Smithsonian 
Institution 
Libraries 


Gift of 


DR. JAMES G. MEAD 


Point han a: 
sikh SN. 9 
ye. 


Co 


Ay GENERAL 


mers rT O.R 


OF 


QUADRUPEDS. 


“THE FIGURES ENGRAVED ON WOOD BY T. BEWICK. 


PRE Hae) EDITION. 


NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE: 


PRINTED BY AND FOR S. HODGSON, R. BEILBY, & T. BEWIC#, 
NEWCASTLE: SOLD BY THEM, BY G. G. J. & 
J- ROBINSON, & C. DILL¥, LONDON. 


SS OER 


oe. 


[PRICE NINE SHILLINGS IN BOARDS. | 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


ie difpofing the order of the following work, we have not 
thought it neceffary to confine ourfelves ftriftly within the 
rules prefcribed by fyftematic writers on this part of Natural 
Hiftory ; as it was not fo 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 concife account of the 
nature, habits, and difpofition of each, accompanied with more 
accurate reprefentations that have hitherto appeared in any work 
of this kind. Our difregard of fyftem, however, has not pre- 
vented us from attending to the great divifions of Quadrupeds, 
fo obvioufly marked out by the hand of Nature, and fo clearly 
diftinguifhed, that the moft carelefs obferver cannot avoid being 
forcibly ftruck with an agreement of parts in the outward ap- 
pearance of the different individuals of which each confifts. 

The intermediate ftations, however, have not been always fo 
clearly defined; thefe are frequently occupied by characters fo 
dubious, that naturalifts have not always agreed in afcribing to 
each its proper place: Of this kind are the Elephant, the Hip- 
popotamus, the Rhinoceros, the Cameleopard, the Beaver, the 
Hedge-hog, the Sloth, the Jerboa, &c. which bear in them- 
felves characteriftics fo peculiar, that they might feem to contti- 
tute diftinct genera. 

We have endeavoured to lay before our readers a particular 
account of the animals with which our own country is abundant- 
ly ftored, efpecialiy of thofe which fo materially contribute to: 
the ftrength, the wealth, and the happinefs of this kingdom ; of 
thefe the Horfe, the Cow, and the Sheep, claim the firft place ; 
and in treating of thefe, we have noticed the improvements 
which an enlarged fyftem of agriculture, fupported by a noble 
{pirit of emulation, has introduced into all parts of the country. 

a2 


ADVERTISEMENT" 


To thefe we may add that moft ufeful animal the Dog, the 
account of which forms a confpicuous part of our hiftory, and 
we truft will afford fome entertainment to thofe who are pleafed 
with contemplating the various talents of that trufty fervant and 
humble companion of man: We have felected the moft re- 
markable of the different kinds, and have given faithful por- 
traits of them, drawn from the life; there are ftill others, not 
unworthy of attention, which might have been added; but to 
have noticed all the variations and fhades of difference obfervable 
in the canine race, would have {welled our account, already 
large, to an immoderate length, and have left us too little room 
for others of equal importance, in a comprehenfive view of this 
part of the animal creation. 

Our attention has been directed in a particular manner to 
the various inftinCtive powers of animals—that hidden principle 
which a€tuates and impels every living creature to procure its 
fubfiftence, provide for its fafety, and propagate its kind. To 
difcover more and more of this unerring guide, directing the 
brute creation to their higheft good by the fimpleft and moft 
certain methods, is a purfuit worthy of the moft refined under- 
ftanding, and leads us to contemplate the wifdom and goodnefs 
of the adorable Author of nature, who ‘ openeth his hand, and 
all things are filled with good.” 

It may perhaps be thought neceffary to offer fome apology for 
the evident want of proportion obfervable in the fizes of the dif- 
ferent animals; a defect to which every work of this kind mutt, 
in fome meafure, be liable. In adverting to this, we found, 
that at whatever point, between the Elephant and the Moufe, 
the fcale were to be fixed, a great and unavoidable deficiency 
would be the confequence ; we were therefore obliged to relin- 
quifh a plan, which, fo far from being practicable, would have 
been the means of throwing the whole into irregularity and 


confufion, 


THONG: sD Bic ee 


A PAGE. 4 
DV a = 2058 i ? Bat, the Barbaftelle - 
Agouti - - 3498 the Serotine 
Ai - - - 458 3 the Horfe-fhoe - 


_ Ant-eater, the Great - 459 2 
the Middle - 460 & 


the Leffer - bid. 
Antelope, the Common - 95 
the Barbary - bid. 
the Scythian - 98 
| the Striped - 89 
depe, the Barbary. -. 417 
Armadillo - - 462 3 
the Three- 


Re ee ee 


banded - 463 & 
the Six-banded 464 # 


the Nine-band- 

ed - 465 3 
the Weafel- 

headed - 466% 


the Rouffette, or 
Great Ternate 
the Rougette, or 
Leffler Ternate 
the Spectre : 
the Senegal - 
the Bull-dog —- 
the Bearded =" 
the Striped - 


i Bear, the Brown = 


theaPolar .- - 

the Black = 
fe deavere. selmi) < 
» Bifon “ 3 is 


A 


Afs = 7 17 5 & 
Axis - - = 128 & 


B 


Baboon eam ie 418 
the Great Rib- 


att Sedss eterttttt02 22 3h 


bed-nofe - 420 | 


the Small Rib- 
bed-nofe_- 422 & 
the Pig-tailed - 423 3 
the Dog-faced - 424 
the Wriine, #=1/ 4205 


iG 
fi 


2 Blue-Goat 5 s 
Boar, the Wild - 
Common or Do- 
meftic 
the African Wild 
Bucha z s fi 
Buffalo 4 = ks 


2 Cagvi Ly x A 
Galle <a a 
5 Camel af f ¥ 


the Arabian - 


& Capibara - - 


Babiroufla - - 153 ¥ Caracal- - = = 

Babr - - > 192 4 the Nubian - 

Spadgens fe wed ag 4 |G Caribou - - 

Bat - - - AT4 % : Cat, the Domenie - 
the Short-eared - sbid. &§ the Wild - 

the Long-eared - whe 2 the Wild Red - 

the Noctule, or Angora -— = 

Great. Wea ie = ibid. & | Cary, tlie Reftlefs  - 


the Pipiftrelle - 4773 


the Spotted - 


PAGS. 
477 
ibid, 
ibid. 


ree ib 
- 480 


431 
thid. 
ibid. 


* . 


vi 2 Nao Ee 
Cavy, the Be noted - 349 : Dog, the Englifh Setter 325 
_ the Akouchi - 350 : the Newfoundland 326 
he Rock = 9 = ga the Rough Water 328 


Chevrotain 2 4 97 
pee a ome eae 
Coaita “ < 4 435 
Coati me ornh eae IN 2 
Coendou = - 447 
Conepate - - 242 
Corin - - - 96 
Couguar <= = 109 
Coquallin = - 336 


the Large Water- 
Spaniel - 329 
the Small Water- 
Spaniel - 330 
the Springer, or 
Cocker = Sa5 
King Charles’s - bid. 
the Pyrame - 2d. 
the Shock - bid. 
the Lian. ee eee 


A StongL eS Nong teNyy tts ae teal, SUR Seedy Stet caters at, BU leds, TNs, tet 


D z the Comforter - bid. 
4 the Turnfpit” Ge.0° 3 
Deer, the Fallow - 129 3 the Pug ’ ae ab 


Dog i i f 296 3 = Dormoufe, the Greater - 
the Shepherd’s_ - 299 # : thet ene pe 
the Car Wiel) van Bor ‘ Hoye : pang! 433 
the Greenland - 303 | ;, Dromedary ccveeg ie 


the Bull - - | 306 

the Maftiff - - 307 | 5 

the Ban '¢)< ¢ 5! 6) og) ¥ - 

the Dalmatian or - ) ; Elephant 2 s 166 
Coach = 5 - 310 ¥ Filk ie i ts 108 

the Irifh Greyhound 311 the American - 112 

the Highland Grey- ; Elk-Antelope -. - 86 
hound - - 312 ¥ Ermine = 223 


the Gazehound - ibid. # Exquima i f 436 
the Lyemmer - ibid. § 


the Greyhound - 31 3 : - 
the Italian Grey- 1 
hound - ibid. 3 ; ; Ferret r a Z 225 


the Lurcher - 314 Foflane. - - ~ 230 
the Tumbler - 315 3 i. Foumats = 4 ae 228. 
the Terrier - ibid. ¥ Fox - - - 276 
the Beagle: -')- 316 ; the Greyhound - 279 
the Harier_ - 317 4 the Maflif - - 280 


the Fox-Hound - 318 2 the Cur . = (_= \ aaa 
the Old Englith the Black .- + 282 
Hound ° \-’ =, 920 : the Crofs-» -4en, ae 


the Kibble-Hound 321 2 the Corfac - -  ébid. 
the Blood-Hound - 7did., the ArGic \ailp 268 
the Spanifh Pointer A Free Martin - += = 33 


G ¥ 
Reazells ~~ ss ng { ackall: | <a ee 
Gemfe-Bok -. = - oof Jaguar - - - 
Rincty es 8 ike bag § Jerbod yy . 
Gibbon eh 416 3 
Giraffe, or Cameleopard 106 4 Ko 
Gnu - 93:9 Kabafiou ‘ 
Goat % - . 67 ¢ { Kanguroo - U 
the Chamois = 71 § i Kanguroo-Rat : 
of Angora - 76 ¥ al i i i 
of Thibet - ibid. I Klip- -Sprin oe ‘ \ 
of ae - hid. ¥ Koha 8 ey 
the Syrian - 3 
a, : / 73 ° Koedoe e a 
Grunting-Ox - - 424 
Grys-Bok - i 92 ? L 
Guanacos a Pm 142 4 2 Lama ke 2 u 
Guinea-Pig = > 345 § ¢ Leming - 
z % Leopard - 
H 4 Lion us As ie 
‘ Licn-A e ms Bs 
Hamfter K . 370 ¥ ¥ Loris iE a i, 
Hare i 337 & Louchu : a 
the inane = Ba : Tans es ee 
Hart-Beeft —- 88 ¥ the Bay - - 
Hedge-hog_ - - 4484 
Hippopotamus - = 163 § M 
Hog, the Common - 146 & z 
Horfe as - zy 4 Macaque oP 
the Arabian k 35 § Macauco, the Yellow - 
ene Racer: ye) ) x ig A the Ring-tailed 
the Hunter i 74 the Tail-lefs - 
the Black (<7) ow 8 the Mongooz 
Old Englifh Road 10 A im the Black ~ 
Pon ne IES. DEAE a i Ai Heer 
the Calne: Carter 11 i Maimon : 


| Hyena, the Striped + 
the Spotted - 


Fe, 
Ibex e 4 


Ichneumon a al 
Rye he ec 


271 4 oe - iL 
angabe - : 
714 4 t Manis a 
the Loas-tailea - 
« Marapute 200.) 4 
9O % : Margay ERO ge 
237 § § Marikina . 
Zi2 Berne | ee | 


+) 
cH 


Vill 
Marmot, the Quebec - 369 
the Earlefs - 37 3 8 


the Tail-lefs ~ 374 i 
the Laplgnd = a1 5 


Martin - a 
the Yalow. 
brealted .-  , 231 


Meminna = s pi 


Mexican Hog - “ng ? Opoffum, Saragoy = 
Mole - 2 =H) (392 ; urine = 
Radiated - - 394 ¥ Mexican - 
the Yellow 394 x the Phalanger . 
Monax aL ws 368 & the Spotted = 
Monkey, the Pitas, or : the Vulpine - 
Red = ee the Flying z 
the Chinefe 6 ‘of Van Die- 
Bonnet - 429 x men’s Land 
the Callitrix, or Squirrel - 
Green - 430% Oran-Outang - = - 
the Varied, or A Otter 2 a 
Mona. -, 492 $ the Small z 
the Howling - 434 Z the Minx a 
the Spider - 435 the Sea - : 
the Saimiri, or # Ouarine, or Preacher - 
Orange - 437 2 & Ouittiti _ By iy 
the Fox-tailed bid. : ian: eg - = 
he Great-eared 438 % V* x = - 
ne Silky ph pase : Holftein or Dutch 
the Pinche, or é Breed - e 
Red-tailed - gar # the Lancafhire_ - 
the Mico, or Z Kyloe = u 
Bare) - 442 8 Wild Cattle : 
Mouflon, or Mufmon - 64 3 
Moufe - “ i. gaan P 
Long-tailed Field 388 % Pacos ‘ = - 
Short-tailed Field 389 % Pangolin - : 
Shrew - - = ébid. Panther ws 1 A ie 
Water Shrew - 390 # Patas We UE i 
‘Dwarf, a4 2 cugon | Peccary = = 


Mule ‘ tf a 
Mufk : a mn 
Mutk- Bull “ ti 
Mutftache 4 , 


ing 
103 


age 


431 j 


fy oN: BROES uX, 


i N 
? Nanguer 2 ti 
: Nems = Z 
4 Ghau a 
O 


: » Geclot _ “ 


Perfian Savage . 
; { Phalanger ager: 
* Phatagin s c 
Pied-Goat - 


227 
100 


200 


395 
397 
398 

399 
400 
ibid. 
401 


402 
403 
413 
451 
454 
ibid. 
455 
434 
439 
195 

23 


26 
27 
Se 
34 


143 
461 
19! 
427 
ISE 
425 
5399 
462 

SE 


» 


I N 


Piamy 9). “. 
Polecat -' . 
Porcupine : 
the Brazilian 


the Canada . 


Q. 
Quagga aN J 
R 


Rabbit 2 a " 
the Domettic 
of Angora 
the Hooded . 
Racoon ; : 
Rat — 
Water : 
Mufk of Chriatkia 
~Mufcovy Mufk . 
Ratel : : 
Ree- Bok 
~ Riet 
Rein-Deer 
Rhinoceros . 
the Two- 
horned 
Roe-Buck 3 ‘ 


Sable 2 d ‘ 
Sagoin a : 
Sai 

Saiga 

Saimiri 

Sajou . . 
Saki : . 2 
Sand- Bear , 
anajou” ew Phe 
Sarluc a 
Scaly Lizard 
Sea-Horfe 

Seal s ; 
the Hooded . 


228 4 Serval 
444 3 ? Sheep 
446 § 
447 


288 CppostS Panonhs 30005, eaves eat 


21 


341 
343 & 
ibid. 
ibid. 
252 
377 
380 ¥ 
381 § g : Sifac 

382 } i Skunk 
249 # Sloth 


ig aay te SUN atetsG Se TN Se 


eaeoas ea 


anes atedg ateAt obey thts, 


Oo! ‘ Souflik 
92 ¥ Springer 
114 t Squirrel 
156 & 


the Walachian . 


DE, X. ix 
415 } Seal, the Urfine . 


472 
0! 204 


46 
Lincolnfhire Breed 50 
Dorfetfhire ditto  zbid. 
the Short - 52 
Leicefterfhire ditto 54 
Mr Culley’s breed . 56 


the Shetland 58 
the Dunky, or 

Dwarf 60 
the Tartarian 61 
the African or 

Guinea zbid. 


the Many-horned . 
the Broad-tailed . 7 
of Thibet : 
ibid. 
433 
240 
457 
373 
84 
352 


e ® 


the Hudfn’s 


Bay i ) 
160 A the Grey . ie 
eel | the Black .  isbid. 
A the Ground 356 
. the Barbary 358 
2332 the Palm ibid. 
433 3 the Fat 359 
436 # the Garden ibid. 
98 i the Flying 361 
437 : the Great Flying 362 
436 # the Hooded ibid. 
437 % , the Long-tailed 363 
257 4 , Stag, or Red Deer 12z 
A232) 5 the Corfican 127 
42 i the Axis, or 
462 Ganges 128 
467 % Steen-Bok : 94 
469 § : Stifling, or ae 241 
471 % Stoat 223 


x 


Suricate . 


Syah-Gufh 


"Falapoin 
‘Tamarin 
Tanrec 
Tapiir 
Tarfier 


Tatou . 


‘Tatuapara 
‘Tatuette 
"Tendrac 
Tiger 


Cat 


Unau 
Drifon 


Urus, or Wild Bull 


Vanfire 


@ 


the Black | 


U 


Vv 


ro 


Ic Nga; Ev Xa 


1864 $ Wolverine, or Glutton . 


199 ¥ Wood-Goat 
#04} 


Bek ee 
as 8} ® Zebra ; 
447) Zebu 

3 ¥ Zemni ‘ 

» Zibet - 


75,6 Cea 
227¥Zorilla .'. 


248 % WwW 
ss 15} Walrus 3 Mie 

® Wanderou ° 
| ¥ Weafel : : 
431% the White 
4386 the Madagafcar . 
450% the Ping.< 
155% the Fifher 
411g the Four-toed 
464% the Brazilian 
463 Wolf 
464.5 the New Rowe 
449 3 Wales ; 


467 
426 
219 
224. 
227 
23 
236 
248 
251 
285 


291 
258 
82 


20 
40 
373 
247 


373 
242 


A GENERAL 


¢ 


Bid ® OR: 


OF 


QUADRUPEDS. 


hao . Er OrR-S FE. 
ae various excellencies of this noble animal, the 


grandeur of his ftature, the elegance and propor- 
tion of his parts, the beautiful fmoothnefs of his fkin, 
the variety and gracefulnefs of his motions, and above 
all, his utility, entitle him to a precedence in the hif- 
tory of the brute creation. 

The Horfe, in his domeftic ftate, is generous, docile, 
fpirited, and yet obedient; adapted to the various pur- 
pofes of pleafure and convenience, he is equally fervice- 
able in the draught, the field, or the race. 

There are few parts of the known world where the 
Horfe is not produced; but if we would fee him in the 
enjoyment of his native freedom, (unfubdued by the re- 
{traints man has impofed upon him) we muft look for 
him in the wild and extenfive plains of Africa and Ara- 

| A 


2 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


bia, where he ranges without controul, in a ftate of en- 
tire independency. In thofe immenfe traéts, the wild 
Horfes may be feen feeding together, in droves of four 
or five hundred; one of them always acting as centinel, 
to give notice of approaching danger; This he does by a 
kind of fnorting noife, upon which they all fly off with 
aftonifhing rapidity. ‘The wild Horfes of Arabia are 
efteemed the moft beautiful in the world: They are of a 
brown colour, their mane and tail of black tufted hair, 
very fhort; they are {maller than the tame ones, are ve- 
ry active, and of great fwiftnefs. ‘The moft ufual me- 
thods of taken them are by fnares or pits formed in 
the fand.—lIt is probable there were once wild Horfes 
in Europe, which have long fince been brought under 
fubjeGtion. Thofe found in America were originally of 
the Spanifh breed, fent thither upon its firft difcovery, 
which have fince become wild, and fpread themfelves 
over various parts of that vaft continent. ‘They are ge- 
nerally {mall, not exceeding fourteen hands high; with 
thick heads and clumfy joints: Their ears and necks 
are longer than thofe of the Englifh Horfes. They are 
eafily tamed; and if by accident they be fet at liberty, 
they feldom become wild again; but know their maf- 
ter, and may be eafily caught by him. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 3 


2} 
2 
5 
e 
2 
é 


Van Arp aAptranw, HORS E. 


There is fcarcely an Arabian, how poor foever in 
other refpects, but is poffeffed of his Horfe, which he 
confiders ‘as an invaluable treafure. Having no other 
dwelling but a tent, the Arabian and his Horfe live 
upon the moft equal terms: His wife and family, his 
mare and her foal, generally lie indifcriminately toge- 
ther; whilft the little children frequently climb with- 
out fear upon the body of the inoffenfive animal, which 
permits them to play with and carefs it without injury. 
The Arabs never beat their Horfes; they fpeak to, and 
feem to hold friendly intercourfe with them; they never 
whip them; and feldom, but in cafes of neceflity, make 
ufe of the fpur. Their agility in leaping is wonderful; 
and if the rider happen to fall, they are fo tractable as 
to fland ftill in the midft of the moft rapid career.—The 
Arabian Horfes are in general lefs than the Race-Horfes 
of this country, eafy and graceful in their motions, and 

A 2 


4 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


rather inclined to leannefs. It is worthy of remark, 
that, inftead of crofling the breed, the Arabs take every 
precaution to keep it pure and unmixed: They preferve 
with the greateft care, and for an amazing length of 
time, the genealogies of their Horfes—Thofe of the firft 
kind are called Nobles, being ‘* of a pure and ancient 
race, purer than milk.” They have likewife two other 
kinds, which, having been degraded by common alli- 
ances, fell at inferior prices. 


From Arabia, the race of Horfes has probably extend- 
ed into Barbary and other parts of Africa; thofe being 
confidered as next to the Arabian Horfes in fwiftnefs and 
beauty, though they are fomewhat fmaller. 


The Spanifb Genette is held in great eftimation: Like 


the former, it is fmall, but beautiful, and extremely 
{wift. 


The Horfes of India and many parts of China are ex- 
tremely {mall and vicious. One of thefe was fome years 
ago brought into this country as a prefent to the queen, 
which was very little larger than fome maftiffs, mea- 
furing only nine hands in height. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 5 


In Great-Britain, the breed of Horfes feems to be as 
mixed as that of its inhabitants—By great attention to 
the improvement of this noble animal, by a judicious 
mixture of feveral kinds, and by fuperior fkill in manage- 
ment, the Englifh : 


, 
TRS) ss 
DS RINT AN) 


RACE-HORS E* 


is allowed to excel thofe of the reft of Europe, or per- 

haps the whole world. For fupporting a continuance of 

violent exertion, (or what is called, in the language of 

the turf, dottom ) they are fuperior to the Arabian, the 
A 3 


* The following account of the prizes won by fome of our ca- 
pital Race-Horfes, will fhew the importance of that breed in Eng- 
land, where fuch vaft fums frequently depend on the iffue of their 
contefts :— 

Bay Maton, (by Sampfon) the property of the late Marquis 
of Rockingham, in feven prizes won the amazing fum of 5,900l. 
At York, he ran four miles in feven minutes and forty-three and 
an half feconds, which was feven and an half feconds lefs time 
than it was ever done before over the fame courfe. 

CHILDERS, (well known by the name of Flying Childers) the 
property of the Duke of Devonfhire, was allowed by {portfmen to 
be the fleeteft Horfe that ever was bred in the werld: He farted 


6 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Barb, or the Perfian; and for f{wiftnefs, they will yield 
the palm to none. An ordinary Racer is known to go 
at the rate of a mile in lefs than two minutes; but there 
have been inftances of much greater rapidity: The fa- 
mous Horfe Childers has been known to move eighty- 
two feet and an half in a fecond, or nearly a mile in a 
minute; he has run round the courfe at Newmarket, 
which is little lefs than four miles, in fix minutes and 
forty feconds. 


repeatedly at Newmarket againft the beft Horfes of his time, and 
was never beaten: He won, in different prizes, to the amount of 
nearly 2,000l.; and was afterwards referved as a ftallion.—The 
fire of Childers was an Arabian, fent by a gentleman as a prefent to 
his brother in England. 

DoriMANT, a famous Horfe belonging to Lord Offory, won 
prizes to the amazing amount of 13,3631. 

Ecuipse was allowed to be the fleeteft Horfe that ever ran in 
England fince the time of Childers.—After winning king’s plates 
and other prizes to a great amount, he covered, by fubfcription, 
forty mares, at thirty guineas each; befides thofe of his owner. 

HIGHFLYER was accounted the beft Horfe of his time in Eng- 
land. The fums he won and received amounted to near g,o00l. 
though he never ftarted after five years old. He was never beaten, 
nor never paid a forfeit. 

MatTcuem, a Horfe belonging to the late W. Fenwick, Efq; 
befides being a capital Racer, was particularly remarkable as a 
ftallion; and may be truly faid to have earned more money than 
any other Horfe in the world. He was engaged, during nine 
years of his life, to cover twenty-five mares, at fifty guineas 
a mare; and was uncommonly fuccefsfal in the celebrity of his 
progeny, having been fire to many of our moft famous running 
Horfes. He was remarkable for being the quieteft ftallion that 
ever was known; to which, perhaps, may be attributed his great 
age, being in his thirty-third year when he died. 

SHARK won, befides a cup value r20gs, and eleven hogfheads 
of claret, the amazing fum of 15,507gs, in plates, matches, and 
forfeits. 

The moft extraordinary inftance of fleetnefs, in a trotting pace, 
we remember to have feen recorded, was performed, on the 4th 
of July, 1788, for a wager of thirty guineas, by a Horfe, the pro- 
perty of a gentleman of Billiter-fquare, London. He trotted thirty 
miles in an hour and twenty minutes, though he was allowed, by 
the terms of the bet, an hour and an half. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 4 


Z Ties Se nas 
sw a 


¥ EEL (3 ee 
Leis cul \ 


Pee ON PER 


is a happy combination of the Race-Horfe with others 
of fuperior ftrength, but inferior in fwiftnefs; and may 
be confidered as the moft ufeful breed of Horfes in Eu- 
rope. ‘Their fpirit and activity in the field is well 
known, and can only be equalled by the perfeverance 
with which they endure the much more fevere labour of 
potting on the road, which is now carried on by this 
active and hardy race, with a celerity unknown at any 
former period. 2 

Geldings of this ‘kind are fent over to the continent 
in great numbers: Their fuperior worth is univerfally 
acknowledged abroad; and they are fold at very high 
prices to foreigners of the firft diftinction. 

The mixture of this with others of inferior rank forms 
an endlefs variety, the different gradations becoming too 
minute to be difcriminated. 


A 4 


o HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


ZN oal\ = 


AY 


Tus BLACK -H Owe e 


No other country has produced a breed of Horfes 
equal in fize and ftrength to the larger kind of our 
draught Horfes. The cavalry of England is in general 
formed of this clafs of Horfes; but their inutility being 
experienced in fome fituations, others of a lighter and 
more active kind have been fubftituted in a few regi- 
ments. The fens of Lincolnfhire generally produce a 
larger breed than any other part of the kingdom. In 
Londen, there have been inftances where a fingle Horfe 
of that kind has drawn, for a {mall fpace, the enormous 
weight of three tons, half of which is known to be their 
ordinary draught. | 

Confiderable improvements have of late years been 
made in this kind of Horfes, by Mr Bakewell of Dith- 
ley, and others; who, by great attention and ingenuity, 
have acquired fuch celebrity, that they frequently fell 
ftallions of their refpective breeds for two hundred gui- 


4 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 9 


meas; or, what is a more general practice, let them to 
hire by the feafon, for forty, eighty, or perhaps an hun- 
dred guineas; and fome of them cover at five guineas a 
mare. ‘The form of the black Lincolnfhire Horfe has, 
by their management, been materially altered: The long 
fore-end, long back, and long thick hairy legs, have 
gradually contracted into a fhort thick carcafe, a fhort 
but upright fore-end, and fhort clean legs; experience 
having at length proved, that ftrength and a€tivity, ra- | 
ther than height and weight, are the more effential pro- 
perties of farm Horfes. 

Another advantage poflefled by this improved breed, is 
its hardinefs, or thriving quality; its being able to carry 
flefh, or ftand hard work, with comparatively little pro- 
vender. This hardinefs of conftitution, or natural pro- 
penfity to thriving, the Leicefterfhire breeders affert is 
hereditary in particular individual breeds or lines of 
Horfes. If this obfervation be juft, and that the feeding 
quality can be obtained with any degree of certainty by 
management in breeding, in this as well as other kinds 
of live ftock, it is a moft interefting circumftance in the 
nature of domeftic animals. 


A ftrong, bony, and aétive kind of Horfes is now 
ufed in our carriages, inftead of the old black Coach- 
Horfe, which is almoft univerfally laid afide. The 
docked tail, offenfive both to humanity and decency, is 
rarely to be feen: Propriety and good fenfe have at 
length prevailed over a cuftom replete with abfurdity; 
and our Horfes are permitted to tetain a member both 
ufeful and ornamental. But we have ftill to regret, that 
the cruel practice of forming the tail, by cutting and 
flicking it on the under fide, is yet continued. 


1o HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Although it would be impoflible to trace out the kind 
of Horfes with which our Britifh anceftors oppofed them- 
felves to the legions of Julius Czfar, on his landing in 
this country; yet that celebrated warrior himfelf bears 
teftimony to their activity and difcipline. 


The Old Englifb Road-Horfe was ftrong, vigorous, and 
active, and capable of enduring great hardfhip; was ra- 
ther low, feldom exceeding fourteen hands; his body 
round and compaét, his limbs ftrong, and his head thick. 


The Ponies of Wales, and thofe brought out of the 
Highlands of Scotland, feem to be original and unmix- 
ed. They are both much efteemed for the neatnefs and 
beauty of their forms, for the nimblenefs of their mo- 
tions, and above all, for being remarkably fure-footed 
in the moft difficult roads, which renders them extreme- 
ly valuable in thofe mountainous tracts to which they 
originally belong.—Thofe brought from Shetland are the 
frnalleft of the genus, being in general much lefs than 
the Afs. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ‘11 


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Tur Common CART-HORSE 


is inferior to the laft in fize and ftrength: His form is 
heavy, his motions flow, and his afpect without ipright- 
linefs: He is neverthelefs extremely ufeful, and is em- 
ployed in the bufinefs of agriculture and other domeftic 
concerns. 


Till of late years, Pack-Horfes were employed, in the 
northern counties of England, to carry the different ma- 
nufactures and articles of traffic from one part of the 
kingdom to another; but the improved ftate of our roads 
has caufed that mode of conveyance to be almoft entirely 
laid afide. In their journies over tracklefs moors, they 
{trictly adhere to the line of order and regularity cuftom 
has taught them to obferve: The leading Horfe, which 
is always chofen for his fagacity and fteadinefs, being 
furnifhed with bells, gives notice to the reft, who follow 
the found, and generally without much deviation, though 
fometimes at a confiderable diftance. The following in- 


122 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


ftance will fhew with what obftinate perfeverance they 
have been known to obferve the line of their order :— 
Some years ago, one of thefe Horfes, which had been 
long accuftomed to follow his leader, by accident or fa- 
tigue, was thrown into an inferior rank: The poor ani- 
mal, as if fenfible of his difgrace, by the moft ftrenuous 
exertions, at length recovered his ufual ftation, which he 
maintained during the remainder of the journey; but, on 
his arrival in the inn-yard, he dropped down dead upon 
the fpot, his life falling a facrifice to his ambition—a 
fpecies of heroifm we muft admire even in the brute cre- 
ation. 


At the age of two years*, the Horfe is in a condition 
to propagate.—The mare is generally in feafon from the 


* There are various ways of judging of the age of.a Horfe. 
The following are the moft general :—the eye-pits of old Horfes 
are commonly hollow; but that mark is equivocal, young Horfes, 
begot by old ftallions, having them alfo hollow —The teeth afford 
the beft criterion of the age of Horfes. The Horfe has, in all, 
forty teeth; viz. twenty-four grinders, four canine teeth or tufks, 
and twelve fore teeth: Mares have either no tufks, or very fhort 
ones. Five days after birth, the four teeth in front begin to fhoot: 
Thefe are called nippers, and are caft at the age of two years and 
a half: They are foon renewed: And the next year, he again 
cafts two above, and two below,—one on each fide of the nippers. 
At four years and a half, other four fall out, next thofe laft placed: 
Thefe laft four foal teeth are fucceeded by other four, which grow 
much more flowly than the firft eight: And it is from thefe laft 
four corner teeth, that the age of the Horfe is diftinguifhed: They 
are fomewhat hollow in the middle, and have a black mark in the 
cavities. At five years, thefe teeth fcarcely rife above the gums $+ 
at fix, their cavities begin to fill up, and turn to a brownith fpot, 
like the eve of a garden bean; and before eight years, the mark 
generally difappears.— The tufks alfo indicate the age of a Horfe.— 
Thofe in the under jaw generally fhoot at the age of three years 
and a half; and the two in the upper jaw at four: Till fix, they 
continue fharp at the points; but at ten, they appear long and 
blunted.—Thefe are the general rules for afcertaining the age of a 
Horfe; but there are frequent exceptions, as fome Horfes retain 


the mark two or three years longer. 
a 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 133 


latter end of March till the beginning of June; but her 
chief ardour for the Horfe continues only fifteen or 
twenty days. She goes with young eleven months and 
fome days; continues to breed till the age of fixteen or 
eighteen years; and lives, on an average, between twenty 
and thirty years. 

Although the Horfe is endowed with vaft ftrength and 
powers, he feldom exerts either to the prejudice of his 
mafter: On the contrary, he fhares with him in his la- 
bours, and feems to participate in his pleafures; gene- 
rous and perfevering, he gives up his whole powers to 
the fervice of his mafter; though bold and intrepid, he 
reprefles the natural vivacity and fire of his temper, and 
not only yields to the hand, but feems to confult the in- 
clination of his rider. ! 

But it muft continue to be matter of regret to every 
feeling mind, that thefe excellent qualities fhould be often 
fhamefully abufed in the moft unneceflary exertions; and 
the honeft labours of this noble animal thrown away in 
the ungrateful tafk of accomplifhing the purpofes of un- 
feeling folly, or lavifhed in gratifying the expeCtations of 
an intemperate moment. 


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14 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


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HIS ufeful and hardy animal is the offspring of 
T the Horfe and the Afs, and being generally bar- 
ren, furnifhes an indifputable proof that the two fpe- 
cies are perfectly diftinct. Nature has providently 
{topped the further propagation of thefe heterogeneous 
productions, to preferve, uncontaminated, the form of 
each animal; without which regulation the races would 
in a, fhort time be mixed with each other, and every 
creature, lofing its original perfection, would rapidly de- 
generate. : 

Mules have not unfrequently been known to bring 
forth young, efpecially in hot countries; and inftances 
have not been wanting, though they are rare, both in 
England and Scotland. But it would require a fucceflion 
of experiments to prove, that Mules will breed with each 
ether, and produce an offspring equally capable of conti- 
nuing the race. 

‘The common Mule is very healthy, and will live above 
thirty years. It is found very ferviceable in carrying 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 15 


burthens, particularly in mountainous and ftony places, 
where Horfes are not fo fure-footed. The fize and 
ftrength of our breed have lately been much improved 
by the importation of Spanifh Male-Affes; and it were 
much to be wifhed, that the ufeful qualities of this animal 


were more attended to: For, by proper care in its break- 
ing, its natural obftinacy would in a great meafure be cor- 
rected; and it might be formed with fuccefs, for the fad- 
dle, the draught, or the burthen. 

People of the firft quality in Spain are drawn by 
Mules, where fifty or fixty guineas is no uncommon 
price for one of them; nor is it furprizing, when we 
confider how far they excel the Horfe in travelling in a 
mountainous country, the Mule being able to tread {fe- 
curely where the former can hardly ftand.—Their man- 
ner of going down the precipices of the Alps, the Andes, 
&c. is very extraordinary; and with it we will conclude 
their hiftory. In thefe paffages, on one fide, are fteep 
eminences, and on the other, frightful abyfles; and, as 
they generally follow the direction of the mountain, the 
road, inftead of lying in a level, forms at every little 
diftance fteep declivities, of feveral hundred yards down- 
ward. Thefe can only be defcended by Mules; and the 
animal itfelf feems fenfible of the danger, and the cau- 
tion that is to be ufed in fuch defcents. When they 
come to the edge of one of thefe precipices, they ftop 
without being checked by the rider; and if he inadver- 
tently attempt to {pur them on, they continue immovea- 
ble. .They feem all this time ruminating on the danger 
that lies before them, and preparing themfelves for the 
encounter. They not only attentively view the road, 
but tremble and fnort at the danger. Having prepared 
for the def{cent, they place their fore feet in a pofture, as 


16 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


if they were ftopping themfelves; they then alfo 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 furvey of the road, they flide down with the 
fwiftnefs of a meteor. Jn the mean time, all the rider 
has to do is to keep himfelf faft on the faddle without 
checking the rein, for the leaft motion is fufficient to 
diforder the equilibrium of the Mule; in which cafe they 
both unavoidably perifh. But their addrefs in this rapid 
defcent is truly wonderful; for in their {wifteft motion, 
when they feem to have loft all government of them- 
felves, they follow exactly the different windings of the 
road, as if they had previoufly fettled in their minds the 
route they were to follow, and taken every precaution for 
their fafety. In this journey, the natives place them- 
felves along the fides of the mountains; and holding by 
the roots of the trees, animate the beafts with fhouts, 
and encourage them to perfevere. Some Mules, after 
being long ufed to thefe journies, acquire a kind of repu- 
tation for their fafety and fkill; and their value rifes in 
proportion to their fame. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 17 


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HE Afs, it is probable, was originally a native of 
ie Arabia and other parts of the eaft: The deferts of 
Lybia and Numidia, and many iflands of the Archipe- 
lago, contain vaft herds of wild Affes, which run with 
fuch amazing {wiftnefs, that even the fleeteft Horfes of 
the country can hardly overtake them. They are chiefly 
caught by the natives on account of their flefh, which 
is eaten by them, and confidered as a delicious repatt. 
The flefh of the common or tame Afs is however drier, 
more tough, and difagreeable than that of the Horfe; 
Galen fays, it is even unwholefome: Its milk, on the 
contrary, is an approved remedy for certain diforders.— 
The wild Afs is not ftreaked like the Zebra, (with which 
it has often been confounded) nor is his form fo beauti- 
ful: His figure refembles that of the common Afs, his 
colour is brighter, and he has a white ftreak extending 
from his head to his tail. 


B 


1% HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


The Afs, like the Horfe, was originally imported into 
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 


manner:—A number of perfons on horfeback, attended. 


by Indians on foot, form a large circle in order to drive 
them into a narrow compa{s, where at full fpeed they 
throw a noofe over them, and having fecured them with 
fetters, leave them till the chace is over, which frequent- 
ly lafts for feveral days. ‘They have all the fwiftnefs of 
Horfes; and neither declivities nor precipices can retard 
them in their flight. When attacked, they defend them- 
felves with their heels and mouths with fuch activity, 
that, without flackening their pace, they often maim 
their purfuers. 

A warm climate is moft favourable to the growth of 
this animal: The Afs produced in this country is much 
inferior in fize and beauty to thofe of Spain and other 
warm countries: In Guinea, they are larger and more 
beautiful than even their Horfes: In Perfia, they have 
two kinds,—the one flow and heavy, which is made ufe 
of for carrying burthens; the other nimble, fmooth, and 
ftately, ufed chiefly for the faddle. They are managed 
as Horfes; and, like them, are taught to amble. They 
generally flit their noftrils, to give them more room for 
breathing. Many of thefe are fold as high as forty or 
fifty pounds. 

Holingfhed informs us, that, in the reign of queen 
Elizabeth, there were no Afles in this country: How 
foon after they might be introduced, is uncertain. How- 
ever they are at prefent naturalized in this kingdom, 
where their utility becomes daily more univerfally expe- 
rienced. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 19 


The qualities of this animal are fo well known, as to 
need no defcription: His gentlenefs, patience, and per- 
feverance, are without example: He is temperate with 
regard to food, and eats contentedly the coarfeft and 
moft 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 pafture. In his water he is fingu- 
larly nice, drinking only from the cleareft brooks. He is 
fo much afraid of wetting his feet, that, even when load- 
en, he will turn afide to avoid the dirty parts of the road. 

He is ftronger, in proportion to his fize, than the 
Horfe; but more fluggifh, ftubborn, and untraCtable.— 
He is healthier than the Horfe; and, of all other quadru- 
peds, is leaft infefted with lice or other vermin; proba- 
bly owing to the extreme hardnefs and drynefs of his 
fkin. For the fame reafon, perhaps, he is lefs fenfitive 
of the goads of the whip, or the flinging of flies. 

He is three or four years in coming to perfection; and 
lives to the age of twenty, or fometimes twenty-five 
years. He fleeps much lefs than the Horfe, and never 
lies down for that purpofe but when he is much fa- 
tigued. The She-Afs goes eleven months with young, 
and feldom produces more than one at a time. 

The fervices of this ufeful creature are to often re- 
paid by hard fare and cruel ufage; and being generally 
the property of the poor, it partakes of their wants and 
their diftreffes: Whereas, by due cultivation and care in 
its education, the Afs might be ufefully and profitably 
employed in a variety of domeftic purpofes, and in many 
cafes fupply the place of the Horfe, to which only it is 
fecond, though generally degraded into the moft ufelefs 
and neglected of domestic quadrupeds. 

B2 


20 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


poets } 
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SS thed 


Post ye Zo i BS Te ae 
W HICH many authors have miftaken for a wild 


Afs, is the moft beautiful, as well as the wild~ 
eft, moft timid, and untameable animal in nature. Be- 
ing larger than the Afs, it rather refembles the Mule in 
fhape: Its head is large; its ears longer than thofe of the 
Horfe; its legs beautifully fmall, and well placed; and 
its body well formed, round and flefhy: But the beauty 
of its fhape is greatly heightened by the gloffy {moothnefs 
of its fkin, and the amazing regularity and elegance of 
its colours, which in the male are white and brown, and 
in the female white and black, ranged in alternate ftripes 
over the whole body, in a {tile fo beautiful and ornamen- 
tal, that it would at firft fight feem rather the effect of 
art than the genuine production of nature: The head is 
ftriped with fine bands of black and white, which form a 
center in the forehead; the neck is adorned with ftripes 
of the fame colour running round it; the body is beau- 
tifully variegated with bands running acrofs the back, 
and ending in points at the belly; its thighs, its legs, its 


* 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 21 


ears, and even its tail, are all beautifully ftreaked in the 
fame manner. 

The Zebra inhabits the fouthern parts of Africa, 
where whole herds are feen feeding in thofe extenfive 
plains that lie towards the Cape of Good Hope. How- 
ever, their watchfulnefs is fuch, that they will fuffer no- 
thing to come near them; and their fwiftnefs fo great, 
that they eafily leave their purfuers far behind. 

Such is the beauty of this creature, that it feems by 
nature fitted to gratify the pride and formed for the fer- 
vice of man; and it is moft probable, that time and affi- 
duity alone are wanting to bring it under fubjection. As 
it refembles the Horfe in regard to its form, as well as 
manner of living, there can be little doubt but it poffeffes 
a fimilitude of nature; and only requires the efforts of an 
induftrious and {fkilful nation, to be added to the number 
of our ufeful dependants. Neverthelefs, its liberty has 
hitherto remained uncontrouled, and its natural fierce- 
nefs has as yet refifted every attempt to fubdue it: Thofe 
that have been brought to this country, have difcovered a 
degree of vicioufnefs that rendered it unfafe to approach 
them too familiarly; but it is by no means to be con- 
cluded from hence, that they are untameable. They 
have continued to be wild, becaufe they are natives of a 
country where the wretched inhabitants have no other 
idea of advantage from the animal creation than as they 
are good for food, paying more regard to that which af- 
fords the moft delicious repaft, than to delicacy of co- 
louring, or beauty of conformation. 


Quaggas, or Wild Affes, hitherto but little known, and 
not much defcribed, abound in the fame country. ‘They 
live in herds, and are extremely {wift. 

B3 


22 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


RUMINATING ANIMALS. 


HE various animals of this kind being entirely 
confined to grain and herbage for their nourifh- 
ment and fupport, it is neceflary that they fhould be ena- 
bled to receive a large quantity into the ftomach, as well 
as to retain it a confiderable time .before it be reduced 
to proper chyle: For this purpofe, their inteftines are 
remarkably long and capacious,. and formed into a va- 
riety of foldings. ‘They are furnifhed with no lefs than 
four ftomachs. ‘The food, after maftication, is thrown 
into the firft ftomach, where it remains fome time; after 
which, it is forced up again into the mouth, and under- 
goes a fecond chewing: It is then fent direétly into the 
fecond ftomach, and gradually paffes into the third and 
fourth; from whence it is tranfmitted through the con- 
volutions of the inteftines. By this conformation, rumi- 
nating animals are enabled to devour large quantities of 
vegetable aliment, to retain it long in their bowels, and 
confequently extra&t from it a quantity of nutritious mat- 
ter fufficient for their growth and fupport. 

The great obligations we are under to thofe of this 
clafs, render them objects of the higheft importance to 
us. We are nourifhed with their milk, we are fupported 
by their flefh, and we are cloathed and warmed with 
their fleeces: Their harmleffnefs and innocence endear 
them to us, and claim from us that protection which 
their natures feem to require; and, in return, they fupply 
us with the neceffaries and comforts of life. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 23 


BG  O.& . KL pw np. 


F all quadrupeds, the Cow feems moft extenfively 
{) propagated: It is equally capable of enduring the 
rigours of heat and cold; and it is an inhabitant of the 
frozen, as well as the moft fcorching climates. Other 
animals preferve their nature or their form with inflexible 
perfeverance; but thefe, in every refpedt, fuit themfelves 
to the wants and conveniences of mankind. In no ani- 
mal is there to be met with a greater variety of kinds; 
and in none, a more humble and pliant difpofition. 

The climate and paftures of Great-Britain are well 
adapted to the moderate nature of this animal; and we 
are indebted to the variety and abundance of our whole- — 
fome vegetables, for the number and excellence of our 
cattle, which range over our hills, and enliven our plains 
—a fource of inexhauftible wealth—the pride and boaft of 
this happy country. | 

Being deftitute of the upper fore teeth, the Cow pre- 
fers the high and rich grafs in paftures, to the fhort and 
more delicate herbage the Horfe generally felects. For 
this reafon, in our Englifh paftures, where the grafs is 
rather high and flourifhing, than fucculent and nutritious, 
the Cow thrives admirably; and there is no part of Eu- 
rope in which this animal grows larger, yields more milk, 
nor fattens fooner. 

It has often been remarked, that the Horfe and Sheep 
impoverifh the foil on which they graze; whilft the paf- 
ture where the Cow is fed, acquires a finer furface, and 
every year becomes more level and beautiful: The Horfe 
fele&ts the erafs that is moft delicate and tender; and, 
being furnifhed with fore teeth on each jaw, nips if 

B4 


24 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


clofe, and frequently pulls it up by the roots, thereby 
preventing its future growth and propagation: The 
Sheep alfo, though formed like the Cow with refpe& 
to its teeth, only bites the moft fucculent parts 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 
fucceeding year another ring is added. ‘Thus, by allow- 
ing three years before their appearance, and then reckon- 
ing the number of rings, the creature’s age may be exact- 
ly known. d 

The quantity of milk given by Cows is very vari- 
ous: Some will yield only about fix quarts in one day ; 
while others give from ten to fifteen, and fometimes even 
twenty. The richnefs of the pafture contributes not a 
little to its increafe. ‘There have been inftances of Cows 
giving upwards of thirty quarts of milk in one day. In 
fuch cafes, there is a neceflity for milking them thrice.— 
From the milk of fome Cows, twelve or fourteen pounds 
of butter are made in a week. 

It has been advanced, by fome naturalifts, as a general 
principle, that neither animals, nor parts of animals, ap- 
pear to be primarily intended for the ufe of man, but 
are only capable of a fecondary application to his pur- 
pofes: Yet it muft be allowed, that in many inftances, 
what they term the fecondary ufe, is fo manifeft and im- 
portant, that it cannot, with propriety, be fuppofed to 
be excluded from the original defigns of the all-wife Cre- 
ator: And it muft be allowed, that the Cow, in its fa- 
culty of giving in fuch abundance, and with fo much 
eafe, its milk, which forms fo rich and nutritive an ali- 
ment for the human fpecies, is a ftriking example of this 
fubordination to the interefts of mankind: For this ani- 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. = 25 


mal differs, in fome parts of its organization, from moft 
others; having a larger and more capacious udder, .and 
longer and thicker teats, than the largeft animal we 
know of: It has likewife four teats, while all other ani- 
mals of the fame nature have but two: It alfo yields the 
milk freely to the hand, while moft animals, at leaft thofe 
that do not ruminate in the fame manner, refufe it; ex- 
cept their own young, or fome adopted animal, be allow- 
ed to partake. | 

The Cow, having four teats, is a ftriking peculiarity ; 
as the number in all other animals bears fome proportion 
with the number of young ones they bring forth at a 
time. 

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 fuck her conftantly. This is not ‘the 
cafe with the Afs; which, it is well known, will foon 
grow dry, if her foal be not permitted to fuck part of her 
milk every day. 

Upon the whole, it appears, that the property of yield- 
ing milk, without the young one, is confined to thofe 
kinds of ruminating horned animals which have cloven 
hoofs, four ftomachs, long inteftines, are furnifhed with 
fuet, 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 a more 
eminent degree than others, owing to the capaciou{nefs 
of her udder, and the fize and form of her teats. | 

By great induftry and attention to their breed, and by 
judicious mixtures with thofe of other countries, our 
horned cattle are univerfally allowed to be the fineft in 
Europe; although fuch as are purely Britifh are inferior 
in fize to thofe on many parts of the continent. 


26 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


ey r 
\ 
PAN ae AT NN 
’ i 


Tue HoutsTEIn or Dutcu Breep 


has been introduced with great fuccefs, and is now the 
prevailing ftock in all the counties on the eaftern coaft of 
this kingdom.—lIn good paflures, cattle of this kind grow 
to a great fize*; and the Cows yield a greater abundance 
of milk than thofe of almoft any other kind. 

* An Ox was fed by Mr Edward Hall, of Whitley, in North- 


umberland; and killed in March, 1789, when feyen years old; 
it weighed, without offal, 187 ft. 51lb.—And a Cow, bred and fed 


- HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 27 


Tue Lonc-HORNED oR LANCASHIRE BREED 


is common in Lancafhire, Weftmoriand, and Cumber- 
land, and fome of the neighbouring counties; and, not- 
withftanding the changes which have taken place by the 
introduction of foreign kinds, there is reafon to believe, 
that this, for a confiderable time at leaft, has been the 
prevailing ftock of the kingdom at large. 

Mr Marfhall, in his excellent treatife on the Eco. 
nomy of the Midland Counties,” obferves, that, from 
this kind, the prefent improved breed of cattle, in Lei- 
cefterfhire, is traceable, by the moft indifputable evi- 
dence. From Bulls brought out of Weftmorland and 
Lancafhire, and Cows from the banks of the Trent, the 
celebrated Canley breed, the property of Mr Webfter, de- 
rived its origin; and about fifty years ago, it was efteem- 


by Mr Smith, of Togfton, in the fame county, killed in January, 
1792, weighed rsoft. 3lb.: Fore quarters 65 ft. 4lb. hind quarters 
62 ft. 7lb. tallow 15 ft. 12. 1b, hide 6 ft. 8lb.—14 lb. to the ftone. 


28 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 


ed the moft valuable at that time in the kingdom. From 
this breed, Mr Bakewell obtained the fource of his pre- 
fent fuperior ftock of cattle; and feveral other eminent 
breeders are alfo indebted to the fame origin, for the ce- 
lebrity they have fince attained. : 

The rapid improvements which have taken place i in 
this truly valuable Leicefterfhire breed, form an intereft- 
-ing fubje&t of enquiry; of which, the limits of our work 
will only allow us to give the outlines. We have, how- 
ever, noticed the general principles which have been laid 
down, and fteadily adhered to, in the improvement of 
the feveral breeds of cattle ; and which have been fo fuc- 
cefsfully brought into practice. The firft, and moft ob- 
vious, is beauty of form,—a principle, which has been” 
in common applied to every fpecies of domeftic cattle; 
and, with great feeming propriety, was fuppofed to form 
the bafis of every kind of improvement; under an idea, 
that beauty of form, and utility, were infeparable. But 
at prefent, a diftinction is made, by men who have 
been long converfant in practice, between a ufeful fort, 
and a fort that is merely handfome. Utility of form is 
therefore the next general principle, and may be confi-- 
dered as arifing from a larger proportion of thofe parts 
which are the moft ufeful: Thus, for inftance, all thofe 
parts which are deemed ofa/, or which bear an inferior 
price, fhould be {mall in proportion to the better parts. 
A third principle of improvement, laid down by breeders, 
confifts in the finenefs of the mufcular parts, or what is 
termed jlef>. But the great object which engroffes the 
attention of breeders at prefent, is the fatting quality, or 
a natural propenfity in cattle to arrive at a ftate of fat- 
-nefs at an early age, and in a fhort {pace of time: And 
it appears, from obfervation, that beauty and utility of 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 29 


form, the quality of the flefh, and its propenfity to fat- 
nefs, are principles confiftent with each other, are fre- 
quently found united in the fame individual, and heredi- 
tary in particular lines or families of cattle.—In regard to 
the means of improvement, it has long been an eftablifh- 
ed maxim, that, to improve the breed, it is neceflary to 
crofs it with others of an alien ftock; under an opinion, 
that continuing to breed from the fame line weakens the 
ftock. This idea, however rooted it may have been in 
the minds of former practitioners, is now entirely fet 
afide by the modern practice of breeding, not from the 
fame line only, but from the fame family: The fire and 
the daughter, the fon and the mother, the brother and 
fitter, are now permitted to improve their own kind.— 
This practice is well known under the term of breeding 
in-and-in; and, in this way, the improvement of the fe- 
veral breeds has advanced rapidly to a height unknown 
before in any age or nation. 

The praCiice of letting out Bulls by the feafon, has 
contributed very materially towards the improvement of 
this valuable breed; as, by this means, one Bull, inftead 
of being ufeful to his proprietor only, may, in a few 
years, extend the benefits of his {tock through a whole 
diftri@t ; and fo fully are the ftock-mafters convinced of 
its advantages, that eighty guineas have been given for 
the ufe of a Bull for one feafon. Some Bulls are in fuch 
eftimation, as to leap at the extraordinary price of five 
guineas a Cow: And it is, perhaps, a circumftance 
worth mentioning, that Mr Fowler, of Rollright, in Ox- 
fordfhire, in 1789, for ten Bull calves, refufed five hun- 
dred guineas. 

Great improvements have alfo, of late years, been 
made in the old Lancafbire kind, both in fize and beauty. 


30 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


—Craven, in Yorkfhire, has long been celebrated for 2 
fuperior variety of the long-horned kind: And from 
thence the graziers of Weftmorland and Lancafhire pur- 
chafed the flower of their Heifers; which, by crofling 
with the original {tock of thofe counties, have produced 
a breed, which is now had recourfe to, for the improve- 
ment of this kind of cattle, in every part of the kingdom. 
—Some of the Bulls are extremely large. ‘Their horns 
are not long, but beautifully turned; their hair fhort and 
f{mooth; their crefts rife extremely high; their chefts are 
let down to their knees; their bodies are long, and in 
the form of a perfect cylinder. 


je hace Bi Lee tn Dig 
SRST on) wey PE LE Mi: 
S = 


SEAN \ i) NSN y) 
\ AS oS S Sait i os NN ‘yi i aN 
ee 
ees SG L 


Gj 


— eae ra & 
US SSNITS NONS Ue <5 
ee Bee NG 


Tas LANCASHIRE sO. 


