sending to Oliver Cromwell: They were brought as far as Stockholm; but the Lap- landers who attended them refusing to come to England, fifteen of the number were killed by the wolves, and the remaining ten did not long survive, the climate being considered as too warm. To those brought over by Sir H. G. Liddell, five more were added the year following. They produced young ones, and gave pronuising hopes of thriving in this coun- try: But, unfortunately, some of them were killed; and, the others died, in consequence of a disorder similar to that called the rot in Sheep, which was attributed to the richness of the grass whereon they fed. Nor can we wonder at the failure of this spirited enterprize, when we consider, that it is the sole employment of the Lap- Jander to tend and herd his Rein-deer, to drive them in the summer time to the summits of the mountains, to the ' sides of clear Jakes and streams, and to lead them where they can find the most proper food. Want of knowledge of attention to minute particulars, is sufficient to over- turn the best-laid plans. There is, however, little doubt but this animal will live without the Lapland lichen; to which, perhaps, it only hath recourse, because there is in those latitudes no other sustenance during the winter. It is also, in Eng- land, free from its mortal enemy—the gadfly. But as | Re: 134 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. the desire of possessing this animal has hitherto been ex- cited only by curiosity, it is not likely that much atten- tion will be paid to it in a country like this, abounding with such a variety of useful quadrupeds. The Rein-deer is wild in America, where it is called the Cartbow.—tIt is found in Spitzbergen and Greenland, and is very common in the most northern parts. of Eu- rope, and in Asia as far as Kamschatka, where some of the richest of the natives keep herds of ten or twenty thousand in number. In the neighbourhood of Hudson’s Bay there are great herds of w ild Rein-deer: Columns of many tithe annually pass from North to South in the months of Marchand April. In that season the muskatees are very troublesome, and oblige them to quit the woods, and seek refreshment on the shore and opencountry. Great numbers of beasts of prey follow the herds. The wolves single out the stragglers, detach them from the flock, and hunt them down: The foxes attend at a distance, to pick up the offals ieft by the former. In autumn, the Deer, with the fawns bred during the summer, Te- migrate northward. Se —— = ss |h|hCUh HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 185 THE STAG, OR RED-DEER.' (Cervus Elephas, Lin.—-Le Cerf, Buff.) Tuts is the most beautiful animal of the Deer kind. The elegance of his form, the lightness of his motions, the flexibility of his limbs, his bold branching horns, which are annually renewed, his grandeur, strength, and swiftness, give him a decided pre-eminence over every other inhabitant of the forest. The age of the Stag is known by its horns. The first. I 4 136 HISTORY OF QAUDRUPEDS. year exhibits only a short protuberance, which is covered with a hairy skin; the next year, the horns are straight -and single; the third year produces two antlers, the fourth thige: the fifth four; and, when arrived at the sixth year, the antlers amount to six or seven on each side; but the number is not always certain. The Stag begins to shed his horns the latter end of February, or the beginning of March. Soon after the old horn has fallen off, a soft tumour begins to appear, which is soon covered with a down like velvet: This tu- mour every day buds forth, like the graft of a tree; and rising by degrees, shoots out the antlers on each side: The skin continues to cover it for some time, and is fur- nished with blood-vessels, which supply the growing horns with nourishment, and occasion the furrows ob- servable in them when that covering is stript off: The impression is deeper at the bottom, where the vessels are larger, and diminishes towards the point, where they are smooth.. When the horns are at their full growth, they acquire strength and solidity; and the velvet covering or skin, with its flood-vessels, dries up, and begins to fall off; which the animal endeavours to hasten, by rubbing them against the trees; and, in this manner, the whole head gradually acquires its complete hardness, expansion and beauty. Soon after the Stags have polished their Sacha which is not compleated fill July or August, they au the thickets, and return to the forests: They cry with a _Joud and tremulous note, and fly from place to place, jn search of the females, with extreme ardour: Their necks swell; they strike with their horns against trees and other obstacles, and become extremely furious.—At HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 137 this season, when two Stags meet, their contests are often desperate, and terminate in the defeat or fight of one of them ; white the other remains in possession of his mis- tress ane the field, till another rival approaches, that he- is also obliged to attack and repel. During this. time, which usually lasts about three weeks, the Stag is fre- quently seen by the sides of rivers and pools of water, where he can quench his thirst, as well as cool his ar- dour. He swims with great ease and strength; and, it is said, will even venture out to sea, allured by the Hinds, and swim from one island to another, though ata considerable distance. _ The hinds go with young eight months and a few days, and seldom produce more than one young, called _aFawn. They bring forthin May, or the beginning of June, and conceal their young with great care in the most obscure retreats. They will even expose themselves ta the fury of the hounds, and suffer all the terrors of the chase, in order to draw off the dogs from their hiding- place. The hind is also very bold in the protection of her offspring, and defends it with great courage against her numerous and rapacious enemies: The Wild Cat, the Dog, and even the Wolf, are frequently obliged to give way to her upon these occasions. But what appears to be strangely unnatural, the Stag himself is frequently one of her most dangerous foes, and would destroy the fawn, if not prevented by the maternal care of the Hind, which carefully conceals the place of its retreat. The calf never quits the dam during the whole sum- mer; and in winter, the Stags and Hinds of all ages keep together in herds, which are more or less numerous Meordiae to the mildness or rigourof the season. ‘They 138 | HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. separate in the spring: The Hinds retire, to bring forth; while none but the young ones remain together. Stags are gregarious, and fond of grazing in company: It is danger or necessity alone that separates them. The usual colour of the Stag, in England, is red; in ~ other countries, it is generally brown or yellow. His eye is peculiarly beautiful, soft, and sparkling: His hear- ing is quick; and his sense of smelling acute. When listening, he raises his head, erects his ears, and seems attentive to every noise which he can hear at a great distance. When he approaches a thicket, he stops to look round him on all sides, and attentively surveys every object near him: If the cunning animal perceive nothing to alarm him, he moves slowly forward; but, on the least appearance of danger, he flies off with the rapidity of the wind. He appears to listen with great tranquility and delight to the sound of the shepherd’s pipe, which is ‘sometimes miade use of to allure the poor animal to its destruction. The Stag eats slowly, and is nice in the choice of his’ pasture. When his stomach is full, he lies down to chew the cud at leisure. This, however, seems to be > attended with greater exertions than in the Ox or the Sheep; for the grass is not returned from the first sto- mach without violent straining, owing to the great length of his neck, and the narrowness of the passage. This ef- fort is made by a kindof hiccup, which continues ee the time of his ruminating. The voice of the Stag is stronger and more quivering as he advances in age: In the rutting season, it is even — terrible. That of the Hind is not so loud; and is sel- HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. © 139 dom heard, but when excited by apprehension for herself or her young. The Stag has been said to be an uncommonly long lived animal; but later observations have fully confuted this unfounded opinion. It is a generally received max- im, that animals live seven times the number of years that bring them to perfection: Thus the Stag, being five or six years in arriving at muturity, lives seven times that number, or from thirty-five to forty years. The following fact, recorded in history, will serve to shew that the Stag is possessed of an extraordinary share of courage, when his personal safefy is concerned :— Some years ago, William, Duke of Cumberland, caused a Tyger and a Stag to be inclosed in the same area; and — the Stag made so bold a defence, that the Tyger was at length Pilied to give up. The hunting af the Stag has been held, in all ages, a diversion of the noblest anda and former times bear witness of the great exploits senormed on. these occa- sions. In our island, large tracts of land were set apart for this purpose; villages and sacred edifices were wan- tonly thrown down, and converted into. one wide waste, that the tyrant of the day might have room to pursue his. favourite diversion. In the time of William Rufus and Henry the First, it was less criminal to destroy one of the human species than a beast of chase. Happily for us, these wide-extended scenes of desolation and oppression have been gradually contracted ; useful arts, agriculture, and commerce, have extensively spread themselves over the naked land; and these superior beasts of the chase have given way to other animals more useful to the com- munity, 140 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. In the present cultivated state of this country, there- fore, the Stag is almost unknown in its wild state. The few that remain are kept in parks among the Fallow- deer, and are distinguished by the name of Red Deer.—Its viciousness during the rutting season, and the badness of its flesh, which is poor and ill-flavoured, have occasioned almost the extinction of the species. Some few are yet. to be found in the forests that border on Cornwall and Devonshire, on most of the large mountains of Ireland, and in the Highlands of Scotland, where Dr. Johnson describes them as not exceeding the Fallow-deer in size ~ and their flesh of equal flavour. The Red Deer of this kingdom are nearly of the same size and colour, without much variety: In other parts ot the world, they differ in form and size, as well as in their horns and colour of their bodies. THE CORSICAN STAG, Is very small, not exceeding half the height of ours; his body is short and thick, his hair of a dark- brown celour, and his legs short. HISTORY OF QU ADRUPEBDS. 142 LHE AXIS, OR GANGES STAG. (Li Agis, Buff.) Turs animal is an inhabitant of those immense plains of india watered by the river Ganges.—M. Buffon con- siders it as a variety or shade between the Stag and the Fallow-deer. It is the size of the latter; but its horns are round, like those of the Stag; and it has no brow antlers. Its whole body is marked with white spots, ele- _ gantly disposed, and distinct from each other; the belly, inside of the thighs, and Jegs, are white; along the back there are two rows of spots, parallel toeach other; those on the other parts of the body are irregular; ‘the head and neck are gray; and the tail, which is red above and white beneath, is as long as that of the Fallow-deer. 14:2 HISTORY OF QUADURPEDS. The continent of America abounds with Stags, and other animals of the Deer kind, in great variety. In some parts of that vast country, the inhabitants have domesticated them, and live chiefly upon the milk and cheese with which they supply them. Thus we find, that the same animal, which, in some parts, contributes only to the amusement of man, may, in others, be brought to supply his necessities. The stores of Nature are various and abundant: Itis necessity alone that draws them out to supply our wants, and contribute to our comforts. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 143 THE FALLOW-DEER. (Cervus Dama, Lin.—Le Dain, Buff. ) Tue principal difference between the Stag and the Fallow-deer, seems to be in their size and in the form of their horns; the latter is much smaller than the former, and its horns, instead of being round, like those of the Stag, are broad, palmated at the ends, and better garnish- ed with antlers: The tail is also much longer hay that of the Stag, and its hairis brighter; in ier respects they heaily ne each other, The horns of the Fallow-deer are shed annually, like those of the Stag; but they fall off later, and are renew- ed nearly at the same time. ‘Their rutting season arrives fifteen days or three weeks after that of the Stag. ‘The hy SO. Pe Gee ¥ ¥" I 4a HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. males then bellow frequently, but with a low and inter- rupted voice. They are not so furious at this season as the Stag, nor exhaust themselves by any uncommon ar- dour. ‘They never leave their pasture in quest of the fe- males, but generally fight with each other, till one buck becomes master of the field. They associate in herds, which sometimes divide into two parties, and maintain obstinate battles for the posses- sion of some favourite part of the park: Each party has its leader, which is always the oldest and strongest of the flock. They attack in regular order of battle; they fight with courage, and mutually support each other; they re- tire, they rane and seldom give up after one defeat: The combat is frequently renewed for several days to- gether; till, after many defeats, the weaker party is obliged to give way, and leave the conquerors in posses- sion of ie object of their contention. The Fallow-deer is easily tamed, feeds upon a variety of things which the stag refuses, and preserves its condi- tion nearly the same through the whole year, although its flesh is esteemed much finer at particular seasons. They are capable of procreation in their second year; and, like the Stag, are fond of variety. ‘Phe female goes with young eight months; and produces one, sometimes two, and rarely three, at atime. They arrive at perfec- tion at the age of three years, and live till about twenty. We have in England two varieties of the Fallow-deer . which are said to be of foreign origin: The beautiful spotted kind, supposed to lve been “brought from Ben- ae and the deep-brown sort, now common in this country. ‘These last were introduced by King James the First, out of Norway ; where having observed their har- HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDs. 145 diness in bearing the cold of that severe climate, he brought some of them into Scotland, and from thence transported them into his chases of Enfield and Epping. Since that time they have multiplied exceedingly in ma- ny parts of this kingdom, which is now become famous for venison of superior fatness and flavour to that of any other country in the world. 7 | The Fallow-deer, with some Variation, is found in almost every country of Europe. Those of Spain are as large as Stags, but darker; their necks are also more slender; and their tails, which are longer than those of cours, are black above, and white beneath. raat In Guiana (a country of South America) according to Labat, there are Deer without horns, smaller than those of Europe, but resembling them in every other particular. They are very lively, light, and excessively timid; ofa reddish colour; with sharp, piercing eyes, and short tails. When pursued, they fly into places of difficult access. The natives frequently stand and watch for them in nar- row paths; ‘and, as soon as the game appears within reach shoot them unperceived. Their flesh is considered as a great delicacy. 146 HISTORY OF QUADURPEDS. rok 3 } i RANANY RN BS ce \ NN F ~ \ i 5 EQS Nh iN} f “iN WN ‘lh i ea I SN sa iad rok” ae aia BRR MA Nini 2S es a THE ROE-BUCK.. £Cervus Capreolus, Lin.—Le Chevreuil, Buff.) Tue Roe was formerly common in many parts of Eng- land and Wales; but at present it is only to be found im the Highlands of Scotland. It is the smallest of all the Deer kind, being only three feet four inches Jong, and somewhat more than two feet in height: The horns are from eight to nine inches leng, upright, round, and divi- ded into three braches; the bedy is covered with long hair; the lower part of each hair is ash-colour; near the — end is a narrow bar of black, and the pomt is yellow ; the hairs on the face are black, tipped with ash-colour; the ears are long, their insides of a pale-yellow, and co- vered with long hair; the chest, belly, legs, and the in-. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 147 ‘side of the thighs are of a yellowish-white ; the re is of a pure white, and the tail very short. The form of the Roe-buck is elegant, and its motions Higne andeasy. It bounds sehen without effort, and Tuns with great swiftness — When hunted, it endeavours to elude its pursuers by the most subtle artifices: It re- peatedly returns upon its former steps, till, by various windings, it has entirely confounded the scent. ‘The cunning animal then, by a sudden spring, bounds to one side ; bie lying close down upon its belly, outs the hounds to pass by, without offering to stir. They do not keep together in herds, like other Deer, but live in separate families. ‘The sire, the dam, andthe young ones, associate together, and seldom mix with | dicts a | Their rutting season continues but fifteen days,—from the latter end of October till about the middle of No- vember. During this period, they will not suffer the fawns to remain with them: The buck obliges them to retire, in order that the dam and her succeeding progeny may remain undisturbed. The female goes with young five months and a half and brings forth about the end of April, or beginning of May. On these occasions, she separates from the male, and conceals herself in the thickest and most retired part of the woods. She generally produces two fawns at a time, sometimes three. In ten or twelve days these are able to follow their dam. When threatened with dan- _ ger, she hides them in a thicket; and, to preserve them, offers herself to be chased: But, notwithstanding her care, she is frequently robbed of her young. Numbers k 2 t 148 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. of fawns are found out and taken alive by the peasants; and many more are worried by dogs, foxes and other carnivorous animals. By these continual depredations, this beautiful creature is daily becoming more scarce; and, in many countries, where it once was common, the race 1s now wholly extinct. When about eight or nine months old, their horns be- gin to appear in the form of two knobs: The first year they are without antlers. They shed their horns the lat- ter end of autumn, and renew them in the winter; in which they differ from the Stag, whose horns — off in the spring, and are renewed in summer. The life of the Roe-buck seldom exceeds twelve or fif. teen years. _ 3 They are very delicate in the one of their food, and require a large tract of country, suited to the wild- ness of their nature, which can never be thoroughly sub- dued. No arts can teach them to be familiar with their keeper, nor in any degree attached to him. They are easily terrified; and, in their attempts to escape, will run with such force against the walls of their inclosure, as sometimes to disable themselves: They are also subject to capricious fits of ferceness; and, on these occasions, will strike furiously with their horns and feet at the ob- ject of their dislike. Some years ago, one of these animals, after being hunted out of Potland, through Cumberland, and various parts of the North of Fnelnd. at last tuok refuge in the woody recesses bordering upon the banks of the Tyne, between Prudhoe Castle and Wylam. It was repeatedly seen and hunted, but no dogs were equal to its speed : It frequently crossed the river; and, either by swiftness ae HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 149 or artifice, eluded all its pursuers. It happened, during: the rigour of a severe winter, that, being pursued, it crossed the river upon the ice with some difficulty ; and, being much strained by its violent exertions, was taken dee It was kept for some weeks i in the house, and was then again ‘turned out; but all its cunning and acti- vity were gone; ‘it seemed to have forgotten the places of its former retreat ; and, after runni ig some time, it laid down in the midst of a BIOOK where it was s killed by ae dogs. The flesh of the Roe- buck ‘is fine ‘and well- rasted - That of the male, after the age of two years, is hard; the flesh of the females, though farther advanced i in years, is more tender; When very young, it is loose and soft: but at the age of “eighteen nee is in its highest state of perfection. In America, the Roe-buck is much more common than in Europe.—In Louisiana, it is very large —The in- habitants live chiefly upon its flesh, se is good and well- flavoured. 4590 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. % \ a : ae PALER ‘Yi 1) ‘ My . 7 iS —= SSE, AD Sa Dey See WAY eS ae — > =~ \ . GEL SEG THE CAMEL, ( Caments Bactrianus, Lin.—Le Chirmndale Buff. ) Puget ¢ the various qualities of thi Horse, saa Cow, and the Sheep; and is to the Arabian, in. a great mea- sure, what those useful creatures are tous. Its milk is rich and nourishing : and, being mixed with water, makes a wholesome and refreshing beverage, much used, by the Arabs in their journies; The flesh of young Camels i is also an excellent and wholesome food. Their hair or fleece, which falls off entirely i in the spring, iS superior to that of any other domestic animal, and is made into very fine stuffs, for cloaths, coverings, tents, and other furni- ture. Possessed of his Camel, the Arabian has nothing either to want or to fear: In one day, he can perform a jour- ney of fifty leagues into the desert, where he is safe from HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 151 every enemy; for, without the aid of this useful animal, no. person could pursue him amidst sandy desarts, where nothing presents itself to the eye but one uniform void, -maked and solitary. _ The Arabian regards the camel as the most precious gift of Heaven; by the assistance of which he is enabled to subsist in host frightful intervals of Nature, which serve him for an asylum, and secure his independence. But it is not to the plundering Arab alone that the services of this useful quadruped are confined; In Tur- key, Persia, Barbary, and Egypt, every article of mer- chandise is carried by Camels. Merchants and travellers unite together, and form themselves into numerous bo- dies, calied caravans, to prevent the insults of the Arabs. One of these caravans frequently consists of many thou- sands: the Camels are always more numerous than the men. Each Camel is loaded in proportion to his strength. At the command of their conductor, they lie down on their belly, with their legs folded under them, and in this posture receive their burdens... As soon as they are load- ed, they rise of their own accord, and will not suffer any greater weight to be imposed upon them than they can bear with ease; when overloaded, they set up the most piteous cries, till part of the burden be taken off. The common load of acamel is from three to four hundred weight; and the medium of the expence of the convey- ance for each hundred appears to be about one farthing per mile. The usual rate of travelling is three miles in the hour; and the number of hours that are actually em- ployed onthe route, exclusive of those allotted to refresh- ment, is seldom more than seven or eight in a day. Of K 4 152 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. the number of days which are consumed in a long jour- ney, many are devoted to the purposes of occasional trade, recruiting the strength of the Camels, and procuring ad- ditional stores of provisions and water.—A particular mode of easy conveyance is provided for women and children, and for persons oppressed with infirmity or ill- ‘ness: Six or eight Camels are yoked together in a row; and a number of tent poles are placed in parallel lines upon their backs: These are covered with carpets; and bags of corn are superadded to bring the floor to a level, as well as to soften the harshness of the Camel’s move- ments: Other carpets are then spread, and the travellers sit or lie down with the most perfect ease.—The general food of the camels is such only as their nightly pasture affords; and is frequently confined to the hard and _thorny shrubs of the desart, where a sullen kind of vege- tation is created by the rains of the winter, and sustained by the dew that descends in copious abundance through all the remainder of the year. But the peculiar and ‘distinguished characteristic of the Camel is, its faculty of ee from water for a greater length of time than any other animal; for which Nature has made a wonderful provision, in giving it, be- sides the four stomachs which it has in common with other ruminating animals, a fifth bag, serving as a reser- voir for water, where it remains without corrupting or mixing with the other aliments. When the Camel is pressed with thirst, and has occasion for water to mace- rate its food while ruminating, it makes part of it pass into its stomach, by a simple contraction of certain mus- cles. By this singular structure, it can take a prodigious quantity of water at one draught, and is enabled to pass . HISTORY OF QUADRUFEDS. 7 153 iia days without drinking : Leo Africanus says fif- teen.—Camels.can discover we by their smell at half a league’sdistance; and, after a long abstinence, will hasten towards Ay): long. before their ‘drivers perceive where it lies. 3 The feet of the Camel are ‘peculiarly Sted to the soilon which it treads. On moist or slippery ground he cannot well support. himself; and ‘his broad and ten- der feet are liable to’ be injured by the resistance of stones: But he is observed to tread with perfect ease and security on the dry and yielding sand; and whilst, from its peculiar structure, his hoof is. incapable of fastening with any degree of security on the ground of a steep ascent or shelving declivity, his movements on a smooth and ievel surface are singularly firm and safe. Many attempts have been made to introduce this ser- viceable animal into other countries; but, as yet, none have succeeded. -The race seems to be confined to cer- tain districts, where its utility has been. known. for ages, Though a native of warm» climates, the Camel dreads those hich are excessively hot: It can neither subsist in | the burning heat of the torrid zone, nor in the milder air of the temperate. It seems to be an original native of Arabia; for, in that country, it is not only more nume- rous, but thrives better than in any other part of the world. There are two varieties of this animal, which have been distinguished previous to all historical record: That which is called the Bactrian Camel has twe hunches on Its back, and is found chiefly in Turkey and the coun- tries of the Levant; whilst the .4rabian Camel has only one hunch. 154 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE ARABIAN CAMEL, OR DROME- DARY, (Camelus Dromedarius, Lin.—Le Dromedaire, Buf.) Is common in Arabia and all the northern parts of Afri- ca, from the Mediterranean Sea to the river Niger; and is infinitely more numerous, and more generally ‘diffused: than the Camel: It is also much swifter, and is therefore chiefly employed on business which requires dispatch. In Arabia, they are trained for running matches ; and in many places, for carrying couriers, who can go above a hundred miles a day on Ade and that for nine or tem days together, over buring and uninhabitable desarts. They require neither whip nor spur to quicken their pace, but go freely, if gently treated ; and are much en- livened by singing or the sound of the pipe, which gives them spirits to pursue their journey. They are mild and gentle at all times, except when they are in heat: At that period they are seized with a HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 155 sort of madness; they eat little, and will sometimes ats tempt to bite their masters; so that it is not safe to ap- proach him. : The camel arrives sat its full stighesh at the age of six years, and lives forty or fifty. : The females are not usually put to labour, but are al- lowed to pasture and breed at full liberty. Their time of gestation is nearly twelve eee and they generally bring forth one at a sc THE LAMA, ot Camelus Glama, Lin. —Le Lama, ae) is the aes of ee and Chili; and, before the con- quest of those countries by the Soniniweiig) was the only beast of burden known to the Indians. Its oh hea is mild, gentle, and tractable. Before the introduction of Mules, these animals were used by the natives to plough the Jand, and now serve to carry burdens. ‘They march slowly, and seldom accom- plish journies of more than four or five leagues a day ; but what they want in speed is made up by perseverance and industry. They travel long journies in countries im- passable to most other animals; are very sure-footed ; and are much employed in transporting the rich ores, dug out of the mines of Potosi, over the rugged hills = narrow paths of the Andes: Bolivar remarks, that, his time, three hundred thousand of them were Seatte ly employed in this work. They lie down to be loaded, 156 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. and, when weary, no blows can excite them to quicken their pace. They neither defend themselves with their feet nor their teeth. When angry, they have no other method of revenging injuries, but by spitting. They can throw out their saliva to the distance of ten paces: and if it fall on the skin it raises an itching, accompanied with slight inflammation. Their flesh is eaten, and said to be as good as mutton. page 2 : Like the Camel, they have the faculty of abstaining | long from water (sometimes four or five days); and, Tike that animal, their food is coarse and trifling. They are neither allowed corn norhay ; green herbage, of which they eat very moderately, is sufficient for their nourish- ment. 7 The wild Lamas, called Guanacos, are stronger and more active than the domestic kind. ‘They live in herds. and inhabit the highest: regions of the Cordelieres. They run with great eaeacss in places of difficult access, where dogs cannot easily follow them. The most usual way of killing them is with the gun. They are hunted for the sake a their flesh and their hair: Of the tet the Indians make cloth. The Lama resembles the Camel in the form of its bo- dy, but is without the dorsal hunch: Its head is small. and well shaped; its neck long, and very protuberant near its junction with the body: in its domestic state its hair is short and smooth; when wild, it is coarse and. long, of a yellowish colour: A black line runs along the top of the back, from the head to the tail. The tame ones vary in colour: Some of them are white, others black, others of a mixed colour—white, gray, and russet, dispersed in spots. Its tail is short: Its ears are four HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 157 inchés long: Its feet are cloven, like those of the Ox, and are anne behind with a spur, by which the ani- mal is enabled to support itself on rugged and dificult ground, The height of the Lama is Bbaut four feet ; and its length, from the neck to the tail, six feet. | THE PACOS,. (Camelus Pacos, bn te Pot, Buff. \ Very much resembles the Lama in figure, but is much smaller. Its body is covered with very fine long wool, — of the colour of dried roses, or a dull purple: the belly is white :—They live in vast herds, and inhabit the most elevated parts of the highest mountains, where they en- dure the utmost rigour of. frost and snow. _ They are ex- ceedingly swilt; and. so timid, a it is very difficult to come near them. | _ The manner of taking them is aienlel. The Indians tie cords, with small pieces of. eer or cloth hanging from them, across the narrow passes of the mountains, about three or four feet from the ground: They then drive a herd of these animals towed: them, and they are so terrified by the flutter. of the rags, that they dare not pass, but huddle together, and suffer themselves to be killed in great numbers. | Their wool is a valuable article of commerce, and is made into gloves, stockings, bed-cloaths, carpets, &c. The Pacos is domesticated; and, like the Lama, is employed in carrying burdens, but cannot bear more “158 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. than from fifty to seventy-five pounds; and is still more subject to capricious fits of obstinacy. When once they lie down with their load, no blows can provoke them to rise. : : The great advantages derived from the wool of these creatures, induced the Spaniards to attempt their intro- duction into Europe. Some of them were brought over ‘to Spain; but, by not sufficiently attending to the neces- sity of placing them in situations similar to those which they had always been accustomed to, the experiment proved unsuccessful. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 159 THE HOG KIND. Animats of the Hog kind seem to possess a middle nature, between those that hve upon grass and such as are carnivorous, and unite in themselves most of those distinctions which are peculiar to each class. Like the one, they will feed on animal substances, and do not ru- minate; like the other, they are cloven-hoofed, live chiefly on vegetables, and seldom seek after animal food, except oe urged by necessity. | The most numerous breed of Hogs in wie island is that generally known by the name of he Berkshire Pigs, now spread through almost every part of England, and some parts of Scotland. ‘They are in general of a red- dish-brown colour, with black spots upon them; have Jarge ears hanging over their eyes; are short-legged, small-boned, and are readily made fat. Some of these have been fed to almostan incredible size. Mr. Culley in his Treatise on Live Stock, gives an account of one that was killed at Congleton, in Cheshire, which mea- sured, trom the nose to the end of the tail, three yards eight inches; in height, it was four feet and a half; and weighed, after it was killed, eighty-six stones eleven Bonide, avoirdupoise. The Hog species, though very numerous, and diffused over iarope: Asia, and Apne. did not exist in Ame- rica, till transported thither by the Spaniards. In ma- ny places they have multiplied exceedingly, and become wild. They resemble the domestic Hog; but their bo- dies are shorter, and their snout and skin thicker. 160 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE WILD-BOAR, (Sus Aner, Lin.—Le Sanglier, Buff.) Warcn is the original of all the varieties to be found in this creature, is much smaller than those of the domestic kind, and does not, like them, vary in colour, but isunt- fetily of a brinded or dark-gray, inclining to black.— _ His snout is longer than that of the tame Hap? ; and his ears are short, Hae: and black. He is armed with for- midable tusks in each jaw, which serve him for the dou-: ble purpose of annoying his enemy, or procuring his food which.is chiefly roots and vegetables : Some of these tusks are almost a foot long: Sgt in the upper jaw bend up- wards ina circular form, and are exceedingly sharp at the points; those of the under jaw are always most to be dreaded, for with them the animal defends himself, and frequently g gives mortal wounds. “ HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 161 Wild Boars are not gregarious; but, while young, live together in families, and frequently unite their forces against the wolves, or other beasts of prey.» When likely to be attacked, they call to each other with a very loud and fierce note: The strongest face the danger, and form themselves into a ring, the weakest falling into the cen- ‘ter. In this position, few beasts dare venture to engage them, but leave them to pursue a less dangerous chase. ——When the Wild-boar is arrived at astate of maturity, he walks the forest alone and fearless. At that time he dreads no single foe; nor will he turn out of his way even for man himself. He offends no animal; at the ‘same time he is furnished with arms, which render him a terror to the fiercest. The hunting of the Wild-boar is a dangerous but common amusement of the great in those countries — where it is to be found. The Dogs chiefly used for this sport are of a slow and heavy kind.—When the boar is roused, he goes slowly forward, not much afraid, nor very far before his pursuers. He frequently turns round, stops till the hounds come up, and offers to attack them. After keeping each other at bay for a while, the Boar again goes slowly forward, and the Dogs renew the pur- suit. In this manner the chase is continued till the Boar becomes quite tired, and refuses to go any farther: The Dogs then attempt to close in upon him from behind ; and in this attack the young one, being generally the most forward, frequently lose their lives: The old sea- soned Dogs keep the animal at bay until the hunters come up, who kill him with their spears. LL 162 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE COMMON BOAR, (Sus Serofa, Lin.—Le Cochon, Buff.) Is, of all. other domestic quadrupeds, the most filthy and impure. Its form is clumsy and disgusting, and its. ap- petite gluttonous and excessive.—In no instance has na- ture more Ponsmcueusly shewn her ceconomy than in this tace of animals, whose stomachs are fitted to receive nu- triment from a variety of things that would be otherwise ~ wasted: The refuse of the Feld, the garden, the barn, or . the kitchen, affords them a luxuriant repast. Useless during life, and only valuable when deprived of it, this animal has been sometimes compared to a-mi- ser, whose hoarded treasures are of little value till death has deprived them of their rapacious owner. The parts of this animal are finely adapted to its mode of living. Nature has given it a form more prone than that of other animals. Its neck is strong and brawny ; its snout is long and callous, well calculated for the pur- pose of turning up the earth for roots of various kinds, === HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 163. of which it is extremely fond; and it has a quick sense - of smelling, by which it is enabled to trace out its food. It is naturally stupid, inactive, and drowsy; much in- clined to increase in fat, which is disposed in a different manner from that of other animals, and forms a thick and regular coat between the flesh and the skin. It is restless at a change of weather; and, during certain high winds, is so agitated, as to run violently, screaming hor- tibly at the same time. It appears to foresee the ap- proach of bad weather, as it previously carries straw. In its mouth to its sty; preparesa bed, andseems endea- vouring to hide itself from the impending storm. Linneus observes, that the flesh of the Hog is a wholesome food for those that use much exercise, but bad for such as lead a sedentary life. It is of universal use, and makes in various ways a constant article in the elegancies of the table. It is of great importance to this country, as a commercial nation; for it takes salt better. than any other kind, and consequently is capable of be- ing preserved longer: It is therefore of great use in, ships, and makes a principal part of the provisions of the British navy. The domestic Sow generally brings forth twice a year | and produces from ten to twenty ata litter; she goes four months with young, and brings forth in the fifth. At that time she must be carefully watched, to prevent her from devouring ber young: Still greater attention is necessary to keep off the male, as he would destroy the whale litter. 164 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS.. SOW OF THE IMPROVED BREED. By a mixture of the Chinese black Swine with others of the larger British breed, a kind has been produced which possesses many qualities superior to either of the original stocks. They are vety prolific, are sooner made fat than the larger kind, upon less provisions, and cut up when killed to more useful and convenient portions. Our figure was taken from a Sow of this kind in the possession of Arthur Mowbray, Esq. of Sherburn, in the — county of Durham. She had a litter of nineteen pigs to support at the time, which was the third within ten months: The whole amounted at that time, to fifty — pigs. : S The Chinese or black breed are now very common in England. They are smaller, have shorter legs, : and their ek is whiter and sweeter than the common kind.» A kind similar to this were those found in New Gui- nea, which proved so seasonable a relief to our circum- navigators, when that country was first visited by them. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 165 "There are likewise great numbers of them in the Friend- ly and Society Isles, the Marquesas, and many other of the newly-discovered islands in the South Seas. These are fed with plaintains, bread fruit, and yams, and are exceedingly fat. They are frequently seen bv the na- tives in their canoes, uae from one island to ano- ther, and killed by them with lances and arrows. Another breed of Swine has lately been introduced in- to this kingdom, which is expected to rival or excel all the others: a he original stock was produced from a Wild- Boar brought from America, and a sow of the improved «Chinese breed. The Sows are extremely prolific, and the colour of the pigs in general is most fancifully diver- sified; some are striped longitudinally, with brown and ‘black; others, brown and blue: and others, with black and white. The colour of the Boar was a rusty-brown. 166 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE CHINESE KIND. Aw unceasing attention to improvement has produced or new-modelled the chinese breed in this country to what is deemed to be nearer perfection. The delicacy of appearance, the thin transparent ears, small head, short snall legs, and even the colour of the hair, are all consi- dered as requisite qualities which ought to be attended to in this kind. They are seldom fed for the same purposes as the larger kinds of swine, being accounted too small for being dried into bacon; but they are preferred as the best and most delicate for pork and roasting pigs. Our figure was taken from one of this description in the possession of Geo. Baker, Esq. of Elemore, in the county of Durham. a 7 9 “Sy ae* - i ahs * HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. i€7 THE AFRICAN WILD-BOAR, OR WOO D-SWIMNE, (Sus Athiopicus, Lin.—Sanglier du Cap Verd, Buf.) -Siivesina wild, uncultivated state, in the hottest parts of Africa. It is a very vicious animal, and quick im all its motions. It is as dangerous to attack one of them as 4 Lion: For, though much smaller, it rushes upon a man as switt as an arrow; and throwing him down before he has time to strike with his javelin, breaks his legs, and almost at the same instant rips up his belly. It has four tusks: ‘Two very large ones proceed from the upper jaw, and turn upwards like a horn; they are nine inches long, and full five inches round at the base; the two other tusks, which come from the lower jaw, project but three.-inches from the mouth. These tusks the animal makes use of as the dreadful instruments of his vengeafhce. He will attack a man on horseback, it e 168. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. he should venture to come too near him; and, first break- ing the Horse’s legs, kills both him and the rider. Sparrman describes it as being of a bright-yellow co- lour, like the domestic kind. lis nose is broad, flat, and of a horny hardness; its head is very large, i in proportion to the size of its. body; underneath ‘each eye it has a great lobe or. wattle, - lying almost. horizontally, broad, As t, rounded ‘at the end, and placed so as to intercept the view of any thing. immediately beneath it; the ears re large and sharp- pou inted, lined on the inside with lon whi ihe hairs; its tail is ‘slender and flat, and when the animal is pursued it always holds it quite erect. They live in holes: under ground, the avenues to which are €x ceedingly narrow. The natives seldom dare attack them in their retreats, as there 1s always danger of their rushing out unawares. When pursued with fren young ones, it is no uncommon thing to see them take them up in their mouths, and run with: them in that manner at a reat rate. From the shortness of their neeke: they frequently fall on their knees to feed; and change this pee to that of standing with the ereatest ease. Fhe flesh of this et is good, and very much re- sembies that of the common Hog. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 169, Si ae Rose de a CA SUNY ER = Saeed = ZAEWW aa ie: THE PECCARY OR MEXICAN HOG, | (Sus Tajden, Lin. Ot Inuaztts the hottest parts of South-America, where the species is very numerous: Herds, consisting of two or three hundred, are sometimes to be seen together.—It is very fierce, and will fight stoutly with beasts of prey, when attacked by them. The Jaguar, or American Leo- pard, is its mortal enemy, and frequently loses its life in engaging a number of these animals. ‘They assist each other, surround their enemies, and often come off victo- rious. They live chiefly in mountainous piaces, and are not fond of wallowing in the mire, like the common Hog. They feed on fruits, roots, and seeds: They likewise eat serpents, toads, and lizards; and are very dexterous in first taking off the skins with their fore feet and teeth. | The Peccary in appearance resembles the ‘Hog, though somewhat smaller: Its body is covered with strong bris- tles, whi@h, when the creature is irritated, rise up like SS a a Le 170 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. he prickles of a Hedgehog, and are nearly as strong; they are of adusky colour, with alternate rings of white ; across the shoulders to the breast there is a band of white; its head is short and thick; it has two tusks in each jaw; its ears are small and erect; and instead ofa tail it has a small feshy protuberance, which does not cover its posteriors. It differs most essentially from the Hog, in having a small orifice on the lower part of the Bate from once a thin watery humour, of a most dis- agreeable smell, flows very copiously. In the Philosophi- eH Transactions, -Dr. Tyson has described this orifice very minutely, as well as some other pecularittes in the conformation of its stomach and intestines. Like the Hog, the Peccary is very prolific. The young ones, if taken at first, are easily tamed, and soon lose all their natural ferocity; but can never be brought to discover avy signs of attachment to those that feed them. They do no mischief, and may be allowed to run about at pleasure. They.seldom stray far from home, and return of their own accord. When angry, they grunt like the Hog, but much stronger and harsher; and when suddenly han make a ee noise with their breath, and erect their bristles. ~The flesh of the Peccary, though drier and leaner than that of our Hog, is by no means disagreeable, and may be greatly improved by castration. When killed the dorsal gland must be immediately cut off. If this ope- ration be deferred for the space of half an hour, the flesh becomes utterly unfit to be eaten. Although the European Hog is common in aes - and in many parts has become aeilck the Peccary has ne- ver been known to breed with it. They fredftently go HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 171 together, and feed in the same woods; but hitherto no intermediate breed Bae bene Pokey to arise from their intercourse. Cea a wt, M. de Ia Borde bccerthay two ies of this animal,— one smaller than the other.—He relates, that being one day engaged with some others in hunting a drove of Pec- caries, they were surrounded by them, and obliged to take. refuge upon a piece of rock; and, notwithstanding they kept up a constant fire among them, the creatures did not retire till a great number of them were slain. ee x . ae Be a ee pS PAE fee ate ee Ee? See Re SS ieee ee got eS, ele ( SF “— ANIL nS BS FS i GES GME ee IS a agian Ps tak eee F ee Gaye o Al < ie Vee fe os OS” IHE BABIROUSSA, | (Sus Babyroussa, Lin.—Le Babyroussa, Buff.) Tuovenu classed by naturalists with the Hog kind, differs from animals of that species in a variety of particulars: Its legs are longer, and its body more slender; it is co- vered with short hairas soft as wool, and of a dark-gray colour, mixed with red; its ears are short and pointed; its tail is long, tufted at the end, and twisted. Its most distinguishing characteristic consists in four large tusks, the two stoutest of which proceed, like those of the Wild- Boar, from the under jaw, pointing upwards, and stand- ing near eight inches out of the sockets; the two others rise up like horns on the outside of the upper jaw, just above the nose, and extend in a curve above the eyes, almost touching the forehead, and are twelve inches in Jength. These tusks are of the most beautiful ivory, but not so hard as those of the Elephant. The Babiroussa abounds in several of the islands of the HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 173 East-Indies, particularly Buero, a small isle near Am- boyna. | It is easily tamed ; and its flesh is welltasted. It lives on leaves of trees uid other vegetables. : Its. scent 1S €x- quisite: It can discover the approach of Dogs at a dis~ tance. When closely pursued, it. plunges into the sea, swims and dives with great facility from one island to another, and by. (hat means frequently escapes: from its pursuers. | s a | They live in herds; and, when a any number of them are together, their odour is so strong, that the dogs can scent them at a considerable distance. When attacked, they growl frightfully, and defend themselves with their oa tusks: The upper ones are serviceable to them in taking their repose, by hooking them on the branches of trees.. ) 74 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE LONG-NOSED TAPIIR, (Hippopotamus Terrestris, Lin —Le Tapir, Buff.) Is the Hippopotamus of the new world, and has by some authors been mistaken for that animal. It inhabits the woods and rivers on the eastern side of South America, from the isthmus of Darien to the river of the Amazons. —It is a solitary animal, sleeps during the day, and goes out in the night in search of food; hves on grass, su- gar-canes, and fruits. If disturbed, it takes to the water, swims with great ease, or plunges to the bottom; and, like the Hippopotamus, walks there as on dry ground. It is about the size. of a small Cow: ts nose is long and slender, and extends far below the upper jaw, form- ing a kind of probes which it can contract or extend at ee cue: each jaw is furnished with ten | cutting teeth, and as many grinders; its ears are small. and erect; its body formed like that of a Hog; its back arched; legs short; and hoofs, of which it has four upon each foots HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. "4176 small, black, and hollow ; its tail is very small; its hair short, and of a dusky-brown colour. The Tapiiris mild and inoffensive, avoids all hostilities with other animals, and flies from every appearance of danger. Itsskin, of which the Indians make bucklers, is very thick ; and, when dried, is so hard as to resist the impression of anarrow. ‘The natives eat its flesh, which is said to be ‘very good. Wie! fy Yj yy Yiyep) 742 y WWE GLEE SL 4 Z h, Wy ee SS SSS Min Ps a ‘4 y L Ty t, G, ys fie, rp, ys WN My SY WAN ae LHE RHINOCEROS, (Dr . e e ‘ {Rhinoceros Onicornis, Lin.—Rhinoceros, Buff.) We are indebted to the labours of many learned and ingenious naturalists for accurate descriptions of this wonderful creature, which in size is only exceeded by the Elephant, and in strengh and power is inferior to no other animal. Bontius says, that in the bulk of its body it equals the Elephant, but is lower only on account of the shortness of its legs. “i 7 176 HISTORY -OF QUADRUPEDS. The length of the Rhinoceros, from the Scie chit of feet; and the circumference of its body nearly equal to its length. Its nose is armed with a formidable weapon, peculiar to this creature, being a very hard and solid horn, with which it defends vem, from every adversary. The Tiger will rather attack the Elephant, whose trunk it can lay hold of, than the Rhinoceros, which it cannot face, without danger of having its bowels torn out. The body and limbs of the Rhinoceros are covered with a skin so hard and impenetrable, that he fears nei- ther the claws of the Tiger, nor the more formidable proboscis ofthe Elephant: Tt will turn the edge ofa sci- mitar, and even resist the force of a musket-ball. The skin which ts of a blackish colour forms itself i into large folds at the neck, the shoulders, and the crupper, by which the motion of the head and limbs ‘is facilitated ; round the neck, which is very short, are two large folds; there is also a fold from the shoulders, which hangs down upon the fore legs; and another from the hind part of the back to the thighs: ‘Lhe bodyis every where cover- ed with small tuberosities or knots, which are small on _ the neck and back, but larger on the sides: The thighs, legs, and even the feet, are full of those incrustations, — which have been mistaken for scales by some authors: ‘They are, however, only simple indurations of the skin; without any uniformity in their figure, or regularity in their position. Between the folds, the skin is penetrable and delicate, as soft to the touch as silk, and of a light flesh colour: The skin of the belly is nearly of the. same. colour and consistency. the muzzle to the insertion of the tail, is usually twelve - ~ HISTORY OF QU.ADRUPEDS. 177 The body of the Rhinoceros is long and thick: Its belly is large, and hangs near the ground; its legs short, ound, and very strong; and its hoofs are divided into three parts, each pointing forward. ‘The head of this animal is large; its ears long and erect; and its eyes small, sunk, and without vivacity: The upper lip is long, overhangs the lower, and is capable of great extension: Itis so pliable, that the Rhinoceros can move it from side to side, twist it round a stick, collect its food, or seize with it any thing it would carry to its mouth. The Rhinoceros, witigal being ferocious, carnivorous, or even extremely ile, is, however, totally untractable and rude. It seems to be subject to paroxysms of fury, which nothing canappease. That which Emanuel , king of Portugal, sent to the Pope in the year 1513, destroyed the vessel in which they were transporting it. Like the Hog, the Rhinoceros is fond of wallowing in the mire.—It is a solitary animal, loves moist and elas grounds, and seldom quits the banks of the rivers.—It is found in Bengal, Siam, China, and other countries of Asia; in the isles of Java, Sumatra, Ceylon &c; in ‘Ethiopia, and the country as low as the Cape of Good Hope: But, in general, the species is not numerous, and is much less diffused than that ofthe Elephant. The female produces but one at a time, and-at consi- derable intervals—During the first month, the young “Rhinoceros exceeds not ae size of a large dog. Atthe age of two years, the horn is not more ten an inch long; at six years old, it isnine or ten inches | long; and grows to the length of three feet anda half, Ho some- stimes four feet. ‘he horn is much esteemed by the na- L 178 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, tives as an antidote against poison, as well as a remedy _ for particular diseases. The Rhinoceros feeds on the grossest herbs, and pre- fers thistles and shrubs to soft or delicate pasturage. It is fond of the sugar-cane, and eats all kinds of grain. Dr. Parsons Eines that this animal has an acute and very attentive ear. It will listen, with adeep and long continued attention, to any kind of noise; and, thoughit be eating, lymg down, or obeying any pressing demands of Nature, it will raise its head, and listen till the noise cease. : From the peculiar construction of his eyes, the Rhi- noceros can only see what is immediately before him. When he pursues any object, he proceeds always in a direct line, overturning every obstruction. With the horn on his nose, he tears up trees, raises stones, and throws them behind him to a considerable distanee. His. sense of smelling is so exquisite, that the hunters are obliged to avoid being to windward of him. ‘They fol- low him, at a distance and watch till he lies down to sleep: They then approach with great precaution, and discharge their muskets all at once into the lower part of the belly. The Rhinoceros is supposed to be the Unicorn of hoby writ, and possesses all the properties ascribed to that ani- mal.—rage, untameableness, great swiftness, and im- mense strength.—It was known to the Romans in very early times, and is handed down to us in some of the works of that celebrated people. Augustus introduced one into the shews, on his triumph over Cleopatra. Tis flesh is eaten and much relished by the natives of — India and Africa. \ HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 199) y at c =“ NY SS Hi Hill? _ ‘ o N\ \ ) ) \Y WA , ‘A q si AN \ { | iy SS em OBE THE TWO-HORNED RHINOCEROS. (Rhinoceros Bicornis, Lin.) We have given the figure of this hitherto undescribed animal from Mr Sparrman, whose authenticity there is every reason to depend upon, and who has givena most exact anatomical description of it. Of two that were shot, he only mentions the size of the smaller of them; which was eleven feet and a half long, seven feet high, and twelve in circumference. Its skin was without any folds, and of an ash colour; excepting about the groin, where it was flesh-coloured: The surface was scabrous, and knotty, of a close texture, and, when dry, extremely hard. There were no hairs on any part of the body, ex- cept the edges of the ears and the tip of the tail, on which were a few dark bristly hairs, about an inch long. M 2 _ ee 180 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. The horns are placed one behind the other, in a line with the nose: The foremost of them measures about eighteen inches in length, and is always the larger of the two. They” are of a conical shape, and the tips incline a little backward ; the lower parts are rough, ‘and Seem as if composed of thorny fibres; the upper parts are smooth and plain, like those of ‘an 6x. It is remarkable, that the Rhindceros makes use of the shorter horn only for the purpose of digging up roots, of which its food chiefly consists, being endued with the power of turning the larger horn on one side out of the way.—The feet are found and do not spread much; there are three hoofs on each of them, which project but little; the middle one is the longest. The eyes of this animal are small, and sunk into its head; in consequence of which it sees indistinctly. But its organs of hearing and smelling are very acute: At the least noise, the creature takes the alarm, pricks up its ears, arid listens with gerat attention: If it happen to catch the scent of any person within a small distance, it rushes out with astonishing rapidity; and it is difficult te avoid the impetuous attack of this powerful animal. It has been generally said of the Rhinoceros, that its tongue is so hard and rough, asto take away the skin and flesh wherever it licks any person that has unfortunately fallen a victim to its fury. Mr Sparrman says, however, that he thrust his hand into the mouth of one that had _just been shot, and found the tongue perfectly soft and — smooth.—From the account of its intestines, given us by - the same ingenious author, we shail just mention the fol- lowing, which will enable our readers to form a more perfect. idea of its enormous bulk: The stomach was ” 4 A q 4 HISTORY. OF QUADRUPEDS, _ 181 =F four feet in length, and two in diameter; to which was annexed .a babe or canal, tw enty-eight feet long, and six inches diameter; the kidnies were a foot and a half in breadth; the heart was a foot and a half long, and near- ly the same in. breadth ; the liver, when measured from right to left, was found to be three feet and a half in breadth, and two feet and a half deep, as it hangs in the animal’s body when in a standing position: It had no gall-bladder, in which it resembles the Horse. Upon opening the stomach, the contents of it were found to consist of roots and small branches of trees masticated, some of which wereas big as the end of a man’s finger; in the mass there. appeared a great. quantity_c of succulent plants, as well as some that were harsh and prickly: The effuvium arising from this mass was so far from being offensive, that it diffused around a very strong and not disagreeable aromatic odour. We shall conclude this ac- count by observing, that the cavity which contained the brains was small, being only six inches long, and four high, and of an oval shape: Being filled with pease, it was found to contain barely one quart; a human skull, measured at the same time, did not require much less than three pints to fill it. 182 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. wt ff 4 yyy ae é atts: hy) BT Wi TTY iy pS Cc. f hy ib fi eh ity / Hit Ny HATHA}: MARRY : RR ntl i RUE AHURA AHN Niu) 7H fil i NHR Baad SRE | © A Ni i aN ENS) 4 mt Le AN ut tt aM ay \\ a. ee 2 ZEEE d By es, CH noone . LL Beem THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. (Hippopotamus Amphibius Lin.—L’Hippopotame, Buff.) Tue great difficulties that have always attended a com- plete investigation of this huge animal, have arisen as _ well from the remoteness of its situation, as from its per. & culiar habits and disposition. i Hf ve - Though the Hippopotamus has been celebhated from the remotest antiquity; though the sacred writings men- tion him under the name of Behemoth; and though his fi- gure is to be seen engraven on Egyptian obelisks and on Roman medals, yet his history was very imperfectly known to the ancients. Aristotle says, that he has a mane like a Horse, and hoofs like an Ox; tusks and tail like a Boar; that he is of the size of an Ass, and has the voice of a Horse; with other things equally absurd ;— all which Pliny has copied; and instead of correcting, has added to the number of his errors.—Of the accounts of later writers, it is much to be lamented that suitable HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. . 183. delineations have not accompanied their accurate descrip- tions,—a general defect, by which the study of nature has been much retarded, the laborious researches of ma- ny learned and ingenious naturalists greatly frustrated, and the errors of former times repeatedly copied, and multiplied without number. 4 | The size of the Hippopotamus is nearly equal to that of the Elephant. M. Vaillant says, that one which he killed, measured, from the tip of the nose to the insertion of the tail, ten feet seven inches, and was eight feet ele- ven inches in circumference; but, from the smallness of its tusks, he supposed it to be a young one. In its sto- mach were found leaves and reeds, grossly chewed ; like- wise small branches of trees, a little bruised. It inhabits all the larger rivers of Africa, from the Ni- ger to the Cape of Good Hope; but is found in none of the African rivers that run into the Mediterranean, ex- cept the Nile, and in that part of it only which runs through the Upper Egypt, and in the fens and lakes of Kthiopia. The head of this animal is SiMe large; its mouth vastly wide. Way says, that the upper mandible is moveable, like that of acrocodile. In each jaw there are four cutting teeth; those in the lower jaw point straight forward: It has four large tusks; the largest, which are always in the lower jaw, are sometimes above two feet long: It is said that the canine teeth are so hard, as to emit fire on being struck with steel; they are perfectly white, and preferable to ivory for sakine arti- ficial teeth; The grinders are square or éblone, like those of a man; and solarge, that asingle tooth weighs M 4 184. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. above three pounds: Thé skinisof a dusky colour, bears a résembtance to that of the Rhinoceros, but is thicker, and is made into whips: The tail is nearly a foot long, taper, and flatted at the end, which is thinly furnished with hairs like bristles: Its legs are so short, that its belly almost touches the ground: The hoofs are divided into four parts, unconnected by membrances, | When alarmed or pursued, it takes to the water, plunges in, and sinks to the bottom; where it walks at fullease. It often rises to the surface; and remains with its head out of the water, making a bellowing noise, which may be heard ata great distance.—It feeds during night on the banks of the rivers, and sometimes does great damage in the adjacent plantations of rice and other grain. The Hippopotamus is naturally mild and gentle, very slow, and heavy in its movements upon land, but in the water bold and active; and, when provoked or wounded, will rise, and attack boats or canoes with great fury. Dampier says, he has known one of these animals sink a boat full of people, by biting a hole in the bottom with its tusks.—The method of taking it is by digging pits in the sand, in those parts through which the animal passes in its way to the river after it has been feeding. ' The flesh of the Hippopotamus is tender and good: The fat is fine and well-tasted, and much in request with the colonists at the Cape, who look upon it as the most wholesome meat that can be eaten: The gelatinous part of the feet in particular is accounted a great delicacy: The tongue, when dried, is also considered at the ae ag arare and excellent dish. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 185, Sparrman has given an engraving of this animal, taken from a young one which he caught at the Cape, from which ours is copied.—The female brings forth one young at a time. Scaurus treated the Bens with one of these crea- tures, and five crocodiles during his edileship, and ex- hibited them on.a temporary lake. 186 - HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, | 4 Ue Z Uf yy os Haan Uf); YY Si, Wy UL i)! fj / V Hf Uy i ( Lipsy Se : WZ YELL PAH P Yi) Cy i 7 = ~ RS SS SSS SUNN SS = == ANS vN Ae SSW SANT SG SSS = as <> YESS ~ } SY = z == Ee ee —=—_ z So a = ST et Nb py a “SSSSswosunuanes SSS as a ae ~~ at ee = LHE ELEPHANT, (Elephas M. aximus, Lin.—L’ Elephant, Buff.) OF allthe creatures that have hitherto been taken into the service of man, the Elephant is pre-eminent in the size and strength of his body, and inferior to none in sa- gacity and obedience. . From time immemorial this animal has been employed either for the purposes of labour, of war, or of ostenta- tious parade; to increase the grandeur of eastern princes, extend their power, or enlarge their dominions. The Elephant is a native of Asia and Africa, and Is not to be found in its natural state either in Europe or America. From the river Senegal to the Cape of Good Hope, they are met with in great numbers. In this ex- tensive region, as they are more numerous than in any other part of the world, so are they less fearful of man. ee ee HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. i27 The savage inhabitants of this dreary country, instead of attempting to subdue this powerful animal, and render it subservient to their necessities, seem desirous only of a- voiding its fury. : | ‘Sparrman says, that in the country near the Cape they are sometimes seen in large herds, consisting of many hundreds; and thinks it probable, that, in the more re- mote and unfrequented parts of that vast country, they are still more numerous. — They are frequently hunted by the colonists at the Cape, who.are very expert in shooting them, and make ereat advantage of their teeth. ‘The largest teeth weigh an hundred and fifty Dutch pounds, and are sold to the governor for as many guilders; so that a man may earn three hundred guilders at one shot. It is not therefore to be wondered at, that a traffic so lucrative should tempt the hunter to run great risks. In approaching this ani- mal great care must be taken to steal upon him unper- ceived. If the Elephant discovers his enemy near, he rushes out, and endeavours to kill him. . One of these hunters being out upon a plain, under the shelter of a few. scattered thorn trees, thought he could be able to advance near enough to shoot an Elephant that was at a little distance from him; but he was discovered, pursued and overtaken by the animal, which laid hold of him with his trunk, and beat him instantly to death. The height of the Elephant at the Cape is from twelve to fifteen fect. The female is less than the male, and her tusks do not grow to such a size, In proportion to the size of the Elephant, his eyes are very small; but they are lively, brilliant, and capable of great expression. He turns them slowly, and with gen- 188 HISTORY, OF QUADRUPEDS. tleness towards. his master. When he speaks, the ani- mal regards him with an eye of mildness and attention. His ears are very large, and. much longer, in propor- tion to his body, than those of the Ass: They lie flat on the head; and are commonly pendulous; but he can raise and move them. with great facility, and. frequently uses them as.a fan to cool himself, or defend his eyes from dust and insects. His hearing is likewise remarkably. fine; for he delights in the nnd of musical instruments, and moves in cadence to the trumpet and tabor.—There are four grinders in each jaw, closely united together; forming, with the jaw-bone, one hard and compact body. One of these grinders sometimes. measures nine inches broad, and weighs. four pounds anda half. The texture of the skin is uneven, wrinkled, and knotty; full of deep fissures, nearly: resembling the bark of an old oak tree; which run in all directions over its surface. It is of a tawny colour, inclining to citron. In the fissures there are some bristly hairs, which are also thinly scattered ever the body. The legs resemble massy columns, of fifteen or eighteen inches diameter, and from five to six feet high. ‘The foot 1s short, and divided into five toes, covered with the skin, so as not to be visible. Foeach toe there is affixed a nail or hoof, of a horny substance. The most remarkable feature of the Elephant is his trunk or proboscis; which is composed of membranes, nerves, and muscles. It is both an organ of feeling and ef motion. _The animal can not only move and bend it, but can contract, lengthen, and turn it in every direction. The extremity of the trunk terminates in a protuberance which stretches out on the upper side in the form of a finger, and possesses in a great degree the niceness and Ee ea, eae. ee eet ee HISTORY OF ‘QUADRUPEDS. oe 189 dexterity of that useful member. It is equally flexible, and as capable of laying hold of objects as the’ fingers of aman. He lifts from the ground the smallest piece of money; he selects herbs and flowers, and picks them up one by one; he unties the ‘knots of ropes, opens and shuts gates, &c. Withshis trunk he grasps any body which it is applied to, so firmly, that no force can tear it from its gripe. | Of all the instruments ‘which Nature has so liberally bestowed on her most favourite productions, the trunk of the Elephant is perhaps the most complete and admi- table. Ray says, it is divided into three partitions or chambers, two of which run in spiral directions, and the otherin aright line. It iseight feet long in an Ele- phant of fourteen feet high, and five feet in circumfe- rence at the thickest part. The nostrils are situated at the extremity, through which it draws in water by ‘a strong suction, either for the purpose of quenching its » thirst, or of washing and cooling itsélf, which it fre- quently does, by taking up a large quantity, part of which it carries to its mouth, and drinks; and by ele- vating the trunk, allows the remainder to run over every ‘part of its body. : Roots, herbs, leaves, and tender wood, are the ordi- nary food of the Elephant. He does not ruminate, and has but one stomach: ‘This want, however, is amply sup- plied by the magnitude and length of his intestines, and particularly of the colon, whichis from fifteen to twenty feet in length, and two or three in diameter. When ‘one of them discovers a plentiful pasture he calls to the others, and invites them to partake. As they require a ereat quantity of forage, they frequently change their 190 HISTORY OF QU ADRUPEDS. pasture, and do incredible damage whenever they hap- pen to stray into cultivated grounds. From the weight of their bodies and the size of their feet, they destroy much more than they use for fond. The Indians and ne- groes use every artifice to prevent the approach of these unwelcome visitants, by making loud noises, and kindling fires round their habitations; butin spite of all their pre- cautions, the Elephants often break through their fences, destroy their whoie harvest, and overturn their huts. It is not easy to separate them: ‘They generally act in con- cert, whether they attack, march, or fly. The ordinary walk of the Elephant is not quicker rab that of a Horse; but when pushed, he assumes a kind of ambling pace, which in fleetness is equal to a gallop. He goes forward with ease and celerity; but it is with great difficulty that he turns himself round; and that not without taking a pretty large circuit. It is generally in narrow and hollow places that the negroes attack him, and cut off his tail, which they value above every other part of his body. Heswims well, and is of great use in carrying great quantities of baggage over large rivers. When swimming, he raises his ie tain above the sur- face of the water for the sake of respiration, every other part of his body being below: In this manner several of these animals swim together, and steer their course with- out danger of running foul of each other. , The Elephant, when tamed, is gentle, obedient, and docile: Patient of labour, he elite to the most toil- some drucgery ; and soattentive to the commands of his governor, that a word or a look is sufficient to stimulate — him to the most violent exertions. His attachment to his keeper is so great, that he caresses him with his trunk, HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 191 and frequently willobey no other master: He knows his voice, and can distinguish the tone of command, of an- ger, or of approbation ; and regulates his actions accor- dingly: He receives his orders with attention, and exe- cutes them with eagerness, but without precipitation. All his motions are orderly, and seem to correspond with the dignity of his appearance, being grave, majestic, and cautious. He kneels down for the accommodation of those who would mount upon his back, and with his pli- ant trunk even assists themtoascend. He suffers himself to be harnessed, and seems to have a pleasure in the finery of his trappings. He is used in drawing chariots, wag- gons, and various kindsof machines. One of them will perform with ease the work of many horses. The conductor of the Elephant is usually mounted on its neck, and makes use of arod of iron, sharp at the end, and hooked; with which he urges the animal for- ward, by pricking its head, ears, or muzzle: But in ge- neral, a word from the keeper is sufficient to encourage this intelligent creature to proceed on its way, or perform the task assigned to it——In India, where they were once employed in launching ships, one of them was directed to force a large vessel into the water, which proving supe- rior to his strength, the, master, in an angry tone, cried out ‘Take away that lazy beast,and bring another in its place.’ The poor animal instantly redoubled its efforts, fractured its skull, and died upon the spot. The Indians, from very early periods, have employed Elephants in their wars: Porus opposed the passage of Alexander over the Hydaspes with eighty-five of them. M. de Buffon imagines, that it was some of the Ele- phants taken by that monarch, and afterwards transport- 192 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ‘ed into Greece, which were employed by Pyrrhus against the Romans.—Since the invention of fire-arms, the Ele- phant has been of little use in deciding the contests of hostile nations; for, being terrified with the flash of the ‘powder, and the report that immediate succeeds, they are soon thrown into confusion, and then become dan- gerous to their employers.--They are now chiefly used for the purpose, of labour, or magnificent parade. The Indian princes, in their travels, are attended by ‘hundreds of these animals: Some are employed to con- vey the ladies which compose the seraglio, in latticed cages made for that purpose, and covered with branches of trees ; whilst others transport immense quantities of baggage, with which the sovereigns of the East are al- ‘ways accompanied in their marches frem one place to another. They are likewise made use of as the dreadful ‘instruments of ex cecuting condemned criminals—a task which they perform with great dexterity. At the word of command, they break the limbs of the criminal with their trunks; They sometimes trample him to death, or impale him on their enormous tusks, just as they are di- rected by their more barbarous Keeper. . It is.a singular circumstance in the history of this exe treordinary animal, that, in a: state of subjection, it is unalterably barren; and, though ithas been reduced un- der the dominion of man for ages, it has never been known to breed, as if it had a proper sense of its de- graded condition, and obstinately refused to increase the pride and power of its conquerors by propagating a race of slaves. It therefore follows, that of all the numerous bands of Elephants that are trained to service, there is not one that has not been originally wild, nor one that ll ed i es ss ali age “HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 19g has not been forced into a state of subjection. To re- cruit, therefore, the numbers that are unavoidably con- sumed by disease, accident, or age, the eastern princes are obliged every year to send into the forests, and use various methods to procure fresh supplies. The manner of taking, taming, and rendering these animals submissive, is curious, and. well deserves a place in the history of the Elephant. In the midst of a forest abounding with Elephants, a large piece of ground 1S marked out, and surrounded with strong palisades, inter- woven with branches of trees: One end of the inclosure is narrow; from which it widens gradually, so as to take in a great extent of country. Several thousand men are employed upon the occasion, who place themselves in such a manner as to prevent the wild Elephants from making their escape: They kindle large fires at certain distances, and make a dreadful noise with drums and va- rious kinds of discordant instruments, calculated for the purpose of stunning and terrifying the poor animals; whilst another party, consisting of some thousands, with the assistance of tame female Elephants trained for the purpose, drive the wild Elephants slowly towards the creat opening of the inclosure, the whole train of hun- ters closing in after them, shouting, and making a great noise, till they are driven by insensible degrees into the narrow part of the inclosure, through which there is an opening into a smaller space. strongly fenced in, and guarded on all sides. As soon as one of the Elephants enters this strait, a strong bar closes the passage from he- hind, and be finds himself completely environed. On the top of this narrow passage some of the huntsmen ge 194 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. stand with goads in their hands, urging the creature for- ward to the end of the passage, where there is an open- ing just wide enough to let him pass. He is now te- peel into the custody of two females, who stand on each side of him, and press him into the service: If he be likely to prove refractory, they begin to discipline him with their trunks, till he is reduced to obedience, and suffers himself to be led to a tree, where he is bound by the leg with stout thongs, made of untamed elk or buck skin. The tame Elephants are then led back to the in- closure, and the others-are made to submit in the same manner. They are all suffered to remain fast to the trees for several days. Attendants are placed by the side of each animal, who supply him with food by little and lit- tle, till he is brought by degrees to be sensible of kind- ness and caresses, and allows himself to be led to the sta- ble. In the space of fourteen days, his absolute submis- sion is completed. During that time, he is fed daily with cocoa-nut leaves, and led once a day to the water by thetame ones. He becomesaccustomed to the voice of his keeper, and at last quietly resigns his prodigious powers to the dominion and service of man. The time of gestation of the Elephant is hitherto but imperfectly known: Aristotle says it goes two years with young; which is the more likely, as the season of desire in the male returns but once inthree years: The female produces one young at a time. The young Ele- phants are said to suck with their trunk, the teats of the female being situated between its fore legs. The elephant is thirty years in arriving at its full growth ; and 1s said to live, though in a state of. capti- | vity, to the age of an hundred and twenty or an hundred — ‘s A j HISTORY OF Q@UADRUPEDS. 195 and thirty years: In a state of unrestrained freedom, it is supposed to live much longer. The Elephant will drink wine, and is fond of spirituous liquors. By shewing him a vessel filled with arrack, he is induced to exert the greatest efforts, and perform the most painful tasks, in hopes of receiving it as the reward of his labour. To disappoint him is dangerous, as he seldom fails to be revenged. ‘The following instance is given as a fact and deserves to be recorded:--An Ele- phant, disappointed of its reward, out of revenge killed his cornac or governor. ‘The poor man’s wife, who be- held the dreadful scene, took her two infants, and threw them at the feet of the enraged animal, saying, ‘ Since you have slain my husband, take my life also, as well as that of my children.’ The Elephant instantly stopped, relented, and, as if stung with remorse, took the eldest boy in its trunk, placed him on its neck, adopted him for its cornac, and would never allow any other person to mount it. : We might quote many other facts equally curiousand interesting: ‘hose we have already recited are suthcient to shew that the Elephant is possessed of instinctive fa- culties superior to those of any other animal. We must at the same time admire the admirable order of that dispensation, which, to an animal of such unequalled powers, has added a disposition so mild and tractable. What ravages might we not expect from the prodigious strength of the Elephant, combined with the fierceness and rapacity of the ‘Tiger! We cannot close our account of the Elephant with- @ut taking some notice of the teeth of that animal, which Ne 196 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. have been so frequently found in a fossil state in various parts of the world. Some years ago, two great grinding- teeth, and part of the tusk of an ‘Elephant, were disco- vered, at the depth of forty-two yards, in a lead mine, in Flintshire, lying in a bed of gravel. The grinders were almost as perfect as if they had been just taken from the living animal; the tusk was much decayed, and very soft.—Near the banks of many rivers in Siberia, large tusks and teeth have been frequently dug up, which were formerly attributed to a creature called the Mam- mouth ; but they are now universally believed to have be- - longed to the Elephant. The molares or grinders are perfectly the same with those of the present race; but both they and the tusks are much larger: Some uf the Jatter have been known to weigh four hundred pounds ; and grinders, of the weight of twenty-four pounds, have not untreq vend y been discovered. One of these was taken from a skeleton of the same head in which the tusks were found: And as the ivory of the latter was In every respect the same as that generally known, and made use of for the purposes of useful and ornamental works, we cannot deny our assent to the opinion of those who suppose them to have been once parts of the animal we have just described. —T usks of a prodigious size, eeth, jaw-bones, thigh-bones, and vertebre, have like- wise been frequently found on the banks of the river Ohio, in America, fve or six feet beneath the surface. Some of the tusks are near seven feet long; one foot nine inches in circumference at the base, une one foot near the point. They differ from those of the Elephant, in having a larger twist or spiral curve towards the small end. ‘There isa still greater difference in the form of HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 197 the grinders which are made like those of a carnivorous animal, not flat and ribbed transversely on their surface, like those of an Elephant, but furnished with a double row of high and cenic projections, as if intended to mas- ticate, not grind, their food. Specimens of these teeth and bones are deposited in the British Museum, that of the Royal Society, and in the cabinet of the late inge- nious Dr Hunter. ‘These fossil bones are also found in Peru and in the Brazils——As yet, the living animal has evaded the search of the curious naturalist; but it is not improbable, that it may exist in some of those remote parts of that vast continent, yet unpenetrated by Euro-. peans. )) Ne ee IQ Se ik ce a te) i<— 198 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ANIMALS OF THE CAT KIND. We have hitherto been employed in the pleasing task of describing most of those numerous tribes of animals that are more nearly connected with the Interests of man- kind; that serve as the instruments of man’s happiness, or at least that do not openly oppose him; that depend upon his care for their subsistence; and in their turn contribute largely to his comfort and support. We have taken an ample range among the wilder inhabitants of the forest, which, though in a more remote degree depen- dant on man, are nevertheless objects of his attention and pursuit. We have followed Nature to her most re- tired recesses, and have seen and admired her works un- der a variety of the most beautiful living forms; but our progress has hitherto been unstained with bload. _ The attention of our readers will now be engaged in a different pursuit. The scene must be diversified. We come now to a sanguinary and unrelenting tribe, the bold and intrepid enemies of man; that disdain toown his power, and carry on unceasing hastilities against him. This numerous and ferocious tribe is chiefly distin- guished by their sharp and formidable claws, which are Jodged in a sheath, and are capable of being extended or drawn in at pleasure.—They lead a aliaen and a raven- t ous lifé, and never unite for mutual defence or support, | like those of the herbivorous kinds. They seek their , food alone, and are frequently enemies to each other. Though differing greatly in size and in colour, they are nearly allied to each other in form and disposition, being © egually fierce, rapacious, and artful. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 199. THE LION, - Felis Leo, Lin —Le Lion, Buff.) Is eminently distinguished from the rest, as well in size and strength, as by his large and flowing mane. This animal is produced in Africa, and the hottest parts of Asia. Itis found in the greatest numbers in the scorched and desolate regions of the torrid zone, in the desarts of Zaara and Biledulgerid, and in all the interior parts of the vast continent of Africa. In these desart re- gions, from whence mankind are driven by the rigorous heat of the climate, this animal reigns sole master: Its disposition seems to partake of the ardour of its native soil: Inflamed by the influence of a burning sun, its rage is most tremendous, and its courage undaunted. Happi- N 4 200 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ly, indeed, the species is not numerous, and is said to be greatly diminished; for, if we may credit the testi- mony of those who have traversed these vast desarts, the number of Lions is not nearly so great as formerly. Mr. Shaw observes, that the eae carried more Lions from Lybia in one year for their public spectacles, than could be found in all. that country at this time. It is likewise remarked, that in Turkey, Persia, and the In- dies, Lions are not now so frequently met : with as in for- mer times. , it is observed of this animal, that its courage dimi- nishes, and its caution and timidity are greater, in pro- portion as it approaches’ the habitations of the human race. Being acquainted with man, and the power of his arms, it loses its natural fortitude to such a degree, as to be terrified at the sound of his voice. It has been known to fly before women and even children, and suffer itself to be driven away by them from its lurking places in the neighbourhood of their villages. This alteration. in the Lion’s disposition sufficiently shews, that it will admit of a certain degree of educa- tion: And it is a well-known fact, that the keepers of wild beasts frequently play with him, pull out his tongue, hold him by the teeth, and even chastise him without cause. ‘The animal seems to bear all with a sullen kind of composure, and rarely retaliates this unmerited treat- ment. It is dangerous, however, to provoke him too far, or to depend upon his temper with too great secu- rity. Labat tells us of a gentleman who kept a Lion in his chamber, and pum a servant to attend it; who, as 1s usual mixed his blows with caresses. This ill-. judged association continued for sometime. One morn- HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 204 ing the gentleman was awakened by an unusual noise in his room, and, drawing his curtains, he perceived it to proceed from the Lion, een was growling over the bo- dy of the unhappy man, whom it had just killed, and had _ separated his head from his body. ‘The terror and con- fusion of the gentleman may be easily conceived: He flew out of the room; and, with the assistance of some people, had the animal secured from doing further mis- chief, As the passions of this animal are strong, and its appe- tites vehement, we ought not to presume that the im- pressions of education will always be sufficiently power- ful. It must be dangerous therefore, to suffer it to re- -main too long aeahiol food, or to persist In irritating or abusing it. ‘However numberless accounts assure us, that the an- ger of the Lion is noble, its courage magnanimous, and its temper susceptible of grateful impressions. It has been often seen to despise weak and contemptible ene- mies, and even to pardon their insults, when it was in its power to punish them: It has been known to spare the life of an animal that was thrown to be devoured by it, to live in habits of perfect cordiality with it, to share its subsistence, and even to giveita preference where its portion of food was scanty. The form of the Lion js strikingly bold and majestic; His large and shaggy mane, which he can erect at plea- sure, surrounding his awful front; his huge eye-brows ; bis round and fers eye-balls, which, upon the least irri- tation, seem to glow with peculiar lustre; together with the formidable appearance of his teeth bexhibit a picture of terrific grandeur which no words can describe. 202 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. The length of the largest Lion is between eight and nine feet, the tail about four, and its height about four feetand a half. The female is about one-fourth part less and without the mane. As the Lion advances in years, its mane grows longer and thicker. Whe hair on the rest of his body is short and smooth, of a tawny colour but whitish on the belly. The roaring of the Lion is loud and dreadful: When heard in the night, itresembles distant thunder. Its cry of anger 1s much louder and shorter. The Lion seldom attacks any animal openly, except when compelled by extreme hunger; In that case, no danger deters him; but as most animals endeavour to avoid him, he is obliged to have recourse to artifice, and take his prey by surprise. For this purpose, he crouches on his belly in some thicket, where he waits till his prey approaches; and then, with one prodigious spring, he leaps upon it at the distance of fifteen or twenty feet. and generally seizes it at the first bound. If he miss his object, he gives up the pursuit; and, turning back to- wards the place of his ambush, he measures the ground step by step, and again lies in wait for another opportu- nity. —The lurking place of the Lion is ‘generally chosen near a spring, or by the side of ariver; where he fre- quently has an opportunity of catching such animals as come to quench their thirst. There are, however, instances where the Lion deviates from his usual method of taking his prey, of which the — following, related by Sparrman, is remarkable :—A Hot- tentot, perceiving that he was followed by a Lion, and concluding that the animal only waited the approach of night to make him his prev, began to consider of the bést HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, £03 method of providing for his safety, which he at length effected in the following singular manner: Observing a piece of broken ground, with a precipitate descent on one side, he sat down by the edge of it; and found, to his great joy, that the Lion also made ahalt, and kept at , the same distance as before. As soon as it grew dark, the Hottentot, sliding gently forward, let himself down a ‘little below the edge of the hill, and held up his cloak and hat upon his stick, making at the same time a gentle motion with it: The Lion, in the mean while, came creeping softly towards him, like a Cat; and mistaking the skin cloak for the man himself, made a spring, and fell headlong down the precipice: By which means, the poor Hottentot was safely delivered from his insidious “enemy. That the Lion does not always kill whatever animal happens to be in his power, has already been observed ; and this peculiarity in its temper is remarkably obvious, with regard to the human: species. Of this there have been many instances. At St. Catherine Cree’s church, Leadenhali-street, London, provision is made, under the will of Sir John Gager, who was lord-mayor in the year 1646, for a sermon to be annually preached on the 16th of November, in commemoration of his happy deliver- ance from a Lion, which he met in a desart as he was travelling in the Turkish dominions, and suffered him to pass unmolested. The minister is to have 20s. for the sermon, the clerk 2s. 6d. and the sexton Is. The sum of 8l. 16s. 6d. is likewise to be distributed among the necessitous inhabitants, pursuant to the will of Sir John. —Sparrman, among several instances of the same nature, mentions a person who, though he was thrown down by 204 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. a Lion, and wounded by it in several places, was after all generously left with life. | The strength of this animal is great: One of them was observed to seize a heifer, which it carried off in its mouth with ease, and leaped over a ditch without much apparent difficulty. At the Cape ef Good Hope, the Lion is frequently hunted by the colonists.-In the day time, and upon an open plain, twelve or sixteen dogs will easily get the bet- ter of alarge Lion. As the Lion is not remarkably swift, the dogs soon come pretty near him; when, with a sulien kind of magnanimity, he turns round, and waits for the attack, shaking his mane, and roaring with a short and sharp tone. ‘Phe hounds surround him; and, rush- ing upon him all at once, soon tear him to pieces. It is said, that he has seldom time to make more than two or three strokes with his paws; each of which is attended with the death of one of his assailants. | The Lioness goes with young five months, and brings forth three or four at atime. The young ones are about the size of a large pug-dog, harmless, pretty, and playful. They continue at the teat twelve months, and are above five years in coming to perfection. The attachment of the Lioness to her young is re- markably strong: For their support, she is more fero- cious than the Lion himself, makes her incursions with — greater boldness, destroys, without distinction, every ani- mal that falls in her way, and carries it reeking to her cubs.—She usually brings forth in the most retired and inaccessible places: and, when afraid of her retreat being discovered, endeavours to hide her track, by brushing the ground with her tail. When much disturbed or alarm- HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 205, ed, she will sometimes transport her young from one place to another in her mouth; and, if obstructed in her course, will defend them to the last extremity. The Lion is a long lived animal, although naturalists have differed greatly as to the precise period of its ex- istence. Buffon limits it to twenty, or twenty-two years at most. It is however certain, that it lives much be- yond that time. The great Lion, called Pompey, which died in the year 1760, was known to have been in the Tower above seventy years; and one, brought from the ~ river Gambia, died there not long ago, at the age of six- ty-three. Several of these animals have been ee in the Tower: So that the time of their gestation, the number they produce, and the time of their arriving at pertec- tion, are all pretty well known. The flesh of the Lion is said to have a strong disagree- able flavour; yet it is frequently eaten by the negroes. The skin which was formerly a robe of distinction for heroes, is now made use of by those people as a mantle ora bed. They also preserve the grease, which is of a penetrating nature, and is used in medicine. Lhe representation we have given was drawn from a remarkable fine one, exhibited at Newcastle in the year 1788. It was then young, extremely healthful, active, and in full condition. 206 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. Z fo ME) Ye ee nih, yh” a Nay jg? iid yi iy Wits: 7 Ling yp Vy, “y ly y ofa r WYP CA t; if ty x by ¢ ‘4; j Ly % f $5 PP i y ify, AU CL. eee eh) Op dij? ¥ 3 4 Leas ANOLE THE TIGER, (Felis Tigris, Lin.—Le Tigre, Buff.) Is the most rapacious and destructive of all carnivorous. animals. Fierce without provocation, and cruel without necessity, its thirst for blood is insatiable; ‘Though glut- ted with slaughter, it continues its carnage, nor ever gives up so long as a single object remains in its sight: Klocks and herds fall indiscriminate victims to its fury: It fears neither the sight nor the opposition of man, whom it frequently makes its prey; and it is even said to prefer human flesh to that of any other animal. The Tiger is peculiar to Asia, and is found as far North as China and Chinese Tartary: It inhabits Mount Ararat and Hyrcania, of old famous for its wild beasts. The greatest numbers are met with in India and its islands. They are the scourge of the country: They. lurk among the bushes, by the sides of rivers, and al- Pais HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 207 | most denopulate many places. They seldom pursue their prey, but bound upon it from the place of their ambush, with an elasticity, and from a distance, scarcely credible. It is highly probable that, from this circumstance, the Tiger may derive its name, which, in the Armenian lan- guage, signifies an arrow; to the flight of which this creature may very properly be compared, in the guick- ness and agility of its bounds. The strength of this animal is so great, that, when it has killed a Deer or other animal, it carries it off with such ease; that it seems no impediment to its fight. If it be undisturbed, it plunges its head into the ody of the animal up to its very eyes as if to satiate itself with blood. The Tiger is one of the few animals whose ferocity can never be wholly subdued. Neither gentleness nor constraint has any effect in softening its temper. It does not seem sensible of the attention of its keeper; and would equally tear the hand that feeds, with that by which it is chastised. A beautiful young male Tiger, lately brought over from China, in the Pitt Peatideis at the age of ten months, was so far domesticated, as to admit ev ery kind of familiarity from the people on board. It seemed to be quite harmless, and was as playful asa kitten. It frequently siept with the sailors in their hammocks, and would suffer two or three of them to repose their heads upon its back, as upon a pillow, whilst it lay stretched out upon the deck. In return for this, it would, howe- ver, now and then steal their meat. Having one day taken a piece of beef from the carpenter, he followed the animal, took the meat out of its mouth, and beat it e 208. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. severely for the theft; which punishment it suffered with all the patience of a Dog. It would frequently run out on the bowsprit; climb about the ship like a Cat; and perform a number of tricks, with an agility that was truly astonishing. There was a Dog on board the ship, with which it would often play in the most diverting manner.