The Cows and Oxen are fmaller. Their horns are 
long and fmall, very fmooth; and their colour, in gene- 
ral, approaches to yellow: Their hair is beautifully curl- 
ed; and their whole form extremely handfome. The 
Oxen frequently grow to a confiderable fize, are very 
active, and confequently ufeful in the draught. They 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 31 


are well fuited to a cold climate, and grow fat on indif- 
ferent paftures. 


In Scotland, there are two kinds, which differ greatly 
from each other, as well as from all thofe in the fouthern 
parts of this ifland. 

Thofe of the county of Galloway are without horns, 
and generally of a reddith-brown colour, mixed with 
black. Large droves of thefe are yearly brought into the 


fouthern parts of this kingdom, where they foon greatly 
improve. 


eae RYE On Oo Xx. 


The Highland cattle are very fmall, and partake much 
of the wildnefs of the country in which they are bred.— 
They are moftly black, with fine white horns, very fharp, 
and nearly black at the points; and their hair is thick 
and furry. Large droves of thefe are likewife fold into 
England at the great northern fairs. ‘They are greatly 
efteemed for the finenefs and {weetnefs of their beef, as 
well as for the facility with which they acquire a confi- 
derable degree of fatnefs, even with moderate feeding. 


32 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Although the Oxen of this breed, when fed in the or- 
dinary way, do not exceed forty ftone the four quarters, 
—one of them, fed by Mr Spearman, of Rothley Park, 
in Northumberland, weighed, when killed, in 1790, at 
the age of fix years, eighty-one ftone. 


The Cow feems more liable to changes from its paf- 
ture and climate than any other quadruped. Jn the dif- 
ferent’ parts of this narrow ifland, we can trace a won- 
derful variety of thefe animals, produced by the richnefs 
or poverty of the foil. In fhort, in every part of the 
world, the Cow is found either large or {mall, in propor- 
tion to the quality and quantity of its food. Among 
the Eluth Tartars, where the paftures are remarkably 
rich and nourifhing, the Cow grows to fuch an amazing 
fize, that a man can fcarcely reach the tip of its fhoulder: 
In France, on the contrary, where this animal is ftinted 
in its food, and driven from the beft paftures, it greatly 
degenerates. 

In Great-Britain, the Ox is the only horned animal 
that will apply his ftrength to the fervice of mankind; 
and, in general, is more profitable than the Horfe, for 
the plough or the draught. ‘There is fcarcely any part of 
this animal without its ufe: The fkin is made into va- 
rious kinds of leather; the hair is mixed with lime for 
plaiftering; the bones are made ufe of as a fubftitute for 
ivory, and, being calcined, are ufed by the refiner as an 
abforbent to carry off the bafer metals in refining filver, 
&c.; combs, and many other articles, are made of the 
horns; we are fupplied with candles from the tallow; 
and from the feet is procured an oil, of great ufe in pre- 
paring and foftening leather; befides the well-known be- 
nefits derived from butter, milk, and cheefe; its blood, 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 33 


gall, liver, and urine, have their refpective ufes in manu- 
fa€tures and medicine. 

The Cow goes nine months with young, and feldom 
produces more than one at a time. 

Tt is'a curious fact, that, in fome inftances, Cows are 
naturally barren; and this is faid to happen, when a 
‘Cow brings 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 
farmers under the denomination of a Free Martin. It 
refembles the Ox, or fpayed heifer, in figure; and is 
confiderably larger than the Cow. It is fometimes pre- 
ferved by the farmer, for the purpofe of yoking with the 
Oxen, or fattening for the table-—Mr Hunter obferves, 
that the flefh of the Free Martin, like that of the Ox, is 
in common much finer in the fibre than either the Bull 
or Cow. It is fuppofed to exceed that of the Heifer in 
delicacy of flavour, and bears a higher price at market. 


\ 


4 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


SS 


A. 
y 
Za 


ay ~~ Sky 
¥ wit 
AY ye 

hhh 


re} sat” 
iN 


ogy Gee 


ipl 


HEE: 
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LG Ne 
eee 


SEN WS: 
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MS 


mE rege, 


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SY Se SS 


AAA me A CLT oe 


Pe OLE LGPL CE 


WOLD CATT ae 


There was formerly a very fingular fpecies of wild cat- 
tle in this country, which is now nearly extinct. Nume- 
rous herds of them were kept in feveral parks in England 
and Scotland; but they have been deftroyed by various 
means; And the only breeds now remaining in the king- 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. — 33 


dom, are in the park at Chillingham-caftle, in Northum- 
berland; at Wollaton, in Nottinghamfhire, the feat of 
Lord- Middleton; at Gifburne, in Craven, Yorkfhire; at 
Lime-hall, in Chefhire; and at Chartley, in Stafford- 
fhire. 

The principal external appearances which diftinguifh 
this breed of cattle from all others, are the following :— 
Their colour is invariably white; muzzles black; the 
whole of the infide of the ear, and about one-third of the 
outfide, 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 firft appearance of any perfon, they fet off in 
full gallop; and, at the diftance of two or three hun- 
dred yards, make a wheel round, and come boldly up 
again, tofling their heads in a menacing manner: Ona 
fudden they make a full ftop, at the diftance of forty or 
fifty yards, looking wildly at the objet of their furprize; 
but upon the leaft motion being made, they all again 
turn round, and fly off with equal fpeed, but not to the 
fame diftance: Forming a fhorter circle, and again re- 
turning with a bolder and more threatening afpect than 
before, they approach much nearer, probably within 


* About twenty years fince, there were a few, at Chillingham, 
with BLACK EARS; but the prefent park-keeper deftroyed them ; 
—fince which period, there has not been one with black ears.— 
The ears and nofes of all thofe at Wollaton are BLAcK.—At Gif- 
burne, there are fome perfectly wH1ITE 3; except the infide of their 
ears, which are BROWN. ‘They are without horns, very ftrong- 
boned, but not high.—They are faid to have been originally 
brought from Whalley-abbey, in Lancafhire, upon its diffolution 
in the thirty-third of Henry the Eighth.—Tradition fays, they 
were drawn to Gifburne, by the ‘ power of mufic.’ 


C2 


36 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


thirty yards; when they make another ftand, and again 
fly off: ‘This they do feveral times, fhortening their dif- 
tance, and advancing nearer, till they come within ten 
yards; when moft people think it prudent to leave them, 
not chufing to provoke them further; for there is little 
doubt but in two or three turns they would make an at- 
tack. 

The mode of killing them was, perhaps, the only mo- 
dern 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. fometimes to the 
amount of an hundred horfe, and four or five hundred 
foot, who ftood upon walls, or got into trees, while the 
horfemen rode off the Bull from the reft of the herd, un- 
til he ftood at bay; when a markfman difmounted and 
fhot. At fome of thefe huntings, twenty or thirty fhots 
. have been fired before he was fubdued. On fuch occa- 
fions, the bleeding victim grew defperately furious, from 
the {marting of his wounds, and the fhouts of favage joy 
that were echoing from every fide: But, from the num- 
ber of accidents that happened, this dangerous mode has 
been little practifed of late years; the park-keeper alone 
generally fhooting them, with a rifled gun, at one fhot. 

When the Cows calve, they hide their calves for a 
week or ten days in fome fequeftered fituation, and go 
and fuckle them twe or three times a-day. If any per- 
fon come near the calves, they clap their heads clofe to 
the ground and lie like a hare in form, to hide them- 
felves: This is a proof of their native wildnefs, and is 
corroborated by the following circumftance that happen- 
ed to the writer of this narrative, who found a hidden 
calf, two days old, very lean, and very weak :—On ftrok- 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. on 


ing its head, it got up, pawed two or three times like an 
old Bull, bellowed very loud, ftepped back a few fteps, 
and bolted at his legs with all its force; it then began to 
paw again, bellowed, ftepped back, and bolted as before; 
but knowing its intention, and flepping afide, it miffed 
him, fell, and was fo very weak that it could not rife, 
though it made feveral efforts: But it had done enough: 
The whole herd were alarmed, and, coming to its refcue, 
obliged him to retire: for the dams will allow no perfon 
to touch their calves, without attacking them with impe- 
tuous ferocity. 

When any one happens to be wounded, or is grown 
weak and feeble through age or ficknefs, the reft of the 
herd fet upon it, and gore it to death. 

The weight of the Oxen is generally from forty to 
fifty ftone the four quarters; the Cows about thirty. 
‘The beef is finely marbled, and of excellent flavour. 

Thofe at Burton-Conftable, in the county of York, 
were all deftroyed by a diftemper a few years fince. 
They varied flightly from thofe at Chillingham, having 
black ears and muzzles, and the tips of their tails of the 
fame colour: They were alfo much larger, many of 
them weighing fixty ftone; probably owing to the rich- 
nels of the pafturage in Holdernefs; but generally attri- 
buted to the difference of kind between thofe with black 
and with red ears, the former of which they ftudioufly 
endeavoured to preferve. The breed which was at 
Drumlanrig, in Scotland, had alfo black ears. 


28 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


THe URUS, or WILD BULL, 


is chiefly to be met with in the extenfive forefts of Li- 
thuania. It grows to a fize almoft equal to the Ele- 
phant, and is quite black; the eyes are red and fiery, 
the horns thick and fhort, and the forehead covered with 
a quantity of curled hair; the neck is fhort and ftrong, 
and the fkin has an odour of mufk. ‘The female, though 
not fo big as the male, exceeds the largeft of our Bulls 
in fize: Neverthelefs, her udder is extremely fmall. 
Upon the whole, however, this animal, which greatly 
refembles thofe of the tame kind, probably owes its varie- 
ty to its natural wildnefs, and the richnefs of the paftures 
where it is produced. 


“e 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 39 


_—_—. = X 
er SQ \( 
= SQ) \\ 


ae 


=. 
= 


— =e Sa Bs a € 
2 SSO aha See SS 
eee | ee Be oS eo 

ki NS Sse es 


PPO os errata 


Tn Bf iS ON 


differs from the reft of the Ox kind, in having a large 
jump between its fhoulders, almoft as high as that of a 
Camel. 


He has a long fhaggy mane, which forms a 
kind of beard under his chin; his eyes are fierce, his 
forehead large, and his horns extremely wide. It is dan- 
gerous to purfue him, except in forefts abounding with 
trees large enough to conceal the hunters. He is gene- 
rally taken in pits covered with branches of trees and 
grafs, on the oppofite fide of which the hunters tempt 
the animal to purfue them; and the enraged creature 
running towards them, falls into the trap prepared for it, 
and is then overpowered and flain. 

The Bifon, or the animal with the hump, is found in 
all the fouthern parts of the world, though greatly differ- 
ing from each other in fize and form; while the Urus, 
or the one without the hump, chiefly occupies the tem- 
perate and cold climates. The former extend throughe 
C4 


40 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS- 


out the vaft continent of India, and from Mount Atlas 
to the Cape of Good Hope. In fome parts, they are 
extremely large; while in others, they are very fmall, fuch 
as the Zebu, or Barbary Cow. 


~~ 
7 PRR 
GATT IRESSE 
ey AON > 


~ se 
: PS. ag, NO 
PANS Athy 
WESSON te 


SSS oe 
ZK = SSG Ne: 
2 ANT A yes 
\ ~~) 8 a 
* a8 nN REN), LENA NAN 
SEs ) SAZ 
Ses P\ZPRA\: Os : 
Ss Amy) A a LER 
Co SEEDER 
we Nene Come HSo. pag Ve 
ie oN! Seok 


= te ne ae 


iH E Zod | Ee 


They are all equally docile and gentle, when tamed ; 
and are in general covered with fine gloffy hair, fofter 
and more beautiful than that of the common Cow.— 
Their humps are of different fizes, in fome weighing 
from forty to fifty pounds, but in others lefs. ‘That part 
is in general confidered as a great delicacy; and, when 
drefled, has much the appearance and tafte of udder. 

The Bifons of Madagafcar and Malabar are of the 
great kind; thofe of Arabia Petrea, and moft parts of 
Africa, are of the Zebu or fmall kind. 

In America, efpecially towards the North, the Bifon is 
well known. They herd together, in droves of from one 
to two hundred, on the banks of the Miffiippi; where 
the inhabitants hunt them, their flefh being efteemed 
good eating. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. a1 


They all breed with the tame Cow. ‘The hump, 
which is only an accidental characteriftic, gradually de- 
clines; and, in a few generations, no veftiges of it re- 
main.—Thus we fee, whether it be the wild or the tame 
Ox, the Bonafus or the Urus, the Bifon or the Zebu, by 
whatever name they are diftinguifhed, or however vari- 
oufly claffed by naturalifts, in reality they are the fame; 
and, though diverfified in their appearance and proper- 
ties, are defcendants of one common ftock; of which 
the moft unequivocal proof is, that they all mix and- 
breed with each other. 


The Oxen of India are of different fizes, and are made 
ufe of in travelling, as fubftitutes for horfes. Their 
common pace is foft. Inftead of a bit, a {mall cord is 
pafled through the cartilage of the noftrils, which is tied 
to a larger cord, and ferves as a bridle. They are fad- 
dled like horfes; and, when pufhed, move very brifkly. 
They are likewife ufed in drawing chariots and carts. 
For the former purpofe, white Oxen are in great efteem, 
and much admired. ‘They will perform journies of fixty 
days, at the rate of from twelve to fifteen leagues a day; 
and their travelling pace is generally a trot. 


In Perfia, there are many Oxen entirely white, with 
{mall blunt horns, and humps on their backs. They are 
very itrong, and carry heavy burthens. When about to 
be loaded, they drop down on their knees like the Ca- 
mel, and rife when their burthens are properly faftened. 


42 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Tus GRUNTING.-OX. 


The Sarluc, or Grunting-Cow of Tartary, from its 
refemblance to the Bifon, may be confidered as belong- 
ing to the fame fpecies. Its horns are fhort, upright, 
flender, and very fharp; the hair on its body is black, 
except the mane and ridge of the back, where it is 
white; its whole body is covered with very long hair, 
which hangs down below its knees, and makes its legs 
appear fhort; it has a hump on its back; its tail refem- 
bles that of a horfe, is white, and very bufhy; it ftrikes 
with its head like a goat, and is very unruly; its diftin- 
guifhing peculiarity is, that it makes a grunting noife 
like a hog, inftead of lowing like the Ox, which in every 
other inftance it greatly refembles. It abounds in the 
kingdom of Thibet, where it is domefticated. 

The wild breed, called Lucha, is extremely fierce. 
When wounded, it will fometimes turn upon its affail- 
ant, and attack him with great fury. It copulates with 
the tame Cow. Their produce is employed in domeftic 
purpofes. 

Its tail is very valuable, and is fold at a great price in 
Thibet. When mounted on a filver handle, it is ufed, 
by the principal men in India, as a brufh to chafe away 
the flies. It is fometimes faftened, as an ornament, to 
_ the ear of the Elephant.—The Chinefe dye the hair red, 
and form it into tufts to adorn their bonnets, 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 43 


_ ae ORC oa. <8 he 
" ANS SS SISSS SS 
Aah Ny tN iN AS SS 
‘ Hattie \s SS . 
i ANN AN 


RIN 
ESN Wy ha 


At Wht y 


RY a 
4 ALA ie ee ( ! 
YAN We icatl 


THe BU FY FAL -O. 


Though there is the moft ftriking general refemblance 
between the Buffalo and our common Ox, both in regard 
to form and nature, their habits and propenfities being 
nearly fimilar, are both equally fubmiffive to the yoke, 
and may be employed in the fame domettic fervices; yet 
it is certain, from experience, that no two animals can, 
in reality, be more diftinct: The Cow refufes to breed 
with the Buffalo, while it is known to propagate with 
the Bifon, to which it bears, in point of form, a much 
more diftant fimilitude. 

The Buffalo is found, in a wild ftate, in many parts 
of Africa and India; and is common in the countries 
near the Cape of Good Hope, where he is defcribed, 
by Sparrman, as a fierce, cruel, and treacherous animal. 
He frequently rufhes from behind a thicket upon fome 
unwary paflenger; and, having thrown him down, tram- 


44 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


ples him to death with his feet and knees, tearing him 
with his horns and teeth, and licking him with his rough 
tongue, till the fkin is nearly ftripped from the body.— 
The following accurate defcription we owe to the fame 
author :—The length of the Buffalo, from head to tail, is 
eight feet; the height five and a half; and the fore legs 
two feet anda half long: From the tip of the muzzle to 
the horns, twenty-two inches: His limbs, in proportion 
to his fize, are much ftouter than thofe of the Ox; his 
fetlocks likewife hang nearer the ground: The horns are 
fingular, both in their form and pofition; the bafes of 
them are thirteen inches broad, and only an inch diftant 
from each other,. having a narrow channel or furrow be- 
tween them;- from this furrow, the horns aflume a fphe- 
rical form, extending over a great part of the head; the 
diftance between the points is often above five feet: he 
ears are a foot long, fomewhat pendulous, and in a great 
meafure covered and defended by the lower edges of the 
horns, which bend down on each fide, forming a curve 
upwards with the points: Their hair is of a dark-brown 
colour, about an inch long, harfh, and, upon thofe males 
that are advanced in years, {traggling and thin, efpecially 
on each fide of the belly, which gives them the appear- 
ance of being girt with a belt: They frequently., roll 
themfelves in the mire, of which they are very fond: 
The tail is fhort, and tufted at the end: The eyes-are 
large, and fomewhat funk within their prominent orbits, 
which are almoft covered with the bafes of the horns 
overhanging its dangling ears; this, with a peculiar in- 
clination of the head to one fide, which is its ufual man- 
ner, produces an afpect at once fierce, cunning, and tre- 
mendous: The flefh is coarfe, rather lean, but full of 
juice of a high, but not unpleafant flavour: The hide is 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. aes 


thick and tough, and of great ufe in making thongs and 
harnefs; it is fo hard, as not to be penetrated by a com- 
mon mufket-ball; thofe made ufe of for fhooting the 
Buffalo, are mixed with tin; and even thefe are fre- 
quently flattened by the concuflion. 

In Italy, the Buffalo is domefticated, and manta tibes 
the riches and food of the poor, who employ them for 
the purpofes of agriculture, and make butter and cheefe 
from their milk. 

The female produces but one at a time, and continues 
pregnant twelve months ;—another ftriking characteriltic 
difference between the Buffalo and the common Cow. 


Teexy M Urs K-B.U.E‘L 


inhabits the interior parts of North-America, on the 
welt fide of Hudfon’s Bay, between Churchill and Seal 
rivers. ‘They are very numerous in thofe parts, and five 
in herds of twenty or thirty. The Indians eat their flefh, 
and make coverings of their fkins. ‘They are brought 
down in fledges, to fupply the forts during the winter. 
Notwithftanding the flefh is faid to have a ftrong flavour 
of mufk, it is reckoned very good and wholefome. 

The Mufk-Bull is fomewhat lower than a Deer, but 
more bulky. Its legs are fhort; and it has a fmall hump 
on its fhoulder: Its hair is of a dufty red colour, very 
fine, and fo long, as to reach to the ground: Beneath 
the hair, its body is covered with wool of an afh colour, 
which is exquifitely fine, and might be converted into 
various articles of ufeful manufacture;—Mr Jeremie 
fays, that ftockings made of it are finer than filk: Its 
tail is only three inches long, and is covered with long 


46 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


hairs, of which the Efquimaux Indians make caps; 
which are fo contrived, that the long hair, falling round 
their faces, defends them from the bites of the mufqui- 
toes. Its horns are clofe at the bafe, and bend down- 
wards, turning out at the points; they are two feet long, 
and two feet round at the bafe; fome of them will weigh 
fixty pounds. 

Thefe animals delight chiefly in rocky and mountain- 
ous countries. They run nimbly, and are very active in 
climbing {teep afcents. . 


Tile: 67H hoe 


HE Sheep, in its prefent domeftic ftate, feems fo 
Ei far removed from a ftate 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 cultiva- 
tion, contribute to render this animal, in a peculiar man- 
ner, the creature of man; to whom it 1s obliged to truft 
entirely for its proteCion, and to whofe neceilities it 
largely contributes. Though fingularly inoffenfive, and 
harmlefs even to a proverb, it does not appear to be that 
{tupid, inanimate creature, defcribed by Buffon, “ devoid 
of every neceflary art of felf-prefervation, without cou- 
rage, and even deprived of every inftinctive faculty, we 
are led to conclude, that the Sheep, of all other animals, 
is the moft contemptible and ftupid:” But amidft thofe 
numerous flocks that range without controul on exten- 
five mountains, where they feldom depend upon the aid 
of the fhepherd, it will be found to affume a very diffe- 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 44 


rent character: In thefe fituations, a Ram or a Wedder 
will boldly attack a fingle Dog, and often come off vic- 
torious; but when the danger is more alarming, they 
have recourfe to the colle€ted ftrength of the whole flock. 
On fuch occafions, they draw up into a compact body, 
placing the young and the females in the center; while 
the males take the foremoft ranks, keeping clofe by each 
other. Thus an armed front is prefented to all quarters, 
and cannot eafily be attacked without danger of deftruc- 
tion to the affailant. In this manner, they wait with 
firmnefs the approach of the enemy; nor does their cou- 
rage fail them in the moment of attack: For, when the 
agereflor advances within a few yards of the line, the 
Rams dart upon him with fuch impetuofity, as lays him 
dead at their feet, unlefs he fave himfelf by flight. A- 
gainft the attacks of fingle Dogs or Foxes, when in this 
fituation, they are perfectly fecure——A Ram, regardlefs 
of danger, will fometimes engage a Bull; and his fore- 
head being much harder than that of any other animal, 
he feldom fails to conquer: For the Bull, by lowering 
his head, receives the firoke of the Ram between his 
eyes, which ufually brings him to the ground. 

In the feleCtion of their food, few animals difcover 
greater fagacity than the Sheep; nor does any domeftic 
animal fhew more dexterity and cunning in its attempts 
to elude the vigilance of the fhepherd, in order to fteal 
fuch delicacies as are agreeable to its palate. 

Befides its hardinefs in enduring great feverities of 
weather, the natural inftinct of the Sheep, in forefeeing 
the approach of a ftorm, is no lefs remarkable: In their 
endeavours ‘to fecure themfelves under the fhelter of 
fome hill, whole flocks have frequently been buried for 
many days under a covering of fnow, and have after. 


48 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


wards been taken out without any material injury. Thus 
beautifully defcribed by Thomfon :— : 


Co aD 


*€ Oft the whirlwind’s wing © 
** Sweeps up the burthen of whole wintry plains 
«© At one wide waft; and o’er the haplefs flocks, 
‘* Hid in the hollow of two neighbouring hills, 

“ The billowy tempeft whelms.”— 


There have been inftances, where Sheep, at the ap- 

proach of a ftorm, have fled for fhelter to a neighbouring 
cottage, and taken refuge under the fame roof with their 
fhepherd. 
_ The variety in this creature is fo great, that fcarcely 
any two countries produce Sheep of the fame kind: 
There is found a manifeft difference in all, either in the 
fize, the covering, the fhape, or the horns. 


The woolly Sheep is found only in Europe, and in the 
temperate provinces of Afia. When tranfported into 
warmer climates, it lofes its wool, and becomes hairy 
and rough: It is likewife lefs fertile, and its flefh no — 
longer retains the fame flavour. | 

No country produces finer Sheep than Great-Britain : 
Their fleeces are large, and well adapted to the various 
purpofes of cloathing. "The Spanifh fleeces are indeed 
finer, but fland in no degree of comparifon with thofe of 
Lincolnfhire or Warwickfhire for weight or utility.—In 
Edward the Third’s time, when wool was allowed to be 
exported, it brought 150,000]. per annum, at 21. ros. 
a pack, which was a great fum in thofe days. At this 
time, when our woollen manufaCtory ftands unrivalled 
by any nation in the world, and every method is taken 
to prevent this valuable commodity from being fent out 
of the kingdom, the annual value of wool, fhorn in Eng- 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ag 


land, is fuppofed to be about five millions fterling; and, 
when manufactured conjointly with the Spanifh wool im- 
ported, amounting to about fix hundred thoufand pounds, 
muft 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 remainder 
at the age of four. 

The Ewe produces one or two lambs at a time, and 
fometimes, though rarely, three or four. She bears her 
young five months, and brings forth in the fpring*.— 
The Ram lives to the age of about fifteen years, and be- 
gins to procreate at one. When caftrated, they are call- 
ed Wedders.. They then grow fooner fat; and the flefh 
becomes finer and better flavoured. 

There is hardly any part of this animal that is not fer- 
viceable to man: Of the fleece we make our cloaths; the 
fkin produces leather, of which are made gloves, parch- 
ment, and covers for books; the entrails are formed into 
{trings for fiddles and other mufical inftruments, likewife 
coverings for whips; its milk affords both butter and 
cheefe; and its flefh is a delicate and wholefome food. 


The following remarks, taken from Mr Cully’s ** Ob- 
fervations on Live Stock,” will. not be unacceptable to 


* An Ewe of the fmall black-faced Scotch breed, produced 
two ewe lambs before fhe had compleated her firft year; and be- 
fore the end of the fecond vear, thefe two produced each of them 
two lambs alfo. It is a remarkable circumftance, that this great 
increafe took place in the coldeft and moft mountainous part of 
Northumberland; and it is further neceffary to obferve, that this 
breed of Sheep feldom produces more than one Lamb at atime, 
and that not till they are two years of age. 


D 


so HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


many of our readers, as they convey a juft idea of fome 
of the moft noted kinds of Sheep at this time in the 
ifland.—-He begins with thofe of Lincolnfhire, which are 
of a large fize, big-boned, and afford a greater quantity of 
wool than any other kind, owing to the rich, fat marfhes 
on which they feed; but their flefh is coarfe, leaner, and 
not fo finely flavoured as that of fmaller Sheep. ‘The 
fame breed extends, with fome variations, through moft 
of the midland counties of England.—But the largeft 
breed of Sheep, in this ifland, is to be met, with on the 
banks of the T'ees, which runs through a rich and fertile 
country, dividing the two counties of Yorkfhire and Dur- 
ham. ‘This kind differs from the preceding, in their 
wool not being fo long and heavy; their legs are longer, 
but finer boned, and fupport a thicker, firmer carcafe ; 
their flefh is likewife much fatter, and finer grained. 
Thefe Sheep weigh from twenty-five to forty-five pounds 
per quarter; fome have been fed to fifty pounds; and 
one in particular was killed, which weighed fixty-two 
pounds ten ounces per quarter, avoirdupois—a circum- 
{tance never before heard of in this ifland. The Ewes of 
this breed generally bring forth two lambs each feafon ; 
fometimes three, four, and even five. As an inftance of 
extraordinary fecundity, it deferves to be mentioned, that 
one of thefe Ewes, at the age of two years, brought forth 
four lambs at one-time; the next feafon five,—both 
within eleven months.---Phe Dorfetfhire breed is likewife 
remarkably prolific, the Ewes being capable of bringing 
forth twice a year. It is from thefe, that the tables of 
our nobility and gentry are fupplied with early lamb at 
Chriftmas, or fooner if required. Great numbers of 
thofe early victims to luxury are yearly fent to the Lon- 
don markets, where they are fold at the enormous price 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. St 


of ros. 6d. or perhaps 15s. per quarter.—The manner 
of rearing the lambs is curious: ‘They are imprifoned in 
little dark cabins; the Ewes are fed with oil-cakes, hay, 
corn, turnips, cabbages, or any other food which the fea- 
fon of the year affords; thefe are given them in a field 
contiguous to the apartments where the lambs are kept ; 
and, at proper intervals, the nurfes are brought in to 
give fuck to their young ones; while the attendants, at 
the fame time, make their lodgings perfectly clean, and 
litter them with frefh flraw. Great attention is paid to 
this, as much of the fuccefs of rearing thefe unfeafonable 
productions depends upon warmth and cleanlinefs. 

The Dorfetfhize Sheep are moftly white-faced; their 
legs are long and fmall; and great numbers of them have 
no wool upon their bellies, which gives them an uncouth 
appearance. ‘They produce a {mall quantity of wool, 
but of a good quality, from which our fine Wiltfhire 
cloths are made. ‘The mutton of thefe Sheep is very 
fweet and well flavoured.—The variations of this breed 
are {fpread through moft of the fouthern counties ; but 
the true kind is only to be found in Dorfetfhire and 
Wiltthire.—There is a breed, not unlike this, in Nor- 
folk and Suffolk; but they are all grey or black-faced. 


52 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


THe BruacK-Faczrp & AwM. 


The north-weft part of Yorkfhire, with all that moun- 
tainous’ tract of country running towards Lancafhire 
fouthward, and to Fort William northward, is occupied 
by a hardy, black-faced, wild-looking tribe, generally 
called fhort Sheep, which differ from our other breeds 
not only in the darknefs of their complexions and horns, 
but principally in the coarfe fhaggy wool which they 
produce. ‘Their eyes have a very fharp and wild caft. 
They run with great agility, and feem quite\adapted to 
the heathy mountains they inhabit. Their flefh is pe- 
culiarly fine and high-flavoured. ‘The three great fairs 
for thefe Sheep (where amazing numbers of them are 
fold every year) are, Stagfhawbank in Northumberland, 
Brough in Weftmorland, and Linton in Scotland.------ 
There is likewife a breed of, Sheep inhabiting the fame 
country as the former; but peculiarly diftinguifhed from 
them by long, thin bodies, white legs, white faces, and 
by having no horns. Their wool is fine, and thickly 
planted. 


a a 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 53 


The Sheep in the low parts of Northumberland are of 
a mixed breed, between the long kind, the Tees water, 
and the Lincolnfhire.—The mug or muff kind was for- 
merly common in that country. ‘They were fo called, 
from their wool growing round their heads into their 
very eyes, fo as almoft to prevent them from feeing.— 
This breed is now nearly exploded, being confidered, by 
every breeder of experience, as unprofitable, from their 
thriving flowly, and being very tender. 


In the northern diftrids of Scotland, and in many of 
the iflands, there is a breed of Sheep, which differs from 
the others in the fmallnefs of their fize; many of them, 
when fed, weighing no more than fix, feven, or cight 
pounds per quarter, They have dun faces, without 
horns; and their wool, which is very fine, is varioufly 
mixed, and ftreaked with black, brown, and red. 


5 ale A vy 
~. ¥ re Vs aie a? 
Bi ae a x a iy. ee a es 
Za Ty -: S) = ea 
A a4 SS 
SN : IW oy... 
SHANI Se Sz 


s4 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 


Tue LEICESTERSHIRE IMPROVED BREED. 


To thefe various and numerous tribes of this ufeful 
animal, we muft add, that, by the perfevering induftry 
and attention of Mr Bakewell, of Dithley, in Leicefter- 
fhire, our breed of Sheep has been greatly improved ; 
and he has been followed by many eminent breeders, 
with nearly equal fuccefs. : 

It feems to be generally agreed, that in Sheep, as well 
as in all other animals, there is a certain fymmetry or 
proportion of parts, which is beft adapted to the fize of 
each particular animal: All thofe of each kind that ex- 
ceed or fall fhort of this pitch, are more or lefs difpro- 
portioned, according to the fize they attain; and in the 
degree they are advanced beyond this line of perfection, 
we find them lefs active, weaker, and always lefs able to 
endure hardfhip. Thus, by felecting the handfomeft and 
beft proportioned of their kinds, the judicious breeder has 
gradually arrived at a degree of perfection in improving. 
this animal, unknown at any former period, 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. cs 


The fuperior qualities of the Leicefterfhire breed are, 
that they will feed quickly fat at almoft any age, even on 
indifferent paftures, and carry the greateft quantity of 
mutton upon the fmalleft bone. ‘Their carcafes are 
round, have remarkably broad backs, and fhort legs; 
and to fhew the immenfe weight to which they may be 
fed, we give the meafurement of a Ram of Mr Bake- 
well’s, mentioned by Young in his ¢ Eaftern ‘Tour :”--- 
At three years old, his girt was five feet ten inches; 
height, two feet five inches; breadth over his fhoulders, 
one foot eleven inches and an half; breadth over his ribs, 
one foot ten inches and an half; breadth over his hips, 
one foot nine inches and an half. 

The great importance of this breed of Sheep will beft 
be fhewn, by ftating the following facts re{pecting the 
modern practice of letting out Rams for hire by the fea- 
fon; which, from very {mall beginnings, has already 
rifen to an aftonifhing height; and is likely, for fome 
time, to prove a copious fource of wealth to the country 


at large: About forty years ago, Mr Bakewell let out 
Rams at fixteen and feventeen fhillings a-piece; and, 
from that time, the prices kept gradually rifing from one 
guinea to ten. But the moft rapid increafe has taken 
place fince the year 1780—four hundred guineas have 
been repeatedly given. Mr Bakewell, in the year 1789, 
made twelve hundred guineas by three Rams; two thou- 
fand of feven; and, of his whole ftock, three thoufand 
guineas. Aftonifhing as this may appear, it is never- 
thelefs an undoubted fat. But it ought to be obferved, 
that thefe great prices are not given by graziers, for the 
purpofe of improving their grazing ftock ; but by princi- 
pal breeders, in order to procure a ftock of Rams of the 


D4 


56 HISTORY: OF QUADRUPEDS. 


improved breed, which they let out again to breeders of 
an inferior clafs. ‘The prices given by graziers, for the 
fole purpofe of getting grazing ftock, feldom exceed ten 
guineas, which is confidered as an extraordinary price, 
five or fix guineas being moft frequently given. - 7 

This valuable breed has likewife found its way into 
Northumberland. Meff. Culley of Fenton, Mr Thomp- 
fon of Lilburn, and Meff. Donkin and Co. of Hexham 
Brewery, with great {pirit, and at confiderable expence, 
have greatly improved their refpeCtive breeds of Sheep, 
by an admillion of the Difhley blood. 


\ 


i iN \ 
\ m\\ 


MS 


j{junsuinsnll yj i 
Y . 
iY, iy 
Teh! ZN SS , 
AN Vj fy ayy Hf ROPING 
jt Sr # i f 
“ Ode 


wa 
aL re NO SN == 
a) 
o4 
Vy bi WJ 2 
eal 


A WEDDER or 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, 
His dimenfions were as 


1787, when four years old: 
follow,---girt, four feet eight inches and an half; breadth, 
over his fhoulders, one foot three inches; over his mid- 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 5 


dle, one foot feven inches and a quarter; acrofs the 
breaft, from the infide of one fore leg to the infide of © 
the other, nine inches. - At the dividing of the quarters, 
through the ribs it meafured feven inches and one-eighth 
of folid fat, cut ftraight through without any flope; and 
his mutton was of the moft beautiful bright colour. But 
in nothing was he fo remarkable, as in the {mallnefs of 
his bones.---The proprietor of this Sheep laments, that 
he had not the offals exactly weighed (by offals, we 
would be underftood to mean not only the tallow, but the 
head, pluck, and pelt, with the blood and entrails); be- 
-caufe it is now well known, that this breed of Sheep has 
a greater quantity of mutton, in proportion to the offal, 
than any other kind we know of, and is confequently 
cheaper to the confumer. 

[The drawing, from which the preceding cut was 
taken, was made by Mr Bailey, of Chillingham, foon af- 
ter the Sheep had been fhorn.] 


Before we quit this article, we muft take notice of a 
breed of Sheep, which have hitherto been but little known 
or attended to; although it 1s probable, they poffefs ad- 
vantages of equal importance with thofe we have juft 
mentioned; and, in all likelihood, they might have conti- 
nued ftill longer in the fame neglected ftate, but for the 
endeavours of a fet of men, who, actuated by a truly pa- 
triotic zeal, are labouring to draw out the natural refources 
of their country, and fecure, to the moft diftant and long- 
neglected parts of this kingdom, thofe permanent advans 
tages, to which they are by their fituation entitled. In 
_ purfuing thefe important objects, the Highland Society of 

Scotland have difcovered, that the Shetland iflands, and 


58 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


fome parts of the Highlands of Scotland, are in poflefion _ 
of a breed of Sheep, which produces wool infinitely fupe- 
rior to that of any other in the kingdom, and equal to the 
Spanifh wool in finenefs and texture. By order of the 
Society, {pecimens of thefe Sheep have been obtained, for 
the purpofe of a fair inveftigation into the nature and 
quality of their wool; which, upon examination, proves 
We are fa. 
voured, by Dr James Anderfon, with the following par- 
ticulars. | 


much finer than was at firft imagined. 


THe SHETLAND SHEEP 


are handfome, fmall, and in general hornlefs; and are 
peculiarly diftinguifhed by the unufual fhortnefs and 
fmallnefs 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 drefled, is of a pure and glofly white: Some 
{mall fpecimens of it, compared with Vigognia wool, 
were allowed, by good judges, to be fully as fine; and, 
in foftnefs, equal to that of which the Indian fhawls are 
made. The Sheep producing this fine wool are faid to 
be of the hardieft nature: They are never houfeds and, 
in the winter feafon, are often fo pinched for food, that 
they are obliged to feed upon the fea-ware driven upon 
the fhore. Befides the wool with which they are cover- 
ed, they have long hairs growing amongft it, which ferve 
to fhelter it. 

It is a fingular circumftance, that the Shetland Sheep 
are never fhorn; but, about the beginning of June, the 
wool is pulled off, without the fmalleft pain or injury to 
the animal, leaving the long hairs, already mentioned, 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. = k9 


which contribute to keep the creature warm and com- 
fortable, at a feafon of the year when cold and piercing 
winds may be expected, in fo northern a latitude. 

From the fpirited meafures which are now taking to 
preferve this valuable breed*, we are led to hope, that 
Britifh wool may in time regain that great fuperiority for 
which it was once fo famous; and that, by perfeverance 
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 alfo, in the 
fame breed, be able to conjoin with it every other defira- 
ble peculiarity,—fuch as clofenefs of fleece, beauty and 
utility of form, hardinefs, a capability of being eafily fat- 
tened, largenefs of fize, and other valuable qualities, a- 
dapted to every peculiarity of fituation in thefe iflands. 


* See the Report of the Committee of the Highland Society, 
on the fubject of wool, 1789. 


\ Sins 
eT TL ides 
% 


“ee. 
Wettee , 


Ps 


60 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Tue DUNKY, or Dwarr SHEEP, 


another variety of the Sheep kind, deferves to be noticed 
for the fingular and grotefque formation of its features. 
The wool, growing round its head, forms a kind of hood 
or ruff; before which ftand its fhort ere€t ears: The 
uncommon protrufion of its under jaw confiderably be- 
fore the upper, by which the fore teeth are left expofed, 
and the fhortnefs of the nofe, which lies under its high 
projecting forehead, altogether give it the appearance of 
deformity, and make a ftriking contraft to moft animals 
of the Sheep kind. The Ram, from which the drawing 
was made, came from abroad, with two Ewes, as a pre- 
fent to a gentleman in the county of Northumberland. 
‘They are very fmall, and have no horns.—In Lincoln- 
fhire, there is a {mall kind, mentioned, by Mr Culley, 
under the name of Dunkies; which we fuppofe to be the 
fame with this. 


- 


eT a 


‘tropical climates. They are large, ftrong, and {wi 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 61 


N 2 \\\ 
mA 
NN 2 \ 
\\ NON aa HH 
ANY 


De 
\ pi ie Ne \ 
Yj, ay 


Vii 


PL Pas ees 7 Lyk ad 
Be herald Mees Ke eens aie 
ace oo yh tl ED sent TEI Be vest ct sa 
“we i er eae 


Se ML 
AUZIZISS \ ips We 


Tee Tar rTrarian SHEEP. 


The Sheep, of which the annexed cut is an accurate 
reprefentation, feem to be the fame with thofe defcribed, 
by Mr Pennant, under the name of the fat-rumped Sheep. 
A pair of them was brought to this country, by way of 
Rufhia, from the borders of Tartary. They are rather 
larger than the Englifh Sheep.. The colour of the male 
is roan, or light-brown mixed with white; that of the 
female, black and white: Their ears are penduious; 
and, inftead of a tail, they have a large protuberance of 
fat behind, which covers the rump. When the drawing 
was made, they had juft been fhorn; at other times, the 
wool is fo long and thick, that their form cannot be well 
diftinguifhed. 

The fat-rumped Sheep abound in Tartary; and are an- 
nually fold, in great numbers, into Rufhia. ‘Vhey are ve- 
ry prolific; and ufually bring forth two at a time, often 
three. 


The African or Guinea Sheep are found in moft of the 


Be 


62 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


with coarfe hairy fleeces, fhort horns, pendulous ears; 
have a kind of dew-lap under the chin, and though do- 
mefticated, feem to approach neareft to a ftate of nature. 


Li li j335. =<. \\\ § 
Hf; Wi) cn” 
LD 


Ramee gs 


anna er ill de | 


= ae Hi A TN 


Toe Many-HyornepD SHEEP. 


The Iceland Sheep, as well as thofe of Mufcovy and 
the coldeft climates of the North, refemble our own in 
the form of the body, but differ in the number of their 
horns, having generally four, and fometimes eight, grow- 
ing from the forehead. ‘Their wool is long, {mooth, and 
hairy: They are of a dark-brown colour; And, under 
the outward coat of hair, which drops off at ftated peri- 
ods, there is‘an internal covering refembling fur, which is 
fine, fhort, and foft;—the quantity produced by each 
Sheep, is about four pounds. 


The broad-tailed Sheep, common in Perfia, Barbary, Sy- 
ria, and Egypt, are remarkable chiefly for their large and 


fd 


* 


— 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 63 


heavy tails, which grow a foot broad, and fo long, that 
the fhepherds are obliged to put boards with {mall wheels 
under them, to keep them from galling. The flefh of 
thefe tails is efteemed a great delicacy: It is of a fub- 
{tance between fat and marrow, and eaten with 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 finenefs, of which is 
made the Indian fhawl, frequently fold in this country 
for fifty pounds or upwards. 


oe a 
Fa 
/ 


eo PEL PAI DE 
EEE, 
7 


Vez DF Lippy 


“4 
i # | 


—— 3 

WG WByipacc 

to, Sf Aga 
es 


ETT Dies 


SR ae om Ze 
i pe pps ri 
ta GE Ci Gl, 


THe WaracHian SHEEP. 


In Walachia, they have Sheep with curious fpiral 
horns, ftanding upright, in the form of a fcrew; long 
fhaggy fleeces; and, in fize and form, nearly refembling 
ours. They are alfo found in the ifland of Crete, and in 
many of the iflands of the Archipelago.—This is faid to 
be the Szrepficheros of the ancients. 


” 


64 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


THe MOUFLON, or MUSMON, 


gy AS been clafled both with the Sheep and the 
| & Goat kind; and may be confidered as ftanding 
in a middle place, and forming the link between each: 
For it is curious to obferve, that Nature, in all her vari- 
ations, proceeds by flow and almoft infenfible degrees, 
{carcely drawing a firm and diftinguifhing line between 
any two races of animals that are effentially different, 
and yet, in many refpects, nearly allied to each other. 
In all tranfitions from one kind to the other, there is to 
be found a middle race, that feems to partake of the na- 
ture of both, and that can precifely be referred to nei- 
ther. Thus it is hard to difcover where the Sheep kind 
ends, or the Goat begins.—The Mufmon, therefore, 
which is neither Sheep nor Goat, has a ftrong affinity to 


both. ‘Though covered with hair, it bears a ftrong fimi- 
litude to the Ram: Its eyes are placed near the horns; 
and its ears are fhorter than thofe of the Goat: Its horns 
refemble thofe of the Ram, in being of a yellow colour 
and a triangular fhape; they likewife bend backward be- 


s 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 6s 


hind the ears: In fome, they grow to an amazing fize, 
meafuring above two yards long. ‘The general colour of 
the hair is reddifh-brown ; the infide of the thighs and 
belly white, tinctured with yellow; the muzzle and in- 
fide of the ears are of a whitifh colour; the other parts 
of the face are of a brownith-grey. 

The Mufmon is found in the wild and uncultivated 
parts of Greece, Sardinia, Corfica, and in the defarts 
of Tartary. 

The form of this animal is ftrong and mutfcular; and 
it runs with great agility. It is very fearful of mankind ; 
and when old is feldom taken alive. It frequents the 
higheft fummits of the mountains, and treads fecurely on 
the moft dangerous precipices.—The old Rams have of- 
ten furious battles with each other, in which one of the 
contending parties will fometimes be thrown down from 
the heights on which they ftand, and dafhed in pieces 
at the bottom. If their horns fhould by accident entan- 
gle,’ they have been known to fall and perifh together. 

The chafe of the Mufmon is attended with great dan- 
ger. At the fight of a man, they fly to the higheft parts 
of the rocks, where they cannot eafily be followed. 
They are fometimes taken in pit-falls. The Tartars pur- 
fue them with horfes and dogs; and furrounding a pret- 
ty large tract of land, drive them towards the center, 
where they are caught. 

The Kamtfchatkans pafs the latter part of the fummer, 
with all their families, among the mountains, in purfuit 
of thefe animals.—The flefh and fat of the young Muf- 
mons are efteemed, bythe natives, as moft delicious eat- 
ing. ‘The fkins ferve them for warm raiments and co- 


. E 


66 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


verings: The horns are made ufe of for a variety of ufe- 
ful purpofes. 

This creature has been known to breed with the 
Sheep; and, from that circumftance, is fuppofed, by M. 
Buffon and others, to be the primitive race. 

The female of this fpecies is rather lefs than the male ; 
and her horns never grow to that prodigious fize. 

Thofe of Kamtfchatka are fo ftrong, that ten men can 
icarcely hold one; and the horns fo large, that young 
foxes often fhelter themfelves in the hollow of fuch as 


fall off by accident. ‘They grow to the fize of a young | 


ftag, copulate in autumn, and bring forth one young at 
a time, though fometimes two, 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 67 


THe Common GOAT. 


HIS lively, playful, and capricious creature occu- 
4% pies the next ftep in the great f{cale of Nature; 
and, though inferior to the Sheep in value, in various 
inftances bears a ftrong affinity to that ufeful 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 likewife is prolific. 

The Goat is much more hardy than the Sheep; and 
is, in every refpect, more fitted for a life of liberty. It 
is not eafily confined to a flock, but chufes its own paf- 
ture, ftraying wherever its appetite or inclination leads. 
It chiefly delights in wild and mountainous regions, 
climbing the loftieft rocks, and ftanding fecure on the 
verge of inacceflible and dangerous precipices; although, 
as Ray obferves, one would hardly fuppofe that their 
feet were adapted to fuch perilous achievements; yet, 
upon a nearer infpection, we find that Nature has pro- 
vided them with hoofs well calculated for the purpofe of 

E 2 


68 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


climbing, being made hollow underneath, with fharp 
edges, like the infide of a fpoon, which prevents them 
from fliding off the rocky eminences they frequent. 

The Goat is an animal eafily fuftained, and is chiefly 
therefore the property of thofe who inhabit wild and un- 
cultivated regions, where it finds an ample fupply of 
food from the fpontaneous productions of Nature, in fi- 
tuations inacceflible to other creatures. It delights ra- 
ther in the heathy mountain, or the fhrubby rock, than 
the fields cultivated by human induftry. Its favourite 
food is the top of the boughs, or the tender bark, of 
young trees. It bears a warm climate better than the 
Sheep, and frequently fleeps expofed to the hotteft rays 
of the fun. ; 

The milk of the Goat is fweet, nourifhing, and medi- 
cinal, being found highly beneficial in confumptive cafes : 
It is not fo apt to curdle upon the ftomach as that of the 
Cow. From the fhrubs and heath on which it feeds, the 
milk of the Goat acquires a flavour and wildnefs of tafte 
very different from that of either the Sheep or Cow, and 
is highly pleafing to fuch as have accuftomed themfelves 
to its ufe: It is made into whey for thofe whofe digef- 
tion is too weak to bear it in its primitive ftate. Several 
places in the North of England and the mountainous 
parts of Scotland are much reforted to for the purpofe of 
drinking the milk of the Goat; and ‘its effets have been 
often falutary in vitiated and debilitated habits. 

In many parts of Ireland, and in the Highlands of 
Scotland, their Goats make the chief poffeflions of the 
inhabitants; and, in moft of the mountainous parts of 
Europe, fupply the natives with many of the neceffaries 
of life: They lie upon beds made of their fkins, which 
are foft, clean, and wholefome; they live upon their 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 69 


milk, and oat bread; they convert part of it into butter, 
and fome into cheefe. The flefh of the kid is confidered 
as a great rarity; and, when properly prepared, is efteem- 
ed, by fome, as little inferior to venifon. 

The Goat produces generally two young at a time, 
fometimes 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 capable 
of propagating at one year old, and the female at feven 
months; but the fruits of a generation fo premature are 
generally weak and defective: Their beft time is at the 
age of two years, or eighteen months at leaft. 

The Goat is a fhort-lived animal, full of ardour, but 
foon enervated. His appetite for the female is exceflive, 
fo that one buck is fufficient for one hundred and fifty 
females. 


40 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


tH. NRK 


if we believe M. Buffon,.is the ftock from whence our 
domeftic Goat is defcended, being very fimilar to it in 
the fhape of its body, but differing confiderably in the 
fize of its horns, which are much larger: ‘Vhey are bent 
backward, and full of knots; and every year the creature 
lives, it is afferted, one is added to the number of them. 
Some of thefe horns have been found at leaft two yards 
long.—The head of the Ibex is fmall, adorned with a 
dufky beard, and has a thick coat of hair of a deep- 
brown colour, mixed with afh: A ftreak of black runs 
along the top of its back: ‘The belly and thighs are of a 
delicate fawn colour. 

The Ibex inhabits the higheft Alps of the Grifons’ 
country and the Vallais, and is alfo found in Crete.— 
They are very wild, and difficult to be fhot; and as they 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 71 


always keep on the higheft points of the rocks, the chafe 
of them is attended with great danger: Being very 
ftrong, they often turn upon the incautious huntfman, 
and tumble him down the precipice, unlefs he have time 
to lie down and let the animal pafs over him. They 
bring forth one young at a time, feldom two; and are 
{aid not to be long-lived. 


a 
UNAS 


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as WY A Lh — 

> Yer. jel epee 

a Dertade Ly! ints ef 

F \ Z ra nn few 

‘ > if ahs HaV\V da 

<=W wey ii ALU 


Toe CHAMOIS-GOAT. 


The Chamois, though a wild animal, is very eafily 
made tame and docile. It is to be found only in rocky 
and mountainous places; is about the fize of the domei- 
_tic Goat, and refembles it in many refpects. It is moit 
agreeably lively, and active beyond expreflion.—The hair 
is fhort, like that of the Doe: In fpring, it is of an afh 

Eq 


42 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


colour; in autumn, dun, inclining to black; and in win- 
ter, of a blackifh-brown. 

This animal is found, in great plenty, in the moun- 
tains of Dauphiny, Piedmont, Savoy, Switzerland, and 
Germany. They are very gentle, and live in fociety 
with each other. They are found in flocks of from four 
to fourfcore, and even an hundred, difperfed upon the 
crags of the mountains. ‘The large males are feen feed- 
ing, detached from the reft; except in rutting time, 
when they approach the females, and drive away the 
young. The time of their coupling is from the begin- 
ning of Odtober to the end of November; and they 
bring forth in March and April. ‘The young keep with 
the dam for about five months, and fometimes longer, 
if the hunters and the wolves do not feparate them. It 
is afferted, that they live between twenty and thirty 
years. Their flefh is good to eat; and they yield ten or 
twelve pounds of fuet, which far furpaffes that of the 
Goat in hardnefs and goodnefs. 

The Chamois has {carcely any cry: It has a kind of 
feeble bleat, by which the parent calls its young: But in 
cafes of danger, and when it is to warn the reft of the 
flock, it ufes a hifling noife, which is heard at a great 
diftance: For it is to be obferved, that this creature is 
extremely vigilant, and has an eye remarkably quick and 
piercing : Its {mell alfo is not lefs diftinguifhing. When 
it fees its enemy diftinctly, it ftops for a moment; and 
then, if the perfon be near, in an inflant flies off. In 
the fame manner, by its fmell, it can difcover a man at 
half a league diftance, and gives the earlieft notice. Up- 
on any alarm, therefore, or any apprehenfions of danger, 
the Chamois begins his hifling note with fuch force, that 
the rocks and the forefts re-echo the found. ‘The firft 


| 
| 
| 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 43 


hifs continues as long as the time of one refpiration: In 
the beginning, it 1s very fharp, and deeper towards the 
clofe. The animal having, after this firft alarm, repofed 
a moment, again looks round; and, perceiving the reali- 
ty of its fears, continues to hifs by intervals, until it has 
fpread the alarm to a very great diftance. During this 
time, it feems in the moft violent agitation; it ftrikes the 
ground with one fore foot, and fometimes with both; it 
bounds from rock to rock, turns and looks round, runs 
to the edge of the precipice, and, {till perceiving the ene- 
my, flies with all its fpeed. The hilling of the male ‘is 
much louder and fharper than that of the female: It is 
performed through the nofe, and is properly no more 
than a very ftrong breath driven violently through a {mall 
aperture. ; 

The Chamois feeds upon the beft herbage, and chufes 
the moft delicate parts of the plants, the flowers, and the 
tender buds. It is not lefs delicate with regard to feve- 
ral aromatic herbs, which grow upon the fides of the 
mountains. It drinks very little whilft it feeds upon the 
fucculent herbage, and chews the cud in the intervals of 
feeding. | 

This animal is greatly admired for the beauty of its 
eyes, which are round and fparkling, and mark the 
warmth of its conftitution. Its head is furnifhed with 
two fmall horns of about half a foot long, of a beau- 
tiful black, rifing from the forehead almoft betwixt the 
eyes: Thefe, contrary to thofe on almoft all other ani- 
mals, inftead of going backwards or fideways, ftand for- 
ward, and bend a little backward at their extremities, 
ending in a very fharp point. ‘The ears are placed in a 
very elegant manner, near the horns; and there are two 
ftripes of black on each fide of the face, the reft being 


44 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


of a whitifh-yellow, which never changes. The horns 
of the female are lefs, and not fo much bent: The na- 
tives have been known to bleed cattle with them. 