—From these circumstances, one might be led to suppose, that the disposition of the Tiger, like that of many other animals, was capable of some degree of cul- ture. But it ought to be remembered, that at the time ‘this one was taken on board the ship, it was only a month or six weeks old; and when arrived in this coun- try, it had not quite compleated a year. How much longer its good- humour might have continued, it 1s im- Decit to say: But it is much to be doubted, that the same innocent playfulness would have formed a part of its character when arrived at its full state of maturity. Notwithstanding the cruelty of this creature’s disposi- tion, a sudden cheek has sometimes had a good effect in preventing its meditated attack. Some ladies and gentle- men being on a party of pleasure, under a shade of trees, on the banks of a river in Bengal, were suddenly sur- prised at seeing a Tiger ready to make its fatal spring: One of the ladies, with amazing presence of mind, laid - hold of an umbrella, and unfurling it directly in the ant- mal’s face, it instantly retired,—Another party had not the same good fortune. A Tiger darted among them whilst they were at dinner, saad ona gentleman, and carried him off in the sight of his disconsolate compa- nions. They attack all kinds of lactone, even the Lion; and — HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS: — 809 furious combats have frequently been maintained be- tween them, in which both have perished. Father Tachard gives an account of a battle between a Tiger and two Elephants, at Siam; of which he was an eye-witness. The heads and part of the trunks of the Elephants, were defended from the claws of the Ti- ger by a covering made for the purpose. They were placed in the midst of a large inclosure. One of them was suffered to approach the Tiger, which was confined by cords, and received two or three heavy blows from the trunk of the Elephant upon its back, which beat it to the ground, where it lay for some time as if it were dead: But, though this attack hada good deal abated its fury, it was ‘no sooner untied, than, with a horrible roar it made a spring at the Elephant’s trunk, which that ani- mal dexterously avoided by drawing it up; and, receiving the Tiger on its tusks, threw it up into the air. The two Elephants were then allowed to.come up; and, after giving it several heavy blows, would undoubtedly have killed it, if an end had not-been put to the combat.— Under such restraints and disadvantages, we cannot won- der that the issue was unfavourable to the Tiger. We may, however by this judge of its great strength and fierceness,—that, after being disabled by the first attack of the Elephant, whilst it was held by its cords, it would venture to continue such an unequal engagement. We are happy in being able to present our curious readers with an engraving of this rare animal, drawn from the life, from a Tiger that was exhibited at New- castle in 1787, and was generally allowed to be one of the finest creatures of its kind ever seen in England. O wt = Pill, eee xe ee 210 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDs: The beautiful bars of black with which every part of its body was streaked, are accurately copied: The colour of the ground was yellow, deeper on the back, and soften- ing by degrees towards the belly, where it was white; as were also the throat and insides of the legs: A white space, spotted with black, surrounded each eye; and on each cheek, a stripe of the same colour extended from the ears to the throat. It was nearly the same height as the Lion, and was of the largest species of the Tiger, whichis called the Royal Tiger. The smallest of them is not above two feet high, said to be extremely cunning, and delights in human flesh. The second kind is about three feet high, and is fond of Deer, Wild Hogs, &c. which it frequently takes by the side of rivers, as they come down to quench their thirst. The skin of this animal is much esteemed all over the Fast, particularly in China, The Mandarins cover their seats of justice with it; and, during the winter, use it for cushions and pillows. a a a i We have now described the two great heads of this mischievous family, which are eminently distinguished from the rest in size, strength, and colour. | The three succeeding species have been frequently con- founded with each other; and, although there is some difference in their size, and in the disposition of their spots, yet these have been so indiscriminately defined, as to make it dificult to form a true criterion, so as accu- rately to distinguish each species. Strikingly similar im the form of their bodies, in the beauty of their skins as well asin their dispositions and habits, which seem to be equally formed for rapine and cruelty,—there is great HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. | 211 -¥0om to conjecture, that commixture may be one great cause of producing the slight differences observable in them.—If we regard the figure and diversity of the spots, we shall find many varieties not taken notice of by na- turalists; if we be led to judge by the size, we shall find an almost imperceptible gradation from the Cat to the -Tiger. It would be vain, therefore, to make as many varieties in these animals, as we see differences in spots or stature: It will be sufficient to point out the mosi ge- neral distinctions: : a 2G - SS Ee ee ee ee ane 212 HISTORY OF *QUADRUPEDS. : — Ra ee —— i eae epee SS 2 a ecsi, saz Toye ——~ eh i ee ee ee << : Bi aie ee aie AUS : THE PANTHER, (Felis Pardus, Lin.—La Panthere, Buff.y Is next in size to the Tiger, and has, by many natural- ists, been mistaken for that animal. —lIts hair 1s short and smooth; and, instead of being streaked like the Tiger, is .: beautifully marked on the Hate: sides, and flanks, with, ‘ black es disposed 1 in circles, from four to five in. each with a single spot in the center; on the face, breast, and legs, the spots are single: The colour of the body on the | bark and sides is yellow: deep on the back, and paler to- wards the belly, which is white: Its ears are short and pointed; its eye is restless; and its whole aspect fierce and cruel. It is an untameable animal, and inhabits Africa, from Barbary to the remotest parts of Guinea. ’ Its manner of taking its prey is the same with that of the Tiger,—alw ays tay | surprize, either lurking in thick- ets, or creeping on its belly till it comes within reach. When pressed with hunger, it attacks every living crea- HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 913 ture without distinction, but happily prefers the flesh of brutes to that of mankind: It will evenclimb up trees in pursuit of monkies and lesser animals; so that nothing 1s secure from its attacks. : The Panther is about the size of a large Mastiff Dog, but its legs are not quite solong. Its voice is strong and hoarse, and it growls continually. The ancients were well acquainted with these animals. The Romans drew prodigious numbers from the desarts. of Africa, for their public shows; sufficient, one might suppose, to have entirely exhausted them. Scaurus ex- hibited an hundred and fifty of them at one time; Pom- pey four hundred and ten; and Augustus four hundred and twenty. ‘They probably thinned the coasts of Mau- titania of these animals; but they still swarm in the sou- thern parts of Guinea. In China, there is a most beautiful animal of this kind, called Louchu, the skin of which sells for six pounds ster- ling. An animal of this species is omee found in Asiatic Tartary, called there the Babr. It is seven feet long, ex- tremely rapacious, and very destructive of Horses and Camels. Its skin is very fine, and valued in Russia at one pound sterling. a ree ee Se ee eS ee re ee ee | 214 HISTORY OF QUADRUPES, Fae 1S Me Me Ysa) Z “~Y Os z= = ae r ae 7299777 Ht 1h Cela THE LEOPARD. (Le Leopard, Butt.) The very trifling difference between this and the last- mentioned animal gives reason to suppose, that it consists chiefly in thename. It inhabits the same countries; and in some places goes by the same name, being called the Panther of Senegal; and is chiefly found there. It is mentioned by Ray as the female Paniher, but is rather smaller than that animal. Its length, from nose to tail, is about four feet: The colour of the body is a more lively yellow; and the spots with which it is diversified, are smaller and closer than those of the Panther. © The interior parts of Africa abound with these ani- mals; from whence they come down in great numbers, and make dreadful havock among the numerous herds that cover the plains of the Lower Guinea. When beasts of chace fail, they spare no living creature. = HISTORY OF @UADRUPEDS., 215 The negroes take them in pitfalls, slightly covered at the top, and baited with flesh. Their chief inducement for pursuing them is their flesh, which they eat; and it is said to be as white as veal, and well-tasted. The negres- ses make collars of their teeth, and wear themas hares The skins of these animals are brought to Europe, where they are greatly esteemed. In India, there is a species of Leopard Eooat the size of a large Greyhound, with a small head, and short ears: Its face, chin, and threat, are of a pale-brown colour, in- clining to yellow; the body is of a light tawny-brown, marked with small round black spots, scattered over the back, sides, head, and legs; the hair on the top of the neck is longer than the rest; the belly is white; the tail very long, marked on the yEEe side ae large black spots. This is the animal, mentioned in our account of the Antelope, which is made use of in India for hunting that and other beasts of’ the chace.—TIt 1s carried in a small kind of waggon, chained and hoodwinked till it approach- es the head; when it is unchained, and suffered to pur- sue the game. It begins by creeping along, with its bel- ly close to the ground, stopping and concealing itself till it gets an advantageous situation; it then darts on its prey with great agility, frequently making five or six ama- zing bounds. If it should not succeed in its first effort, it gives up the point for that time, and readily returns to its master, QO r \ 4 ‘ ue x . 216 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE OUNCE, (L’Once, Buff.) Ts smaller than the Leopard, being three feet and a half long from the nose to the tail, very strong, long-backed, and short legged. The hair is long, and of a light-gray colour, tinged with yellow; lighter on the breast and beily: The head is marked with small round spots: Be- hind each ear there is a large black spot: The back is beautifully varied with a number of oval figures, formed by small spots almost touching each other; the spots on the sides are more irregular; those on the legs and thighs _ small, and thinly dispersed: The tail is fall of hair, irre- gularly marked with large black spots, and upwards of three feet long. It is common in Barbary, Persia, and China; is much more gentle than the Leopard; and, like the Hunting- Leopard, is sometimes trained to the chase. Instead of being conveyed in a waggon, it is carried on the crupper of the Horse, is as much under command as_a Setting- Dog, returns at a call, and jumps up behind its master. MISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. o7t The scent of the Ounce is not so fine as that of the Pog. Itneither follows animals by their foot, nor is it able to overtake them in acontinual chase: It hunts solely by the eye, and makes only a few springs at its prey. It is so nimble, as to clear a ditch or a wall of many feet. It often climbs trees to watch animals that are passing, and suddenly darts upon them. It is supposed to be the Lesser Panther of Oppian, and the Panthera of Pliny. Ao el THE JAGUAR, (felis Onca, Lin.—Le Jaguar, Buff.) Is the most formidable animal of the new continent, ra- ther larger than the Panther, with hair of a bright-tawny colour. ‘The top ofthe back is marked with long stripes of black; The sides beautifully variegated with irregular oblong spots, open in the middle; the tail not so long as that of the Ounce, and irregularly marked with large black spots. 218 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. It is found in the hottest parts of South-America; is very fierce; and, when pressed with hunger, will some- times venture to seize aman. The Indians are much afraid of it, and think it ee them to the white inhabitants, who, perhaps, are better prepared to repel its attacks. In travelling through the desarts of Guiana, they light great fires in the night, of which these animals are much afraid. They how] dreadfully; their cry, which is expressive of the two monosyllables—hou, hou, is somewhat plain- tive, grave, and strong, like that of an Ox. The Ant-eater, though it has no teeth to defend itself with, is the most cruel enemy the Jaguar has to encoun- ter. As soon as the Jaguar attacks this little animal, it lies down on its back, and, with its long claws, seizes and suffocates him. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 219 THE CO UG UAR, (Felis Concolor, Lin.—Le Conguar, Buff. f) Innasirs the continent of America, andis called by some the Puma, or American Lion; but differs so much from that noble animal, as not to admit of any comparison.— Its head is small; it has no mane; its length, from nose ‘to tail is five feet three inches; the tail two feet: The predominant colour is a lively red, mixed with black; especially on the back, where it is darkest: Its chin, throat, and all the inferior parts of its body, are whitish: Its legs are long; claws white; and the outer claw of the fore feet much longer than the others. It is found in many parts of North- America, from Ca- nada to Florida: It. is also common in Guiana, Brazil, and Mexico. | ’ It is fierce and_ravenous in the extreme, and will swim rivers to attack cattle even in their inclosures.—In North-America, its fury seems tobe subdued by the ri- gour of the climate, for it will fly from a Dog incom- a a J 220 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. pany with its master, and take shelter by running up a tree. It is very destructive to domestic animals, particularly to Hogs. It preys also upon the Moose and other Deer; lies lurking upon the branch of a tree till some of these animals pass underneath, when it drops down upon one of them, and never quits its hold till it has drunk its blood. It willeven attack beasts of prey. In the Mu- seum of the Royal Society is preserved the skin of one of these animals, which was shot just as it had seized a Wolf.—When satisfied with eating, it conceals the rest of the carcase, covering it carefully with leaves. It purrs like a Cat, and sometimes howls dreadfully. The fur is soft, and is used by the Indians for a win- ter habit; when dressed, it is made into gloves and shoes. The flesh is white, and, by the natives, reckoned excel- lent food. . The Couguar, when brought into captivity, is almost as gentle as the domestic Cat, allows itself to be caressed and will permit boys to mount on its back.—It is some- times called the Poltron Tiger. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 224 THE BLACK-TIGER, (Le Cougar noir, Buff.) Dirrers from the former chiefly in the colour, which is dusky, sometimes spotted with black, but generally plain. The throat, belly, and inside of the legs, are of a: pale- ash colour; the upper lip white, covered with long whis- kers: Above each eye it has very long hairs; and at the corner of the moutha black spot: Its paws are white; and its ears are sharp and pointed. It grows to the size of a heifer of a year old, and has great strength in its limbs. It inhabits Brazil and Guiana, is a cruel and fierce animal, much dreaded by the Indians; but fortunately the species is not numerous. M. de la Borde, in his description of these animals, says, that they frequent the sea shore, and eat the eggs deposited there by the turtles. They likewise eat cai- mans or alligators, lizards, and fishes, and sometimes 229 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS.. the buds and tender leaves of the Indian fig.—They are excellent swimmers.—In order to catch, the alligator, they lie down on their belly at the edge of ihe river, strike the water to make a noise, and as soon as the alli- gator raises its head above the water, dart their claws in- to ifs eyes, and drag it on shore. —————————S = ——— THE OCELOT. (Felis Pardalis, Lin.—L’ Ocelot, Buff.) Tue skin of the male Ocelot is extremely beautiful, and most elegantly variegated. Its general colour is that of a bright-tawny; a black stripe extends along the top of the back, from head to tail; its forehead is spotted with black, as are also its legs; its shoulders, sides, and rump are beautifully marbled with long stripes of black, forming oval figures, filled in the middle with small black spots; its tail is irregularly marked with large spots, and black at the end.—The colours of the female are not so vivid as those of the male; neither is it so beautifully marked. | HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 899P The Ocelot very much resembles the common Cat in the form of its body, although it is a great deal larger. Buffon makes its height two feet and a Hale and about four feet in length. It isa native of South-America, ‘habits Mexico and Brazil, is very voracious, but timid, and seldom attacks men. It is afraid of Dogs; and when pursued, flies tu the woods. It lives chiefly in the mountains, and conceals itself amongst the leaves of trees; from whence it darts upon such ainaale as come within its reach. It sometimes ex- tends itself along the boughs, as if it were dead, till the monkies, tempted by their natural curiosity, approach within its reach. It is said to prefer the blood of ani- mals to their flesh. The Ocelot cannot easily be tamed, na retains its ori- ginal wildness in a state of captivity. Nothing can sotten the natural ferocity of its disposition, nor calm the rest- lessness of its motions. For this reason, it is always kept in a cage.—One of these animals, shewn at Newcastle in 1788, although extremely old, exhibited great marks of ferocity. It was kept closely confined, and would not admit of being caressed byits keeper in the same manner as the Lion; but growled constantly, and always appear- ed in motion —-A male and female Ocelot were brought to France some years ago, which had been taken when very young. At the age of three months, they became so strong and fierce, as to kill a bitch that was given them for a nurse. When a live Cat was thrown to them, they sucked its blood, but would not taste its flesh. Lhe male seemed to have a great superiority over the fe- 224 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. male, as he never allowed her to partake till his own a petite was satisfied. The female Ocelot, like all the larger animals r the | Cat kind, produces a small number at a time. The two. above-mentioned were the only young ones found with the mother, which was killed at the time they were ta- ken, and makes it probable, that they bring forth only that number. THE MARGAY, (Le Margay, Buff.) Is another beautiful animal of the spotted tribe, and known in many places by the name of the Tiger Cat. The ground colour of the body is tawny; the face is striped with black; the body is marked with stripes and large spots of black; the bredst and insides of the legs are white, spotted with black; the tail is long, marked with alternate spots of black, tawny, and gray. The Margay is smaller than the Ocelot, and about the size of the Wild Cat, which it resembles in disposition 9 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 225 and habits, living on small animals, birds, 8&¢c.—It is very wild, and cannot easily be brought under subjection. Its colours vary, though they are generally such as have been described. It is common in Guiana, Brazil, and various parts of South-America. It is called the Cayenne Cat, and is not so frequent in temperate asin warm climates. In taking a survey of this beautiful race of animals, we are unavoidably led to observe, that much remains for the laborious researches of the natural historian, before a complete account can be made out of the various kinds of which it is composed.—Several species are frequently found in the East Indies, in the woods near the Cape of Good Hope, and on the continent of America; but in general these have been so negligently or so injudiciously mentioned, as to render it impossible to form a perfect description of them.——-A good history of these animals is one of the many desiderata of the naturalist; but when we consider the great distance which most of this fero- cious tribe observe in their separation from mankind, and the dangers that must be encountered in approaching their solitary habitations, we are obliged to lament that this desirable object is not likely to be soon accomplished. P HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 9 ro A THE SERVAL, (Le Serval, Buff.) fxuasirs the mountainous parts of India, and is called by the natives of Malabar, the A/arepute—lIt is larger than the Wild-Cat—lIts genera] colour is a pale yellow; white on the breast and belly; variegated with round spots, which are equally distributed over every part of its body: Its eyes are extremely brilliant, and have a wild, ‘piercing look, its whiskers are long and stiff; its tail short; and its feet are armed wiih long hooked claws. It is seldom to be seen upon the ground; but lives chiefly in trees, where it makes its nest, amd breeds its young. It feeds on young birds, and leaps with great agility from tree to tree. It is extremely fierce; but a- voids mankind, unless provoked; when it darts furiously upon the offender, and tears and bites nearly in the same manner as the Panther. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 227 Spartman mentions an animal of this kind, found at the Cape of Good Hope, which he calls the Tiger Cat, and supposes it to be the same with the Serval. — The same author mentions another animal of this kind called at the Cape the Wild Red Cat; the skin of which is supposed by the natives to possess great medicinal powers, and give ease to persons afflicted with the gout, lumbago, and pains in the joints. ‘The fur is very fine. and soft; and, probably, there are many other skins which, if applied with an equal degree of good faith, might have the same salutary effects. The colour of the upper part of this creature is of a very bright-red; towards the sides itis mixed with white and gray; the belly is white; the upper part of the ears, which have tufts of hair on their tips, is dark-brown, sprinkled with gray. Its body 1s long, and about two feet in height. | SIN Z Sagas! SOS SS ST ~ or : AR Aa HAITIAN SSE So = = a ———— <“S < "I 228 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE WILD-CAT. (Fels Catus. Lin—Le Chat sauvage, Buff.) Tue history of this animal is so intimately connected with that of the common or domestic kind, that we shall include our account of both under one general head, and describe them as constituting the same species. The domestic Cat, if suffered to escape into the woods, becomes wild and lives on small birds and such other game as it can find there; it likewise breeds with the wild one. Itis no uncommon thing for females of the tame species to quit their houses during the time they are in season, go in quest of. male Waild-Cats, and retufrn to the same habitations impregnated by them. It is by this means that some of our domestic Cats se perfectly resemble those of the wild breed. The hair of the Wild-cat is soft and fine, of a pale- yellow colour, mixed with gray; a dusky list runs along the middle of the back, from head to tail ; the sides are » streaked with gray, pointing from the back downwards; the tail isthick, and marked with alternate bars of black HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 229 and white. It is larger and stronger than the tame Cat, and its fur much longer. It inhabits the most mountainous and woody parts of this island, lives in trees and hunts for birds and small animals; suchas Rabbits, Hares, Rats, Mice, Moles, &c, It frequently makes great havock among poultry, will even kill young Lambs, Kids, and Fawns; and is the fiercest and most destructive beast of prev in this king- dom. It is taken either in traps or by shooting. There is frequently danger in the latter mode; for, if it be only slightly wounded, it will attack the person who has in- jured it, and is not easily repelled. Wild-Cats are found, with very little variety, in almost every climate.—They existed in America before its disco- very by the Europeans. One of them was brought to Columbus, which was of the ordinary size, of a brown- ish-gray colour, with a long tail—-They are common in many places of Asia and Africa. Sparrman gives a de- scription of one which he shot at the Cape, which was in every respect similar to those of this country. It was of a gray colour; and measured from the nose to the tail, nearly twenty-two inches: The tail was thirteen inches long: Its height was about a feot and a halt. Its intes- tines were full of Moles and Rats. Some Wild-Cats have been taken in this kingdom of a most enormous size. We recollect one having been kil- led in the county of Cumberland, which measured, from its nose to the end of its tail, upwards of five feet. The province of Chorazan, in Persia, is particularly famous for a most beautiful Cat, about the size of the ae 230 — HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. tame one, of a fine gray polis) without any mixture, and as soft and shining as silk. It is darkeron the back, softening by degsees towards the breast and belly, where it is almost white. The tail is long, and covered with hair, five or six inches in length. The animal frequent- ly turns it upon its back, like a Squirrel; the point of it resembling a plume of feathers. The Cat of Angora differs greatly from the Wild-Cat, in having much longer hair, especially about the neck, where it forms a fine ruff, and ie it a Lion-like appear- ance. Some of these are of a silvery whiteness, and silky texture; others are of a dun colour, mixed with yellow. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS: 231 HMM TL i LHHE DOMESTIC CAT, Dirrers from the Wild-Cat, in. being somewhat less; and, instead of being uniformly the same, is distinguish- ed by a great variety of shades and colouring. To describe an animal so well known, might seem a superfluous task: we shall only, therefore, select such of its peculiarities as are least obvious, and may have esca- ped the notice of inattentive observers. It is generally remarked, that Cats can see in the dark; but, though this is not absolutely the case, yet it is cer- tain that they can see with much less light than most other animals, owing to the peculiar struciure of their eyes, the pupils of which are capable of being contracted or dilated in proportion to the degree of light by which they are affected, The pupil of the Cat, during the day is perpetually contracted ; and it is with difficulty that it can see by a strang light: But in the twilight, the pupil P 4 23% HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, resumes its natural roundness, the animal enjoys perfect vision, and takes advantage of this superiority to discover and surprise its prey. The cry of the Cat is loud: piercing, and clamorous; and whether expressive of anger or of lives is equally vio- lent and hideous. Its call may be heard at a great dis- tance, and is so well known to the whole fraternity, that on some occasions several hundred Cats have been brought together from different.parts. Invited by the piercing cries of distress from a suffering fellow-creature they assemble in crowds; and, with loud squalls and yells, express their horrid sympathies. They frequently tear the miserable object to pieces, and, with the most blind and furious rage, fall upon each other, killing and wounding indiscriminately, till there is scarcely one left. These terrible conflicts happen only in the night; and, though rare, instances of very furious engagements are. well authenticated. The Cait is particular averse to water, cold, and bad ‘smells. It is fond of certain perfumes, but is more pare ticularly attracted by the smell of valerian, marum, and cat-mint: It rubs itself against them; and, if not pre- vented from coming at heak in a garden where they are planted, would infallibly destroy them. The Cat brings forth twice, and sometimes thrice, 2— year. The pared of her gestation is fifty-five or fifty-six days, and she generally produces five or six at one litter, She conceals her kittens from the male, lest he should devour them, as he is sometimes inclined ; and, if appre- hensive of being disturbed, will take them up in her mouth, and remove them one by one to a more secure retreat: Even the female herself contrary to to the esta- HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 238 blished law of Nature, which binds the parent to its off- spring by an almost indissoluble tie, is sometimes known to eat her own young the moment after she has produced them. Though extremely useful in destroying the vermin that infest our houses, the Cat seems little attached to the persons of those who afford it protection. It seems to be under no subjection, and acts only for itself. All its views are confined to the place where it has been brought. up; if carried elsewhere, it seems lost and bewildered : Neither carresses nor attention can reconcile it to its new situation, and it frequently takes the first opportunity of escaping to its former haunts. Frequent instances are in our recollection, of Cats having returned to the place from whence they had been carried, though at many miles distance, and even across rivers, when they could not possibly have any knowledge of the road or situation that would apparently lead them to it. —This extraordina- ry faculty is, however, possessed in a much greater de- gree by Dogs; yet it is in both animals equally wonder- fuland unaccountable. In the time of Hoel the Good, King of Wales, who died in the year 948, laws were made as well to pre- serve, as to fix the different prices of animals; among which the Cat was included, as being at that period of great importance, on account of its scarceness and utility. The price of a kitten before it could see was fixed at one penny; till proof could be given of its having caught a mouse, two-pence ; after which i aia said at fours pence, which was a great sum in those days, when the value of specie was extremely high: It was likewise re- quired, that it should be perfect of its senses of hearing 234 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. and seeing, should be a good mouser, have its claws whole, and, if a female, be a careful nurse: If it failed in any of these good qualities, the seller was to forfeit to the buyer the third part of its value.—If any one should steal or kill the Cat that guarded the Prince’s granary, he was either to forfeit a milch ewe, her fleece and lamb, or as much wheat as, when poured on the Cat suspended by its tail (its head touching the floor), would forma heap high enough to cover the tip of the former.—From hence we may conclude, that Cats were not originally natives of these islands; and, from the great care taken to improve and preserve the breed of this prolific creature, we may suppose, were but little known at that period.— Whatever credit we may allow to the circumstances of the well-known story of Whittington and his Cat, it is another proof of the great value set upon this animal in former times. HiSTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 235 i; ig! BYF, y, i CCOLYY! } 7 YY Lice Uf ——— — ae by raf 27? . SOL ea THE LYNX, (Felis Lynx, Lin —Le Lynx, ou Loup Cervier, Buff.) Dirrers greatly from every animal of the Cat kind we have hitherto described. Itg ears are long and erect, tufted at the end with long black hairs, by which this species of animals is peculiarly distinguished: The hair on the body is long and soft, of a red-ash colour, marked with dusky spots, which differ according to the age of the creature; sometimes they are scarcely visible: Its legs and feet are very thick and strong ; its tail short, and black at the extremity; its eyes are of a pale-yellow colour; and its aspect softer and less ferocious than that of the Pantheror the Ounce. ‘The skin of the male is more spotted than that of the female. The fur is valuable for its softness and warmth, and is imported in great quanties from America and the North of Europe. The farther North they are taken, the wht- ter they are, and the spots more distinct.—The most ele- 236 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. gant of those is called the Zrbys ; and is taken near Lake Balkash, in Usbeck Tartary. It is much larger than the common kind. Its skin sells in that country, for one pound sterling.—The colour of its hair changes with the climate and the season. The winter furs are richer and more beautiful than those taken in summer. The Lynx is said to be very long-lived, is a very de- structive animal, lives by hunting, and pursues its prey to the tops of the highest trees. It feeds on Weasels, Ermines, Squirrels, &c. which are unable to escape it. it watches the approach of the Fallow-deer, Hare, and other animals, and darts upon them from the branches of trees, where it lies concealed; and seizes them by the throat, and drinks their blood ; after which, it abandons them, and goes in quest of fresh game. Its sight is re- markable quick, and it sees its prey at a great distance, —It often eats no more of a Sheep or a Goat than the brain, the liver, and the intestines. It will sometimes dig under the doors to gain admission into the sheepfold. —When attacked by a Dog, it lies down on its back, strikes desperately with its claws, and frequently obliges its assailant to retreat. Although the Lynx has nothing in common with the Wolf, it has been distinguished by the name of Lupus- Cervarius, or the Stag-Wolf. Its manner of howling is similar to that of the Wolf; and when heard ata dis- tance, is not easily distinguished from the cry of that ani- mal. The epithet Cervarius has been added, because its skin is variegated with spots like that of a young Stag. A variety is found in the inner parts of the state of New-York, which is called the Bay Lynx, and is a- bout twice the size of a large Cat. Its hair is short and HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 237. smooth; its general colour is a bright-bay, obscurely marked with dusky spots; on its face there are black stripes, pointing downward towards the nose; on each side of the upper lip it has three rows of small black spots, with long whiskers issuing from them ; each cheek is marked with long black stripes, of a circular form, proceeding from the corners of the eyes; the under part of the body, and. insides of the legs, are white; the in- side of each fore leg is marked on the upper part with two black bars; its tail, which 1s short, is marked with bars of a dusky colour, and at the end with one of a deep-black; the tip and under side are white. _ The Lynxes of our days must be very different animals from those which have been described by poets as draw- ing the chariot of Bacchus; for, besides the impractica- bility of training these animals to the yoke, we find that the Lynx is not an inhabitant of India, nor of any of the warmer countries of Asia conquered by that hero.—lIt prefers cold to even temperate climates, and is common in the forests of the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and America. The ancients seem to have given the name of Lynz to an animal which existed only in imagination, and may be ranked with the other ideal monsters and prodigies,— the Sphynx, the Pegasus, and the Unicorn:—lIts sight was said to penetrate the most opaque bodies, and its urine to be converted into a precious stone. £38 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. eyP VEE AAs fi sy oY, 4 Uf, ‘g ¥ fj Yy = CZ IBS \ THE CARACAL, (Le Caracal, Bulls) Resemsues the Lynx in size, figure, and aspect, as well as in having its ears tipt with a pencil of black hairs —It differs from the last-mentioned animal in not being spot- ted; its hair is rougher, and of a pale reddish-brown; its tail is longer, and of an uniform colour ; its face is more lengthened, tts look more fierce, and its nature and dis- position more savage. : | This animal is found only in warm climates, and is common in Persia, India, Barbary, and in all the coun- tries inhabited by the Lion, the Panther, and the Ounce. —-It 1s called in Persia the Svah-Gush; and in the Turk- ish language, the Karrah-Kuluk. Both these names sig- nify the Cut with black ears—lIt is said to follow the Lion, and to feed on’ the remains which that animal 23, a HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 239 Jeaves of his prey; for which reason it is called among the Arabs the Lion’s Guide. The Caracal is about the size of a Fox, but much stronger, and more ferocious. It has been known to at- tack a Hound, and instantly tear it to pieces. ‘This animal is extremely difficult to tame; but when taken young, and reared with great caution, it may be trained to the chase.—It is used in taking the smaller sort of animals, in which it is very successful; but it is active only in the pursuit of those that are too feeble for resistance, or too timid to exert their powers. When- éver it meets with one that is superior to it in-strength, it loses its courage, and gives up the chase.—It is likewise employed in catching birds; such as cranes, pelicans, peacocks, &c. which it surprises with singular address.— When it has seized its prey, it holds it fast im its mouth, and hes upon it for some time quite motionless. There are some varieties in this animal. The face of the Nubian Caracal is rounder; the ears black on the outside, interspersed with silver-coloured hairs; on. the breast, belly, and insides of the thighs, there are small bright-yellow spots; and it has the Mule-cross on the withers, like most of the Barbary Caracals. In Lybia, there are Caracals with white ears, tufted at the end with thin black hairs: They have white tails, the extremities of which are surrounded with four black rings; and on the hind part of each leg there are four black spots. ‘They are small, not exceeding the size of a domestic Cat. We have now gone through all the principal varieties which constitute this numerous race; in all ot which, as has been already observed, from the Lion to the common 240 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. Cat, we may perceive a striking similitude in disposition, form, andmanners. This agreement is likewise observa- ble in their internal conformation, which is still more ex- act,—in the shortness of their intestines, the sharpness and number of their teeth, and in the structure of their | feet and claws. They are all equally carnivorous; and tear, rather than chew their meat. They eatslowly, and growl whilst they feed, as if afraid of losing their prey. They are all cowardly, and seldom make an attack but where conquest is certain. Animals of this race may be considered as the most formidable enemies of mankind. There are others more powerful, but their dispositions are milder, and they seldom offend till they find themselves injured: Others are more numerous, but they are weaker, and find their safety not in opposing, but in flying from man. ‘These are the only quadrupeds that in any degree make good their eround against him, and maintain akind of divided sway over many fair and fertile tracts, that seem, in other respects, formed for the comfort and convenience Of so- cial life. ft oy oe Py “hs iy a ie bs yay ie “i We, , HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 244 ANIMALS OF THE WEASEL KIND. Tuesz little, active, and enterprising animals are pare ticularly distinguished from other carnivorous kinds by the length and slenderness of their bodies, which are ad- mirably adapted to their manner of living, atid methods of taking their prey. They are so small and flexible, as to wind like worms into very small crevices and open- ings ; whither they easily follow the little animals that serve them for food. All the animals of this nds are fs ceica with small. - glands, placed near the anus, from which an unctuous matter continually exudes: The effluvia of it is extreme ly offensive in the Polecat, Ferret, Weasel, &c.; but in the Civet Cat, Martin, and Pine Weasel, it is an agree- able perfume.—they are all equally marked for ine and cruelty; they subsist only by theft, and find their ‘chief protection in their minuteness. ‘They are all, from the shortness of their legs, slow in pursuit; and make up that deficiency by patience, assiduity, and cunning. As their prey is precarious, they can live along time without food. When they fall in with plenty, they im mediately kill every thing within their reach; before shay begin to satisfy theirappetite; and always suck the blood ofc every animal they kill, before they eat its flesh. These are the principal peculiarities common to this _ kind; all the species of which have so striking a resem _ blance to each other, that having seen one, we may form a very just idea of the rest. The most obvious difference consists in their size. We shall therefore begin with the smallest of this numerous class, and cilaichd gradually upwards tothe largest. Q a € 242 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE WEASEL. (Mustela Nivalis, Lin.—La Belette, Buf ) THe length of this animal does net exceed seven inches, from the nese to the tail, which is only two inches and a half long, and ends ina point: its height is not above two inches and a half; so that it is nearly five times as long asit is high. The most prevailing colour of the Weasel is a pale reddish-brown on the back, sides, and legs; the throat and beily are white; beneath the corners of the mouth, on each jaw, is a spotof brown. It has whiskers, like a Cat: Its ears are large, and havea fold at the lower part, that gives them the appearance of being double; itseyes are small, round, and black ; its teeth are thirty- - two in number, and extremely sharp. The Weasel is very common, and well known in most parts of this country; is very destructive to young birds, pouliry, rabbits, &e. 5 and is a keen devourer of eggs, which it sucks with great avidity. It will follow a Hare, which is terrified into a state of absolute imbecility at the HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 243 sight of this little animal, and gives itself up to it with- out resistance, making | at the same time the most piteous outcries. The bite of the Weasel is generally fatal. It seizes its prey near the head, and fixes its sharp teeth into a vital part. A Hare, Rabbit, or any other small animal, bit in this manner, is never known to recover; but lingers for some time, and dies. The wound is so small, that the place where the teeth enter can scarcely be perceived. It is remarkably active, and will run up the sides ofa wall with such facility, that no place is secure from it. The Weasel is very useful to the farmer, and is much. encouraged by him. During winter it frequents his barns, out- bficns and granaries ; which it effectually clears of Rats and Mice. It is, indeed, a more deadly enemy to them than even the Cat itself; for being moré active and slender, it pursues them into their holes and kills them after a short resistance. Itcreeps also into pigeon holes, and destroys the young ones; catches sparrows, and all kinds of small birds; and when it has brought forth its young, it hunts win still greater boldness and ayidity.—In summer, it ventures at a distance from its usual haunts; is frequently found by the side of waters, near corn-mills; and is almost sure to follow wherever a swarm of rats has taken possession of any place. The evening is the time when it begins its depreda- tions. ‘Towards the close of the day it may frequently - be seen stealing from its hole, and creeping about the farmer's yard in search of its prey. If it enter the place where poultry are kept, it se Idom attacks the cocks or the old hens, but always aims at the young ones. It 244 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. does not eat its prey on the spot where it has killed it; but, where it is not too large, carries it away to its re- treat. It also breaks and sucks all the eggs it can meet with; and, not unfrequently, kills the hen that attempts to defend them. ! The Weasel is a wild and untractable little animal. . When kept in a eage, it seems in a continual state of ae M agitation, is terrified at the sight of every person that approaches to look at it, and hides itself in the wool or hay which is given to it for that purpose. It conveys all its food to its hiding-place, and will not touch it till it begin to putrefy.—It passes the greatest part of the day in sleeping, and usually employs the night in exercise and eating. | The female brings forth in the spring, and generally produces four or five at one litter. She prepares a bed for them, of straw, leaves, and moss. The young are brought forth blind, but very soon acquire strength peciisy to follow their dam, and assist in her excursions. es will attack serpents, water-rats, moles, field-mice, ézc.: They overrun the meadows, and frequently kul the nh een ih and suck their eggs. The motion of the Weasel consists of unequal and pre- - cipitant leaps; and, in climbing atree, it makes a consi- derable spring of some feet from the ground. It jumps in the same manner upon its prey; and being extremely - limber,-evades the attempts of much stronger animals to seize it. We are told, that an eagle having seized a Weasel, mounted into the air with it, and was svon after observed to be in great distress. Its little enemy had extricated it- self so tar, as to be able to bite it severely in the throat; HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 245 which’ presently brought the eagle to the ground, and gave the Weasel an opportunity of escaping. | Notwithstanding the wildness of its nature, there are not wanting instances to prove, that it is capable of being thoroughly tamed. M. Buffon, who asserted the impossi- bility of bringing the Weasel into any degree of subjec- tion, is afterwards corrected by a lady, who assures him, that she had tried the experiment upon a young Weasel taken in her garden; which soon learned to recognise and lick the hand -from which it received its food, and became as familiar, caressing, and frolicsome as a Dog or a Squirrel. The same author mentions another experi- ment, made by a gentleman, who trained a young Wea- sel so completely, that it followed him wherever he went. —-Ihe method of taming them is to stroke them gently over the back, and to threaten, and even to beat them, when they bite. These facts may serve to shew the passibility of render- ing this animal domestic; and hold out a useful hint to us, that its services might be very great in clearing ships, granaries, and other places, from the vermin with which they are frequently infested: For it is very well known, that one of these animals will kill more rats and mice than any Cat, being better able to pursue them into their holes and lusking-places. | The odour of the Weasel is very strong, especially in the summer time, or when it is irritated or pursued ; it is then intolerable, and tay be smelt at some distance. The following circumstance, related by Buffon, will shew that this animal has a natural attachment to every thing that is corrupt ;—A Weasel was taken in his neigh- oO a 246 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. bourhoood, with three young ones, out of the earease of a Wolf that had been hung on a tree by the hind feet. The Wolf was almost entirely putrefied; and the Weasel had made a nest of leaves and herbage for her young in the thorax of the putrid carcase. Paar tt ese se ‘ x = “en ELE me f. < ee HRM CE eRe By THE STOAT. (Mustela Erminea, Lin.—Le Roselet, Buff.) Tue difference in shape between this animal and the Weasel is so small, that they have frequently been de- ‘scribed under the same denomination; the small Stoat being sometimes mistaken for a Weasel. Dy Its length 1s about ten inches; the tail five inches and a half, very hairy, and tipt with black at the end; the edges, of the ears, and ends of the toes, are of a yellow- ish-white: In other respects, it perfectly resembles the Weasel in colour as well as form. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. DAeT In the most northern parts of Europe, it regularly changes its colour in winter, and becomes perfectly wuhites except the end of the tail, which remains inva- riably black. It is then called. the Ermine, and 1s much sought after for its valuable fur, which makes a consider- able article of commerce in Norway, Lapland, Russia, and other cold countries ; where it is found in prodigious numbers. It is also very common in Kamschatka and Siberia, and is taken in. traps ‘baited with flesh. The skins are sold in the country for from two to three pounds sterling per hundred——In Norway, they are either shot with blunt arrows, or taken in traps made of two flat. stones, one being propped up with a stick, to which is fastened a baited string; and as soon as the animal be- gins to nibble, the stone falls down, and crushes it to death.———The Stoat is likewise found white in the winter time in Great Britain, and is then erroneously called a White Weasel. Its fur, however, among us, is of little value, having neither the thickness, the closeness, nor the whiteness, of those which come from Siberia. One of them, which we had in our possession, had en- tirely assumed its winter robe; but with a considerable mixture of yellow, especially on the top of the head and back. : They begin to change from brown to white in Novem- ber, and resume their summer vesture in March. _ The natural history of this animal is much the same with that of the Weasel; its food being young birds, rabbits, mice, &c.; its agility the same; and its scent equally fetid. be Q 4 248 THE FERRET, (Mustela Furo, Lin—Le Furet, Buf.) Is only known to us in a kind of domestic state.—It is originally a native of Africa; from whence, according to Strabo, it was brought into Spain; and, from its known enmity to the Rabbit, was made use of to reduce the num- bers of them with which that kingdom abounded. Ithas since been employed for the same purpose in various parts of Europe; but as it is not able to bear the severity of a cold climate, it cannot subsist without great care and shelter. Itis usually kept in a box, with woot? of which it makes itselfawarm bed. It sleeps a great part of the day; and the moment it awakes, seems eager for its food, which is commonly bread and ‘milk. It breeds twice a year. The female goes six weeks with young. Some of them devour their ofispring as soon as they are brought forth; when they immediately come in season again, and have three litters, which gene- a HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 249 rally consist of five or six, but sometimes seven or - and even nine. It is apt to degenerate in this country, and ie in some degree its ferocity. Warreners aye therefore obli- ged to procure an intercourse between Ae female and the Foumart. The produce is a breed of a much darker co- Jour than the Ferret, ‘pareening, more of that of the Fou- marty? mn Its length is about digeecn che that of the tail five: Its nose is sharper than that of the Weasel or the Foumart; its ears are round; and its eyes red and fiery: The colour of the whole body is a very pale yellow. The Ferret is naturally such an enemy to the Rabbit, that if a dead Rabbit be laid before a young Ferret, it instantly seizes upon it, although it has never seen one before: if a living Rabbit be presented to it, the Ferret — is still more eager, seizes it by the neck, winds itself round it, and continues to suck its blood till it be sa. tiated—When employed in the business of the warren, it must be muzzled, that it may not kill the Rabbits in their holes, but only oblige them to come out, that the warrener may catch them in his nets. If the Ferret be suffered to go in without a muzzle, or should disengage itself from it whilst in the hole, there is great danger of losing it: For, after satisfying itself with blood, it. falls asleep, and it is then almost impossible to come at it— The most usual methods of recovering the Ferret are, by digging it out, or smoking the hole. If these do not succeed, it continues during the summer among the Rab. bit holes, and lives upon the prey it finds there; but being unable to endure the cold of the winter, is sureto perish. 259 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS., It is sometimes employed with great success in killing Rats, and is frequently kept in granaries and miils for that purpose, It is extremely vigilant in the pursuit of them and will not suffer one to live where it is —A young Ferret, after it has seized a Rat, will suffer itself to be dragged by it a considerable way before it has kil- led it, which it never fails to do in a short time. if the Ferret could be kept warm enough at sea, it might be extremely serviceable in destroying the Rats, which frequently commit such great depredations on board of ships, and have sometimes been the occasion of their total loss. The Ferret, though easily tamed, is soon irritated.—Its odour is fetid; its nature voracious; it is tame without attachment; and such is its appetite for blood, that it has been known to attack and kill children in the cradle. — When angry, it is apt to bite; and the wound is dif_i- cult to cure. “is | The Madagascar Weasel, or Vansire of M. Buffon, may be referred to this species; to which its size and form are strikingly similar.—It is about fourteen inches in length: The hair is of a dark-brown colour, mixed with black: It differs from the Ferret in the number of its grinding-teeth, which amount to twelve; whereas, in the Ferret, there are but eight: The tail is longer than that - of the Ferret, and better furnished with hair. The same author mentions another animal of this spe- cies under the name of the Nems, which is a native of Arabia.—It resembles the Ferret in every thing but the colour, being of a dark-brown, mixed with white; the belly is of a bright-yellow colour, without any mixture ; the prevailing colour on the head and round the eyes isa © taney — “5 HISTORY OF QUADKUPEDS, 251, clear yellow; onthe nose, cheeks, and other parts of the €ace where the hair is short, a tincture of brown more or less prevails, and terminates gradually above the eyes; the legs are covered with short hair, of adeep-yellow co- lour; on each foot there are four toes, and a small one behind ; the claws are small and black; the tail, which is more than double the length of that of the Ferret is very thick at its origin, terminates in a point, ‘and is co- vered with long hair, similar to that on the body. ~ \ 258 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. aae : (oar, ee eee e. ae Fea aS zo SF = THE FOUMART, (Mustela-Putoriuz, Lin.—Le Putots, Buff.) So-called from its offensive smell, as well as to distin- guish it from the Martin, to which it bears a strong re- semblance. It is likewise called the Polecat or Fitchet. Its length is about seventeen inches, exclusive of the tail, which is six inches; its eyes are small, very bril- jiant, and, when the aciienit is irritated or afraid, shine in the dark with singular lustre; its ears are short, broad, and tipt with white on their edges; itis white about the mouth; the rest of the body is for the most part of a deep-chocolate colour; the sides are covered with hairs ef two colours; the ends being dark like the rest of the bedy, and the middle of a full tawny colour. The shape of the Foumart, like all others of this ge- nus, is long and slender, the nose sharp-pointed, and the | legs short; the toes are long, and the claws sharp. Itis HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. (2838 in every respect admirably formed for that peculiar mode of life assigned to it by the all-wise Author of Nature. It is very active and nimble, runs very fast, and will creep up the sides of walls with great agility. In run- ning, its belly seems to touch the ground; in preparing to jump, it arches its back, og makes its spring with great force. | < It is very degeimtrive: to ye pigeons, and young gane of all kinds. It makes great havock amongst Rab- bits ;- and its thirst for blood is so great, that it kills ma- ny more than it can eat. One or two of them will al- most destroy a whole warren. It is never seen abroad in the day-time, Unless forced from its hole; and is seldom hunted but in the winter, being at that season easily found by tracing its footsteps in the snow.,—-It generally resides in woods or thick brakes; where it burrows under ground, forming a shal- low retreat about two yards in length, commonly ending among the roots of trees. In ae winter season, it frequents houses, barns, &c. feeding.on poultry, eggs, and sometimes milk.—But it has aati mode of procuring subsistence, which has hitherto escaped’ the observation of the naturalist; and which, though singular, we can vouch for the truth of. During a severe storm, one of these animals was traced in the snow from the side of a rivulet to its hole, at some distance from it: As it was observed to have made fre- quent trips, and as other marks were to be seen in the snow which could not easily be accounted for, it was thought a matter worthy of greater attention: Its hole was accordingly examined, the Foumart taken and ele ven fine eels were discovered to be the fruits of its noc 254 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. turnal excursions. The marks in the snow were found to have been made by the motion of the eels in the crea- ture’s mouth. From the above curious sireuenstance! we have given a representation of this animal (which was drawn from the hfe) in possession of this singular booty—It may be matter of amusing investigation for some future naturalist to enquire by what arts this wily animal finds a booty so apparently difficult to attain. In attending to the instinctive baie of animals, there is room for deep and diligent enquiry; and, though our progress is liable to many interruptions, it is a de- ightful task to follow the workings of Nature through all i. intricate and curious windings: Every step we gain is a sufficient reward for our trouble, and leads us to admire the wisdom and goodness of that Dispensation which furnishes every creature with sufficient and am- ple powers to provide for all its wants, necessities, and comforts. The female Foumart brings forth in the summer, ge- nerally five or six at atime. She suckles them but a skort time, and accustoms them early to live nee blood and eggs. Though the smell of this animal is rank and Sieiede able, even to a proverb, yet the skin is drest with the hair on, and used as other furs, without retaining its offensive aor ag The Foumart is very fierce and bold. When attacked by a dog, it will defend itself with great spirit, attack in its turn, and fasten upon the nose of its enemy with so keen a bite, as frequently to oblige him to desist. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 255 ijt! THE PINE-WEASEL OR YELLOW- BREASTED MARTIN, (La Marte Buff.) Iyuasirs the North of Europe, Asia, and America: It is likewise found in Great-Britain, but is not numerous there.—It lives chiefly in large forests, especially where the pine-tree abounds, of the tops of which it is very fond. North-America abounds with these animals. Prodi- gious numbers of their skins are annually imported from thence: Above thirty thousand skins have been brought over from Canada in one year, and from Hudson’s Bay nearly fifteen thousand in the same time. The principal difference between the Pine- Weasel and the Martin is in the colour. The breast of the former-is yellow ; the colour of the body much darker; and the fur, in general, greatly superior in fineness, beauty, and value. 256 HISTGRY OF QUADRUPEDS. *% H E MART. f N, (Mustela Martes, Lin a Fouine, Buff) ) Is much more common in this country than the Pine- Weasel.—It lives wholly in woods, and breeds in the ho!- lows of trees. It produces from four to six young ones at a time. This species is the most beautiful of all the Weasel kind. Its head is small, and elegantly formed ; its eyes are lively: and its motions quick and graceful. | When taken young, it is easily tamed, and becomes extremely playful and good-humoured. Its attachment, however, is not to be depended upon. It readily takes advantage of the first opportunity to regain its liberty, and retire to the woods, its natural haunts. The food of the Martin is much the same with other animals of its kind. It makes incessant war with Rats, Mice, and other vermin: Poultry, game and small birds are its constant prey. It feeds also on grain, and is ex- tremely fond of honey. M. Buffon tells us of one of them that he had tamed, which, he remarks, drank frequently.. It sometimes . slept two days successively, and at other times would — continue awake as long: In preparing itself for sleep, it folded itself up in a round form, and covered its head withits tail. When awake, its motions were so violent, so constant, and so troublesome, that it was necessary to keep it chained.» From the flexibility of its body, it ea- sily eluded its fetters; and after returning once or twice, it at last absented itself entirely. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 257 The Martin is about eighteen inches long; the tail ten, and full of hair, especially towards the end, which is thick and bushy ; the ears are broad, rounded, and open; the body is covered with a thick fur, of a dark brown colour; the head brown, mixed with red; the throat and breast are white ; the belly is of the same co- lour with the back, but a little paler; the feet are broad and covered on the under side with a thick fur; the claws white, large, and sharp, well adapted for climbing trees, which in this country are its constant residence. The skin and excrements have an agreeable musky scent, and are entirely free from that rankness which is so disgusting in other animals of this kind. Its fur is valuable, and in high estimation. : . fF - \ ial eek BEEN SX Tit 258° HISTORY. OF QUADRUPEDS. THE SABLE, (Mustela Zibellina, Lin-—ILa Zibeline, Buff.) So highly esteemed for its skin, is a native of the snowy regions of the North: It is found chiefly in Siberia, Kamschatka, and some of the islands which lie between that country and Japan. It is also foundin Lapland. The darkest furs are the most valuable. A single skin though not above four inches broad, is sometimes valued as high as fifteen pounds. The Sable differs from all other furs in this, that the hair turns with Bo ease to either side. ihe Sable resembles the Martin in form, and is about the samé size. Jt lives in holes in the earth, by the banks of rivers, and under the roots of trees. It makes its nest of moss, small twigs, and grass. The female brings forth in the spring, and produces from three to five at one time. Sometimes, like the Martin, it forms its nest in the hollow of a tree. It is very lively and active, and leaps with great agi- lity from tree to tree, in pursuit of small birds, wood- HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 259 cocks, squirrels, &c. It likewise lives upon rats, iis : pine tops, and wild fruits. It is affirmed by naturalists, that the Sable is not a- verse to the water; and, from the fineness and closeness of its fur, there is great reason to suppose that it is much accustomed to that element, from which it also derives a part of its subsistence: And asa farther proof that this animal is in some degree amphibious, we are told by travellers*, that it is very numerous in small islands, where the hunters goin quest of them. It is mentioned. by Aristotle, as a water animal, and Is described by him under the name of Satherius. | The hunting of the Sables is chiefly carried on by cri- minals confined to the desart regions of Siberia, or by soldiers sent thither for that purpose, who generally ree main there several years. ‘They are obliged to furnisha certain quantity of furs, and shoot with a single ball, to injure the skin as little as possible. “They frequently take them in traps, or kill them with blunt arrows.—As "an encouragement to the hunters, they are allowed to share among themselves whatever skins they take above the allotted number; and this in a few years, amounts to a considerable premium.—The hunters form them- selves into small troops, each of which is direetas by a leader of their own chusing. The season of hunting is from November to February; for at that time the Sables are in the highest perfection: Those caught at any other time of the year are full of short hairs, and are sold at infertor prices. The best * Avril’s Travels, p. x4o. m2 266 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. _ skins are such as have only long hair, which is always Eo black, and of a glossy brightness. Old furs do not retain their gloss—Both the Russians and Chinese have a me- thod of dying their furs; but the dyed sables are easily discovered, having neither the smoothness nor the bright- mess of the natural hair. _ The bellies of the Sables, which are sold in pairs, are about two fingers in breadth, and are tied together in bundles of forty pieces, which are sold at from one to two pounds sterling. The tails are sold by the hundred, yf %, from four to eight pounds. There are instances of Sables being found of a snowy whiteness; but they are rare, and bavel only as curi- osities. _ The hunters of these animals are frequently obliged to endure the utmost extremity of cold and hunger in the pursuit of their booty. They penetrate deep into im- mense woods, where they have no other method of find- ing their way back but by marking the trees as they ad- vance: If this should by any means fail them, they are inevitably lost. They sometimes trace the Sables on the new-fallen snow to their holes, place their nets at the entrance, and wait frequently two or three days before the animal comes out.—It has happened by the failure of their provisions, that these poor wretches have been reduced to the necessity of tying thin boards tight to their stomachs to prevent the cravings of appetite.—Such are the hardships our fellow-creatures undergo to supply the wants of the vain and luxuriant! An animal, similar to the Sable, is mentioned by Mr. Pennant under the name of the Fisher. It is found in North-America; and, by the number of skins imported, HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. _ 261 must be very numerous there, nearly six hundred of them having been brought in one season from New-York and Pennsylvania.—The hair on the body is mostly black; the sides brown; the ears are broad and round, dusky on their outsides, andedged with white; the face and sides of the neck pale-brown, mixed with black; the feet are very broad, and covered with hair, even to their soles; the tail is full and bushy; the length from nose to tail, is twenty-eight inches; the tail seventeen. THE ICHNEUMON. (Viverra Ichneumon, Lin.—La Mangouste, Buff.) Tus animal, in Egypt, is domestic, like the Cat; and is retained by the natives for the same useful purposes of clearing their houses of rats and mice.—W ith all the © strength and agility of the Cat, it has a more general ap- petite for carnage. It attacks, without dread, the most deadly serpents, and preys on every noxious reptile of the torrid zone, which it seizes and kills with great avi- dity.—It is said, that when it is wounded by a serpent, R 3 262 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. and begins to feel the effect of the poison, it immediate- ly has recourse to a certain root, which the Indians cal] after its name, and assert that it is an antidote for the bite of any venomous reptile. The Ichneumon is the most formidable enemy of the Crocodile: It destroys its eggs, which it digs out of the sand, where they are laid to hatch by the heat of the sun; and kills great numbers of young Crocodiles soon after their production, before they are able to reach the water. It was for this reason that the ancient Egyptians worshipped this animal, and ranked the Ichneumon among those deities that were most propitious to them. In its domestic state, it is perfectly tame and gentle. M. d’Obsonville speaks of one which he reared from a - young one. It became tamer than a Cat, was obedient to the call of its master, and followed him wherever he went, One day he brought a small water-serpent alive, being desirous to know how far its instinct would carry it against a being with whom it was hitherto entirely un- acquainted. Its first emotion seemed to be astonishment mixed with anger: Its hair became erect; in an instant it slipped behind the reptile; and, with remarkable swilt- ness and agility, leaped upon its head, seized it, and crushed it with its teeth. This first essay seemed to have awakened in it its natural appetite for blood, which till then had given way to the gentleness of its education: It no longer suffered the poultry, among which it was brought up, to pass unregarded ;_ but took the first oppor- tunity, when it was alone, to strangle them: It eat a part of their flesh, and drank only the blood of.others. These animals are. numerous in all the southern re- gions of Asia, from Egypt to the island of Java: bie HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 963 are also found in Africa, in the country about the Cape of Good Hope.—They frequent the banks of rivers, are fond of fish, are said to take the water like an Otter, and will continue in it a considerable time without rising to take breath. The Ichneumon varies in size. The domestic kind is generally larger than those that are wild, and its colours more variegated. It is in genera] about the size of a common Cat; somewhat longer in the body, and shorter in the legs. Its fur contains tints of white, brown, fawn-colour, and a dirty silver-gray, which altogether form a mixture very agreeable to the eye. Its form is like that of the Polecat. Its eyes are small, but inflamed and sparkle with a singular vivacity; its nose is long and slender; its ears small, rounded, and almost naked; its tail is very thick at the base, and tapers to a point; un- nerneath the tail is an orifice, from which a most fetid humour is secreted; its claws are long.—lIt darts upon its prey like an arrow, and seizes it with inevitable cer- tainty. It has a small soft voice, somewhat like a murmur; and, unless struck or irritated, never exerts it. When it sleeps, it folds itself up like a ball, and is not easily awaked. It frequently sits up like a Squirrel, and feeds itself with its fore feet; catches any thing that is thrown to it; and will often feian itself dead, til its prey come within its reach. She R 4 & ca — 264 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. —— See oa os SSSA eee WY AVN << THE FOSSANE, (La Fossane, Buff.) Is rather smaller than the Martin. Its body is slender, and covered with hair of an ash colour, mixed with taw- ny; the sides of the face are black; at the hind part of the head there are four black lines, extending from thence toward the shoulders; the tail is long, and annu- lated with black; its eye is full, round, and black, which gives it a wild and mischievous aspect. It inhabits the island of Madagascar, Guinea, Cochin- china, and the Philippine Isles. It feeds on flesh and — fruits, but prefers the latter, and is peculiarly fond of bananas. It Is very fierce, and not easily tamed. In Guinea, it 1s called the Berbe; and, by Europeans, the Wine-bibber, being very greedy of palm-wine-— When - young, its flesh is reckoned very good to eat. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 265 THE SKUNK. (Viverra Putorius, Lin.—Le Conepate, Buff.) Ir is called the Chinche by the natives of Brazil, and is about the size of acommon Cat. Its nose is long and slender, and exténds a considerable way beyond the lower jaw; its ears are large, short, and rounded; a white stripe extends from the nose over the forehead and along the back, where it is intersected with a small line of black, commencing at the tail, and extended upwards along the middle of the back; its belly and legs are black ; its hair is long, especially on the tail, which is thick and bushy. It inhabits Peru, Brazil, and other parts of South- America; and is likewise found in North-America, as far as Canada. It is remarkable for a most intolerable, suffocating, fe- tid vapour, which it emits from behind, when attacked, pursued, or frightened. The stench of this effluvia is in- supportable, and is the creature’s best means of defence. 266 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. There are three or four varieties, mentioned by M. Buffon under the name of the Stinking Polecats; all of which possess this wonderful faculty of annoying their enemies from the same quarter. | Some turn their tail to their pursuers, and emit a most horrible stench, which keeps both dogs and men ata considerable distance. Others eject their urine to the distance of several feet; and it is of so virulent a qua- lity, as almost to occasion blindness, if any of it should happen to fall into the eyes. Clothes infected with it, retain the smell for many days: No washing can make them sweet; but thev must be even buried in fresh soil before they can be thoroughly cleansed. Dogs that are not properly bred, turn back as soon as they perceive the smell: Those that have been accustomed to it, will kill the animal; but are obliged to relieve themselves by thrusting their noses into the ground. The Stifling or Squash, which is the second variety, is nearly of the same size with the Skunk. Its hairis long, and of a deep-brown colour. It lives in holes and clefts of rocks, where the female brings forth her young. It is a native of Mexico, and feeds on beetles, worms, and small birds. It destroys poultry, of which it only eats the brains. When afraid or irritated, it voids the same offensive kind of odour, which no creature dares venture to approach. Professer Kalm was in danger of being suffocated by one that was pursued into a house where he slept ; and it affected the cattle so much, that they bel- lowed through pain. Another, which was killed by a maid-servant in a cellar, so affected her with its stench, that she lay ill for several days. All the provisions that HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 267 were in the place were so tainted by the smell, as to a utterly unfit for use. | Another variety is called the Conepate, and is, ernie no more than the female of the last-mentioned animal. It is somewhat smaller and differs chiefly from the Squash in being marked with five parallel white lines, which run ee its back and sides from head to tail. It is a native ae North-America.— When attacked, it bristles up its hair, throws itself into a round form, and emits an odour which no creature can support. The last of this pestifetous family which we shall men- tion is the Zoriila. - This animal ts a native of New-Spain, where it is cal- led the Mariputa. It is found on the banks of the river Oronoque; and, although extremely beautiful, it is at the same time the most offensive of all creatures. Its bo- dy is beautifully marked with white stripes upona black ground, running from the head to the middle of the back, from whence they are crossed with other white bands, which cover the lower part of the back and flanks: Its tail is long and bushy, black as faras the middle, and white to its extremity, It is an active and mischievous little animal. Its stench 1s said to extend to a considerable distance, and is so powerful, as to over- come even the Panther of America, which is one of its greatest enemies. Notwithstanding this abensive quality in these animals, they are frequently tamed, and will follow their master. They do not emit their odour, unless when beaten or ir- ritated. They are frequently killed by the native In- dians, who immediately cut away the noxious glands: thereby preventing the flesh, which is good eating, fron 263 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. being infected. Its taste is said nearly to resemble the flavour of a young Pig. The savage Indians make purses of their skins. : LHE GENET, (Viverra Genetta, Lin.—La Genette, Buff.) Ts as much distinguished for the agreeable perfume which it yields, asthose we have just described are for the rank- est and most disagreeable odour in nature. | The body of the Genet is longer than that of the Mar- tin; its head is long and slender, with a sharp muzzle; its ears are a little pointed, its hair soft, smooth, and shining; of a tawny-red colour, spotted with black; a- long the ridge of the back there is a kind of mane of ‘long hair, which forms a black line from head to tail; the spots on the sides are round and distinct, those on the back aimost clese; its tail is long, and marked with seven or eight rings of black. From an orifice beneath its tail, it yields a kind of perfume, which smells faintly of musk. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 269 It is found in Turkey, Syria, and Spain.—-We are told by Belon, that he saw Genets in the houses at Constanti- nople as tame as Cats; and that they were useful to the inhabitants in destroying Rats, Mice, and other vermin. It is a most beautiful, cleanly, and industrious animal, and very active in pursuing its prey. Its nature is mild And gentle, its colours beautifully variegated, and its fur valuable. Upon the whole it seems to be one of those animals that, with proper care and attention, might be- come a useful addition to our stock of domestic quadru- peds. 273 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. — SSNs r ae _oS Site woe THE CIVET, (Viverra Zibetha, Lin —La Civette, Buff.) Is larger than the Genet, and yields a perfume in much greater quantities, and of a stronger quality. Though originally a native of the warm climates of Africa, or Asia, it can live in temperate, and even in cold countries; but it must be fed with nourishing diet, and carefully defended from the severities of the weather. Numbers of them are kept in Holland, for the purpose of collecting this valuable perfume. ‘The civet procured at Amsterdam is more esteemed than that which comes from the Levant, or India, being less adulterated—To collect this perfume, the Civet is put into a cage, so nar- row, that it cannot turn itself: The cage is opened at ‘one end, and the animal drawn backwards by the tail, and securely held by its hind legs: A small spoon 1s then introduced into the pouch which contains the perfume, with which it is carefully scraped, and the matter put in- to a vessel properly secured. This operation is perform- ed two or three timesa week. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 271 The quantity of odorous humour depends much on the quality of the nourishment and the appetite of the ani- mal, which always produces more in proportion to the goodness of its food. Boiled flesh, eggs, rice, small ani- mals, birds, and particularly fish, are the kinds of food the Civet mostly delights in; and these ought to be va- ried, so as to excite its appetite, and preserve its health. It requires very little water; and, though it drinks sel- dom, it discharges its urine frequently. It is somewhat remarkable, that in this operation the male is not to be distinguished from the female.—From this circumstance, it has been supposed that this was the Hyena of the an- cients; and it is certain, that most of the fables related concerning that monster are in a certain way applicable to the Civet. The ancients were well sg ati with the pomatum of the Civet, and ascribed to it certain powers of exciting love; for which purpose it still constitutes one of the luxuries of the East. What has been fabulously related concerning the un- certainty of sex in the Hyena, applies much more strong- ly to the Civet; for in the male nothing appears exter- nally but three apertures, so perfectly similar to those of the female, that it is impossible to mmo pNush the sex otherwise than by dissection. The perfume of this animal isso strong, that it infects every part of its body: Thé Hair and the skin are so tho- roughly penetrated with it, that they retain it long after being taken from the body. Ifa person be shut up in the same apartment, it is almost insupportable; and, when heated with rage, it becomes stil] more pungent. 272 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. The Civet is naturally savage, and somewhat fero- . . cious; yet it is easily tamed, so as te be handled with- out danger. : : The teeth are strong and sharp; but its claws are weak. It is very active and nimble, leaps like a Cat, and runs with great swiftness. It lives by hunting; sur- prises small animals and birds; and, like the Weasel, will sometimes steal into the yard, and carry off poultry. —Its eyes shine in the dark; and it is probable, that it can see well enough to pursue its prey during the night as it is known to be most active at that time. The Civet is very prolific in its native climate; but though it lives and produces its perfume in temperate re- gions, it is never known to breed there.—lIts voice is stronger than that of the Cat, and has some resemblance to the cry of an enraged Dog. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 278 THE ZIBE img (Le Sibet, Buff.) Is so similar to the Civet as to be considered by some authors as only a variety of that animal; and it must be allowed that they have many essential relations, both in their external and internal structure; but they differ from each other by such distinguishing characteristics, as entitle them to be regarded as two distinct species. The ears of the Zibet are larger and more erect; and its muzzle is thinner and flatter: Its body is longer than that of the Civet; and its tail, which is longer, is mark- ed with annular spots, like that of the Genet: It has no mane or long hair on the neck and spine; and its hair is shorter and softer. The perfume of the Zibet is peculiarly violent and piercing, beyond that of either the Civet or the Genet.— This odorous liquor is found in a fissure near the organs of generation. It is a thick humour, of the consistence of pomatum; and, though very strong, is agreeable, even as it issues from the body of the animal.— This mat- S O74 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ter of the Zibet must not be confounded with musk, which is a sanguinous humour, derived from a species of the Roe-buck, or Goat without horns*; and has nothing in common with the Zibet, but its strong per- fume. “a THE SURICATE, OR FOUR-TOED WEASEL, Is rather less than the Rabbit; it pretty much resem- bles the Ichneumon, both in size and the colour of its hair; only it is rougher, and its tail is not quite so long. Its upper jaw is much longer than the lower, and very pliant and moveable. It has only four toes on each foot. One of them in the possession of M. de Seve, was ob- served sometimes to walk on its hind legs, and frequent- ly to sit upright, with its fore feet hanging down on its breast. | | | The Suricate is carnivorous, and preys on small ani- mals. It is fond of fish, and still more so of eggs. Like the Squirrel, it makes use of its fore paws to convey its victuals to its mouth. In drinking, it laps hke a Dog, but will not drink water, except when it is warm. * Sce page 115. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 275 That kept by M. de Seve was extremely playful and familiar, knew its own name, and would return at acall. What was remarkable, it seemed to have an aversion te Particular persons, whom it would always bite on their approaching it: Some people were so disagreeable to it, that even when restrained, it would make use of several artifices to come near enough to bite them; amd when it could not lay hold of their legs, would fly at their shoes or petticoats. When discontented, it makes a noise like the barking of a whelp; and when pleased or caressed, would utter a sound like the shaking of a rattle, LT eee ETL. yy Ny ALL: QM; LHE RATEL, Descrizep by Mr, Pennant under the name of the Fizz- ler, isa native of the Cape of Good Hope. _ It lives chief- ly upon honey, and is endowed with a wonderful faculty of discovering the secret retreats where the bees deposit their stores. ie sun-set, the Ratel is particularly at- tentive in watching the motions of these industrious in- sects; and, having observed their route, it follows with great care the direction in which they Ay. It is fre- 9 2 276 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. quently assisted in discovering its delicious booty by a bird called the Honey Guide, (cuculus indicator) which is extremely fond both of honey and the eggs of bees; and, in the pursuit of its food, excites the attention of the Ratel by a loud grating cry of cherr, cherr, cherr ; at the same time flying slowly on towards the place where the swarm of bees have taken up their abode. The Ra- tel follows the sound with great attention; and having plundered the nest, leaves sufficient behind it as a reward for the services of its faithful guide. The Ratel is well adapted to this purpose, as the toughness and thickness of its skin effectually defends it from the stings of the bees. On this account, it is not easily killed, for its skin 1s so loosely attached to its body, that when seized by a hound, it gives way, and the animal has an opportu- nity of turning round, and biting its assailant, which it frequently does so severely, as to oblige him to desist. The Ratel, according to Mr. Pennant, is two feet long from the nose to the tail, which is eight inches; its legs are short; on each foot it has four toes, armed with lente claws; those on the four feet are above an inch long, and very sharp; its tongue is rough; it has no ear-laps; the orifice of the ear is wide, and surrounded by a callous rim; a broad stripe, of an ash-colour, extends along the back from the forehead to the tail, which is separated from the black hair onthe sides and belly by a light-gray list running from behind each ear to the tail. It bur- rows in holes under ground, is said to be very fetid and is called the Stinking Badger by M. de la Caille. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 277 THE COATI,OR BRAZILIAN WEASEL. (Viverra Nasua, Lin—Le Coati, Buff.) Has some resemblance to the. bear in the length of its hind legs, in the form of its feet, in the bushiness of its hair, and in the structure of its paws. It is small. Its tail is long, and variegated with different colours; its upper jaw is much longer than the lower, and very pli- ant; its ears are rounded; its hair is smooth, soft, and glossy, of a bright-bay colour; and its breast is whitish. Linnzus describes one of them, which he kept a con- siderable time, and in yain attempted to bring into sub- jection. It was very obstinate and capricious. Itkilled the poultry, tore off their heads, and sucked their blood. It defended itself with great force whenever any person attempted to lay hold of it contrary to its inclination; and it stuck fast to the legs of those with whom it was familiar, when it wanted to ransack their pockets, and carry gff any thing that it found in them. Jt had an ex- 8 3 278 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. treme aversion to Hog’s bristles, and the smallest brush made it desist. Its mode of living was very singular: It slept from midnight to noon, kept awake the rest of the day, and uniformly walked about from six in the evening till midnight, without the least regard to the weather. This is oweuly the time assigned by Nature to this spe- cies of animals for procuring their food, which consists chiefly of young birds, eggs, and small animals. It inhabits Brazil] and Guiana, runs up trees very nim- bly, eats like a Dog, and holds its food between its fore legs like the Bear. The Coati stands with ease onits hind feet,—It is said to gnaw its own tail, which it generally carries erect, and sweeps it about from side to side. _ HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 279 ori RACCOON, (Ursus Lotor, Lin.—Le Raton, Buff.) Is very common inthe warm regions of America. It is found also in the mountains of Jamaica; from whence great numbers of them frequently descend into the plan- tations, and make great havock among the sugar-canes, of which they are particularly fond. The planters con- sider these animals as their greatest enemies, as they fre- quently do infinite michief on one night’s excursion :— They have contrived various methods of destroying them, yet still they propagate in such numbers, that neither traps nor fire-arms can repel them. The Raccoon is somewhat less than the Badger: Its head resembles that of a Fox, but its ears are round and much shorter, and its upper jaw very pointed, and lon- ger than the lower: Its eyes, which are large, are sur- rounded with two broad patches of black: “Its body is thick and short, covered with long hair, black at the points, and gray underneath; Its tail is long and bushy, 5S 4 289 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. and marked with alternate rings of black and white; its feet and toes are black. The Raccoon is very active and nimble. Its claws, which are extremely sharp, enable it to climb trees with great facility. It moves forward chiefly by bounding; and, though it proceeds in an oblique direction, runs ve- ry swiftly. When tamed, it is good-natured and sportive; but is almost constantly in motion, and as unlucky and inqui- sitive as a Monkey, examining every thing with its paws, which it makes use of as hands to lay hold of any thing that is given it, and to carry its meat to its mouth. It sits up to eat, is extremely fond of sweet things and strong liquors, with which it will get excessively drunk. Tt has all the cunning of the Fox, is very destructive of poultry, but will eat all sorts of fruits, grain, and roots. It has a peculiar method of dipping every thing in water it intends to eat, and will seldom taste bread till it be well soaked. It opens oysters with astonishing dexterity, separates the shells, and leaves not a vestige of the fish. It does this without looking at the oyster, but places it under its hind paws, and with its fore feet searches for the weakest part, where it fixes its claws, forces it open, and snatches out the fish. It likewise devours all kinds of insects, delights in hunting spiders, and, when at li- berty in a garden, will eat grasshoppers, snails, worms, &c. It is very cleanly, and always retires to obey the calls of Nature. It is familiar, and even caressing, leaps upon those it is fond of, plays sportively, and moves a- bout with great agility. This animal is hunted for its skin, whichis next in va- Jue to that of the Beaver, for making hats. | HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 281 0 1 eo oe ee NS aa RNS ae == THE BADGER. (Ursus Meles, Lin.—Le Blaireau, ou Taison, Buf.) Atruovucu Nature has furnished this animal with for- midable weapons of offence, and has besides given it strength sufficient to use them with great effect, it is notwithstanding very harmless and inoffensive ; and, un- less attacked employs them only for its support. The Badger retires to the most secret recesses; where it digs its hole, and forms its habitation under ground.— Its food consists chiefly of roots, fruits, grass, insects, and frogs. Itis charged with destroying Lambs and Rabbits, but there seems to be no other reason to consider it as 2 beast of prey, than the analogy between its teeth and those of carnivorous animals. Few creatures defend themselves better, or bite with greater keenness, than the Badger. On that account it is frequently baited with Dogs trained for that purpose. This inhuman diversion is chiefly confined to the idle and the vicious, who take a crue] pleasure in seeing this 282 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. © harmless animal surrounded by its enemies, and defend- ing itself from their we which it does with astonish- ing agility and success. Its motions are so quick, that a Dog is frequently ieee wounded in the first mo- ment of assault, and obliged to fy. The thickness of the Badger’s skin and the length and coarseness of its hair, are an excellent defence against the bites of the Dogs Its skin is so loose, as to resist the impressions of i, teeth, and give the animal an opportunity of turning it- self round, and wounding its adversaries in their tender- est parts. In this manner this singular creature is able to resist repeated attacks both of men and dogs, from.all - quarters ; till, being overpowered with numbers, and en- feebled by many desparate wounds, it is at last obliged to submit. The Badger is an indolent animal, and sleeps much It confines itself to its hole during the whole day, and feeds only in the night. It is so cleanly, as never to de- file its habitation with its odure. It breeds only once in a year, and brings forth four or five atatime. It is not known to exist in warm countries. It is an original native of the temperate climatesof Europe; and is found without any variety, in Spain, France, Italy, Ger- many, Britain, Poland, and Sweden. The usual length of the Badger is somewhat above two feet, exclusive of the tail, which is about six inches long ; its eyes are small, and are placed in a black stripe, which begins behind the ears, and runs tapering towards the nose: the throat and legs are black ; the back, sides, and tail, are of a dirty-gray, mixed with black; the legs and feet are very short, strong, and thick ; each foot consists of fivetoes; those on the fore feet are armed with strong HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 283 claws, well adapted for digging its subterranean habita- tion. : In walking, the Badger treads on its whole heel, like the Bear; which brings its belly very near the ground. Immediately below the tail, between that and the anus, there is a narrow transverse orifice, from whence a white substance, of avery fetid smell, constantly exudes. The skin, when dressed with the hair on, is used for pistol furniture.—Its flesh is eaten: The hind quarters are sometimes made into hams, which, when cured, are not inferior in goodness to the best. bacon.—The hairs are made into brushes, which are used by painters to soften and harmonise their shades. ae i pak. 2 peg alg ee 284. . HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. MZ SUT if —_ = —r = — —7 =— = — — = — = — = =— —A — — — — — — —) — — strong, the Dogs follow with great alacrity and eagerness, and have been known to keep up a constant chase for eight or ten hours together; and it is hard to say, whe- ther the spirited eagerness the Hounds, the ardour of the Horses, or the enthusiasm of the hunters, is most to be admired. The Fox i is the only one of the party which has the plea oft necessity on his side; and it operates so Strongly, that he often escapes the utmost efforts of his pursuers, and returns tohis hole in safety. The smell of his urine is so offensive to the Dogs, that it sometimes proves the meansof his escape fromthem. When allhis shifts have failed him, and he is at last overtaken, he then defends himself with great obstinacy, and fights in silence _ till he is torn in pieces by the Dogs. There are three varieties of Foxes in this island, wiih _ differ from each other more in form than in colour. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 307° THE GRETHOUND FOX, Ts the largest, aha is chiefly eauand in the mountainous parts of England and Scotland: He is likewise the bold- est, and will attack a well-grown Sheep.—His ears are- long and erect, and his aspect wild. BY THE MASTIFF FOX. Is rather less; but his limbs are more strongly formed. 308 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE CUR FOX Ts the least, but the most common, and gppriated near- est to the habitations of mankind. It lurks about the out-houses of the farmer, and carries off all the poultry within its reach.—It is remarkably playful and familiar when tamed; but, like all wild animals half reclaimed, will, on the least offence, bite those it is most farniliar with. The eye of the Fox is of a lively hazel colour, very significant and expressive ; and discovers very sensibly the different emotions of love, fear, or anger, by which it may be affected.—It seems greatly to admire its bushy tail, and frequently amuses itself by endeavouring to catch it as it runs round. In cold weather when it lies down, it folds it about itshead. ~ The Fox sleeps sound; and, like the Dog, lies ina yound form. When he is only reposing higisely he stretches out his hind legs, and lieson his belly. In this. position, he spies the birds as they light on the hedges HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. gos er places near him, and is ready to spring upon such as are within his reach. He rarely lies exposed, but chuses the cover of some thick brake, where he is pretty secure from being surprised. Crows, magpies, and other birds, which consider the Fox as a common enemy, will often give notice of his retreat by the most clamorous notes, and frequently follow him a considerable way from tree to tree, repeating their outcries. Foxes produce but once a year, from three to six voung ones at a time. When the female is pregnant, she retires, and seldom goes out of her hole, where she prepares a bed for her young. She comes in season in the winter; and young Foxes are found in the month of April. If she perceive that her habitation is discovered, she carries them off, one by one, toa more secure retreat. _ The young are brought forth blind, like puppies. They "grow eighteen mobiles or two years, and live thirteen or fourteen years. The Fox is frequently taken in traps; but great cau- tion must be used to deceive this wily animal. The trap must be placed in the midst of a field, where there is nei- ther hedge nor path near it, and so nicely covered with mould that not the least vestige can be seen where it lies: About the trap, and at a small distance from it, in different places, a few pieces of cheese, or other strongs ly-scented food, must be carelessly scattered: Then with a sheep’s paunch, or some other animal substance, a trail is made, of abouta mile in length, to the different places where the bait is laid, and from thence to the trap: The shoes of the person who carries the trail must be likewise well rubbed with the paunch, that the Fox may not dis- U 8 310 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. cover his scent. He then approaches with more confi- dence, and if the design be well condeied, seldom fails of being caught. There are many varieties ie aie soil apparently produced by the influence of climate. Those of this country are mostly of a tawny-red mixed with ash-co- Jour; the fore part of the legs is black, and the tail tipt with white...Jn colder countries, Foxes are of various colours. THE BLACK FOX, Is most valuable for its fur, which 1s esteemed in Russia superior to that of the finest sable. A single skin will sell for four hundred rubles. | : ~“ THE CROSS FOX. (Le Renard Croisé Buff.) Inwapits the coldest parts of Europe, Asia, and North- America.—-Its fur is very valuable, being thicker and * softer than the commen sort.—Great gembers of skins are imported from Canada. It derives its name from a black mark which passes over its back across the shou! ders, and another along the back to the tail. “HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. gi THE ARCTIC FOX, (Canis Lagopus, Lin.—TIsatis, Buff.) Inwasrts the countries bordering onthe Frozen Sea. It is found in Greenland, Iceland, Spitsbergen, Nova-Zem- bla, and Lapland; in Kamschatka, and the opposite parts of America. It burrows, and makes holes in the ground, several feet in length; at the end of which it forms a nest with moss. In Greenland and Spitsbergen, it lives in the clefts of rocks, being unable to burrow on account of the frost. “wor ney of them inhabit the same hole, It is endowed with all the cunning of the common Fox, preys on young 8 geese, ducks, and Sather water-fowl, before they are able to fly; likewise on hares, wild-birds, and eggs: And in Greenlend, for want of other food, It feeds on berries and shell-fish. In Lapland and the North of Asia, tts principal food is the Leming, or Lap- Jand Marmot; immense shoals of which sometimes cover the face of the country. The Foxes follow them, in their migrations, from one place to another; and as the return of the Marmot is very uncertain, and frequently after great intervals of time, they are sometimes absent . three or four years ia pursuit of this their favourite prey. U 4 Pte eae aaa git HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. The hair of the Arctic Rox i is of an ash colour, but - changes to white in the winter, when it is long soft, and somewhat woolly: Its tail is shorter than that of the common Fox, and more bushy; and its toes are covered with fur on the under part, like those of a Hare: It is smaller and more slender than the European Fox: Its nose Is sharp and black; and its ears short, and almost hid in the fur. It is sometimes taken in traps; but its skin is of little value. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 318. | THE W OLF. (Canis Lupus, Licwele hom Butt) Av naturalists agree in placing the Wolf and the Dog in the same class; aoa from the slightest inspection of its externa] form only, it would seem that the Wolf was in every respect a Dog in its. state of natural freedom. The shape of its head is different; and its eyes, being fixed in a more oblique position, give it a look of more savage fierceness: Its ears are sharp and erect; its tail , long, bushy, and bending inwards between its hind legs; ‘its body is stronger than that of almost any species of Dog, its jaws and teeth larger, and its hair coarser and Wicker. The internal structure of these animals is per- -fectly similar. The Wolf couples in the same manner as the Dog; and tts immediate separation is prevented from the same cause: The time of gestation is also near- ly the same; and, from a variety of successful experi. ments related by the celebrated Dr. Hunter, there is no . Bik HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. longer any room to doubt, that the Wolf and the Dog will copulate together, and produce an intermediate spe- cies, capable of subsequent propagation. “ The appetite of the Wolf, for every kind of Snitial food, is excessively voracious; and, although Nature has furnished it with every requisite for pursuing and cone quering its prey, it is trequently reduced to the last ex- tremity, and sometimes perishes for want of food. So great is the general detestation of this destructive crea- ture, that all the wild animals endeavour to avoid it, and most commonly escape by their superior swiftness. _ When pressed with hunger from repeated disappoint- ments, the Wolf becomes courageous from necessity. It then braves every danger, and even attacks those animals that are under the protection of man, Sometimes whole droves of them join in the cruel work of general devastae tin, roam through the villages, and attack the she where could one be found so bold, so tractable, and so obedient as the Dog? —To confirm the truth of these observations, we need only turn our attention to the present condition of those , HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 325 Mations not yet emerged from a state of barbarism, where the uses of the Dog are but little known or attended to, and we will find that they lead a precarious and wretch- ed life of perpetual warfare with the still more savage in- habitants of the Forest, with which they are obliged to dispute the possession of their uncultivated fields, and, not unfrequently, to divide with them the fruits of their la- bours.--From hence we may conclude, that the attention of mankind, in the earliest ages, would be engaged 1 in training and rendering this animal subservient to the im- portant purposes. of dbmestic utility; and the result of this art has been the conquest and peaceable possession of the earth. Of all animals, the Dog seems most susceptible of change, and most easily modified by difference of cli- mate, food, and education; not only the figure of his body, but his faculties, habits, and dispositions, vary in a surprising manner: Nothing appears constant in Hes but their internal conformation, which is alike in all; every other respect, they are very dissimilar: They ve in size, in figure, in the length of the nose and shape of the head, in the length and direction of the ears and tail, in the colour, quality, and quantity of the hair &c. To enumerate the different kinds, or mark the discrimina- tions by which each is distinguished, would be a task as fruitless as it would be impossible; to account for this wonderful variety, or investigate the character of the pri- mitive stock from which they have sprung, would be equally vain. Of this only we are certain, that, in every age, Dogs have been found possessed of qualities most admirably adapted for the various purposes to which they ay x8 $26 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. have been from time to time applied.—We have seen, in the history of the Cow and the Sheep, that these animals which have been long under the management of man, never preserve , the stamp of nature in its original purity. In wild animals, which still enjoy their natural freedom from restraint, and have the independent choice of food end climate, this impression is still faithfully preserved ; but those which man has subdued, transported from cli- mate to climate, changed their food, habits and manner of living, must nCerasiry have suffered the a alter- ations in their form; and as the Dog, of all other do- mestic animals, is most accustomed to this influence, is endowed with dispositions the most docile and obedient, “Is susceptible of every impression, and submissive to every 3% restraint, we need not wonder that he should be subject to the greatest variety. To an attentive observer of the canine race, it is truly wonderful and curious to observe the rapid changes and singular combinations of forms, arising from promiscuous intercourse, which every where present themselves: ‘They appear in endless succession, and seem more like the effect of whimsical caprice | than the regular and uniform production of Nature: So that, in whatever light we consider the various mixtures which at present abound, and render every idea of a systematic arrangement dubious and problematical, we may fairly : presume, that the services of the Dog would be first re- quired 1 in maintaining and preserving the superiority of man over those aaa which were destined for his s sup> port. : ne 3; HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 327. “Oop Li ition Ny f SS ee RS —— i Se THE . SHEPHERD’s DOG. (Canis domesticus, gene! Chien he Berger, Buff.) Turis useful animal, ever faithful to his charge, reigns at the head of the flock; where he is better heard, and more attended to, than even the voice of the shepherd. Safety, order, and Hieip lie are the fruits of his vigi- lance and activity, In those large tracts of land hick in many parts of our island, are solely appropriated to the feeding of Sheep and other cattle, this sagacious animal is of the utmost importance. Immense flocks may be seen conti- nually ranging over those extensive wilds, as far as the eye can reach, seemingly without controul: Their only guide is the shepherd, attended by his Dog, the constant companion of his toils: It receives his commands, atid is always prompt to execute them; it is the watchful guar. dian of the flock, prevents them from straggling, keeps them together, and conducts them from one part of their mx 4 328 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, | pasture to another; it will not suffer any strangers to mix with them, but carefully keeps off every intruder. In driving a number of Sheep to any distant part, a well- trained Dog never fails to confine them to the road, watches every avenue that leads from it; where he takes his stand, threatening every delinquent: He pursues the stragglers, if any should eseape, and forces them into order, without doing them the leastinjury. If the herds- man be at any time absent from the flock, he depends upon his Dog to keep them together; and as soon as he gives the well-known signal, this faithful creature con- ducts them to his master, though at a considerable dis- tance. There is a very remarkable singularity i in the feet of the Shepherd’s Dog, which we have likewise observed i in ~ those of the Cur and the Spaniel. All of them have one and some two toes more than most Dogs, though they seem not to be of much use. They appear to be desti- tute of muscles, and hang dangling at the hind part of the leg more like an unnatural excrescence than a neces- sary part of the animal. But the adage, that ‘ Nature has made nothing i in vain,’ ought to correct our decisions on their utility, which probably may exist unknown to us. This breed of Dogs, at present, appears to be pre- served, in the greatest purity, in the northern, parts of Scotland ; wher: its aid is highly necessary in managing the numerous herds of Sheep bred in those extensive wilds. oa) ae HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 329. aOR oe Sk, % yy Uns a THE CUR DOG, Is a trusty and useful servant to the farmer and grazier ; and, although it is not taken notice of by naturalists as a distinct race, yet it is now $0 generally used, especially in the North of England, and such great attention is paid in breeding it, that we cannot help considering it asa permanent kind. They are chiefly employed i in driving cattle ; in which way they are extremely useful. Pie. are er. strong- er, and fiercer than the Shepherd’s Dog; and their hair is smoother and shorter. They are mostly of ablack and white colour; their ears are half-pricked; and many of them are whelped with short tails, which seem as if they had been cut: These are called Self-tailed Dogs They bite very keenly ; ; and as they always make fet attack at the heels, the cattle have no defence against them. In this way, they are more than a match for a Bull, which they quickly compel to ruan.—Their sagacity is uncommonly great: They know their master’s fields, $30 HISTORY @F QUADRUPEDS. and are singularly attentive to the cattle that are in them : =A good Dog watches, goes his rounds; and, if any strange cattle should happen to appear among the herd, although unbidden, he quickly flies at ns and with keen bites obliges them to depart. Similar to the Cur, is that which is commonly used in driving cattle to the slaughter: And as these Dogs have frequently to go long journies, great strength, as el as swiftness, is required for that purpose. They are there- fore generally of a mixed kind, and unite in them the several qualities of the Shepherd’s Dog, the Cur, the Mastiff, and the Greyhound.—Thus, by a judicious mix- ture of different kinds, the services of the Dog are ren- dered still more various and extensive, and the great pur- poses of domestic utility more fully answered. 883 THE GREENLAND DOG. | (Le Chien de Sibirie, Buff.) THe savage aspect and disposition of this Dog seem to. bear some affinity to the rigours of the climate it inha- bits. ! The Pomeranian or Wolf Dog of M. Buffon, the Si- -berian, Lapland, and Iceland Dogs are somewhat similar toit in the sharpness of their muzzles, in their long shag- gy hair, and bushy curling tails, ‘The principal differ- sence is in their size-—Though much larger, they all of them have some resemblance to the Shepherd’s Dog. Most of the Greenland Dogs are white, but some are spotted, and some black. ‘They may rather be said to how] than bark.—The Greenlanders sometimes eat their flesh: They make garments of their skins, and use them in drawing sledges ;’to which they yoke them, four, five, 332 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. and sometimes six tegether.*———The Dogs of Kamschat- ka are commonly black or white. They are strong, nim- ble, and active, and are very useful in drawing slidgass the only. method of travelling in that dreary country du- ring the winter, They travel with great expedition. Captain King relates, that, during his stay there, a cou- rier with dispatches, maine by them, performed a jour- ney of 270 miles in Jess than four days. — | ‘The s sledges are usually drawn by five Dogs, four of them yoked two and two abreast: The foremost acts as a leader to the rest. The reins being fastened to a collar round the leading Dog’s neck, are of Hittle use in direct- ing the pack; the driver depending chiefly upon their obedience to his voice, with which he animates them to proceed. Great care and attentian are consequently used in training up those for leaders, which are more valuable according to their steadiness and docility ; the sum of forty roubles, or ten pounds, being no unusual price for one of them.—The rider has a crooked stick, answering the purpose both of whip and reins; with which, by striking on the snow, he regulates the speed of the Dogs, or stops them at his pleasure. When they are inatten= tive to their duty, he often chastises them by throwing it atthem. He discovers great dexterity in regaining his stick, which is the greatest difficulty attending his situa-. tion ; for if he should happen to lose it, the Dogs imme- diately discover the circumstance, and never fail to set off at full speed, and continue to run till their strength is exhausted, or till the carriage is overturned, and dashed to pieces, or hurried downa precipice. * Five of these Dogs, that had escaped with their trappings, were found in Greenland, and brought to this country a few years age by one of our ships in the fishery. ¥ % HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 333 In December, 1784, a Dog was left by a smuggling vessel near Boomer, on the coast of Northumberland. — Finding himself deserted, he began to wotry Sheep; and did so eel damage, that he became the terror of the country within a circuit of above twenty miles. Weare assured, that when he caught ; a Sheep, he bit a whole in its right side, and after eating the tallow about the kid- neys, “left it: Several of them, thus: lacerated, were found alive by the shepherds; and being taken proper care of, some of them recovered, and eee had-lambs.— From his delicacy in this respect, the destruction he made may in some measure be conceived ; as it may be supposed, that the fat of one Sheep in a aby would hard- ly satisfy his hunger. The farmers were so much a- larmed by his depredations, that various means were used for his destruction. They frequently pursued him with Hounds, Greyhounds, &c.; but when the Dogs came up with him, he laid down on his back, as if sup- plicating for mercy; and in that position they never hurt him: He therefore laid quietly, taking his rest till the hunters approached, when he made off, without being followed by the Hounds, till they were again excited to — the pursuit, which always terminated unsuccessfully. —It is worthy of notice, that he was one day pursued from Howick to upwards of thirty miles distance; but returned thither, and killed Sheep the same evening.— His constant residence, during the day, was upon a rock on the Heugh-hill, near Howick, where he had a view of four nite that approaehed it; and in March, 1785, after many fruitless attempts, he was at last shot there. 334: HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE BULL-DOG, Fs the fiercest of all the Dog kind, and is probably the rnost courageous Creature in the world. Itis low in sta ture but very strong and muscular. Its nose is short: and the under jaw projects beyond the upper, which gives it a fierce and unpleasing aspect.—Its courage in attacking the Bullis well known: Its fury in seizing; and its invincible obstinacy in maintaining its hold, are truly astonishing. It always aims at the front; and ge- nerally fastens upon the lip, the tongue; the eye, or some mart of the face; where it hangs, in Spite of every ling of the Bull to disengage himself. | The uncommon ardour of these Dogs in fighiing will be best illustrated by the following fact; related by an éye-witness; which at the same time corroborates, im some degree, that wonderful account of the Dogs of Epires, given by Elian, and quoted by Dr: Goldsmith in. the history of the Dog: Some years ago, at a bull baiting in the North of England, when that barbarous custom was very common, a young man, confident of HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. = 85 the courage of his Dog, laid some trifling wager, that he would, at separate eeay cut off all the four feet of his Dog; and that, after every amputation, it would at- tack the Bull. The cruel experiment was tried, and the Dog continued to seize the Bull as eagerly as if he had been perfectly whole. . . Of late years this inhuman. custom of Bait the Bull has been almost entirely laid aside in the North of Eng- land; and, consequently, there are now few of this kind of Dogs to be seen. As the Bull: Dog always makes eis attack without barking, it is very dangerous to approach him alone, without the greatest precaution. 336 HISTORY. OF QUADRUPEDS. ‘THE MASTIFF, (Canis Molossus, Lin—Le Dogue, Buff.) Is much larger and stronger than the Bull-Dog : its ears are more pendulous; its lips are large and loose; its as- pect is sullen and grave, and its bark loud and terrific.— He seems every way formed for the important trust of | guarding and securing the valuable property committed to his care. Houses, gardens, yards, &e. are safe from depredations whilst in his custody. Confined during the day, as soon as the gates are locked, he is left to range at full liberty: He then goes round the premisses, eXa- mines every part of them, and by loud barkings gives no- tice that he is ready to defend his charge. Dr. Caius, in his curious treatise on British Dogs, tells us, that three of these animals were reckoned a match for a Bear, and four for a Lion. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS.: » B37 We have a curious account, recorded in Stow’s An- nals, of an engagement between three Mastiffs, and a Lion, inthe presence of James the First. ‘‘ One of the Dogs being put into the den, was soon disabled by the Lion, which took it by the head and neck, and dragged it about: Another Dog was then let loose, and served in the same manner: But the third being put in, immedi- ately seized the Lion by the lip, and held him for a con- siderable time ;_ till being severely torn by his claws, the Dog was obliged to quit its hold; and the Lion, greatly exhausted in the conflict, refused to renew the engage- ment; but taking a sudden leap over the Dogs, fled into the interior part of his den. Two of the Dogs soon died oftheir wounds: The last survived, and was taken great care of by the king’s son; who said, ‘‘ he that had fought with the king of. beasts, should never after fight with any inferior creature.”? . The Mastiffs of Great-Britain were noted in the time of the Roman Emperors, who appointed an officer, whose . sole business it was to breed and send from hence such as would prove equal to the combats of the amphitheatre. The following anecdote will shew, that the Mastiff, conscious of its superior strength, knows how to chastise the impertinence of an inferior :—A large Dog of this kind, belonging to the late M. Ridley, Esq. of Heatton, near Newcastle, being frequently molested by a Mongrel, and teazed by its continual barking, at last took it up in his mouth by the back, and with great composure drop- ped it over the quay into the river, without doing any further injury to an enemy so much his inferior. The Mastiff, in its pure and unmixed state, is now sel- Y 3358 — HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. dom to be met with. The generality of Dogs distin- guished by that name, seem to be compounded of the Bull-Dog, Danish Mastiff, and the Ban-Dog. == =S = —_> — —— = = = SSS = LHE BAN-DOG, Is a variety of this fierce tribe, not often to be seen at present. It is lighter, smaller, more active and vigilant, than the Mastiff, but not so powerful; its nose is smal- ler, and possesses, in some degree, the scent of the Hound ; its hair is rougher, and generally of a yellowish- gray, streaked with shades of a black or brown colour. It does not invariably, like the preceding kinds, attack its adversary in front, but frequently seizes cattle by the flank. It attacks with eagerness, and its bite is keen and dangerous. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 339 THE DALMATIAN, OR COACH DOG, (Le Braque de Bengal, Buff.) Has been erroneously called the Danish Dog ; and, by M. Buffon, the Harrier of Bengal ; but for what reason it is difficult to ascertain, as its incapacity of scenting is suffi- cient to destroy all affinity to any dog employed in the pursuit of the Hare. : It is common in this country at present, and is fre-. quently kept in genteel houses, as an elegant attendant on a carriage.— We do not, however, admire the cruel prac- tice of depriving the poor animal of its ears, in order to encrease its beauty; a practice so general, that we do not remember ever to have seen one of these Dogs un- maytilated in that way. b 340 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE IRISH GREYHOUND, (Canis Graius Hibernicus, Ray.—Le Matin, Buff.) Is the largest of the Dog kind, and its appearance the most beautiful and majestic- It is only to be found in Ireland, where it was formerly of great use in clearing the country from Wolves.—It is now extremely rare, and is kept rather for show than use, being equally un- serviceable for hunting either the Stag, the Fox, or the Hare. | These Dogs are about three feet high, generally ofa white or cinnamon colour, and made somewhat like a Greyhound, but more robust: Their aspect is mild, and d HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 841 their disposition gentle and peaceable: Their strength is so great, that in combat the Mastiff or Bull-Dog is far from being equal tothem. They mostly seize their anta- gonists by the back, and shake them to death, which their great size generally enables them to do with ease. M. Buffon supposes the Great Danish Dog to be only a variety of the Irish Greyhound.——Next to this, in size and strength, is THE SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GREY- ‘HOUND, OR WOLF-DOG; Wuicu was formerly used by the chieftains of that coun- try in their grand hunting parties.—One of them, which we saw some years ago, was a large, powerful, fierce- looking Dog; its ears were pendulous, and its eyes half hid in the hair; its body was strong and muscular, and eovered with harsh, wiry, reddish hair, mixed with white. THE GAZEHOUND, W as somewhat similar to the Greyhound; and, like that animal, hunted only by the eye. It was formerly in great repute, but is now unknown tous. It was used in hunting either the Fox, the Hare, or the Stag. It would select from the rest the fattest Deer, pursue it by the eye, and though it should rejoin the herd, would infallibly fix upon the same, and pursue it till taken. ¥as 342 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. eee ere, Eee * sua aiss) THE sae UND, (Canis Gack Lin.—Le Levrier, Buf.) | _M. Buffon supposes to be the Irish Greyhound, rendered thinner and more delicate by the difference of climate and. culture: But whatever truth there may be in the fanciful arrangement of that ingenious author, there is an evident similarity of form in all of those just mention- ed; particularly in the depth of the chest, in the length of the legs, and in the smallness of the muzzle. — The Greyhound is the fleetest of all Dogs, and can outrun every animal ofthe chase; but as it wants the fa- culty of scenting, it only follows by the eye. It was for- merly held in such estimation, as to be considered the pe- culiar companion of gentlemen; and, by the forest laws of King Canute, it was enacted, that no person under that degree should presume to. keep a Greyhound. | The Small Itahan Greyhound i is not above half the size, but perfectly similar in form. Its shape is exquisitely — HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 343, beautiful and delicate. It is not common in this country, the climate being too rigorous for the extreme delicacy ef its constitution. } THE LYEMMER, So called from its being led ina thong, arid slipped at the game.—Dr. Caius informs us, that it hunted both by the scent and sight; and, in its form, was between the Hound and the Greyhound,—It is now unknown to us. THE LURCHER, Is less and shorter than the Greyhound, and its limbs stronger; Its body is covered with a rough coat of hair, most commonly of a pale-yellow colour; its aspect is sul- len, and its habits, from whence it derives its name, are dark and cunning. Y 4 S441 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. As this Dog possesses the advantage ofa fine stent, it is often employed in killing Hares and Rabbits in the night time. When taken to the warren, it steals out with the utmost precaution, watches and scents the Rab- bits while they are feeding, and darts upon them without barking or making the least noise. One of them will singly make incredible havock i ina short time; and is so trained, as to bring its booty to its master, who waits in. some convenient place to receive it.* . They’ are so de- structive, and have been so often employed in illicit prac- tices, that they are now, with great propriety, proscribed, and the breed is almost extinct. Another Dog of this baad, formerly in In use, but now only known to us by its name, is > THE TUMBLER, Wuicx was so called from its cunning manner of taking Rabbits and other game. It did not run directly at them, but, in a careless and inattentive manner, tum- bled itself about tillit came within reach of its prey, which it always seized by a sudden spring. * We have seen a Dog and a Bitch of this kind in the posses- sion of a man who had formerly used them for the purpose above described. He declared, that he could at that time procure in an _ evening as many Rabbits with them as he could carry home. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. B45 THE TERRIER, Has a most acute smell, is generally an attendant on eve. ry pack of Hounds, and is very expert in forcing Foxes or other game out of their coverts. It is the determined enemy of all the vermin kind; such as Weasels, Fou- marts, Badgers, Rats, Mice, &c. It is fierce, keen, and hardy; and, in its encounters with the Badger, some- time meets with very severe treatment, which it sustains with great courage and fortitude. A well-trained veteran Dog frequently proves more than a match for that hard- bitten animal. There are two kinds of Terriers,—the one rough, short-legged, long-backed, very strong and most com- monly of a black or yellowish colour, mixed with white ; the other is smooth, sleek, and beautifully formed, having a shorter body, and more sprightly appearance: It is ge- nerally of a reddish-brown colour, or black, with tanned legs; and is similar to the rough Terrier in disposition and faculties, but inferior in size, strength, and hardi-. ness. 346 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE BEAGLE, * > Seeeeoat Or those Dogs that are kept for the business of the chase in this country, the Beagle is the smallest, and is only used in hunting the Hare. Although far inferior in point of speed to that animal, it follows by the exquisite- ness of its scent, and traces her footsteps through all her’ various windings with great exactness and perseveranices! ” Its tones are soit and musical, and add greatly to the: pleasures of the ——s THE HARRIER, (ile Braque, Buff.) Wuicu chiefly differs from the Beagle in being somewhat larger, is very nimble and vigorous. It pursues the Hare | with the most impetuous eagerness, and gives her no time to breathe nor double. The most eager sportsmen generally find it sufficient exercise to keep in with their speed.—They exert their voices with great chearfulness, and make delightful harmony. | A mixt breed, between this and the large Terrier, forms a strong, active, and hardy Hound, used in hunt- ing the Otter.—It is rough, wire-haired, thick-quartered, long-eared, and thin-shouldered. ‘There is reason to suppose, that the Beagle and the Harrier must have been introduced into Great-Britain af- ter the Romans became masters of the island; as, before 348 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. that period, the Britons were occupied in clearing their extensive forests of the various wild beasts, such as Wild- Boars, Bears, Wolves, &c. with which they abounded; and, for that purpose, larger and stronger Dogs than the Harrier or the Beagle would be required. 4 A\ aT THE FOX-HOUND. _ No country in Europe can boast of Fox-hounds equal in swiftness, strength, or agility, to those of Britain; where the utmost attention is paid to their breeding, | education, and maintenance. ‘The climate also seems congenial to their nature; for it has been said, that when Hounds of the English breed have been sent into. France _or other countries, they quickly degenerate, and in some degree lose those qualities for which they were originally ‘so admirable. “HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 349 In England, the attachment to the chase, is in some - measure considered as a trait in the national character ; -eonsequently, it is not to be wondered at that our Dogs and Horses should excel all others in that noble diversion. This propensity appears to be encreasing in the nation ; and no price seems now thought too great for Hounds of known excellence. * The Fox-Hounds generally preferred are tall, light- made, but strong, and ee of great courage, speed, and activity. The habits and faculties, of sk Dogs are so generally known, as to render any description unnecessary. eee of the same kind are also trained to the hunting of the Stag and other Deer. The following anecdote affords a proof of their won- derful spirit in supporting a continuity of exertion :— ‘* Many years since, a very large Stag, was turned out of Whinfield Park, in the county of Westmoreland, and pursued by the Hounds till, by fatigue or accident, the whole pack were thrown out, except two staunch and favourite Dogs, which continued the chase the greatest part of the day. The Stag returned to the park from whence he set out; and, as his last effort, leapt the wall, and expired as soon as he had accomplished it. ‘One of the Hounds pursued to the wall; but being un- able to get over it, laid down, and alti immediately expired: The other was also found dead at a small dis- ‘tance. ‘¢ The length of the chase is uncertain: But, as they were seen at Red-kirks, near Annan, in Scotland, distant, “In 1788, Mr. Noel’s pack was sold to Sir Wm. Lowther Bart, for 1000 guineas, 350 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. by the post-road, about forty-six miles, it 1s conjectured, that the circuitous and uneven course they might be sup- posed to take, would not be less than one hundred and zwenty miles. | | ‘« ‘To commemorate this fact, the horns of the Stag, which were the largest ever seen in that part of the country, were placed on a tree of a most enormous size, in the park, (afterwards called the Hart-horn tree) ac- companied with this inscription, Soe « Hercules kill’d Hart o’Greece = « Aad Hart o’Greece kill'd Hercules.” ‘¢ The horns have been since removed, and are now _at Julian’s Bower, in the same county.” vi HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS: : 851 Ney lf i A wil, h eqn h (Canis Sagax, Lin.—Le Chien currant, Buff.) Is described by Whitaker, in his History of Manchester, _ as the original breed of England, used by the ancient Britons in the chase of the larger kinds of game, with which their country abounded. “ih This valuable Hound is distinguished by its great size and strength. Its body is long, its chest deep, its ears long and sweeping, and the tone of its voice is peculiarly deep and mellow.—From the particular formation of its organs, or from the extraordinary moisture that always adheres to its nose and lips, or perhaps from some other unknown cause, it is endued with the most exquisite sense of smelling, and can often distinguish the scent an hour after the lighter Beagles have given it up. Their 352 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. slowness also disposes them to receive the directions of the huntsman: But as they are able to hunt acold scent, they are too apt to make it so by their want of speed, and tedious exactness. These Dogs were once commonin every part of Great- Britain, and were formerly much larger than at present. The breed, which has been gradually declining, and its size studiously diminished by a mixture of other kinds in order to increase its speed, 1s now almost extinct. It seems to have been accurately described by Shake- speare, in the following lines. “My Hounds are bred out of the Spartan kind, “ So flew'd, so sanded; and their heads are hung “‘ With ears that sweep away the morning dew; “ Crook-kneed and dew-lap’d, like Thessalian bulls; < Slow in pursuit; but match’d in mouth like bells, « Fach under each.” : . i Besides these, there is a variety called the Kzdd/e- Hound, produced by a mixture of the Beagle and the Old English Hound. THE BLOOD-HOUND, | Was in great request with our ancestors; and as it was remarkable for the fineness of its scent, it was frequently employed in recovering game that had escaped wounded from the hunter. It could follow, with great certainty, the footsteps of a man to a considerable distance: And in barbarous and uncivilized times, when the thief or mur- derer had fled, this useful creature would trace him through the thickest and most secret coverts; nor would it cease its pursuit till it had taken the felon. For this reason, there was a law in Scotland, that whoever de- HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 953 nied entrance to one of these Dogs in pursuit of stolen goods, should be deemed an accessary. Blood-Hounds were formerly used in certain districts lying between England and Scotland, which were much infested by robbers and murderers; and a tax was laid upon the inhabitants for keeping and maintaining a cer- tain number of them. But, as the arm of justice is now extended over every part of the country, and there are no secret recesses where villainy may lie concealed, these services are no longer necessary. In Scotland, it was distinguished by the name of the Steuth- Hound. Some few of these Dogs are still kept in the southern part of the kingdom, and are used in pursuit of Deer that have been previously wounded by a shot to draw blood, the scent of which enables them to pursue with most unerring steadiness.— They are sometimes employ- ed in discovering deer-stealers, whom they infallibly track by the blood that issues from the wounds of their victims. They are also said to be kept in convents, situated in the lonely and mountainous countries of Switzerland, both as a guard to the sacred mansion, as well as to find out the bodies of men that have been unfortunately: lost in crossing those wild and dreary tracts. The Blood-Hound is taller than the Old English Hound, most beautifully formed, and superior to every other kind in activity, speed, and sagacity.— They sel- dom bark, except in the chase; they are commonly of a reddish or brown colour. A Hound bitch, belonging to the Rivington hunt, near Bolton, pupped four whelps during a hard chase, 354 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. which she carefully covered in a rush aisle, and immedi- ately after joined the pack. Shortly after, she pupped another, which she carried in her mouth during the re- mainder of a chase of many miles: After which, she returned to the place where she had dropped the four. Somervile thus beautifully describes their mode of pursuing the nightly spoiler. | «‘ Soon the sagacious brute, his curling tail “ Flourish’d in air, low bending, plies around «His busy nose, the steaming vapour snufts “ Inquisitive, nor leaves one turf untry’d, « Till, conscious of the recent stains, his heart “¢ Beats quick ; his snuffling nose, his active tail, “ Attests his joy: Then with deep-op ning mouth ‘** That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims « Th’ audacious felon: Foot by foot he marks “ His winding way, while all the list’ning crowd _ Applaud his reas’nings: O’er the wat’ry ford, «« Dry sandy heaths, and stony barren hills; “ ©O’er beaten paths, with men and beasts distain’d, ss Unerring he pursues, tiJl at the cot *¢ Arriv’d, and seizing by his guilty throat < The caitiff vile, redeems the captive prey : << So exquisitely delicate his sense !”’ a ll ee le THE SPANISH POINTER, (Canis Avicularius, Lin.) Is of a foreign origin, as itsname seems to imply ; but it ‘is now naturalized in England, which has long been famous for Dogs of this kind; the greatest attention be- ing paid to preserve the breed in its utmost purity. This Dog is remarkable for the aptness and facility with which it receives instruction. It may be said to be almost self-taught; whilst the English Pointer requires the greatest care and attention in breaking and training to the sport. ‘The Spanish pointer, however, is not so - durable and hardy, nor so able to undergo the fatigues of an extensive range. It is chiefly employed in finding partridges, pheasants, &c. either for the gun or the net. It is said, that an English nobleman (Robert Dudly, Duke of Northumberland) was the first that broke a Set- ting-Dog to the net. Pa 356 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE ENGLISH SETTER, | Is a hardy, active, handsome Dog.—Its scent 1s exqui- site; and it ranges with great speed and wonderful per- _ severance. Its sagacity in discovering the various kinds “of game, and its caution in approaching them, are truly astonishing. But as the uses of this valuable Dog are so well known, we will conclude with the following beau- tiful quotation from Somervile:— <* When autumn smiles, all-beauteous in decay, — «* And paints each chequer’d grove with various hues, “ My Setter ranges in the new-shorn fields, “ His nosein airerect; from ridge toridge | “ Panting he bounds, his quarter’d ground divides “* Tn equal intervals, nor careless leaves “ One inch untry’d: At length the tainted gales ** His nostrils wide inhale; quick joy elates : “« His beating heart, which, aw’d by discipline “¢ Severe, he dares not own, but cautious creeps, “* Low-cow’ring, ue by sfep; at iast attains “ His proper distance ; there he stops at once,’ “* And points with . is ‘instrucsive nose upon is The trembling prey. were ~- 5 foe WP ie NS SEM elles = [Rh 2 LHE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG. — Tue drawing of this Dog was taken from a very fine one at Eslington, in the county of Northumberland. Its dimensions were as follow :— From its nose to the end of its tail, it measured six feet two inches; the length of its tail, one foot ten inches ; from one fore foot right over its shoulders to the other, five feet seven inches ; girt behind the shoulder, three feet two inches ; round its head over its ears, two feet; round the upper part of its fore leg, nine inches and a half. It was web-footed, coyld swim extremely fast, dive with great ease, and brig up any thing from bates: 358 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. the bottom of the water. It was naturally fond of fisl ; and ate raw trouts, or other small fish, out of the nets. This breed of Dogs was originally brought from the country of which they bear the name, where their great strength and docility render them extremely useful to the settlers on those coasts, who use them in bringing down wood from the interior parts of the country to the sea- side: Three or four of them yoked toa sledge will draw two or three hundred weight of wood piled upon it, for several miles, with great ease: They are not attended with a driver, nor any person to guide them: but after having delivered their loading, they return immediately to the woods, where they are accustomed to be fed with dried fish, &c. The extraordinary sagacity of these Dos and their at- tachment to their masters, render them pighly valuable in particular situations. During a severe storm, in che winter of 1789, a ship, belonging to Newcastle, was lost near Yarmouth ; anda Newfoundland Dog alone escaped: to shore, bringing in his mouth the captain’s pocket book. He landed amidst a number of people, several of whom in vain endeavour- ed to take it from him. The sagacious animal, as if sen- sible of the importance of the charge, which in all proba- bility was delivered to him by his perishing master, at length leapt fawningly against the breast of aman, who’ had attracted his notice among the crowd, and delivered the book tohim. The Dog immediately returned to the place where he had Janded, and watched with great at- tention for every thing that came from the wrecked ves- sel, seizing them, at endeavouring to bring them. to. jand. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 359 _ The following is another instance of their great doci- lity and strength of observation :—A gentleman walking by the side of the river Tyne, and observing, on the op- posite side, a child fall into the water, gave notice to his Dog, which immediately jumped in, swam over, and catching hold of the child with its mouth brought it safe toland. “aU a2 Z A 360 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. S | ne N \ at Aa ST man THE LARGE ROUGH WATER DOG, (Canis aviarius Aquaticus, Lin.—Le Grand Barbet, Buf. ) Is web-footed, swims with great ease, and is used in hunting ducks and other aquatic birds.—From itsaptness to fetch and carry, it is frequently kept on board of ships, for the purpose of recovering any thing that has fallen overboard ; and is likewise useful in taking up birds that are shot, and drop imto the sea. There is a variety much smaller.—They are both re- ~ markable for their long and shaggy-coat, which frequent- ly incommodes them by growing over their eyes. : ae SEQ 1 - SENG Bes HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 361 THE LARGE WATER SPANIEL. Tue drawing of this beautiful animal was made from one of the finest of its kind, in the possession of J. E. Blackett, Esq. of Newcastle upon Tyne. This kind of Dog is valuable for its great docility and attachment to its master. It receives instructions with readiness, and obeys with uncommon alacrity.—Its form is elegant, its hair beautifully curled or crisped, its ears long, and its aspect mild and sagacious.—lIt is fond of the water, and swims well. It is chiefly used in disco- vering the haunts of wild-ducks and other water fowl, and also in finding birds that have been shot or disabled. —It is probably the Finder, described by Caius. 362 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. a SS Mnw= ~~ THE SMALL WATER SPANIEL, Is similar to the other in form, habits, and disposition : and its capacity for receiving instruction is equally good. With looks of extreme attention and sensibility, it ob- serves the motions of its master, and catches the well- known signal with amazing promptitude. The various tricks which these Dogs are sometimes taught to perform, seem more like the effect of reasoning" powers, than of undiscerning instinct. Ni\ | WG \ ES (erty A THE SPRINGER, OR COCKER, Is lively, active, and pleasant ; an unwearied pursuer of its game; and very expert in raising woodcocks and _ snipes from their haunts in woods and marshes, through _ whichit ranges with amazing perseverance. - Of the same kind is that beautiful little Dog, which, in England, is well known under the appellation of King Charles’s Dog ; the favourite and constant compa- nion of that monarch, who was generally attended by several of them.—It is still preserved as an idle but mno- cent companion.—Its long ears, curled hair, and web- feet, evidently point out its alliance with the more useful and active kind last mentioned. Similar to this, but smaller, is the Pyrame-Dog.—It is generally black, with reddish-legs ; and above each eye is a spot of the same colour. Still farther removed, we have the Shock-Dog ; a di- minutive creature, almost hid in the great quantity of its hair, which covers it from head to foot. » ER oe, atid | 364 — HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. Another variety is the Lion-Dog ; so called from the shaggy hair which covers the head and all the fore part of the body; whilst the hinder part is quite smooth, sav- ing a tuft of hair at the end of the tail.—This Species is become extremely rare. THE COMFORTER, Isa most elegant little animal, and is generally kept by the ladies asan attendant of the toilette or the drawing- room.—lIt is very snappish, ill-natured, and noisy ; and does not readily admit the familiarity of strangers. Sey 4 | is; zZ a a Hl ay og ale ell = ats : 7 | — HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. | 365 THE TURNSPIT, Is generally long-bodied, has short crooked legs, its tail curled upon its back, and is frequently spotted with black upon a blue-gray ground. It is peculiar in the colour of its eyes ; the same Dog often having the iris of one eye black, and the other white. It is a bold, vigilant, and spirited little Dog. At pre- sent, however, its services seem but little attended to ; a more certain method of doing the business of the spit having superceded the labours of this industrious animal. ; ; THE PUG-DOG, In outward appearance, is every way formed like the Bull-Dog; but much smaller, and its tail is curled upon its back. It was formerly very common in many parts of England ; however, at present, it is rarely to be met _with.—Although it has no longer its admirers here, Mrs. Piozzi informs us, that she saw great numbers at Padua, in Italy, and that it still maintains its piace in the favour _ of the fair-ones of that country. From these, and a mixture of others, proceeds a num- $66 =~ HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. berless variety of Messets, Lap-Dogs, Dancers, Waps, Mongrels, and compounds without end. That all these, however divided, compose one general family, is apparent, from the facility with which they in- termix, produce, and re-produce. In all of them the same attachment to mankind, the same pliant and hum- ble disposition, submitting with patience to the various indignities to which they are exposed by their dependent situation, is eminently observable. Even those that, by accident or neglect, have been abandoned, and be ane wild, when taken home, are easily reclaimed by kindness and attention : They quickly become familiar, and conti- nue faithfully attached to their masters.—Multitudes of these are to be found in South America, which have sprung from those taken thither by the Europeans. They breed in holes in the ground, are formed somewhat like a Greyhound, have erect ears, are very vigilant, and ex- cellent in the chase. To mention some of the more common instances of this creature’s sagacity, by way of elucidating its general character, may not be amiss ; and amongst these, its care in directing the steps of the blind man is not the ‘east worthy of notice. There are few who have not seen an unfortunate object of this description, led by his Dog, through the various passages of a populous town, to the accustomed place where he sits to supplicate the contri- butions of passengers. It may sometimes be seen to stop” at particular houses, to receive the morsel from the hand of charity, or pick from the ground the money thrown out to relieve its miserable owner. When the day is passed, it conducts him home again; and gratefully re- HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. » 367 celves, as the reward of its services, the scanty pittance which poverty and wretchedness can bestow. Dogs wiil sometimes imitate the actions of their mas- ters, will open a door that is fastened with a latch, or pull a bell, where they are desirous of. gaining admit- tance.—F aber mentions one, belonging to a nobleman of the Medici family, which always attended at its master’s table, took from him his plates and brought him others, and if he wanted wine, would carry it to him ina glass placed upon a silver plate which it held in its mouth, without spilling the smallest drop. The same Dog would also hold the stirrups in its teeth, while its master was mounting his horse. That Dogs are capable of mutual attachment, is evi- dent, from the well-known story of the Dog at St. Al- ban’s; which, being left by its master at an inn there till he returned from London, and being ill-treated by a large Dog belonging to the house, stole privately off. It soon returned with a friend, that was much larger and strong- er than itself; and both fell upon the aggressor, and pu- nished him severely for his cruelty to a stranger. There are several peculiarities common to all animals of the Dog kind, briefly mentioned by Linneus, with which we shall conclude its history; the principal of which are as follow;—The Dog is carnivorous; its sto- mach digests bones; it eats grass for a vomit; voids its urine sideways, and commonly where other Dogs have done so before; smeils at a stranger; scarcely ever sweats, but lolls out his tongue when hot; remembers injuries done to it; is’ subject to the hydrophobia; its sense of hearing very quick; when asleep, is supposed to dream; goes with young sixty-three days, and brings 368 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. forth from four to eight atone time. It barks at strange Dogs, snaps at a stone thrown at it, howls at certain mu- sical notes; when about to lie down, frequently goes round the place; fawns at the approach of its master, and will not patiently suffer any one to-strike him; runs before him on a journey, often going over the same ground; on coming to cross ways, stops, looks back, and waits to observe which of them he takes; sits up and begs; and, when it has committed a theit, slinks away with its tail between its legs; “is an enemy to beggars and ill-looking peopie, and attacks them without the least provocation; is also said to be sick at the approach of bad weather.—We cannot, however, agree with the learned naturalist, when he asserts, that the male puppies resem- ble the Dog and the female the Bitch; or that it is a character common to the whole species, that the tail al- ways bends to the left side. T’o these we may add, as equally void of foundation, a remark of M. Buffon, that a female Hound, covered with a Dog of her own kind, has been known to produce a mixed race, consisting of Hounds and Terriers —We barely mention these to shew, that too much caution cannot be used in forming general characters or systematic arrangements; and we leave it to the experience of the most inattentive obser- ver to detect such palpable absurdities. | ~ ERAS gee " Sony i hic eae Be SiN Wn THE HARE. (Lepus timidus, Lin.—Le Lievre, Buff.) Tuts harmless and inoffensive animal, destitute of eve- ry means of defence, and surrounded on all sides by its enemies, would soon be utterly extirpated, if Nature, ever kind and provident, had not endowed it with facul- ties, by which it is frequently enabled to evade their pur- suit. ta Fearful of every danger, and attentive to every alarm, the Hare is continually upon the watch; and being pro- vided with very long ears, moveable at pleasure, and easily directed to every quarter, is warned of the most distant approaches of danger. Its eyes are large and pro- minent, adapted to receive the rays of light on every side, and give notice of more immediate alarms. To these may be added its great swiftness, by which it soon leaves most of its pursuers far behind. —The hind are much longer than the fore legs,’ and are furnished with strong Aa 370 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. muscles, which give the Hare a singular advantage i in running up a hill: Sensible of its powers in this re- spect, it is always observed to fly towards rising ground when first started. 3 Thus formed for escape, the Hare might | be supposed to enjoy a state of tolerable secur ity ; but as every rapa- cious creature 1s its enemy, it is seldom permitted to live out its natural term. Dogs and Foxes pursue it by in- stinct; Wild-Cats, and Weasels of all kinds, catch and devour it; birds of prey are still more dangerous ene- mies; whilst man, far more powerful than all, makes use of every artifice to obtain an animal which constitutes one of the numerous delicacies of his table.