Thefe animals are fo much incommoded by heat, that 
they are never found in fummer, except in the caverns 
of rocks, amidft fragments of unmelted ice, under the 
fhade of high and {preading trees, or of rough and hang- 
ing precipices, that face the North, and keep off entirely 
the rays of the fun. They go to pafiure both morning 
and evening, and feldom during the heat of the day. 
They run along the rocks with great eafe and feeming 
indifference, and leap from one to another, fo that no 
dogs are able to purfue them. Nothing can be more ex- 
traordinary than the facility with which they climb and 
defcend precipices, that, to all other quadrupeds, are in- 
accefhble: They always mount or defcend in an oblique 
direGtion, and throw themfelves down a rock of thirty 
feet, and light with great fecurity upon fome excrefcence 
or fragment, on the fide of the precipice, which is juft 
large enough to place their feet upon: ‘They ftrike the 
rock, however, in their defcent, with their feet, three or 
four times, to ftop the velocity of their motion; and, 
when they have got upon the bafe below, they at once 
feem fixed and fecure. In fact, to fee them jump in this 
manner, they feem rather to have wings than legs. Cer- 
tain it is that their legs are formed for this arduous em- 
ployment; the hind being rather longer than the fore 
legs, and bending in fuch a manner, that, when they de- 
fcend upon them, they break the force of the fall. 

During the rigours of winter, the Chamois fleeps in 
the thicker forefts, and feeds upon the fhrubs and the 
buds of the pine-tree. 

The hunting the Chamois is very laborious, and ex- 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS.- 75 


tremely dificult. The moft ufual way Is to fhoot them 
from behind the clefts of the rocks. Some alfo pur- 
fue them as they do the Stag, by placing proper per- 
fons at all the pafflages of a glade or valley, and then 
fending in others to roufe the game. Dogs are quite 
ufelefs in this chafe, as they rather alarm than overtake : 
Nor is it without danger even to the men; for it often 
happens, that when the animal finds itfelf overpreffed, 
it drives at the hunter with its head, and often tumbles 
him down an adjoining precipice. —The Chamois cannot 
go upon ice when {mooth; but if there be the leaft ine- 
qualities on its furface, it then bounds along in fecurity, 
and quickly evades all purfuit. 

The ikin of the Chamois was once famous, when tan- 
ned, for its foftnefs and warmth: At prefent, however, 
fince the art of tanning has been brought to greater per- 
fection, the leather called /Lammoy, is made alfo from 
thofe of the tame Goat, the Sheep, and the Deer. 


76 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


THe GOAT oF ANGORA 


is well known for its long hair, which is thick, gloffy, 
of a dazzling whitenefs, and fo fine, that cloths as beau- 
tiful as filk, known among us by the name of camblets, 
are made of it. Its ears are long and pendulous. The 
male is furnifhed with horns, curioufly twifted, which pro- 
ceed horizontally from each fide of the head, in the form 
of a {crew; thofe of the female are fhorter, and encircle 
the ear fomewhat like thofe of the common Ram. ‘They 
inhabit the rocky mountains of Pontus, where they ex- 
perience a confiderable degree of cold; and might thrive 
in Britain as well as in their native country.—The fame 
might be faid of the Goat of Thibet, fo famous for the 
finenefs of its wool. It lives in a climate colder than 
ours in winter, and might probably be tranfplanted with 
fuccefs. 

In Portugal, there is a breed of fine large Goats, re- 
markable for yielding a great quantity of milk,—a gallon 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 7 


and a half per day. Thefe, if introduced into our navy, 
might be of infinite fervice in long voyages. 

Experiments of this kind would certainly be attended 
with many great advantages; and it were much to be 
wifhed, that the great and opulent would employ fome 
portion of their time and affluence in procuring, from 
diftant countries, fuch ufeful animals as would propagate 
By this 


means, many of our lofty mountains might contribute 


~in our ifland, and are yet unknown in it. 


to fupport a variety of ufeful creatures, that would, at 
the fame time, beautify the moft barren and rugged parts 
of our country. 


ai ‘ ‘ 
oe Ab 
— iP 


\ \ aN nae 
h } May \ 
y ae all \ ly N he 


Li 


WY 
ay 


y 


Q } t Z ‘ } 
f i re ese (aoaeeN ANS) IAN 3 
Be = Zoe BR he bets s \ YN 
SRS ae BOSING VRE hE Ss 
- fi =N,, y \ an 

= 


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Pte ED SN hae 
bs — Se Se ae yok antec = ater 


Prue ‘Svriakw GOAT, 


which M. Buffon makes a variety of the Goat of Angora, 
differs from ours in nothing more than the length of its 
ears, which are pendulous, and from one to two feet 
long: They are often troublefome to the creature in 
feeding; for which reafon, the owners are fometimes 


“8 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


obliged to cut one of them off. Their horns are fhort — 


and black.—They are very numerous in the neighbour- 
hood of Aleppo, and fupply the inhabitants with milk, 
which they prefer to that of the Cow or the Buffalo. 


Thefe are the principal varieties of the Goat kind; of 
which there are others of lefs note; fuch as the African 
Goat, or Buck of Fuda, which is much fmaller than the 
domeftic kind, being not much larger than a hare, ex- 
tremely fat, and its flefh well tafted: The horns are 
fhort, fmooth, and turn a little forward. It is common 
in Guinea, Angola, and all along the coaft of Africa. 

In America, there are Goats of a fmall kind, not much 
larger than a kid, with long hair: The horns, which are 
fhort and thick, bend downwards fo clofe to the head, 
as almoft to penetrate the fkull. Thefe are, in every re- 
fpet, fimilar to the dwarf Goat found in Africa; and, 
according to Buffon, have been fent from that country. 
—It is certain, that, before the difcovery of America by 
the Spaniards, the Goat, and every other domettic ani- 
mal, were unknown there, 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 79 


Tur GAZELLES, or ANTELOPES, 


R E a numerous and beautiful race of animals, 
A inhabiting the hotteft parts of the globe. They 
are clafled, by fyftematic writers, with the Goat kind; 
and, like them, have hollow horns, which they never 
caft: In other refpects, they greatly refemble the Deer; 
efpecially in the elegance of their form, and the {wift- 
nefs of their motions. They are of a reftlefs and timid 
difpofition, remarkably agile; and moft of their bound- 
ings fo light and elaftic, as to ftrike the fpeCtators with 
aftonifhment. 

Of all animals, the Gazelle has the moft beautiful 
eye; to which the eaftern poets have made frequent al- 
lufions, in defcribing thofe of their favourite beauties. 

The diftinguifhing marks of this tribe of animals, in 
which they differ both from the Goat and Deer, are 
principally thefe:—Their horns are different, being an- 
nulated or ringed round, and at the fame time marked 
with longitudinal deprefons or furrows, running from 
the bafe to the point: Befides the extreme beauty and 
meeknefs of its afpe€t, the Gazelle is more delicately and 
finely limbed than the Roe-buck; its hair is finer and 
more glofly: Its fwiftnefs is fo great, that the Grey- 
hound, the fleeteft of Dogs, is unequal to the courfe ; 
and the fport{man is obliged to call in the aid of the Fal- 
con, which, being trained to the work, feizes on the 
animal, and impedes its motion, fo as to enable the Dogs 
to overtake it. In India and Perfia, a fort of Leopard is 
fometimes made ufe of in the chafe, which takes its prey 
by the greatnefs of its fprings; but fhould he fail in his 
firft effay, the game efcapes, 


80 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Some fpecies of the Antelope form herds of two or 
three thoufand, while others keep in {mall troops of five 
or fix. They for the moft part live in hilly countries, 
though fome inhabit plains. ‘They often browfe like the 
Goat, and feed on the tender fhoots of young trees, which 
give their flefh an excellent flavour. 

There are many varieties of this animal; fome of them 
little known or defcribed.—We fhall begin with 


Toe BLUE-GOAT, 


which Mr Pennant confidets 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, refembling 
velvet; but when dead, it is faid to change to a bluifh- 
grey: Its belly is white; and beneath each eye, it has a 
large white mark: Its tail is feven inches in length, with 
long hairs at the end: Its horns incline backward, form- 
ing a curve; three-fourths of their length are decorated 
with twenty-four rings; the uppermoft quarter is {mooth, 
and runs tapering to a point. It inhabits the hotteft 
parts of Africa.—Sparrman defcribes one which he faw 


at the Cape of Good Hope, and calls it a Blaaw-bok, 
+ 


I MSM yee 
p aS 


f 


cee -|| ee — 
SSS WE ~ aaa 
FF ee ——- 
SW Tanke Bm 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 381 


GS 
AA Si 
=—ws S 

ihe 


: Wy ice 


eas 


D 
ee 


Tee PIE D-G O A T. 


is likewife an inhabitant of the fame country, as well as 
the plains and woods of Senegal, where large herds of 
them are to be feen. | 
This animal is remarkable for having a white band 
running along each of its fides, croffed by two others 
from the back to the belly, difpofed fomewhat like a har- 
nefs, from whence it is called the Harneffed Antelope : 
On each fide of the rump, it has three white lines point- 
ing downward; its thighs are {potted with white; the 
colour of the body is a deep-tawny, and beneath each 
eye there is a white fpot; its horns are ftraight, nine 
inches long, pointing backward, with two fpiral ribs. 
Great flocks of them are found in the plains and woods 
of the country of Poder, in Africa.---It is called by M. 


Buffon, the Guid; and, by Sparrman, the Bonti-bok, or 
Spotted Goat. 
F 


82. HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Ms A: 
$ Sis, 
pe ae LYE. nhs 3 AN 


THe W 0O00O0D:G 0 A fT. 


We are indebted to the indefatigable labours of Dr 
Sparrman, for an accurate defcription of this rare animal, 
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. : 

The horns of this animal are black, fomewhat more 
than ten inches long, and have three fides wreathed in a 
{fpiral direction towards the top; at the bottom they are 
rough, in confequence of a number of wavy rings, which 
however are not elevated much above the furface; at the 
top, they are round, fharp-pointed, and in that part as 
fmooth as if they had been polifhed; their pofition is al- 
moft in the fame line with the forehead, inclining a little 
forwards, and, by means of the twift they make, recede 
from each other towards the middle, where they are 
three inches and a half diftant; at the bafe, they are 
only one inch. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 33 


The Wood-Goat is fomewhat more than two feet and 
a half high, of a dark-brown colour, in fome parts bor- 
dering upon black: On each cheek-bone there are two 
large round white f{pots; another, ftill larger, occupies 
the fore part of the neck, fomewhat below the top of the 
windpipe ; and {everal {maller white {pots are fcattered 
over the haunches: A narrow line of white hair extends 
from the neck all along the back and tail, but is not eafi- 
ly diftinguifhed, being hid by the length of the dark- 
brown hairs on the top of the back, which are three or 
four inches long, fo as to form a kind of mane: The 
hair on the head is very fhort and fine; in other parts of 
the body it is longer, refembling 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 flender; the 
fetlock joints are likewife fmall; the nofe and under lip, 
which are white, are decorated with black whifkers about 
an inch long. 

As this creature runs but flowly, it is fometimes 
caught with dogs. When it finds there is no other re- 
fource, it boldly puts itfelf into a pofture of defence ; 
and when going to butt, kneels down, and in that po- 
fition fells its life at a very dear rate, killing and. goring © 
fome of the beft and moft fpirited hounds. It carries its 
head ftraight forward whilft it runs, laying its horns up- 
on its neck, to prevent their being entangled in the 
bufhes, which is fometimes the cafe. The female is 
without horns; and, being lighter than the male, runs 
more freely through the forefts, and is not fo eafily 
caught. Her breaft is faid to be very plump: But the 
flefh of this animal is not very tender. 

E 2 


84 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


THe S PRIN GER 


The White-Antelope, which is fuppofed to be the fame 
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 feen in herds of fe- 
veral thoufands, covering the plains as far as the eye can 
reach. Sparrman fays, that, having fhot at a large herd 
of them, they formed a line, and immediately made a 
circular movement, as if to furround him; but after- 
wards flew off in different direCtions. 

The height of this beautiful creature 1s two feet and a 
half; and meafures, from the ears to the tail, fomewhat 
above three feet: The tail is rather lefs than a foot long : 
The length of the ears, fix inches and a half; that of the 
horns, meafuring them along their curvatures, nine 
inches; and their diftance at the bafe, where they are 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 8s 


nearly three inches thick, is one inch; they gradually 
widen from thence to the diftance of five inches from 
each other, when they turn inwards, fo that at the tip 
they are not above three inches and a half afunder; they 
are of a deep-black colour, annulated above half way up; 
toward the top they are quite fmooth, and end in a fharp 
point. 

The predominant colour of this animal is brown, or a 
light ruft colour: The breaft, belly, and infide of the 
limbs, are white; as is alfo the head, excepting a dark- 
brown lift, which paffes from each corner of the mouth, 
over the eyes, to the bafe of the horns: A ftripe of the 
fame dark colour extends, on each fide, from the fhoul- 
ders to the haunches, forming a boundary between the 
{nowy whitenefs of the belly and the rufty colour of the 
fides: The buttocks are white; and, from the tail half 
way up the back, is a ftripe of white, bounded on each 
fide by a dark-brown lift: The tail, at leaft the lower 
part of it, is not thicker than a goofe-quill; the under 
fide is quite bare; towards the tip there are a few dark- 
brown hairs, from one to two inches and a half long: 
The ears are of an afh colour, tipt on the edges with 
fine light-grey hairs: The eye-brows and whifkers are 
black: The hair in general is fine and fhort; but the 
dark line which borders upon the white, confifts of 
longer hairs, which the animal is able to expand to the 
breadth of eight or nine inches, particularly on taking a 
high leap. When purfued, it is no lefs pleafant than cu- 
rious to fee the whole herd jumping over each other’s 
heads to a confiderable height: Some of them will take 
three or four high leaps fucceflively. In this fituation, 
they feem fufpended in the air, looking over their fhoul- 


F3 


86 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


ders at their purfuers, and at the fame time fhewing the 
white part of their backs in a moft beautiful manner. , 

The Springers are fo extremely fwift, as to require a 
good Horfe to overtake them; although they are fome- 
times bold enough to allow a fportfman, either on foot 
or on horfeback, to come within gun-fhot of them.— 
Their flefh is very palatable, and has a more juicy and 
delicate tafte than that of the other Gazelles. 


THe ELK-ANTELOPE 


is likewife an inhabitant of the Cape, as well as the 
greateft part of India; and is one of the larger kinds of 
Gazelles. It has ftraight horns, two feet in length, of a 
dark-brown colour, marked with two prominent {piral 
ribs running near two-thirds of their length, but fmooth 
towards the ends, which are turned a little inwards: The 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 8 


forehead is flat, and broad at the top; and has a forelock, 
ftanding erect, the whole length of it: Its nofe is fharp ; 
and its breaft is covered with a loofe fkin. 

This animal is of an afh colour, inclining a little to- 
wards blue; has a thin upright mane, quite black, which 
extends from the nape of its neck along the top of the 
back; and has likewife a tuft of black hair at the end of 
the tail. 

The Elk-Antelopes live chiefly in plains and vallies; 
and, when hunted, always run, if poflible, againft the 
wind: They are not very f{wift; and being in general 
fat, efpecially the males, which are always the largeft 
and fatteft in the herd, are foon tired. The hunter ge- 
nerally endeavours to get to the windward of the animal, 
which when he has accomplifhed, he takes an opportu- 
nity of throwing himfelf from his horfe, and inftantly 
fhoots the flying game: At this practice, the Dutch colo- 
nifts at the Cape are fo expert, as feldom to fail. Sparr- 
man fays, there have been many inftances where keen 
{port{men, as well for their own pleafure as convenience, 
have hunted Elk-Antelopes and other Gazelles, for many 
miles together, from the open’ plains, and driven them 
to their own doors, before they thought it worth while 
to fhoot them. 

The female has horns like the male, but fmaller.— 
They are ufed by the Hottentots for tobacco-pipes. 


88 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


NK 


se Vig a EN 


‘| ( SS 
SCL iv wn WEOMOMAG 


—-s 


NOOSE ET ett 2 STL 


THe HART-BEEST 


is the moft common of all the larger Gazelles, known 
in any part of Africa,—The following accurate defcrip- 
tion is taken from Sparrman, to whom we are indebted 
for the beft accounts of fuch of thefé rare animals as are 
to be met with near the Cape :—The height of this ani- 
mal is fomewhat above four feet: The horns are from 
fix to nine inches long, very ftrong and black, almoft 
clofe at the bafe, diverging upwards, and at the top 
bending backwards in an horizontal direction almoft to 
the tips, which turn a little downwards; they are em- 
boffed with about eighteen rings of an irregular form. 
The general colour of the Hart-beeft is that of cinna- 
mon; the front of the head is marked with black, as 
is likewife the fore part of the legs; the hind part of 
the haunch is covered with a wide black ftreak, which 
reaches down to the knee; a narrow {ftripe of black be- 
gins behind each ear, and runs all along the ridge of the 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 85 


neck; a dark-brown oval fpot extends over the back, ter- 
minating juft above the tail, which is flender, fomewhat 
like that of an Afs, and is covered with ftrong black 
hairs about fix inches long: There is a pore about an 
inch below the eye, from which a matter ts diftiled, 
fomewhat like ear-wax, which the Hottentots preferve as 
a rare and excellent medicine. 

This animal is fuppofed to be the Budalus of the an- 
cients; it is the Cervine Antelope of Mr Pennant, and the 
Bubale of M. Buffon. 

The hair of the Hart-beeft is very fine; and its long 
ears are covered with white hair on the infide: It has 
only eight teeth in the lower jaw, none in the upper; 
the legs are rather flender, with {mall fetlocks and hoofs. 

The large head and high forehead, together with the 
afinine ears and tail, of the Hart-beeft, render it one of 
the leaft handfome of the whole tribe of Antelopes. Its 
pace, when at full fpeed, appears like a heavy gallop; 
notwithftanding which, it runs as faft as any of the large 
Antelopes. When it has once got a-head of its purfuers, 
it is very apt to turn round, and ftare them full in the 
face.—Its flefh is fine, rather dry, but of an agreeably 
high flavour. 


THe KOEDOE, or Stripep ANTELOPE, 


is a beautiful, tall Gazelle, inhabiting the Cape of Good 
Hope; has long flender fhanks; is larger, though not fo 
clumiy, as the Elk-Antelope: Its horns are fmooth, twift- 
ed fpirally, with a prominent edge or rib following the 
wreaths; they are three feet nine inches long, of a pale- 
brown colour, clofe at the bafe, and at the points round 
and fharp. 


90 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


The colour of this animal is a rufty-brown; along the 
ridge of the back there is a white ftripe, mixed with 
brown; from this are eight or nine white ftripes point- 
ing downwards; the forehead and the fore part of the 
nofe are brown; a white ftripe runs from the corner 
of each eye, and meets juft above the nofe; upon each 
cheek-bone there are two {mall white fpots; 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 
breaft, are fome long hairs hanging down; the breaft 
and belly are grey; the tail is two feet long, brown a- 
bove, white beneath, and black at the end. 

The Koedoe, though a tall and flender animal, is not 
fo fwift as many of the Gazelle kind, and is eafily over- 
taken by the hounds: On thefe occafions, the males de- 
fend themfelves with great f{pirit with their horns, and 
will come to clofe quarters with the dogs; but the fe- 
males, having no horns, are obliged to depend on their 


fpeed. 


Another of the larger kind of Gazelles, to be found 
at the Cape, is 


THe GEMSE-BOK; 


which is called, by Mr Pennant, the Egyptian Antelope ; 
and, by M. Buffon, the Pa/an.—The horns are ftraight, 
flender, of a black colour, about three feet long, with 
above twenty rings reaching half way to the points, 
which are {mooth and taper; it is of an afh colour, in- 
clining to red; the belly, legs, and face, are white; a 
‘black line extends from the neck to the loins; the tail is 
about two feet long, terminated with black hairs. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ox 


This animal is famous for a concretion in its ftomach 
or inteftines, called the oriental bezoar, which was well 
known in former times for its great virtue in expelling 
poifon in the human frame, and was fold at enormous 
prices; its value inreafing in proportion to its fize. 
There was a time, when a ftone of four ounces fold in 
Europe for above 2001.3; at prefent, however, its eftima- 
tion and price are greatly decreafed. ‘The virtues which 
ignorance and inexperience attributed to it, are now 
found no longer to exift; and this once-celebrated medi- 
cine is now only confumed in countries where the know- 
ledge of Nature has been but little advanced.—Similar 
concretions are likewife found in a variety of animals of 
the Gazelle and Goat kind; even Apes, Serpents, and 
Hogs, are faid to have their bezoars. In fhort, there is 
{carcely an animal, except of the carnivorous kind, that 
does not produce fome of thefe concretions in the fto- 
mach, inteftines, kidnies, and even the heart. 


Thefe are the principal animals of the Gazelle kind 
defcribed 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. 


fee RE BO K 


is a gregarious animal; two feet in height; of an afh 
colour, fomewhat refembling that of a Hare, but a little 
more inclining to red: The belly and anus are white: 
The tail is fhort: The horns are black and ftraight, very 
fimilar to thofe of the Gemfe-bok, but barely a foot long, 
very taper, and fharp-pointed; they are ufed by the Hot- 


92 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


tentots as awls or bodkins for boring holes in making 

their fhoes or cloaks. phon 
The flefh of this animal is dry, and accounted worfe 

to eat than that of any other Gazelle. : 


THe RIET-REE-BOK 


is twice as big as the laft-mentioned animal, is mono- 
gamous (or keeps in pairs); it generally lies concealed 
among the reeds and marfhy places, and refembles the 
Ree-bok. 


_ = Sat 


b AEM ee2 tN nzcz0bn pecan HIM 


VU 


Tee -G Roy 5 Bae , 


is Of a greyifh or afh colour; with large black ears, and 
a black {pot round the eyes; ftraight black horns, flender 
and fharp-pointed, not three inches long, flightly annu- 
lated at the bafe: Its height is about eighteen inches 5 
and it is moft elegantly formed: Beneath each eye is a 
cavity, that contains a ftrong-fcented oily liquor, which 
{mells fomething like mufk, and, when expofed to the 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 93 


air, becomes hard and black.—It is the Guinea Antelope of 
Mr Pennant, and the Grimme of M. Buffon. 


Toe KLIP-SPRINGER 


is of a light-red colour, inclining to yellow, intermixed 
with black ftreaks; the tips and edges of its ears are 
black: It runs with great fwiftnefs, and makes large 
bounds, even on the fteepeft precipices, and in the moft 
rocky places, where it cannot eafily be caught with 


~ hounds. 


i 
PPO oe r= Sa i 
eM ernst v7l FE Wve 2 
Bp a bd baw Iota STE OP 
Mee tancccmenn?? 


co 


THE G N UU. 


This fingular animal, with refpect to its form, ap- 
pears in fome refpects fimilar to both the Horfe and the 
Ox. It is about the fize of a common galloway; its 
length being fomewhat above five feet, and its height ra- 
ther more than four. 

This animal is of a dark-brown colour; the tail and 
mane of a light-grey; the fhag on the chin and breaft, 


94 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


and the ftiff hairs which ftand ere& on the forehead and 
upper part of the face, are black: The curvature of the 
horns is fingular; and the animal is reprefented in the 
cut in the attitude of butting, to give an idea of their 
form and pofition. | 

The legs of the Gnu are fmall; its hair is very fine; 
and it has a cavity beneath each eye, like moft of the 
Antelope kind. 


THe STEEN BOR 


is found in Senegal, and at the Cape of Good Hope.— 
Its whole body is of a pale-red colour; it is as large as a 
Roe-buck; its horns, which do not exceed fix inches in 
length, are almoft {mooth, and bend a little forward; its 
ears are five inches long; and it has a white fpot over 
each eye.—It is called, by Mr Pennant, the Red Antelope ; 
and, by M. Buffon, the Nagor. 


Toe NANGUER, or SWIFT-ANTELOPE, 


is likewife 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 and round, eight inches in 
length, and, what is fingular, bend forward at the points ; 
its general colour is tawny; belly and thighs white; it 
has likewife a white fpot under the neck, is a very hand- 
fome animal, and eafily tamed; its {wiftnefs is compared 
to that of the wind. 


y \ Sa 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. — 95 


THe Common ANTELOPE. 


The Antelope, properly fo called, abounds in Barbary, 
and in all the northern parts of Africa.—It is fomewhat 
lefs than the Fallow-deer: Its horns are about fixteen 
inches long, furrounded with prominent rings almoft to 
the top, where they are twelve inches diftant from point 
to point. The horns of the Antelope are remarkable for 
a beautiful double flexion, which gives them the appear- 
ance of the lyre of the ancients. The colour of the hair 
on the back is brown, mixed with red; the belly and in- 
fide of the thighs, white; and the tail fhort. 


Tue Barsary ANTELOPE 


is likewife common in all the northern parts of Africa, 
in Syria, and Mefopotamia; and feems to be a variety of 
the laft-mentioned animal, which it ftrongly refembles; 
only the two colours on the back are feparated from each 


96 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


other by a ftrong dufky line on each fide, and on each 
knee there is a tuft of hair. 


THE KE  V¥ £es 


is a native of Senegal; and, in colour and marks, very 
much refembles the preceding animal. It is about the 
fize of a {mall Roe-buck ; and its horns, inftead of being 
round, are flatted on their fides, and the rings are more 
aumerous. It lives in great flocks, may be eafily tamed, 
and is excellent meat. 


i 2 ae CO Rien 


is ftill lefs than the two former animals: Its horns are 
very flender, only fix inches long, and almoft fmooth, 
the annular prominences being fcarcely difcernible; each 
fide of its face is marked with a white line, and beneath 
that a black one; the upper part of the body is tawny ; 
the belly and infide of the thighs, white; a dark line on 
each fide forms a feparation between the two colours 
on the back and belly; on each knee is a tuft of hair. 
Some of thefe animals are irregularly {potted with white. 


Tae Bi Qe Oe 


is remarkable for the form of its horns, which are almoft 
clofe at the bafe, bending out towards the middle, where 
they form a curve inwards, and again fly off at the 
points, which bend backward; they are feventeen inches 
long, furrounded with fifteen rings; the ends are {mooth 
and fharp. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 97 


THe CHEVROTAIN ann MEMINNA. 


The Chevrotain, or little Guinea Deer, is the fmalleft 
of all the Antelope kind, the leaft of all cloven-footed 
quadrupeds, and, we may add, the moft beautiful. Its 
fore legs, at the fmalleft part, are not much thicker than 
a tobacco-pipe; it is not more than feven inches in 
height, and about twelve from the point of the nofe to 
the infertion of the tail; its ears are broad; and its 
horns, which are ftraight, and {carcely two inches long, 
are black and fhining as jet; the colour of the hair is a 
reddifh-brown; in fome a beautiful yellow, very fhort 
and gloiffy. 

Thefe clegant little creatures are natives of Senegal 
and the hotteft parts of Africa; they are likewife found 
in India, and in many of the iflands adjoining to that 
vaft continent. 

In Ceylon, there is an animal of this kind called AZe- 
minna, which is not larger than a Hare, but perfectly re- 
fembling a Fallow-deer. It is of a grey colour; the fides 
and haunches are fpotted and barred with white; its ears 
are long and open 5 and its tail fhort. 


G 


98 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


None of thefe {mall animals can fubfift but in a warm 
climate. ‘They are fo extremely delicate, that it is with 
the utmoft difhiculty they can be brought alive into Eu- 
rope, where they foon perifh. They are gentle, familiar, 
moft beautifully formed; and their agility is fuch, that 
they will bound over a wall twelve feet high. In Gui- 
nea, they are called Gueveiz. ‘The female has no horns. 


THe ScyTHiAN ANTELOPE, or SAIGA, 


is the only one of the fpecies that is to be found in 
Europe.—The form of its body refembles the domeftic 
Goat; but its horns are thofe of an Antelope, being 
marked by very prominent rings, with furrows between ; 
they are a foot long, the ends {mooth, of a pale-yellow 
colour, almoft tranfparent. 

The male, during winter, is covered with long rough 
hair, like the He-Goat, and has a ftrong fcent; the fe- 
male is f{moother, and without horns. The general co= 
lour is grey, mixed with yellow; the under part of the 
body, white. 

Thefe animals inhabit Poland, Moldavia, about Mount 
Caucafus and the Cafpian Sea, and Siberia; are fond of 
falt, and frequent the places where falt-{prings abound.— 
In the rutting feafon, at the latter end of autumn, great 
flocks of them, confifting of feveral thoufands, migrate 
towards the South; and return in the {pring, in fmaller 
flocks, to the great northern deferts; 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 refting, 
others, by an inftinétive kind of caution, are always 
keeping watch; thefe again are relieved in due time; 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 9 


and, in this manner, they alternately reft and keep 
watch; frequently preferving themfelves, by this means, 
from the attacks of men and wild beafts. 

Their common pace is a trot; but, when they exert 
their fpeed, they bound like the Roe-buck, and exceed it 
in fleetnefs. ‘They are fo timid, as to fuffer themfelves 
to be taken through fear: If once bitten by a Dog, they 
inftantly fall down, and give themfelves up without fur- 
ther effort to efcape.—When taken young, they are eafily 
tamed; but the old ones are fo wild and obftinate, as to 
refufe all food, whilft in a ftate of captivity.—They are 
hunted for the fake of their flefh, horns, and fkins; the 
latter are excellent for gloves, belts, &c. ‘The huntfman 
is extremely cautious in approaching a herd of thefe ani- 
mals, left they fhould difcover him by the excellency of 
their fmell. ‘They are either fhot, or taken by Dogs, and 
fometimes by the black eagle, which is trained for that 
purpofe. In running, they feem to incline to one fide; 
and their motion is fo rapid, that their feet feem fcarcely 
to touch the ground. 


G 2 


roo HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


fijper 
if nh) ft 
fps). 


Wayls) 
ill. 


(i 
| 


Foe NYL-G Heb 


HIS animal is a native of the interior parts of In- 
é dia. It feems to be of a middle nature, between 
the Cow and the Deer, and carries the appearance of 
both in its form. In fize, it is as much fmaller than the 
one, as it is larger than the other: Its body, horns, and 
tail are not unlike thofe of a Bull; and the head, neck, 
and legs, are fimilar to thofe of a Deer. The colour, in 
general, is afh or grey, from a mixture of black hairs 
and white: All along the ridge or edge of the neck, the 
hair is blacker, longer, and more ere, making a ‘thort, 
thin, and upright mane, reaching down to the hump. 
Its horns are feven inches long, fix inches round at the 
root, tapering by degrees, and terminating in a blunt 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 1o1 


point: The ears are large and beautiful, feven inches in 
length, and fpread to a confiderable breadth; they are 
white on the edge and on the infide, except where two 
black bands mark the hollow of the ear with a Zebra- 
like variety. The height of this animal, at the fhoulder, 
is four feet one inch; behind the loins, it only meafures 
four feet. . 

‘The female differs confiderably from the male both in 
height and thicknefs, being much {maller; in fhape and 
colour, very much refembling a Deer, and has no horns. 
She has four nipples, and is fuppofed to go nine months 
with young: She commonly has one at a birth, but 
fometimes two. 

Several of this fpecies were brought to this country in 
the year 1767, which continued to breed annually for 
fome years after.—Dr Hunter, who had one of them in 
his cuftody for fome time, defcribes it as a harmlefs and 
gentle animals that it feemed pleafed with every kind of 
familiarity, always licked the hand that either {troaked 
or fed it, and never once attempted to ufe its horns of- 
fenfively. It feemed to have much dependence on its or- 
gans of {mell, and {nuffed keenly whenever any perfon 
came in fight: It did fo likewife, when food or drink 
was brought to it; and would not tafte the bread which 
was offered, if the hand that prefented it happened to 
{mell of turpentine. 

Its manner of fighting is very particular, and is thus 
defcribed :—Two of the males at Lord Clive’s, being put 
into an inclofure, were obferved, while they were at 
fome diftance from each other, to prepare for the attack, 
by falling down upon their knees: They then fhufiled 
towards each other, keeping ftill upon their knees; and, 

G 3 


1o2 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


at the diftance of a few yards, they made a fpring, and 
darted againft each other with great force. | 

The following anecdote will ferve to fhew, that, du- 
ring the rutting feafon, thefe animals are fierce and vi- 
cious, and not to be depended on:—A labouring man, 
without knowing that the animal was near him, went up 
to the outfide of the inclofure; the Nyl-ghau, with the 
quicknefs of lightning, darted againft the wood-work 
with fuch violence, that he broke it to pieces, and broke 
off one of his horns clofe to the root. ‘The death of the 
animal, which happened foon after, was fuppofed to be 
owing to the injury he fuftained by the blow. 

Bernier fays, that it is the favourite amufement of the 
Mogul emperor to hunt the Nyl-ghau; and that he kills 
them in great numbers, and diftributes quarters of them 
to his omrahs; which fhews that they are efteemed good 
and delicious food. 

The Nyl-ghau is frequently south from the interior 
parts of Afia, as a rare and valuable prefent to the na- 
bobs and other great men at our fettlements in India. 

It remains to be confidered, whether this rare animal 
might not be propagated with fuccefs in this country. 
That it will breed here, is evident from experience; and, 
if it fhould prove docile enough to be eafily trained to la- 
bour, its great {wiftnefs and confiderable ftrength might 
be applied to the moft valuable purpofes. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 103 


LLL LTT 
‘ amar \)\\ 


= pa N Se 
ps ~ 
ge Soe "RX a 
Jans \) LET Hs 
SES \ er AW 
WN SSS \\ We 


os N y A ZA \ py Se 
, —— ¥ \ g ~ . Wy Ze Se KZ — 


THe Mb i or Sok. 
Career have been various accounts given of this 


animal by naturalifts and travellers; by whom it 
feems to have been taken notice of more for the perfume 
which it produces, than for the information of the cu- 
rious enquirer into its nature and qualities: For we arc 
ftill at a lofs what rank to aflign 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 upper jaw, we are led to fuppofe that 
it belongs either to the Goat or the Deer kind; and have 
therefore given it a place after the Gazelles, relying up- 
on thofe chara€teriftic marks which are known, and leav- 
ing it to thofe naturalifts who may be poffeffed of better 


‘means of information, to afcertain its genuine character. 


The Mufk of Thibet refembles the Roe-buck in form. 
it is fomewhat above two feet in height at the fhoulder; 
the hind legs are longer than the fore legs, being two 


G4 


104 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS., 


feet nine inches high at the haunches; in length, it is 
three feet fix inches from the head to the tail; the head 
is above half a foot long: Its upper jaw is much larger 
than the lower; and on each fide of it there is a flender 
tufk, near two inches long, which hangs down, bending 
inwards like a hook, and very fharp on the inner edge: 
Its lower jaw contains eight {mall cutting teeth; and in 
each jaw there are fix grinders: Its ears are long, fmall, 
and erect, like thofe of a Rabbit: The hair on the whole 
body is long and rough, marked with fmall waves from 
top to bottom: The colour is a rufty-brown; under the 
belly and tail it is white: On each fide of the lower jaw 
there is a tuft of thick hair, about an inch long: Its 
hoofs are deeply cloven, flender, and black; the fpurious 
hoofs are likewife very long: Its tail is not more than 
two inches in length, and hid in the hair.—The ufe it 
makes of its tufks is not well known: The moft probable 
is that of hooking up roots out of the ground, and catch- 
ing at fmall twigs and branches of trees, upon which it 
feeds.—The female has no tufks, is lefs than the male, 
and has two {mall teats. 

The Mufk is found in the kingdom of Thibet, in fe- 
veral of the Chinefe provinces, about the lake Baikal, 
and near the rivers Jenifea and Argun, from lat. 60 to 
45; but feldom fo far fouth, except driven by great falls 
of {now to feek for food in more temperate climates.---It 
is naturally a timid animal, and endowed with a quick 
fenfe of hearing. Its folitary haunts are ufually moun- 
tains, covered with pines; where it avoids mankind, 
and, when purfued, flies to the higheft and moft inaccef- 
fible fummits. | 

The perfume produced by this animal, which is fo 
well known in the fafhionable circles, and of late fo 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. tos 


much ufed in the practice of phyfic, needs little defcrip- 
tion. It is found in a bag or tumor, nearly of the fize 
of a hen’s egg, on the belly of the male only. Thefe 
bags the hunters cut off, and tie them up for fale; many 
thoufands of which are fent over annually to Europe, be- 
fides what are confumed in different parts of the Eaft. 
To account for this great confumption, it 1s fuppofed 
that the mufk is frequently adulterated and mixed with 
the blood of the animal. It comes to us from China, 
Tonquin, Bengal, and Mufcovy; but that of Thibet is 
reckoned the beft, and fells at a much higher price. 

The flefh of the males, efpecially in the rutting feafon, 
is much infected with the flavour of the mufk; but is, 
neverthelefs, eaten by the Ruflians and Tartars. 


106 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Tue GIRAFFE, on CAMELEOPARD. 


HIS animal (the exiftence of which has frequent- 
qi ly been called in queftion) is a native of the wild 
and unfrequented defarts of Ethiopia, and other interior 
parts of Africa: where it leads a folitary life, far from 
the habitations of men; for whofe ufe it is rendered un- 
fit, by the enormous difproportion of its parts. It has 
hitherto been regarded chiefly as an object of curiofity, 
and may lead us to admire the wonderful produCtions of 
that creative Power which has filled the earth with life 
in fuch a bounalefs variety of forms. 

The height of this extraordinary animal, from the 
crown of the head to the ground, is feventeen feet; 
while at the rump it only meafures nine; the neck alone 


is feven feet long; and the length, from the extremity 


HISFORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 107 


of the tail to the end of the nofe, is twenty-two feet: 
The fore and hind legs are nearly of an equal height; 
but the fhoulders rife fo high, that its back inclines iike 
the roof of a houfe: Its neck is flender and elegant, a~ 
dorned, on the upper fide, with a fhort mane: On the 
higheft part of the head, it has two perpendicular horns, 
fix inches long, covered with hair, and round at the 
ends, where they are encompafled with a circle of {hort 
black hairs*: On the middle of the forehead, there is a 
protuberance, about two inches high: Its ears are long ; 
and its eyes large and beautiful. 

The colour of the male is light-grey, interfperfed with 
large dark-brdéwn {pots over the whole body; the fpots 
on the female are of a pale-yellow colour. 

It is a timid and gentle creature, but not fwift; from 
the great length of its fore legs, it is obliged to divide 
them to a great diftance when it grazes, which it does 
with great difficulty; it lives chiefly by browfing on the 
leaves and tender branches of trees; it lies on its belly, 
and has hard protuberances on its breaft and thighs, like 
the Camel; its tail is fimilar to that of an Ox, with 
ftrong 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 lefs than the male. 

This animal was known to the Romans in early times ; 
and its figure has been handed down to fucceeding ages 
in fome of their moft celebrated works of fculpture. It 
was exhibited in their games, among other rare and un- 


common animals; and is finely and juftly defcribed by 
Oppian. 3 


* M. Vaillant, who fhot feveral of thefe animals, fays, that 
thefe horns differ from thofe of the Stag or the Ox, in being form: 
ed by a continuation of the bene of the fkull. 


108 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


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5S the largeft and moft formidable of all the Deer 
I kind.—It 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 Moc/e-deer.—It is 
fometimes taken in the forefts of Ruflia and Germany; 
though it is rarely to be feen, on account of its extreme 
wildnefs. It likewife inhabits Norway, Sweden, Poland, 
and ‘Tartary, as far as the North of China. It is com- 
mon in Canada, and in all the northern parts of Ame- 
FICAw . 4, 

The Elk has been je tae defcribed by naturalifts and 
travellers: By fome, it is faid to be twelve feet high; 
whilft others, with greater appearance of probability, de- 
{cribe it as being not much higher than a Horfe. It is, 
however, a matter of doubt to which a greater degree of 
credibility fhould be given. 

From a variety of Elks’ horns preferved in the cabinets — 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. fog 


of the curious, fome of which are of a moft enormous 
- fize, there is every reafon to conclude, that the animal 
which bore them muft have been of a proportionable 
bulk and ftrength. 

Thofe who fpeak of the gigantic Moofe, fay, their 
horns are fix feet long, and meafure, from tip to tip, 
above ten feet: The beams of the horns are fhort; from 
which they fpread out into large and broad palms, one 
fide of which is plain, but on the outfide are feveral 
fharp fnags or fhoots. 

The European Elk grows to the height of feven or 
eight feet; and in length, from the end of the muzzle 
to the infertion of the tail, meafures ten feet: The head 
is two feet long ; the neck, on which is a fhort, upright 
mane, of a light-brown colour, is much fhorter: Its eye 
is {mall; and, from the lower corner of it, there is a 
deep flit, common to all the Deer kind, as well as moft 
of the Gazelles: The ears are upwards of a foot in 
length, very broad, and fomewhat flouching; the nof- 
trils are wide; and the upper lip, which is fquare, 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 back- 
ward: The withers are very high, the hind legs much 
fhorter than the fore legs, and the hoofs deeply cloven: 
From a {mall excrefcence under the throat, hangs a long 
tuft of coarfe black hair: The tail is very fhort, duiky 
above, and white beneath: The hair is long and rough, 
like a Bear, and of a hoary-brown colour, not much dif- 
ferent from that of the Afs. 

The pace of the Elk is a high, fhambling trot; A it 
goes with great {wiftnefs.—Formerly thefe animals -were 
made ufe of in Sweden to draw fledges; but as they 


ro HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


were frequently acceflary to the efcape of fuch as had | 
been guilty of murders or other crimes, this ufe of them | 
was prohibited under great penalties. 

In pafling through thick woods, thefe animals carry 
their heads horizontally, to prevent their horns being en- 
tangled in the branches. | 

The Elks are timid and inoffenfive; except when 
wounded, or during the rutting feafon, when the males 
become very furious, and at that time will fwim from 
ifle to ifle in purfuit of the females. They ftrike with 
both horns and hoofs; and poffefs fuch agility and 
ftrength of limbs, that, with a fingle blow of the fore 
foot, they will kill a wolf or a dog. . 

Their flefh is extremely fweet and nourifhing. ‘The 
Indians fay, they can travel farther after eating heartily 
of the flefh of the Elk, than any other animal feod. 
Their tongues are excellent; but the nofe is efteemed 
the greateft delicacy in all Canada. ‘The fkin makes ex- 
cellent buff leather; and is {trong, foft, and light: The 
Indians make their fnow-fhoes, and likewife form their 
cances, with it. ‘The hair on the neck, withers, and 
hams, of a full-grown EIk, from its great length and. 
elafticity, 1s well adapted to the purpofe of making ma- 
traffes and faddles. 

The methods of hunting thefe animals in Canada are 
curious. The firft, and moft fimple, is,—before the 
lakes or rivers are frozen, multitudes of the natives af- 
femble in their canoes, with which they form a vaft cre- 
{cent, each horn touching the fhore ; whilft another party 
on the fhore furround an extenfive traét: They are at- 
tended by dogs, which they let loofe, and prefs towards 
the water with loud cries. The animals, alarmed by the ~ 
noife, fly before the hunters, and plunge into the lake, 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 111 


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 inclofe a 
large fpace with ftakes and branches of trees, forming 
two fides of a triangle; the bottom opens into a fecond 
inclofure, which is faft on all fides: At the opening are 
- hung numbers of f{nares, made of the flips of raw hides. 
They afflemble, as before, in great troops; and, with all 
kinds of hideous noifes, drive into the inclofure not 
only the Moofe, but various other kinds of Deer, with 
which that country abounds. Some, in forcing their 
way through the narrow pafs, are caught in the {nares 
by the neck or horns; whilft thofe which efcape thefe, 
meet their fate from the arrows of the hunters, direCted 
at them from all quarters.—They are likewife frequently 
killed with the gun. ‘When they are firft difcovered, 
they fquat with their hind parts, and make water; at 
which inftant the fport{man fires: If he mifs, the Moofe 
fets off in a moft rapid trot, making, like the Rein-deer, 


a prodigious rattling with its hoofs, and running twenty 
or thirty miles before it ftops or takes the water. The 
ufual time for this diverfion is in winter. ‘he animal 
can run with eafe upon the firm furface of the fnow; 
but the hunters avoid entering on the chafe till the heat 
of the fun is ftrong enough to melt the frozen cruft with 
which it is covered, and render it fo foft as to impede 
the flight of the Moofe, which finks up to the fhoulders, 
flounders, and gets on with great difficulty: The {portf- 
man purfues in his broad rackets or fnow-fhoes, and 
makes a ready prey of the diftreffed animal. 


** As weak againit the mountain-heaps they pufh 

** Their beating breaft in vain, and piteous bray, 

** He lays them quiv’ring on th’ enfanguin’d fnows, 
“¢ And with loud fhouts rejoicing bears them home.” 


112 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


The female is lefs than the male, and has no horngs 
They are in feafon in the autumn; and bring forth in 
April, fometimes one, but generally two young ones at a 
time, which arrive at their full growth in fix years. 


THEA 2 RICAN \, EL K, 


of which we here give a faithful portrait from a living 
“one Jately brought from the interior parts of America, 
feems to be a different animal from that generally de- 
{cribed under the name of the Z/k or Moofe-deer, to 
which it has very little refemblance. It feems, indeed, 
to belong to a diftin@ fpecies; and is probably the Z/é 
or Orignal of Canada and the northern parts of America. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 113 


At the age of five years, the length of this creature 
was nine feet, from the end of the muzzle to the infer- 
tion of the tail; the head and neck being extended in a 


line with the body: Its height at the fhoulder was four . 


feet fix inches; length of the head, one foot fix inches; 
breadth over the forehead, feven inches; length of the 
fore legs, two feet five inches; length of the neck, two 
feet fix; its ears, nine inches; and tail, three. Its horns, 
which it had juft fhed, are not palmated, like thofe of 
the Moofe: They are large; and, when full grown, mea- 
fure above fix feet, from tip to tip. The antlers are 
round, and pointed at the ends: The lowermoft antler 
forms a curve downward over each eye, to which it ap- 
pears a defence, Its hair was long, of a dark dun colour 
on the back and fides; on the head and legs, dark-brown: 
Its eyes full and lively; and below each eye there is a 
deep flit, about two inches in length, the ufe of which we 
are unable to difcover. 

It was very lively and ative; of great ftrength of bo- 
dy and limbs: Its hoofs fhort, and like thofe of a calf; 
the divifion between them is lefs than in thofe of the 
Rein-deer; and, when the animal is in motion, they do 
not make a rattling noife. It has no mane; but the hair 
under its neck is longer than that on any other part of 
the body. 


Se 


We were told by the owner of this very rare and beau- ~ 


_ tiful animal, that it does not attain its full growth till 
twenty years old, and that it fheds its horns every third 


year. 
‘ace 


1144 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


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THe REIN-DEER. 


This extraordinary animal is a native of the icy re- 
gions of the North; where, by a wife and bountiful dif- 
penfation, which diffufes the common goods of Nature 
over every part of the habitable globe, it abounds, and is 
made fubfervient to the wants of a hardy race of men in- 
habiting the countries near the pole, who would find it 
impofhible to fubfift among their {nowy mountains with- 
out the aid of this moft ufeful creature. 

In more temperate regions, men are indebted to the 
unbounded liberality of Nature for a great variety of va- 
luable creatures to ferve, to nourifh, and to cloath them. 
To the poor Laplander, the Rein-deer alone fupplies the 
place of the Horfe, the Cow, the Sheep, the Goat, &c.; 
and from it he derives the only comforts that tend to 
foften the feverity of his fituation in that moft inhofpita- 
ble climate. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. is 


The Rein-deer of Lapland are of two kinds,—the wild 
and the tame: ‘The former are larger, {ftronger, and more 
hardy than the latter; for which reafon, the tame fe- 
males, in the proper feafon, are often fent out into the 
woods, where they meet with wild males, and return 
home impregnated by them. ‘The breed from this mix- 
ture is ftronger, and better adapted for drawing the 
fledge, to which the Laplanders accuftom them at an 


ie Me eM De, ll Perey ESO 


early age. They are yoked to it by acollar; from which 
a trace is brought under the belly between the legs, and 
faftened to the fore part of the fledge. Thefe carriages 
are extremely light, and covered at the bottom with the 
fkin of the Rein-deer. The perfon who fits in it guides 
the animal with a cord faftened to its horns; he drives it 
with a goad, and encourages it with his voice. 'Thofe of 
the wild breed, though by far the ftrongeft, often prove 
refractory; and not only refufe to obey their mafter, but 
turn againft him, and ftrike fo furioufly with their feet, 
that his only refource is to cover himfelf with his fledge, 
upon which the enraged creature vents its fury: The 
H 2 


116 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


tame Deer, on the contrary, is patient, active, and wil- 
ling. When hard pufhed, the Rein-deer will trot the 
diftance of fixty miles without ftopping; but in fuch ex- 
ertions, the poor obedient creature fatigues itfelf fo ex- 
ceedingly, that its mafter is frequently obliged to kill it 
immediately, to prevent a lingering death that would en- 
fue. In general, they can go about thirty miles without 
{topping ; and that without any great or dangerous effort. 
—This mode of travelling can be performed only in the 
winter feafon, when the face of the country is covered 
with fnow; and, although the conveyance is fpeedy, it 
is inconvenient, dangerous, and troublefome. 

As the Rein-deer conftitutes the fole riches of the 
Laplander, it may well be fuppofed, that a conftant at- 
tention to preferve and fecure it, forms the chief employ- 
ment of his life. It is no uncommon thing, for one per- 
fon to poffefs above five hundred in a fingle herd. 

As foon as fummer appears, which forms but a fhort 
interval from the moft 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 paftures, which at that fea- 
fon are in a ftate truly deplorable. Myriads of infects, 
bred by the heat of the fun in the woods and fens with 
which this country abounds, are all upon the wing; the 
whole atmofphere fwarms with life; every place and eve- 
ry creature is infefted; the’ natives are obliged to cover 
their faces with a mixture of pitch and milk, to fhield 
them from thefe minute invaders, which are drawn in 
with the breath, and enter the noftrils, 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 fkin which renders them extremely fenfitive, a 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 117% 


cloud of thefe infects fettle upon them, and drive the 
poor animal almoft to diftra€tion. In this extremity, 
there is no refource but flight. The herdfmen drive 
their flocks from the plains to the fummits 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 againft their unceafing perfecutors. 

Befides the gnat, the gadfly is a common peft to the 
Rein-deer. In the autumn, this infect depofits its eggs 
in their fkin; where the worms burrow, and often prove 
fatal to them. ‘The moment a fingle fly is feen, the 
whole herd is in motion: They know their enemy, and 
endeavour to avoid it, by tofling up their heads, and run- 
ning among each other; but all this too often proves in- 
effeQtual. 

Every morning and evening, during the fummer, the 
herdfman returns to the cottage with his Deer to be 
milked; where a large fire of mofs is prepared, for the 
purpofe of filling the place with fmoke, to drive off the 
gnats, and keep the Deer quiet whilft 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 {weeter and 
more nourifhing. 

The female begins to breed at the age of two years, is 
in feafon the latter end of September, goes with young 
eight months, and generally brings forth two at a time. 
The fondnefs of the dam for her young is very re- 
markable. They follow her two or three years, but do 
not acquire their full ftrength until four. It is at this 
age that they are trained to labour; and they continue 
ferviceable four or five years. They never live above fif- 

H 3 


118 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


teen or fixteen years. At eight or nine years old, the 
Laplanders kill them for their {kins and their flefh. Of 
the former they make garments, which are warm, and 
cover them from head to foot: They alfo ferve them for 
beds; they fpread them on each fide of the fire upon 
the leaves of trees, and in this manner lie both foft and 
warm. ‘The latter affords a conftant fupply of good and 
wholefome food, which, in the winter, when other kinds 
of provifions fail, is their chief fubfiftence. The tongue 
of the Rein-deer is confidered as a great delicacy; and 


when dried, great numbers of them are fold into other — 


countries. The finews ferve for thread, with which the 
Laplanders make thejr cloaths, fhoes, and other necef- 
faries; and, when covered with the hair, ferve them for 
ropes. 

Innumerable are the ufes, the comforts, and advan- 
tages, which the poor inhabitants of this dreary climate 
derive from this animal. We cannot fum them up bet- 
ter, than in the beautiful language of the poet: — 


“¢ Their’ Rein-deer form their riches: Thefe their tents, 
‘© Their robes, their beds, and all their homely wealth, 
“ Supply, their wholefome fare, and chearful cups: 

“© Obfequious at their call, the docile tribe 
€* Yield to the fled their necks, and whirl them fwift 

* O’er hill and dale, heap’d into one expanfe 

‘© Of marbled fnow, as far as eye can fweep, 

‘© With a blue cruft of ice unbounded glaz’d,” 


The horns of the Rein-deer are large and flender, 
bending forward; with brow antlers, which are broad 
and palmated. A pair in our poffeffion are in length 
two feet eight inches, and from tip to tip two feet five 5 
they weigh nine pounds: The projeCting brow antler is 


fourteen inches long, one foot broad, and ferrated at the | 
end: Jt fhould feem, both from its fituation and form, . 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 119 


an excellent inftrument to remove the fnow, under which 
its favourite mofs lies. Both fexes have horns: Thofe 
of the female are lefs, and have fewer branches. 

We are happy in being able to give an accurate repre- 
fentation of this fingular creature. The drawing was 
taken from one in the poffeflion of Sir H. G. Liddell, 
Bart.; which he brought over from Lapland, with four 
others, in 1786. ‘The height at the fhoulder was three 
feet three inches: The hair on the 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 breaft; and it had 
a large white fpot on the infide of each hind leg, clofe 
by the joint: Its head was long and fine; and round 
each eye was a large black fpace: Its horns were covered 
with a fine down, like velvet. The hoofs of this animal 
are large, broad, and deeply cloven: They f{pread out to 
a great breadth on the ground; and, when the animal is 
in motion, make a crackling noife, by being drawn up 
forcibly together. 