—If we were to enumerate the various stratagems which ingenuity has suggested to circumvent this persecuted creature, we would willingly omit the notable achievements and gal- lant exploits of the chase; which, to a cool and dispas- sionate observer, seem to demand a nobler game. “ Poor is the triumph o’er the timid Hare.” Another remarkable means of safety to the Hare i is its colour, which, being similar to the ground where it sits, secures it from the sight of its enemies; and, asa further instance of the care a Providence in the preservation of its creatures, these, as well as some other animals m more northern regions, are observed to change their co- lour, and become perfectly white during winter, which renders them less conspicuous in the snow. Some rare — instances occur, of white Har es being met with in Great — Britain. | | The hare is very prolific, and breeds three or four a times in the year. The female goes with young thirty © - HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. | 371 days and generally brings forth three or four at a litter. The rutting season begins in February. During the day, Hares sleep or repose in their seats, and seldom remove from them; The night is the season when they go about in search of food; and they are sure to return to their forms or seats by the same paths which they took in leaving them. « ’Tis instinct that directs the jealous Hare “ To chuse her soft abode. With step revers’d, “¢ She forms the doubling maze; then, ere the morn “ Peeps through the clouds, leaps to her close recess.” The following instances of the sagacity of the Hare in endeavouring to escape from its enemies are worthy of - notice: —Fouilloux says he has seen a Hare start from its form at the sound of the hunter’s horn, run towards a pool of water at a considerable distance, plunge itself in, and swim to some rushes in the middle, where it lay down, and concealed itself from the pursuit of the Dogs. He mentions another, which after running two hours before the Dogs, pushed a Hare from its seat, and took possession of it. Others he has seen run into a sheepfold, and lie down among the Sheep; and some have affected their escape by mounting an old wall, and clapping them- selves down in the midst of the ivy which covered it. The fur of the Hare is of great use in making hats, for which purpose many thousands of their skins are an- nually imported from Russia. The Hare was reckoned a great delicacy among the Romans, but was forbidden to the Jews, and held sa- cred among the ancient Britons, who religiously abstain- ed from eating it.—We are told, that Boadicea, immedi- Aa 2 372 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ately before her last conflict with the Romans, let loose — a Hare she had concealed in her bosom; which, taking what was deemed a fortunate course, was looked upon as a good omen.—It is to this day deemed unclean by the Mahometans. The Hare is found in most parts of the world, with very little variety. —Those of North-America are rather less than the European. ‘They frequent marshes and meadows, and when pursued take refuge in hollow trees. THE ALPINE HARE, Is gray in summer, with a slight mixture of black and tawny. Its hair is soft, its ears shorter, and its legs more slender, than the common Hare’s. In winter, the whole body changes to a snowy whiteness, except the tips and edges of the ears, which remain black. This animal lives on the highest hills in Scotland, Norway, Lapland, Russia, and Siberia; never descends from the mountains, nor mixes with the common Hare, although they abound in the same parts.—It does not run fast; ad. when pursued, often takes shelter in clefts of rocks. It is easily tamed, is very frolicsome, and fond of honey and other sweets. — It changes its colour in Sep- tember, and resumes its gray coat in April.—Troops of five or six hundred are sometimes seen, which migrate towards the south in spring, and return in autumn. A variety is found in those mountains of Tartary which extend as far asthe lake Baikal. It inhabits the middle regions of the hills, among thick woods, and in moist places abounding with grass and herbage. _ It lives HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 373 in the crevices of rocks, and sometimes burrows in the earth lodged between the clefts.—Its voice is a sharp ' whistle, not unlike the chirping ofa sparrow. In the autumn, great numbers of them assemble to- gether, and collect vast quantities of the finest herbs, which, when dried, they form into pointed ricks: of va- rious sizes; some ofthem four or five feet in height, and of proportionable bulk.' ‘These they place under the a ter of an overhanging rock, or pile round the trunks of trees. By this means, these industrious little animals lay upa stock of winter food, and wisely provide against the rigours of those stormy regions; otherwise, bene pre- vented by the depth of the snow from quitting alr re- treats in quest of food, they must all inevitably perish. ‘N\ Aas EE IL 374 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. pa tees a POLIS ffi tee om —— THE RABBIT. (Lepus Cuniculus, Lin.—Le Lapin, Buff.) NoTWITHSTANDING the great similarity between the Hare and the Rabbit, nature has placed an inseparable bar between them, in not allowing them to intermix, to which they mutually discover the most extreme aversion. Besides this, there is a wide difference in their habits and propensities: The Rabbit lives in holes in the earth, where it brings forth its young, and retires from the ap- proach of danger; whilst the Hare prefers the x fields, and trusts to its speed for safety. The fecundity of the Rabbit is truly scutehinle It breeds seven times in the year, and generally produces eight young at a time; from which it is calculated, that one pair may increase, in the course of four years, to the amazing number of 1,274,840; so that, if frequent re- ductions were not made in various ways, there is reason to apprehend they would.soon exceed the means of their _ support, and over-run the face of the country. Butas — their increase is great, so is the number of their enemies; HISTORY OF QUADRUFEDS. 375 for, besides those that are taken for the use of man, great numbers are devoured by Foxes, Weasels, Foumarts, and other beasts of prey.—In Spain, they formerly ay to such a degree, as to become so obnoxious, that the in- habitants were obliged to procure ‘ errets from Africa to destroy them. | ~ The Rabbit is capable of procreating at the age of five or six months. The female goes with young about thirty days. Previous to her bringing forth, she makes a bed with down, which she pulls off her owncoat. She never leaves her young but when pressed with hunger, and re- turns as soon as that is allayed, which she effects with surprizing quickness. During the time she tends and suckles her young, she carefully conceals them from the male, lest he should devour them; and frequently covers up the mouth of the hole, that her retreat ne not be discovered: It lives to the age of eight or nine years, aaick prefers warm and temperate irae —Pliny and Aristotle men- tion it as being anciently known only in Greece and Spain: Itis now, however, common -in various parts of Europe; but in Sweden and other cold countries it can only be reared in houses. It abounds in Great- Britain, where its te forms a very considerable article in the manufacture of hats. — Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire, are most no- ted for the production of them. The flesh of the Rabbit, as well as the Hare, was for- bidden to the Jews and Mahometans. Aa A, 376 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. Z= THE DOMESTIC RABBIT, is of various colours—white, brown, black, and varie- gated.. It is somewhat larger than the wild Rabbit; but its flesh is not so good, being softer and more insipid. — Its food is generally cabbage leaves, colewort, blades of corn, sour-dock, and other succulent plants; but sweet short hay, with a little clean oats, make the best diet. The Rabbit of Angora, like the Goat and Sheep of that. country, is covered with long hair, which falls down its. side in wavy curls, and is of a silky fineness. Mr. Pennant describes a remarkable variety under the name of the Hooded Rabbit, which has a double skin over its back, into which it can withdraw its head: It like- Wise conceals its fore legs in a part which falls down un- der its throat. There are small holes in this loose skin, which admit light to the eyes.—The colour of the body is Cinereous; that of the head and ears is brown. A manuscript account of this animal, with a drawing by Mr. G. Edwards, is preserved in the British Museum. The Rabbit is not a native of America. There are great numbers of them in many of the West-India ¥slands, which have originated from a stock carried thi- ther from Europe. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 377. THE GUINEA-PIG, OR RESTLESS | | CAVY. (Mus Porcellus, Lin.—Le Cochon @ Inde, Buff.) Tuts little animal, though a native of Brazil, lives and propagates in temperate, and even in cold climates, when protected from the inclemency of the seasons.— Great numbers are kept in adomestic state, but for what purpose can hardly be determined. They have neither beauty nor utility to recommend them; their skins are of little value; and their flesh, though eatable, is far from being good. ‘Their habits and dispositions are equally unpleasant and disgusting: Void of attachment even to their own offspring, they suffer them to be de- _ voured the momentthey are brought forth, without mak- ing the smallest attempt todefend them. The males fre- quently destroy their own young; and are so stupid, as to allow themselves to be killed by Cats without resist- ance. ‘They pass their whole lives in sleeping, eating, and in the propagation of their species. ‘They are by na- ture gentle and tame; They do no mischief, but seem to be equally incapable of good.—Rats are said to avoid the places where they reside. 378 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. The Guinea-Pig is considerably less than the Rabbit; its upper lip is only half divided; it has two cutting- teeth in each jaw; large and broad ears; its hair is of different colours,—white, varied with orange and black, in irregular patches; it has no tail; is a restless animal; feeds on bread, grain, and vegetables; and makes a noise like the grunting of a pig. It is capable of breeding at the age of two months, and produces from four to twelve at one time. The species would be innumerable, if many of them were not taken off by various means: Some are killed by Cats, others by the males, and more, both young and old, perish by the severity of the climate, and want of proper care. . = HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 379 THE SPOTTED CAYVT, (Mus Paca, Lin.—Le Pave, Buff. ) Is about the size ofa Hare, but its body is much thicker, plumper, and fatter. The colour of the hair onthe back. is dark-brown, or liver-coloured; it is lighter on the sides, which are beautifully marked with lines of white spots, running in parallel directions from its throat to its rump; those on the upper part of the body are perfectly distinct; the belly is white. Its head is large; its ears short and naked; its eyes full, and placed high in its head, near the ears; in the lower part of each jaw, im- mediately under the eye, it has a remarkably deep slit or furrow, which seems like the termination of the jaw, and has the appearance of an opening of the mouth; its upper jaw projects beyond the under; it has two strong yellow cutting-teeth in each jaw; its mouth is small, and its upper lip is divided; it has long whiskers on its lips, and on each side of its head, under the ears; its legs are short; it has four toes on the fore and three on the hind foot; it has no tail. 380 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. The Spotted Cavy is a native of South-America, and lives on the banks of rivers in warm and moist places. It digs holes in the ground, secretes itself during the day, and goes out at night in quest of food. Its motions are heavy and ungraceful. It runs s seldom and with extreme aukwardness; sits frequently upon its posteriors; and, in that situation, smoothand dressés it- self with its paws, drawing them over its body with the utmost nicety. It is a cleanly animal, and will not bear the smallest degree of dirtiness in its apartment. In a domestic state, it is gentle and tractable, fond of attention, and licks the hand of any one that caresses it. When irritated, it isapt to bite. Its anger is expressed by chattering its teeth, and is always preceded by a kind of grunting. It feeds on grain, roots, fruits, and al- most every kind of vegetable. When pursued, it takes to the Water, and escapes by divmg. If attacked by dogs, it makes a Mice de- fence. : Its flesh is esteemed a great delicacy by the natives of © Brazil. : | We have been minute in our description of this curi- ous little animal, which was drawn from the life; and think there 1s good reason to conclude that the species - might be easily naturalised in this country, and added to our stock of useful animals. It 1s not much afraid of cold; and being accustomed to burrow, it would by that means defend itself against the rigours of our winter. There are several varieties of them; some of which weigh from fourteen to twenty, and even thirty pounds. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS.” 381 THE CAPIBARA, (Sus ETydrocherus, Lin.—Le Cabiai, Buff.) Is a native of South-America, and lives on the banks of great rivers, such as the Oronogue, Amazons, and Rio de la Plata; swims and dives remarkably well, and is ve- ry dexterous in catching fish, upon which it chiefly sub- sists: It likewise eats grain, fruits, and sugar canes, feeds mostly in the night, and commits great ravages in the gardens.—They generally keep in large herds, and make a noise not much unlike the braying ofan ass. Its flesh is fat and tender; but, like that of the Otter, has an oily and fishy taste. It is about the size of a small Hog; and, by some na- turalists, has been classed with that animal. Its fore hoofs are divided into four, the hind ones into three; its head is large and thick, and on the nose there are long whiskers; its ears are small and rounded, and its eyes large and black; there are two large cutting teeth and eight grinders in each jaw, and each of these grind- ers forms on its surface what appears to be three teeth, flat at their ends; the legs are short; the toes long, and 382 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. connected at the bottom with a small web; the end of each toe is guarded by a small hoof; it has no tail; the hair on the body is short, rough, and ofa brown colour. It is a gentle animal, easily tamed and will follow those who feed it and treat it kindly. | As it runs badly, on account of the peculiar construc-_ tion of its feet, its safety consists not in flight: Nature has provided it with other means of preservation: When in danger, it plunges into the water, and dives to a great distatice. a nips Sata ttl THE AGOUTI, OR LONG-NOSED CAVY, (Cavia Aguti, Lin.—L’Agouti, Buff.) Is about the size of a Hare; its nose is long, upper lip — divided, skin sleek and shining, of a brown colour mixed ; with red, tail short, legs slender and almost naked; has four toes on the fore, and three on the hind foot; grunts — like a pig; sits onits hind legs, and feeds itself with tsa paws; and when satiated with food, it conceals the re- mainder.— It eats fruits, roots, nuts, and almost every kind of vegetable; is hunted with Dogs; runs fast, and HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 383 its motions are like those of a Hare. Its flesh, which resembles that of a Rabbit, is eaten by the inhabitants of South-America. Great numbers of them are found in Guinea and Bra. zil. They live in woods, hedges, and hollow trees. The female brings forth at all times of the year, and produces three, four, and sometimes five at a time. Iftaken when young, the Agouti is easily tamed, and will go outand return of its own accord. It delights in cutting or gnawing every thing with its teeth.— When irritated, the hair of its back rises, it strikes the ground with its hind feet, and at the same time makes a noise like the grunting ofa Pig. ie siiddi0 ~ en THE AKOUCHI, SzxEms to be avariety of the Agouti; and, though some- what less, is nearly of the same form, but its tail is longer. It inhabits the same countries, is of an olive co- lour; its flesh is white, delicate, and has the flavour of a young Rabbit; is much esteemed by the natives, who hunt it with Dogs, and reckon it among the finest game of South-America. 384 - HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE ROCK CAVY, (L’Aperea, Buff.) Is likewise found in Brazil, is about twelve inches in length: the colour of the upper part of its body resembles that of the Hare, its belly is white, the upper lip divided, the ears short and rounded like those of a Rat, and has notail. It moves like the Hare, its fore legs being short- er than the hind. It has four toes on the fore feet, and only three on the hind. Its flesh is like that of the Rab- bit; and its manner of living is also very similar. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 38 Or TTAA A, je Bs : bam fa Vix ayy J i ) SS i), * mas : wy) ( P Wy <1 si Ee Wehy ob Ap / TREE ETT Dax Se 4 THE SQUIRREL. pth “by (Sciurus Vulgaris, Lin.—L’Ecureuil, Buff.) Tuts beautiful little animal is equally admirable for the neatness and elegance of its formation, as for its live- liness and activity. —Its disposition is gentle and harm- less. —Though naturally wild, it is soon familiarised to confinement and restraint; and, though excessively ti- mid, it is easily taught to receive with freedom the most familiar caresses from the hand that feeds it. It usually lives in woods, and makes its nest of moss or dry leaves in the hollows of trees.—It seldom descends upon the ground, but leaps from tree to tree with great agility. _ Its food consists of fruits, almonds, nuts, acorns, &c.; of which it accumulates great stores for winter provi- sion, and secures them carefully near its nest. In the summer it feeds on buds and young shoots, and is par- ticularly fond of the cones of the fir and pine trees. Bb 386 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. The spring is the season of love with Squirrels. At that time ie oe pursue. the females, and exhibit won- -derful proofs of agility; whilst the latter, as if to make trial of the constancy of their lovers, seem to avoid them by a variety of entertaining sallies; and, like true co- quets, feign an escape, by way of enhancing the value of the conquest —They bring forth four or five Mee at a time.. The Squirrel is of a teciie brown colour, * ne to red; the breast and belly are white; the ears are orna- mented with long tufts of hair; the eyes are large, black, and lively; the fore teeth strong and sharp; the fore legs are curiously furnished with long stiff hairs, which pro- ject on each side like whiskers. When it eats, it sits erect, and uses its fore feet as hands to convey food to its mouth. The tail of the Squirrel is its greatest ornament, and serves as a defence from the cold, being large enough to cover the whole body; it likewise assists it in taking leaps _ from one tree to another; and we may add a third appli- cation of it, which would seem altogether improbable, were we not assured of it by Linnzus and other natural- ists: —In attempting to cross a lake or river, the Squirrel places itself upon a piece of bark; and, erecting its tail to catch the wind, boldly commits. itself to the mercy of the waves. The smallest gust of wind is sufficient to overset a whole navy of these little adventurers; and in such perilous voyages many hundreds of them are said to “perish. | “ie Of the Squirrel there are epee varieties; some of which are to be found in almost every country; but they chiefly abound in northern and. temperate climates. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 387 THE GRAY SQUIRREL, ~ (Sciurus Cinereus, Lin.—Le Petit Gris, Buff.) Is about the size of a young Rabbit: Its earsare short; and not tufted at the ends; its hair is gray, mixed with black; on each side there is a red streak, which runs lengthwise; its tail is long and bushy, of a gray colour, variegated with black and white. It is common to both continents:—In Sweden and other northern coun- tries, it changes its colour in the winter. It is very numerous in North- America, and does incre- dible damage to the plantations. Great flocks of them descend from the mountains, and lay waste the fields of maize, by eating the young ears.—A reward of three- pence per head was is for every one that was killed; b2 . 388 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. and such numbers were destroyed in one year, that Pen- sylvania alone paid in rewards the sum of £8000 of its currency. It makes its nest in hollow trees, with moss, straw, wool, &c.—It lays up stores of provisions in holes made in the ground, for its winter sustenance. These hoards are often destroyed by swine; they are sometimes so long covered with snow, that the Squirrels perish for want of food. The fur 1s very valuable, and. is: imported under the name of petit ae THE BLACK SQUIRREL, (Sciurus Niger, Lin.—L’Ecureuil noir, Buff.) Is about the same size and form with the last; but its tail is not solong. It 1s generally black, with white on > the nose, ears, and end of the tail, Its dispositions and habits are so similar to the Gray Squirrel, that it might be taken fora variety of that kind; but it is said to associate in separate troops, and is equally numerous. 3 It 1s found in the northern parts of Asia, North-Ame- rica, and Mexico, ! In the latter country, there is a variety with plain round ears, the upper part of the body variegated with black, white, and brown. It is twice the size of the common Squirrel, lives under ground, where it brings forth its young, and lays in its stock of provisions. It feeds on maize, and is extremely lively, gentle, and do- cile,—It is the Coguallin of M. Buffon. THE DORMOUSE, OR GROUND SQUIRREL, (Sciurus Striatus, Lin.—Le Suasse, Buff.) Is very numerous in the forests of North-America, as well as the north of Asia-—It burrows in the ground, and makes two entrances to its habitation; that if one should be stopped up, it may have access by the other. Its hole is formed with great skill, having several branch- es from the principal passage, each of which is termi- nated by a store-house, in which its winter food is depo- sited: In one is contained acorns, in another nuts, in a third, maize, and in another chesnuts, which are its fa- vourite food. These animals seldom stir out during winter, nor so long as their provisions last: When those fail, they some- times work their way into places where apples are laid up, or in barns where maize is stored, and make great havock. During harvest, they fill their mouths so full with corn, that their cheeks are quite distended; and in this manner carry it to their concealed store. They give Bb3 890 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. great preference to certain kinds of food; and if, after filling their mouths with rye, they chance to meet with wheat, they . the one, that they may secure the other. , The Ground Squirrel is marked with a stripe of black, which rans along the ridge of the back ; and on each side a yellow stripe, bordered with black ; Its head, body, and. _ tail are of a reddish-brown ; breast and belly white ; its nose and feet of a pale red colour ; its ors full and. live- 1 It is very w ild, bites severely, and is tamed with difl- culty.—Its skin is of little value. THE HUDSON’s-BAY SQUIRREL, Is smaller than the European. It is marked along the middle of the back with a dusky line, from head to tail ; the belly is of a pale ash colour, mottled with black ; and the tail, which is dusky and barred with black, is not so long, nor so full of hair, as that of the common ipinely Ld HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. $91 y s us Tues THE BARBARY SQUIRREL, (Sciurus'Getulus Lin.—Le Barbaresque, Buff.) Is of an ash colour, inclining to red ; each side is beau- tifully marked with two white stripes, running length- wise ; its belly is white; its tail bushy, and variegated with regular shades of black, one beneath the other; its eyes are full and black, with white orbits.—Itis about the size of the common Squirrel. THE PALM SQUIRREL, (Sciurus Palmarum, Lin.—Le Palmiste, Buff.) Is similar to the last, having a pale-yellow stripe on the middle of the back, and two on each side parallel to it ; the belly 1s of the same colour; the rest of the body black and red closely mixed: Its tail is long, does not lie Bb 4 392. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. on its back like that of the Squirrel, but is carried erect. —Both these Squirrels inhabit Barbary and other hot countries. —They live chiefly in palm trees, from whence the latter has its name. | THE FAT SQUIRREL, (Sciurus Gis, Lin.—Le Loir, Buff.) Ts found in France and the southern parts of Europe.— Its body is covered with soft hair, of an ash colour ; its belly whitish ; its ears thin and naked. It is about six inches long, and thicker than the common Squirrel. It dwells chiefly in trees, leaps from bough to bough, feeds on fruits and acorns, and lodges in the hollows of trees. It remains ina torpid state during winter, and grows ve- ty fata | It was considered as a great delicacy among the Ro- mans, who had places constructed on purpose to keep and feed them in, which they called g/iraria. THE GREATER DORMOUSE, OR GARDEN SQUIRREL, (Mus 2uercinus, Lin.—Le Lerot, Buff.) © Is rather less than the last-mentioned. Its eyes are sur- rounded with a large black spot, which reaches to the ears ; its body is of a tawny colour; its throat and belly white, tinged with yellow; its tail is long, and bushy at the end. It is common in the South of Europe, infests gardens, is particularly fond of peaches, and very destructive of all — HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 393 kinds of fruit. It lodges in holes in the walls, and brings forth five or six young at a time. It has a strong odour, like a Rat; and, like the Fat Squirrel, remains torpid during the winter. THE LESSER DORMOUSE, (Mus Avellanarius, Lin.—Le Muscardin, Buff.) Is rather larger than the Mouse, of a tawny-red colour, with a white throat, and full black eyes. It lives in woods or thick hedges ; ; makes its nest with grass, dried leaves, or moss, in the hollow of a tree, or the bottom of a thick bush, and brings forth three or four young at a time. It lays up stores of nuts, acorns and beans; and re- tires at the approach of cold weather to its retreat ; where it rolls itself up in a warm nest, made of soft moss, &c. and remains in a torpid state during the con- tinuance of winter. ‘The warmth of a sunny day, or a temporary chance from cold to heat, willsometimes re- vive it; but, after taking a little food, it soon relapses in- to its former state. 894 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. | THE FLYING SQUIRREL, — (Scirus V. olans, Lin.—Le Poulatouche, Buff.) Is peculiarly distinguished by a membranous continua- tion of the skin of the sides and belly, which extends from the fore to the hirid feet, and assists it greatly in making leaps from one tree to another, frequently at the distance of twenty or thirty yards. Its head is small and round ; its eyes are full, round, and black; and its ears small and naked. It is found in all the northern regions, both of the old and new continents. It is more numerous in America than in Europe, is less than the common Squirrel, lives in trees, and sleeps in the day, but is extremely active during the night. In the act of leaping, the loose skin is stretched out by the feet ; whereby the surface of the body is augmented, the animal: becomes lighter in proportion to its bulk, the ~ Ci, ee oe ig ie CS ae ee HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 395 acceleration of its fall is retarded, and it appears to sail or fly from one place to another. Where numbers of them are seen at a time leaping, they appear like leaves blown off by the wind. There are several kinds, differing much in size. In the islands of the East-Indies, there isa variety as large as a Hare, called the Tacuan, or Great Fuiyine Sguirrex; which perfectly resembles the other in fi- sure, and in the form of its lateral membrane. The head is smaller in proportion to the size of the body ; the colour of the skin is dark-brown, mixed with white ; the upper part of the body whitish ; the tail is brown, and srows gradually deeper towards the end, where it is black ; the claws are long, thin, and hooked, like those ofa Cat, and enable it to keep hold where it happens to fall; it also catches hold with its tail, which is long and muscular. It is a wild and timid animal.—lIts bite is so strong, that it can make its escape froma wooden cage with great facility. A variety is found in Virginia, called, by Mr. Pennant, the HoopEp SaquirreL; the lateral membrane begins at the chin and ears, where it forms a kind of hood, and extends, like that of the former, from the fore to the hind legs: Its body is of a reddish colour above, and of a yellowish ash beneath.—It isa rare species, not much noticed by naturalists. 396 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE LONG TAILED SQUIRREL. _ Tuts species is found in Ceylon and Malabar.—In the Cingalese tongue, it is called Dandoelana ; and, from the noise it makes, Rockea. It is about three times the size of the European Squir- rel; The ears are tufted with black hairs; the end of the nose is pink-coloured; the cheeks, legs, and belly are of a dull yellow; between the ears there is a yellow spot ; the crown. of the head and the back are black ; from each ear is a bifurcated line of the same colour, pointing down the cheeks; the upper part of the feet is covered with black hairs, the lower part naked and red; The tail is _ nearly twice the length of the body, of a light ash colour, and extremely bushy. We are indebted to Mr. Pennant for the drawing of this curious animak HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 397 THE JERBOA. (Mus Jaculus, Lin.—Le Jerbo, Buff.) THis animal, remarkable for the singular construction of its legs, is found in Egypt, Barbary, and Palestine.— It is somewhat less than a Rat: Its head has a great re- semblance to that of a Rabbit; its eyes are large and full; the fore legs are only one inch in length, and are used as hands to convey victuals to its mouth; the hind legs are naked, and very much resemble those of a bird, having only three toes on each, the middle one longest ; its tail 1s much longer than its body, and terminated with a black tuft, the tip of which is white; its hair 1s long and soft, of a reddish colour on the back ; the under parts of the body are white ; across the thighs there is a large black band in the form of a crescent. The motions of the Jerboa are similar to those of the 398 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. Kanguroo. It goes forward very nimbly on its hind feet, taking leaps of five or six feet from the ground. It isa lively, harmless animal, lives entirely on vegeta- bles, and burrows in the ground like a Rabbit. It is the Daman Israel of the Arabs, or Lamb of Israel ; and is supposed to be the Coney of holy writ, our Rabbit being unknown in Palestine. It is also the Mouse men- tioned in Isaiah* ; Achbar, in the original, signifying a Jerboa.t The Jerboa is easily tamed, is ond of warmth, and seems to be sensible of the approach of bad weather by wrapping itself up close in hay. | Among the Mongol Tartars, this animal is called the Alaghtagu.—It is supposed to be the [wo-footed Mouse, _ andthe Egyptian Mouse of the ancients, which were said to walk on their hind legs. It makes its nest of the finest and most delicate her. ~ bage ; rolls itself up, with its head between its thighs ; and sleeps during the winter, without taking any nutri- ment. When pursued, it springs so nimbly, that its feet scarcely seem to touch the ground. It does not go straight forward, but turns here and there till it gains a burrow, where it quickly secretes itself.—In leaping, it carries its tail stretched out ; but instanding or walking, carries it inthe form of an S, the lower part touching the ground. * Chap. lxvi. ver. 17- ¥ + The Jerboa or Dipus is frequent in North America. General Davis has described it as found in Lower Canada; Professor Barton - has given a figure and description of it as seen in Pennsylvania, and AL: Mitchell has observed it, as killed by the Farmers of ce Island, aS HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 299 4 iy a: = = Bi ce 6 —————— ——— FOr owe werd MILs ES) a THE MARMOT, (Mus Marmota, Lin.—La Marmotte, Buff.) . Has been placed by naturalists in the same class with the Hare and the Rat; and on examining its parts, we find a partial agreement with both these animals. In its nose and lips, as well as in the general form of its head, it resembles the Hare; its ears are like those of the Rat, with which it likewise agrees in the number and form. of its teeth and claws; In other respects, it is no way ; similar to either of those kinds ; and is still farther sepa- rated from them by habitudes which seem peculiar to it- self, and distinguish it from almost every other species of *quadrupeds. The Marmot inhabits the highest regions of the Alps ; _and is likewise found in Poland, Ukraine, and Chinese Vartary. It is somewhat less than a Hare ; Its ears are round, and so short, that they are almost hid in the fur ;. its tail is short and bushy ; the hair on the back is of a brown- ish-ash colour ; and that on the belly reddish, soft, and bushy. Its voice resembles the murmuring of a young ~s 409 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. puppy. When irritated, or frightened, it makes a whist- ling noise, very loud and piercing. It feeds on insects, roots, and vegetables ; ; but when tamed, is remarkably fond of milk and butter.—It lives in holes, formed with great art in the side of a motin- tain. There are two entrances to each; and the cham- ber to which they lead is deep and spacious : The bottom is lined with moss and hay, of which these provident ani- mals lay in a store during summer ; and, at the approach of winter, shut themselves up in their holes by stopping the entrances with earth, so effectually, that no discovery can be made of the place of their retreat. The chamber in which they lodge is large enough to contain a family of from five toadozen Marmots. They roll themselves up; and, being well covered with hay, remain in a torpid state, insensible to the rigours of the season, and perfect- ly secure from the storm that rages without ; till the cheering influence of the sun again calls them outto re- new their exhausted strength, to propagate their kind, —_ baie for their future retreat. The torpid state lasts from about Michaelmas till April. They goinex-— ile fat, but gradually waste; and at the end of their long sleep, they appear lean and extremely emaciated. The Marmot produces once a year, and the litter ge- — nerally consists of three or four. When a number of them are feeding together, Hey place one as acentinel, which makes a whistling noise on the least appearance of an interruption ; and the party im- mediately betake themselves to their holes, the centinel _ driving up the rear. The Marmot is very playful, and easily tamed. It — jearns to hold a stick, to dance, and to exhibit various — y J HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 4.01 gestures : It will obey the voice of its master. Like the Cat, it has an antipathy to Dogs, which it attacks fierce- Ty upon the least irritation. It is very apt to gnaw linen or woollen stuffs, often sits upright, and walks with ease on its hind feet.—It eats in the manner of a Squirrel, and carries its food to its mouth with its fore paws. Its flesh is sometimes eaten, but is always attended with adisagreeable odour. ae °G willl, (petite GEE 4.02 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. Gy a THE MONAX, (Mus Monar, Lin.—Gls Marmota, Buff.) Is found in various parts of North-America, and seems to be the same with the Marmot of Canada, described by M. Buffon. It is larger than a Rabbit, and in form and colour re- sembles the Musk-Rat ; Its tail is short and rough ; its ribs so flexible, that it can easily pass through a hole of not more than two inches diameter ; its eyes are black | and prominent; its back is of a deep brown colour, lighter on the sides and belly; and its feet and legs black. It sleeps during winter in holes under te roots of trees, and lives on fruits and other vegetables. —lts flesh is good and well tasted. . An animal of the same kind is found in the ce oe isles ; but whether it retires to sleep, in aclimate. Ee) mild, is not well known. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 4,03 Is rather larger than a Rabbit : Its ears are short, and its whole head round ; its cheeks are of a grey colour, and its nose black; its back is variegated, each hair being eray at the bottom, black in the middle, and white at the tips; its belly and legs are of an orange colour ; its toes _ black and naked ; and its tail short, and rather bushy. — It inhabits Hudson’s Bay and Canada. One of them, exhibited in London some years ago, was perfectly tame. Mr. Pennant supposes it to be the species called the _ Srrrieur by the French of Canada. AOA HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. r HE H 4 M 5 r. Oe gic (Mus Cricetus, ee Hamster, Buff.) Autnoucu the qualities of this animal are sufficiently noxious to render it an object of universal detestation in those countries where it abounds ; yet, when considered with regard to those instincts which conduce to its own preservation and ae it well deserves our es ad. miration. ; Its habitation 1S curious, and. ener with Bor art. It consists of a variety of apartments, adapted to various purposes, and extremely well fitted both for the comfort and convenience of the inhabitants. The first entrance is formed in an oblique direction; at the end of which the male sinks a perpendicular hole, which he re- : serves for his ownuse. The female makes several, for the accommodation of herself and family, that her young, during the short time they are allowed to stay with her, may have a free passage to the general stores. One of the holes is lined with straw, and serves asa lodging; the others contain provisions, of which great quantities are always accumulated during the time of eer 7 They begin to lay in their stores in August,” tate the transportation of their food, Natu ns farnieke ed them with two paunches in each cheek, which they fill with corn, beans, or pease, till they seem ready to burst; HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS: 4.05 and, on their return to their holes, empty them, by pres- sing their two fore feet against their cheeks.—The quan- tity of provision found in these magazines, depends on the age or sex of the inhabitants. The old Hamsters © often amass an hundred pounds weight of grain; but the young and the females are satisfied with much less. _At the approach of winter, the Hamsters retire into their subterraneous abodes, the entrance to which they shut up with great care: There they remain in perfect tranquillity, and feed on their provisions till the frost becomes severe, when they sink into a torpid state, in which they continue till the return of spring. During _ this period, if any of the holes be opened, the Hamster is always found lying upon a bed of soft straw, with its head tumed under its belly between the two ak legs, whilst the hind ones rest upon the muzzle: Its eyes are shut, every member perfectly stiff, and sensation so to- | tally suspended, that neither respiration nor any other sign of life can be perceived. When dissected in this situation, the heart may be seen alternately contracting and dilating very slowly; the fat appears to be coagu- lated; and the intestines are quite cold. During me operation, the animal seems to feel very little: It some- times opens its mouth, as if it wanted to respire ; but the lethargy is too strong. to admit of its entirely awak- ing. They copulate about tle end of April, when the males enter the apartments of the females, but remain only a few days.—Ilf two males happen to meet in the same hole, a furious combat ensues, which generally ter- munates i the death of the weaker. Cos 4:06 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. _ The females bring forth twice or thrice every year ; each litter consisting of six or eight. —In about three weeks the young are driven from their holes, and left to provide for themselves. Their increase is so rapid in some years, as to be almost sufficient to occasion a dearth; but the ferocity with which they upon all occa- sions attack and devour each other, is so great, as to be the happy means of preventing the ill effects of their fe- cundity. It is not only its own species to which the fury ee the Hamster is directed: He attacks and devours every ani- mal, without distinction, that he is able to conquer ; and frequently SPPeses eee to enemies much superior to himself in strength. Rather than fly, he allows himself to be beaten to death. if he seize a man’s hand, he must be killed before he can be made to quit his hold. A Horse ora Dog are equally objects of his rage; and wherever he seizes, it is with difficulty he can be disen- gaged. | The Hamster is about the size of a large Water-Rat ; : has a short tail, almost naked: Its head and back are of a reddish-brown colour, not unlike that of a Hare; its throat is white, and it has three white spots on each side ; its breast and belly are black. It is found in various parts of Germany, Poland, and Ukraine. The Folecat is its greatest enemy. It pursues the Hamster into its hole, and destroys great numbers. Mr. Ray observes, that the hair of this animal is so closely united to the skin, that it cannot be pulled off without great difficulty ; on which account it is held i in high estimation. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 4.07 _— THE SOUSLIK, (Mus Citellus, Lin.—Le Souslik, Buff.) Is about the size of alarge Rat. Its skin is beautifully marked with small white spots upon a yellowish ground. _ Itis found upon the banks of the Wolga, and in the adjoining provinces as far as Austria. —It burrows in the ground like a Rabbit, and lays in store of provisions, con- sisting of srain, herbs, and roots: It also feeds on young Mice, is very fond of salt, and is frequently taken on board the barges laden with that commodity. The fe- male brings forth from two to five at one time. THE ZISEL, OR EARLESS MARMOT, eer Hate | InsTzEAp of ears, has only a smal orifice on each side of itshead. It is of adark-gray colour. Its body is long and slender, and its tail short. It is found in Bohemia, Austria, Hungary, and Sibe- ria.—It forms its hole in the eround, with a double en- trance ; and sleeps during the winter in the centre of its Cc4 4.08 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. lodge.—It lays ina store of corn, nuts, &c. ; and sits up — like a Squirrel when it eats.—It is ee preygke and. bites hard. ee lis fur 1s of little value ; but its flesh i is reckoned good eating. , Tn “Poland nd Russia, there is an Rina of this aad. called the Zemnr: and, by Mr. Pennant, the Podolian Marmot. Its habits are similar to those of the SGushke: but it is larger, stronger, and more mischievous. The head is thick, the body slender, and the ears short and round: It has two cutting teeth in each jaw; those ~ of the under jaw are much longer than the upper : The eyes are small, and concealed in the fur like those of the | Mole: Its tail is short, and of an ash colour. a =. BFS a LZ eee ZS ce EL c = THE TAIL-LESS MARMOT. We are favoured by Mr. Pennant with the drawing of this animal, which has hitherto been undescribed.—In the form of its body, it seems to agree with the descrip- - tion given of the Zizel, and probably may be a variety of that animal. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 4.09. Bs = = tn > ee ' LAND MARMOT. LHE LAP (Mus Lemmus, Lin.—Le Leming, Buff.) Tuts wonderful little animal is found only in the nor- thern parts of Europe and Asia; and is sometimes seen in immense numbers, overspreading large tracts of coun- try, in Norway, Sweden, and Lapland. But as its ap- pearance is at very uncertain periods, and the source from whence it is derived has not been hitherto explored by any naturalist, its existence has been seriously attri- buted, by superstitious ignorance, to the generation of the clouds; from whence, it has been supposed, it was poured down in showers of rain. Myriads of them march together; and, like a torrent, which nothing can resist, their course 1s marked with ruin and desolation. Neither fire nor water prevents their progress. They go straight forward, in regular lines, about three feet asun- der, and generally in a south-east direction: They swim across lakes and rivers: No opposition impedesthem. li thousands are destroyed, thousands supply their places: The void is quickly filled up; and their number does not appear diminished. They persist in their course, in spite of every obstacle; and if prevented from proceeding, they either by assiduity surmount it, or die in the at- tempt. Their march is mostly in the night. They rest A1O HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. during the day, and devour every root and vegetable they meet with. They infect the very herbage; and cattle are said to perish that feed upon the grass. they have touched. ) An enemy, so numerous and destructive, would soon render the countries they pass through utterly uninhabit- able, did it not fortunately happen, that the same rapa- city that excites them to lay waste the productions of the earth at last impels them to destroy each other.—Haying nothing mere to subsist on, they are said to seperate into — two armies, which engage with the most deadly hatred, and continue fighting and devouring each other till they are all entirely destroyed. ‘Thousands of them have been found dead; and the air, infected by their putrid car- cases, has sometimes been the occasion of malignant dis- tempers. Great numbers of them are likewise destroyed by Foxes, Lynxes, Weasels, and other beasts of prey, which follow them during their march. The Leming runs swiftly, although its legs are short and slender.——It is somewhat less than the Rat: Its head is pointed; and in each jaw are two very long cutting teeth, with which it bites keenly: Its ears are short, eyes small, fore legs shorter than the hind: The colour of the head and body black and tawny, disposed in irregular patches; the belly white, tinged with yellow. Though perfectly disgusting to every other people, its flesh is said to be eaten by the Laplanders. Where these emigrants are collected, as was before observed, 1s not certainly known. Linnzus says, they are produced among the Norwegian and Lapland Alps; and, Pontoppidan supposes, that Kolen’s Rock, which di- — vides Nordland from Sweden, is their native pie HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. Hit THE RAT. (Mus Rattus, Lin.—Le Rat, Buff.) ‘Troucu small, weak, and contemptible in its appear- ance, possesses properties which render it a more formi- dable enemy to mankind, and more injurious to the in- terests of society, than even those animals that are endued with the greatest strength and most rapacious dispositions. ‘To the one we can oppose united powers and superior arts; with regard to the other, experience has convinced. us, that no art can counteract the effects of its amazing fecundity, and that force is ineffectually opposed to an enemy possessed of such a variety of means to elude it. There are two kinds known in this country,—the Black Rat, which was formerly universal here, but is now very rarely seen, having been almost extirpated by the large brown ats generally distinguished by the name of the Norway Rat.—This Parinidaete invader is now universally diffused through the whole country ; from whence every method has been tried in vain to ex- terminate it.—It is about nine inches long; of a light- brown colour, mixed with tawny and ash; the throat and belly are of a dirty white, inclining to gray ; its feet 412 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. are naked, and of a pale fiesh colour; the tail is as lon s the body, covered with minute dusky scales, thinly in- moni sed its short uairs. | In summer, it frequents the banks of rivers, ponds, and ditches; where it lives on frogs, fishes, and small animals. But its rapacity is not confined entirely. to these: Itdestroys rabbits, poultry, young pigeons, &c.: It infests the granary, the barn, and the storehouse; does - infinite mischief among corn and fruit of all kinds; and not content with satiny ing its hunger, frequently carries’ off large quantities to its hiding-place. | It is a bold fierce little animal; and, when closely pursued, will turn and fasten on its assailant.—Its bite is — keen, and the wound it inflicts is painful, and difficult to heal, owing to the form of its teeth, which are long, sharp, and ofan irregular form. The Rat is amazingly prolific, usually producing from twelve to eighteen at one time. Their numbers would soon increase beyond all power of restraint, were it not for-an insatiable appetite, that impels them to destroy and devour each other. The weaker always fall a prey to the stronger; and the large male Rat, which usually — lives by itself, 1s dreaded by those of its own species as their most formidable enemy. It isa singular fact in the history of ee animals, that the skins of such of them as have been devoured in their holes have frequently been found, curiously turned inside out; every part being completely inverted, even to the ends of the toes. How the operation is performed, it would be difficult to ascertain; but it appears to be ef- fected in some peculiar mode of eating out the contents. - Besides the numbers that perish in these unnatural con- HISTORY OF. QUADRUPEDS, 4:13 flicts, they have many fierce and inveterate enemies, that take every occasion to destroy them. Several kinds of Dogs pursue them with great alacrity, and eagerly kill them, though they invariably refuse to eat their flesh: ‘The Cat is also a very formidable enemy, but generally finds greater difficulty in the contest: The Rat makes a vigorous re_istance, and sometimes effects its escape :— The Weasel is the most determined enemy of the Rat kind; it hunts them with unceasing avidity, pursues them into their holes, where it soon kills them, and suck their blood: And in particular situations, the Ferret —isastill more deadly adversary. Mankind have likewise contrived various methods of destroying these bold in- _truders. For that purpose, traps are often found inef- _ fectual; such being their extreme sagacity, that when any are drawn into the snare, the others by that means jearn to avoid the dangerous allurement, notwith:tanding the utmost caution may have been used to conceal the ae. sign. The surest method of killing them is by poison: ‘Nux vomica ground, and mixed with oatmeal, with a small proportion of oil of rhodium and musk, have been found from experience to be very effectual. 