Not many attempts have been made to draw the Rein- 
deer from its native mountains, and tranfport it to mild- 
er climes; and of thefe, few have fucceeded. Natural- 
ifts from thence have concluded, that it cannot exift but 
amidft ice and fnow. M. Buffon regrets the impofhibi- 


_ lity of procuring the animal alive; and fays, that when 
_-tranfported to another climate, it foon dies. M. Regnard 


mentions fome that were brought to Dantzick; where, 

being unable to endure the heat of the climate, they all 

perifhed. Queen Chriftina of Sweden procured five and 

twenty, which fhe purpofed fending to Oliver Cromwell: 

They were brought as far as‘ Stockholm; but the Lap- 

landers who attended them refufing to come to England, 
H 4 | 


1200 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


fifteen of the number were killed by the Wolves, and the 
remaining ten did not long furvive, the climate being 
confidered as too warm. 

To thofe brought over by Sir H. G. Liddell, five more 
were added the year following. They produced young 
ones, and gave promifing hopes of thriving in this coun- 
try: But, unfortunately, fome of them were killed; and 
the others died, in confequence of a diforder fimilar to 
that called the vot in Sheep, which was attributed to the 
richnefs of the grafs whereon they fed. Nor can we 
wonder at the failure of this {pirited enterprize, when 
we confider, that it is the fole employment of the Lap- 
lander to tend and herd his Rein-deer, to drive them in 
the fummer time to the fummits of the mountains, to the 
fides of clear lakes and ftreams, and to lead them where 
they can find the moft proper food. Want of knowledge 
or attention to minute particulars, is fufhcient to over- 
turn the beft-laid plans. 

There is, however, little doubt but this animal will 
live without the Lapland /ichen; to which, perhaps, it 
only hath recourfe, becaufe there is in thofe latitudes no 
other fuftenance during the winter. It is alfo, in Eng- 
land, free from its mortal enemy—the gadfly. But as 
the defire of poffefling this animal has hitherto been ex- 
cited only by curiofity, it is not likely that much atten-. 
tion will be paid to it in a country like this, abounding 
with fuch variety of ufeful quadrupeds. 

The Rein-deer is wild in America, where it is called 
the Caribou.—It is found in Spitzbergen and Greenland ; 
and is very common in the moft northern parts of Eu- 
rope, and in Afia as far as Kamtfchatka, where fome of 
the richeft of the natives keep herds of ten or twenty 
thoufand in number. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. rar 


In the neighbourhood of Hudfon’s Bay, there are great 
herds of wild Rein-deer: Columns of many thoufands 
annually pafs from North to South in the months of 
March and April. In that feafon, the mufkatoes are ve- 
ry troublefome, and oblige them to quit the woods, and 
feek refrefhment on the fhore and open country. Great 
numbers of beafts of prey follow the herds. ‘The Wolves 
fingle out the ftragglers, detach them from the flock, and 
hunt them down: The Foxes attend at a diftance, to 
pick up the offals left by the former.—In autumn, the 
Deer, with the fawns bred during the fummer, remigrate 
northward. 


122 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


SS 


SSS 


i 
Ly) 
ty, i p 
Z 
Mae 
5 ee 
A ut Y f 

ZN 


Tue STAG, or RED-DEER, 


is the moft beautiful animal of the Deer kind. The ele-— 
gance of his form, the lightnefs of his motions, the flexi- 
bility of his limbs, his bold, branching horns, which are 
annually renewed, his grandeur, ftrength, and fwiftnefs, 
give him a decided pre-eminence over every other inha- 
bitant of the foreft. 

The age of the Stag is known by its horns. The firft 
year exhibits only a fhort protuberance, which is covered 
with a hairy fkin; the next year, the horns are flraight 
and fingle; the third year produces two antlers, the 
fourth three, the fifth four; and, when arrived at the 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 123 


fixth year, the antlers amount to fix or feven on each 
fide; but the number is not always certain. 

The Stag begins to fhed his horns the latter ae of 
February, or the beginning of March. Soon after the 
eld horn is falien off, a foft tumour begins to appear, 
which is foon covered with a down like velvet: ‘This tu- 
mour every day buds forth, like the graft of a tree; and, 
rifing by degrees, fhoots out the antlers on each fide: 
The {kin continues to cover it for fome time, and is fur- 
nifhed with blood-veffels, which fupply the growing 
horns with nourifhment, and occafion the furrows ob- 
fervable in them when that covering is ftript off: The 
impreflion is deeper at the bottom, where the veffels are 
larger; and diminifhes towards the point, where they are 
fmooth. When the horns are at their full growth, they 
acquire ftrength and folidity; and the velvet covering or 
fkin, with its blood-veffels, dries up, and begins to fall 
off; which the animal endeavours to haften, by rubbing 
them againft the trees; and, in this manner, the whole 
head gradually acquires its compleat hardnefs, expanfion, 
and beauty. 

Soon after the Stags have siolitied their horns, which 
is not compleated till July or Auguft, they quit the 
thickets, and return to the forefts: ‘They cry with a 
loud and tremulous note: and fly from place to place, 
in fearch of the females, with extreme ardour: Their 
necks {well: They ftrike with their horns againft trees 
and other obftacles, and become extremely furious.—At 
this feafon, when two Stags meet, their contefts are 
often defperate, and terminate in the defeat or flight of 
one of them; while the other remains in pofleffion of his 
miftrefs and the field, till another rival approaches, that 
he is alfo obliged to attack and repel.— During this time, 


124 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


which ufually lafts about three weeks, the Stag is fre= 


quently feen by the fides of rivers and pools of water, 
where he can quench his thirft, as well as cool his ar- 
dour.—He fwims with great eafe and ftrength; and, it 
is faid, will even venture out to fea, allured by the 
Hinds, and {wim from one ifland to another, though at 
a confiderable diftance. 


The Hinds go with young eight months and a few 


days; and feldom produce more than one young, called 
a Fawn.—They bring forth in May, or the beginning of 
June; and conceal their young with great care in the 
moft obfcure retreats. ‘They will even expofe themfelves 
to the fury of the hounds, and fuffer all the terrors of 
the chafe, in order to draw off the dogs from their 
hiding place. ‘The Hind is alfo very bold in the protec- 


tion of her offspring, and defends it with great courage ~ 


againft her numerous and rapacious enemies: The Wild 
Cat, the Dog, and even the Wolf, are frequently obliged 
to give way to her upon thefe occafions. But what ap- 


pears to be ftrangely unnatural, the Stag himfelf is fre- 


quently one of her moft dangerous foes; and would de- 
ftroy the Fawn, if net prevented by the maternal care of 
the Hind, which carefully conceals the place of its re- 
treat. 
The Fawn never quits the dam during the whole fum- 
mer; and in winter, the Stags and Hinds of all ages 
keep together in herds, which are more or lefs numerous, 
according to the mildnefs or rigour of the feafon. They 
feparate in the fpring: 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 neceflity alone that feparates them. 

The ufual colour of the Stag, in England, is red; in 


y 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 125 


other countries, it is generally brown or yellow. His 
eye is peculiarly beautiful, foft, and {parkling: His hear- 
ing is quick; and his fenfe of {melling acute. When 
liftening, he raifes his head, ereéts his ears, and feems 
attentive to every noife, which he can hear at a great 
diftance. When he approaches a thicket, he. ftops to 
look round him on all fides, and attentively furveys every 
obje&t near him: If the cunning animal perceive nothing 
to alarm him, he moves flowly forward; but, on the 
leaft appearance of danger, he flies off with the rapidity 
of the wind. He appears to liften with great tranquillity 
and delight to the found of the fhepherd’s pipe, which 
is fometimes made ufe of to allure the poor animal to its 
deftruCtion. 2 

The Stag eats flowly, and is nice in the choice:of his 
pafture. When his ftomach is full, he hes down to 
chew the cud at leifure. This, however, feems to be 
attended with greater exertions than in the Ox or the 
Sheep; for the grafs is not returned from the firft fto- 
mach without violent {training, owing to the great length 
of his neck, and the narrownefs of the paflage. This ef- 
fort is made by a kind of hiccup, which continues during 
the time of his ruminating. 

The voice of the Stag is ftronger and more quivering 
as he advances in age: In the rutting feafon, it is even 
terrible. That of the Hind is not fo loud; and is fel- 
dom heard, but when excited by apprehenfion for herfelf 
or her young. 

The Stag has been faid to be an uncommonly long- 
lived animal; but later obfervations have fully confuted 
this unfounded opinion. It is a generally received max- 
im, that animals live feven times the number of years 


that bring them to perfeion: Thus the Stag, being five 


126 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


or fix years in arriving at maturity, lives feven times thee 
number, or from thirty-five to forty years. 

The following fact, recorded in hiftory, will ferve to 
fhew, that the Stag is poflefled of an extraordinary fhare 
of courage, when his perfonal fafety is concerned :— 
Some years ago, William, Duke of Cumberland, caufed 
a Tiger and a Stag to be inclofed in the fame area; and 
the Stag made fo bold a defence, that the Tiger was at 
length obliged to give up. 

The hunting of the Stag has been held, in all ages, 
a diverfion of the nobleft kind; and former times bear 
witnefs of the great exploits performed on thefe occa- 
fions. In our ifland, large tra€ts of land were fet apart 
for this purpofe; villages and facred edifices were wan- 
tonly thrown down, and converted into one wide watfte, 
that the tyrant of the day might have room to purfue his 
favourite diverfion. In the time of William Rufus and 
Henry the Firft, it was lefs criminal to deftroy one of the 
human fpecies than a beaft of chafe. Happily for us, 
thefe wide-extended fcenes of defolation and oppreflion 
have been gradually contracted ; ufeful arts, agriculture, 
and commerce, have extenfively fpread themfelves over 
the naked land; and thefe fuperior beafts of the chafe 
have given way to other animals more ufeful to the com- 
munity. 

In the prefent cultivated ftate of this country, there- 
fore, the Stag is almoft unknown in his wild ftate. ‘The 
few that remain are kept in parks among the Fallow- 
deer, and diftinguifhed by the name of Red Deer.—Its 
vicioufnefs during the rutting feafon, and the badnefs of 
its flefh, which is poor and ill-flavoured, have occafioned 
almoft the extin@tion of the fpecies.—Some few are yet 
to be found in the forefts that border on Cornwall and 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 127 


Devonfhire, on moft of the large mountains of Ireland, 
and in the Highlands of Scotland, where Dr Johnfon 
defcribes them as not exceeding the Fallow-deer in fize, 
and their flefh of equal flavour. 

‘The Red Deer of this kingdom are nearly of the fame 
fize and colour, without much variety : In other parts of 
the world, they differ in form and fize, as well as in 
their horns and the colour of their bodies. 


THe’ Corsican STAG 


is very {mall, not exceeding half the height of ours; his 
body is fhort and thick, his hair of a dark-brown colour, 
and his legs fhort. 


128 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


ZEAL 
= Zs YY, 
Lay 


Ly, 


— 


I 


each, 


a = ea 
—— <= 4 Vrs 
SSS MER VE 


S, a 
7 y 5 ’ 
‘ 2 7, ae ee 


THe AXIS, or Gancets STAG, 


is an inhabitant of thofe immenfe plains of India, wa- 


tered by the river Ganges.—M. Buffon confiders it as a 


variety or fhade between the Stag and the Fallow-deer. 
It is of the fize of the latter; but its horns are round, 
like thofe of the Stag; and it has no brow antlers. Its 
whole body is marked with white fpots, elegantly dif- 
pofed, and diftinét from each other; the belly, infide of 
the thighs, and legs, are white; along the back there 
are two rows of fpots, parallel to each other ; thofe on 
the other parts of the body are irregular; the head and 
neck are grey; and the tail, which is red above and 
white beneath, is as long as that of the Fallow-deer. 


The continent of America abounds with Stags, and 
other animals of the’ Deer kind, in great variety. In 
fome parts of that vaft country, the inhabitants have 


\ 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 12g 


domefticated them, and live chiefly upon the milk and 
cheefe with which they fupply them. 

Thus we find, that the fame animal, which in fome 
parts contributes only to the amufement of man, may in 
others be brought to fupply his neceflities. ‘The ftores of 
Nature are various and abundant: It is neceflity alone 
that draws them out to fupply our wants, and contribute 
to our comforts. 


s wes : 
‘eur araeed Mba My 


& 


~~ 


ay ys - | 
SN NIG BS i te 
hay : ES 4 {Att ; 
KZ 
ca “ip > 
SE VII Chin Lys 
— Eee 


Wee. FALL @W-DEER. 


The principal difference between the Stag and the 
» Fallow-deer, feems to be in their fize, and in the form 
of their horns,—the latter being much fmaller than the 
former; and its horns, inftead of being round, like thofe 
of the Stag, are broad, palmated at*the ends, and better 

| I 


130 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


garnifhed with antlers: The tail is alfo much longer 
than that of the Stag, and its hair is brighter; in other 
refpects they nearly refemble each other. 

The horns of the Fallow-deer are fhed annually, like 
thofe of the Stag; but they fall off later, and are renew- 
ed nearly at the fame time.—Their rutting feafon arrives 
fifteen days or three weeks after that of the Stag. The 
males then bellow frequently, but with a low and inter- 
rupted voice. ‘They are not fo furious at this feafon as 
the Stag, nor exhauft themfelves by any uncommon ar- 
dour. ‘They never leave their pafture in queft of the fe- 
males; but generally fight with each other, it one buck 
becomes matter of the field. | 

They aflociate in herds, which fometimes divide into 
two parties, and maintain obftinate battles for the poffef- 
fion of fome favourite part of the park: Each party has 
its leader, which is always the oldeft and ftrongeft of the 
flock. ‘They attack in regular order of battle; they fight 
with courage, and mutually fupport each other; they re- 
tire, they rally, and feldom give up after one defeat: 
The combat is frequently renewed for feveral days to- 
gether; till, after feveral defeats, the weaker party is 
obliged to give way, and leave the conquerors in upetet 
fion of the obje& of their contention. : 

The Fallow-deer is eafily tamed, feeds upon a variety 
of things which the Stag refufes, and preferves its condi- 
tion nearly the fame through the whole year, although 
its flefh is efteemed much finer at particular feafons. 

They are capable of procreation in their fecond year; 
and, like the Stag, are fond of variety.—The female goes 
with young eight months; and produces one, fometimes 
two, and rarely three, at a time.—They arrive at perfec- 
tion at the age of three years, and live till about twenty. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 13: 


We have, in England, two varieties of the Fallow-deer, 
which are faid to be of foreign origin: The beautiful 
fpotted kind, fuppofed to have been brought from Ben- 
gal; and the deep-brown fort, now common in this 
country. ‘Thefe laft were introduced by King James the 
Firft, out of Norway ; where having obferved their har- 
dinefs in bearing the cold of that fevere climate, he 
brought fome of them into Scotland, and from thence 
tranfported them into his chafes of Enfield and Epping. 
Since that time they have multiplied exceedingly in ma- 
ny parts of this kingdom, which is now become famous 
for venifon of fuperior fatnefs and flavour to that of any 
other country in the world. 

The Fallow-deer, with fome variation, is found in al- 
moft every country of Europe. ‘Thofe of Spain are as 
large as Stags, but darker; their necks are alfo more 
flender; and their tails, which are longer that thofe of 
ours, are black above, and white beneath. 

In Guiana, (a country of South-America) according to 
Labat, there are Deer without horns, fmaller than thofe 
of Europe, but refembling them in every other particular. 
They are very lively, light, and exceflively timid; of a 
reddifh colour; with fharp, piercing eyes, and fhort tails. 
When purfued, they fly into places of difficult accefs. 
The natives frequently ftand and watch for them in nar- 
row paths; and, as foon as the game appears within 
reach, fhoot them unperceived. Their flefh is confidered 
as a great delicacy. 


132 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


= 


hy 


THz ROE-BRUCEe 


was formerly common in many parts of England and 
Wales; but at prefent is only to be found in the High- 
lands of Scotland. 

The Roe is the fmalleft of all the Deer kind, being 
only three feet four inches long, and fomewhat more 
than two feet in height: The horns are from eight to 
nine inches long, upright, round, and divided into three 
branches; the body is covered with long hair; the lower 
part of each hair is afh colour, near the end is a narrow 
bar of black, and the point is yellow; the hairs on the 
face are black, tipped with afh colour; the ears are long, 
their infides of a pale-yellow, and covered with long 
hair; the cheft, -bélly, legs, and infide of the thighs, 
are of a yellowifh-white, the rump is of a pure white, 
and the tail very fhort. 


The form of the Roe-buck is elegant, and its motions Y 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 133 


light and eafy. It bounds feemingly without effort, and 
runs with great {wiftnefs.— When hunted, it endeavours 
to elude its purfuers by the moft fubtle artifices: It re- 
peatedly returns upon its former fteps, till, by various 
windings, it has entirely confounded the fcent. ‘The 
cunning animal then, by a fudden {pring, bounds to one 
fide; and, lying clofe down upon its belly, permits the 
hounds to pafs by, without offering to ftir. 

‘They do not keep together in herds, like other Deer, 
but live in feparate families. The fire, the dam, and the 
young ones, aflociate together, and feldom mix with 
others. 

Their rutting feafon continues but fifteen days,—from 
the latter end of October till about the middle of No- 
vember. During this period, they will not fuffer the 
fawns to remain with them: The buck obliges them to 
retire, in order that the dam and her fucceeding mnoueny 
may remain undifturbed. 

The female goes with young five months and a half; 
and brings forth about the end of April, or beginning of 
May. On thefe occafions, fhe feparates from the male, 
_and conceals herfelf in the thickeft and moft retired part 
of the woods. She generally produces two fawns at a 
time, fometimes three. In ten or twelve days, thefe are 
able to follow their dam. When threatened with dan- 
ger, fhe hides them in a thicket ; and, to preferve them, 
offers herfelf to be chafed: But, notwithftanding her 
care, fhe is frequently robbed of her young. Numbers 
of fawns are found out and taken alive by the peafants ; 
and many more are worried by dogs, foxes, and other 
carnivorous animals. By thefe continual depredations, 
this beautiful creature is daily becoming more fearce; 


ig 


134 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


and, in many countries, where once it 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 firft year 
they are without antlers. ‘They fhed their horns the lat- 
ter end of autumn, and renew them in the winter; in 
which they differ from the Stag, whofe horns fall off in 
the {pring, and are renewed in fummer. 7 

The life of the Roe-buck feldom exceeds twelve or fif- 
teen years. 

They are very delicate in the choice of their food; 
and require a large tract of country, fuited to the wild- 
nefs of their nature, which can never be thoroughly fub- 
dued. No arts can teach them to be familiar with their 
keeper, nor in any degree attached to him. They are 
eafily terrified ; and, in their attempts to efcape, will run 
with fuch force again{t the walls of their inclofure, as 
fometimes to difable themfelves: They are alfo fubject 
to capricious fits of fiercenefs; and, on thefe occafiotis, 
will firike furioufly with their horns and feet at the ob- 
ject of their diflike. 

Some years ago, one of theie animals, after being 
hunted out of Scotland, through Cumberland, and various 
parts of the North of England, at laft took refuge in the 
woody recefles bordering upon the banks of the Tyne, 
between Prudhoe Caftle and Wylam. It was repeatedly 
feen and hunted; but no dogs were equal to its {peed : 
It frequently croffed the river; and, either by fwiftnefs 
or artifice, eluded all its purfuers. It happened, during 
the rigour of a fevere winter, that being. purfued, it ° 
croffed the river upon the ice with fome difficulty; and 
being much ftrained by its violent exertions, was taken 
aliye. It was kept for fome weeks in the houfe, and 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 13; 


was then again turned out; but all its cunning and acti- 
vity were gone; it feemed to have forgotten the places of 
its former retreat; and, after running fome time, it laid 
down in the midft of a brook, where it was killed by the 
dogs. 

The flefh of the Roe-buck is fine and well-tafted: 
That of the male, after the age of two years, is hard; 
the flefh of the females, though farther advanced in 
years, is more tender: When very young, it is loofe 
and foft; but, at the age of eighteen months, is in its 
higheft ftate of perfection. 

In America, the Roe-buck is much more common 
than in Europe.—In Louifiana, it is very large.—The in- 
habitants live chiefly upon its flefh, which is good and 
well-flavoured. 


‘& 


We LY Ws 
Opa 


> 


We i. 


1336 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


thi 
GB Sppinre ‘ eS Ss See 
1 at yy pepe OR CEE Bi 


Tae C A uM me 


OSSESSES the various qualities of the Horfe, 
p the Cow, and the Sheep; and is to the Arabian, 
in a great meafure, what thofe ufeful creatures are to us. 
Its milk is rich and nourifhing; and, being mixed with 
water, makes a wholefome and refrefhing beverage, much 
ufed by the Arabs in their journies: The flefh of young 
Camels is alfo an excellent and wholefome food. ‘Their 
hair or fleece, which falls off entirely in the f{pring, is {u- 
perior to that of any other domeitic animal, and 1s made 
into very fine ftuffs, for cloaths, coverings, tents, and 
other furniture. , 
Poffefled 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 defert,, where he is fafe from 
every enemy: For, without the aid of this ufeful animal, 
no perfon could purfue him amidft fandy deferts, where 
nothing prefents itfelf to the eye but one uniform void, 
naked and folitary. : 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 137 


The Arabian regards his Camel as the moft precious 
eift of Heaven; by the afliftance of which he is enabled 
to fubfift in thofe frightful intervals of Nature, which 
ferve him for an afylum, and fecure his independence. 

But it is not to the plundering Arab alone, that the 
fervices of this ufeful quadruped are confined: In ‘Tur- 
key, Perfia, Barbary, and Egypt, every article of mer- 
chandife is carried by Camels. Merchants and travellers 
unite together, and form themfeives into numerous bo- 
dies, called caravans, to prevent the infults of the Arabs. 
One of thefe caravans frequently confifts of many thou- 
fands; the Camels being always more numerous than 
the men. Each Camel is loaded in proportion to his 
flrength. At the command of their conductor, they lie 
down on their belly, with their legs folded under them, 
and in this pofture receive their burden: As foon as they 
are loaded, they rife of their own accord, and will not 
fuffer any greater weight to be impofed upon them than 
they can bear with eafe; when overloaded, they fet up 
the moft piteous cries, till part of the burden be taken 
off. ‘The common load of a Camel is from three to four 
hundred weight; and the medium of the expence of the 
conveyance for each hundred appears to be about one 
farthing per mile. The ufual rate of travelling is three 
miles in the hour; and the number of hours that are ac- 
tually employed on the route, exclufive of thofe allotted 
to refrefhment, is feldom more than feven or eight in a 
day. Of the number of days which are confumed in a 
long journey, many are devoted to the purpofes of occa- 
fional trade, recruiting the ftrength of the Camels, and 
procuring additional ftores of provifions and water.—A 
particular mode of eafy conveyance is provided for wo- 
men and children, and for perfons oppreffed with infir- 


138 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


mity or illnefs: Six or eight Camels are yoked together 
ina row; and a number of tent poles are placed in pa- 
rallel lines upon their backs: Thefe are covered with 
carpets; and bags of corn are fuperadded to bring the 
floor to a level, as well as to foften the harfhnefs of the 
Camels’ movements: Other carpets are then fpread; and 
the travellers fit or lie down with the moft perfe& eafe. 
—The general food of the Camels is fuch only as their 
nightly pafture affords; and is frequently confined to the 
hard and thorny fhrubs of the defert, where a fullen kind 
of vegetation is created by the rains of the winter, and 
fuftained by the dew that defcends in copious abundance 
through all the remainder of the year. 

But the peculiar and diftinguifhing characteriftic of 
the Camel is, its faculty of abftaining from water for a 
greater length of time than any other animal; for which 
Nature has made a wonderful provifion, in giving it, be- 
fides the four ftomachs which it has in common with 
other ruminating animals, a fifth bag, ferving as a refer- 
voir for water, where it remains without corrupting or 
“mixing with the other aliments. When the Camel is 
prefled with thirft, and has occafion for water to mace- 
rate its food while ruminating, it makes part of it pafs 
into its f{tomach, by a fimple contraction of certain muf- 
cles. By this fingular ftructure, it can take a prodigious 
quantity of water at one draught, and is enabled to pafs 
feveral days without drinking; Leo Africanus fays fif- 
teen.—Camels can difcover water by their fmell at half 
a league’s diftance; and, after a long abftinence, will 
haften towards it, long before their drivers perceive 
where it lies. 

The feet of the Camel are peculiarly adapted to the 
foil on which he treads. On moift or flippery ground, 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 139 


he cannot well fupport himfelf; and his broad and ten- 
der feet are liable to be injured by the refiftance of 
ftones: But he is obferved to tread with perfect eafe and 
fecurity on the dry and yielding fand; and whit, from 
its peculiar ftruCture, his hoof is incapable of faftening 
with any degree of fecurity on the ground of a fteep 
afcent or fhelving declivity, his movements on a {mooth 
and level furface are fingularly firm and fafe. 

Many attempts have been made to introduce this fer- 
viceable animal into other countries; but, as yet, none 
have fucceeded. ‘The race feems to be confined to cer- 
tain diftricts, where its utility has been known for ages. 

Though a native of warm climates, the Camel dreads 
thofe which are exceflively hot: It can neither fubfift in 
the burning heat of the torrid zone, nor in the milder air 
of the temperate. It feems 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 diftinguifhed previous to all hiftorical record: That 
which is called the Baétrian Camel, has two hunches on 
its back, and is found chiefly in Turkey and the coun- 
tries of the Levant; whilft the Arabian Camel has only 
one hunch. 


yo HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


. 


AAW RHA 
Sy: Ge », 
Ni 7 Res 


Tuz Arapian CAMEL, orn DROMEDARY, 


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 diffufed, 
than the Camel: It is alfo much {wifter, and is therefore 
generally employed on bufinefs which requires difpatch. 
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 them, and that for nine or ten 
days together, over burning and uninhabitable deferts. 
They require neither whip nor fpur to quicken their 
pace; but go freely, if gently treated ; and are much en- 
livened by finging or the found of the pipe, which gives 
them fpirits to purfue their journey. 

They are mild and gentle at all times, except when 
they are in heat: At that period, they are feized with a 
fort of madnefs; they eat little, and will fometimes at- 
tempt to bite their mafters; fo that it is not fafe to ap- 
proach them. 


HrolORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 141 


The Camel arrives at its full ftrength at the age of fix 
years, and lives forty or fifty. 

The females are not ufually put to labour, but are al- 
lowed to pafture and breed at full liberty. Their time 
of geftation is nearly twelve months; and they generally 
bring fo:th one at a birth. 


iE. FE: B DAs NE: A. 


is the Camel of Peru and Chili; and, before the con- 
queft of thofe countries by the Spaniards, was the only 
beaft of burden known to the Indians.—Its difpofition is 
mild, gentle, and tractable. 

Before the introduction of Mules, thefe animals were 
ufed by the natives to plough the land, and now ferve to 
carry burdens. ‘They march flowly, and feldom accom- 
plifh journies of more than four or five leagues a day ; 
but what they want in {peed is made up by perfeverance 
and induftry. They travel long journies in countries im- 
paflable to moft other animals; are very fure-footed ; 
and are much employed in tranfporting the rich ores, 
dug out of the mines of Potofi, over the rugged hills and 
narrow paths of the Andes: Boliver remarks, that, in 
his time, three hundred thoufand of them were conftant- 
ly employed in this work. ‘They lie down to be loaded, 
and, when weary, no blows can excite them to quicken 
their pace.—They neither defend themfelves with their 
feet nor their teeth. When angry, they have no other 
method of revenging injuries, but by {pitting. They can 
throw out their faliva to the diftance of ten paces; and 
if itfall on the fkin, it raifes an itching, accompanied 
with a flight inflammation.-—Their flefh is eaten, and 
faid to be as good as mutton. 


12 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Like the Camel, they have the faculty of abftaining 
long from water (fometimes four or five days); and like 
that animal’s, their food is coarfe and trifling. ‘They are 
neither allowed corn nor hay; green herbage, of which 
they eat very moderately, being fufhcient for their nou- 
rifhment. 

The wild Lamas, called Guanacos, are ftronger and 
more active than the domeftic kind. They live in herds, 
and inhabit the higheft regions of the Cordelieres. They 
run with great f{wiftnefs in places of difficult accefs, 
where dogs cannot eafily follow'them. ‘The moft ufual 
way of killing them is with the gun. They are hunted 
for the fake of their flefh and their hair: ai the latter 
the Indians make cloth. i 

The Lama refembles the Camel in the fore of its bo- 
dy, but is without the dorfal hunch: Its head is fmall 
and well fhaped; its neck long, and very protuberant 
near its junction with the body: In its domeftic ftate, 
its hair is fhort and fmooth; when wild, it is coarfe and 
long, of a yellowifh 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, grey, and ruffet, 
difperfed in fpots. Its tail is fhort: Its ears are four 
inches long: Its feet are cloven like thofe of the Ox; 
and are armed behind with a fpur, by which the ani- 
mal is enabled to fupport itfelf on rugged and. difficult 
ground. The height of the Lama is about four feet ; 
and its length, from the neck to the tail, fix feet. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 143 


fo Bo be A OWS 


very much refembles the Lama in figure, but is much 
fmaller. Its body is covered with very fine long wool, 
of the colour of dried rofes, or a dull purple; the belly 
is white.-They live in vaft herds, and inhabit the moft 
elevated parts of the higheft mountains, where they en- 
dure the utmoft rigour of froft and fnow. They are ex- 
ceedingly fwift; and fo timid, that it is very difficult to 
come near them. 

The manner of taking them is fingular. The Indians 
tie cords, with {mall pieces of wool or cloth hanging 
from them, acrofs the narrow pafles of the mountains, 
about three or four feet from the ground: They then 
drive a herd of thefe animals towards them; and they 
are fo terrified by the flutter of the rags, that they dare 
not pafs, but huddle together, and fuffer themfelves to 
be killed in great numbers. | | 

Their wool is a valuable article of commerce; and 1s 
made into gloves, ftockings, bed-cloaths, carpets, &c. 

The Pacos are domefticated; and, like the Lamas, are 
employed in carrying burdens; but cannot bear more 
than from fifty to feventy-five pounds; and are {till more 
fubject to capricious fits of obftinacy. When once they 
lie down with their load, no blows can provoke them to 
rife. 

The great advantage, derived from the woo! of thefe 
creatures, induced the Spaniards to attempt their intro- 
duction into Europe. Some of them were brought over 
to Spain; but, by not fufliciently attending to the necef- 
fity of placing them in fituations fimilar to thofe which 
they had always been accuflomed to, the experiment 
proved unfuccefsful. 


144 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Tw eo: OO €o- Biya 


NIMALS of the Hog kind feem to poffefs 
A a middle nature, between thofe that live upon 
grafs and fuch as are carnivorous; and unite in them- 
felves moft of thofe diftin¢tions which are peculiar to 
each clafs. Like the one, they will feed on animal fub-- 
ftances, and do not ruminate; like the other, they are 
cloven-hoofed, live chiefly on vegetables, and feldom feek 
after animal food, except when urged by neceffity. 


Toe WIrLD-3O 2m 


which is the original of all the varieties to be found in 
this creature, is much fmaller than thofe of the domef- 
tic kind; and does not, like them, vary in colour, but is 
uniformly of a brindled or dark-grey, inclining to black. 
—His fnout is longer than that of the tame Hog; and 
his ears are fhort, round, and black. He is armed with 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 145 


formidable tufks in each jaw, which ferve him for the 
double purpofe of annoying his enemy, or procuring his 
food, which is chiefly roots and vegetables: Some of 
thefe tufks are almoft a foot long: Thofe in the upper 
jaw bend upwards in a circular form, and are exceeding- 
ly fharp at the points; thofe of the under jaw are always 
moit to be dreaded; for with them the animal defends 
himfelf, and frequently gives mortal wounds. 
Wild-Boars are not gregarious; but while young, live 
together in families, and frequently unite their forces 
again{t the wolves or other beafts of prey. When likely 
to be attacked, they call to each other with a very loud 
and fierce note: The ftrongeft face the danger, and form 
themfelves into a ring, the weakeft falling into the cen- 
ter. In this pofition, few beafts dare venture to engage 
them; but leave them to purfue a lefs dangerous chafe. 
— When the Wild-Boar is arrived at a ftate of maturity, 
he walks the foreft alone and fearlefs, At that time he 
dreads no fingle foe; nor will he turn out of his way 
even for man himfelf. He offends no animals; at the 
fame time he is furnifhed with arms which render him a 


terror to the fierceft. 


The hunting of the Wild-Boar is a dangerous but 
_ common amufement of the great in thofe countries 
_ where it is to be found. The Dogs chiefly ufed for this 
{port are of a flow and heavy kind.—When the Boar is 
roufed, he goes flowly forward, not much afraid, nor 
very far before his purfuers. He frequently turns round, 
ftops till the hounds come up, and offers to attack them : 
after keeping each other at bay for a while, the Boar 
again goes flowly forward, and the Dogs renew the pur- 
fuit. In this manner the chafe is continued till the Boar 
K 


4496 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


becomes quite tired, and refufes to go any farther: The 
Dogs then attempt to clofe in upon him from behind ; 
and in this attack the young ones, being generally the 
moft forward, frequently lofe their lives: The old fea- 
foned Dogs keep the animal at bay until the hunters 
come up, who kill him with their fpears. 


THe Common BOAR 


is, of all other domeftic quadrupeds, the moft filthy and 
impure. Its form is clumfy and difgufting, and its ap- 
petite gluttonous and exceflive.—In no inftance has Na- 
ture more confpicuoufly fhewn her ceconomy than in this 
race of animals, whofe ftomachs are fitted to receive nu- 
triment from a variety of things that would otherwife be 
wafted: The refufe of the field, the garden, the barn, 
or the kitchen, affords them a luxurious repatt. 

Ufelefs during life, and only valuable when deprived 
of it, this animal has fometimes been conpared to a mi- 
fer, whofe hoarded treafures are of little value till death 
has deprived them of thejr rapacious owner, 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 147 


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 ftrong and brawny; 
its fnout is long and callous, well calculated for the pur- 
pofe of turning up the earth for roots of various kinds, 
of which it is extremely fond; and it has a quick fenfe 
of {melling, by which it is enabled to trace out its food. 
It is naturally ftupid, inaCtive, and drowfy; much in- 
clined to increafe in fat, which is difpofed in a different 
manner from that of other animals, and forms a thick 
and regular coat between the flefh and the fkin. It is 
reftlefs at a change of weather; and. during certain high 
winds is fo agitated, as to run violently, {creaming hor- 
ribly at rhe time. It appears to forefee the ap- 
proach of bad weather, as it previoufly carries ftraw in 
its mouth to its fly, prepares a bed, and feems endea- 
vouring to hide itfelf from the impending ftorm. | 

Linneus obferves, that the flefh of the Hog is a 
wholefome food for thofe that ufe much exercife, but 
bad for fuch as lead a fedentary life. It is of univerfal 
ufe, and makes, in various ways, a conftant article in the 
elegancies of the table. It is of great importance to this 
country, as a commercial nation; for it takes falt better 
than any other kind, and confequently is capable of be- 
ing preferved longer: It is therefore of great ufe in 
fhips, and makes a principal part of the provifions of the 
Britifh navy. 

The domeftic Sow brings forth twice a year, and pro- 
duces from ten to twenty at a litter: She goes four 
months with young, and brings forth in the fifth. At 
that time fhe muft be carefully watched, to prevent her 
from devouting her young: Still greater attention is ne- 

K 2 


1448 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


ceflary to keep off the pales. as he would deftroy the 


whole litter. 
The moft numerous breed of Hogs in this ifland is 


that generally known by the name of the Berkfbire Pigs, 
now fpread through almoft every part of England, and 
fome parts of Scotland. They are in general of a red- 
difi-brown colour, with black fpots upon them; have 
large ears hanging over their eyes; are fhort-legged, 
{mall-boned, and are readily made fat. Some of thefe 
have been fed to an almoft incredible fize. Mr Culley, 
in his Treatife on Live Stock, gives an account of one 
that was killed at Congleton in Chefhire, which mea- 
fured, from the nofe to the end of the ms three yards 


eight inches; in height, it was four feet a half; and 
weighed, after it was killed, eighty-fix ones eleven 
pounds, avoirdupoife. 

The Chinefe or black breed are now very common in 
England. They are {maller, have fhorter legs, and their 
flefh is whiter and fweeter than the common kind.—Of 
this fort were thofe found in New Guinea, which proved 
fo feafonable a relief to our circumnavigators, when that 
country was firft vifited by them.----There are likewife 
great numbers of them in the Friendly and Society Iifles, 
the Marquefas, and many other of the newly-difcovered 
iflands in the South feas. Thefe are fed with plantains, 
bread-fruit, and yams, and are exceedingly fat. They 
are frequently feen by the natives in their canoes, {wim- 
ming from one ifland to pasta and killed by them | 
with lances and arrows. 

The Hog fpecies, though very numerous, and diffufed 
over Europe, Afia, and Africa, did not exift in America, 
till tranfported thither by the Spaniards. In may places 
they have multiplied exceedingly, and become wild. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 149 


They refemble the domeftic Hog; but their bodies are 
fhorter, and their fnout and fkin thicker. 


THe AFRICAN WILD-BOAR, or 
WOOD-SWINE, 


lives in a wild, uncultivated ftate, in the hotteft parts of 
Africa.---It is a very vicious animal, and quick in all its 
motions. It.is as dangerous to attack one of them, as a 
Lion: For, though much f{maller, it rufhes upon a man 
as {wift as an arrow; and throwing him down before he 
has time to ftrike with his javelin, breaks his legs, and 
almoft at the fame inftant rips up his belly. 

It has four tufks: T'wo 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 bafe ; 
the two other tufks, which come from the lower jaw, 
project but three inches from the mouth. Thefe tufks 
the animal makes ufe of as the dreadful inftruments of 
his vengeance.—He will attack a man on horfeback, if 

K 3 


10 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


he fhould venture to come too near him; and firft break- 
ing the horfe’s legs, kills both him and his rider. 

Sparrman defcribes it as being of a bright-yellow co- 
lour, like the domeftic kind. Its nofe is broad, flat, and 
of a horny hardnefs ; its head is very large, in proportion 
to the fize of its body; underneath each eye it has a 
great lobe or wattle, lying almoft horizontally, broad, 
flat, rounded at the end, and placed fo as to intercept 
the view of any thing immediately beneath it; the ears 
are large and fharp-pointed, lined on the infide with long 
whitifh hairs; its tail is flender and flat; when the ani- 
malis purfued, it always holds it quite erect. 

They live in holes underground, the avenues to which 
are exceedingly narrow. ‘The natives feldom dare attack 
them in their retreats, as there is i me of their 
rufhing out unawares. When purfued with their young 
ones, it ismo uncommon thing to fee them take them up 
in their mouths, and run with them in that manner at a 
great rate. 

From the fhortnefs of their necks, they frequently fall 
on their knees to feed; and change this pofture to that 
of ftanding with the greateft eafe. 


The flefh of this animal is good, and very much re-— 


fembles that of the common Hog. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 151 


p) 
th 


tet 
Ny 


nitty 


a 


4 


Mb yy, 


THe PECCARY, or Mexican HOG, 


inhabits the hotteft parts of South-America, where the 


_fpecies is very numerous: Herds, confifting of two or 


three hundred, are fometimes to be feen together.—It is 
very fierce; and will fight ftoutly with beafts of prey, 
when attacked by them. ‘The Jaguar, or American Leo- 
pard, is its mortal enemy; and frequently lofes its life in 
engaging a number of thefe animals. ‘They aflift each 
other, furround their enemies, and often come off victo- 
r10Us. , 

They live chiefly in mountainous places; and are not 
fond of wallowing in the mire, like the common Hog. 
They feed on fruits, roots, and feeds: They likewife eat 
ferpents, toads, and lizards; and are very dexterous in 
firft taking off the fkins with their fore feet and teeth. 

The Peccary in appearance refembles the Hog, though 


| fomewhat fmaller: Its body is covered with long brif- 


tles, which, when the creature is irritated, rife up like 

the prickles of a Hedgehog, and are nearly as ftrong— 

they are of a dufky colour, with alternate rings of white ; 
K 4 


12 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


acrofs the fhoulders to the breaft, there is a band of 
white; its head is fhort and thick; it has two tufks in 
each jaw; its ears are {mall and ere€t; and inftead of a 
tail, it has a {mall flefhy protuberance, which does not 
cover its pofteriors. It differs moft effentially from the 
Hog, in having a {mall orifice on the lower part of the 
back, from whence a thin watry humour, of a moft dif- 
agreeable fmell, flows very copioufly. In the Philofophi- 
cal Tranfactions, Dr Tyfon has defcribed this orifice ve- 
ry minutely, as well as fome other peculiarities in the 
conformation of its f{tomach and inteftines. 

Like the Hog, the Peccary is very prolific. The 
young ones, if taken at firft, are eafily tamed, and foon 
lofe all their natural ferocity; but can never be brought 
to difcover any figns of attachment to thofe that feed 
them. They dono mifchief, and may be allowed to run 
about at pleafure. They feldom ftray far from home, 
and return of their own accord.—-When angry, they 
grunt like the Hog, but much ftronger and harfher; and, 
when fuddenly alarmed, make a fharp noife with their 
breath, and erect their briftles. 

The flefh of the Peccary, though drier and leaner chan 
that of our Hog, is by no means difagreeable, and may 
be greatly improved by caftration. When killed, the 
dorfal gland muft be immediately cut off. If this opera- 
tion be deferred for the fpace of half an hour, the flefh 
becomes utterly unfit to be eaten. 

Although the European Hog is common in America, 
and in many parts has become wild, the Peccary has ne- 
ver been known to breed with it. They frequently go 
together, and feed in the fame woods; but hitherto no 
intermediate breed has been known to arife from theiy 
intercourfe. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 153 


M. de la Borde defcribes two kinds of this animal,— 
one {maller than the other.---He relates, that being one 
day engaged with fome others in hunting a drove of Pec- 
caries, they were furrounded by-them, and obliged to 
take refuge upon a piece of rock; and, notwithftanding 
they kept up a conftant fire among them, the creatures 
did not retire till a great number of them were flain. 


<—Z 


SS 


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nay On 
; = | 


LIE 


Tue BABIROUSSA, 


though claffed by naturalifts with the Hog kind, differs 
from animals of that fpecies in a variety of particulars: 
Its legs are longer, and its body more flender; it is co- 
vered with fhort hair as foft as wool, and of a dark-grey 
colour, mixed with red; its ears are fhort and pointed ; 
its tail is long, tufted at the end, and twifted. Its moft 
diftinguifhing characteriftic confifts in four large tufks, 
the two ftouteft of which proceed, like thofe of the Wild 
Boar, from the under jaw, pointing upwards, and ftand- 
ing near eight inches out of the fockets; the two others 
rife up like horns on the outfide of the upper jaw, jutt 


14 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


above the nofe, and extend in a curve above the eyes, 
almoft touching the forehead, and are twelve inches in 
length. ‘Thefe tufks are of the moft beautiful ivory, but 
not fo hard as thofe of the Elephant. 

The Babirouffa abounds in feveral of the iflands of the 
_Eaft-Indies; particularly Buero, a fmall ifle near Am- 
boyna. | 

It is eafily tamed ; and its flefh is well tafted. It lives 
on leaves of trees and other vegetables. Its fcent is ex- 
quifite: It can difcover the approach of dogs at a dif- 
tance. When clofely purfued, it plunges into the fea, 
{wims and dives with great facility from one ifland to 
another, and by that means frequently efcapes from its 
purfuers. 

They live in herds; and when any number of them 
are together, their odour is fo ftrong, that the dogs can 
{cent them at a confiderable diftance.---When attacked, 
they growl frightfully, and defend themfelves with their 
under tufks: The upper ones are ferviceable to them in 
taking their repofe, by hooking them on the branches of 
trees... 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 5-5 


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WESSs 


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THe Lonc-NosrEp TAPIIR 


is the Hippopotamus of the new world, and has by fome 
authors been miftaken for that animal.---It inhabits the 
woods and rivers on the eaftern fide of South-America, 
from the ifthmus of Darien to the river of the Amazons. 
---It is a folitary animal, fleeps during the day, and goes 
out in the night in fearch of food; lives on grafs, fugar- 
canes, and fruits. If difturbed, it takes to the water; 
fwims with great eafe, or plunges to the bottom; and, 
like the Hippopotamus, walks there as on dry ground. 

It is about the fize of a fmall Cow: Its nofe is long 
and flender, and extends far beyond the lower jaw, form- 
ing a kind of probofcis, which it can contract or extend 
at pleafure; each jaw is furnifhed with ten cutting teeth, 
and as many grinders; its ears are {mall and erect; its 
body formed like that of a Hog; its back arched; legs 
fhort; and hoofs, of which it has four upon each foot, 
-{mall, black, and hollow; its tail is very {mall ; its hair 
fhort, and of a dufky-brown colour. 

‘The Tapiir is mild and inoffenfive, avoids all hoftilities 


16 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


with other animals, and flies from every appearance of 
danger. Its fkin, of which the Indians make bucklers, is 
very thick; and when dried, is fo hard, as to refift the 
impreflion of an arrow. The natives eat its flefh, which 


‘ 


is faid to be very good. 


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Wi 


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% Lit Wid TMA 
EAaiisctecgieainniintnSS 
SSS 
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BS ENEMAS SS 
rams = A = ) 


Ws 


Toe RAIN OC 2 


We are indebted to the labours of many learned and 
ingenious naturalifts for accurate defcriptions of this 
wonderful creature, which in fize is only exceeded by 
the Elephant, and in ftrength and power is inferior to no 
other animal. Bontius fays, that in the bulk of its body 
it equals the Elephant, but is lower only on account of 
the fhortnefs of its legs. 

The length of the Rhinoceros, from the extremity of 
the muzzle to the infertion of the tail, is ufually twelve 
feet; and the circumference of its body nearly equal to 
its length. Its nofe is armed with a formidable weapon, 
peculiar to this creature, being a very hard and folid 
horn, with which it defends itfelf from every adverfary. 


- HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 157 


The Tiger will rather attack the Elephant, whofe 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 fkin fo hard and impenetrable, that he fears nei- 
ther the claws of the Tiger, nor the more formidable 
probofcis of the Elephant: It will turn the edge of a fci- 
mitar, and even refift the force of a mufket-ball, The 
fkin, which is of a blackifh colour, forms itfelf into large 
folds at the neck, the fhoulders, and the crupper, by 
which the motion of the head and limbs is facilitated ; 
round the neck, which is very fhort, are two large folds ; 
there is alfo a fold from the fhoulders, which hangs down 
upon the fore legs; and another from the hind part of 
the back to the thighs. The body is every-where cover- 
ed with fmall tuberofities or knots, which are {mall on 
the neck and back, but larger on the fides: The thighs, 
legs, and even the feet, are full of thefe incruftations, 
which have been miftaken for fcales by fome authors: 
They are, however, only fimple indurations of the fkin, 
without any uniformity in their figure, or regularity in 
their pofition. Between the folds, the {kin is penetrable 
and delicate, as foft to the touch as filk, and of a light 
flefh colour: The fkin of the belly is nearly of the fame 
colour and confiftency. | 

The body of the Rhinoceros is long and thick; its 
belly is large, and hangs near the ground; its legs fhort, 
round, and very ftrong; 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 
{mall, funk, and without vivacity: The upper lip is long, 
overhangs the lower, and is capable of great extenfion : 
It is fo pliable, that the Rhinoceros can move it from 


158 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 


fide to fide, twift it round a ftick, colle& its food, Or 
feize with it any thing it would carry to its mouth. 

The Rhinoceros, without being ferocious, carnivorous, 
or even extremely wild, is, however, totally untractable 
and rude. It feems to be fubject to paroxyfms of fury, 
which nothing can appeafe. That which Emanuel, king 
of Portugal, fent to the pope in the year 1513, deftroyed 
the veffel in which they were tranfporting it. 

Like the Hog, the Rhinoceros is fond of wallowing in 
the mire.—It is a folitary animal, loves moift and marfhy 
grounds, and feldom quits the banks of rivers.-—It is 
found in Bengal, Siam, China, and other countries of 
Afia; in the ifles of Java, Sumatra, Ceylon, &c.; in 
Ethiopia, and the country as low as the Cape of Good 
Hope: But in general, the fpecies is not numerous, and 
is much lefs diffufed than that of the Elephant. 

The female produces but one at a time, and at confi- 
derable intervals.—-During the firft month, the young 
Rhinoceros exceeds not the fize of a large dog. At the 
age of two years, the horn is not more than an inch 
long; at fix years old, it is nine or ten inches long; and 
grows to the length of three feet and a half, and fome- 
times four feet. The horn is much efteemed by the na- 
tives as an antidote againft poifon, as well as a remedy 
for particular difeafes. 

The Rhinoceros feeds on the groffeft herbs, and pre- 
fers thiftles and fhrubs to foft or delicate pafturage. It is 
fond of the fugar-cane, and eats all kinds of grain. 

Dr Parfons remarks, that this animal has an acute and 
very attentive ear. It will liften with a deep and long- 
continued attention to any kind of noife; and, though it 
be eating, lying down, or obeying any prefling demands 
of Nature, it will raife its head, and liften till the noife 
ceafe. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ts 


From the peculiar conftruction of his eyes, the Rhi- 
noceros can only fee what is immediately before him. 
When he purfues any object, he proceeds always in a 
direct line, overturning every obftruction. With the 
horn on his nofe, he tears up trees, raifes ftones, and 
throws them behind him to a confiderable diftance.x—His 
fenfe of {melling is fo exquifite, that the hunters are 
obliged to avoid being to windward of him. ‘They fol- 
low him at a diftance, and watch till he lies down to 
fleep: They then approach with great precaution, and 
difcharge their mufkets all at once into the lower part of 
the belly. 

The Rhinoceros is fuppofed to be the Uxicorn of hoiy 
writ, and poffeffes all the properties afcribed to that ani- 
mal,—rage, untameablenefs, great {wiftnefs, and im- 
menfe ftrength.—It was known to the Romans in very 
early times, and is handed down to us in fome of the 
works of that celebrated people. Auguftus introduced 
one into the fhows, on his triumph over Cleopatra. 

Its flefh is eaten, and much relifhed by the natives of 
India and Africa. 


prs 
———— —— i 


ae Uy fi Sar id 


mh’ 


160 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


THe Two-HorNeED RHINOCEROS. 


We have given the figure of this hitherto undefcribed 
animal from Mr Sparrman, whofe authenticity there is 
every reafon to depend upon, and who has given a moft 
exact anatomical defcription of it. Of two that were 
fhot, he only mentions the fize of the fmaller of them; 
which was eleven feet and a half long, feven feet high, 
and twelve in circumference. Its fkin was without any 
folds, and of an afh colour; excepting about the groin, 
where it was flefh-coloured: The furface was fcabrous 
and knotty, of aclofe 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 briftly hairs, about an inch long. 

The horns are placed one behind the other, in a line 
with the nofe: The foremoft of them meafures about 
eighteen inches in length, and is always the larger of the 
two. They are of a conical fhape, and the tips incline a 
‘little backward ; the lower parts are rough, and feem as 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 161 


if compofed of horny fibres; the upper parts are fmooth 
and plain like thofe of an Ox. It is remarkable, that 
the Rhinoceros makes ufe of the fhorter horn only for 
the purpofe of digging up roots, of which its food chiefly 
confifts, being endued with the power of turning the 
larger horn on one fide out of the way.—The feet are 
round, and do not {pread much: They have three hoofs 
on each of them, which project but little; the middle 
one is the longett. ) 

The eyes of the Rhinoceros are fmall, and funk into 
its head; in confequence of which it fees indiftincily. 
But its organs of hearing and {melling are very acute: 
At the leaft noife, the creature takes the alarm, pricks 
up its ears, and liftens with great attention: If it happen 
to catch the fcent of any perfon within a {mall diftance, 
it rufhes out with aftonifhing rapidity; and it is difh- 
cult, to avoid the impetuous attack of this powerful ani- 
mal. 

It has been generally faid of the Rhinoceros, that its 
tongue is fo hard and rough, as to take away the fkin and 
flefh wherever it licks any perfon that has unfortunately 
fallen a victim to its fury. Mr Sparrman fays, however, 
that he thruft his hand into the mouth of one that had 
juft been fhot, and found the tongue perfectly foft and 
fmooth.—From the account of its inteftines, given us by 
the fame ingenious author, we fhall juft mention the fol- 
lowing, which will enable our readers to form a more 
perfect idea of its enormous bulk:—The ftomach was 
four feet in length, and two in diameter; to which was 
annexed a tube or canal, twenty-eight feet long, and fix 
inches diameter; the kidnies were a foot and a half in 
breadth; the heart was a foot and a half long, and near- 


L 


2 


162 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 


ly the fame in breadth; the liver, when meafured 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 ftanding pofition: It had no 
gall-bladder, in which it refembles the Horfe. Upon 
opening the ftomach, the contents of it were found to 
confift of roots and fmall branches of trees mafticated, 
fome of which were as big as the end of a man’s finger ; 
in the mafs there appeared a great quanty of fucculent 
plants, as well as fome that were harfh and prickly: The 
effluvium arifing from this mafs was fo far from being 
offenfive, that it diffufed around a very ftrong and not 
difagreeable aromatic odour. We {hall conclude this ac- 
count by obferving, that the cavity which contained the 
brains was {mall, being only fix inches long, and four 
high, and of an oval fhape: .Being filled with peafe, it 
was found to contain barely one quart; a human {kull, 
meafured at the fame time, did not require much lels 
than three pints to fill it. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 163 


eC 


* Kone 


ow J ESSE 
meee anism 


THe HIPPOPOTAMUS. 


The great difliculties that have always attended a com- 
plete inveftigation of this huge animal, have arifen as 
well from the remotenefs of its fituation, as from its pe- 
culiar habits and difpofition. 

Though the Hippopotamus has been celebrated from 
the remoteft antiquity ; though the facred writings men- 
tion him under the name of behemoth; and though his fi- 
gure is to be feen engraven on Egyptian obelifks, and on 
Roman medals; yet his hiftory was very imperfectly 
known to the ancients. Ariftotle fays, that he has a 
mhane like a Horfe, and hoofs like an Ox; tufks and tail 
like a Boar; that he is of the fize of an Afs, and has the 
voice of a Horfe; with other things equally abfurd ;—all 
which Pliny has copied; and, inftead of correCting, has 
added to the number of his errors. —Of the accounts of 
later writers, it is much to be lamented that fuitable de- 
lineations have not accompanied their accurate defcrip- 
tions—A general defe&t, by which the ftudy of nature 

K2 


1644 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


has been much retarded, the laborious refearches of ma- 
ny learned and ingenious naturalifts greatly fruftrated, 
and the errors of former times repeatedly copied and 
multiplied without number. 

The fize of the Hippopotamus is nearly. equal to that 
of the Elephant. M. Vaillant fays, that one which he 
killed, meafured, from the tip of the nofe to the infertion 
of the tail, ten feet feven inches, and was eight feet ele- 
ven inches in circumference; but, from the fmallnefs of 
‘its tufks, he fuppofed it to be a young one. In its fto- 
mach were found leaves and reeds, grofsly chewed; like- 
wife fmall branches of trees, a little bruifed. 

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 
Ethiopia. 

The head of this animal is enormoufly large; its 
mouth vaftly wide. Ray fays, that the upper mandible 
is moveable, like that of a Crocodile. In each jaw there 
are four cutting teeth; thofe in the lower jaw point 
{traight forward: It has four large tufks; the largeft, 
which are always in the lower jaw, are fometimes above 
two feet long: It is faid that the canine teeth are fo 
hard, as to emit fire on being ftruck with fleel; they are 
perfectly white, and preferable to ivory for making arti- 
ficial teeth: The grinders are fquare or oblong, like 
thofe of a man; and fo large, that a fingle tooth weighs 
above three pounds: The {kin is of a dufky colour, bears 
a refemblance 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 furnifhed 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 165 


with hairs like briftles : its legs are fo fhort, that its belly 
almoft touches the ground: The hoofs are divided into 
four parts, unconnected by membranes. 

When alarmed or purfued, it takes to the water, 
plunges in, and finks to the bottom; where it walks at 
full eafe. It often rifes to the furface, and remains with 
its head out of the water, making a bellowing noife, 
which may be heard at a great diftance.---It feeds during 
night on the banks of the rivers, and fometimes does 
great damage in the adjacent plantations of rice and 
other grain. 

The Hippopotamus is naturally mild and gentle, very 
flow and heavy in its movements upon land, but in the 
water bold and active; and when provoked or wounded, 
will rife, and attack boats or canoes with great fury. 
Dampier fays, he has known one of thefe animals fink a 
boat full of people, by biting a hole in the bottom with 
its tufks.---The method of taking it is by digging pits in 
the fand, in thofe parts through which the animal paffes 
in its way to the river after it has been feeding. 

The flefh of the Hippopotamus is tender and good: 
The fat is fine and well tafted, and much in requeft with 
the colonifts at the Cape, who look upon it as the moft 
wholefome meat that can be eaten: The gelatinous part 
of the feet in particular is accounted a great delicacy: 
The tongue, when dried, is alfo confidered at the Cape 
as a rare and excellent difh. 

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 Romans with one of thefe crea- 

L 3 


166 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


tures, and five crocodiles, during his wdilefhip, and ex- 
hibited them on a temporary lake. Auguftus produced 
one in the celebration of his triumph over Cleopatra. 


AY 


A 


ae uu 


nie 


THE E LEP AM, 


‘Of all the creatures that have hitherto been taken into 

the fervice of man, the Elephant 1s pre-eminent in the 
fize and ftrength of his body, and inferior to none in fa- 
gacity and obedience. 
From time immemorial this animal has been employed 
either for the purpofes of labour, of war, or of oftenta- 
tious parade ; to increafe the grandeur of eaftern princes, 
extend their power, or enlarge their dominions. 

The Elephant is a native of Afia and Africa, and is 
not te be found in its natural ftate 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- 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 167 


tenfive region, as they are more numerous that in any 
other part of the world, fo are they lefs fearful of man. 
The favage inhabitants of this dreary country, inftead of 
attempting to fubdue this powerful animal, and render it 
fubfervient to their neceflities, feem defirous only of a- 
voiding its fury. 

Sparrman fays, that in the country near the Cape they 
are fometimes feen in large herds, confifting of many 
hundreds; and thinks it probable, that in the more re- 
mote and unfrequented parts of that vaft country they 
are {till more numerous. 

They are frequently hunted by the colonifts at the 
Cape, who are very expert in fhooting them, and make 
great advantage of their teeth. ‘The largeft teeth weigh 
an hundred and fifty Dutch pounds, and are fold to the 
governor for as many guilders; fo that a man may earn 
three hundred guilders at one fhot. It is not therefore 
to be wondered at, that a traflic fo lucrative fhould tempt 
the hunter to run great riiks. In approaching this ani- 
mal, great care muft be taken to fteal upon him unper- 
ceived. If the Elephant difcover his enemy near, he 
rufhes out, and endeavours to kill him. One of thefe 
hunters being out upon a plain, under the fhelter of a 
few f{cattered thorn trees, thought he could be able to 
advance near enough to fhoot an Elephant that was at a 
little diftance from him; but he was difcovered, purfued, 
and overtaken by the animal, whjch laid hold of him 
with his trunk, and beat him inftantly to death. 

‘The height of the Elephant at the Cape is from twelve 
to fifteen feet. The female is lefs than the male, and 
her tufks do not grow to fuch a fize. 

Yn proportion to the fize of the Elephant, his eyes are 

L 4 


168 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


very fmall; but they are lively, brilliant, and capable of 
great expreflion. He turns them flowly, and with gen- 
tlenefs, towards his mafter. When he fpeaks, the ani- 
mal regards him with an eye of mildnefs and attention. 
—His ears are very large, and much longer, in propor- 
tion to his body, than thofe of the Afs: They lie flat on 
the head, and are commonly pendulous; but he can raife 
and move them with great facility, and frequently ufes 
them as a fan to cool himfelf, or defend his eyes from 
duft and infects.—-His hearing is likewife remarkably 
fine ; for he delights in the found of mufical inftruments, 
and moves in cadence to the trumpet and tabor.—There 
are four grinders in each jaw, clofely united together ; 
forming, with the jaw-bone, one hard and compact body. 
One of thefe grinders fometimes meafures nine inches 
broad, and weighs four pounds and a half.—The texture 
of the fkin is uneven, wrinkled, and knotty; full of deep 
fiffures, nearly refembling the bark of an old oak tree, 
which run in all directions over its furface. It is of a 
tawny colour, inclining to citron. In the fiffures there 
are fome briftly hairs, which are alfo thinly, fcattered 
over the body.-—The legs refemble mafly columns, of 
fifteen or eighteen inches diameter, and from five to fix 
feet high.—The foot is fhort, and divided into five toes, 
covered with the fkin, fo as not to be vifible. To each 
toe there is affixed a nail or hoof, of a horny fubftance. 
The moft remarkable feature of the Elephant is his _ 
trunk or probofcis, which is compofed of membranes, 
nerves and mufcles. It is both an organ of feeling and 
of motion. The animal cannot 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 ftretches out on the upper fide in the form of a 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 169 


finger, and poflefles in a great degree the nicenefs and 
dexterity of that ufeful member. It is equally flexible, 
and as capable of laying hold of objects as the fingers of 
aman: He lifts from the ground the f{malleft piece of 
money ; he feleés herbs and flowers, and picks them up 
one by one; he unties the knots of ropes, opens and 
fhuts gates, &c. -With his trunk he grafps any body 
which it is applied to, fo firmly, that no force can tear 
it from his gripe. . 

Of all the inftruments which nature has fo liberally 
beftowed on her moft favourite productions, the trunk of 
the Elephant is perhaps the moft complete and admira- 
ble. Ray fays, it is divided into three partitions or 
chambers: two of which run in fpiral dire€tions, and 
the other in a right line. It is eight feet long in an Ele- 
phant of fourteen feet high, and five feet in circumfe- 
rence at the thickeft part. The noftrils are fituated at 
the extremity; through which it draws in water by a 
ftrong fuction, either for the purpofe of quenching its 
thirft, or of wafhing and cooling itfelf, 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 ftomach: This want, however, is amply fup- 
plied by the magnitude and length of his inteftines, and 
particularly of the colon, which is from fifteen to twenty 
feet in length, and two or three in diameter. When 
one of them difcovers a plentiful pafture, he calls to the 
others, and invites them to partake. As they require a 
great quantity of forage, they frequently change their 

} , 


170 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


pafture, and do incredible damage whenever they hap- 
pen to ftray into cultivated ground. From the weight 
of their bodies and the fize of their feet, they deftroy 
much more than they ufe for food.—The Indians and ne- 
groes ufe every artifice to prevent the approach of thefe 
unwelcome vifitants, making loud noifes, and kindling 
fires round their habitations ; but in fpite of all their pre- 
cautions, the Elephants often break through their fences, 
deftroy their whole harveft, and overturn their huts. It 
is not eafy to feparate them: ‘They generally act in con- 
cert, whether they attack, march, or fly. 

The ordinary walk of the Elephant is not quicker than 
that of a Horfe; but when pufhed, he affumes a kind of 
ambling pace, which in fleetnefs is equal to a gallop. 

He goes forward with eafe and celerity; but it is with 
great difficulty that he turns himfelf 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.—He {wims well, and is of great ufe in 
carrying quantities of baggage over large rivers. 
When {wimming, he raifes his long trunk above the fur- 
face of the water for the fake of refpiration, every other 
part of his body being below: In this manner feveral of 
thefe animals fwim together, and fteer their courfe with- 
out danger of running foul of each other. 

The Elephant, when tamed, is gentle, obedient, and 
docile: Patient of labour, it fubmits to the moft toil- 
fome drudgery; and fo attentive to the commands of its 
governor, that a word or a look is fufhcient to ftimulate 
it to the moft violent exertions. Its attachment to its 
keeper is fo great, that it careffes him with its trunk, 
and frequently will obey no other mafter: It knows his 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 171 


voice; and can diftinguifh the tone of command, of an- 
ger, or approbation; and regulates its actions accord- 
ingly: It receives his orders with attention, and executes 
them with eagernefs, but without precipitation. All its 
motions are orderly, and feem to correfpond with the 
dignity of its appearance, being grave, majeftic, and cau- 
tious. It kneels down for the accommodation of thofe 
who would mount upon its back, and with its pliant 
trunk even aflifts them to afcend. It fuffers itfelf to be 
harnefled, and feems to have a pleafure in the finery of 
its trappings. It is ufed in drawing chariots, waggons, 
and various kinds of machines. One of them will per- 
form with eafe the work of many horfes. 

The conductor of the Elephant is ufually mounted on 
its neck; and makes ufe of a red of iron, fharp 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 fufficient to encourage 
this intelligent creature to proceed on its way, or per- 
form the tafk afligned to it.—In India, where they were 
once employed in launching fhips, one of them was di- 
rected to force a large veffel into the water; which prov- 
ed fuperior to his ftrength, the maiter, in an angry tone, 
cried out, ¢ ‘Take away that lazy beaft, and bring another 
in its place.’ ‘The poor animal inftantly redoubled its 
efforts, fractured its fkull, and died upon the fpot. 

The Indians, from very early periods, have employed 
Elephants in their wars: Porus oppofed the paflage of 
Alexander over the Hydafpes ‘with eighty-five of them. 
M. de Buffon imagines, that it was fome of the Ele- 
phants taken by that monarch, and afterwards tranfport- 
ed into Greece, which were employed by Pyrrhus againit 
the Romans.—Since the invention of fire-arms, the Ele- 


172 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


phant has been of little ufe in deciding the contefts of 
hoftile nations; for, being terrified with the flafh of the 
powder, and the report that immediately fucceeds, they 
are foon thrown into confufion, and then become dan- 
gerous to their employers.—They are now chiefly ufed 
for the purpofes of labour or magnificent parade. 

‘The Indian princes, in their travels, are attended by 
hundreds of thefe animals: Some are employed to con- 
vey the ladies which compofe the feraglio, in latticed 
cages made for that purpofe, and covered with branches 
of trees; whilft others tranfport immenfe quantities of 
baggage, with which the fovereigns of the Eaft are al- 
ways accompanied in their marches from one place to 
another.---They are likewife made ufe of as the dreadful 
inftruments of executing condemned criminals---a tafk 
which they perform with great dexterity. At the word 
of command, they break the limbs of the criminal with 
their trunks;- they fometimes trample him to death, or 
impale him on their enormous tufks, juft as they are di- 
rected by their more barbarous keeper. 

It is a fingular circumftance in the hiftory of this ex- 
traordinary animal, that, ina ftate of fubjection, it is 
unalterably barren; and, though it has been reduced un- 
der the dominion of man for ages, it has never been 
known to breed,—as if it had a proper fenfe of its de- 
graded condition, and obftinately refufed to increafe the 
pride and power of its conqueror, by propagating a race 
of flaves. It therefore follows, that of all the numerous 
bands of Elephants that are trained to fervice, there is 
not one that has not been originally wild, nor one that 
has not been forced into a ftate of fubjeCtion. To re- 
cruit, therefore, the numbers that are unavoidably con- 
fumed by difeafe, accident, or age, the eaftern princes 


| 
| 
| 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 173 


are obliged every year to fend into the forefts, and ufe 
various methods to procure frefh fupplies. 

The manner of taking, taming, and rendering thefe 
animals fubmiflive, 1s curious, and well deferves a place 
in the hiftory of the Elephant. In the midft of a foreft 
abounding with Elephants, a large piece of ground is 


_ marked out, and furrounded with ftrong palifades, inter- 


woven with branches of trees: One end of the inclofure 
is narrow; from which it widens gradually, fo as to take 
in a great extent of country. Several thoufand men are 
employed upon the occafion, who place themfelves in 
fuch a manner as to prevent the wild Elephants from 
making their efcape: They kindle large fires at certain 
diftances, and make a dreadful noife with drums and va- 
rious kinds of difcordant inftruments, calculated for the 
purpofe of ftunning and terrifying the poor animals; 
whilft another party, confifting of fome thoufands, with 
the affiftance of tame female Elephants, trained for the 
purpofe, drive the wild Elephants flowly towards the 
great opening of the inclofure, the whole train of hun- 
ters clofing in after them, fhouting, and making a great 
noife, till they are driven by infenfible degrees into the 
narrow part of the inclofure, through which there is an 
opening into a fmaller f{pace, ftrongly fenced in, and 
guarded on all fides. As foon as one of the Elephants 
enters this ftrait, a ftrong bar clofes the paflage from be- 
hind, and he finds himfelf completely environed.. On 
the top of this narrow paflage fome of the huntfmen 
ftand with goads in their hands, urging the creature for- 
ward to the end of the paflage, where there is an open- 
ing juft wide enough to let him pafs. He is now re- 
ceived into the cuftody of two females, who ftand on 
each fide of him, and prefs him into the fervice : If he 


174 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


be likely to prove refraCtory, they begin to difciplinée him 
with their trunks, till he is reduced to obedience, and 
. fuffers himfelf to be led to a tree, where he is bound by 
the leg with ftout thongs, made of untanned elk or buck 
fkin. ‘The tame Elephants are then led back to the in- 
clofure; and the others are made to fubmit in the fame 
manner. ‘They are all fuffered to remain faft to the trees 
for feveral days. Attendants are placed by the fide of 
each animal, who fupply him with food by little and lit- 
tle, till he is brought by degrees to be fenfible of kind- 
nefs and carefles, and allows himfelf to be led to the fta- 
ble. In the fpace of fourteen days, his abfolute fubmif- 
fion is completed. During that time, he is fed daily 
with cocoa-nut leaves, and led once a day to the water 
by the tame ones. He becomes accuftomed to the voice 
of his keeper, and at laft quietly refigns his prodigious 
powers to the dominion and fervice of man. 

The time of geftation of the Elephant is hitherto but 
imperfectly known: Ariftotle fays, it goes two years 
with young; which is the more likely, as the feafon of 
defire in the male returns but once in three years. The 
female produces one young at atime. ‘The young Ele- 
phants are faid to fuck with their trunk, the teats of the 
female being fituated between its fore legs. 

The Elephant is thirty years in arriving at its full 
growth; and is faid to live, though in a ftate of capti- 
vity, to the age of an hundred and twenty or an hundred 
and thirty years: Ina ftate of unreftrained freedom, it 
is fuppofed to live much longer. 

The Elephant will drink wine, and is fond of fpirituous 
liquors. By fhewing him a veffel filled with arrack, he » 
is induced to exert the greateft efforts, and perform the 
moft painful tafks, in hopes of receiving it as the reward 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 175 


of his labour. To difappoint him is dangerous, as he 
feldom fails to be revenged. ‘The following inftance is 
given as a fact, and deferves to be recorded :—~An Ele- 
phant, difappointed of its reward, out of revenge killed 
his cornac or governor. ‘The poor man’s wife, who be- 
held the dreadful fcene, took her two infants, and threw 
them at the feet of the enraged animal, faying, ‘Since 
you have flain my hufband, take my life alfo, as well as 
that of my children.’ The Elephant inftantly ftopped, 
relented, and as if ftung with remorfe, took the eldeft 
boy in its trunk, placed him on its neck, adopted him 
for its cornac, and would never allow any other perfon 
to mount it. 

This animal feems to know when it is mocked, and 
never fails to retaliate accordingly. A painter wifhed to 
draw one in an unufual attitude, with its trunk elevated, 
and its mouth open. In order to induce the Elephant to 
exhibit to more advantage, a perfon was employed to 
throw fruit into its mouth, who fometimes deceived it 
by only making an offer of doing fo, and retaining the 
fruit in his hand. Enraged at this kind of treatment, 
and, as it fhould feem, guefling the painter to be the 
caufe, it ejected a quantity of water from its trunk, 
which fpoiled his paper, and prevented him from pro- 
ceeding in his work. 

We might quote many other facts equally curious and 
interefting: Thofe we have already recited are fufficient 
to fhew, that the Elephant is pofleffed of inftindtive fa- 
culties fuperior to thofe of any other animal. We muft 
at the fame time admire the admirable order of that 
difpenfation, which, to an animal of fuch enequalled 
‘powers, has added a difpofition fo mild and tra€tabie.— 
What ravages might we not expect from the prodigious 


176 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 


ftrength of the Elephant, combined with the cee: 
_ and rapacity of the Tiger! 

We cannot clofe our account of the Elephant, with- 
out taking forme notice of the teeth of that animal, which 
have been fo frequently found in a foffil ftate in various 
parts of the world. Some years ago, two great grinding- 
teeth, and part of the tufk of an Elephant, were difco- 
vered, at the depth of forty-two yards, in a lead mine, 
in Flintfhire, lying in a bed of gravel: The grinders 
were almoft as perfect as if they had been juft taken h 
from the living animal; the tufk was much decayed, and 
very foft.—Near the banks of many rivers in Siberia, 
large tufks and teeth have been frequently dug up, which 
were formerly attributed to a creature called the Mam- 
mouth ; but they are now univerfally believed to have be- 
longed to the Elephant. ‘The molares or grinders are 
perfeCtly the fame with thofe of the prefent race; but 
both they and the tufks are much larger: Some of the 
latter have been known to weigh four hundred pounds; 
and grinders, of the weight of twenty-four pounds, have 
not unfrequently been difcovered. One of thefe was 
taken from a fkeleton of the fame head in which thé 
tufks were found: And as the ivory of the latter was 
in every refpect the fame as that generally known, and 
made ufe of for the purpofes of ufeful and ornamental 
works, we cannot deny our affent to the opinion of thofe 
who fuppofe them to have been once parts of the animal 
we have juft defcribed-—-Tufks of a prodigious fize, 
teeth, jaw-bones, thigh-bones, and vertebrx, have like- 
wife been frequently found on the banks, of the river 
Ohio, in America, five or fix feet beneath the furface.--- 
Some of the tufks are near feven feet long; one foot 
nine inches in circumference at the bafe, and one foot 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 177 


near the point. They differ from thofe of the Elephant, 
in having a larger twift or fpiral curve towards the {mall 
end. ‘There is a ftill greater difference in the form of 
the grinders, which are made like thofe of a carnivorous 
animal, not flat and ribbed tranfverfely on their furface, 
like thofe of an Elephant, but furnifhed with a double 
row of high and conic projections, as if intended to maf- 

ticate, not grind, their food.---Specimens of thefe teeth 

and bones are depofited in the Britifh mufeum, that of 

the Royal Society, and in the cabinet of the late inge- 
nious Dr Hunter.---Thefe foflil bones are alfo found in 
Peru, and in the Brazils. As yet, the living animal 
has evaded the fearch of the curious naturalift 5 but it is 
not improbable that it may exift in fome of thofe remote 
parts of that vaft continent, yet unpenetrated by Eu- 
ropeans. | 


M 


4 


178 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


ANIMALS OF THE CAT Kinp. 


J , 7 E have hitherto been employed in the pleafing 
tafk of defcribing moft of thofe numerous tribes 


of animals that are more nearly connected with the inte- 
refts of mankind; that ferve as the inftruments of man’s 
happinefs, or at leaft, that do not openly oppofe him; 
that depend upon his care for their fubfiftence, and in 
their turn contribute largely to his comfort and fupport. 
We have taken an ample range among the wilder inha- 
bitants of the foreft, which, though in a more remote 
degree dependant on man, are neverthelefs objects of 
his attention and purfuit. We have followed Nature to 
her moft retired receffes, and have feen and admired 
her works under a variety of the moft beautiful living 
forms; but our progrefs has hitherto been unftained with 
blood. 

The attention of our readers will now be engaged in a 
different purfuit. The fcene muft be diverfified. 

We come now to a fanguinary and unrelenting tribe, 
~—the bold and intrepid enemies of man; that difdain to 
own his power, and carry on unceafing hofitilities againft 
him. 

This numerous and ferocious tribe is chiefly diftin- 
guifhed by their fharp and formidable claws, which are 
lodged in a fheath, and are capable of being extended or 
drawn in at pleafure.—They lead a folitary and a raven- 
ous life; and never unite for mutual defence or fupport, 
like thofe of the herbivorous kinds. They feek their 
food alone, and are frequently enemies to each other. 
Though differing greatly in fize and in colour, they are 
nearly allied to each other in form and difpofition, being 


Nat 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 179 
At the head of 


equally fierce, rapacious, and artful. 
this numerous clafs we fhall place 


a 


4 He ' i 
: i DANY 
ACE INA 
\ 


THe LaF sO 


which is eminently diftinguifhed from the reft, as well 
in fize and ftrength, as by his large and flowing mane. 
This animal is produced in Africa, and the hotteft 
parts of Afia. It is found in the greateft numbers in the 
{corched and defolate regions of the torrid zone, in the 
deferts of Zaara and Biledulgerid, and in all the interior 
parts of the vaft continent of Africa. In thefe defert re- 
gions, from whence mankind are driven by the rigorous 
heat of the climate, this animal reigns fole mafter: Its 
difpofition feems to partake of the ardour of its native 
foil: Inflamed by the influence of a burning fun, its rage 


is moft tremerfdous, and its courage undaunted. Happi- 
° M 2 


10 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


ly, indeed, the fpecies is not numerous, and is faid to 
be greatly diminifhed; for, if we may credit the tefti- 
mony of thofe who have traverfed thefe vaft deferts, the 
number of Lions is not nearly fo great as formerly. Mr 
Shaw obferves, that the Romans carried more Lions 
from Lybia in one year for their public fpectacles, than 
could be found in all that country at this time. It is 
likewife remarked, that in Turkey, Perfia, and the Indies, 
Lions are not now fo frequently met with as in former 
times. 

It is obferved of this animal, that its courage dimi- 
nifhes, 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 lofes its natural fortitude to fuch a degree, as to 
be terrified at the found of his voice. It has been known 
to fly even before women and children, and fuffer itfelf 
to be driven away by therh from its lurking places in the 
neighbourhood of their villages. 

This alteration in the Lion’s difpofition fufficiently 
fhews, that it will admit of a certain degree of educa- 
tion: And it is a well-known fa€t, that the keepers of 
wild beafts frequently play with him, pull out his tongue, 
hold him by the teeth, and even chaftife him without 
caufe. The animal feems to bear all with a fullen kind 
of compofure, 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 fecu- 
rity. Labat tells us of a gentleman who kept a Lion in 
his chamber, and employed a fervant to attend it; who, 
as is ufual, mixed his blows with careffes. This ill- 
judged affociation continued for fome time. One morn- 
ing the gentleman was awakened by an unufual noife in 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 18: 


* his room; and drawing his curtains, he perceived it to 
proceed from the Lion, which was growling over the bo- 
dy of the unhappy man, whom it had juft killed, and had 
feparated his head from his body. ‘The terror and con- 
fufion of the gentleman may be eafily conceived: He 
flew out of the room; and, with the afliftance of fome 

people, had the animal fecured from doing further mif- 
chief. 

As the paffions of this animal are {trong, and its appe- 
tites vehement, we ought not to prefume that the im- 
preflions of education will always be fufficiently power- 
ful. It muft be dangerous, therefore, to fuffer it to re- 
main too long without food, or to perfilt in irritating or 
-abufing it. 

However, numberlefs accounts affure us, that the an- 
ger of the Lion is noble, its courage magnanimous, and 
its temper fufceptible of grateful impreflions. It has 
been often feen to defpife weak and contemptible ene- 
mies, and even to pardon their infults, when it was in 
its power to punifh them: It has been known to fpare 
the life of an animal that was thrown to be devoured by 
it, to live in habits of perfect cordiality with it, to fhare 
its fubfiftence, and even to give it a preference where its 
portion of food was {canty. 

The form of the Lion is ftrikingly bold and majeftic: . 
His large and fhaggy mane, which he can ereé at plea- 
fure, furrounding his awful front; his huge eye-brows; 
his round and fiery eye-balls, which, upon the leaft irri- 
tation, feem to glow with peculiar luftre; together with 
the formidable appearance of his teeth,—exhibit a picture 
of terrific grandeur, which no words can defcribe. 

The length of the largeft Lion is between eight and 

M 3 


182 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


nine feet, the tail about four, and its height about four 
feet andahalf. ‘The female is about one-fourth part lefs, 
and without the mane. . 

As the Lion advances in years, its mane grows longer. 
and thicker. ‘The hair on the reft of the body is fhort 
and fmooth, of a tawny colour, but whitifh on the belly. 

The roaring of the Lion is loud and dreadful: When 
heard in the night, it refembles diftant thunder. Its cry 
of anger is much louder and fhorter. 

The Lion feldom attacks any animal openly, except 
when compelled by extreme hunger: In that cafe, no 
danger deters him. But as moft animals endeavour to 
avoid him, he is obliged to have recourfe to artifice, and 
take his prey by furprife. For this purpofe, he crouches 
on his belly in fome thicket, where he waits till his prey 
approaches; and then, with one prodigious fpring, he 
leaps upon it at the diftance of fifteen or twenty feet, 
and generally feizes it at the firft bound.. If he mifs his 
object, he gives up the purfuit; and, turning back to- 
wards the place of his ambufh, he meafures the ground 
ftep by ftep, and again lies in wait for another opportu- 
nity.—The lurking-place of the Lion is generally chofen 
near a fpring, or by the fide of a river; where he fre- 
quently has an opportunity of catching fuch animals as 
come to quench their thirft. : 

There are, however, inftances where the Lion deviates 
from his ufual 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 prey, began to confider of the beft 
method of providing for his fafety, which he at length 
effected in the following fingular manner :---Obferving a 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 1383 


piece of broken ground, with a precipitate defcent on 
one fide, he fat down by the edge of it; and found, to 
his great joy, that the Lion alfo made a halt, and kept at 
the fame diftance as before. As foon as it grew dark, 
the Hottentot, fliding gently forward, let himfelf down a 
little below the edge of the hill, and held up his cloak 


and hat upon his flick, making at the fame time a gentle 


motion with it: The Lion, in the mean while, came 
creeping foftly towards him, like a Cat; and miftaking 
the fkin cloak for the man himfelf, made a fpring, and 
fell headlong down the precipice: By which means, the 
poor Hottentot was fafely delivered from his infidious 
enemy. 

That the Lion does not always kill whatever animal 
happens to be in its power, has already been obferved; 
and this peculiarity in its temper is remarkably obvious, 
with regard to the human fpecies. Of this there have 
been many inftances. At St Catherine Cree’s church, 
Leadenhall-ftreet, London, provifion is made, under the 
will of Sir John Gager, who was Lord-mayor in the year 
1646, for a fermon to be annually preached on the 16th 
of November, in commemoration of his happy deliver- 
ance from a Lion which he met in a defert as he was 
travelling in the Turkifh dominions, and fuffered him to 
pafs unmolefted. The minifter is to have 20s. for the 
fermon, the clerk 2s. 6d. and the fexton 1s. The fum 
of 81. 16s. 6d. is likewife to be diftributed among the 
neceflitous inhabitants, purfuant to the will of Sir John. 
—Sparrman, among feveral inftances of the fame nature, 
mentions a perfon who, though he was thrown down by 
a Lion, and wounded by it in feveral places, was after 
all generoufly left with his life. 


M 4 ia 


184 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


The ftrength of this animal is great: One of them 
was obferved to feize a heifer, which it carried of in its 
mouth with eafe, and leaped over a ditch without much 
apparent difficulty. 

At the Cape of Good Hope, the Lion is frequently 
hunted by the colonifts.—In the day-time, and upon an — 
open plain, twelve or fixteen dogs will eafily get the bet- 
ter of a large Lion. As the Lion is not remarkably 
{wift, the dogs foon come pretty near him; when, with — 
a fullen kind of magnanimity, he turns round, and waits 
for the attack, fhaking his mane, and roaring with a fhort 
and fharp tone. The hounds furround him; and, rufh- 


ing upon him all at once, foon tear him to pieces. It is 
faid, that he has feldom time to make more than two or 
three ftrokes with his paws; each of which is attended 
with the death of one of his affailants. 

The Lionefs goes with young five months, and brings 
forth three or four at atime. ‘The young ones are,about 
the fize of a large pug-dog, harmlefs, pretty, and playful. 
They continue at the teat twelve months, and are above 
five years in coming to perfection. 

The Lion is a long-lived animal, although naturalifts 
have differed greatly as to the precife period of its ex- 
iftence. Buffon limits it to twenty, or twenty-two years 
at moft. 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 feventy years; and one, brought from the 
river Gambia, died there not long ago at the age of fixty- 
three.——Several of thefe animals have been bred in the 
Tower; fo that the time of their geftation, the number 
they produce, and the time of their arriving at perfeCtion, 
are all pretty well known. , 


— 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 1:35 


The attachment of the Lionefs to her young is re- 
gnarkably ftrong: For their fupport, fhe is more fero- 
cious than the Lion himfelf, makes her incurfions with 
greater boldnefs, deftroys, without diftinCtion, every ani- 
mal that falls in her way, and carries it reeking to her 


-cubs.—She ufually brings forth in the moft retired and 


inacceflible places; and when afraid of her retreat being 
difcovered, endeavours to hide her tract, by brufhing the 
ground with her tail. When much difturbed or alarm- 
ed, fhe will fometimes tranfport her young from one 
place to another in her mouth; and, if obftruCted‘in her 
courfe, will defend them to the laft extremity. 

The flefh of the Lion is faid to have a ftrong, difagree- 
able flavour; yet it is frequently eaten by the negroes. — 
The fkin, which was formerly a robe of diftinétion for 
heroes, is now made ule of by thofe people as a mantle 
or a bed. They alfo preferve the greafe, which is of a 
penetrating nature, and is ufed in medicine. 

The reprefentation we have given, was drawn from a 


‘remarkably fine one, exhibited at Newcaftle in the year 


1788. It was then young, extremely healthful, adive, 
and in full condition. 


186 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


7 ATER, 
Ee Bmore 


= 


Se 
AUT EAT NTO Le MAMAS 


THE ee Ge ee 


is the moft rapacious and deftructive of all carnivorous 
animals. Fierce without provocation, and cruel without 
neceflity, its thirft for blood is infatiable: Though glut- 
ted with flaughter, it continues its carnage, nor ever 
gives up fo long as a fingle object remains in its fight : 
Flocks and herds fall indifcriminate victims to its fury: 
It fears neither the fight nor the oppofition of man, 
whom it frequently makes its prey; amd it 1s even faid to 
prefer human fleth to that of any other animal. 

The Tiger is peculiar to Afia, and is found as far 
North as China, and Chinefe Tartary: It inhabits Mount 
Ararat, and Hyrcania, of old famous for its wild beafts. 
The greateft numbers are ret with in India, and its 
iflands. They are the fcourge of the country: They 
lurk among the bufhes, by the fides of rivers, and al- 
moft depopulate many places. They feldom purfue their 
prey; but bound upon it from the place of their ambuth, 
with an elafticity, and from a diftance, fearcely credible. 
It is highly probable, that, from this circumftance, the 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 187 


‘Tiger may derive its name, which, in the Armenian lan- 
guage, fignifies an arrow; to the flight of which this 
creature may very properly be compared, in the quick- 
nefs and agility of its bounds. 

The ftrength of this animal is fo great, that, when it 
has killed a Deer or other animal, it carries it off with 
fuch eafe, that it feems no impediment to its flight. If 
it be undifturbed, it plunges its head into the body of 
the animal up to its very eyes, as if to fatiate itfelf with 
blood. | 

The Tiger is one of the few animals whofe ferocity 
can never be wholly fubdued. Neither gentlenefs nor 
conftraint has any effect in foftening its temper. It does 
not feem fenfible of the attention of its keeper; and 
would equally tear the hand that feeds, with that by 
which it is chaftifed. 

A beautiful young male Tiger, lately brought over 
from China in the Pitt Eaft-Indiaman, at the age of ten 
months, was fo far domefticated, as to admit every kind 
of familiarity from the people on board. It feemed to 
be quite harmlefs, and was as playful as a kitten. It 
frequently flept with the failors in their hammocks; and 
would fuffer two or three of them to repofe their heads 
upon its back, as upon a pillow, whilft it lay ftretched 


out upon the deck. In return for this, it would, howe- 


ver, now and then fteal 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 
feverely for the theft; which punifhment it fuffered with 
all the patience of a dog. It would frequently run out 
on the bowfprit ; climb about the fhip, like a Cat; and 
perform a number of tricks, with an agility that was 
truly aftonifhing. There was a Dog on board the hhip, 


188 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


with which it would often play in the moft diverting 
manner.—From thefe circumftances, one might be led | 
to fuppofe, that the difpofition of the Tiger, like that of | | 
many other animals, was capable of fome degree of cul- | 
ture. But it ought to be remembered, that at the time 
this one was taken on board the fhip, it was only a 
month or fix weeks old; and when arrived in this coun- 
iry, it had not quite compleated a year. How much 
longer its good humour might have continued, it is im- 
poflible to fay: But it is much to be doubted, that the 
fame innocent playfulnefs would have formed a part of 
its character when arrived at its full ftate of maturity. 
Notwithftanding the cruelty of this creature’s difpofi- 
tion, a fudden check has fometimes had a good effect in 
preventing its meditated attack. Some ladies and gentle- 
men, being on a party of pleafure under a fhade of trees 
on the banks of a river in Bengal, were fuddenly fur- 
prifed at feeing a Tiger ready to make its fatal f{pring. 
One of the ladies, with amazing prefence of mind, laid 
hold of an umbrella; and, unfurling it directly in the ani- 
mal’s face, it inftantly retired.—Another party had not 
the fame good fortune. A Tiger darted among them 
whilft they were at dinner, feized on a gentleman, and 
carried him off in the fight of his difconfolate compa- 


nions. , 
They attack all kinds of animals, even the Lion; and 


furious combats have frequently been maintained be- 
tween them, in which both have perithed. 

Father Tachard gives an account of a battle between 
a Tiger and two Elephants, at Siam; of which he was 
an eye-witnefs. ‘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 purpofe. They were 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. -189 


placed in the midft of a large inclofure. One of them 
was fuffered to approach the Tiger, which was confined 
by cords, and received two or three heavy blows from 
the trunk of the Elenhant upon its back, which beat it 
to the ground, where it lay for fome time as if it were 
dead: But, though this attack had a good deal abated its 
fury, it was no fooner untied, than, with a horrible roar, 
it made a {pring at the Elephant’s trunk, which that ani- 
mal dexteroufly avoided by drawing it up; and, receiving 
the Tiger on its tufks, threw it up into the air. The 
two Elephants were then allowed to come up; and, after 
giving it feveral heavy blows, would undoubtedly have 
killed it, if an end had not been put to the combat.— 
Under fuch reftraints and difadvantages, we cannot won- 
der that the iffue was unfavourable to the Tiger. We 
may however, by this, judge of its great ftrength and 
fiercenefs,—that, after being difabled by the firft attack 
of the Elephant, whilft it was held by its cords, it would 
venture to continue fuch an unequal engagement. 

We are happy in being able to prefent our curious 
readers with an engraving of this rare animal, drawn 
from the life, from a Tiger that was exhibited at New- 
caftle in 1787, and was generally allowed to be one of 
the fineft creatures of its kind ever feen in England. 
The beautiful bars of black with which every part of its 
body was ftreaked, are accurately copied : The colour of 
the ground was yellow, deeper on the back, and foften- 
ing by degrees towards the belly, where it was white; as 
were alfo the throat and infides of the legs: A white 
{pace, fpotted with black, furrounded each eye; and on 
each cheek, a ftripe of the fame colour extended from 
the ears tothe throat. It was nearly the fame height as 
the Lion; and was of the largeft fpecies of the Tiger, 


190 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


which is called the Royal Tiger. The fmalleft of them is 
not above two feet high, faid to be extremely cunning, 
and delights in human flefh. The fecond kind is about 
three feet high, and is fond of deer, wild hogs, &c. 
which it frequently takes by the fides of rivers, as they 
come down to quench their thirft. 

The {kin of this animal is much efteemed all over the 
Faft, particularly in China. The Mandarins cover their 
feats of juftice with it; and, during the Winter, ufe it 
for cufhions and pillows. | 


We have now defcribed the two great heads of this 
mifchievous family, which are eminently diftinguifhed 
from the reft in fize, ftrength, and colour. 

The three fucceeding {pecies have been frequently con- 
founded with each other; and, although there is fome 
difference in their fize.and in the difpofition of their 
fpots, yet thefe have been fo indifcriminately defined, as 
to make it difficult to form a true criterion, fo as accu- 
rately to diftinguifh each fpecies. Strikingly fimilar in 
the form of their bodies, in the beauty of their fkins, as 
well as in their difpofitions and habits, which feem to be 
equally formed for rapine and cruelty,—there is great 
room to conjecture, that commixture may be one great 
caufe of producing the flight differences obfervable in 
them.—If we regard the figure and diverfity of the fpots, 
we fhall find many varieties not taken notice of by na- 
turalifts; if we be led to judge by the fize, we fhall find 
an almoft imperceptible gradation from the Cat to the 
Tiger. It would be vain, therefore to make as many 
varieties in thefe animals, as we fee differences in {pots 
or ftature: It will be fufficjent to point out the moft ge- 
neral diftinCtions. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 191 


i a ‘] 
Soh te 
x SMe? g 


S “Hh Oo 
See he 


a wiP A Nel A ER 


is next in fize to the Tiger: and has, by many natural- 
ifts, been miftaken for that animal.—Its hair is fhort and 
{mooth ; and, inftead of being ftreaked like the Tiger, is 
beautifully marked on the back, fides, and flanks, with 
black fpots, difpofed in circles, from four to five in each, 
with a fingle fpot in the center; on the face, breaft, and 
legs, the {pots are fingle: The colour of the body on the 
back and fides is yellow, deep on the back, and paler to- 
wards the belly, which is white: Its ears are fhort and 
pointed ; its eye is reftlefs; and its whole afpect fierce 
and cruel. 

It is an untameable animal; and inhabits Africa, from 
Barbary to the remoteft parts of Guinea. 

Its manner of taking its prey is the fame with that of 
the Tiger,— Always by furprize, either lurking in thick- 
ets, or creeping on its belly till it come within reach. 
When prefled with hunger, it attacks every living crea- 
ture without diftinétion, but happily prefers the flefh of 
brutes to that of mankind: It will even climb up trees 
in purfuit of monkies and lefler animals ; fo that nothing 
is fecure from its attacks. ; 


192 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 
The Panther is about the fize of a large Maftiff Dog; 


but its legs are not quite fo long. Its voice is ftrong and 
hoarfe ; and it growls continually. “3 

The ancients were well acquainted with thefe animals. 
The Romans drew prodigious numbers from the deferts 
of Africa, for their public fhews; fuflicient, one might 
fuppofe, to have entirely exhaufted them. Scaurus ex- 
hibited an hundred and fifty of them at one time; Pom- 
pey four hundred and ten; and Auguftus four hundred 
andtwenty. They probably thinned the coafts of Mau- 
ritania of thefe animals; but they ftill fwarm in the 
fouthern parts of Guinea. ; 

In China, there is a moft beautiful animal of this kind, 
called the Louchu; the tkin of which fells for fix pounds 
fterling. 

An animal of this fpecies is likewife found in Afiatic 
Tartary, called there the Badr. It is feven feet long, ex- 
tremely rapacious, and very deftructive of horfes and ca- 
mels. Its fkin is fine, and valued in Ruffia at one 
pound fterling. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 193 


=~ Wan TER \ ‘ Vv, 
; $5 os BENG SRG: NY ‘ As NE TVR : 
: WSS RAY \\ YR Gf | 


Ww 


= Ss SS . LN S , f 
WANS S OSS iy ow HN Ae 
NW SES SSS Ne By; SNF : 
RES Ze RA el 
INH yy WS oN ‘ ; 


ee OE OPA RD. 


The very trifling difference between this and the laft- 
mentioned animal gives reafon to fuppofe, that it confifts 
chiefly in the name. It inhabits the fame countries; and 
in fome places goes by the fame name, being called the 
Panther of Senegal; and is chiefly found there. It is 
mentioned by Ray as the female Panther, but is rather 
fmaller than that animal. Its length, from nofe to tail, 
is about four feet: The colour of the body is a more 
lively yellow; and the fpots with which it is diverfified 
are {maller and clofer than thofe of the Panther. 

The interior parts of Africa abound with thefe 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 
beafts of chace fail, they fpare no living creature. 

The negroes take them in pitfalls, flightly covered at 
the top, and baited with flefh. Their chief inducement 
for purfuing them is their flefh, which they eat, and is 
faid to be white as veal and well tafted. The ne- 

N 


194 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


grefles make collars of their teeth, and wear them as 
charms. | 

The fkins of thefe animals are brought to Europe, 
where they are greatly efteemed. 


In India, there is a fpecies of Leopard, about the fize 
of a large Greyhound, with a {mall head, and fhort ears: 
Its face, chin, and throat, of a pafe-brown colour, in- 
clining to yellow ; the body is of a light tawny-brown, 
marked with fmall round black fpots, fcattered over the 
back, fides, head, and legs; the hair on the top of the 
neck is longer than the reft; the belly is white; the tail 
very long, marked on the upper fide with large black 
fpots. 

This is the animal, mentioned in our account of the 
Antelope, which is made ufe of in India for hunting that 
and other beafts of the chace.—It 1s carried in a {mall 
kind of waggon, chained and hoodwinked till it ap- 
proaches the herd; when it is unchained, and fuffered 
to purfue the game. It begins by creeping along, with 
its belly clofe to the ground, ftopping and concealing it- 
felf till ic gets an advantageous fituation; it then darts 
on its prey with great agility, frequently making five or 
- fix amazing bounds. If it fhould not fucceed in its firft 
effort, it gives up the point for that time, and readily re- 
turns to its mafter. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 105 


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is fmaller than the Leopard, being three feet and a half 
long from the nofe to the tail, very ftrong, long-backed, 
and fhort-legged. The hair is long, and of a light-grey 
colour, tinged with yellow; lighter on the breaft and 
belly: The head is marked with fmall round f{pots: Be- 
hind each ear there is a large black fpot: The back is 
beautifully varied with a number of oval figures, formed 
by {mall fpots almoft touching each other; the {pots on 
the fides are more irregular; thofe on the legs and thighs 
fmall, and thinly difperfed: The tail is full of hair, irre- 
gularly marked with large black fpots, and upwards of 
three feet long. 

It is common in Barbary, Perfia, and China; is maine 
more gentle than the Leopard; and, like the Hunting- 
Leopard, is fometimes trained to the chace. Inftead of 
being conveyed in a waggon, it is carried on the crupper 
of the Horfe, is as much under command as a Setting- 
Dog, returns at a call, and jumps up behind its matter. 

The fcent of the Ounce is not fo fine as that of the 


Dog.—It neither follows animals by their foot, nor is it 
Wi 2 ; 


196 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


able to overtake them in a continued chace: It hunts 
folely by the eye, and makes only a few {prings at its 
prey. It is fo nimble, as to clear a ditch or a wall of 
many feet. It often climbs trees to watch animals that 
are pafling, and fuddenly darts upon them. 

It is fuppofed to be the Lefer Panther of Oppian, and 
the Panthera of Pliny. 


THE J A,.G Uns 


is the moft formidable animal of the new continent, ra- 
ther larger than the Panther, with hair of a bright-tawny 
colour. The top of the back is marked with long ftripes 
of black; the fides beautifully variegated with irregular 
oblong fpots, open in the middle; the tail not fo long as 
that of the Ounce, and irregularly marked with large 
black fpots. 

It is found in the hotteft parts of South-America; is 
very fierce; and, when preffed with hunger, will fome- 
times venture to feize a man. ; 

The Indians are much afraid of it, and think it prefers 
them to the white inhabitants, who, perhaps, are better 


ee 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 1093 


prepared to repel its attacks. Jn travelling through the 
deferts of Guiana, they light great fires in the night, of 
which thefe animals are much afraid. 

They howl dreadfully. ‘Their cry, which is expreflive 
of the two monofyllables—hAou, fou, is fomewhat plain- 
tive, grave, and ftrong, like that of an Ox. 

The Ant-eater, though it has no teeth to defend itfelf _ 
with, is the moft cruel enemy the Jaguar has to encoun- 
ter. As foon as the Jaguar attacks this little animal, it 
lies down on its back, and, with its long claws, feizes 
and fuffocates him. 


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THe COU-GUAR 


inhabits the continent of America, and is called by fome 
the Puma or American Lion; but differs fo much from 
that noble animal, as not to admit of any comparifon.— 
Its head is fmall; it has no mane; its length, from nofe 
to tail, is five feet three inches; the tail two feet: The 
predominant colour is a lively red, mixed with black: 
efpecially on the back, where it is darkeft: Its chin, 
N 3 


198 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


throat, and all the inferior parts of its body, are whitifh : 
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 allo common in Guiana, Brazil, 
and Mexico. 

It is fierce and ravenous in the extreme; and will 
{wim rivers to attack cattle, even in their inclofures.—In 
North-America, its fury feems to be fubdued by the ri- 
gour of the climate; for it will fly from a dog in com- 
pany with its mafter, and take fhelter by running up a 
tree. 

It is very deftructive to domeftic animals, particularly 
to Hogs. It preys alfo upon the Moofe and other Deer; 
lies lurking upon the branch of a tree till fome of thefe 
animals pafs underneath, when it drops down upon one 
of them, and never quits its hold till it has drunk its 
blood. It will even attack beafts of prey. . In the Mu- 
feum of the Royal Society is preferved the fkin of one of 
thefe animals, which was fhot juft as it had feized a 
Wolf.—When fatisfied with eating, it conceals the reft 
of the carcafe, covering it carefully with leaves.——lIt 
purrs like a Cat, and fometimes howls dreadfully. 

The fur is foft, and is ufed by the Indians for a win- 
ter habit ; when dreifed, it is made into gloves and fhoes. 
The flefh is white, and, by the natives, reckoned excel- 
lent food. 

The Couguar, when brought into captivity, is almoft 
as gentle as the domettic Cat, allows itfelf to be carefled, 
It is 


and will permit boys to mount on its back. 
sometimes called the Poltron Tiger. 


—— 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 199 


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THe BLACK-TIGER 


differs from the former chiefly in the colour, which is 
dufky, fometimes fpotted with black, but generally plain. 
The throat, belly, and infides of the legs, are of a pale- 
ath colour; the upper lip white, covered with long whif- 
kers: Above each eye, it has very long hairs; and at the 
corner of the mouth, a black fpot: Its paws are white 3 
and its ears fharp and pointed. 

It grows to the fize of a heifer of a year old, and has 
great ftrength in its limbs. ; 

It inhabits Brazil and Guiana, is a cruel and fierce 
animal, much dreaded by the Indians; but fortunately 
the fpecies is not numerous. 

M. de ta Borde, in his defcription of thefe animals, 
fays, that they frequent the fea-fhore, and eat the eggs 
depofited there by the turtles. They likewife eat cai- 
mans or alligators, lizards, and fifhes, and fometimes 


» the buds and tender leaves of the Indian fig.—They are 


excellent {wimmers.-—In order to catch the alligator, 
they lie down on their belly at the edge of the river, 
N4 


200 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


ftrike the water to make a noife, and as foon as the alli- 
gator raifes its head above the water, dart their claws in- 
to its eyes, and drag it on fhore. 


Ten eer O GER Lee, 


The {kin of the male Ocelot is extremely beautiful, 
and moft elegantly variegated. Its general colour is that 
ofa bright-tawny ; a black ftripe extends along the top 
of the back, from head to tail; its forehead is fpotted 
with black, as are alfo its legs; its fhoulders, fides, and 
rump, are beautifully marbled with long ftripes of black, 
forming oval. figures, filled in the middle with {mall 
black fpots; its tail is irregularly marked with large 
fpots, and black at the end.—The colours of the female 
are not fo vivid as thofe of the male; neither is it fo 
beautifully marked. | 

The Ocelot very much refembles the common Cat in 
the form of its body, although it is a great deal larger. » 
Buffon makes its height two feet and a half, and about 
four feet in length. | . 

It is a native of South-America, inhabits Mexico and 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 20: 


Brazil, is very voracious, but timid, and feldom attacks 
men. It is afraid of dogs; and, when purfued, flies to 
the woods. 

It lives chiefly in the mountains, and conceals itfelf 
amongi{t the leaves of trees; from whence it darts upon 
fuch animals as come within its reach. It fometimes ex- 
tends itfelf along the boughs, as if it were dead, till the 
monkies, tempted by their natural curiofity, approach 
within its reach.-—It is faid to prefer the blood of ani- 
mals to their flefh. 

The Ocelot cannot eafily be tamed, and retains its ori- 
ginal wildnefs in a ftate of captivity. Nothing can foften 
the natural ferocity of its difpofition, nor calm the reft- 
leflnefs of its motions. For this reafon, it is always kept 
in a cage.-——One of thefe animals, fhewn at Newcaftle 
in 1788, although extremely old, exhibited great marks 
of ferocity. It was kept clofely confined, and would not 
admit of being carefled by its keeper in the fame manner 
as the Lion; but growled conftantly, and always appear- 
ed in motion.—A male and female Ocelot were brought 
to France fome years ago, which had been taken when 
very young. At the age of three months, they became 
fo ftrong and fierce, as to kill a bitch that was given 
them for a nurfe. When a live Cat was thrown to 
them, they fucked its blood, but would not tafte its flefh. 
The male feemed to have a great fuperiority over the fe- 
male, as he never allowed her to partake till his own ap- 
petite was fatisfied. 

‘The female Ocelot, like all the larger animals of the 
Cat kind, produces a {mall 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 


202 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


taken; and makes it probable, that they bring forth only 
that number. 


THe MARGAY 


is another beautiful animal of the fpotted tribe, and 
known in many places by the name of the Tiger Cat. 
The ground colour of the body is tawny; the face is 
ftriped with black; the body is marked with ftripes and 
large fpots of black; the breaft and infides of the legs 
are. white, fpotted with black; the tail is long, marked 
with alternate {pots of black, tawny, and grey. 

The Margay is {maller than the Ocelot, and about the 
fize of the Wild Cat, which it refembles in difpofition 
and habit, living on fmall animals, birds, &c. It is 
very wild, and cannot eafily be brought under fubjec- 


tion. 
Its colours vary, though they are generally fuch as 
have been defcribed. 

It is common in Guiana, Brazil, and varous parts of 
South-America. | 

It is called the Cayenne Cat, and is not fo frequent in 
temperate as in warm climates. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 203 


In taking a furvey of this beautiful race of animals, we 
are unavoidably led to obferve, that much remains for 
the laborious refearches of the natural hiftorian, before a 
complete account can be made out of the various kinds 
of which it is compofed.---Several {pecies are frequently 
found in the Eaft-Indies, in the woods near the Cape of 
Good Hope, and in the continent of America; but in 
general thefe have been fo negligently or fo injudicioufly 
mentioned, as to render it impoflible to form a perfec 
defcription of them. A good hiftory of thefe animals 
is one of the many defiderata of the naturalift ; but when 
we confider the great diftance which moft of this fero- 
cious tribe obferve in their feparation from mankind, and 
the dangers that muft be encountered in approaching 
their folitary habitations, we are obliged to lament that 
this defirable object is not likely to be foon accomplithed. 


204 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


ATMA 
a are 


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Tens SE RoW os 


inhabits the mountainous parts of India; and is called, 
by the natives of Malabar, the Aarapute.----It is larger 
than the Wild-Cat----Its general colour is a pale-yellow ; 
white on the breaft and belly; variegated with round 
fpots, which are equally diftributed over every part of its. 
body: Its eyes are extremely brilliant, and have a wild, 
piercing look; its whifkers are long and ftiff; its tail 
fhort; and its feet armed with long hooked claws. 

It is feldom to be feen upon the ground; but lives 
chiefly in trees, where it makes its neft, and 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, unlefs provoked; when it darts furioufly 
upon the offender, and tears and bites nearly in the fame 
manner as the Panther. 

Sparrman mentions an animal of this kind, found at 
the Cape of Good Hope, which he calls the Tiger Caf, 
and fuppofes to be the fame with the Serval. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 205 


‘The fame author mentions another animal of this kind, 
called at the Cape the Wild Red Cat; the fkin of which 
is fuppofed by the natives to poflefs great medicinal 
powers, and give eafe to perfons afflifted with the gout, 
lumbago, and pains in the joints. The fur is very fine 
and foft: And, probably, there are many other fkins, 
which, if applied with an equal degree of good faith, 
might have the fame falutary effects. 

The colour of the upper part of this creature is of a 
very bright-red ; towards the fides it is mixed with white 
and grey; the belly is white; the upper part of the ears, 
which have tufts of hair on the tips, is dark-brown, 
{prinkled with grey. Its body is long, and about twe 
feet in height. 


THe Wey D-C AT 


The hiitory of this animal is fo intimately connected 
with that of the common or domeftic kind, that we fhall 
include our account of both under one general head, and 
defcribe them as conftituting the fame fpecies. 