44 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE WATER-RAT, abs (Mus Amphibius, Lin.—Le Rat d'eau, Buff.) Is somewhat smaller than the former; its head and nosé are thicker ; its eyes are small; its ears short, scarcely appearing through the hair; its teeth are large, strong, and yellow. In an old one which we examined, the low- er incisors measured somewhat more than half an inch in length. The hair on its head and body is thicker and — longer than that of the common Rat, and chiefly of a dark-brown colour, mixed with red; the belly: is gray ; the tail five inches long, covered with short black hairs, and the tip with white. gt Sea The Water-Rat generally frequents the sides of rivers, ponds, and ditches; where it burrows, and forms its nest. It feeds on frogs, small fish, and spawn; swims and dives remarkably fast; and.can continue a long time under water. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 4.15 wy ay THE MUSK-RAT OF CANADA, ( Btvor ZSibethicus, Lin.—L’Ondatra, Buff.) Is about the size of a young Rabbit: Its head is thick and short, resembling that of a Water-Rat ; its hair soft and glossy ; beneath the outward hair there is a thick fine down, very useful in the manufacture of hats: it is of a reddish-brown colour; its breast and belly ash, tinged with red; its tail is long and flat, covered with scales ; its eyes are large ; its ears short and hairy; it has two strong cutting teeth in each jaw,—those of the under jaw are about an inch long, but the upper ones are shorter. This animal is a native of Canada, where it is called the Ondatra. In many respects, it very much resembles the Beaver, both in form and manners. It is fond of the water, and swims well.—At the approach of winter, several families associate together. They build little huts, about two feet in diameter, composed of herbs and rushes cemented with clay, forming a dome-like covering : From these are several passages, in different directions, by which they go out in quest of roots and other food. The hunters take them in the spring, by opening their holes, 416. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. and letting the light suddenly i in upon them.—At that time their flesh is tolerably good, and is frequently eaten; — but in the summer it acquires a scent of musk, so strong, as to render it perfectly unpalatable. — = N SASS THE MUSCOVYr rie a (Castor Moschatus, Lin.—Desman, Buff.) Is about the size of the common Rat: Its nose is long and slender, like that of the Shrew-Mouse; it has no ex- ternal ears, and its eyes are very small; the tail is com- pressed sideways, and its hind feet are webbed ; it is of a dusky colour; the belly of a light ash. It is a native of Lapland and Russia, frequents the banks of rivets, and feeds on small fishes. It is often devoured by pikes and other fishes ; to which it commu- nicates so strong a flavour of musk, as renders them Yan unpleasant to the taste. ‘ From its tail is extracted a kind of musk, very much resembling the genuine sort.—Their skins are frequently Jaid among clothes to preserve them from moths. In Lapland, itis called the Desman. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ALT Il ~~ = \ eS VAIN Kean” Min \ THE BEAVER, (Castor Faber, Lin.—Le Bievre, Buff.) THE most industrious of animals. Its labours seem the result of a social compact, formed for mutual conve- nience, ‘preservation, and support; and as, in all well-re- gulated societies, a due subordination is necessary for the well-ordering and conducting each individual effort to the advantage of the whole; so, amongst these curious ani- mals, we find, that, in forming their habitations, all have their proper part of the work assigned to them, that, by dividing their labours, safety, stability, and expedition, may be the general effect. ‘To this purpose, a communi- ty of two or three hundred assemble together : An over- seer is chosen, whose orders are punctually obeyed; and, by striking the water smartly with his tail, gives the signal where the united force of numbers is necessary to be applied, in order to strengthen and support the fabric ; or, at the approach of an enemy, to apprize the society d 418 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. of their danger.—AAs soon as a convenient place i is chosen: for the erection of their building, which is generally a le- vel piece of ground, with a small rivulet running through it, they divide into companies: Some are employed in cutting down trees of great size, which is done by gnaw- ing them with their teeth : Thee they lay across the dam with surprising labour and perseverance, or form into piles, which others roll down to the water, where they make holes at the bottem for receiving the ends, and placing them upright, secure them in that position ; whilst ancther party is engaged in collecting twigs, inter- weaving and twisting them with the piles, and thereby strengthening the work : Some collect large quantities of earth, stones, clay, and other solid materials, which they dispose of on their upper side of the piles next the stream, _ forming a mound ten or twelve feet thick at the bottom, tapering gradually upwards, and capable of sustaining a considerable weight of water. The length of. the dam, occasioned by this means, is sometimes not less than one hundred feet. .—Having compleated the mole, their next care is to erect their apartments, which are built on piles: They are of a circular form, and generally consist of three stories, about eight feet high above the water: The first lies below the level of the dam, and is generally | full of water; the other two are above it. The walls are two feet in thickness, neatly plaistered with clay on the — inside, which is arched like an oven, and at the top re- Sembles adome. In each house there is one opening to- © ward the water, to which the animal has always access, _in case of surprise. —The number of houses in one of these dams is from ten to twenty-five; some of them large enough to contain a family of twenty or thirty ey. é a HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 4:19 Beavers. Each Beaver forms its bed of moss, and each family lays in its magazine of winter provisions, which consists of bark and boughs of trees: ‘They pile up the latter with great ingenuity and regularity, and draw it out to their apartments as their wants require. They are said to be fondest of the sassafras, ash, and sweet gum. During summer, they feed on leaves, fruits, and some- times crabs or cray-fish ;- but fish is not their favourite food.—Their time of building is early in the summer. Tn winter, they never go farther than to their provision stores ; and during that season are very fat. They breed once a year, and bring forth two or three at a birth. Beavers are found chiefly in the northern parts of Be rope, Asia, and America; particularly the latter, from whence many thousands of their skins: are annually broughtinto Europe. In 1763, the Hudson’s Bay com- pany sold 54,670 Beaver skins at one sale.—They vary in colour. The most valuable are black ; but the general colour is a chesnut-brown, ‘more or: less dark. Some have been found entirely white, others on but both these kinds are very rare. he Beaver is remarkable for the size > and streneth of its cutting-teeth, which enable it to gnaw down trees of oreat magnitude withease. Its ears are short, and almost hid in the fur ; its nose blunt; tail broad and flat, near ly of an oval form, .and covered with scales—it serves not only as a rudder to direct its motions in the w ater, but as a most useful instrument for laying on the clay, pres- sing it into the crevices, and smoothing the outward co- vering ; its fore feet are small, and got unlike those of a Dd2 420 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. Rat, the hind feet are large and strong, with membranes between each toe; its length from nose to tail, is about three feet; the tail is eleven inches long, and three broad. | | The castor produced from these animals is found in a liquid state, in bags near the anus, about the size of an egg. When taken off, the matter dries, and is reducible to a powder, which is oily, of a sharp bitter taste, and a strong disagreeable smell,—These bags are found indif- ferently in males and females, and were formerly sup- posed to be the animal’s testicles, which, when pursued, it was said to bite off, and by that means escape with its life. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 421 THE MOUSE, (Mus Musculus, Lin.—Le Souris, Buff.) Tuts well-known little animal is diffused in great num- bers over almost every part of the world. It seems a constant attendant on man, and is only to be found near his dwelling. Its enemies are numerous and powerful, and its means of résistance weak and inconsiderable: Its minuteness seems to be its best security ; and it is saved from utter extinction only by its amazing fecundity. The Mouse brings forth several times in the year, and generally from six to ten each litter. The young are produced without hair, and in little more than fifteen days are able to subsist by themselves; so that the in- crease is prodigious. Aristotle tells us, that having shut up in a vessel a Mouse big with young, and provided _ plenty of grain for her and her offspring, in a short timé he found 120 Mice all sprung from the same stock. The Mouse, when viewed without the disgust and ap- prehension which usually accompany the sight of it, isa beautiful little animal: Its skin sleek and soft, its eyes Dd3 | 422 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. bright and lively, all its limbs are formed with exeefiaaiee delicacy, and its motions are smart and active. Some few of this species are of a pure white colour; but whether they be a permanent kind, or only an acci- dental variety, cannot well be determined. Its appear- ance is, however, very beautiful: its fine full eyes, of a red colour, form an agreeable contrast with the snowy whiteness of its fur. = , Wy oo} THE LONG-TAILED FIELD-MOUSE, (Mus Sylvaticus, Lin.—Le Mulot, Buf. ) Is rather larger than the common Mouse, and very simi- lar to it inform: It is of a yellowish-brown colour, its belly white, and its eyes remarkably large and prominent. —It is found only in the fields, woods and gardens; feeds on nuts, corn, and acorns; and lays up great stores for its support during winter. It burrows in the earth, and generally forms its nest near the root of a tree, or ‘thick bush. If provisions fail during a storm, they de- vour each other; are very prolific, and bring nine or ten young at a time. . Mr. Pennant mentions a species, found in Hampshire, “HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS: 4.23 only two inches and a half long from nose to tail, of a fine rust colour above, and white beneath. It appears in great numbers in harvest-time among the sheaves and ricks of corn. During winter, it shelters itself under sround, where it makes a warm bed of dry grass and leaves. Its young are brought forth on a nest made be- tween the straws of the standing corn, and are generally about eight in number each time. | THE SHORT TAILED FIELD-MOUSE. Dirrers from the last, in having a thicker head, and shorter tail: its ears are very short, and almost hid in the hair; its body is about three inches‘long, and the tail one; the upper part of the body is of a reddish- brown, and the belly a deep ash-colour.—Like the last, it frequents the fields and woods, but is seldom troublesome in gardens: It also lives on the same kinds of food, which it hides in holes under ground.—It makes its nest in moist meadows, and brings forth seyen or eight young at a time. Dd4 4:2 4 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. . THE SHREW-MOUSE, (Sorex Araneus, Lin.—La Musaraigne, Buff. ) Is smaller than the common Mouse, being only two inch- es and a half long from the nose to the tail: The nose is long and slender; the ears short; and the eyes, like those of the Mole, almost concealed in the fur. It is of a red- dish-brown colour; the belly white.——The two upper fore teeth of this animal are singularly constructed, and deserve particular notice; having a small barb on each side, so fine, as to be scarcely visible. The Shrew-Mouse frequents old walls and heaps of stones; feeds on insects, corn, and putrid substances ; and is sometimes seen on dunghills, where it roots with its nose like a Hog.—It has so strong and disagreeable a smell; that the Cat, after she has killed, refuses to eat it. —It forms its nest of dry grass, moss, &c. on the surface of meadows or pastures, and is said to breed four or five young at a time. | There seems to be an annual mortality of these animals in August, numbers of them being found dead in the fields, highways, &c. about that time. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 425 (La Musaraigne d’Eau, Buff.) Is larger than the last. The upper part of its body is black ; the throat, breast, and belly, of a light ash colour. —lIt is rarely to be seen; frequents the banks of rivulets and marshy places, where it burrows. It is very numerous in Lincolnshire, but was never ob- served there till about twenty years ago.—It is called, in that country, the Blind Mouse. ee: i 4.26 _HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE DW ARF-MOUSE, Is a native of the Cape of Good-Hope, where it was dis- covered, and first described, by Sparrman.—It is distin- guished from every other species of the genus, by four black lines along its back, from the head to the tail. _ It is supposed to be the most diminutive quadruped in the world, being scarcely two inches in length. In the annexed representation, it is drawn the natural size, and forms a striking contrast with those gigantic animals which inhabit that quarter of the world. | = HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. A427 = SS THE MOLE. ( Talpa Europeus Lin.—La Taupe, Buf.) Tuts animal, destined to seek its food and provide for its subsistence under the surface of the earth, is wonder- fully adapted, by the all-wise Author of Nature, to its pe- culiar mode of living. It enjoys the senses of hearing and smelling ina very eminent degree ; The former gives ‘notice of every approach of danger; whilst the latter enables it to find its prey in the midst of darkness, and compensates in a great measure for an almost total want) of sight. Toan animal so circumstanced, a larger de- eree of vision would be attended with manifest inconve- niences, as well as liable to continual injuries. We are told by anatomists, that, for their better security, the eyes of the Mole are furnished with muscles, by which it has the power of withdrawing or exerting them at plea- sure. Its eyes are extremely small, and perfectly hid in ‘the fur. 4.28: HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. The form of this creature’s body, and particularly the , construction of its fore feet, are admirably adapted to the purpose of making its way in the earth, which it does with wonderful felicity: These are quite naked, very broad, with large palms, almost like a hand : There are five toes on each, terminated with strong nails, very con- cave on the under side; and, in place of a thumb, a strong bone under the skin. The hind feet are very small, with five slender toes, and a small thumb on the inside. Whenever it happens to be surprised on the sur- face of the ground, it disappears in an instant ; and every attempt to prevent its subterraneous retreat would be vain. The Mole is mostly found in grounds where the soil is loose and soft, and affords the greatest quantity of worms and insects on which it feeds. The female brings forth in the spring, and generally produces four or five at atime. ‘The young are quite naked, and continue so till they are grown to a consider- able size.—It makes its nest a little below the surface of the ground, forming a commodious apartment, where it prepares a warm bed of moss and herbage: From this there are several passages in different directions to which it can retreat with its young ones in case of danger ; into these likewise it makes excursions in quest of food.—In the act of forming Its tracks or runs, it throws up large heaps of mould, which are extremely injurious in mea- dows, erass lands, and cultivated grounds. Its destruc- tion 1s consequently an object of importance to farmers, sardners, &c. The skin of the Mole is extremely tough ; its fur short, close-set, and softer than the finest velvet, or perhaps the fur of any other animal. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 429 THE RADIATED MOLE, (Sorex Cristatus, Lin.) Is less than the common Mole, being not quite four inches long : Its fur is very close, short, and fine: It is a native of North-America, feeds on roots, and forms subterraneous passages in different directions. There is a kind, found in Siberia, with a very short nose, and no tail. Itis of a beautiful green and gold co- lour, variable with the light. There are some other varieties, that differ chiefly in the colour of the hair; such as the Yellow Mole of North-America, which is larger than the European. Its hair is soft, and of a silky gloss. That which is found in Virginia, resembles the com- mon Mole. It is of a black colour, mixed with deep purple. It is said that hats, peculiar fine and beautiful, have been made of the fur of the Mole. A3O HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE OPO os UM. 7 Didelphis, Lin.—L’ Opossum, Buff Dex Tuts animal is found in ereat fonteees in various. hous of North and South-America, and was supposed. by Buf- fon to belong entirely to the new continent. We are ~ now however, assured, that it exists in many of the In- - dian Islands. Several varieties of the Opossum kind have been seen also in the newly dceretes countries in the South Seas. WA MS aNd a ZZ = Sak h \\ THE MURINE, THE SARAGOY, Tue Saracoy, or Morvucca Opossum of Mr. Pen- nant, is about the size of a Cat: Its head is long; nose sharp and pointed: ears large, thin, and naked; eyes small, black, and lively, having a white spot above each of them; its fur is soft, long, and of a dusky ash colour ; its belly white ; its tail is similar to that of a Rat, naked Se at > 7 . oe a a oe - 4 3 4 4 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 431 and scaly, except asmall part near the body, which is covered with hair; its legs are short; and its feetor hands not unlike those of a Monkey, having five toes or fingers on each; the thumbs on the hind feet are desti- tute of nails. But the peculiar and distinguishing cha- racteristic of the Opossum is a pouch or false belly, in which the female deposits her young immediately after they are brought forth, and nourishes them in it till they — are able to provide for themselves. The Chevalier d’Aboville, whilst in America during the late war, in order to be satisfied respecting the time of its gestation, manner of bringing forth, and suckling its young, procured a male and female Opossum, which he tamed, and kept in his chamber till they copulated. Ten days after, he observed a considerable alteration in the size and form ofthe pouch ; its aperture being wider than it was before, and its orifice thicker: From that time it gradually grew closer, leaving only a small open- ing inthe middle, similar to anaval: On the fifteenth day he introduced his finger, and found at the bottom of the bag a smallround body, about the size ofapea: The twenty-fifth day he could feel a motion under his finger. Aiter the young had been a month in the pouch, they were plainly to be seen, on opening ita little. At the end of two months, on examining the pouch, there ap- ' peared to be six young ones, all of them attached to the mother by a canal that entered the mouth, which, if withdrawn, could not be replaced; but when six weeks old, the young Opossum could resume it by strong suc- tion, the mouth being then large enough to receive the pap, which is about two lines in length, and the size of the second or third string of a violin. 432 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. The number of the young varies from five to ten or eleven. The paps are not disposed in regular order, as in other animals, but seem as if they were formed in those places where the embryos attach themselves to the mother. The Opossum isa slow, helpless, animal, when on the ground: but climbs trees with great ease and quickness ; sometimes conceals itself among the branches, and sur- prises the birds that come within its reach. It frequent- ly hangs, suspended by its tail: and, in that situation, watches for its prey, which it darts upon with great agi- lity. By means of this tail, the Opossum flings itself from one tree to another.—It feeds on birds, reptiles, insects, roots, leaves, and the bark of trees.—It is easily tamed, is neither mischievous nor ferocious ; but its figure is dis- agreeable, and the odour that exhales from its skin rank and disgusting. THE MURINE OPOSSUM, (Didelphis Murina, Lin.—La Marmose, Buff.) Innazits the warmest parts of South-America.—It re- sembles the former, butis much less. Its food and man- ner of living are likewise very similar to It. It brings forth from ten to fourteen young at a time ; : but, instead of a bag, the female has two longitudinal folds under her belly, within which the young are se- cured. When first produced, they are not larger than beans, and remain closely attached to the teat till they attain sufficient growth and strength to provide for them- selves. . HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. A353 . Wear ao — ioe —— THE MEXICAN OPOSSUM, DirreErs little from the preceding either in size or form. It is found in the mountainous parts of New-Spain, lives in trees. Its tail is useful in twisting round the branch- es, and securing its hold. The young attach themselves to their mother by their hands and tails; and, upon the least alarm, embrace her closely ; whilst she carries them to the shelter of some neighbouring tree. ABA ‘HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE PHALANGER, Is somewhat larger thana Rat: Its nose is thick; ears short and hairy ; its fur is of a reddish colour, variegated with light ash and yellow; the under part of the body yellowish-white ; it is distinguished from all those of the Opossum kind we have hitherto mentioned, in having the first and second toes of the hind feet closely united ; its claws are large; tail long, very broad and thick at its junction with the body, and naked at the end. It inhabits the East-Indies, . 4 : i HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 435 THE SPOTTED OPOSSUM OF NEW SOUTH- WALES. Tue general colour of this animal is black; the body spotted with irreeular roundish patches of white; the ears are large and erect; muzzle long, pointed, and fur- nished with long slender whiskers; both fore and hind legs thinly covered with hair of an ash colour; on the fore feet it has five claws, and on the hind four; length, from nose to tail, about twenty-five inches; tail thick and bushy, like that of a Squirrel, except a part near the body, whichis small, and covered with short hairs. The female has six teats, placed circularly within the pouch. THE VULPINE OPOSSUM OF NEW SOU TH- WALES, Is long-nosed and short legged; from the nose to the in- sertion of the tail, measures two feet two inches; tail fif- teen inches; upper part of the body grisly, consisting of 4.36 | HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. dusky, reddish, and white hairs; the under parts light- tawny; two-thirds of the tail black ; a blackish space round each eye; long black whiskers; five toes on each fore feet, and four on the hind, with a thumb of two joints placed at the base of the inner toe; the toes of the fore feet are long, and answer the purpose of a hand; the ears are about an inch and a half in length; in the upper jaw are six cutting-teeth, four grinders, and two canine teeth; in the lower jaw, two long cutting teeth, like those of a Squirrel, and four grinders, but no canine teeth. THE FLYING OPOSSUM OF NEW SOUTH-WALES. Irs nose is pointed ; its ears large and erect; the fur more delicate, and of a finer texture than that of the Sea-Otter,—is of a beautiful dark colour, and very glossy, mixed with gray; the under parts white ; on each hip is “HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS., 437 a tan-coloured spot; the fur is continued to the claws ; the sailing membrane is the same as that of the Gray Squirrel, but broader in proportion; on the fore legs it has five toes, with a claw on each; on the hind ones, four toes, and along thumb, which enables the animal to use it as a hand; it.is remarkable, that the three out- side claws of the hind feet are not separated like the others. ‘THE OPOSSUM OF VAN DIEMEN’s LAND, h W as discovered by Captain Cook in J anuary, 1777; who describes it as about twice the size of alarge Rat.—It is covered with long soft glossy hair, of a rusty-brown co- lour; its belly is Be a dirty white. It inhabits Van Diemen’ s Land, the southern point of 4 New- Holland. \ er OS ee: eS Le Sere a Oe Sa 4:38 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. Ze sins ith SQUIRREL OPOSSUM. We are favoured with a drawing of this beautiful ani- mal, taken from a living one in the possession of the re- vered Mr. Egerton, prébendary - Durham, by the in- genious Mr. Carfrae. It is a native of New South-Wales; is A eighteen inches long, exclusive of the tail, which is twelve: Its head is broad, and pointed at the muzzle, which is fur- | nished with long whiskers ; its eyes are full, exceedingly prominent, and of a fiery redness; it has five ae be the fore feet,—three on the hind, and a thumb; cutting teeth in each jaw, the upper projecting iat the under.—Its manners are similar to those of a Squir- rel. It sits up, holds its food in its fore paws with great dexterity, and feeds itself. When irritated, it sits still more erect, or throws itself uponits back, making a loud HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS:. 439° and harsh noise: ——It feeds on vegetables, small birds; me." . The fur is long, soft, and very close; of a mixed brown or grayish colour on the back; the under parts of a yellowish-white. Its tail is prehensile, very broad at the base, tapers to the end, and is naked on the under side.—The female is furnished with a pouch, THE KANGUROO, Is a native of New-Holland, where it was first discover- ed by Sir Joseph Banks. ———Its head is small and taper, -ears large and erect, upper lip divided, the end of the nose black, nostrils wide, lower jaw shorter than the up- per, and there. are whiskers on both; it likewise has strong hairs above and below the eyes; its head, neck Ke 4 4:40 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. and shoulders, are small; the lower parts of the body in- creasing in thickness to the rump; its tail is long, very thick near the rump, and taper ; its fore feet are extreme- ly short, and are mostly used in digging or bringing its food to its mouth; it moves altogether on its hind legs, making successive bounds of ten or twelve feet, with such rapidity as to outstrip the fleetest Greyhound ; it springs from rock to rock, and leaps over bushes seven or eight feet high, with great ease; it has five toes on its fore feet,—three on the hind, the middle one very long; the inner claw is divided down the middle into two parts. The Kanguroo rests on its hind legs, which are hard, black, and naked on the under side. Its furis short and soft, of a reddish ash colour, lighter on the lower parts. It is the only quadruped our colonists have yet met with in New South-Wales that supplies them with ani- mal food. There are two kinds. The largest that had been shot weighed about 140lb.; and measured, from the point of the nose to the end of the tail, six feet one inch; the tail, two feet one inch; head eight inches ; fore legs, one foot; hind legs, two feet eight inches ; circumference of the fore part of the body, near the legs, one foot one inch; and of the hind part, three feet. The smaller kind seldom exceed 60lb. - ‘This animal is furnished with a pouch, similar to that of the Opossum, in which its young are nursed and shel- tered. | fi HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 441 ZS zB Fi eo e TAC FA TA} THE KANGUROO-RAT OF NEW SOUTH-WALES. Is about the size of a rabbit, and in shape resembles the Kanguroo, both in respect to the shortness of the fore legs, and the peculiar use and construction of the hind ones; the form of the head is like that of a Rat, and its body nearly of the same colour ; in the upper jaw it has two long cutting teeth, with three short ones on each side of them ; in the lower jaw, two long cutting teeth, ‘and three grinders on each side. The female, like most of the animals of that country, has a pouch, like the Opossum. It feeds on vegetables, burrows in the ground, and is very tame and inoflensive. . 4A HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. POHE YELLOW MACAUCO. THE RING-TAILED MACAUCO. - (Lemur Catta, Lin.—Le Mococo, Buff.) Tre Rinc-rairep Macauco is a very beautiful ani- mal, about the size of a Cat. Its body and limbs are long and slender; its tail very long, and marked with alternate bars of black and white: In the conformation of its paws, it seems to approach the Monkey kind; but its nose is long and sharp, like that of a Fox, and its ears are also large and pointed: Its head and throat are white; eyes large, and surrounded with black : Its fur 1s glossy, soft, and delicate,—of a reddish-ash colour on the back; belly white. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, | 44:3 It is found in Madagascar and the neighbouring isles, is very playful, but not mischievous. When in mo- tion, it makes a sort of galloping progress in an oblique — direction, and carries its tail almost erect ; but when sit- ting, it is twisted round the body, and brought over its head. Troops of thirty or forty are sometimes seen together. It is a cleanly animal ; and, when taken young, may be easily tamed. The Yerrow Macavuco has been classed with the Weasel tribe by Mr. Pennant, in his History of Quadru- peds ; and it seems to bear some general resemblance to that species of animals. Its head is flat and broad ; its ears are short, eyes small, body long and slender, legs and thighs short and thick, and it has five straight toes on each foot: Its fur is short, soft, and glossy, of a black colour, mixed with yellow, on the back ; the cheeks, in- side of the legs, and belly, yellow ; aiong the back, from head to tail, there is a broad dusky stripe; and another on the belly, half way from the tail, which is nearly as long as its body, of abright tawny colour, mixed with black, and has the same prehensile faculty as those of some kinds of Monkies. Its length, from nose to tail, is nineteen inches. One of this species was shewn in London some years ago, and was said to have been brought from Jamaica, where itis called the Poifo. It was good-natured and sportive, would catch hold of any thing with its tail, and, suspend. itself by it. : ; 4AA HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE TAIL-LESS MACAUCO. (Lemur Tardigradus, Lin.) THE MONGOOZ. (Lemur Mongooz, Lin.—Le Mongooz, Buff. Tue Tait-tess Macauco is found in Ceylon and Bengal, lives in woods, and feeds on fruits ; is fond of eges and small birds, which it devours greedily. It is a very inactive animal, and its motions slow; very tenacious of its hold, and makes a plaintive noise. _ Its head is small, and nose pointed ; each eye is edged with a circle of white, which is also surrounded with HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 445 another of black; its body is covered with a short silky fur, of a reddish-ash colour; the toes naked; nails flat,. except those on the inner toes of the hind feet, which are sharp and crooked. Its length, from the nose to the rump, is sixteen inches. 4 The Moncooz is nearly of the same size, as the Ring- tailed Macauco. nee Its fur is fine, soft and woolly; of a deep brownish- ash colour; the eyes are of a beautiful orange colour, surrounded with black ; the ears are short; cheeks white; end of the nose black ; the tail very long, and covered with hair of the same sort and colour as the body ; its hands and feet are naked, and of a dusky colour; its nails, except one upon the inner toe of each hind foot, are flat. Tt inhabits Madagascar and the ae uae sleeps in trees, is very playful and good-natured, feeds on fruits, Is extremely tender, and cannot bear any change toa less temperate climate. THE LORIS, Is a very slender animal, and differs greatly from the preceding, both in form and manners. It is not much larger than a Squirrel, but its limbs are longer ; the hind legs greatly exceed the fore in length ; the thumbs on each foot are more distinct and separate from the toes than those of other Macaucos; its nose is pointed, like that of a dog; its forehead high ; ears round and thin; its fur is short and delicately soft, ofa tawny colour on the back, and whitish below: It has no tail. a a ee eee 446 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS.’ The Loris is a native of Ceylon, very active, lives in: trees, and feeds on fruit. Seba says, the male climbs the trees, and tastes the fruit before he presents it to his mate. | THE BLACK MACAUCO. (Lemur Niger, Lin.—Le Vari, Buff.) Is larger than the Mongooz.—It is a native of Madagas- car, is very fierce, and makes a loud noise in the woods ; but, when tamed, is gentle and good-natured.—Its eyes are of a deep orange colour. Round its head, the hair is long, and stands out like a ruff. The general colour of this animal is black ; but some are white, spotted with black. The feet are black and naked. THE TARSIER, Is remarkable for the great length of its hind legs, in © which it resembles the Jerboa ; has four slender toes and a distinct thumb on each foot: Its visage is pointed ; eyes large and prominent ; ears erect, broad, and naked: Its hair is soft and woolly, ofa deep ash colour, mixed with tawny : Its length, from the nose to the rump, is nearly six inches; the tail is nine inches long, round, scaly, al- most naked, like that of a Rat, and tufted at the end. It is found in some of the remote islands of India, especially Amboyna. De fe if: HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. AAT _ ANIMALS OF THE MONKEY KIND. WE now come to the description of a numerous race of animals, consisting of a greater variety of kinds, and making nearer approaches to the human species, both in form and action, than any other class of quadrupeds. | Monkies are found only in the warmest parts of the world, and chiefly in the torrid zone. They abound in the woods of Africa, from Senegal to the Cape of Good Hope, and from thence to Ethiopia; in all parts of India, and its isles; in the South of China; in Japan; and in South-America, from the Isthmus of Darien as far as Pa- raguay. A species or two are also met with in Arabia and the province of Barbary. On account of the numbers and different appearances of these animals, they have been divided into three clas- ses, and described under the following denominations ; viz.—AprEs, or suchas have notail; Basoons, or such as have short tails ; MonktEs, or such as have long tails. In the Are kind, we see the whole external aaa strongly impressed With the human likeness, and capable of similar exertions: Vhey walk upright, their posteriors are fleshy, their legs are furnished with calves, and their hands and feet are nearly like the human. In the BaBoon, we perceive a more distant resem- blance of the human form: He generally goes upon all four, seldom upright, but when constrained to It mm a state of servitude.—Some of them are as tall as a man — They have short tails, long faces, sunk eyes, are ex- tremely disgusting, lascivious, and possessed of the most brutal fierceness. 44,8 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. The Monkey kind are removed still farther, and are much less than the former. Their tails are generally longer than their bodies; and, although they sit upon their posteriors, they always move upon all four.—They area lively, active race of animals, full of frolic and gri- mace, greatly addicted to thieving, and extremely fond of imitating human actions, but always with a mischievous Intention. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. = 449 THE ORAN-O UTANG, OR WILD MAN OF THE WOODS, (Simia Satyrus, Lin.— Le ye Bui. ) Is the largest of all the Ape kind, and makes the nearest approach to the human figure. One of this kind, dis- sected by Dr. Tyson, has been very accurately described by him. The principle external differenc ces, pointed out by that learned physician, consisted in the great length of the arms, and shortness of the thighs; the thu: mb 3s also much catia and the palm of the hand longer and nar- rower, thanin man; the form of the feet is very dissimi- lar, the toes being much longer, and the large toe placed ) at a greater distance’ from the others; the forehead 1s Ff 450 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. higher, the nose flat, and the eyes much sunk: Beside these, that anatomist has enumerated a variety of essential differences in the internal conformation of the Oran-Ou- tang; all of which sufficiently evince, that, though he has the strongest affinity to the human form of any other quadruped ; yet, as Buffon elegantly observes, ‘‘ the in- terval which separates the two species is immense ; the resemblance in figure and organization, and the move- ments of imitation which seem to result from these simi- larities, neither make him approach the nature of man, nor elevate him above that of the brute.’’ The Oran-Outang is found in the interior parts of Africa, in Madagascar, Borneo, and some ee of the East-Indies. Itis a solitary animal, avoids mankind, and lives only in the most desart places. The largest of the kind are said to be about six feet high, very active, strong, and intrepid, capable of over- coming the strongest man: They are likewise exceeding- ly swift, and cannot easily be taken alive.—They live en- tirely on fruits and nuts, will sometimes attack and kill the negroes wno wander in the woods, and drive away the Elephants that happen to approach too near the place of their residence. It is said that they sometimes sur- prise the femaie negroes, and carry them off into the woods, where they compel them to stay with them. When taken young, however, the Oran- Outang is ca- pable of being tamed, and rendered extremely docile.— One of them, shewn in London some years ago, was taught to sit at table, make use of a spcon or fork in eat- ing its victuals, and drink wine or other liquors out of a ES It was Be mild, affectionate, and good-na- . HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 41 tured; much attached to its keeper, and obedient to his commands. Its aspect was grave, and its disposition me- lancholy. It was young, and only two feet four inches high. Its body was covered. with hair of a black colour, which was much thicker and closer on the back than on the fore part of the body ; the hands and soles of the feet were naked, and of a dusky colour. THE PIGMY APE. {Simia Sylvanus, Lin. —Le Pitheque, Buff.) A variety, found in Guinea, Ethiopia, and other parts -of Africa, much smaller than the last, being not more than a-foot and a half in length. It is very tractable, _ good-natured, and easily tamed; is supposed to have been the Pithecos of the ancients. It lives in woods, and feeds _ on fruits and insects.—Troops of them assemble together, _ and defend themselves from the attacks of wild beasts in ' the desart, by throwing a cloud of sand behind them _ which blinds their pursuers, and facilitates their escape. 452 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, THE LONG-ARMED APE, (Le Grand Gibbon, Buff.) — Is distinguished by the extraordinary length of its arms, which reach to the ground when its body is upright, and give ita disgusting appearance. Its face is flat, and ofa tawny colour, surrounded with a circle of gray hairs, | which adds to the singularity of its aspect; its eyes are large and deep sunk ; ears round and naked ; body cover- ed on all parts with black rough hair, except its buttocks, which are quite naked. Itis a mild, gentle, and tractable animal; feeds on fruits, leaves, and the bark of trees; is a native of the East-Indies, Sumatra, and the Molucca isles; and mea- sures from three to four feet in height. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ; 453 SE a = ge Sen x « THE BARBARY APE, (Simia Inuus, Lin.—Le Magot, Buff.) a en ta Ae ‘ | | r Is wilder and more untractable than the others. His head is large, and his nose prominent: He likewise dif- fers from the last, in having cheek pouches, which he frequently fills with food before he beings to eat: The canine teeth are large and strong; ears round, and some- what like those of aman, the body is covered with hair of a brown colour, inclining to green; lighter on the belly. When standing erect upon his hind legs, he is generally two fect and a half or three feet high. He -walks.oftener on four than on two feet’; and, when rest- ‘ing, supports his bedy on two prominent callosities, situ- ated. on his buttocks. _ This is a very common species, and is found in most parts! of Africa, from Barbary to the Cape of Good Hope. [baa gs ABA HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE BABOON, (Simia Sphynx, Lin.) Drrrers from animals of the Ape kind, not only in ex- ternal appearance, but also in temper and disposition.— Fierce, untractable, and libidinous, its disposition seems to partake of the hedious and disgusting deformities of its outward figure.—Its body is thick, compact, and ner- vous, and its strength prodigious.—Neither art nor ca- resses can render it in any degree docile or obedient. It seems to be continually fretting with rage, and seeking every opportunity of shewing its savage and vicious pro- pensities.—In a state of captivity, it must be kept closely confined; and, even in that state, we have seen one shake the bars of his cage so powerfully with his hands, as to excite the utmost terror in the spectators. This animal, of which we have given a very faithful HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 4:55 representation from the life, was about four feet high when standing on its hind legs: Its head was large, shoulders of an amazing strength and thickness, its muz- _ zie long and thick, eyes small and deep sunk, its canine teeth very large and formidable, and it had pouches in its cheeks: The hair on its head was long, and formed a very eleagant toupee from its forehead and each side of its face, which, when angry, it erected; the hair on the bo- dy was uniformly of a light reddish-brown; the tail short, and darker at the end; buttocks red and naked. The Baboon inhabits the hottest parts of Africa; feeds on fruits, roots, and other vegetables.—Numerous troops sometimes make their appearance, plundering gardens and cultivated grounds. ‘They are extremely dexterous in throwing the fruit from one to another, and by this means will do incredible damage in a very short time. The female brings forth only one young at a time, which she carries in her arms, and suckles at her breast. —Notwithstanding its libidinous disposition, it will not breed in temperate climates. AO Ree 456 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE RIBBED-NOSE BABOON. (Simia Maimon, Lin.—Le Mandrill, Buff.) 3 Turs singular creature is no less remarkable for its great size and strength, than for the variety of beautiful colours on different parts of its body. Its nose is marked with broad ribs on each side, of a fine violet-blue colour: A vermilion line begins a little above the eyes ; and, run- ning down on each side of the nose, which is somewhat similar to that of a Hog, spreads over the tip of it: The insides of the ears are blue, which gradually softens to a purple, and terminates in vermilion; the rump 1s also of a vermilion colour; and the beautiful colours on the hips HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 457 are gradations from red to blue; the hair on the fore- head is long, turns back, and forms a kind of pointed crest; its beard is dark at the roots, orange at the mid- dle, and yellow at the end; the back and legs are cover- ed with short hair, of a dark-brown colour, mixed with yellow,—the breast and belly with long whitish hair, speckled with small dark spots ; its tail short and hairy, nails flat, feet and hands black and naked. One of this kind was exhibited about twelve years ago in the North of England. It was five feet high, ex- tremely fierce, libidinous, and strong. At the sight of women, it discovered marks of the most violent passion : It once caught hold of a lady, who was so incautious as to approach too near it; and she was with some difficulty : _ rescued by the ee ofthe keeper. Its voice was - strong and harsh, not unlike the ordinar y growl of the Lion. It generally went upon its four feet, unless obli- ged by its keeper to stand erect. Its most usual atti- tude was sitting on its rump, with its arms placed before it. 3 This creature inhabits the hottest parts of Africa.— Schreber says, it lives on succulent fruits and nuts, is fond of eggs, will put eight at once into its pouches, then take them out one re one, break them at the end, and swallow the contents. Our representation of this animal was done from a drawing in the possession of the Rev. Mr. Egerton, taken from the life by an eminent painter. BP me hos Fenn — eS pert Pe Recent ae Ai58 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. LHE SMALL RIBBE ?D-NOSE BABOON. THe annexed cut was adue from the living animal, in the possession of Mr. Rayne, surgeon, in Newcastle. __ It is about fifteen inches in height; its face flat, of a fine blue colour ; eyes bright hazel; the cheeks marked with small ribs, bounded with thick bushy hair, of a greenish colour, finely speckled with black ; the hair on the forehead is very long, and runs up to a point on the top of the shoulders ; the muzzle is thick, and furnished with short hair, thinly scattered on each side; it hasa short thin beard, ending in a point, which is of an orange colour ; the hair on the body is dark brown, mixed with shades of green on the back and sides,—the haunches dusky ; the ears are small, naked, and pointed ; the tail short and hairy; the buttocks bare, and of a red fiesh-co- lour; hands and feet naked: It has cheek pouches ; feeds on fruits, nuts, roots, and other vegetables. It is lively and playful, walks commonly on all four, is in continual motion, and leaps with astonishing agility. This spe- cies is said to come from the coast of Guinea. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 459 THE PIG-TAILED BABOON, ( nik Nemestrina, le Maimon, Buff.) So termed from its short, naked, pig-like tail, is the least of all the Baboon kind; a gentle, mild, and tractable animal ; very lively and frolicsome, but has none of that impudent petulance so peculiar to most of its species. — Its muzzle 1s large and thick ; face and ears naked, and of a flesh colour; the hair on the head and back is of a deep olive, palest on the belly; it has hazel eyes, cheek . pouches, callosities on the buttocks, which are naked, and of a red colour. Itis a native of Sumatra and Japan. One of this kind was shewn in the North in 1788, from which this drawing was made. It is a curious circumstance, that not only this, but every animal of the Baboon and Monkey kind we have yet seen, have shewn a remarkable greediness for tobac- 4.60 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. co, mustard, and even snuff, which they eat without ex- pressing the smallest 1 inconvenience, and always seem extremely desirous of more. THE DOG-FACED BABOON, (Simia Hamadryas, Lin.) Is distinguished by a longer tail than the rest of its kind : In this respect, it seems to bear some affinity to the Mon- key, and has been mentioned under that denomination — by several naturalists. We may observe here, that, in tracing the progress of animated Nature, we are led, by the most imperceptible gradations, from one kind to another : The line of sepa- ration seems so faintly drawn, that we are frequently at a loss how to fix the boundaries of one class, without en- croaching upon those of another; and, notwithstanding He. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS: 461 the regularity and order which every where prevail a- mong the numerous families that inhabit the earth, the best and most approved systems of arrangement fall infi- nitely short of precision : They serve, indeed, to direct us to the general characters which form the distinguish- ing features of each genus, but are very inadequate to discriminate the intermingled shades and nice ESICHES by which all are diversified. The drawing of this animal was taken from one nee in London under the name of the Persran Savace.— Its head was large; muzzle long and thick; eyes small; face naked, and of an olive colour ; the hair on its fore- head separated in the middle, and hung down on each side of the face, from thence down its back as far as its waist; it waslong and shaggy, of a blueish-gray colour, freckled with dark spots; the hair on the ye part of the body short; its buttocks bare and red. That described by Mr. Pennant, which seems to agree with this, is represented as very fierce and untractable. It inhabits the hottest parts of Africa and Asia, lives in troops, and commits great depredations in gardens and cultivated grounds; is ae five feet high, oo cuuaee strong, Viclous, and impudent. THE URSINE BABOON, . Is not-unlike the last, but rather less. Its nose is long ; head large ; ears short ; forhead high and prominent, terminating inaridge; the body thick and strong, co-' vered with long dusky hair, which gives it the aD ance of a young Bear; its tail is half ‘the length of the body, buttocks red. 4.62 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ‘This animal is very numerous about the Cape of Good Hope.—Troops of them assemble together, and make ex- peditions for the sake of plunder, in which they observe the utmost precaution. To prevent surprise, they place acentinel, which upon sight of man, gives a loud yell; when the whole troop retreats with the greatest precipi- tation. It is highly entertaining to see the females car- rying offtheir young ones clinging to the backs; whilst their pouches are crammed so full of fruit, that they seem ready'to burst. They sometimes form a line, and throw the fruit from one to another, in order to carry it off the more expeditiously. THE WANDEROU, Is a native of Ceylon and the East-Indies.