The domeftic Cat, if fuffered to efcape into the woods, 
becomes wild, and lives on {mall birds and fuch other 


206 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


game as it can find there. It likewife breeds with the 
wild one. It is no uncommon thing for females of the 
tame {pecies to quit their houfes during the time they are 
in feafon, go in queft of male Wild-Cats, and return 
to the fame habitations impregnated by them. It is by 
this means, that fome of our domeftic Cats fo perfectly 
refemble thofe of the wild breed. 

The hair of the Wild-Cat is foft and fine, of a pale- 
yellow colour, mixed with grey; a dufky lift runs along 
the middle of the back, from head to tail; the fides are 
{treaked with grey, pointing from the back downwards; 
the tail is thick, and marked with alternate bars of black 
and white. It is larger and ftronger than the tame Cat, 
and its fur much longer. 

It inhabits the moft mountainous and woody parts of 
this ifland, lives in trees, and hunts for birds and {mall 
_ animals, fuch as rabbits, hares, rats, mice, moles, &c. 
It frequently makes great havock among poultry; will 
even kill young lambs, kids, and fawns; and is the 
fierceft and moft deftructive beaft of prey in this king- 
dom. | 

It is taken either in traps, or by fhooting. There is 
frequently danger in the latter mode; for if it be only 
flightly wounded, it will attack the perfon who has in- 
jured it, and is not eafily repelled. 

Wild-Cats are found, with very little variety, in almoft 
every climate.---They exifted in America before its difco- 
very by the Europeans. One of them was brought to 
Columbus, which was of the ordinary fize, of a brown- 
ifh-grey colour, with a long tail.---They are common in 
many places of Afia and Africa.---Sparrman gives a de- 
{cription of one which he fhot at the Cape, which was in 
every refpect fimilar to thofe of this country. It was of 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 207 


a grey colour ; and meafured, from the nofe to the tail, 
nearly twenty-two inches: The tail was thirteen inches 
long: Its height was about a foot and a half.- Its intef- 
tines were full of moles and rats. 

Some Wild-Cats have been taken in this kingdom of a 
moft enormous fize. We recolle&t one having been kill- 
ed in the county of Cumberland, which meafured, from 
tts nofe to the end of its tail, upwards of five feet. 


‘The province of Chorazan, in Perfia, is particularly 
famous for a moft beautiful Caz, about the fize of the 
tame one, of a fine grey colour, without any mixture, 
and as foft and fhining as filk. It is darker on the back, 
foftening by degrees towards the breaft and belly, where 
it is almoft white. The tail is long, and covered with 
hair, five or fix inches in length. The animal frequent- 
ly turns it upon its back, like a {quirrel; the point of it 
refembling 4 plume of feathers. 


The Cat of Angora differs greatly from the Wild-Cat 
in having much longer hair, efpecially about the neck, 
where it forms a fine ruff, and gives it a lion-like appear- 
ance. Some of thefe are of a filvery whitenefs, and filky 
texture ; others are of a dun colour, mixed with yellow. 


q \ iy 


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SS 


STITT ULL Ue ce TUT 


Tue Do m E's ‘Tt et Se 


differs from the Wild-Cat, in being fomewhat lefs; and, 
inflead of being uniformly the fame, is diftinguithed by 
a great variety of fhades and colouring. " 

To defcribe an animal fo well known, might feem a 
fuperfluous tafk: We fhall only, therefore, fele&t fuch of 
its peculiarities as are leaft obvious, and may have efca- 
ped the notice of inattentive obfervers. 

It is generally remarked, that Cats can fee in the dark; 
but, though this is not abfolutely the cafe, yet it is cer- 
tain that they can fee with much lefs light than moft 
other animals, owing to the peculiar ftru€ture of their 
eyes, the pupils of which are capable of being contraéted 
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 fee by a ftrong light: But in the twilight, the pupil 
refumes its natural roundnefs, the animal enjoys perfec 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 209 


vifion, and takes advantage of this fuperiority to difcover 
and furprize its prey. 

The cry of the Cat is loud, piercing, and clamorous; 
and whether expreflive of anger or love, is equally vi- 
olent and hideous.—Its call may be heard at a great dif- 


tance; and is fo well known to the whole fraternity, 


that on fome occafions feveral hundred Cats have been 


brought together from dfferent parts. Invited by the 


piercing cries of diftrefs from a fuffering fellow-creature, 
they affemble in crowds; and, with loud fqualls and 
yells, exprefs their horrid fympathies. ‘They frequently 
tear the miferable object to pieces; and, with the moft 
blind and furious rage, fall upon each other, killing and 
wounding indifcriminately, till there is fcarcely one left 
Thefe terrible conflits happen only in the night; and, 
though rare, inftances of very furious engagements are 
well authenticated. 

The Cat is particularly averfe to water, cold, and bad 
imells.—It is fond of certain perfumes; but is more par- 
ticularly attra€ted by the fmell of valerian, marum, and 
cat-mint. It rubs itfelf againft them; and, if not pre- 
vented from coming at them in a garden where they are 
planted, would infallibly deftroy them. 

The Cat brings forth twice, and fometimes thrice, a 
year. The period of her geftation is fifty-five or fifty-fix 
days; and fhe generally produces five or fix at one litter. 
She conceals her kittens from the male, left he fhould 
devour them, as he is fometimes inclined ; and, if appre- 
henfive of being difturbed, will take them up in her 
mouth, and remeve them one by one to a more fecure 
retreat: Even the female herfelf, contrary to the efta- 
blifhed law of Nature, which binds the parent to its off- 

O 


210 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


{pring by an almoft indiffoluble tie, is fometimes known 
to est her own young the moment after fhe has produced 
them. 

Though extremely ufeful in deftroying the vermin that 
infeft our houfes, the Cat feems little attached to the 
perfons of thofe that afford it proteGtion. It feemsto be 
under no fubjection, and ats only for itfelf. All its | 
views are confined to the place where it has been brought 
up; if carried elfwhere, it feems loft and bewildered: 
Neither carefles nor attention can reconcile it to its new 
fituation; and it frequently takes the firft opportunity of 
efcaping to its former haunts.—Frequent inftances are in 
our recolleCtion of Cats having returned to the place 
from whence they had been carried, though at many 
miles diftance, and even acrofs rivers, when they could 
not poflibly have any knowledge of the road or fituation 
that would apparently lead them to it.—This extraordi- 
nary faculty is, however, poflefled in a much greater de- 
gree by Dogs; yet it is in both animals equally wonder- 
ful and unaccountable. | 

In the time of Hoel the Good, king of Wales, who 
died in the year 948, laws were made as well to pre- 
ferve, 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 fcarcity and utility. 
The price of a kitten before it could fee was fixed at one 
penny; till proof could be given of its having caught a 
moufe, two-pence; after which it was rated at four- 
pence, which was a great fum in thofe days, when the 
value of fpecie was extremely high: It was likewife re- 
quired, that it fhould be perfe& in its fenfes of hearing 
and feeing, fhould be a good moufer, have its claws 
whole, and, if a female, be a careful nurfe: If it failed 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. art 


in any of thefe good qualities, the feller was to forfeit to 
the buyer the third part of its value.---If any one fhould 
{teal 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 fufpended 
by its tail (its head touching the floor), would form a 
heap high enough to cover the tip of the former. 
From hence we may conclude, that Cats were not ori- 
ginally natives of thefe iflands; and, from the great care 
taken to improve and preferve the breed of this prolific 
creature, we may fuppofe, were but little known at that 
period. Whatever credit we may allow to the cir- 
cumftances of the well-known ftory of Whittington and 
his Cat, it is another proof of the great value fet upon 
this animal in former times. 


\ , 


Suny oR 


212 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


PSS 
ALPEN AML AW Tras ry iat eraeecersens cae 


Tie es ES 


differs greatly from every animal of the Cat kind we 
have hitherto defcribed. Its ears are long and erect, 
tufted at the end with long black hairs, by which this 
fpecies of animals is peculiarly diftinguifhed: The hair 
on the body is long and foft, of a red-afh colour, marked 
with dufky fpots, which differ according to the age of 
the creature; fometimes they are fcarcely vifible: Its 
legs and feet are very thick and ftrong; its tail fhort, 
and black at the extremity; its eyes are of a pale-yellow 
colour; and its afpedct fofter and lefs ferocious than that 
of the Panther or the Ounce. The fkin of the male is 
more fpotted than that of the female. 

The fur is valuable for its foftnefs and warmth, and is 
imported in great quantities from America and the North 
of Europe:—The farther North they are taken, the whi- 
ter they are, and the fpots more diftinét.—The moft ele- 
gant of thofe is called the Jrdys; and is taken near lake 
Balkafh, in Ufbec Tartary. It is much larger than the 
common kind. Its fkin fells in that country for one 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS., 213 


pound fterling.—The colour of its hair changes with the 
climate and the feafon. ‘The winter furs are richer and 
more beautiful than thofe taken in fummer. 

The Lynx is faid to be very long-lived, is a very de- 
ftructive animal, lives by hunting, and purfues its prey 
to the tops of the higheft trees. It feeds on Weafels, 
Ermines, Squirrels, &c. which are unable to efcape 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; feizes them by the 
throat, and drinks their blood; after which, it abandons 
them, and goes in queft of frefh game.—Its fight is re- 
markably quick ; and it fees its prey at a great diftance. 
—It often eats no more of a Sheep or a Goat than the 
brain, the liver, and the inteftines. It will fometimes 
dig under the doors to gain admiflion into the fheepfold. 
When attacked by a Dog, it lies down on its back, 
{trikes defperately with its claws, and frequently obliges 
its affailant to retreat. 


Although the Lynx has nothing in common with the 
Wolf, it has been diftinguifhed by the name of Lupus- 
Cervarius, or the Stag-Wolf. Its manner of howling is 
fimilar to that of the Wolf; and when heard at a dif- 
tance, is not eafily diftinguifhed from the cry of that ani- 
mal. The epithet cervarius has been added, becaufe its 
{kin is variegated with fpots like that of a young Stag. 


A variety is found in the inner parts of the province 
of New-York, which is called the Bay Lynx, and is ae 
bout twice the fize of a large Cat. Its hair is fhort and 
{mooth; its general colour is a bright-bay, obfcurely 
marked with dufky fpots; on its face there are black 


O 3 


214 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


{tripes, pointing downward towards the nofe; on each 
fide of the upper lip it has three rows of fmall black 
fpots, with long whifkers iffuing from them ; each cheek 
is marked with long black ftripes, of a circular form, 
proceeding from the corners of the eyes; the under part 
of the body, and infides of the legs, are white; the in- 
fide of each fore leg is marked on the upper part with, 
two black bars; its tail, which is fhort, is marked with 
bars of a dufky colour, and at the end with one of a 
deep-black ; the tip and under fide are white. 

The Lynxes of our days muft be very different animals 
from thofe which have been defcribed by poets as draw- 
ing the chariot of Bachus; for, befides the impractica- 
bility of training thefe animals to the yoke, we find, that ~ 
the Lynx is not an inhabitant of India, norof any of the 
warmer countries of Afia conquered by that hero.-—lt 
prefers cold to even temperate climates; and is common 
in the forefts of the northern parts of Europe, Afia, and 
America. : 

The ancients feem to have given the name of Lynx to 
an animal which exifted only in imagination, and may be 
ranked with their other ideal monfters and prodigies,— 
the Sphynx, the Pegafus, and the Unicorn.—Its fight 
was faid to penetrate the moft opaque. bodies, and its 
yrine to be converted into a precious ftone. | 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ars 


SSNS SANT SA en a 
a 


ween eee 


SADA SESE a 


<p. —— + ee 


mee CA KR AC A‘L 


refembles the Lynx in fize, figure, and afpect, as well 
as in having its ears tipt with a pencil of black hairs.—It 
differs from the laft-mentioned animal, in not being f{pot- 
ted; its hair is rougher, and of a pale reddifh-brown; 
its tail is longer, and of an uniform colour; its face is 
more lengthened, its look more fierce, and its nature and 
difpofition more favage. 

This animal is found only in warm climates; and is 
common in Perfia, India, Barbary, and in all the coun- 
tries inhabited by the Lion, the Panther, and the Ounce. 
---It 1s called in Perfia the Syah-Gufb; and in the Turk- 
ifh language, the Karrah-Kulak. Both thefe names fig- 
nify the Cat with black Ears.-—It is faid to follow the 
Lion, and to feed on the remains which that animal] 
leaves of his prey; for which reafon it is called among 
the Arabs the Lion’s Guide. 

The Caracal is about the fize of a Fox; but much 

O04. 


216 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


dtronger and more ferocious. It has been known to at- 
tack a Hound, and inftantly 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 chafe. It is ufed in taking the fmall- 
er fort of animals, in which it is very fuccefsful; but it 
is active only in the purfuit of thofe that are too fee- 
ble for refiftance, or too timid to exert their powers. 
Whenever it meets with one that is fuperior to it in 
f{trength, it lofes its courage, and gives up the chafe.--- 
It is likewife employed in catching birds; fuch as cranes, 
velicans, peacocks, &c.; which it furprizes with fingular 
addrefs.---When it has feized its prey, it holds it faft in 
its mouth, and lies upon it for fome time quite motion- _ 
lefs. 


There are fome varieties in this animal.---The face of 
the Nubian Caracal is rounder; the ears black on the 
outfide, interfperfed with filver-coloured hairs; on the 
breaft, belly, and infides of the thighs, there are {mall 
bright-yellow fpots; and it has the Mule crofs on the 
withers, like moft of the Parbary Caracals. 


In Lybia, there are Caraca/s with white ears, tufted 
at the end with thin black hairs: They have white tails, 
the extremities of which are furrounded with four black 
rings; and on the hind part of each leg, there are four 
black fpots. ‘They are {mall, not exceeding the fize of a 
domeftic Cat, 


We have now gone through all the principal varieties 
which conftitute this numerous race; in all of which, as 
has been already obferved, from the Lion to the common 
Cat, we may perceive a ftriking fimilitude in difpofition, 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 217 


form, and manners. ‘This agreement is likewife obferva- 
ble in their internal conformation, which is ftill more ex- 
act,—in the fhortnefs of their inteftines, the fharpnefs 
and number of their teeth, and in the ftructure of their 
feet and claws. They are all equally carnivorous; and 
tear, rather than chew their meat. ‘They eat flowly; 
and growl whilft they feed, as if afraid of lofing their 
prey. They are all cowardly, and feldom make an at- 
tack but where conqueft is certain. 

_ Animals of this race may be confidered as the moft 
formidable enemies of mankind. ‘There are others more 
powerful; but their difpofitions are milder; and they 
feldom offend till they find themfelves injured: Others 
are, more numerous; but they are weaker, and find their 
fafety not in oppofing, but in flying from man. ‘Thefe 
are the only quadrupeds that in any degree make good 
their ground againft him, and maintain a kind of divided 
{way over many fair and fertile tracts, that feem, in other 
refpects, formed for the comfort and convenience of fo- 
cial life. 


218 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


ANIMALS oF THE WEASEL Kinp. 


HESE little, active, and enterprizing animals are 
4 particularly diftinguifhed from other carnivorous 
kinds, by the length and flendernefs of their bodies, 
which are admirably adapted to their manner of living, 
and methods of taking their prey. They are fo {mall 
and flexible, as to wind like worms into very fmall cre- © 
vices and openings, whither they eafily follow the little 
animals that ferve them for food. 

All the animals of this kind are furnifhed with {mall 
glands, placed near the anus, from which an wituous 
matter continually exudes: The effluvia of it is extreme- 
ly offenfive in the Polecat, Ferret, Weafel, &c.; but in 
the Civet Cat, Martin, and Pine Weafel, it is an agree- 
able perfume.---They are all equally marked for rapine 
and cruelty: They fubfift only by theft, and find their 
chief proteCtion in their minutenefs. They are all, from 
the fhortnefs of their legs, flow in purfuit ; and make up 
that deficiency by patience, affiduity, and cunning. 

As their prey is precarious, they can live a long time 
without food. When they fall in with plenty, they im- 
mediately kill every thing within their reach, before they 
begin to fatisfy their appetite ; and always fuck the blood 
of every animal they kill, before they eat its flefh. | 

Thefe are the principal peculiarities common to this 
kind; all the fpecies of which have fo ftriking a refem- 
blance to each other, that having feen one, we may form 
avery juft idea of the reft.---Vhe moft obvious difference 
confifts in their fize.” We fhall therefore begin with the 
fmalleft of this numerous clafs, and proceed gradually 
upwards to the largeft. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 219 


5 ae Sr 
~ 
ere WABI 


an) We oA 8 OE Es 


The length of this animal does not exceed feven 
inches, from the nofe to the tail; which is only two 
inches and a half long, and ends in a point: Its height 
is not above two inches and a half; fo that it is nearly 
five times as long as it is high. 

The moft prevailing colour of the Weafel-is a pale 
reddifh-brown on the back, fides, and legs; the throat 
and belly are white; beneath the corners of the mouth, 
on each jaw, is a fpot of brown. It has whifkers, like a 
Cat: Its ears are large, and have a fold at the lower 
part, that gives them the appearance of being double; 
its eyes are fmall, round, and black; its teeth are thirty- 
two in number, and extremely fharp. 

The Weafel is very common, and well known;in moft 
parts of this country; is very deftructive to young birds, 
poultry, rabbits, &c.; and is a keen devourer of eggs, 
which it fucks with great avidity. It will follow a hare, 
which is terrified into a ftate of abfolute imbecility at the 
fight of this little animal, and gives itfelf up to it with- 
out refiftance, making at the fame time the moft piteous 
outcries. 


220 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


The bite of the Weafel is generally fatal. It feizes its 
prey near the head, and fixes its fharp teeth into a vital 
part. A hare, rabbit, or any other {mall animal, bit in 


this manner, is never known to recover; but lingers for _ 


fome time, and dies. The wound is fo fmall, that the 
place where the teeth enter can fcarcely be perceived. 

It is remarkably active; and will run up the fides of a 
wall with fuch facility, that no place is fecure from it. 

The Weafel is very ufeful to the farmer, and much en- 
couraged by him. During winter, it frequents his barns, _ 
out-houfes, and granaries, which it effectually clears of 
rats and mice. It is, indeed, a more deadly enemy to 
them than even the Cat itfelf; for, being more active 
and flender, it purfues them into their holes, and kills 
them after a fhort refiftance. It creeps alfo into pigeon 
holes, and deftroys the young ones; catches fparrows, 
and all kinds of {mall birds; and when it has brought 
forth its young, it hunts with ftill greater boldnefs and 
avidity.x—In fummer, it ventures at a diftance from its 
ufual haunts; is frequently found by the fide of waters, 
near corn-mills; and is almoft fure to follow wherever a _ 
{warm of rats has taken poffeflion of any place. 

The evening is the time when it begins its depreda- 
tions. ‘Towards the clofe of the day, it may frequently 
be feen ftealing from its hole, and creeping about the 
farmer’s yard in fearch of its prey. If it enter the place 
where poultry are kept, it feldom attacks the cocks or 
the old hens, but always aims at the young ones. It 
does not eat its prey on the fpot where it has killed it; 
but, where it is not too large, carries it away to its re- 
treat. It alfo breaks and fucks all the eggs it can meet 
with; and, not unfrequently, kills the hen that attempts 
to defend them, 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 221 


The Weatel is a wild and untractable little animal. 
When kept in a cage, it feems in a continual ftate of 
agitation, is terrified at the fight of every perfon that ap- 
proaches to look at it, and hides itfelf in the wool or hay 
which is given to it for that purpofe. 

It conveys all its food to its hiding-place, and will not 
touch it till it begin to putrefy.—It pafles the greateft 
part of the day in fleeping, and ufually employs thé night 
in exercife and eating. 

The female brings forth in the fpring, and generally 
produces four or five at one litter. She prepares a bed 
for them of ftraw, leaves, and mofs. ‘The young are 
brought forth blind; but very foon acquire ftrength 
enough to follow their dam, and affift in her excurfions. 
They will attack ferpents, water-rats, moles, field-mice, 
&c.: They over-run the meadows; and frequently kill 
the partridges, and fuck their eggs. 

The motion of the Weafel confifts in unequal and pre- 
cipitant leaps; and in climbing a tree, it makes a confie 
_derable fpring of fome feet from the ground. It jumps 
in the fame manner upon its prey; and being extremely 
limber, evades the attempts of much ftronger animals to 
feize it 

We are told, that an eagle having feized a Weafel, 
mounted into the air with it, and was foon after obferved 
to be in great diftrefs. Its little enemy had extricated it- 
felf fo far, as to be able to bite it feverely in the throat ; 
which prefently brought the eagle to the ground, and 
gave the Weafel an opportunity of efcaping. 

Notwithftanding the wildnefs of its nature, there are 
not wanting in{tances to prove, that it is capable of being 
thoroughly tamed. M. Buffon, who aflerted the impoffi- 
bility of bringing the Weafel into any degree of fubjec- 


222 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


tion, is afterwards corrected by a lady; who affures him, 
that fhe had tried the experiment upon a young Weafel 
taken in her garden; which foon learned to recognize . 
and lick the hand from which it received its food, and 
became as familiar, carefling, and frolicfome, as a dog or 
a fquirrel. The fame author mentions another experi- 
ment, made by a gentleman; who trained a young Wea- 
fel fo completely, that it followed him wherever he went. 
—The method of taming them is to ftroke them gently 
over the back; and to threaten, and even to beat them, 
when they bite. 

Thefe facts may ferve to fhew the pofhibility of render- 
ing this animal domeftic; and hold out a ufeful hint to 
us, that its fervices might be very great in clearing fhips, 
granaries, and other places, from the vermin with which 
they are frequently infefted: For it is very well known, 
that one of thefe animals will kill more rats and mice 
than any Cat, being better able to purfue them into their 
holes and lurking places. 

The odour of the Weafel is very ftrong, efpecially in 
the fummer time, or when it is irritated or purfued ; it is | 
then intolerable, and may be fmelt at fome diftance. 

The following circumftance, related by Buffon, will 
fhew, that this animal has a natural attachment to every 
thing that is corrupt.—A Weafel was taken in his neigh- 
bourhood, with three young ones, out of the carcafe of a 
Wolf, that had been hung on a tree by the hind feet. 
The Wolf was almoft entirely putrefied ; and the Weafel 
had made a neft of leaves and herbage for her young in 
the thorax of the putrid carcafe. 


‘ee 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 223 


Po eo a OO ay 


The difference in fhape between this animal and the 
Weafel is fo fmall, that they have frequently been de- 
{fcribed under the fame denomination; the fmall Stoat 
being fometimes miftaken for that animal. 

Its length is 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 the ends of the toes, are of a yel- 
lowifh-white : In other refpects, it perfeétly refembles 
the Weafel in colour as well as in form. | 

In the moft northern parts of Europe, it regularly 
changes its colour in winter, and becomes perfectly 
white ; except the end of the tail, which remains inva- 
riably black. It is then called the Ermine; and is much 
fought after for its valuable fur, which makes a confider- 
able article of commerce in Norway, Lapland, Rufha, 
and other cold countries ; where it is found in prodigious 
numbers.---It is alfo very common in Kamtfchatka and 
Siberia, and is taken in traps baited with fiefh. The 


~ 


224 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


fkins ate fold in the country for from two -to three 
pounds fterling per hundred.-—In Norway, they are ei- 
ther fhot with blunt arrows, or taken in traps made of 
two flat ftones, one being propped up with a ftick, to 
which is faftened a baited ftring; and as foon as the ani- 
mal begins to nibble, the ftones fall down, and crufh it 
to death. The Stoat is likewife found white in the 
winter time in Great-Britain, and is then erroneoufly 
called a White Weafel. Its fur, however, among us, is 
of little value, having neither the thicknefs, the clofenefs, 
nor the whitenefs, of thofe that come from Siberia, 

One of them, which we had in our poffeflion, had en- 
tirely aflumed its winter robe; but with a confiderable 
mixture of yellow, efpecially on the top of the head and 
back. | | 

They begin to change from brown to white in Novem- 
ber, and refume their fummer vefture in March. 

The natural hiftory of this animal is much the fame 
with that of the Weafel; its food being young birds, 
rabbits, mice, &c.; its agility the fame; and its fcent 
equally fetid. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 225 


Sony; ae ae 
Dv \ \ AYE, 
MN\\' aa NV) ers 


Rie oF ER RoR Let 


is only known to us in a kind of domeftic ftate.----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 ufe of to reduce the 
numbers of them with which that kingdom abounded. 
It has fince been employed for the fame purpofe in vari- 
ous parts of Europe; but as it is not able to bear the fe- 
verity of a cold climate, it cannot fubfift without great 
care and fhelter. It is ufually kept in a box, with wool; 
of which it makes itfelf a warm bed. It fleeps a great 
part of the day; and the moment it awakes, feems eager 
for its food, which is commonly bread and milk. 

It breeds twice a year. The female goes fix weeks 
with young. Some of them devour their offspring as 
foon as they are brought forth; when they immediately 
come in feafon again, and have three litters, which gene- 
rally confift of five or fix, but fometimes feven or eight, 
and even nine. 

It is apt to degenerate in this country, and lofe in 


r. 


226 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


fome degree its ferocity. Warreners are therefore obli- 
ged to procure an-intercourfe between the female and the 
Foumart. |The produce is a breed of a much darker co- 
lour than the Ferret, partaking more of that of the Fou- 
mart. 

Its length is about fourteen inches; that of the tail 
five: Its nofe is fharper than that of the Weafel or the 
Foumart; its ears are round ; and its eyes red and fiery : 
The colour of the whole body is a very pale yellow. 

‘Phe Ferret is naturally fuch an enemy to the Rabbit, 
that if a dead Rabbit be laid before a young Ferret, it 
inftantly feizes upon it, although it has never feen one 
before: If a living Rabbit be prefented to it, the Ferret 
is {till more eager, feizes it by the neck, winds itfelf 
round it, and continues to fuck its blood till it be fa- 
tiated.----When employed in the bufinefs of the warren, 
it muft 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. Ifthe Ferret be 
fuffered to go in without a muzzle, or fhould difengage 
itfelf from it whilft in the hole, there is great danger of 
lofing it: For, after fatisfying itfelf with blood, it falls 
afleep; and it is then almoft impoflible to come at it.— 
The moft ufual methods of recovering the Ferret are, by 
digging it out, or fmoking the hole. If thefe do not 
fucceed, it continues during the f{ummer among the Rab- 
bit holes, and lives upon the prey it finds there; but 
being unable to endure the cold of the winter, is fure to 
perifh. 

It is fometimes employed with great fuccefs in killing 
Rats, and is frequently kept in granaries and mills for 
that purpofe. It is extremely vigilant in the purfuit of 
them, and will not fuffer one to live where it is-—A 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 227 


young Ferret, after it has feized a Rat, will fuffer itfelf 
to be dragged by it a confiderable way before it has kill- 
éd it, which it never fails to do in a fhort time. 

If the Ferret could be kept warm enough at fea, it 
might be extremely ferviceable in deftroying the Rats, 
which frequently commit fuch great depredations on 
board of fhips, and have fometimes been the occafion of 
their total lofs. - 

The Ferret, though eafily tamed, is foon irritated.—Its 
odour is fetid; its nature voracious; it is tame without 
attachment; and fuch 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 difh- 
eult to cure. 


The Madagafcar Weafel, or Vanfire of M. Buffon, may 
be referred to this {fpecies; to which its fize and form 
are ftrikingly fimilar.-—It is about fourteen inches in 
length: The hatr 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 furnifhed with hair. 


The fame author mentions another animal of this fpe- 
cies under the name of the Nems, which is a native of: 
_Arabia.-—It refembles 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 is 2 
clear yellow; on the nofe, cheeks, and other parts of the 
face where the hair is fhort, a tin€ture of brown more or 
lefs prevails, and terminates gradually above the eye; 

| sly 


228 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


the legs are covered with fhort hair, of a deep-yellow co- 
lour; on each foot there are four toes, and a {fmall.one 
behind; the claws are fmall 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, fimilar to that on the body. 


aaah 
AN 


Loa ge FOr M Ask Ae 


fo called from its offenfive fmell, as well as to diftin- 
guifh it from the Martin, to which it bears a ftrong re- 
femblance. It is likewife called the Polecat, or Fitchet ; 
and is the Putos of M. Buffon, and the Putorius of Ray. 

Its length is about feventeen inches, exclufive of the 
tail, which is fix inches; its eyes are {mall, very bril- 
liant, and wher the animal is irritated or afraid, fhine in 
the dark with fingular luftre; its ears are fhort, broad, 
and tipt with white on their edges; it is white about the 
mouth; the reft of the body is for the moft part of a 
deep-chocolate colour; the fides are covered with hairs 


‘ 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 229 


of two colours; the ends being dark like the reft of the 
body, and the middle of a full tawny colour. 

The fhape of the Foumart, like all others of this ge- 
nus, is long and flender, the nofe fharp- pointed, and the 
legs fhort; the toes are long, and the claws fharp. It is 
in every refpet admirably formed for that peculiar mode 
of life afligned to it by the all-wife Author of Nature. 

It is very active and nimble, runs very faft, and will 
creep up the fides of walls with great agility. In run- 
ning, its belly feems to touch the ground; in preparing. 
to jump, it arches its back, and makes its {pring with 
great force. 

It is very i Ahidlive to poultry, pigeons and young 
game of all kinds. It makes great havock among rab- 

‘bits; and its thirft for blood is fo great, that it kills ma- 
ny more than it can eat. One or two of them will al- 
moft deftroy a whole warren. 

It is never feen abroad in the day time, unlefs forced 
from its hole; and is feldom hunted but in the winter, 
being at that feafon eafily found by tracing its footfteps 
in the fnow. It generally refides in woods or thick 
brakes; where it burrows under ground, forming a fhal- 
low retreat about two yards in length, commonly ending 
among the roots of trees. 

In the winter feafon, it frequents houfes, barns, &c. 
feeding on poultry, eggs, and fometintes milk. But it 
has another mode of procuring fubfiftence, which has 
hitherto efcaped the obfervation of the naturalift; and 
which, though fingular, we can vouch for the truth of. 
During a fevere ftorm, one of thefe animals was traced 
in the {now from the fide of a rivulet to its hole, at fome 
diftance from it: As it was cbferved to have made fre-~ 

P 3 


230 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


quent trips, ‘and as other marks were to be feen in the 
{now which could not eafily 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 difcovered to be the fruits of its noc- 


turnal excurfions. ‘The marks in the {now were found 
to have been made by the motion of the eels in the crea- 
ture’s mouth, 

From the above curious circumftance, we have given 
a reprefentation of this animal (which was drawn from 
the life) in poffeflion of this fingular booty.-—It may be 
‘matter of curious inveftigation for fome future naturalift, 
to enquire by what arts this wily animal finds a booty fo 
apparently difficult to attain. 

In attending to the inftinGlive faculties of animals, 
there is room for deep and diligent enquiry; and, though 
our progrefs is hable to many interruptions, it is a de- 
lightful tafk to follow the workings of Nature through all 


her intricate and curious windings: Every ftep we gain ~ 
g y itep 8 


is a fufhicient reward for our trouble, and leads us to 
admire the wifdom and goodnefs of that Difpenfation 
which furnifhes every creature with fufficient and ample 
powers to provide for all its wants, neceffities, and com- 
forts. 7 | / 

‘The female Foumart brings forth in the fummer, ge- 
nerally five or fix atatime. She fuckles them but a 
fhort time, and accuftoms them early to live upon blood 
and eggs. 

Though the fmell of this animal is rank and difagreea- 
ble, even to a proverb; yet the fkin is dreft with the hair 
on, and ufed as other furs, without retaining its offenfive 
odour. . } tt 

The Foumart is very fierce and bold. "When attacked 


~ 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 231 


by a dog, it will defend itfelf with great fpirit, attack in 
its turn, and faften upon the nofe of its enemy with fo 
keen a bite, as frequently to oblige him to defift. 


iy 
iy 


i 


\ 
Me 


Al 


ps 
Up 


LL ay 
i | Lt eeaa tee 


Lip 
(UE 


THe PINE-WEASEL, or YeELLow- 
BREASTED MARTIN, 


‘inhabits the North of Europe, Afia, and America: I 
is likewife found in Great-Britain, but is not numerous 
there.-—It lives chiefly in large forefts; efpecially where 
the 'pine-tree abounds, of the tops of which it is very 
fond. : 

North-America abounds with thefe animals. Prodi- 
gious numbers of their fkins are annually imported from 
thence: Above thirty thoufand {kins have been brought 
over from Canada in one year, and from Hudfon’s Bay 
nearly fifteen thoufand in the fame time. 


The principal difference between the Pine-Weafe! and 
eA 


232 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


the Martin is in the colour. The breaft of the former is 
yellow; the colour of the body much darker; and the 
fur, in general, greatly fuperior in finenefs, beauty, and 
value. 


THe MA RK Ta 


is much more common in this country than the Pine- 
Weafel.—It lives wholly in woods, and breeds in the hol- 
lows of trees. It produces from four to fix young ones 
at a time. , 

This fpecies is the moft beautiful of all the Weafel 
kind. Its head is fmall, and elegantly formed ; its eyes 
are lively; and its motions quick and graceful. 

When taken young, it is eafily tamed, and becomes 
extremely playful and good-humoured. Its attachment, ° 
however, is not to be depended upon. It readily takes 
advantage of the firft opportunity to regain its liberty, 
and retire to the woods, its natural haunts. 

The food of the Martin is much the fame with other 
animals of its kind. It makes inceflant war with rats, 
mice, and other vermin: Poultry, game, and {mall birds, 
are its conftant prey: It feeds alfo 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 fometimes flept 
two days fucceilively, and at other times would continue 
awake as long. In preparing itfelf for fleep, it folded 
itfelf up in a round form, and covered its head with its 
tail. When awake, its motions were fo violent, fo con- 
ftant, and fo troublefome, that it was neceffary to keep 
it chained. From the flexibility of its body, it eafily 
eluded its fetters; and, after returning once or twice, at 
laft abfented itfelf entirely. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 233 


"The Martin is about eighteen inches long; the tail 
ten, and full of hair, efpecially towards the end, which 
is thick and bufhy; 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 breaft are white; the belly is of the fame co- 
lour with the back, but a little paler; the feet are broad, 
and covered on the under fide with a thick fur; the 
claws white, large, and fharp, well adapted for climbing 
trees, which in this country are its conftant refidence. 

The fkin and excrements have an agreeable mufky 
{cent, and are entirely free from that ranknefs which is 
fo difgufting in other animals of this kind. Its fur is va- 
luable, and in high eftimation. 


SS = 
Nive SSsxe tile, ¢ 
Li 


YG Wpesssiir 
Wjfh ’ =. 


= 
(, —, 
wal 

{ 


Breet 


ee 


PE Bn Ay i da) Beg 


fo highly efteemed for its fkin, is a native of the {nowy 
regions of the North, being found chiefly in Siberia, 
Kamtfchatka, and fome of the iflands which lie between 
that country and Japan. A few are alfo found in Lap- 
land. 

The darkeft furs are the moft valuable. A fingle fkin, 
though not above four inches broad, is fometimes valued 


234 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


as high as fifteen pounds. The Sable differs from all 
other furs in this, that the hair turns with equal eafe to 
either fide. 

The Sable refembles the Martin in form, and is about 
the fame fize.—-It lives in holes in the earth, by the 
banks of rivers, and under the roots of trees. It makes 
its neft of mofs, fmall twigs, and grafs. 

The female brings forth in the fpring, and produces 
from three to five at one time.---Sometimes, like the 
Martin, it forms its neft in the hollow of a tree. 

It is very lively and active, and leaps with great agi- 
lity from tree to tree, in purfuit of fmall birds, wood- 
cocks, {quirrels, &c. It likewife lives upon rats, fifhes, 
pine tops, and wild fruits. 

It is affirmed by naturalifts, that the Sable is not a- 
verfe to the water; and, from the finenefs and clofenefs 
of its fur, there is great reafon to fuppofe that it is much 
accuftomed to that element; from which it alfo derives 
a part of its fubfiftence: And as a farther proof that this 
animal is in fome degree amphibious, we are told by tra- 
vellers*, that it 1s very numerous in {mall iflands, where 
the hunters go in queft of them. It is mentioned by 
- Ariftotle as a water animal, and is dgfcribed by him un- 
der the rtame of Satherius. | 

‘The hunting of the Sables is chiefly carried on by cri- 
minals confined to the defert regions of Siberia, or by 
foldiers fent thither for that purpofe, who generally re- 
ynain there feveral years. Both are obliged to furnifh a 
certain quantity of furs. ‘They fhoot with a fingle ball, 
to injure the fkin as little as poflible. They frequently 
take them in traps, or kill them with blunt arrows.---As 


* Avril’s Travels, p. 140+ 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 23% 


ais encouragement to the hunters, they are allowed to 
fhate among themfelves whatever ikins they take above 
the allotted number; and this, in a few years, amounts 
to a confiderable premium.—-The hunters form them- 
felves into {mall troops, each of which is directed by a 
leader of their own chufing. 

The feafon of hunting is from November to February ; 
for at that time the Sables are in the higheft perfection: 
Thofe caught at any other time of the year are full of 
fhort hairs, and are fold at inferior prices. ‘The beft 
fkins are fuch as have only long hair, which is always 
black, and of a glofly brightnefs. Old furs do not retain 
their glofs.----Both the Ruflians and Chinefe have a me- 
thod of dying their furs; but the dyed Sables are eafily 
difcovered, having neither the {moothnefs nor the bright- 
nefs of the natural hair. 

The bellies of Sables, which are fold in pairs, are 
about two fingers in breadth, and are tied together in 
bundles of forty pieces, which are fold at from one to 
two pounds fterling. . The tails are fold by the hundred, 
from four to eight pounds. 

There are inftances of Sables being found of a fnowy 
whitenefs; but they are rare, and bought only as curi- 
ofities. | 

The hunters of thefe animals are frequently obliged to 
endure the utmoft extremity of cold and hunger in the 
purfuit of their booty. They penetrate deep into im- 
menfe woods, where they have no other method of find- 
ing their way back but by marking the trees as they ad- 
vance: If this fhould by any means fail them, they are 
inevitably loft. ‘They fometimes trace the Sables on the 
new-fallen {now to their holes, place their nets at the 
entrance, and wait frequently two or three days before 


236 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


the animal comes out.----It has happened, by the failure 
of their provifions, that thefe poor wretches have been 
reduced to the neceflity of tying thin boards tight to their 
ftomachs to prevent the cravings of appetite.---Such are © 
the hardfhips our fellow-creatures undergo to fupply the 
wants of the vain and luxuriant ! 

An animal, fimilar to the Sable, is mentioned by Mr 
Pennant under the name of the Li/ber.---It is found in 
North-America; and, by the number of fkins imported, 
mutt be very numerous there, nearly fix hundred of them 
having been brought in one feafon from New-York and 
Pennfylvania.—The hair on the body is moftly black; the 
fides brown; the ears are broad and round, duiky on 
their outfides, and edged with white; the face and fides 
of the neck pale-brown, mixed with black; the feet are 
very broad, and covered with hair, even on their foles ; 
the tail is full and bufhy; the length, from nofe to tail, 
is twenty-eight inches; the tail feventeen. 


=a ~ SS 5 > 
Ss = Te NVM mai \ <Y 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 23, 


Aq, 
AN 


CEN as 


OI ray 
AA yyy 


Penny 1.C W.NE UM ON. 


This animal, in Egypt, is domeftic, like the Cat; and 
is retained by the natives for the fame ufeful purpofes of 
clearing their houfes of rats and mice. With all the 
ftrength and agility of the Cat, it has a more general ap- 
petite for carnage. It attacks, without dread, the moft 
deadly ferpents; and preys on every noxious reptile of 
the torrid zone, which it feizes and kills with great avi- 
dity.—It is faid, that when it is wounded by a ferpent, 
and begins to feel the effet of the poifon, it immediate~ 
ly has recourfe to a certain root, which the Indians call 
after its name, and affert that it is an antidote for the 
bite of any venomous reptile. 

The Ichneumon is the moft formidable enemy of the 
Crocodile: It deftroys its eggs, which it digs out of the 
fand, where they are laid to hatch by the heat of the 
fun; and kills great numbers of young Crocodiles foon 
after their production, before they are able to reach the 
water. It was for this reafon that the ancient Egyptians 
worfhipped this animal, and ranked the Ichneumon a- 
mong thofe deities that were moft propitious to them. 

In its domeftic ftate, it is perfectly tame and gentle. 
M. d’Obfonville fpeaks of one which he reared from a 


238 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


young one. It became tamer than a Cat, was obedient | 


to the call of its mafter, and followed him wherever he 
went. One day he brought a {mall water-ferpent alive, 
being defirous to know how far its inftin€& would carry 
it againft a being with whom it was hitherto entirely un- 
acquainted. Its firft emotion feemed to be aftonifhment 
mixed with anger: Its hair became erect: In an inftant, 
it flipped behind the feptile; and with remarkable fwift- 
nefs and agility, leaped upon its head, feized it, and 
crufhed it with its teeth. ‘This firft efflay feemed to have 
awakened in it its natural appetite for blood, which till 
then had given way to the gentlenefs of its education : 
It no longer fuffered the poultry, among which it was 
brought up, to pafs unregarded; but took the firft op- 
portunity, when it was alone, to ftrangle them: It eat a 
part of their flefh, and drank only the blood of others. 
Thefe animals are numerous in all the fouthern re- 
gions of Afia, from Egypt to the ifland of Java: They 
are alfo found in Africa, in the country about the Cape 
of Good Hope.—They frequent the banks of rivers, are 
fond of fifh, are faid to take the water like an Otter, and 
will continue in it a confiderable time without rifing to 
take breath. 
The Ichneumon varies in ize. The domeftic kind is 
generally larger than thofe that are wild, and its colours 
more variegated. It is in general about the fize of a 
common Cat; fomewhat longer in the body, and fhorter 
in the legs. Its fur contains tints of white, brown, 
fawn-colour, and a dirty filver-grey, which altogether 
form a mixture very agreeable to the eye. Its form is 
like that of a Polecat. Its eyes are fmall, but inflamed, 
and fparkle with a fingular vivacity; its nofe is long and 
flender; its ears fmall, rounded, and almoft naked ; its 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 239 


tail is very thick at the bafe, and tapers to a point; un- 
derneath the tail is an orifice, from which a moft fetid 
humour is fecreted; its claws are long.---It darts upon 
its prey like an arrow, and feizes it with inevitable cer- 
tainty. 

It has a fmall foft voice, fomewhat like a murmur; 
and, unlefs ftruck or irritated, never exerts it. When 
it fleeps, it folds itfelf up like a ball, and is not eafily 
awaked. It frequently fits up like a Squirrel, and feeds 
itfelf with its fore feet; catches any thing that is thrown 
to it; and will often feign itfelf dead till its prey come 
within its reach. 


Same eal Senet ™N 
BPP OAPAMA 


Tae FOSSANE 


is rather fmaller than the Martin. Its body is flender, 
and covered with hair of an afh colour, mixed with taw- 
ny; the fides of the face are black; at the hind part 
of the head there are four black lines, extending from 
thence towards the fhoulders; the tail is long, and annu- 
lated with black ; its eye is full, round, and black, which 
gives it a wild and mifchievous afpect. 

It inhabits the ifland of Madagafcar, Guinea, Cochin- 
china, and the Philippine Ifles. It feeds on flefh and 


240 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


fruits, but ‘prefers the latter, and is peculiarly fond of 
bananas. It is very fierce, and not eafily tamed. 

In Guinea, it is called Berbe; and, by Europeans, 
the Wine-bibber, being very greedy of palm-wine.— When 
young, its ileth is reckoned very good to eat. 


Me ee 
yg 4 4B) 


i 


Tre Se Uuswe 


which is called the Chinche by the natives of Brazil, is 
about the fize of a common Cat. Its nofe is long and © 
flender, and extends a confiderable way beyond the lower 
jaw; its ears are large, fhort, and rounded; a white 
{tripe extends from the nofe over the forehead and along 
the back, where it is interfected with a fmall line of 
black, commencing at the tail, and extending upwards 
along the middle of the back; its belly and legs are 
black; its hair is long, efpecially on the tail, which is 
thick and bufhy. 

It inhabits Peru, Brazil, and other parts of South- 
America; and is likewife found in North-America, as 
far as Canada. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 241 


It is remarkable for a moft intolerable, fuffocating, fe- 
tid vapour; which it emits from behind, when attacked, 
purfued, or frightened. The ftench of thiseffluvia is in- 
fupportable, and is the creature’s beft means of defence. 

‘There are three or four varieties, mentioned by M. 
Buffon under the name of the Stinking Polecats; all of 
which poffefs this wonderful faculty of annoying their 
enemies from the fame quarter. 


Some turn their tail to their purfuers, and emit a moft 
horrible ftench, which keeps both dogs and men at a 
confiderable diftance. Others eje& their urine to the 
diftance of feveral feet; and it is of fo virulent a qua- 
lity, as almoft to occafion blindnefs, if any of it fhould 
happen to fall into the eyes. Clothes infeéted with it, 
_ retain the fmell for many days: No wafhing can make 
them {weet; but they muft be even buried in frefh foil 
before they can be thoroughly cleanfed. Dogs that are 
not properly bred, turn back as foon as they perceive the 
{mell: Thofe that have been accuftomed to it, will kill 
the animal; but are obliged to relieve themfelves by 
thrufting their nofes into the ground. 


The Szzling, or Squa/b, which is the fecond variety, is 
nearly of the fame fize with the Skunk. Its hair is 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 
{mall birds. It deftroys poultry, of which it only eats 
the brains.-—When afraid or irritated, it voids the fame 
offenfive kind of odour, which no creature dare venture 
to approach. Profeflor Kalm was in danger of being 


Q 


242 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


fuffocated by one that was purfued into a houfe where he 
flept; and it affected the cattle fo much, that they bel- 
lowed through pain. Another, whith was killed by a 
maid-fervant in a cellar, fo affected her with its ftench, 
that fhe lay ill for feveral days: All the provifions that 
were in the place were fo tainted by the f{meil, as to be 
utterly unfit for ufe. 


Another variety is called the Conepate ;.and is, perhaps, 
no more than the female of the laft-mentioned animal. 
It is fomewhat {maller, and differs chiefly from the 
Squafh in being marked with five parallel white lines, 
which run along its back and fides from head to tail. 

It is a native of North-America. When attacked, 
it briftles up its hair, throws itfelf into a round form, 
and emits an odour which no creature can fupport. 


The laft of this peftiferous family which we fhall men- 
tion is the Zori//a. 


This animal is a native of New-Spain, where it is call- 
ed the Aariputa. It is found on the banks of the river 
Oronoque; and, although extremely beautiful, it is at 
the fame time the moft offenfive of all creatures. Its bo- 
dy is beautifully marked with white ftripes upon a black 
ground, running from the head to the middle of the 
back; from whence they are croffed with other white 
bands, which cover the lower part of the back and 
flanks: Its tail is long and bufhy, black as far as the 
middle, and white to its extremity. It is an a€tive and 
mifchievous little animal. Its ftench is faid to extend to 
a confiderable diftance; and is fo powerful, as to over- 
come even the Panther of America, which is one of its 
greateft enemies. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 243 


Notwithftanding this offenfive quality in thefe animals, 
they are frequently tamed, and will follow their mafter. 
They do not emit their odour, unlefs when beaten or ir- 
ritated. They are frequently killed by the native Indi- 
ans, who immediately cut away the noxious glands ; 
thereby preventing the flefh, which is good eating, from 
being infected. Its tafte is faid nearly to refemble the 
flavour of ayoung pig. The favage Indians make purfes 
of their fkins. 


Wisi 
4, 


Vee 6 a 


Time sec EON FE T 


is as much diftinguifhed for the agreeable perfume which 
it yields, as thofe we have juft defcribed are for the rank- 
eft and moft difagreeable odour in nature. 

The body of the Genet is longer than that of the Mar- 
tin; its head is long and flender, with a fharp muzzle; 
its ears are a little pointed; its hair foft, fmooth, and 
fhining; of a tawny-red colour, {potted 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 fpots on the fides are round and diftinct, thofe on 


the back almoft clofe ; its tail is long, and marked with 


Q2 


244 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


feven or eight rings of black. From an orifice beneath 
its tail, it yields a kind of perfume, which fmells faintly 
of mulk. 

It is found in Turkey, Syria, and Spain.--- We are told 
by Belon, that he faw Genets in the houfes at Conftan- 
tinople, as tame as Cats ; and that they were ufeful to the 
inhabitants in deftroying rats, mice, and other vermin. 

It is a moft beautiful, cleanly, and induftrious animal, 
and very active in purfuing its prey.. Its nature is mild 
and gentle, its colours beautifully variegated, and its fur 
valuable. Upon the whole, it feems to be one of thofe 
animals that, with proper care and attention, might be- 
come a ufeful addition to our ftock of domeftic quadru- 
peds 


Sy Uf 


Yip / 


iy ep 


Z s CO 
% Lf <Y, 
M 


OO ABN AO tet eee O08 68d, 


Livtet (ice DLE Sea 
& Perera yeti iit erty 
THE Ce ee 


is larger than the Genet, and yields a perfume in much 
greater quantities, and of a ftronger quality. 

Though originally a native of the warm climates of 
Africa or Afia, itcan live in temperate, and even in cold 
countries; but it muft be fed with nourifhing diet, and 
carefully defended againft the feverities of the weather. 

Numbers of them are kept in Holland, for the purpofe 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 245 


of colle€ting this valuable perfume. The civet procured 
at Amfterdam is more efteemed than that which comes 
from the Levant or India, being lefs adulterated.-—To 
colle& this perfume, the Civet is put into a cage, fo nar- 
row, that it cannot turn itfelf: The cage is opened at 
one end, and the animal drawn backward by the tail, 
and fecurely held by its hind legs: A {mall {poon is then 
introduced into the pouch which contains the perfume, 
with which it is carefully {craped, and the matter put in- 
to a veflel properly fecured. ‘This operation is perform- 
ed two or three times a week. 

The quantity of odorous humour depends much on the 
quality of the nourifhment, and the appetite of the ani- 
mal, which always produces more in proportion to the 
goodnefs of its food. Boiled flefh, eggs, rice, fmall ani- 
mals, birds, and particularly fifh, are the kinds of food 
the Civet moftly delights in; and thefe ought to be va- 
ried, fo as to excite its appetite, and preferve its health. 
It requires very little water; and, though it drinks fel- 
dom, it difcharges its urine frequently. It is fomewhat 
_yemarkable, that in this operation the male is not to be 
diftinguifhed from the female.—From this circumftance, 
it has been fuppofed, that this was the Hyena of the an- 
cients; and it is certain, that moft of the fables related 
concerning that monfter are in a certain way applicable 
to the Civet. 

The ancients were well acquainted with the pomatum 
of the Civet, and afcribed to it certain powers of exciting 
love; for which purpofe it ftill conftitutes one of the 
luxuries of the Eaft, 

What has been fabuloufly related concerning the un- 
certainty of fex in the Hyena, applies much more ftrong-: 


Q3 


246 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


ly to the Civet; for in the male nothing appears exter- 
nally but three apertures, fo perfetly fimilar to thofe of 
the female, that it is impoflible to diftinguifh the fex 
otherwife than by diffe@tion. 

The perfume of this animal is fo ftrong, that it infects 
every part of its body: The hair and the fkin are fo tho- 
roughly penetrated with it, that they retain it long after 
being taken from the body. If a perfon be fhut up in 
the fame apartment, it is almoft infupportable; and, 
when heated with rage, it becomes ftill more pungent. 

The Civet is naturally favage, and fomewhat fero- 
cious; yet it is eafily tamed, fo as to be handled with- 
out danger. 

The teeth are ftrong and fharp; but its claws are 
weak. It is very active and nimble, leaps like a Cat, 
and runs with great fwiftnefs. It lives by hunting; fur- 
prizes {mall animals and birds; and, like the Weafel, 
will fometimes {teal into the yard, and carry off poultry. 
—Its eyes fhine in the dark; and it is probable, that it 
can fee well enougl. to purfue its prey during the night, 
as it 1s known to be moft aétive 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.——-Its voice is 
ftronger than that of the Cat, and has fome refemblance 
to the cry of an enraged Dog. 


C= 


Z Cae ete 
Go or 
dae i iS 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 247 


\ 


® Nii Wy 
aN ~ SAY 
Ca WN) 1 
RS hy 
WQS M 
‘ : Ky 
nS y ie es u 
ee ! 


wet 
Wi 
SQ 


= 


THE Pe ode. Been’ 


is fo fimilar to the Civet, as to be confidered by fome 
authors as only a variety of that animal; and it muft be 
allowed, that they have many eflential relations, both 
in their external and internal ftructure; but they differ 
from each other by fuch diftinguifhing characteriftics, 
as entitle them to be regarded as two diftinét fpecies. 
The ears of the Zibet are larger and more ere& ; 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 f{pots, like that of the Genet: It has no 
mane nor long hair on the neck and {pine ; and its hair 
is fhorter and fofter. 

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 fiffure near the organs 
of generation. It is a thick humour, of the confiftence 
of pomatum; and, though very ftrong, it is agreeable 
even as it iffues from the body of the animal.—This mat- 
ter of the Zibet muft not be confounded with mufk, 
which is a fanguinous humour, derived from a fpecies 
of the Roe-buck, or Goat without Horns*; and has 


* See page £03. 


Q4 


248 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


nothing in common with the Zibet, but its ftrong per- 
fume. 


THe SURICATE, or Four-trozp WEASEL, 


is rather lefs than the Rabbit; and pretty much refem- 
bles the Ichneumon, both in fize and in the colour of its. 
hair, only it is rougher, and its tail is not quite fo 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 poffeflion of M. de Seve, was ob- 
ferved fometimes to walk on its hind legs, and frequent- 
ly to fit upright, with its fore feet hanging down on its 
breatt. 