—Its head is thick and long, and surrounded with a large quantity of white hair, which falls down below the chin, forming a rough, shaggy beard; the rest of the body 1s covered with a dark-brown coat, almost black. Like all ani- mals of this kind, it is wild and vicious; but when taken young, may easily be tamed; and appears to be more susceptible of education than other Baboons. ‘here are several varieties of this species. —The bodies of some are black with white beards; in others, the bo- dy is whitish, and the beard black ; Some are found en- tirely white; but this species is extremely rare, and is said to be stronger and more mischievous than the others. _ These bearded Baboons are much esteemed for the gravity of their appearance ; and are used by the Indians in their ceremonies and shows, in which they are said to acquit themselycs to the admiration, of the spectators. ea HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 463 THE HARE-LIPPED MONKEY. (Simia Cynomoleus, Lin.—Le Macaque, Buff.) We have placed this animal next to the Baboons, be- cause it makes the nearest approach to them in the form of its body, whichis short and thick : Its head and muz- ale are large ; its visage ugly, naked, and wrinkled ; and its nostrils divided, like those of a-Hare: Its tail, how- ever, is long, like thatofa Monkey: The colour of the hair on the upper part of the body is a greenish-ash, lighter on the breast and belly. There are several varieties, which differ both in size and colour. --This animal is found in Guiana, Congo, and some of the southern parts of Africa.—They go in troops, and do | ~ infinite mischief to plantations of millet, which they car- ry off under their arms and in their mouths. They are extremely nice and delicate in their choice; and, by pul- ) ling up what does not please them, do more damage than by what they really eat. THE PATAS, OR RED MONKEY, Is nearly of the same size with the last, and inhabits the same country ; its body is, however, rather longer, its face less hideous, and its hair more beautiful. It is re- markable for the brilliancy of its coat, which is of so bright a red, as to have the appearance of being painted. There are two varieties of this kind: The one is dis- tinguished by a black line above the eyes, extending from es 4.64: HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ear to ear; in the other, the line is white. Both have long hair under the chin, and round the cheeks; which in the firstis yellow, and in the second white: The nose is black; the under part of the body of an ash colour, tinged with yellow. These Monkies are very numerous on the banks of the river Senegal. They are so curious, as sometimes to de- scend from the tops of trees to the extremities of the branches, while boats are passing, and seem to observe them with great attention. Ifnot disturbed, their fami- liarity becomes troublesome : They break off branches, throw them at the passengers, and frequently with so sure ~ an aim, as to annoy them not a little; but, upon being shot at, they set up most hideous cries, endeavour to re- venge themselves by collecting more offensive materials, shel as stones, dirt, &c. w hich they throw at the enemy, and soon retire. Travellers relate that, in Guinea, Monkies are fre-_ quently seen together in troops of forty or fifty, plun- * dering gardens and fields of corn with great boldness. One i them stands on atree, listens, and looks about on all sides, while the rest are busy. Upon the least ap- pearance of interruption, he sets up a loud ery to alarm the party ; when they immediately fy off with the booty they have collected, leaping from tree to tree with prodi- gious agility. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 7 AiG THE CHINESE BONNET MONKEY, Appears to be only a variety of the Malbrouck: The principal difference consists in its having the hair on its head disposed in the form of a flat bonnet, from which its name hasbeen derived. Itinhabits the same country, and lives in the same manner. When fruits and succulent plants fail, these ani- mals are said to eat insects, and sometimes watch by the sea-side for crabs and other shell-fish, which they are ve- ry dexterous in catching. They are never thoroughly tamed, and cannot be trust- ed without a chain.—They do not breed when in a state of confinement, even in their own country; but require to be at perfect freedom in their native woods. THE MANGABEY, (Sima Althiops, Lin.) Is distinguished from all other Monkies by a very remark- able character. Its eye-lids are naked, of a pure white colour; and round each eye there is a prominent ring: The hair on the head and body is of a yellowish-brown colour ; that on the belly white. Some of them have a ‘broad collar of white hair surrounding their neck and face. 4656 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE GREEN MONKEY, (Simia Sabea, Lin.—Le Callitriche, Buff.) So called from its beautiful hair, which, on the upper part of the body and tail, is ofa fine green colour; the throat, belly, and under side of the limbs are of a silvery — whiteness: The tail is eighteen inches long, length of. the body thirteen; height eight and a half. It is common in the Cape de Verd islands and the - East-Indies, and is also found in Mauritania, and in the ~ territories of ancient Carthage. Hence it is probable, says M. Buffon, that it was known to the Greeks and Romans, and that it was one of those iong-tailed Mon- kies to which they gave the general name of Callitrix. It seems to be the same kind as that mentioned by Adanson; who relates that the woods of Podor, along the river Niger, are full of Green Apes, which, from their colour, are scarcely discernible among the branches of the trees where they live. The animal from which the above was taken was a female in the possession of William Hargrave, Esq. of Shawdon. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS: 467 THE MUSTACHE, (Simia Cephus, Lin:—Le Moustac, Buff. ) Is a beautiful little animal, having a tuft of yellow hair on each cheek, and another on the top of the head, which is long and upright ; Its face is of a bluish colour, body ofa greenish ash, breast and belly lighter. Its _ length is only one foot; that of the tail eighteen inches. _ —It is a native of Guinea. THE TALAPOIN, Is a native of the East-Indies, where it is suffered to mul- tiply without molestation, owing to the religious supersti- tion of the Bramins, which forbids them to take the life _ of any kind of animal whatever. They are so tame and _ familiar, that numbers of them frequently come into * their towns, enter the houses and if not prevented, help themselves to whatever they meet with that is agreeable to them; such as fruits, sweetmeats, &c. The Talapoin is about twelve incheslong: Its head is round; ears black and shaped like the human; eyes_ of a bright hazel colour, with black pupils ; the hair on the back, upper part of the body, and limbs, of a dusky yel- low, tinged with green; the belly lighter; its tail very long, slender, and of an olive colour. D G2 bo 468 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE VARIED MONKEY, OR MOWA, (La Mone, Buff.) Is best known of all the Monkey tribe, being more fre- quently brought into Europe than any other. Itisa native of Barbary and other northern parts of Africa, Arabia, and Persia; where it is called the Mona, from which our general term is derived. Its nose is short and thick ; its face ofa dark lead co- lour; the beard on each side long, and of a greenish-yel- low ; the top of the head is bright yellow, freckled with black ; back and sides deep brown, with black freckles ; legs, feet, and tail black; inside of the thighs of a pale blue colour, thinly covered with whitish hairs; and on each side of the rump, close by the tail, isa large Winite spot. The drawing and. description were taken from the liv- ing animal, in the possession of Robert Hedley, Esq. of Newcastle. It was remarkable gentle, tame, and fami- liar ; and seemed to have some attachment to those with whom it was acquainted. Its length was eighteen imch- es; tail about two feet. It was fed with bread, roasted meat, and fruit of all kinds, of which it was particularly fond. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 469 All the Baboons and Monkies we have yet described, are furnished with cheek-pouches, capable of containing food sufficient to supply them for a day or two; They also serve as receptacles for whatever they obtain more than supplies their present wants. But we have thought it unnecessary to repeat this circumstance in the account of every animal of those kinds. THE DOUC, Dirrers from other Monkies, in having no callosities on its buttocks, which are entirely covered with hair; it is also much larger, being nearly four feet high when erect. Its face is short and rather flat, furnished on each side with long hairs of a pale yellow colour; its body is beautifully variegated with differently coloured hair ; round the neck there is a collar of a bluish-purple co- lour; the top of the head and body are gray ; breast and belly yellow ; arms white below, and black above; tail white ; feetblack; face and ears red: lips black; and round each eye there is a black ring. It is found in Cochin-China, and in the island of Madagascar; where itis called the Srrac. M. Buflon places the Douc in the last class of those animals of the Monkey kind that belong to the old conti- nent, and describes it as forming a shade between them and the Monkies of America, which he distinguishes by the generic names of Sapayous and. Sacorns.—They both of them differ from Monkies, in having neither cheek-pouches nor callosities on their buttocks ; and they are distinguished from each other by characters peculiar (ha oes re) ATO HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ~ toeach. ~The Sapajou is furnished witha prehensile tail, the under part of which is generally covered witha smooth naked skin: the animal can coil it up or extend itat pleasure, suspend itself by its extremity on the — branches of trees; or use it as a hand to lay hold of any thing it wants, The tails of ail the Sagoins, on the con- trary, are longer than those of the Sapajous, straight, flaccid, and entirely covered with hair.—This difference alone is sufficient to distinguish a Sapajou from a Sagoin. We now proceed to the history and description of the most remarkable of this numerous race, THERE PREACHER, (Simia Beelzebu ih Lin.’ Ouarine, Buff. ) Is the largest of all the American Monkies, being about — the size of a large Fox. Its body is covered with long smooth hair, of a shining black colour, forming a kind of ruff round the animal’s neck ; Its tailis long, and always twisted at the end. | : Great numbers of these Monkies inhabit the woods of razil and Guinea; and, from the noise they make, are called Howling Monkies. Severalof them assemble toge- ther; and, placing themselves in a kind of regular order, one of them begins first with a loud tone, which.may be heard to a great distance ; the rest soon join in a general chorus, the most dissonant and tremendous that can be conceived: Ona sudden they all stop except the first, who finishes singly ; and the assembly breaks up. These Monkies are said to be very fierce, and so wild and mischevious, that they can neither be conquered nor HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ATA tamed.—They feed on fruits, grain, herbs, and some- times insects; live in trees, and leap from bough to bough with wonderful agility, catching hold with their hands and tails as they throw themselves from one branch to another, and maintain themselves so firmly, that, even when shot, they remain fixeé to the trees where they die. The flesh of the Preacher is good; and is not only eaten by the natives, but also by Europeans whe frequent those Haris. THE COAITA, {Is somewhat less than the Preacher. Its face 1s naked and red; earsshort; its body and limbs are long and slender ; hair black and rough; tail long, and naked on the under side. | This animal is found in the neighbourhood of Car- thagerna, in Guiana, Brazil, and Peru.—Great numbers associate together. ‘They seldom appear on the ground, But live mostly in trees, and feed on fruits: When these are not to be had, they are said to eat fishes, worms, and insects ; are extremely dexterous in catching their prey, and make great use of their tails in seizing it. The Coaitas are very lively and active.—In passing from one tree te another, they sometimes form a chain, linked to each other by their tails; and swing in that manner till the lowest catches hold of a branch, and draws up the rest.— When fruits are ripe, they are ge- nerally fat: and their flesh is then said to be excellent. There are many yarieties of the Coaita, which differ Gea A472 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. chiefly in colour. Some are totally black, others brown, and some have white hair on the under parts of the body. — They are called Spider Monkies by Edwards, on ac- count of the length and slenderness of their legs and tails. M. Buffon supposes the Exguima_ to be another va- riety ofthis species. It is nearly of the same size ; but its colour is variegated. The hair on its back is black and yellew ; its throat and belly white.—Its manner of living i is the same with that of the Coaita; and it inha- bits the same countries.—Both kinds are remarkable in nee only four fingers on each hand, being quite desti- tute of the thumb. THE SAJOU, OR CAPUCIN, (Simia Capucina, Lin.—Le Sai, Buff.) "THERE are two varieties of this species,—the Brown and the Gray ; which, in other respects, are’ perfectly similar. Their faces are of afiesh colour, thinly covered with down; tails long, full of hair on the upper side, naked below, and prehensile; hands black and naked; length of the body about twelve inches. These animals inhabit Guiana, are extremely lively and agile, and their constitution seems better adapted to the temperate climates of Europe than most of the Sapa- jou kind. M. Buffon mentions a few instances of their having produced in France. The Sajou are very capricious in their attachments, being fond of particular persons, and discovering the greatest aversion to others. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 473 THE WEEPER, (Stmia Apella, Lin.) Inuazirs Brazil; is very mild, docile, and timid; ofa grave and serious aspect ; has an appearance of weeping and, when irritated, makes a plaintive noise.—It is Bout | ee inches long; ; the tail longer than the body ; hair ‘on the back and sides of a deep brown colour, mixed with red on the lower parts.—There is a variety with white hair on the throat and breast. Great numbers of these creatures assemble together, particular ly in stormy weather; and makea great chat- tering.—They live much in trees, which bear a podded fruit as large as beans, on which they principally feed. THE ORANGE MONKEY, (Simia Sciurea, Lin,—Le Saimiri, Buff.) Is a most beautiful animal; but so extremely delicate, that it cannot well bear to be brought from its own cli- mate to one less warm and temperate. It is about the size of a Squirrel: Its head is round ; eyes remarkably lively and brilliant ; earslarge; hair on the body short and fine, of a shining gold colour; feet orange; its tail is very long: Its prehenaile faculty is Rach weaker than the rest of nie Sapajous ; and, on that account, it may be said to form a shade between them - and the Sagoins, which have long tails, entirely covered with hair, peu of no use in Ae dls Bpn ic their bodies from the branches of trees. a a 47] 4 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE FOX-TAILED MONKEY. {Simia Pithecia, Lin.—Le Saki, Buff.) Tue tail of this animal, like that of the Fox, is cover- ed with long bushy hair, Its body is about seventeen inches in length; hair long, of a dark-brown colour on the back, lighter on the under side; its face is tawny, and covered with a fine short whitish down; the fore- head and sides of the face are white; its hands and feet are black, with claws instead of nails. The Saki is a native of Guiana, where it is called the Saccawinkee. THE GREAT EARED MONKEY, (Simia Midas, Lin.—Le Tamarin, Buff.) rel . Is about the size of a Squirrel: Its face is naked, of a swarthy flesh colour; its upper lip somewhat divided ; its ears are very large and erect; its hair is soft, shaggy, and of a black colour; hands and feet covered with orange-coloured hair, very fine and smooth; its nails long and crooked; tail black, and twice the length of its body. It inhabits the hotter parts of South-America; is a— ively, pleasant animal; easily tamed; but so delicate, that it cannot bear a removal to a less temperate climate, HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ATS THE STRIATED MONKEY. (Simia Lacchus, Lin. —L’Ouistiti, Buff.) - is still smaller than the Great-eared Monkey, its head and body not exceeding twelve inches in length: Its tail is long, bushy, and, like that of the Macauco, marked with alternate rings of black and ash colour ; its face is naked, of a swarthy flesh colour ; ears large and like the human; body beautifully marked with dusky, ‘ash-co. loured, and reddish bars; its nails are sharp; and ite fingers like those of a Squirrel. It inhabits Brazil; . feeds on fruits, vegetables, insects, and snails, and is fond of fish. Mr. Edwards gives a description of one of these ani- mals, accompanied with an excellent figure.—He says, that, one day being at liberty, it darted upon a small gold-fish that was in a bason, which it killed and devour- ed with avidity; and that afterwards small cels were given to it, of which it seemed at first afraid, from their 4.76 HISTORY OF QUADRUFEDS. ie twisting themselves reund its neck ; but that 1t soon over- came and eat them.—He likewise says that it produced young ones in Portugal, which at first were extremely ugly | havine hardly any tie on their bodies. ‘They ad- hered closet to the teats of the mother; and, when grown a little larger, fixed themselves upon her back, irom whence she could not easily disengage them, with- out rubbing them off against a wall: Upon these occa- sions, the oie always allowed them to mount upon his baek to relieve the female. THE SILKY MONKEY, (Simia Rosalia, Lin.—Le Marikina, Butt.) Is by some called the Lion-Apz, from the quantity of Rair which surrounds its face, falling backwards like a mane; its tail 1s also somewhat bushy at the end: Its face is flat, and ofa dul purple colour; its hair long, brieht, and silky; it isofa pale yellow colour on the bedy; the hair round the face of a bright bay, inclining to red, its hands and feet are without hair, and of the same colour asthe face , its body is ten inches long, tail | This creature is a native of Guiana, is very gentle and lively, and seems to be more hardy than the other Sa- o1us.—Buiton says, that one of them lived at Paris seve- ral years, with no other precaution than keepmeg it ina EFarm room: during winter. ce) bie th HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ATT THE RED-TAILED MON KET, (Simia Oedipus, Lin.—Le Pinche, Buf.) Is somewhat larger than the Striated Monkey.—It ts re- markable in having a great quantity of smooth white hair, which falls down from the top of the head on each side, forming a curious contrast with its face, which is black, thinly covered with a fine gray down: Its eyes are black and lively ; throat black ; hair on the back and shoulders of a light reddish-brown colour; breast, belly, and legs, white ;' the tailis long, of a red colour from the rump to the middle ; from thence to the end it is black. It imhabits the woods on the banks of the river A- mazon; is a lively, beautiful little animal; has a soft whistling voice, resembling more the chirping of a bird than the cry ofa quadruped.—tIt frequently waiks with its long tail over its back. 4.78 HISTORY OF QUADRU PEDS. THE MICO, OR FAIR MONKEY, Is the last that we shail describe of this numerous race, and is the most beautiful of them all.—lIts head is small and round ; face and ears of so lively a vermilion colour, as to appear the effect of art; its body is covered with Jong hair, of a bright silvery whiteness, and uncommon elegance ; tail long, end of a shining dark chestnut colour. It frequents the banks of the river Amazon, where it was discovered by M. Condamine, who preserved one alive till almost within sight of the French coast; but it died before his arrival. 3 We have now laid before our readers a few of the most noted varieties of this numerous race: Many others might likewise be added to swell the account; but of these, little more is known than their names and places of habitation. There are, probably, still more, which neither the assiduity of the naturalist, nor the’curiosity of the traveller, have been able to draw from their native woods. Indeed, there is great room to conjecture, that the variations of the Monkey kind are somewhat like HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 4°79 those of the Dog, continually encreasing ; for it is very obvious, that among the smaller kind of Monkies, the characteristic differences do not appear to be great, how- ever they may vary insize or in colour ; and itis certain, _ that the modes of living, faculties, and propensities of these animals, are strikingly similar: So that, if we rea- son from analogy on that subject, we may ely con- clude, that different kinds of Monkies may unite and propagate with the same facility as the Goat and the sheep, or the almost innumerable kinds of Dogs. The greater part of the cuts we have given of the Ba- boons, Apes, and Monkies, we were fortunate in pro- curing from living objects, or drawings which might be depended on: Andit is to be lamented, that, amongst the numbers that have been published, so few should pos- sess that peculiar character so observable in the various members of this imitative tribe, which is wholly im- possible to trace from a stuffed skin, void of every kind of expression ; the muscular parts, which should convey the idea of action, being generally ul supplied, or entirely wanting. | 480 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE PORCUPINE. (Listriz Cristata, Lin.—Le Porc-epic, Buff.) Luis animal, so formidable in its appearance, would be much more truly so, if it possessed the power, erro- neously ascribed to it, of darting its quills at its enemies, and wounding them at a distance. Though denied the privilege of making offensive war, it is sufficiently armed to resist the attacks of. animals much more powerful than itself.—Upon the smallest irri- tation, it raises its quills, and shakes them with great vio- lence, directing them to that quarter from whence it is In danger of being attacked, and striking at the object of its resentment with its quills at the same time. We have cbserved, on an occasion of this sort, ata time when the animal was moulting or casting its quills, that they would fly out, to the distance of a few yards, with such force, as tobend the points of them against the board were they struck: and it is not improbable, that a cir- cumstance of this kind may have given rise to an opinion ofits power to use them im a more effectual manner. | HISTORY OF QUADR UPEDS, _ 481 The largest of the quills are from ten to fifteen inches in length, thick in the middle, and extremely sharp at the end; Between the quills the hair is thin, black, and bristly : The tail is covered with white eas. which are short and transparent; Its legs are SHY ; it has four toes before, and five behind. | The Porcupine is found in India, Persia, and Pales- tine: It is likewise common in all parts of Africa.—The Indians hunt it for its quills, of which they make a kind of embroidery: They also eat its fiesh. There are Porcupines in a wild state in Spain and. Italy, though they are not originally natives of any part of Europe. Their flesh is sometimes exposed in the mar- kets at Rome, where it is eaten. The Italian Porcupines have shorter quills and a short- er crest than those of Asia or Africa. The Porcupine is an inoffensive animal; lives on fruits, roots, and vegetables ; sleeps during the day, and feeds by night. _ The female goes with ours seven months, and brings forth one at a time. The drawing of this animal was made from the life. 482 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS: TFHE BRAZILIAN PORCUPINE, Mas istriz Prehensilis, Lin.) DrrreErs so greatly from the last, that it can scarcely be said to bear any relation to it, except in its being cover- ed with spines about three inches in length: They are white, very sharp, and have a bar of black near the points. The breast, belly, and lower part of the legs, are covered with strong bristly hairs of a brown colour, Its tail is long and slender, and almost naked at the end : The animal uses it in descending trees, by twisting it round the branches. ; | It inhabits Mexico and Brazil, lives in woods, and _ feeds on fruits and small birds. It preys by night, and sleeps inthe day. It makes anoise like the grunting of a Swine, and grows very fat.—Its flesh is white, and esteemed good to eat. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS: 433 SVs = SSS . SSS = SO THE CANADA PORCUPINE. (Histrix Dorsata, Lin.—L’Urson, Buff.) Ir is found in Canada, and various parts of Nortlr- America as high as Hudson’s Bay. Its ears are short, and hid in the hair; its head, body, and upper part of its tail, are covered with long soft hair, m which are interspersed a number of strong sharp spines ; its tail is shorter than that of the preceeding spe- cies, and it uses it in the same manner in descending trees, frequently suspending itself from the branches. Many of the trading Indians, during theirlong excur- sions, depend on this creature for a supply of food, and esteem it both wholesome and pleasant: ‘They also make use of the quills to trim the edges of their deer-skin ha- bits, so as to look like fringe ; and stick them in their noses and ears to make holes for their rings. Hh2 484 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. CDM LUE THE HEDGE-HOG OR URCHIN. (Erinaceus Europeus, Lin.—Le Herisson, Buff.) Tuisanimal, destitute of every other means of defence, is provided by Nature with a spinous armour, which se- cures it from the attacks of all the smaller beast of prey ; such as Weasels, Martins, Polecats, &c.--Whenalarmed, it immediately colleets itself into the form ofa ball, and presents on all sides a surface covered with sharp points, which few animals are hardy enough to engage. The more it is harassed, the closer it rolls itself; till its fears become an additional means of safety, by causing it to void its.urime, which, runnig over its whole body, fre- quently obligesits enemy to desist, disgusted by the smell. There are few Dogs that will venture to attack the: ere < Hedge-hog, except such as are trained to the sport, _ merely to gratrfy the cruel pleasure of seeing a harmless animal endure with astonishing patience, the most wan- ton outrages; whilst, the Dogs, becoming more enraged at the wounds they receive from its prickles, at last oblige it to unfold itself, and it then soon fails a victim This little animal has been so far do- to thelr fury. : “A, _ HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 485 _ mesticated, ss to learn to turn a spit by means of a small wheel in which it was placed; it likewise answered to its name. The Hedge-hog generally resides in small thickets and hedges ; lives on fruits, worms, beetles, and all kinds of insects; conceals itself in the day, and feeds during the night.—It is easily taken, for it neither flies nor attempts to defend itself; but, when touched, shrinks into its cir- cular form, which it will not easily quit, unless thrown ‘Into water. The Hedge-hog, inthe winter, wraps itself up ina warm nest, made of moss, dried grass, and leaves; and sleeps out the rigours of that season. It is frequently found so completely enriched with herbage on all sides, that it resembles a ball of dried leaves. When taken out and placed before a fire, it soon recovers from its torpid - State. THE TENDRAC, Is about the size ofa Rat. The upper part of its body is covered with spines, shorter and smaller than those of the Hedge-hog which it somewhat resembles, but does not roll itself up like that animal; the rest of the body is covered with a kind of fine hard hair, of a whitish co- Hh 3 486 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. | lour; about the head and nose it has several long hairs, like whiskers. : An animal similar to this is mentioned by M. Buffon, under the name of the Tanrec. LHE TANREC. Tus animal is Jarger than the last, and has fewer bris- tles; They only occupy the top of the head, and along the back, as far as the shoulders: The rest of the body is covered with a bristly kind of hair, of a yellowish co- lour, among which are intermixed some black hairs, much longer than the other. Its nose is long, and its ears more apparent than those of the Tendrac. Both of them are natives of India. These make a grunting noise, and are fond of wallowing in mud, like Hogs: They frequent the banks of rivers, can live a long time inthe water, and are frequently caught in small in- lets of the sea; They dig holes in the ground, where they continue in a kind of torpid state for several months, —They are generally very fat; and the Indians eat their — flesh, though it is reckoned insipid and stringy. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 437 = hs - y /. « : Heer i ee iyh Cavicoith Ns pr THE OTTER, (Mustela Lutra, Lin.—Le Loutre, Buff.) Ax.tuoucu the Otter is not considered by naturalists as wholly amphibious, it is nevertheless capable of re- _Mmaining a considerable time under water, and can pur- sue and take its prey in that element with great facility. Its legs are very short, but remarkably strong, broad, and muscular: on each foot are five toes, connected by strong membranes, like those of a water fowl ; its head is broad, of an oval form, and flat on the upper part; the body is long and round, and the tail tapers toa point ; the eyes are brilliant, and placed in such a manner, that the animal can see every object that is above it, which gives ita singular aspect, very much resembling an eel or an asp; the ears are short, and their orifice narrow, ‘The fur of the Otter is of a deep-brown colour, with Bish 4: ' ve 488 | HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ~ two small light spotson each side of the nose, and ano- ther under the chin. This animal makes its nest in some retired spot by the side of alake or river, under a bank, where it has an easy and secure access to the water, to which it immedi- ately flies upon the least alarm; and, as it swims with great rapidity, frequently escapes from its pursuers. ~ It destroys great quantities of fish ; and, in pursuit of its prey, has feck observed commonly to swim against the stream. As soon as the Otter has caught a fish, it immediately drags it to the shore; devours a part as far as the vent ; and, unless pressed. by extreme hunger, always leaves the remainder, and takes to the water in quest of more. Otters are sometimes taken in traps placed near their landing places, where they are carefully concealed in the sand.—When hunted with Dogs, the old ones defend themselves with great obstinacy ; They bite severely, and do not readily quit their hold where they have once fas- tened. An old Otter will never give up while it has life; nor make the least complaint, though wounded ever so much by the Dogs, nor even when transfixed - with a spear. There are many instances of Otters being tamed; but in those which have come to our knowledge, they were. taken when young; accustomed by degrees to obedience and restraint, they eee so far domesticated, as to fol- low their master, answer to a name, and employ their excellent ialents’at fishing in his service. Otters, when taken young, may be easily reared and made tame.—We have seen two young ones sucking a HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 489 Bitch and treated by her with as much tenderness as her own offspring. William Collins, of Kimmerston, near Whooler, had a tame Otter, which followed him wherever he went. He frequently carried it to fish in the river; and when sati- ated it never failed returning to its master. One day, in the absence of Collins, being taken out by his son to fish, instead of returning as usual, it refused to come at the accustomed call, and was lost. The father tried eve- ry means to recover it ; and after several days search, be- ing near the place where his son had lost it, and calling it by its name, to his inexpressible joy, it came creeping to his feet, and shewed many genuine marks of affection and firm attachment.—Its food, exclusive of fish, consist-. ed chiefly of milk and hastv-pudding. Some years ago, James Campbell, near Inverness, bid ayoung Otter, which he brought up and tamed. It would follow him wherever he chose; and, if calied on by its name would immediately obey. When apprehen- sive of danger from Dogs, it sought the protection of its master and would endeavour to fly into his arms for greater security.—It was frequently employed in catching fish, and would sometimes take eight or ten salmon ina day. Ifnot prevented, it always made an attempt to break the fish behind the fin next the tail: As soon as one was taken away, it immediately dived in pursuit of more. When tired, it would refuse to fish any longer ; and was then rewarded with so much fish as it ppulda de- vour. Being satisfied with eating, it curled itself round, and fell asleep; in which state it was generally carried home. ‘The same Otter fished as wel! in the sea as i ariver, and took great numbers of codlings and 490 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. other fish.—Its food was generally fresh fish, and some- times milk. Another person, who kept a tame Otter, suffered it to follow him with his Dogs. It was very useful to him in fishing by going into the water, and driving trouts and other fish towards the net.—It was remarkable, that the . Dogs, though accustomed to the sport, were so far from giving it the smallest molestation, that they would not even hunt an Otter whilst it remained with them; on which account the owner was under the necessity of dis- posing of it. Notwithstanding the Otter’s avidity for fish, it will not eat it, unless it be perfectly fresh. When that cannot be procured, it is fed with milk, or pudding made of oat- meal, &c. Otters are found in most parts of the world, with no great variation.— They are common in Guiana, and fre- quent the rivers and marshes of the country. They are~ sometimes seen in great numbers together; and are so fierce, that it is dangerous to come near them. They live in holes, which they make in the banks of the rivers. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. AQ1 On, dj Gs js : SWS NOS an eae —— THE SEA-OTTER. (Mustela Lutris, Lin.) Vasr numbers of these animals inhabit the coasts of Kamschatka, and the numerous islands contiguous to It ; as well as the opposite coasts of America; They are also found in some of the larger rivers of South-America. Their skins are of great value, and have long formed a considerable article of export from Russia. ‘They dispose of them to the Chinese at the rate of seventy or a hun- dred rubles each, and receive in return some of their most valuable commodities. he fur of the Sea-Otter is thick and long, of a beau- tiful shining black colour, but sometimes ofa silvery hue; the legs are thick and short; the toes joined by a web; the hind feet like those of a Seal; length, from nose to tail, four feet two inches; tail thirteen, flat, and pointed at the end.—The largest of them weigh from se- venty to eighty pounds. The Sea-Otter is remarkably harmless, and most affee- 492 “HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. tionately fond of its young: It will pine to death for its loss, and die on the very spot where it has been taken away. Before its young can swim, it will carry it in its paws, and support it in the water, lying upon its back. —Jt swims in various positions,—on its back, sides, and even in perpendicular posture ; and in the water is very sportive.—Two of them are sometimes seen embracing each other.—It frequents shallow places, abounding with sea-weed ; and feeds on lobsters, crabs, _ other shell- fish. It breeds but once a year, and produces one young at a time, which it suckles and carefully attends almost a year. é The flesh of a young Otter is reckoned delicate eating, and not easily distinguished from that of a lamb. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 493 i \ f : iT) q \Y MY AY f PN hy \G LaAVee Zt fiz Ms: MG EE Sy INS LHE SLOTH, (Bradypus, Tridactylus, Lin.—L’ di, Buff.) Or all animals, is the most sluggish and inactive ; and, if we were to judge from outward appearance, would seem the most helpless and wretched. All its motions seem to be the effect of the most painful exertion, which hunger alone is capable of exciting. It lives chietly in trees ; and having ascended one with infinite labour and difficulty, it remains there till it has entirely stripped it ofall its verdure, sparing neither fruit ‘blossom, nor leaf; after which it is said to devour even the bark. Bemg unable to descend, it throws itself on the ground, and continues at the bottom of the tree til] hunger again compels it to renew its toils in search of subsistence. Its motions are accompanied with a most piteous and lamentable cry, which terrifies cven beasts of prey, and proves its best defence. Though slow, aukward, and almost incapable of mo- tion, the Sloth is strong, remarkably tenacious of life, and capable of enduring along abstinence from food. 494 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. We are told of one that, having fastened itself by its feet to a pole, remained in that situation forty days without the least sustenance.—The strength of its legs and feet is so great, that having seized any thing, itis almost im- posible to oblige it to quit its hold. The same animal laid hold of a Dog that was let loose upon it, and held him fast with its feet till he perished with hunger. There are two kinds of Sloths, which are principally distinguished by the number of their claws.—The one, called the Ax, is about the size of a Fox, and has three long claws on each foot: Its legs are clumsy, and auk- wardly placed ; and the fore legs being longer than the hind, add greatly to the difficulty of its progressive mo- tion: Its whoie body is covered with a rough coat of long hair, of a lightish-brown colour, mixed with white, not unlike that of a Badger; and has a black line down: the middle of the back: Its face is naked, and of a dirty’ white colour; tail short; eyes small, black, and heavy. It is found only in South-America. Fhe Unau has only two claws on each foot: Its head. is short and round, somewhat like that of a Monkey; its ears are short; and it has no tail. It is found in South- America, and also in the island of Ceylon. - The flesh of both kinds are eaten.—They have several stomachs, and are said to belong to the tribe of rumi- nating animals, | HISTORY OF QUADRUPED® 495 THE ANT-EATER, (Myrmecophga Jubata, Lin.—Le Tamanoir, Buff} THERE are several animals distinguished by the com- mon name of Ant-eaters, which differ greatly in form. ——They are divided into three classes; viz. the Great, the Middle, and the Lesser Ant-eater. The Great Ant-£arer is nearly four feet in length, exclusive of its tail, which is two anda haif. Kt is re- markable for the great length of its snout, which is of a cylindrical form, a ad serves as a sheath to its long and slender tongue, which always lies folded double in its mouth, and is the chief instrument! by which it finds sub- sistence. This creature is a native of Brazil and Guiana, ruts. slowly, frequently swims over rivers, lives wholly on ants, whichit collects by thrusting its tongue into their holes, and having penetrated every part of the nest, with- draws it into its mouth loaded with prey. 4.96 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. Its legs are so strong, that few animals can extricate themseives from its gripe. It is said to be formidable even to the Panthers of America ; and sometimes fixes it- self upon them in such a manner, that both of them fall and perish together ; for its obstinacy is so great, that it will not extricate itselffrom its pigs 1: even after he is dead. The flesh has a sijene disagreeable taste, but j Is eaten by the Indians. : a The Mippre Anr- EATER is one foot seven. inches from nose to tail. It inhabits the same countries, and procures its food in the same manner as the last: Its tail is ten inches long, with which it secures its hold in climbing trees by twisting 1t round the branches. Both these animals have four strong claws on the fore feet, and five on the hind. The Less—er ANnT-EATER has a sharp-pointed nose, inclining a little downward : Its ears are small, and hid in the fur; It has two strong hooked claws on the fore feet, the outward one being much the largest: and four - on the hind feet: Its fur is long, soft, and silky,—ofa yellowish-brown colour: Its length, from nose to tail, is seven inches and a’ half; tail above eight, thick at the base, and taper to the end.—It inhabits Guiana; climbs trees in quest of a species of ants which build their nests among the branches. Animals of this kind are found in Ceylon and the Cape of Good Hope. Kolben describes the latter as having long heads and tongues ; that they feed on ants ; and are so strong, that ifthey fasten their claws in the eround, they cannot easily be Sia away.—It is called m ae lon the Talgoz, or Ant-Bea HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 497 THE GREAT MANIS. (Manis Pentadactyla, Lin.—Le Pangolin, Buff.) ; Tuts singular animal is defended by a coat of mail, which protects it from the attacks of the most powerful animals. All the upper parts of its body are closely co- vered with scales of different sizes, which it can erect at pleasure, opposing to its adversary a formidable row of offensive weapons. The Tiger, the Panther, or the Leo- pard in vain attempt to force it. ‘The moment it per- ceives the approach of an enemy, it rolls itself up like a Hedge-hog, and by that means secures all the weaker parts of its body. It is a native of the Indian isles, and is likewise said to be found in Guinea. It is slow in its motions ; grows to the length of eight feet, including its tail, which is four. Its flesh is much esteemed for its delicacy ; but it is dificult to procure, as the animal avoids mankind, and lives in obscure retreats, in woods, and marshy places. Li 408 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE LONG-TAILED MANIS, (Manis Tetradactyla, Lin.—Le Phatagin, Buff.) m F é _ Is less than the last, being no more than a foot long from head to tail. Its body is covered with sharp-point- ed scales ; its throat and belly with hair: Its legs are short; and each foot has four claws. It is remarkable — for the great length of its tail, which in some is » above a yard lone 3 It is anative of Guinea, has been sometimes called the SCALY Lizarp, and may be said to be the connecting link in the chain of being between quadrupeds and rep- tiles. Ci recct at THE ARMADILLO, Is found only in South America, where there are several varieties of them.—They are all covered with a strong crust or shell, and are distinguished from each other by the number of the flexible bands of which it 1s composed. It is a harmless, inoffensive animal; feeds on roots, fruits, and other vegetables; grows very fat; and is greatly esteemed for the delicacy of its flesh. The Indians hunt it with small Dogs, trained for that purpose. When surprised, it runs to its hole, or at- tempts to make a new one, which it does with great expedition, having strong claws on its two fore feet, with which it adheres so firmly tothe ground, that, if it should be caught by the tail whilst making its way into the earth, its resistance 1s so great, that it will sometimes leave it in the hands ofits pursuers: To avoid this, the. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 499 hunter has recourse to artifice ; and, by tickling it with a stick, it gives up its hold, and suffers itself to be taken alive. Ifno other means of escape be left, it rolls itself up. within its covering by drawing in its head and legs, and bringing its tail round them as a band to connect them more forcibly together ; in this situation it some- times escapes by rolling itself over the edge of a preci- pice, and generally falls to the bottom unhurt. The most successful method of catching Armadillos is by snares laid for them by the sides of rivers or other places where they frequent.—They all burrow very deep in the ground, and seldom stir out, except during the night, whilst they are in search of food. To give aminute description of the shells or coverings of the Armadillos would be extremely difficult, as they are all composed of a number of parts, differing greatly from each other in the order and disposition of the fi- gures with which they are distinguished: But it may be necessary to observe, that in general there are two large pieces that cover the shoulders and the rump, between which lie the bands, which are more or less in number in different kinds. These bands are not unlike those in the tail of a lobster ; and, being flexible, give way to the motions of the animal.—The first we shall mention is THE THREE-BANDED ARMADILLO. ff Dasypus Lrictnctus, Lin.—L’ Apar, Buff.) Irs shell is about twelve inches long, with three bands in the middle; The crust on the bead. back, and rump 1i2 §0O HISTORY. OF QUADRU PEDS. is divided into anumber of elegant raised figures, with five angles or sides: Its tail is not more than two inches. Jong: It has neither cutting nor canine teeth; and has five toes on each foot. — LPHE SIX-BANDED A RMADILLO, (Daspus Sexcinctus, Lin. —L’ Encoubert, Buff.) Is about the size of a young Pig. Between the folds of the bands there are a few scattered hairs ; Its tail is long, thick at the base, and tapers to a point.. It is found. in | Brazil and Guiana. THE EIGHT-BANDED ARMADILLO, (Le Tatuette, Buff.) Is furnished with eight bands. Its ears are long and up- right ; eyes small and-black: It has four toes on the fore feet, and five on the hind: Its length from nose to tail is about ten inches; the tail nine. It mhabits Bra- zil and is reckoned more delicious eating than the others. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ROL \ LHE NINE-BANDED ARMADILLO, ¢ Dasypus Novem@igetus, Lin.—Le Cachichame, Buf.) Hasa tenth band, moveable half way up on each side: ‘The shell on the shoulders and rump is marked with hex- angular figures; the breast and belly are covered with long hairs; its tail is long and taper ; and the whole ani- mal three feet in length. One of this kind was brought to England a few years ago from the Musquito shore, and lived some time. It was fed with raw beef and milk, but refused to eat our fruits and gram. | 502 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. THE KABASSOU, Ts furnished with twelve ban ds, and is the Probst of all the Armadillos, being almost three feet long from nose to tail: The fon on the shoulders are cf an oblong form; those on the rump hexangular. It is seldom eaten. . THE WEASEL-HEADED ARMADILLO, (Dasypus Unieinetus, Lin.—Le Cirquingon, Buff.) So called from the form of its head, whichis slender, has eighteen bands from its tomas to its tail: the shellis marked with square figures on the shoulders; 1 4 about fifteen inches long ; tail five. Ali these animals have the power of drawing them- selves up under their shelis, either for the purpose of re- pose or safety. They are furnished with strong lateral muscles, consisting of numberless fibres, crossing each other in the form of an X, with which they contract themselves so powerfully, that the strongest man is scarcely able to force them open. The "shell of the larger Anmadlilog are much stronger than those of the smalter| a sages Fe HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. DIMENSIONS OF THE SKELETON. 529 Feet. Inches. Height over the shoulders Ce dee SO A Length from the chin to the rump Ni 15 From the end of the tusks to the end of the tail 31 Width of the hips and body : : 5 Length of the under jaw : Eo 3 Weight of the same 634lbs. | , Length of the thigh bone : ae 3 Smallest circumference of the same ve 1 Length of the large bone of the foreleg - 2 Largest circumference of the:same- Meas 723 Smallest do. do. A 2: I Circumference round the elbow : 2S Length of the tusks, defences orhoms © - 10 Circumference of one tooth ~ = ~ 1 Weight of the same 4lb. 100z. The whole skeleton weighs about 1000lbs. mw OoOOooc oO 530 _ HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, — i, THE VIVIPAROUS SHARK OF LONG ISLAND. Tue annexed figure exhibits a curious instance of an animal, neither wholly oviparous as birds are, nor yet en- tirely viviparous like Quadrupeds: Itis the young of a species of Shark, caught and dissected by Dr. Mitchill. The figure is taken by permission from the Ist. volume of the Monthly Magazine and American Review, p. 323 ; to which we refer for the particulars at large. And on closing our account of Quadrupeds, we deemed it a for- tunate circumstance to be able to shew by a plate and dis- section, how nearly that class of animals borders upon fishes and birds, in the production of their young. The peculiarity of this Shark is, that though it brings forth its young alive like land animals, the young are at the same time connected each with an ovum or egg, after the manner of Birds. And neither the young nor the egg have any manner of connection with the dam or parent Animal. This singular structure of the foetus probably eiacae the whole tribe of the Sharks and Dogs-fishes. eer HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 531 A. The Ovum, with its exterior membrane dissected off. B. The internal tube or duct extending from the egg to a sac or reservoir of nutriment, within the body of the fish. C. The sac alluded to in B, of considerable size, and oc- cupying a good deal of room in the abdomen: it was filled with a pulpy or soft matter, evidently derived from the ovum, and apparently a little more elaborated, and prepared for nutrition, by some concoctive operation in the sac itself. D. The stomach, as yet not distended; of course exceed- ingly small; having never been filled with food derived from the mouth. In the plate will be seena small passage or open- ing. . through which the alimentary matter in the sac, C, passes into the stomach, to be absorbed afterwards by the lacteals of the intestines. _F. The CGtsophagus, of nearly the same size with the stomach. G.G. The two lobes of the liver. H. The Cloaca, or gut stretching towards the anus, and filled with the refuse matter of the alimentary mass. I. Vhe external membrane connecting the egg with the fish, cut through and turned back. 42388 7 ee > 7" > ~~ ¥ a. 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