The Suricate is carnivorous, and preys on {mall ani- 
mals. Itis fond of fifth, and ftill more fo of eggs. Like 
the Squirrel, it makes ufe of its fore paws to convey its 
victuals to its mouth. In drinking, it laps like a dog; 
but will not drink water, except when it is warm, 

That kept by M. de Seve, was extremely playful and 
familiar, knew its own name, and would return at a call. 
What was remarkable, it feemed to have an averfion to 
particular perfons, whom it would always bite on their 
approaching it: Some people were fo difagreeable to it, 
that, even when reftrained, it would make ufe of feveral 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 249 


artifices to come near enough to bite them; and when it 
could not lay hold of their legs, would fly at their fhoes 
or petticoats. When difcontented, it made a noife like 
the barking of a whelp; and when pleafed or carefled, 


would utter a found like the fhaking of a rattle. 
| 


X 5 
ASSN 


Mw" AY 


a. HOE Nag ie aie il 


deferibed by Mr Pennant under the name of the Fizzler, 
is a native of the Cape of Good Hope. It lives chiefly 
upon honey, and is endowed with a wonderful faculty 
of difcovering the fecret retreats where the bees depofit 
their ftores. About fun-fet, the Ratel is particularly at- 
tentive in watching the motions of thefe induftrious in- 
fects; and, having obferved their route, it follows with 
great care the direction in which they fly. It is fre- 
quently affifted in difcovering 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 purfuit of its food, excites the attention of 
the Ratel by a loud grating cry of cherr, cherr, cherr ; at 
the fame time dying flowiy on towards the place where 
the {warm of bees have taken up their abode. The Ra- 
tel follows the found with great attention; and having 


250 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


plundered the neft, leaves fufficient behind it as a reward 
for the fervices of its faithful guide. ‘The Ratel is well 
adapted to this purpofe, as the toughnefs and thicknefs 
of its fkin effectually defends it from the ftings of the 
bees: On this account, it is not eafily killed; for its 
fkin is fo loofely attached to its body, that, when feized 
by a hound, it gives way, and the animal has an opportu- 
nity of turning round, and biting its affailant, which it 
frequently does fo feverely, as to oblige him to defitt. 

Vhe Ratel, according to Mr Penant, is two feet long 
from the nofe to the tail, which is eight inches; its legs 
are fhort; on each foot it has four toes, armed with long 
claws; thofe on the fore feet are above an inch long, and 
very fharp; its tongue is rough; it has no ear-laps; the 
orifice of the ear is wide, and furrounded by a callous 
rim; a broad ftripe, of an afh colour, extends along the 
back from the forehead to the tail, which js feparated 
from the black hair on the fides and belly by a light-grey 
It bur- 
rows in holes under ground, is faid to be very fetid, and 
is called the Stinking Badger by M. de Caille. 


lift running from behind each ear to the tail. 


———= 


= Sa) - 
Sraeane 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 251 


THe COATI, or Brazitian WEASEL, 


has fome refemblance to the Bear, in the length of its 
hind legs, in the form of its feet, in the bufhinefs of its 
hair, and in the ftructure of its paws. Itis {mall. 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 {mooth, foft, and 
glofly, of a bright-bay colour; and its breaft is whitifh. 
Linnzeus defcribes one of them, which he kept a con- 
fiderable time, and in vain attempted to bring into fub- 
jeGtion. It was very obftinate and capricious. It killed 
the poultry, tore off their heads, and fucked their blood. 


It defended itfelf with great force whenever any perfon 
attempted to lay hold of it contrary to its inclination 3 


and it ftuck faft to the legs of thofe with whom it was 
familiar, when it wanted to ranfack their pockets, and 
carry off any thing that it found in them. It had an ex- 
treme averfion to hog’s briftles; and the fmalleft brufh 
made it defift.—Its mode of living was very fingular: It 
flept from midnight till noon, kept awake the reft of the 
day, and uniformly walked about from fix-in the evening 
till midnight, without the leaft regard to the weather. 


252 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


This is probably the time afligned by Nature to this fpe- 
cies of animals for procuring their food, which conjifts 
chiefly of young birds, eggs, and {mall 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 a Bear. 

‘The Coati ftands with eafe on its hind feet.—It is faid 
to gnaw its own tail, which it generally carries ere, 
and {weeps it about from fide to fide. 


TL OPM EN te ea) Bs © 


a) are R A €C: Q#OonN 


a 


is very common in the warm regions of America, It is 
found alfo in the mountains of Jamaica; from whence 
great numbers of them frequently defcend into the plan 
tations, and make great havock among the fugar-canes, 
of which they are particularly fond. ‘The planters con- 
fider thefe animals as their greateft enemies, as they 
frequently do infinite mifchief in one night’s excurfion: 
They have contrived various methods of deftroying them; 
yet ftili they propagate in fuch numbers, that neither 
traps nor fire-arms can repel them. 

The Racoon is fomewhat lefs than the Badger: Its 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 253 


head refembles that of a Fox; but its ears are round, and 
much fhorter; and its upper jaw very pointed, and lon- 
ger than the lower: Its eyes, which are large, are fur- 
rounded with two broad patches of black; its body is 
thick and fhort, covered with long hair, black at the 
points, and grey underneath; its tail is long and bufhy, 
and marked with alternate rings of black and white; its 
feet and toes are black. 

The Racoon is very active and nimble, Its claws, 
which are extremely fharp, 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 fwiftly. 

When tamed, it is good-natured and fportive; but is 
almoft conftantly in motion, and as unlucky and inquifi- 
tive as a Monkey, examining every thing with its paws, 
which it makes ufe of as hands to lay hold of any thing 
that is given it, and to carry its meat to its mouth. It 
fits up to eat, is extremely fond of {weet things and 
ftrong liquors, with which it will get exceflively drunk. 
It has all the cunning of the Fox, is very deftruCtive to 
poultry; but will eat all forts of fruits, grain, and roots. 
It has a peculiar method of dipping every thing in water 
it intends to eat, and will feldom tafte bread till it be 
well foaked. It opens oyfters with aftonifhing dexterity, 
feparates the fhells, and leaves not a veftige of the fith. 
It does this without looking at the oyfter; but places it 
under its hind paws, and with its fore feet fearches for 
the weakeft part, where it fixes its claws, forces it open, 
and {natches out the fifth. It likewife devours all kinds 
of infects; delights in hunting fpiders; and when at li- 
berty in a garden, will eat grafehoppers, fnails, worms, 
&c. it is very cleanly, and always retires to obey the 


254 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


calls of Nature. Itis familiar, and even carefling ; leaps 
upon thofe it is fond of, plays fportively, and moves a- 
bout with great agility. 

This animal is hunted for its fkin, which is next in Va= 
lue to that of the Beaver for making hats. 


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Although Nature has furnifhed this animal with for- 
midable weapons of offence, and has befides given it 
{trength fufficient to ufe them with great effec, it is, 
notwithftanding, very harmlefs and inoffenfive, and, un- 
lefs attacked, employs them only for its fupport. 

The Badger retires to the moft fecret recefles; where 
it digs its hole, and forms its habitation under-ground.— 
Its food confifts chiefly of roots, fruits, grafs, infects, and 
frogs. It is charged with deftroying lambs and rabbits; 
but there feems to be no other reafon to confider it as a 
beaft of prey, than the analogy between its teeth and 
thofe of carnivorous animals. 

Few creatures defend themfelves better, or bite with 
greater keennefs, than the Badger. On that account it 


HISTORY: OF QUADRUPEDS. ase 


is frequently baited with Dogs trained for that purpofe. 


_ This inhuman diverfion is chiefly confined to the idle and 


the vicious, who take a cruel pleafure in feeing this 
harmlefs animal furrounded by its enemies, and defend- 
ing itfelf from their attacks, which it does with aftonifh- 
ing agility and fuccefs. Its motions are fo quick, that a 
Dog is frequently defperately wounded in the firft mo- 
ment of aflault, and obliged to fly. The thicknefs of the 
Badger’s fkin, and the length and coarfenefs of its hair, 
are an excellent defence again{ft the bites of the Dogs: 
Its fkin is fo loofe, as to refift the impreflions of their 
teeth, and give the animal an opportunity of turning it- 
felf round, and wounding its adverfaries in their tender- 
eft parts. In this manner this fingular creature is able to 
refift repeated attacks both of men and dogs, from all 
quarters; till, being overpowered with numbers, and en- 
feebled by many defperate wounds, it is at laft obliged to 
fubmit. 

The Badger is an indolent animal, and fleeps much. 
It confines itfelf to its hole during the whole day, and 
feeds only in the night. It is fo cleanly, as never to de- 
file its habitation with its ordure. It breeds only once in 
a year, and brings forth four or five at a time. 

It is not known to exift in warm countries. It is an 
original native of the temperate climates of Europe; and 
is found, without any variety, in Spain, France, Italy, 
Germany, Britain, Poland, and Sweden. 

- The ufual length of the Badger is fomewhat above two 
feet, exclufive of the tail, which is about fix inches long ; 
its eyes are {mall, and are placed in a black ftripe, which 
begins behind the ears, and runs tapering towards the 
nofe; the throat and legs are black; the back, fides, and 
tail, are of a dirty-grey, mixed with black; the legs and 


‘ 


26 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


feet are very fhort, ftrong, and thick; each foot confifts 
of five toes; thofe on the fore feet are armed with ftrong 


claws, well adapted for digging its fubterranean habita-_ 


tions. 

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 a- 
nus, there is a narrow tranfverfe orifice, from whence a 
white fubftance, of a very fetid {mell, conftantly exudes. 

The fkin, when dreffed with the hair on, is ufed for 
piftol furniture.-—lIts flefh is eaten: ‘The hind quarters 
are fometimes made into hams, which, when cured, are 
not inferior in goodnefs to the beft bacon.-—The hairs 
are made into brufhes, which are ufed by painters to 
foften and harmonize their fhades. 


¢ 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 255 


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THe SAND-BEA R. 


We have given the figure of this animal, drawn from 
one kept in the Tower; of which we have not been able 
to obtain any further defcription, than its being fome- 
what lefs than the Badger, almoft without hair, extremely 
fenfible of cold, and burrows in the ground. From thefe 
circumftances, as well as from the ftriking fimilarity of 
its figure to that of the Badger, we are inclined to think 
it is a variety of that animal, mentioned by naturalifts 
under the name of the Sow-Badger. 

Its colour is a yellowifh-white : Its eyes are {malls and 
its head thicker than that of the common Badger: Its 
legs are fhort; and on‘each foot there are four toes, arm- 
ed with fharp white claws. 

M. Briffon defcribesa white Badger, from New-York, 
fo fimilar to this, that we fufpeé& it to be the fame {pe- 
cies. 


R 


258 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


eee ae 
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TTP CEPT TT - MTEA YY, 5! -ME 
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Tue WOLVERENE, or GLUTTON. 


This voracious animal is found in all the countries 
bordering on the Northern Ocean, both in Europe and 
Afia: It is likewife-common in Canada, the country a- 
bout Hudfon’s Bay, and other parts of North-America; 
where it is known by the name of the Carcajou. 

It has been varioufly defcribed by naturalifts.-—We 
have felected the account given by M. Buffon, which 
was taken from a living one in his poffeflion. Its length, 
from the nofe to the infertion of the tail, was two feet 
two inches; the tail eight inches long; the length of the 
fore legs was eleven inches, and the hind ones twelve; it 
_ had five toes on each foot, armed with long fharp claws 5 
the middle claw of the fore foot was one inch and a half 
long ; the muzzle, as far as the eye-brows, was black; 
its eyes were fmall and black, and its ears fhort; its 
breaft and under jaw were fpotted with white; the back, 
legs, belly, and tail, were black.-—During its confine- 
ment, it did not difcover fymptoms of great ferocity. It 
eat voracioufly; and, after a full meal, covered itfelf in 
its cage with ftraw. It eat no bread; but would devour 
more than four pounds of flefh every day, which it fwal- 
lowed greedily, almoft without chewing. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 259 


In a ftate of liberty, it is faid to lead a life of continual 

rapine. It lurks in the branches of trees, in order to 
furprize Deer and other animals that pafs under them. 
It waits with great patience the arrival of its prey, and 
darts from its hiding place with unerring certainty. In 
this manner it indifcriminately furprizes the Horfe, the 
Elk, the Stag, or the Rein-deer; and fixes itfelf between 
their fhoulders with its teeth and claws. 
_ The wild Rein-deer, which are numerous both in Lap- 
land and North-America, frequently fall victims to the 
Glutton. When feized by this blood-thirfty animal, it is 
in vain that the wounded Deer endeavours to difengage 
itfelf from its enemy by ruftling among the branches of 
the trees: No force can oblige it to quit its hold: It 
maintains its pofition, and continues to fuck the blood of 
the flying animal till it falls down exhaufted with pain 
and fatigue. It then devours the carcafe with infatiable 
voracity, and gorges itfelf with the fleth till it is almoft 
in danger of burfting. 

In Kamtfchatka, the Glutton makes ufe of a fingular 
ftratagem for killing the Fallow-deer. It climbs up a 
tree, taking with it a quantity of that fpecies of mofs 
of which the Deer is very fond. When one of them ap- 
proaches the tree, the Glutton throws down the mofs ; 
and if the Deer ftop to eat it, the Glutton darts upon its 
back, and fixing itfelf firmly between its horns, tears out 
its eyes, and by that means fecures its prey. It then 
divides the flefh of the Deer into a number of portions, 
which it conceals in the earth to ferve for future provi- 
fions. 

The motions of the Glutton are flow. There are few 
quadrupeds that cannot efcape from it, except the Bea- 


ih '2 


- 


260 HiS'TORY OF QUADRUPERs: 


ver, which it frequently purfues and overtakes. Tn 
America, it is called the Beaver-eater.—It fometimes lies 
in wait, and furprizes thofe animals coming out of their 
burrow; or breaks into their habitation, and kills great | 


numbers of them. 

The Glutton often defeats the labours of the huntf- 
men, by ftealing away the Sables and other animals that 
have been caught in their traps; and it is fometimes 
taken in the {nares laid for them. 

When attacked, it makes a ftrong refiftance. It will 
tear the ftock from the gun with its teeth, or break the 
trap in pieces in which it is caught.—-Notwithftanding its 
fiercenefs, it is capable of being tamed, and of learning 
feveral entertaining tricks. 

It is hunted only for its fkin, which is very valuable, 
of a moft beautiful gloffy black, which fhines with a pe- 
culiar luftre, and reflects the light like damafk filk. 

The fkins are fold in Siberia at five or fix fhillings 
each, in Jakutfk at twelve, and ftill dearer in Kamtf{chat- 
ka. There the women drefs their hair with its white 
paws, which they efteem a great ornament. 

The furs of this animal, from the North of Europe 
and Afia, are infinitely finer, blacker, and more glofly, 
than thofe of the American kind. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 261 


THe Brown BEAR. 


the drown and the black. ‘The former is found in 
almoft every climate; the black Gear chiefly in the forefts 


5) eae are two principal varieties of the Bear,— 


of the northern regions of Europe and America. 

The brown Bear is fometimes carnivorous; but its ge- 
neral food is roots, fruits, and vegetables. 

It is a favage and folitary animal, lives in defert and 
unfrequented places, and chufes its den in the moft 
gloomy and retired parts of the foreft, or in the moft 
dangerous and inacceflible precipices of unfrequented 
mountains.—It retires alone to its den about the end of 
autumn, (at which time it is exceedingly fat) and lives 
for feveral weeks in a flate of total inactivity and abfti- 
~nence from food.—During this time, the female brings 
forth her young, and fuckles them. She chufes her re- 
treat for that purpofe in the moft retired places, apart 
from the male, left he fhould devour them. She makes 
a warm bed for her young, and attends them with unre- 


R 3 


262 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


mitting care during four months, and in all that time 
fcarcely allows herfelf any nourifhment. She brings 
forth two, and fometimes three, young at a time.—The 
cubs are round and fhapelefs, with pointed muzzles ; but 
they are not licked into form by the female, as Pliny and 
other ancient naturalifts fuppofed. At firft they do not 
exceed eight inches in length: They are blind during 
the firft four weeks, are of a pale-yellow colour, and 
have fcarcely any refemblance of the creature when ar- 
rived at maturity.-—The time of geftation in thefe ani- 
mals is about fix months; and they bring forth in the 
beginning of January. 

In the f{pring, the old Bears, attended by chee young, 
come out from their retreats, lean, and almoft famifhed 
by their long confinement. They then ranfack every 
quarter in fearch of food. They frequently climb trees, 
and devour the fruit in great quantities; particularly the | 
date-plumb tree, of which they are exceedingly fond. 
They afcend thefe trees with furprizing agility, keep 
themfelves firm on the branches with one paw, and with 
the other collec the fruit. 

The Bear is remarkably fond of honey, which it will 
encounter great difhculties to obtain, and feeks for with 
great cunning and avidity. 

It enjoys, in a fuperior degree, the fenfes of hearing, 
{melling, and touching.—Its ears are fhort and rounded ; 
and its eyes f{mall, but lively and penetrating, and de- 
fended by a nictating membrane: From the peculiar 
formation of the internal parts of its nofe, its fenfe of 
fmelling is exceedingly exquifite: The legs and thighs 
are ftrong and mufcular: It has five toes on each foot, 
and ufes its fore foot as a hand, although the toes are 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 263 


not feparated as in moft animals that do fo; the largeft 
finger is on the outfide. 

The voice of the Bear is a deep and furly kind of 
growl, which it frequently exerts without the leaft caufe. 
—-It is very eafily irritated; and at that time its refent- 
ment is furious, and often capricioufly exerted. 

When tamed, it appears mild and obedient to its maf- 
ter; but it is not to be trufted without the utmoft cau- 
tion.—It may be taught to walk upright, to dance, to lay 

hold of a pole with its paws, and perform various tricks 

to entertain the multitude, who are highly pleafed to fee- 
the aukward meafures of this rugged creature, which it 
feems to fuit to the found of an inftrument, or to the 
voice of its leader. But to give the Bear this kind of 
education, it muft be taken when young, and accuftom- 
ed early to reftraint and difcipline: An old Bear will 
fuffer neither, without difcovering the moft furious re- 
fentment; neither the voice nor the menaces of his keep- 
er have any effet upon him; he equally growls at the 
hand that is held out to feed, as at that which is raifed 
to correct him. 

The exceflive crueltics practifed upon this poor animal 
in teaching it to walk erect, and regulate its motions 
to the found of the flagelet, are fuch as make fenfibility 
fhudder. Its eyes are put out; and an iron ring being 
put through the cartilage of the nofe to lead it by, it is 
kept from food, and beaten, till it yield obedience to the 
will of its favage tutors. Some of them are taught to 
perform by fetting their feet upon hot iron plates, and 
then playing to them whilft in this uneafy fituation.—It 
is truly fhocking to every feeling mind to reflect, that 
fuch cruelties fhould be exercifed upon any part of the 

R4 


264 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


brute creation by our fellow-men. That they fhould be 
rewarded by numbers of unthinking people, who crowd 
around them to fee the animal’s rude attempts to imitate 
human actions, is not to be wondered at: But it is much 
to be wifhed, that the timely interference of the magi- 
{trate would prevent every exhibition of this kind, that, 
in England at leaft, we might not be reproached with to- 
lerating practices fo difgraceful to humanity. 

One of thefe animals, prefented to the prince of Wales 
a few years ago, was kept in the Tower. By the care- | 
leffnefs of the fervant, the door of his den was left open; 
and the keeper’s wife happening to go acrofs the court at 
the fame time, the animal flew out, feized the woman, 
threw her down, and faftened upon her neck, which he 
bit; and, without offering any further violence, lay upon 
her, fucking the blood out of the wound. Refiftance 
was in vain, as it only ferved to irritate the brute; and 
fhe muft inevitably have perifhed, had not her hufband 
luckily difcovered her fituation. By a fudden blow, he 
obliged the Bear to quit his hold, and retire to his den, 
which he did with great reluctance, and not without 
making a fecond attempt to come at the woman, who 
was almoft dead through fear and lofs of blood. It is 
fomewhat remarkable, that whenever it happened to fee 
her afterwards, it growled, and made moft violent ftrug- 
gles to get out to her.—The prince, upon hearing of the 
circumftance, ordered the Bear to be killed. 


The Bears of America are {mall and black, live entire- 
ly upon vegetable food, and are particularly fond of 
maize, potatoes, honey, and milk. Though prefled with 
extreme hunger, they will not eat animal food.-—They 
lodge in the hollow trunks of large trees, which they 


BASTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 265 


afcend and defcend with great eafe and agility.-—The 
hunters take them by fetting fire to their habitations. 
The old one comes out firft, and is generally flain before 
fhe reaches the ground; the cubs follow her, and are 
taken alive. 

The flefh of the young Bear is reckoned a great deli- 
_ eacy; and the paws of an old one are efteemed as a moft 
exquifite morfel. The fat is white, and very fweet; and 
the oil is faid to be of great ufe in foftening {wellings 
proceeding from {prains. 

Great numbers are killed annually in America for the 
fake of their fkins, which form a confiderable article of 
commerce. } 

Bears were formerly common in Greece. The Ro- 
mans brought them from Lybia to be exhibited in their 
public fpectacles.-—They are likewife found in China, 
Japan, and as far as the ifland of Java. 


The mountains of Great Tartary produce great num- 
bers of Bears perfectly white, which do not differ in 
form from thofe juft mentioned.-—Some, from the con- 
fines of Ruflia, are of a mixed colour, with black and 
white hairs. 

The Bear was once an inhabitant of this ifland, and 
was included in the ancient laws and regulations refpe€t- 
ing beafts of chafe.-—-Long after their extirpation, they 
were imported for the cruel purpofe of baiting them, 
which at that time was a favourite amufement of our an- 
ceftors. We find it, in queen Elizabeth’s days, among 
the various entertainments prepared for her majefty on 
her vifit at Kenilworth. 


266 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


We have here given a faithful reprefentation, drawn’ 
from the life. of an animal which has hitherto efcaped 
the obfervations of naturalifts.-—Its features and leading 
characters feem to be fo ftrong, as to leave no room for 
doubt with refpect to its rank in the animal creation: 
And, from the ftriking correfpondence of parts obferva- 
ble between it and the common Bear, we are induced to 
difpofe of them in the fame clafs. "We are the more 
confirmed in this opinion, from an attentive examination 
of its difpofition and manners; notwithftanding, it feems 
to differ in fome of thofe characteriftics which have been 
pointed out by naturalifts as the guides to a regular and 
fyitematic arrangement. 

Its body is covered with a long, rough, and fhaggy 
coat of hair, which gives it, when lying down, the ap- 
pearance of a rude and fhapelefs mafs; on the top of its 
back, the hair, which is twelve inches long, rifes up like 
a hunch, feparates in the middle, and falls down in dif- 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 267 


ferent directions; its head is large, very broad at the 
forehead, and is the only part on which the hair is fhort; 
its fnout is long, and ends in a thin, broad cartilage, 
overhanging the noftrils about an inch and a half; its 
lips are thin and very long, and feem to be furnifhed 
with mufcles, by which the animal can protrude them in 
a moft fingular manner, which it never fails to do when 
its attention is direCted to any particular obje@, or when 
food is held out to it; its eyes are {mall, black, and hea- 
y, and its afpect louring ; its ears and tail are fhort, and 

id in the hair; its legs and thighs are remarkably thick 
and ftrong; it treads on its heel like a Bear, and its toes 
are not divided; it has five long crooked white claws on 
each foot, which it ufes with great dexterity, either fe- 
parately or together, like fingers, to break its food into 
fmaller portions, or to convey it to its mouth. Its co- 
Jour is a deep, fhining black ; excepting the fnout, and a 
fpot above each eye, which are of a yellowifh-white co- 
lour; there is likewife a crefcent of white underneath 
the throat. It has no cutting teeth ; but two very {trong 
canine teeth, and fix grinders, in each jaw. 

It appears to be a gentle, good-natured animal; but 
when irritated or difturbed, utters a fhort abrupt roar, 
like a Bear, ending in a whining tone, expreflive of im- 
patience.—It feeds on bread, fruit, and nuts; is fond of 
honey; and will eat marrow, or the fat of meat, either 
raw or drefled; but refufes roots of all kinds, and the 
lean or mufcular parts of fleth. 

This rare animal is faid to have been brought from the 
interior parts of Bengal; and that it burrows in the 
ground. 


Tue Potar or GREAT Wuttrre BEAR | 


differs greatly from the common Bear in the length of 
its head and neck, and grows to above twice the fize. 
Some of them are thirteen feet long.-—Its limbs are of 
great fize and ftrength; its hair long, harfh and difagree- 
able to the touch, and of a yellowifh-white colour; its 
ears are fhort and rounded ; and its teeth large. 

It inhabits only the coldeft parts of the globe; and has 
been found above latitude 80, as far as navigators have 
penetrated northwards. Thefe inhofpitable regions feem 
adapged to its fullen nature. of 


ef "There atlimneeereta the fhapelefs Bear, 
“© With dangling ice all horrid, ftalks forlorn: — 
“* Slow-pac’d, and fourer as the ftorms increafe, 

A *© He makes his bed’ beneath th’ inclement drift ; 

* * And, with ftern patience, {corning weak complaint, 
“* Hardems his heart againft affailing want.” 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS., 269 


It has been feldom feen farther fouth than Newfound- 
Jand; but abounds chiefly on the fhores of Hudfon’s Bay, 
Greenland, and Spitzbergen, on one fide, and thofe of 
Nova-Zembla on the other. It has been fometimes 
found in the intermediate countries of Norway and Ice- 
land; but fuch as have appeared in-thofe parts have al- 


ways been driven thither upon floating fheets of ice; fo . 


that thofe countries are only acquainted with them by ac- 
cident. 

During fummer, they take up their refidence on large 
iflands of ice, and frequently pafs from one to another. 
-—They fwim well, and can go to the diftance of fix or 
feven leagues: They likewife dive, but do not continue 
long under water.— When the pieces of ice are detached 
by ftrong winds or currents, the Bears allow themfelves 
to be carried along with them, and as they cannot re- 
gain the land, or abandon the ice on which they are em- 
barked, they often perifh in the open fea. ‘Thofe which 
arrive with the ice on the coafts of Iceland or Norway, 
are almoft famifhed with hunger from the length of their 
voyage, and are extremely voracious. As foon as the na- 
tives difcover one of them, they arm themfelves, and pre- 
fently difpatch him. 

The ferocity of the Bear is as remarkable as its attach- 
ment to its young. A few years fince, the crew of a 
boat belonging to a fhip in the whale-fifhery, fhot at a 
Bear at .a fhort diftance, and wounded it. The animal 


_ immediately fet up the moft dreadful yells, and ran along 


the ice towards the boat. Before it reached it, a fecond 
thot was fired, and hit it. This ferved but to increafe its 
fury. It prefently fwam to the boat; and in attempting 
to get on board, reached its fore foot upon the gunnel; 
but one of the crew having a hatchet, cut it off. The 


270 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS: 


* 


animal ftill, however, continued to {wim after them till 
they arrived at the fhip; and feveral fhots were fired at 
it, which alfo took effect: But on reaching the fhip, it 
immediately afcended the deck; and the crew having fled 
into the fhrowds, it was purfuing them thither, when a 
fhot from one of them laid it dead upon the deck. 

Its flefh is white, and is faid to tafte like mutton. 
The fat is melted for train-oil; and that of the feet is 
ufed in medicine. 

The White Bear brings forth two young at a time. 
Their fondnefs for their offspring is fo great, that they 
will die rather than defert them: Wounds ferve only to 
make the attachment more violent: They embrace their 
cubs to the laft, and bemoan them with the moft piteous 
cries. 4 2 

They feed on fith, feals, and the carcafes of whales. 
Allured by the fcent of feal’s flefh, they often break into 


the huts of the Greenlanders.-—They fometimes attack — 


the Morfe, with which they have terrible conflicts: But 
the large teeth of that animal give it a decided fuperiority 
over the Bear, which is generally worfted. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. a7: 


NS 


WS 
Ww 
Set 


x py yy 
fa ie 
Y Wey de OQ LAZY 


Be SSNS SOT AL Le 
ROIS Sy 7-4 


ee a ot 


THe Stripep HYENA. 


LTHOUGH onaturalifts, both ancient and mo- 
A dern, have defcribed the Hyena under different 
denominations, and have afcribed to it properties which 
it is now known not to poflefs; yet its characters are fo 
fingular, that it is impoflible to miftake them, and fo pe- 
culiar, as to diftinguifh it from every other clafs of ani- 
mals. In many refpects it refembles thofe of the Dog 
kind, has fome fimilitude to the Wolf in form and difpo- 
fition, and is about the fame fize. 

The Hyena has only four toes on each foot; its head 
is broad and flat, and its muzzle fhorter than that of the 
Wolf; its fore legs are longer than the hind ones; its 
ears’ are long, pointed, and bare; and its eyes are re- 
markably wild, fullen, and ferocious. 

There are two varieties,—the one {triped, and the 
other fpotted.-—The hair of the former is of an afh co- 
lour, marked with long black ftripes, difpofed in waves, 


272 HISTORY’ OF QUADRUPEDS. 


from the back downwards; there are others acrofs the 
legs; the hair, in general, is coarfe and rough; its tail is 
fhort and bufhy, with pretty long hair, fometimes plain, 
and fometimes barred with black; immediately under- 
neath the tail, and above the anus, there is an orifice like 
that of the Badger, which opens into a kind of pouch, 
and contains a fubftance of the confiftence of civet, but 
of a rank, difagreeable odour. ‘This opening may proba- 
bly have given rife to the error of the ancients, who af- 
ferted, that the Hyena was every alternate year male and 
female. Its manner of holding its head is fomewhat like 
a Dog purfuing a fcent, with its nofe near the ground. 
This pofition of the head makes the fhoulders appear 
more elevated. A briftly mane runs along the top of the 
back from head to tail, which gives it an appearance 
fomething like a Hog; from whence, probably, it may 
have derived its name; the word Auwaina being a Greek 
word derived from 4us, which fignifies a Sow.—Such are 
‘the moft ftriking diftin@tions of the Hyena, which has 
been pictured by ignorance and timidity under every 
form that can {trike terror into the imagination. "Won- 
derful powers were afcribed to it by the ancients, who 
believed that it changed its fex; that it imitated the hu- 
man voice, and by that means attracted unwary travel- 
lers, and deftréyed them; that it had the power of 
charming the fhepherds, and as it were rivetting them 
to the place where they ftood. Many other things, e- 
qually abfurd, have been told of this animal: But thefe 
are fufhicient to fhew, that objects of terror and fuperfti- 
tion are nearly allied; and when once they have taken 
poffeffion of the human mind, the moft improbable fto- 
ries are eafily received and credited. 

It refides in the caverns of mountains, in the clefts of 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 273 


rocks, or in holes and dens, which it digs in the earth. 
Its difpofition is extremely ferocious ; and, though taken 
young, it never can be tamed.---It lives by depredations, 
like the Wolf; but is ftronger, and more daring and ra- 
pacious. It follows the flocks, ravages the theepfold, 
and deftroys every thing within its reach with the moft 
infatiable voracity.---Its eyes fhine in the dark; and it is 
afferted, with fome appearance of probability, that it can 
fee nearly as well by night as by day.---When deftitute 
of other provifions, it ranfacks the graves, and devours 
putrid human bodies that have been long buried. 

The voice of the Hyena is very peculiar: Its begin- 
ning feems to be fomewhat like the moaning of a human 
voice, and the ending like one making a violent effort to 
vomit. 

It inhabits Afiatic Turkey, Syria, Perfia, and Barbary. 
---The fuperftitious Arabs, when they kill one of them, 
carefully bury the head, left it fhould be applied to ma- 
gical purpofes. 

The courage of the Hyena is equal to its rapacity. It 
will defend itfelf with great obftinacy againft much larger 
quadrupeds: It is not afraid of the Lion nor the Panther, 
will fometimes attack the Ounce, and feldom fails to con- 
quer. 


274 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. | 


Bla 
: gt 


7 va S 
Y Mp Wea SW 
GAM) Mh, Uh. SSE 
“ea Wy yj Mh, . 

Ce Y = 


ie 
((( 


We; 
y i Y 
oly 
Why < 


THE SrPoTTreD HYTEWA 


is called, at the Cape of Good Hope, the Tiger-Wolf; 


and is very common in that part of the world. 


Sparr- 
man defcribes it as a cruel, mifchievous, and formidable 
animal,—-Its horrid yells are to be heard every night, 
whilft it prowls about for its prey, and lurks near farm- 
yards, where cattle are kept. Thefe are well defended 
by Dogs, of which the Hyena, though larger and ftrong- 
er, is much afraid; and will not venture an attack, un- 
lefs prefled by the moft urgent neceflity: Neither will it 
dare to feize upon any of the larger animals, fuch as Ox- 


en, Cows, Horfes, &c. whilft they make the leaft ap- 


pearance of defending themfelves, or even if they do not 
betray any fymptoms of fear. It fometimes endeavours 
to difperfe the cattle by its hideous roaring; after which 
it feleCts and purfues one of them, which it foon difables 
by a deadly bite, and then devours. 


Thefe animals were formerly fo bold, as to moleft the 


Hottentots in their huts, and fometimes carry off their 
children; but, fince the introduction of fire-arms, thofe 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 27; 


and other wild beafts keep at a greater diftance from the 
habitations of mankind.—It is a fact, however, that num- 
bers of them attend almoft every night about the fham- 
bles at the Cape, where they meet with bones, fkin, and 
other offals, which are left there by the inhabitants, who 
fuffer thefe animals to come unmolefted, and carry off 
their refufe; and it is fomewhat remarkable, that they 
have feldom been known to do any mifchief there, 
though fed in the very heart of the town. 

The howlings of the Hyena are dreadful beyond all 
conception, and fpread a general alarm: They are al- 
moft inceflant, and feem to be the natural confequence 
of its craving appetite. Perhaps it may not be going too 
far to fay, that Nature has kindly impreffed this involun- 
tary difpofition to yelling upon this animal, that every 
living creature might be upon its guard, and fecure itfelf 
from the attacks of fo cruel an enemy. 

The general colour is a reddifh-brown, marked with 
diftint round black fpots, the hind legs with tranfverfe 
black bars; its head is large and flat; above each eye, as 
well as on the lips, it has long whifkers; a fhort black 
mane runs along the top of the back; its ears are fhort, 
and a little pointed; its nace and the upper part of its 
head are black. 


276 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS 


EBB BE: ) Oh ae 


H15 lively and crafty animal is common to every 
part of Great-Britain; and is fo well known, as 
not to require a particular defcription. 

M. Buffon has taken great pains to prove, that the 
Dog and the Fox will not breed together. For this pur- 
pofe, he kept two males and a female for a confiderable 
time, and tried to make the males copulate with bitches, 
which they uniformly refufed; and from thence he con- 
cludes, that no mixture can take place between the two 
fpecies. But it fhould be remembered, that the Foxes 
were in a {tate of confinement; and of courfe, many cir- 
cumftances might concur to difguft them, and render the 
experiment abortive. In confirmation of this, we need 
only obferve, that the fame Foxes, which, when at liber- 
ty, darted on the poultry with their ufual eagernefs, ne- 
ver attempted to touch a fingle fowl after they were 
chained: And we are told further, « that a living hen 
was generally fixed near them for a whole night; and, 
though food was kept from them for many hours, yet, in 
{pite of hunger and opportunity, they never forgot that 
they were chained, and difturbed not the hen.” Now 
if any one fhould be fo hardy as to affert from this, that 
Foxes have a natural averfion to poultry, one may eafily 
conceive how little credit would be given to the conclu- 
fion, and how much laughter it would excite. We juft 
mention this, to fhew, that experiments of this kind, 
where Nature is thwarted in her procefs, or reftrained in 
any of her operations, are not always to be depended up- 
on.—That the Fox and the Dog will breed together, isa 
fa&t, too well known in feveral parts of the North of 
England, to admit of the fmalleft doubt.—It is a common 


HISTORY ‘OF QUADRUPEDS. 24% 


practice in many places to tie up a bitch that is in feafon, 
where fhe may be vifited by a Fox, and be impregnated 
byhim. ‘The fruits of the connection are fufficiently ob- 
vious: Moft, if not all the puppies, have a flrong refem- 
blance to the Fox: The fharp nofe, prick ears, long bo- 
dy, and fhort legs of the Fox, evidently point out their 
origin.—Thefe dogs are highly efteemed by farmers and 
graziers, as the moft ufeful kind for driving cattle. 
They bite keenly; are extremely active and playful; and 
are very expert at deftroying weafels, rats, and other ver- 
min. 

The Fox fleeps much during the day; but the night is 
its feafon of activity, and the time when it roams about 
in fearch of prey.—It will eat flefh of any kind; but pre- 
fers that of hares, rabbits, poultry, and all kinds of birds. 
Thofe that refide near the fea coafts will, for want of 
other food, eat crabs, fhrimps, mufcles, and other fhell- 
fith. 

In France and Italy, the Fox does great damage among 
the vineyards, by feeding on the grapes, of which it is 
extremely fond. It boldly attacks the wild bees, and 
frequently robs them of their ftore; but not with impu- 
nity: The whole fwarm flies out, and faftens upon the 
invaders; but he retires only for a few minutes, and rids 
himfelf of the bees by rolling upon the ground; by which 
means he crufhes fuch as ftick to him, and then returns 
* to his charge, and devours both wax and honey. 

The cunning of the Fox in furprifing and fecuring its 
prey is equally remarkable. When it has acquired more 
than it can devour, its firft care is to fecure what it has 
killed, which is generally all within its reach. It digs 
holes in different places, where it conceals its booty by 

3 3 


278 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


carefully covering it with earth to prevent a difcovery. 
If a flock of poultry have unfortunately fallen victims to 
its ftratagems, it will bring them, one by one, to thefe 
hiding-places; where it leaves them till hunger demands 
frefh fupplies. 

The chafe of the Fox is a very favourite diverfion in 
this kingdom, and is no-where purfued with fuch ardour 
and intrepidity. Both our Dogs and Horfes are confeff- 
edly fuperior to thofe of any other country.—The inftant 
the Fox finds he is purfued, he flies towards his hole; 
and finding it ftopped, which is always carefully done 
before the chafe begins, he has recourfe to his fpeed and 
his cunning for fafety. He does not double and meafure 
his ground back like the Hare, but continues his courfe 
{traight forward before the Hounds with great ftrength 
and perfeverance. Both Dogs and Horfes, particularly 
the latter, have frequently fallen vitims to the ardour of 
the purfuit, which has fometimes continued for upwards 
of fifty miles without the {malleft intermiflion, and al- 
moft at full fpeed*.-—As the fcent of the Fox is very 
ftrong, the Dogs follow with great alacrity and eagernefs, 
and have been known to keep up a conftant chafe for 
eight or ten hours together; and it is hard to fay, whe- 
ther the fpirited eagernefs of the Hounds, the ardour of 
the Horfes, or the enthufiafm of the hunters, is moft to 


* Mr CHARLES TuRNER’s Hounds hunted at Ayreyholm, near 
Hurworth, inthe county of Durham, and found the noted old 
Fox CESAR, which made an extraordinary chafe. After a round 
of four miles, he led to Smeaton, through Hornby and Appleton ; 
then back again to Hornby, Worfet-moor, Pierfburgh, Limpton, 
Craythorn, Middleton, Hilton, Seamer, Newby, Marton, Ormi- 
by; then upon Hambleton, through Kirkleatham-park, Uplea- 
tham, Skelton, and Kilton. Mr Turner tired three Horfes ; and 
only three Hounds were in purfuit, when he thought proper to 
call them off, it being near five in the evening. The chafe was 
upwards of fifty miles. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 279 


be admired. The Fox is the only one of the party which 
has the plea of neceflity on his fide; and it operates fo 
{trongly, that he often efcapes the utmoit efforts of his 
purfuers, and returns to his hole in fafety. ‘Vhe fmell of 
his urine is fo offenfive to the Dogs, that it fometimes 
proves the means of his efeape from them. When all 
his fhifts have failed him, and he is at laft overtaken, he 
then defends himfelf with great obftinacy, and fights in 
filence till he is. torn in pieces by the Dogs. 

There are three varieties of Foxes in this ifland, which 
differ from each other more in form than in colour. 


THe GREYHOUND FOX 


is the largeft, and 1s chiefly found in the mountainous 
parts of England and Scotland: He is likewife the bold- 
eft, and will attack a well-grown Sheep.—®His ears are 
long and erect, and his afpect wild. 


5 4 


280 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


THe Mastirr Fos 


is rather lefs; but his limbs are more ftrongly formed. 


Lap Cur F Oe 


is the leaft, but the moft common; and approaches near- 
eft to the habitations of mankind. It lurks about the 
out-houfes 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 leaft offence, bite thofe it is moft familiat 
with. 


The eye of the Fox is of a lively hazel colour, very 
hignificant and. expreflive ; and difcovers very fenfibly the 
different emotions of love, fear, or anger, by which it 
may be affeQted.—It feems greatly to admire its bufhy 
tail, and frequently amufes itfelf by endeavouring to 
catch it as it runs round. In cold weather, when it lies 
down, it folds it about its head. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 81 


The Fox fleeps found; and, like the Dog, lies ina 
round form. When he is only repofing himfelf, he 
ftretches out his hind legs, and lies on his belly. In this 
pofition he {pies the birds as they alight on the hedges 
or places near him, and is ready to {pring upon fuch as 
are within his reach. He rarely lies expofed, but chufes 
the cover of fome thick brake, where he is pretty fecure 
from being furprifed.—Crows, magpies, and other birds, 
which confider the Fox as a common enemy, will often 
give notice of his retreat by the moft clamorous notes, 
and frequently follow him a confiderable way from tree 
to.tree, repeating their outcries. 

Foxes produce but once a year, from three to fix 
young ones at a time. When the female is pregnant, 
fhe retires, and feldom goes out of her hole, where fhe 
prepares a bed for her young. She comes in feafon in 
the winter; and young Foxes are found in the month of 
April. If fhe perceives that her habitation is difcovered, 
fhe carries them off, one by one, to a more fecure retreat. 
The young are brought forth blind, like puppies. They 
grow eighteen months or two years, and live thirteen or 
fourteen years. 

The Fox is frequently taken in traps; but great cau- 
tion muft be ufed to deceive this wily animal. ‘The trap 
muft be placed in the midft of a field, where there is nei- 
ther hedge nor path near it, and fo nicely covered with 
mould, that not the leaft veftige.can be feen where it 
lies: About the trap, and at a {mall diftance from it, in 
different places, a few pieces of cheefe, or other {trong- 
ly-fcented food, muft be carelefsly fcattered : Then with 
a fheep’s paunch, or fome other animal fubftance, a trail 
is made, about a mile in length, to the different places 
where the bait is Jaid, and from thence to the trap: The 


282 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


fhoes of the perfon who carries the trail muft be likewife 
well rubbed with the paunch, that the Fox may not dif- 
cover his fcent. He then approaches with more confi- 
dence ; and if the defign be well conducted, feldom fails 
of being caught. 


There are many varieties of this animal, apparently — 
produced by the influence of climate. Thofe of this 
country are moftly of a tawny-red, mixed with afh co- 
lour; the fore part of the legs is black, and the tail tipt 
with white.—In colder countries, Foxes are of various 
colours, 


Tue Bracx FOX 


is moft valuable for its fur, which is efteemed in Ruffia 
fuperior to that of the fineft fable. A fingle fkin will fell 
for four hundred rubles. 


THE Cua. FOX 


inhabits the coldeft parts of Europe, Afia, and North- 
America. Its fur is very valuable, being thicker and 
fofter than the common fort.—Great numbers of fkins 


are imported from Canada. 

It derives its name from a black mark which paffes 
over its back acrofs the fhoulders, and another along the 
back to the tail. , 


THE Corsac ¥ Oe 


is common in the deferts beyond the Yaick river, and 
feems to be the fame animal defcribed by M. Buffon un- 
der the name of the J/atis.——In fummer it is of a pale-— 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 283 


tawny colour, with a white throat ; in winter, it is grey: 
The tip of the tail is black.—lIt is {maller than the com- 
mon Fox ; and its hair is foft and downy. 

It lives in holes in the earth, and is caught by the 
Kirgis-Khaiflacs with falcons and greyhounds. Forty or 
fifty thoufand are taken annually, and fold ta the Ruf- 
fians at the rate of forty copeics (about twenty-pence) 
each.—-The natives, in their traflic, ufe their fkins in- 
ftead of money. Great numbers are fent into Turkey. 


QOvTs en cr pee 
“Sn, Cor. Zeal” 
DABS tete eam 


Poe  Areric FO xX 


inhabits the countries bordering on the Frozen Sea. It 
is found in Greenland, Iceland, Spitzbergen, Nova-Zem- 
bla, and Lapland; in Kamtfchatka, and the oppofite 
parts of America.—---It burrows, and makes holes in the 
ground, feveral feet in length ; at the end of which it 
forms a neft with mofs. In Greenland and Spitzbergen, 
it lives in the clefts of rocks, being unable to burrow on 
account of the froft. ‘wo or three of them inhabit the 
fame hole. 

It-is endowed with all the cunning of the common 
Fox; preys on young geefe, ducks, and other water fowl, 
before they are able to fly; likewife, on hares, wild birds, 


284 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


and eggs: And in Greenland, for want of other food, 
it feeds on berries and fhell-fifh. In Lapland and the 
North of Afia, its principal food is the Leming, or Lap- 
land Marmot; immenfe fhoals of which fometimes 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 fometimes abfent 
three or four years in purfuit of this their favourite prey. 

The hair of the Arétic Fox is of an afh colour, but 
changes to white in the winter, when it is long, foft, 
and fomewhat woolly: Its tail is fhorter than that of the 
common Fox, and more bufhy; and its toes are covered 
with fur on the under part, like thofe of the Hare: It is 
{maller and more flender than. the European Fox: Its 
nofe is fharp and black; and its ears fhort, and almoft 
hid in the fur----It is fometimes taken in traps: But its 
fkin is of little value. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 285 


rr a k's 


LL naturalifts agree in placing the Wolf and the 
A Dog in the fame clafs; and, from the flighteft in- 
fpeCtion of its external form only, it would feem that 
the Wolf was in every refpect a Dog in its ftate of na- 
tural freedom. The fhape of its head is different; and 
its eyes, being fixed in a more oblique pofition, give it a 
look of more favage fiercenefs: Its ears are fharp and 
erect; its tail long, bufhy, and bending inwards between 
its hind legs; its body is ftronger than that of almoft any 
{pecies of Dogs, its jaws and teeth larger, and its hair 
coarfer and thicker. ‘The internal ftructure of thefe ani- 
mals is perfectly fimilar. ‘The Wolf couples in the fame 

“manner as the Dog ; and its immediate feparation is pre- 

vented from the fame caufe: The time of geftation is 
alfo nearly the fame; and from a variety of fuccefsful 
experiments related by the celebrated Dr Hunter, there 
is no longer any room to doubt, that the Wolf and the 
Dog will copulate together, and produce an intermediate 
{pecies, capable of fubfequent propagation. 


286 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


The appetite of the Wolf, for every kind of animal 
food, is exceflively voracious; and, although Nature has 
furnifhed it with every requifite for purfuing and con- 
quering its prey, it is frequently reduced to the laft ex. 
tremity, and fometimes perifhes, for want of food. So 
great’ is the general deteftation of this deftruétive crea- 
ture, that all the wild animals endeavour to avoid it, and 
moft commonly efcape by their fuperior fwiftnefs. 

When prefled with hunger from repeated difappoint- 
ments, the Wolf becomes courageous from neceflity. It 
then braves every danger, and even attacks thofe animals 
that are under the protection of man. Sometimes whole 
droves of them join in the cruel work of general devafta- 
tion, roam through the villages, and attack the fheep- 
folds: They dig the earth under the doors, enter with 
dreadful ferocity, and put every living creature to death 
before they depart. The Horfe is the only tame animal 
that can defend itfelf againft them: All the weaker ani- 
mals become their prey: Even man himfelf, upon thefe 
occafions, frequently falls a victim to their rapacity; and 
it is faid, that when once they have tafted human blood, 
they always give it the preference.—From hence, many 
fuperftitious ftories have been told of the Wolf. The 
old Saxons believed, that it was poffefled by fome evil 
fpirit, and called it the Were-Wulf; and the French pea- 
fants, from the fame reafon, call it the Loup-garou. 

The language of the poet is beautifully defcriptive of 
this creature’s infatiable fury :— 


** By wintry famine rous’d, from all the tract 

‘© Of horrid mountains, which the fhining Alps, 

«© And wavy Appenine, and Pyrenees, 

‘** Branch out, ftupendous, into diftant lands, 

‘ Cruel as death! and hungry as the grave! 

‘* Burning for blood! bony, and ghaunt, and grim! 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 287 


“ Affembling Wolves, in raging troops, defcend ; 
** And, pouring o’er the country, bear along, 

“© Keen as the north wind fweeps the gloffy {now: 
** All is their prize.” ———-——-—_—_--—— 


The Wolf has great ftrength, efpecially in the mufcles 
_ of his neck and jaws: He can carry a Sheep in his 
mouth, and eafily run off with it in that manner. His 
bite is cruel and deadly, and keener as it meets with lefs 
refiftance; but when oppofed, he is cautious and circum- 
fpect, and feldom fights but from neceflity. He is hard- 
er and more robuft, but not fo fenfible as the dog. He 
almoft inceflantly prowls about for prey, and of all ani- 
mals is the moft difficult to conquer in the chafe. His 
fenfe of {melling is peculiarly ftrong: He fcents the 
track of animals, and follows it with great perfeverance : 
The odour of carrion ftrikes him at the diftance of near 
a league. 

Wolves are capable of bearing want of food for a long 
time. ‘To allay their hunger, they will fometimes fill 
their ftomachs with mud.-—They have been known to 
follow armies, and affemble in troops upon the field of 
battle; tear up fuch bodies as have been carelefsly in- 
terred, and devour them with infatiable avidity. 

In all ages the Wolf has been confidered as the moft 
favage enemy of mankind, and rewards given for its 
head. Various methods have been taken to rid the 
world of this rapacious invader: Pit-falls, traps, and 
poifon, have all been employed again{ft him; and, hap- 
pily for thefe iflands, the whole race has long been ex- 
tirpated here. King Edgar attempted to effet it in Eng- 
land by remitting the punifhment of certain crimes on 
producing a number of Wolves’ tongues; and in Wales, 
the tax of gold and filver was commuted for an annual 
tribute of Wolves’ heads—-Some centuries after that, 


288 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


they increafed to fuch a degree, as to become an obje& 
of royal attention ; and great rewards were given for de- 
ftroying them. Camden informs us, that certain perfons 
held their lands on condition of hunting and deftroying 
the Wolves that infefted the country ; whence they were 
called the Wolve-hunt. In the reign of Athelftan, | 
Wolves abounded fo much in Yorkfhire, that a retreat 
was built at Flixton to defend paffengers from their at- 
tacks. As the ravages of thefe animals were greateft 
during winter, particularly in January, when the cold 
was fevereft, our Saxon anceftors diftinguifhed that 
month by the title of Wolfmoneth. They alfo called an 
outlaw Wolf/bed, as being out of the protection of the 
law, and as liable to be killed as that deftructive beaft.— 
‘They infefted Ireland many centuries after their extinc- — 
tion in England; the laft prefentment for killing Wolves 
being made in the county of Cork about the year 1710. 
Thefe animals abound in the immenfe forefts of Ger- 
many, where the followimg methods are taken to deftroy 
them :—In fome very fequeftered part of the foreft, they 
hang up a large piece of carrion to the branch of a tree, 
having previoufly made a train of fome miles long, leay- 
ing fmall pieces of putrid flefh here and there to allure 
the Wolves to the fpot: They then wait till it is dark, 
and approach the place with great circumfpection ; where 
they fometimes find two or three Wolves affembled, leap- 
ing up, and ftraining themfelves to catch the bait, which 
is placed juft within their reach ; and while the animals 
are bufily employed in this way, the hunters, being pro- 
vided with fire-arms, feldom fail to difpatch them.—In a 
convenient place, at the foot of a declivity, they make a 
{mall inclofure of ftrong pales, fo high, that the Wolf 
having once entered, cannot return again, An opening 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 289 


is left at the top of the bank; and a Sheep that has been 
long dead, is the bait; to which he is allured by long 
trains, made from different places where he is known to 
haunt. As foon as he arrives at the {fpot, he examines 
every part of the inclofure; and finding no other way 
to come at the booty, he precipitates himfelf to the bot- 
tom; and having made a plentiful meal, endeavours in 
vain to reafcend. His difappointment at not being able 
to get back is productive of the moft dreadful howlings, 
which alarm his enemies ; and they either take him alive, 
or difpatch him with bludgeons. It is remarkable, that. 
when this animal finds there is no poflibility of efcaping, 
his courage entirely forfakes him; and he is for fome 
time fo ftupified with fear, that he may be killed without 
offering to refift, or taken alive without much danger.— 
Wolves are fometimes taken in {trong nets, into which 
they are driven by the hunters, who furreund a large 
tra€t of land, and with drums, horns, and other inftru- 
ments, accompanied with loud cries from a large compa- 
ny affembled upon the occafion, drive the animals to- 
wards the entrance of the nets; where they are entan- 
gled, and killed with clubs and hatchets. Great care 
muft be taken to fecure them at firft: If they recover 
from their confternation, they eafily efcape z tearing the 
net to pieces. 

Wolves are found, with fome variety, in almoft every 
country of the world. Thofe of Senegal are larger and 
fiercer than thofe of Europe.—-In North-America, they 
are {mall, of a dark colour, and may .be eafily tamed. 
Before the introduction of Dogs, the favages made ufe 
of them in hunting the wild animals of the country ; and 
they are ftill employed for the fame purpofe in the more 
| ae T 


290 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


remote parts of that vaft continent. ‘They are faid to 
. hunt in packs, and run down the Deer by their fcent. 

The appearance of thefe animals near the habitations of 
the Indians, fometimes indicates that the Bifon or the 
Deer is at no great diftance; and when any of thefe are 

taken, the Wolves are rewarded with the offal. Catefby 
affirms, that the Wolves of that country have mixed with 
the Dogs carried thither by the Europeans, and produced 
an intermediate race.—In the northern regions, there are 
Wolves entirely white, and others of a deep-black.-—In 
Mexico, there is a variety of the Wolf, with a very large. 
head, ftrong jaws, and great teeth: On the upper lip it | 
has ftrong briftles, not unlike the fofter {pines of the 
Porcupine, of a grey and white colour; its ears are large — 
and erect; its body is afh-coloured, {potted with black ; 
on its fides there are black ftripes from the back down- 
ward; its neck is fat and thick, covered with a loofe 
fkin, marked with a long tawny ftroke; on the breaft is 
another of the fame kind; the tail is long, and tinged in 
the middle with tawny; the legs and feet are ftriped 
with black. It inhabits the hot parts of Mexico or New- 
Spain, is equally voracious with the European Wolf, at- 
tacks cattle, and fometimes men. There are no Wolves 
farther fouth on the new continent. 


OO ____=L ee 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 201 


LLL 


PELDOOTDLEC LG Simm 


Tue New SoutH-WALEs WOLF, 


has been called a Dog; but its wild and favage nature 
feems ftrongly to point out its affinity to the Wolf; to 
which, in other refpects, it bears a great refemblance. 
It neither barks nor growls; but when vexed, erects the 
hairs of its whole body like briftles, and appears extreme- 
ly furious.—It is fond of rabbits and poultry, which it 
eagerly devours raw; but will not touch drefled meat. 

- One of them, fent to this country from Botany-Bay, 
was extremely nimble; and fo fierce, as to feize on every 
animal it faw. If not reftrained, it would have run 
down Deer and Sheep: An Afs had alfo nearly fallen a 
victim to its fury. 

Its height is rather lefs than two feet; the length two 
feet and a half: It is formed much like a Wolf; its ears 
fhort and erect, and its tail long and bufhy: The general 
colour is a pale-brown, lighter on the belly; the feet and 
infide of the legs are white. 

T 2 


ao” 


292 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Le 
: 
A 


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Uy Ya 
Lie Mi} 
A 
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Ne is , : 
~ \¢ ay i Ui 4 é Vz, 4 MI WV {| @ . / 
SS SS Mr | VSN SS Wi } AY Ny 4 yl if . 
== A = SZ SSS (SZ22 YL = 2 
iN = : “\7 ro 


SARK Coens LR ce RS 


To eve JOA. oa 


FE beg leave to make our acknowledgments to 

Mr Pennant for the drawing of this animal, 

which he affures us was drawn from the life; and we 
doubt not, therefore, its being a faithful reprefentation. 

The fpecies of the Jackal is diffufed, with fome varie- 
ty, through almoft every part of Afia; and is found-in 
Barbary, and other parts of Africa, as far as the Cape of 
Good Hope. . 

Although it is one of the moft numerous of all the 
wild animals in the Eaft, there is fcarcely any lefs known 
in Europe, or more confufedly defcribed by natural hif- 
torlans. 

They vary in fize. Thofe of the warmeft climates are. 
faid to be the largeft. They are of a reddifh-brown co- 
lour.-—-The fmaller Jackal is about the fize of a Fox; 
and its colour is a bright-yellow. 

That the Jackal is nearly allied to the Dog, has been 
clearly proved, from a circumftance related by Mr Hun- 
ter, of a female Jackal taken on board an Eaft-Indieman 
at Bombay whitt a cub, and being impregnated by a 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 293 


Dog during the voyage, brought forth fix puppies; one 
of which afterwards produced young ones, from an inter- 
courfe with a Dog.----From thefe and other recent facts, 
it appears, that the Fox, the Wolf, the Jackal, and the 
Dog, may be confidered as different {peices of the fame 
genus; and that the Jackal makes nearer approaches to 
the Dog than either the Fox or the Wolf. 

Jackals go in packs of forty or fifty, and hunt like 
hounds in full cry from evening till morning. ‘They de- 
{troy the poultry, and attack the flocks: They roam 
through the villages and gardens, and carry off every 
thing they can eat: They enter ftables, yards, and out- 
houfes; and devour fkins, and every thing that is made 
of leather; fuch as harneffing, boots, fhoes, &c. No- 
thing can efcape their rapacity. They will ranfack the 
repofitories of the dead, and greedily devour the moft pu- 
trid bodies; for which reafon, in thofe countries where 
they abound, the inhabitants are obliged to make the 
graves of a great depth, and fecure them with fpines, to 
prevent the Jackals from raking up the earth with their 
feet. They are faid to attend caravans, and follow ar- © 
mies, in hopes of being furnifhed with a banquet by 
difeafe or battle.—They may be confidered as the vulture 
among quadrupeds; and, like that deftrudtive bird, de- 
vour every thing indifcriminately that has once had ani- 
mal life.-—They hide themfelves in holes and dens by 
day, and feldom appear abroad till the evening; when 
_ they fill the air with the moft horrid howlings, and begin 
the chafe. The Lion, the Panther, and other beaits of 
prey that do not purfue by the fcent, take advantage of 
the general confternation, and follow in filence behind 
till the Jackals have hunted down their prey: They then 

fae | 


294 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


devour the fruits of their labours, and leave them only 
the remains of the fpoil; from whence the Jackal has 
been vulgarly called the Lion’s Provider, as if thofe two 
animals acted in concert, and had formed a plan for 
their mutual fupport. 

The Jackal frequently purfues the Gazelle; and is fo 
bold, as to follow it even into the midft of a town or 
village, whither that timid animal frequently flies for 
‘prote€tion, and by that means fometimes efcapes. 

Sparrman’s defcription of thofe he faw at the Cape 
differs materially from the accounts we have been able 
to collect from other authors. He fays they are about 
three feet in length, and their tails little more than a 
foot long: The predominant colour is a reddifh-yellow ; 
the legs are of a pale gold colour; under the belly, and 
on the infide of the legs, the colour inclines to white; 
the nofe and ears are of a bright red’ the* head, "neck, 
and back, are grey; the tail is partly grey, and partly of 
an umber colour, and black at the tip. He fays it re- 
fembles the European Fox in form, manners, and difpofi- 
tion; and is not known to affemble in packs for the pur- 
pofe of hunting; neither is its voracity equal to that 
afcribed to it by other naturalifts. It is probable it 
may have been confounded with the Wild Dog, which is 
common at the Cape, and hunts its prey in packs. It is 
very fierce and mifchievous, and very deftructive to the 
flocks of Sheep and Goats in thofe parts.—There are two 
kinds of thefe Dogs,—the one large, and of a reddifh co- 
lour; the other lefs, and browner. ‘They are very bold, 
and wander about night and day in fearch of prey. 
They make a noife fomewhat like the cry of our common 
_ Hounds, and hunt with great fagacity, ating perfectly 
in concert with each other, till the game falls a prey t@ 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 2095 


the pack. They are faid to be always extremely lean, 
and very ugly. 


M. Buffon mentions an animal of the Jackal kind by 
the name of the Adive; of which he gives a drawing, 
fomewhat refembling a fmall Fox. It is lefs than the 
common Jackal; and is fometimes tamed, and kept in a 
domeftic ftate. 


296 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


eee D- OMe: 
tire fervices of this truly valuable creature have 


been fo eminently ufeful to the domettic interefts 
of men in all ages, that to give the hiftory of the Dog 
would be little lefs than to trace mankind back to their 
“original ftate of fimplicity and freedom, to mark the pro- © 
grefs of civilization through the various changes of the - 
world, and to follow attentively the gradual advancement 
of that order which placed man at the head of the animal 
world, and gave him a manifeft fuperiority over every 
part of the brute creation. 

If we confider for a moment the ftate of man without 
the aid of this ufeful domeftic ;—with what arts fhall he 
oppofe the numerous hofts of foes that furround him on 
all fides, feeking every opportunity to encroach upon his 
poffeflions, to deftroy his labours, or endanger his per- 
fonal fafety? or how fhall he bring into fubje€tion fuch 
as are neceflary for his well-being? His utmoft vigilance 
will not be fufhcient to fecure him from the rapacity of 
the one, nor his greateft exertions enable him to over- 
come the fpeed of the other. ‘To maintain his indepen- 
dence, to infure his fafety, and to provide for his fup- 
port, it was neceflary that fome one among the animals 
fhould be brought over to his affiftance, whofe zeal and 
fidelity might be depended on: And where, amidft all 
the various orders of animated being, could one be found 
fo entirely adapted to this purpofe ? where could one be 
found fo bold, fo tractable, and fo obedient, as the Dog? 
-—To confirm the truth of thefe obfervations, we need 
only turn our attention to the prefent condition of thofe 
nations not yet emerged from a ftate of barbarifm, where 
the ufes of the Dog are but little known or attended to, 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 297 


and we will find that they lead a precarious and wretch- 
ed life of perpetual warfare with the {till more favage in- 
habitants of the foreft, with which they are obliged to 
difpute the poffeflion 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 earlieft ages, would be engaged in 
training and rendering this animal fubfervient to the im- 


portant purpofes of domeftic utility; and the refult of 
this art has been, the conqueft and peaceable pofleflion of 
the earth. : 

Of all animals, the Dog feems moft fufceptible of 
change, and moft eafily modified by difference of cli- 
mate, food, and education; not only the figure of his 
body, but his faculties, habits, and difpofitions, vary in a 
furprifing manner: Nothing appears conftant in them 
but their internal conformation, which is alike in all; in 
every other refpect, they are very diffimilar: They vary 
in fize, in figure, in the length of the nofe and fhape 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 difcrimina- 
tions by which each is diftinguifhed, would be a tafk as 
fruitlefs as it would be impoflible; to account for this 
wonderful variety, or inveftigate the character of the pri- 
mitive ftock from which they have fprung, would be 
equally vain. Of this only we are certain, that, in every 
age, Dogs have been found poffefled of qualities moft 
admirably adapted for the various purpofes to which they 
have been from time to time applied.— We have feen, in 
the hiftory of the Cow and the Sheep, that thofe animals 
which have been long under the management of man, 
never preferve the ftamp of nature in its original purity: 


298 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


In wild animals, which ftill enjoy their original freedom 
from reftraint, and have the independent choice of food 
and climate, this impreflion is ftill faithfully preferved ; 
but thofe which man has fubdued, tranfported from cli- 
mate to climate, changed their food, habits, and manner 
of living, muft neceflarily have fuffered the greateft alte- 
rations in their form; and as the Dog, of all other do- 
meftic animals, is moft accuftomed to this influence, is — 
endowed with difpofitions the moft docile and obedient, 
is fufceptible of every impreflion, and fubmiflive to every 
reftraint, we need not wonder that he fhould be fubje@ 
to the greateft variety—To an attentive obferver of the 
canine race, it is truly wonderful and curious to obferve 
the rapid changes and fingular combinations of forms, 
arifing from promifcuous intereourfe, which every-where 
prefent themfelves: They appear in endlefs fucceflion, 
and feem more like the effeét of whimfical caprice, than 
the regular and uniform production of Nature: So that 
in whatever light we confider the various mixtures which 
at prefent abound, and render every idea of a fyftematic 
arrangement dubious and problematical, we may fairly 
prefume, that the fervices of the Dog would be firft re- 
quired in maintaining and preferving the fuperiority of 
man over thofe animals which were deftined for his fup- 


port. 


~ 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 299 


sy mr, 

rie RRS. 
ei a \' s pn 

\ NaF , izes 


et Seale 


Wo 
cagee 


THE OHEPHERD’S “DOGS 


This ufeful animal, ever faithful to his charge, reigns 
at the head of the flock; where it is better heard, and 
more attended to, than even the voice of the fhepherd. 
Safety, order, and difcipline, are the fruits of his vigi- 
Jance and activity. 

In thofe large tracts of land which, in many parts of 
our ifland, are folely appropriated to the feeding of 
Sheep and other cattle, this fagacious animal is of the 
ytmoft importance. Immenfe flocks may be feen conti- 
nually ranging over thofe extenfive wilds, as far as the 
eye can reach, feemingly without controul: Their only 
guide is the fhepherd, attended by his Dog, the conftant 
companion of hijs toils: It receives his commands, and is 
always prompt to execute them ; it is the watchful guar- 
dian of the flock, prevents them from ftraggling, keeps 
them together, and conducts them from one part of their 
pafture to another ; it will not fuffer any ftrangers to mix 
with them, but carefully keeps off every intruder. In 
driving a number of Sheep to any diftant part, a well- 
trained Dog never fails to confine them to the road, 
watches every avenue that leads from it; where he takes 


. 


300 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


his ftand, threatening every delinquent: He purfues the 
ftragglers, if any fhould efcape; and forces them into 
order, without doing them the leaft injury. If the herdf- 
man be at any time abfent from the flock, he depends 
_ upon his Dog to keep them together; and as foon as he 
gives the well-known fignal, this faithful creature con- 
ducts them to his mafter, though at a confiderable dif- 
tance. 

There is a very remarkable fingularity in the feet of 
the Shepherd’s Dog, which we have likewife obferved in 
thofe of the Cur and the Spaniel.- All of them have one, 
and fome two, toes more than moft Dogs, though they 
feem not to be of much ufe. They appear to be defti- 
tute of mufcles, and hang dangling at the hind part of 
the leg more like an unnatural excrefcence than a necef-. 
fary part of the animal. But the adage, that ¢ Nature 
has made nothing in vain,’ ought to correét our decifion 
on their utility, which probably may exift unknown to — 
US. 

This breed of Dogs, at prefent, appears to be pre- 
ferved, in the greateft purity, in the northern parts of 
Scotland; where its aid is highly neceflary in managing 
the numerous herds of Sheep bred in thofe extenfive 
wilds. 


—_ -——__ we 
SSS SSS Se 
ecaaged 
i 


— - 
OT ee 
(Cmca ee ats Ort 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 301 


LS = ay] ee eh “, 
lt “gm | 
7 


25 y \ f Kt hy \ 


— Ole ie 


THe CUR-DOG 


is a trufty and ufeful fervant to the farmer and grazier 5 
and, although it is not taken notice of by naturalifts as a 
diftinét race, yet it is now fo generally ufed, efpecially 
in the North of England, and fuch great attention is paid 
in breeding it, that we cannot help confidering it as a 
permanent kind. 

They are chiefly employed in driving cattle, in which 
they are extremely ufeful. They are larger, ftrong- 
er, and fiercer than the Shepherd’s Dog; and their hair 
is {moother and fhorter. They are moftly of a black and 
white colour. Their ears are half-pricked: And many 
of them are whelped with fhort tails, which feem as if 
they had been cut: Thefe are called Se/f-tailed Dogs. 
They bite very keenly; and as they always make their 
attack at the heels, the cattle have no defence againft 
them: In this they are more than a match for a 
Bull, which they quickly compel to run.—Their fagacity 
is uncommonly great: They know their mafter’s fields, 
and are fingularly attentive to the cattle that are in them: 


302 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


A good Dog watches, goes his rounds; and, if any 
ftrange cattle fhould happen to appear amongft the herd, 
although unbidden, he quickly flies at them, and with 
keen bites obliges them to depart. 


Similar to the Cur, is that which is commonly ufed in 
driving cattle to the flaughter: And as thefe Dogs have 
frequently to go long journies, great ftrength, as well as 
- fwiftnefs, is required for that purpofe. They are there- 
fore generally of a mixed kind; and unite in them the 
feveral qualities of the Shepherd’s Dog, the Cur, the 
Maftiff, and the Greyhound.—Thus, by a judicious mix- 
ture of different kinds, the fervices. of the Dog are ren- 
dered {till more various and extenfive, and the great pur- 
pofes of domeftic utility more fully anfwered, 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 303 


Ly) ae a 
ANA hile 
oy Ae “ 


: ae 
WN oe a 


re ve 


“ a =, 
z a ‘ 
== 
V7 Me  inatrimTa ere PL Le 


SSS a 
MMU arene ates Uh wera attr asadi ied a 


THE GREENLAND DOG. 


The favage afpe&t and difpofition of this Dog feem to 
bear fome 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 fomewhat fimilar 
to it in the fharpnefs of their muzzles, in their long fhag- 
gy hair, and bufhy curling tails. The principal differ- 
ence is in their fize.—Though much larger, they have 
all fome refemblance to the Shepherd’s Dog. 

Moft of the Greenland Dogs are white; but fome are 
{potted, and fome black. They may rather be faid to 
howl than bark.—The Greenlanders fometimes eat their 
flefh: They make garments of their fkins, and ufe them 
in drawing fledges; to which they yoke them, four, five, 
and fometimes fix perteg 7 


* Five of thefe Dogs, that had efcaped with their trappings, 
were found in Greenland, and brought to this country a few years 
ago by one of our fhips in the fifhery. 


304 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


The Dogs of Kamtfchatka are commonly black or 
white. They are ftrong, nimble, and active; and are 
very ufeful in drawing fledges, the only method of tra- 
velling in that dreary country during the winter. They 
travel with great expedition. Captain King relates, that, 
during his ftay there, a courier with difpatches, drawn 
by them, performed a journey of 270 miles in lefs than 
four days. 

The fledges are ufually drawn by five Dogs, four of 
them yoked two and two abreaft: The foremoft aéts as 
leader to the reft. The reins being faftened to a collar 
round the leading Dog’s neck, are of little ufe 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 attention are confequently ufed — 
in training up thofe for leaders, which are more valuable 
according to their fteadinefs and docility; the fum of 
forty roubles, or ten pounds, being no unufual price for’ 
one of them,-—The rider has a crooked ftick, anfwering 
the purpofe both of whip and reins; with which, by 
ftriking on the fnow, he regulates the {peed of the Dogs, 
or ftops them at his pleafure. When they are inatten- 
tive to their duty, he often chaftifes them by throwing it 
at them. He difcovers great dexterity in regaining his 
ftick, which is the greateft difhculty attending his fitua- 
tion; for if he fhould happen to lofe it, the Dogs imme- | 
diately difcover the -circumftance, and feldom fail to fet 
off at full fpeed, and continue to run till their ftrength is 
exhaufted, or till the carriage is overturned, and dafhed 
to. pieces, Or hurried down a precipice. 


“ey 
%, 
i H ‘ 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. jog 


® * In December, 1784, a Dog was left by a {muggling 
beficl near Boomer, on the coaft of Northumberland. Finding 
himfelf deferted, he began to worry fheep; and did fo much 
damage, that he became the terror of the country within a cir- 
cuit of above twenty miles. We are affured, that when he 
caught a Sheep, he bit a hole in its right fide, and after eating 


the tallow about the kidneys, left it: Several of them, thus la- 


cerated, were found alive by the fhepherds; and being taken 
proper care of, fome of them recovered, and afterwards had 
lambs. From his delicacy in this refpeét, the deftru@ion he 
made may in fome meafure be conceived; as it may be fup- 
pofed, that the fat of one Sheep in a day would hardly fatisfy 
his hunger.—The farmers were fo much alarmed by his depre- 
dations, that various means were ufed for his deftru€tion. They 
frequently purfued him with Hounds, Greyhounds, &c.; but 
when the Dogs came up with him, he laid down on his back, 
as if fupplicating for mercy; and in that pofition they never 
hurt him: He therefore laid quietly, taking his reft till the hun- 
ters approached, when he made off, without being followed by 
the Hounds, till they were again excited to the purfuit, which 
always terminated unfuccefsfully. And it is worthy of notice, 
that he was one day purfued from Howick to upwards of thirty 
miles diftance ; but returned thither, and killed Sheep the fame 
evening. — His conftant refidence, during the day, was upon a 
rock, on the Heugh-hill, near Howick, where he had a view of 
four roads that approached it; and in March, 1785, after many 


fruitlefs attempts, he was at laft fhot there. 


306 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


5a 


THe BULL-DOG ; 


is the fierceft of all the Dog kind, and is probably the 
mott courageous creature in the world. It is low in fta- 
ture, but very ftrong and mufcular. Its nofe is fhort 5 
and the under jaw projects beyond the upper, which 
gives it a fierce and unpleafing afpect.-—Its courage in 
attacking the Bull is well known: Its fury in feizing, 
and its invincible obftinacy in maintaining, its hold, are 
truly aftonifhing. It always aims at the front; and ge- 
neraly faftens upon the lip, the tongue, the eye, or fome 
part of the face; where it hangs, in fpite of every effort 
of the Bull to difengage himfelf. | 
The uncommon ardour of thefe Dogs in fighting will 
be beft illuftrated by the following fat, related by an 
eye-witnefs; which at the fame time corroborates, in 
fome degree, that wonderful account of the Dogs of 
Epirus given by Elian, and quoted by Dr Gold{mith in 
his hiftory of the Dog:-—Some years ago, at a bull- 
baiting in the North of England, when that barbarous 
cuftom was very common, a young man,, confident of 
the courage of his Dog, laid fome trifling wagers, that 
he would, at feparate times, cut off all the four feet of 


‘ 
; 


“HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 307 


his Dog; and that, after every amputation, it would at- 
tack the Bull. The cruel experiment was tried; and the 
Dog continued to feize the Bull as eagerly as if he had 


_ been perfectly whole. 


Of late years, this inhuman cuftom of baiting the Bull 
has been almoft entirely laid afide in the North of Eng- 
land; and, confequently, there are now few of this kind 
of Dogs to be feen. 

As the Bull-Dog always makes his attack without 
barking, it is very dangerous to approach him alone, 
without the greateft precaution. 


Yep 
VLA! 


ying A 
| ER = 


Raa mY RB vy Geet y mn 
Poe 2 4 Ss t -=p. 8 

re ty OTB AL SN ban eo WG ilr Bab. x 

ee Acc w 18050 0116 101i 67 el 


owes MSA ST Pek 


is much larger and ftronger than the Bull-Dog; its ears 
are more pendulous; its lips are large and loofe; its af- 
pect is fullen and grave, and its bark loud and terrific.— 
He feems every way formed for the important truft of 
guarding and fecuring the valuable property committed 


U 2 


308 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


to his care. Houfes, gardens, yards, &c. are fafe from 
depredations whilft in his cuftody. Confined during the 
day, as foon as the gates are locked he is left to range 
at full liberty: He then goes round the premiffes, 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 ingenious treatife on Britifh Dogs, tells 
us, that three of thefe animals were reckoned a match 
for a Bear, and four for a Lion. 

We have a curious account, recorded in Stow’s An« 
nals, of an engagement between three Maftiffs and a 
Lion, in the prefence of James the Firft. ‘ One of the 
Dogs being put into the den, was foon difabled by the 
Lion ; which took it by the head and neck, and dragged 
it about: Another Dog was then let loofe, and ferved in | 
the fame manner: But the third being put in, immedi- 
ately feized the Lion by the lip, and held him for a con- 
fiderable time; till, being feverely torn by his claws, the 
Dog was obliged to quit his hold; and the Lion, greatly 
exhaufted in the conflict, refufed to renew the engage- 
ment; but taking a fudden leap over the Dogs, fled into 
the interior part of his den. ‘Two of the Dogs foon died 
of their wounds: The laft furvived, and was taken great 
care of by the king’s fon; who faid, ‘he that had 
fought with the king of beafts, fhould never after fight 
with any inferior creature.” 

The Maftiffs of great-Britain were noted in the time 
of the Roman emperors; who appointed an officer, 
whofe fole bufinefs it was to breed, and fend from hence, 
fuch as would prove equal to the combats of the amphi- 
theatre. 

The following anecdote will fhew, that the Maftiff, 
confcious of its fuperior ftrength, knows how to chattife 


\ 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 309 


the impertinence of an inferior:-—A large Dog of this 
kind, belonging to the late M. Ridley, efq; of Heatton, 
near Newcaftle, being frequently molefted by a Mongrelg 
and teazed by its continual barking, at laft took it up in 
his mouth by the back, and with great compofure drop- 
ped it over the quay into the river, without doing any 
farther injury to an enemy fo much his inferior. 

The Mattiff, in its pure ond unmixed ftate, is now fel- 
dom to be met with. The generality of Dogs diftin- 
guifhed by that name, feem to be compounded of the 
Bull-Dog, Danifh Maftiff, and the Ban Dog. 


THe BAN-DOG 


is a variety of this fierce tribe, not often to be feen at 

prefent. It is lighter, fmaller, more ative and vigilant, 

than the Maftiff, but not fo powerful; its nofe is fmall- 

er; and it poffefles, in fome degree, the fcent of the 

Hound ; its hair is rougher, and generally of a yellowifh- 
U's 


310 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS: 


grey, ftreaked with fhades of a black or brown colour. 
It does not invariably, like the preceding kinds, attack its - 
fa@dverfary in front; but frequently feizes cattle by the 
flank. It attacks with eagernefs; and its bite is keen 
and dangerous. 


THe DaLMATIAN, on CoacH DOG, 


has been erroneoully called the Dani/h Dog; and, by M. 
Buffon, the Harier of Bengal; but for what reafon, it is 
dificult to afcertain, as its incapacity of fcenting is fuffi- 
cient to deftroy all affinity to any Dog employed in the 
purfuit of the Hare. } 
It is very common in this country at prefent; and 1s 
frequently kept in genteel houfes, as an elegant attendant 
on a carriage.-—-We do not, however, admire the cruel 
practice of depriving the poor animal of its ears, in order 
to encreafe its beauty: A practice fo general, that we do 
not remember ever'to have feen one of thefe Dogs unmu- 
tilated in that way. | 


CO _ 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 311 


=~ 


apd LX 


\\ 


LAY WS 
\ 


a ———— 


THe Irish GREYHOUND 


is the largeft of the Dog kind, and its appearance the 
moft beautiful and majettic. It is only to be found in 
Ireland, where it was formerly of great ufe in clearing 
that country from Wolves.-—It is now extremely rare, 
and is kept rather for fhew than ufe, being equally un- 
ferviceable for hunting either the Stag, the Fox, or the 
Hare. 

Thefe Dogs are about three feet high, generally of a 
white or cinnamon colour, and made fomewhat like a 
Greyhound, but more robuft: Their afpect is mild, and 
their difpofition gentle and peaceable: Their ftrength is 
fo great, that, in combat, the Maftiff or Bull-Dog is far 

U4 


312 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


from being equal tothem. They moftly feize their antae 
gonifts by the back, and fhake them to death, which ~ 
their great fize generally enables them to do with eafe. 
M. Buffon fuppofes the Great Danifb Dog to be only a 
variety of the Irifh Greyhound.—Next to this, in fize 
and ftrength, is . 


Tue Scottish Hichtann GREYHOUND, 
orn WOLF-DOG, 


which was formerly ufed by the chieftains of that coun- . 
try in their grand hunting parties.-—One of them, which 
we faw fome years ago, was a large, powerful, fierce- 
looking Dog; its ears were pendulous, and its eyes half 
hid in the hair; its body was ftrong and mufcular, and 
covered with harfh, wiry, reddifh hair, mixed with white. 


THe GAZEHOUND. 


was fomewhat fimilar to the Greyhound; and, like that 
animal, it hunted only by the eye. It was formerly in 
great repute, but is now unknown to us. It was ufed in 
hunting either the Fox, the Hare, or the Stag. It would 
{elect from the reft the fatteft Deer, purfue it by the eye, 
and, though it fhould rejoin the herd, would infallibly fix 
upon the fame, and purfue it till taken. 


THe LYEMMER, 


fo called from its being led in a thong, and flipped at 
the game.—Dr Caius informs us, that it hunted both by 
the {cent and fight; and, in its form, was between the 
Hound and the Greyhound.—It is now unknown to us. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 313 


X( % 
PTO 

wr WA) 

Sv er oe \ Sy oa ge Sethe 

SWS RMD OY Wee te 


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LOY! 
the v Any ww 
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a ASS ; 
a SSS NN eS a er rc I 
os 


oy Res = a mes Armee a 
TANYA Be Pa NO LMI Maem pinion EP Te eee OT 


Lee GREYHOUND, 


M. Buffon fuppofes to be the Irifh Greyhound, rendered 
thinner and more delicate by the difference of climate 
and culture: But whatever truth there may be in the 
fanciful arrrangements of that ingenious author, there is 
an evident fimilarity of form in all of thofe juft mention- 
ed; particularly in the depth of the cheft, in the length 
of the legs, and in the fmallnefs of the muzzle. 

The Greyhound is the fleeteft of all Dogs, and can 
outrun eyery animal of the chafe ; but as it wants the fa- 
culty of fcenting, it only follows by the eye.—It was for- 
merly held in fuch eftimation, as to be confidered the pe- 
culiar companion of gentlemen; and, by the foreft laws 
of King Canute, it was enacted, that no perfon under 
that degree fhould prefume to keep a Greyhound. 


The fmall Italian Greyhound is not above half the fize, 
but perfe€tly fimilar in form. Its fhape is exquifitely 
beautiful and delicate.—It is not common in this country, 
the climate being too rigorous for the extreme delicacy of 
its conftitution, 


314 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


yt 7 ) 


4 ! 
ee 
a 


PT. & UR: Goalie 


is lefs and fhorter than the Greyhound, and its limbs 
ftronger: Its body is covered with a rough coat of hair, 
moft commonly of a pale-yellow colour ; its afpect is ful- 
len; and its habits, from whence it derives its name, are 
dark and cunning. 

As this Dog poffefles the advantage of a fine fcent, it 
is often employed in killing Hares and Rabbits in the 
night-time. When taken to the warren, it fteals out 
with the utmoft precaution, watches and {cents the Rab- 
bits while they are feeding, and darts upon them without 
barking or making the leaft noife. One of them will 
fingly make incredible havock in a fhort time; and is fo 
trained, as to bring its booty to its mafter, who waits in 
fome convenient place to receive 1t*.-—They are fo de- 
ftruCtive, and have been fo often employed in illicit prac- 

* We have feen a Dog and Bitch of this kind in the poffeffion 


« 


of a man, who had formerly ufed them for the purpole above de- 
tcribed. He declared, that he could at that time procure in an 
evening as many Rabbits with them as he could carry home. 


1 ee he 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 31 


tices, that they are now, with great propriety, profcribed ; 
and the breed is almoft extinct, 


Another Dog of this family, formerly in ufe, but now 
only known to us by its name, is 


tua, TUMBLER; 


which was fo called from its cunning manner of taking 
Rabbits and other game. It did not run directly at 
them; but, in a carelefs and inattentive manner, tum- 
bled itfelf about, till it came within reach of its prey, 
which it always feized by a fudden {pring. : 


ti) 


ee eR eR 


has a moft acute fmell, 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; fuch as Wealels, Fou- 


marts, Badgers, Rats, Mice, &c. It is fierce, keen, and 
hardy; and, in its encounters with the Badger, fome- 


316 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


\ 


times meets with very fevere treatment, which it fuftaing. 
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, 
fhort-legged, long-backed, very ftrong, and moft com- 
monly of a black or yellowifh colour, mixed with white; 
the other is fmooth, fleek, and beautifully formed, having 
a fhorter body, and more fprightly appearance: It is ge- 
nerally of a reddifh-brown colour, or black, with tanned 
Jegs; and is fimilar to the rough Terrier in difpofition 
and faculties, but inferior in fize, ftrength, and hardi- 
nels. 


Vis WEE \\\\ 
a, N 


Twe: BE A GL 


Of thofe Dogs that are kept for the bufinefs of the 
chafe in this country, the Beagle is the fmalleft, and is 
only ufed in hunting the Hare. Although’ far inferior in 
point of {peed to that animal, it follows by the exquifite- 


| 
| 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 317 


fiefs of its {cent, and traces her footfteps, through all her 
various windings, with great exactnefs and perfeverance. 
Its tones are foft and mufical, and add greatly to the 
pleafures of the chafe. 


Tre HARIER, 


which chiefly differs from the Beagle in being fomewhat 
larger, is very nimble and vigorous. It purfues the Hare 
with the moft impetuous eagernefs, and gives her no 
time to breathe or double. The moft eager fportfmen 
generally find it fuflicient exercife to keep in with their 
fpeed.—They exert their voices with great chearfulnefs, 
and make delightful harmony. 


A mixt breed, between this and the large Terrier, 
forms a ftrong, active, and hardy Hound, ufed in hunt- 
ing the Otter.—lIt is rough, wire-haired, thick-quartered, 
long-eared, and thin-fhouldered. 


318 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


‘There is reafon to fuppofe, that the Beagle and the 
Harier muft have been introduced into Great-Britain af- 
ter the Romans became matters of the ifland; as, before 
that period, the Britons were occupied in clearing their 
extenfive forefts of the various wild beafts, fuch as Wild- 
Boars, Bears, Wolves, &c. with which they abounded; 
and, for that purpofe, larger and ftronger Dogs than the 
Harier or the Beagle would be required. 


\y 
it 


WM (Uh 
Ru, 


‘4 Weg c 


Toe FORO U hae 


No country in Europe can boaft of Fox-Hounds equal © 
in fwiftnefs, ftrength, or agility, to thofe of Britain; 
where the utmoft attention is paid to their breeding, e- 
ducation, and maintenance. ‘The climate alfo feems con- 
genial to their nature; for it has been faid, that when 
Hounds of the Englifh breed have been fent into France 
or other countries, they quickly degenerate, and in fome 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 319 


3 


degree lofe thofe qualities for which they were originally 
fo admirable. 

In England, the attachment to the chafe is in fome 
meafure confidered as a trait in the national character; 
confequently, it is not to be wondered at, that our Dogs 
and Horfes fhould excel all others in that noble diverfion. 
This propenfity appears to be encreafing in the nation ; 
and no price feems now thought too great for Hounds of 
known excellence *. 

The Fox-Hounds generally preferred are tall, light- 
made, but {irong, and poffeffed of great courage, f{peed, 
and activity. 

The habits and faculties of thefe Dogs are fo generally 
known, as to render any. defcription unneceflary. 

Dogs of the fame kind are alfo trained to the hunting 
of the Stag and other Deer. — 

‘The following anecdote affords a proof of their won- 
derful {pirit in fupporting a continuity of exertion : 


sé Many years fince, a very large Stag was turned out of 
Whinfield Park, in the county of Weftmorland; and purfued 
by the Hounds, till, by fatigue or accident, the whole pack 
was thrown out, except two ftaunch and favourite Dogs, which 
continued the chafe the greateft part of the day. The Stag re- 
turned to the park from whence he fet out; and, as his laft ef- 
fort, leapt the wall, and expired as foon as he had accomplifhed 
it. One of the Hounds purfued to the wall; but being unable 
to get over it, laid down, and almoft immediately expired: ‘The 
other was alfo found at a {mall diftance 

«¢ ‘The length of the chafe is uncertain: But as they were 
feen at Red-kirks, near Annan, in Scotland, diftant, by the 
poft-road, about forty-fix miles, it is conjectured, that the cir- 
cuitous and uneven courfe they might be fuppofed to take, 
would not be lefs than one hundred and twenty miles ! 

<< To commemorate this faét, the horns of the Stag, which 
were the largeft. ever feen'in that part of the country, were 


* In 1788, Mr Noel’s pack was fold to Sir Wm Lowther, 
hart. for rooo guineas. 


320 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


placed on a tree of a moft enormous fize, in the park, (afters 
wards called the Hart-horn tree) accompanied with this inferips 
tion :— : 
* Hercules kill’d Hart o’Greece: 
‘¢ And Hart o’Greece kill’d Hercules.”* 
‘¢ The horns have been fince removed; and are now at Ju- 
lian’s Bower, in the fame county.” 


Z Z 
easy, 
Wp edis 


Fo 


vinyl 
Nh 


\\\i) 


eit PZ N i i ' sami ita 
iN . \ Hane? 
aint YY) \ Wu 
“i Af Ay 1) \ 
yun GT WN ~ 
: A ueakl ee AY 
ut \\ 


Y 


5 UNS ens 
RAW 


Tue O_p Encuss HOUND 


is defcribed by Whitaker, in his Hiftory of Manchefter, 
as the original breed of this ifland, ufed by the ancient 
Britons in the chafe of the larger kinds of game, with 
which their country abounded. | 

This valuable Hound is diftinguifhed by its great fize 
and ftrength. Its body is long, its cheft deep, its ears 
long and {weeping, and the tone of its voice peculiarly 
deep and mellow.—From the particular formation of its 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 321 


organs, or from the extraordinary moifture that always 
adheres to its nofe and lips, or perhaps from fome other 
unknown caufe, it is endued with the moft exquifite 
fenfe of fmelling, and can often diftinguifh the fcent an 
hour after the lighter Beagles have given it up. Their 
flownefs alfo difpofes them to receive the directions of 
the huntfman: But as they are able to hunt a cold fcent, 
they are too apt to make it fo, by — want of {peed, 
and tedious exactnefs. 
Thefe Dogs were once common in every part of this 
ifland, and were formerly much larger than at prefent. 
The breed, which has been gradually declining, and 
its fize fludioufly diminifhed by a mixture of other kinds 
in order to increafe its {peed, is now almoft extinct. 
It feems to have been accurately defcribed by Shake- 
{fpeare, in the following lines :— 
« My Hounds are bred out of the Spartan kind, 
‘© So flew’d, fo fanded; and their heads are hung 
*¢ With ears that {weep away the morning dew; 
“ Crook-knee’d and dewlap’d, like Theffalian bulls; 


‘¢ Slow in purfuit; but match’d in mouth like bells, 
‘© Each under each,” ; 


Befides thefe, there is a variety called the Kibble~Hound, 
produced by a mixture of the Beagle and the Old Eng- 


lifh Hound. 


THe BLOOD-HOUND 


Was in great requeft with our anceftors; and as it was 
remarkable for the finenefs of its {cent, it was frequently 
employed in recovering game that had efcaped wounded 
from'the hunter. It could follow, with great certainty, 


x 


322 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


the footfteps of a man to a confiderable diftance: And in 
barbarous and uncivilized times, when the thief or mur- 
derer had fled, this ufeful creature would trace him 
through the thickeft and moft fecret coverts; nor would 
it ceafe its purfuit till it had taken the felon. For this 
reafon, there was a law in Scotland, that whoever de- 
nied entrance to one of thefe Dogs, in purfuit of ftolen 
goods, fhould-be deemed an acceflary. 

Blood-Hounds were formerly ufed in certain diftricts 
| lying between England and Scotland, which were much 
infefted 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 Juftice is now 
extended over every part of the country, and there are no 
fecret recefies where villainy may lay concealed, thefe 
fervices are no longer neceflary. 

In Scotland, it was diftinguifhed by the name of the 
Sleuth-Hound. 

Some few of thefe Dogs are ftill kept in the fouthern 
parts of the kingdom, and are ufed in purfuit of Deer 
that have been previoufly wounded by a fhot to draw 
blood, the fcent of which enables them to purfue with 
moft unerring fteadinefs,—They are fometimes employed 
in difcovering deer-ftealers, whom they infallibly trace 
by the blood that iffues from the wounds of their vitims. 
—-They are alfo faid to be kept in convents, fituated in 
the lonely and mountainous countries of Switzerland, 
both as a guard to the facred manfion, as well as to find 
out the bodies of men that have been unfortunately lott 
in crofling thofe wild and dreary tracts. 

The Blood-Hound is taller than the Old Englifh 
Hound, moft beautifully formed, and fuperior to every 
other kind in activity, fpeed, and fagacity.—They feldom 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 323 


bark, except in the chafe; and are commonly of a red- 
difh or brown colour. 

Somervile thus beautifully defcribes their mode of pur- 
fuing the nightly fpoiler :— 


“© Soon the fagacious brute, his curling tail 
*¢ Flourifh’d in air, low bending, plies around 
** His bufy nofe, the fteaming vapour f{nuffs 
“¢ Inquifitive, nor leaves one turf untry’d, 
«¢ Till, confcious of the recent ftains, his heart 
« Beats quick; his fnufling nofe, his active tail, 
** Atteft 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 lift’ning crowd 
<¢ Applaud his reas'‘nings: O’er the wat’ry ford, 
‘ Dry fandy heaths, and ftony barren hills; 
‘© O’er beaten paths, with men and beafts diftain’d, 
“© Unerring he purfves, till at the cot 
¢ ‘Arriv’d, and feizing by his guilty throat 
‘* The caitiff vile, redeems the captive preys 


} 29 


*° So exquifitely delicate his fenfe! ” 


A 


LESS 


THe Spanish POINTER 


is of foreign origin, as its name feems to imply; but it 
is now naturalized in this country, which has long been 
famous for Dogs of this kind; the greateft attention be- 
ing paid to preferve the breed in its utmoft purity. 

This Dog is remarkable for the aptnefs and facility 
with which it receives inftruction. It may be faid to be 
almoft felf-taught; whilft the Englifh Pointer requires 
the greateft care and attention in breaking and training 
to the fport. ‘The Spanifh Pointer, however, is not fo 
durable and hardy, nor fo able to undergo the fatigues of 
an extenfive range. It is chiefly employed in finding 
partridges, pheafants, &c. either for the gun or the net. 


It is faid, that an Englifh nobleman (Robert Dudley, 
duke of Northumberland) was the firft that broke a Set= 
ting-Dog to the net. 


The Setting-Dogs, now ufed by fportf{men, are gene- 
rally of a mixt breed, between the Englifh and Spanith. 
Pointer. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 325 


THe Encitisu SETTER 


is a hardy, adtive, handfome Dog.-—Its fcent is exqui- 
fite; and it ranges with great fpeed and wonderful per- 
feverance. Its fagacity in difcovering the various kinds 
of game, and its caution in approaching them, are truly 
aftonifhing. But as the ufes of this valuable Dog are fo 
well known, we will conclude with the following beau- 
tiful quotation from Somervile :— | 


** When autumn fmiles, all-beauteous in decay, 
‘¢ And paints each chequer’d grove with various hues, 
‘* My Setter ranges in the new-fhorn fields, 
*¢ His nofe in air erect; from ridge to ridge 
‘* Panting he bounds, his quarter’d ground divides 
*¢ Jn equal intervals, nor carelefs leaves 
** One inch untry’d: At length the tainted gales 
*¢ His noftrils wide inhale; quick joy elates 
‘* His beating heart, which, aw’d by difcipline 

q “ Severe, he dares not own, but cautious creeps, 
‘¢ Low-cow’ring, ftep by flep; at Jaft attains 
“* His proper diftance; there he ftops at once, 
‘¢ And points with his inftructive nofe upon 
‘¢ The trembling prey.” 


X 3 


=———SS> 


Tue NewrounpLanp DOG, 


The drawing of this Dog was taken from a very fine 
one at Eflington, in the county of Northumberland, the 
feat of Sir H. G. Liddell. bart.-—-Its dimenfions were as 
follow :—From its nofe to the end of its tail, it meafured 
fix feet two inches; the length of its tail, one foot ten 
inches; from one fore foot right over its fhoulders to the 
other, five feet feven inches; girt behind the fhoulder, 
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, could {wim extremely 
faft, dive with great eafe, and bring up any thing from 
the bottom of the water. It was naturally fond of fith 5 
and ate raw trouts, or other {mall fifh, out of the nets. 

This breed of Dogs was originally brought from the 
country of which they bear the name, where their great 
ftrength and docility render them extremely ufeful to the 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 327 


fettlers on thofe coafts, who ufe them in bringing down 
wood from the interior parts of the country to the fea- 
fide: Three or four of them yoked to a fledge, will draw 
two or three hundred weight of wood piled upon it, for 
feveral miles, with great eafe: They are not attended 
with a driver, nor any perfon to guide them; but after 
having delivered their loading, they return immediately 
to the woods, where they are accuftomed to be fed with 
dried fifh, &c. 

The extraordinary fagacity of thefe Dogs, and their at- 
tachment to their matters, render them highly valuable in 
particular fituations. 

During a fevere ftorm, in the winter of 1789, a fhip, 
belonging to Newcaftle, was loft near Yarmouth; and a 
- Newfoundlgnd Dog alone efcaped to thore, bringing in 
his mouth the captain’s pocket-book. He landed amidit 
a number of people, feveral of whom in vain endeavour- 
ed to take it from him. The fagacious animal, as if fen- 
fible of the importance of the charge, which in all proba- 
bility was delivered to him by his perifhing matter, at 
Jength leapt fawningly againft the breaft of a man, who 
had attracted his notice among the crowd, and delivered 
the book to him. The Dog immediately returned to the 
place where he had landed, and watched with great ate 
tention for every thing that came from the wrecked vef- 
fel, feizing them, and endeavouring to bring them to 
Jand. 

The following is another inftance of their great doci- 
lity, and ftrength of obfervation :—A gentleman walking 
by the fide of the river Tyne, and obferving, on the op- 
pofite fide, a child fall into the water, gave notice to his 
Dog, which immediately jumped in, {wam over, and, 

X 4 


328 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS: 


catching hold of the child with its mouth, brought it fafg 
to land, 


OSS 
Sx 


Ds, 

aN 

ef 
ye 


misty hive 


ot coqartnigaipenqeese canal i \ \ I iW 


THe Larce Rouch WATER-DOG 


is web-footed, {wims with great eafe, and is ufed in 
hunting ducks and other aquatic birds:x—From its aptnefs 
to fetch and carry, it is frequently kept on board of thips, 
for the purpofe of recovering any thing that has fallen 
overboard; and is likewife ufeful in taking up birds that 
are fhot, and drop into the fea. 

There is a variety much f{maller. They are both re- 
markable for their long and fhaggy coat, which frequent- 
ly incommodes them by eae over their eyes. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 329 


<..U3 


WSS S 
RRASNSS 


THe Larce WATER-SPANIEL. 


The drawing of this beautiful animal was made from 
one of the fineft of its kind, in the poffeffion of J. E, 
Blackett, efq; of Newcaftle upon Tyne. 

This kind of Dog is valuable for its great docility and 
attachment to its mafter. It receives inftructions with 
readineis, and obeys with uncommon alacrity.—Its form 
is elegant, its hair beautifully curled or crifped, its ears 
long, and its afpect mild and fagacious.-—It is fond of 
the water, and fwims well. It is chiefly ufed in difco- 
vering the haunts of wild-ducks and other water fowl; 
and alfo in finding birds that have been fhot or difabled.. 
-~It is probably the Pinder, defcribed by Caius. 


330 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


THe SMALL WATER-SPANIEL 


is fimilar to the other in form, habits, and difpofition ; 
and its capacity for receiving inftruction is equally good. 
With looks of extreme attention and fenfibility, it ob- 
ferves the motion of its mafter, and catches the well- 
known fignal with amazing promptitude. 

The various tricks which thefe Dogs are fometimes 
taught to perform, feem more like the effect of reafoning 
powers, than of undifcerning inftinct. : 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 331 


= i sre 


THe SPRINGER, or COCKER, 


is lively, active, and pleafant; an unwearied purfuer of 
its game; and very expert in raifing woodcocks and 
fnipes from their haunts in woods and marfhes, through 
which it ranges with amazing perfeverance. 


Of the fame kind is that beautiful little Dog, which, 
in this country, is well known under the appellation of 
King Charles's Dog; the favourite and conftant compa- 
nion -of that monarch, who was generally attended by 
feveral of them.-—It is {till preferved as an idle but inno- 
cent companion.-—Its long ears, curled hair, and web- 
feet, evidently point out its allrance with the more ufeful 
and active kind laft mentioned. 


Similar to this, but {maller, is the Pyrame-Dog.—Kt is 
generally black, with reddith legs; and above each eye is 
a {pot of the fame colour. 


till farther removed, we have the Shock-Dog: A di- 
minutive creature, almoft hid in the great quantity of its 
hair, which covers it from head to foot. 


932 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Another variety is the Lion-Dog; fo called from the 
fhaggy hair which covers the head and all the fore part 
of the body; whilft the hinder part is quite {mooth, fav- 
ing a tuft of hair at the end of the tail.—This fpecies 1s 
become extremely rare. 


THe COMFORTER 


is a moft elegant little animal, and is generally kept by 
the ladies as an attendant of the toilette, or the drawing- 
room.-—It is very fnappifh, ill-natured, and noify; and 
does not readily admit the familiarity of ftrangers, 


Aa 
? A LIE a \ Mh : 
oe aif : eu ES 

gs cs ee ti : 
Ut ml il. 23 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 333 


THE ya VR GoP ED. 


is generally long-bodied, has fhort crooked legs, its tail 
curled upon its back, and is frequently {potted with black 
upon a blue-grey ground. It is peculiar in the colour of 
its eyes; the fame Dog often having the iris of one eye 
black, and the other white. 

It is a bold, vigilant, and fpirited little Dog. At pre- 
fent, however, its fervices feem but little attended to; 
a more certain method of doing the bufinefs of the fpit 
having fuperfeded the labours of this induftrious animal. 


THE PUG-DOG, 


in outward appearance, is every way formed like the 
Bull-Dog; but much fmaller, and its tail curled upon 
its back.-—It was formerly very common in many parts 
of England; however, at prefent, it is rarely to be met 
with.— Although it has no longer its admirers here, Mrs 
Piozzi informs us, that fhe faw great numbers at Padua, 
in Italy ; and that it ftill maintains its place in the favour 
of the fair-ones of that country. 


From thefe, and a mixture of others, proceeds a num- 
berlefs variety of Meffets, Lap-Dogs, saidiaus Waps, 
Mongrels, and compounds without end. 


334 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


That all thefe, however divided, compofe one general 
family, is apparent, from the facility with which they 
intermix, produce, and reproduce. In all of them the 
fame attachment to mankind, the fame pliant and hum- 
ble difpofition, fubmitting with patience to the various 
indignities to which they are expofed by their dependant 
fituation, is eminently obfervable. Even thofe that, by 
accident or negle€t, have been abandoned and become 
wild, when taken home, are eafily reclaimed by kindnefs 
and attention: They quickly become familiar, and conti- 
nue faithfully attached to their mafters.—Multitudes of 
thefe are to be found in South-America, which have | 
fprung from thofe taken thither by the Europeans. They 
breed in holes in the ground, are formed fomewhat like 
a Greyhound, have erect ears, are very vigilant, and ex- 
cellent in the chafe. ‘ 

To mention fome of the more common inftances of 
this creature’s fagacity, by way of elucidating its general 
character, may not be amifs; and amongft thefe, its care 
in directing the fteps of the blind man is not the leaft 
worthy of notice. There are few who have not feen an 
unfortunate objet of this defcription, led by his Dog, 
through the various paflages of a populous town, to the 
accuftomed place where he fits to fupplicate the contri- 
butions of paflengers. It may fometimes be feen to ftop 
at particular houfes, to receive the morfel from the hand 
of charity, or pick from the ground the money thrown 
out to relieve its miferable owner. When the day is 
paffed, it conduits him home again; and gratefully re- 
ceives, as the reward of its fervices, the fcanty pittance 
which poverty and wretchednefs can beftow. 

Dogs will fometimes imitate the actions of their maf-_ 
ters, will open a door that is faftened with a latch, og — 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 33; 


pull a bell, where they are defirous of gaining admit- 
tance.—Faber mentions one, belonging to a nobleman of 
_ the Medici family, which always attended at its mafter’s 
_ table, took from him his plates, and brought him others; 
and if he wanted wine, would carry it to him, in a glafs 
placed upon a filver plate, which it held in its mouth, 
without fpilling the fmalleft drop. The fame Dog would 
_alfo hold the ftirrups in its teeth, whilft its mafter was 
mounting his horfe. | ; 

That Dogs are capable of mutual attachment, is evi- 
dent, from the well-known ftory of the Dog at St Al- 
ban’s; which, being left by its mafter at an inn there till 
_ he returned from London, and being ill-treated by a large 
- Dog belonging to the houfe, ftole privately off, It foon 
returned with a friend, that was much larger and ftrong- 
er than itfelf; and both fell upon the agegreffor, and pu- 
nifhed him feverely for his cruelty to a ftranger. 

There are feveral peculiarities common to all animals 
of the Dog kind, briefly mentioned by Linnzus, with 
which we fhall conclude its hiftory; the principal of 
which are as follow:—The Dog is carnivorous; its f{to-= 
mach digefts bones; it eats grafs for a vomit ; voids its 
urine fideways, and commonly where other Dogs have 
done fo before; fmells at a ftranger; fcarcely ever 
{fweats, but lolls out its tongue when hot; remembers 
injuries done to it; is fubje€t to the hydrophobia; its 
fenfe of hearing very quick; when afleep, is fuppofed to 
dream; goes with young fixty-three days, and brings 
forth from four to eight at onetime. It barks at ftrange 
Dogs, {naps at a ftone thrown at it, howls at certain mu- 
fical notes; when about to lie down, frequently goes 
round the place; fawns at the approach of its matter, 
and will not patiently fuffer any one to ftrike him; runs 


536 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


before him on a journey, often going over the fame 
ground; on coming to crofs-ways, {tops, looks back, and 
waits to obferve which of them he takes; fits up and 
begs; and, when it has committed a theft, flinks away, 
with its tail between its legs; is am enemy to beggars 
and ill-looking people, and attacks them without the leaft 
provocation ; 1s alfo faid to be fick at the approach of bad 
weather.-—We cannot, however, agree with the learned 
naturalift, when he afferts, that the male puppies refem- 
ble the Dog, and the female the Bitch’; or that it is a 
character common to the whole fpecies, that the tail al- 
ways bends to the left fide. To thefe 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, confifting "of 
Hounds and Terriers.-—We barely mention thefe, to 
fhew, that too much caution cannot be ufed in forming 
general characters or fy{tematic arrangements; and we 
leave it to the experience of the moft inattentive obferver 
to detect fuch palpable abfurdities. : 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 333 


MARINA A, 
~N 


NS AG Ny 


THE BAAN, Te. te 
OD harmlefs and inoffenfive animal, deftitute of 


every means of defence, and furrounded on all 
fides by its enemies, would foon be utterly extirpated, 
if Nature, ever kind and provident, had not endowed it 
with faculties, by which it is frequently enabled to evade 
their purfuit. 

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 pieafure, and 
eafily directed to every quarter, is warned of the moft 
diftant approaches of danger. Its eyes are large and pro- 
minent, adapted to receive the rays of light on every fide, 
and give notice of more immediate alarms. To thefe 
may be added its great {wiftnefs, by which it foon leaves 
moft of its purfuers far behind.-—The hind are much 
longer than the fore legs, and are furnifhed with ftrong 
mulcles, which give the Hare a fingular advantage in 
running up a hill; and, as if fenfible of its powers in 
this refpect, it is always obferved to fly towards rifing 
ground when firft ftarted. 

x 


338 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Thus formed for efcape, the Hare might be fuppofed 
to enjoy a ftate of tolerable fecurity; but as every rapa- 
cious creature is its enemy, it is feldom permitted to live 
out its natural term. Dogs and Foxes purfue it by in- 
ftinét; Wild-Cats, and Weafels of all kinds, catch and 
devour it; birds of prey are ftill more dangerous ene- 
mies; whilft man, far more powerful than all, makes ufe 
of every artifice to obtain an animal which conftitutes 
one of the numerous delicacies of his table.—If we were 
to enumerate the various ftratagems which ingenuity has 
fuggefted to circumvent this perfecuted creature, we 
would willingly omit the notable atchievements and gal- 
lant exploits of the chafe, which, to a cool and difpaf- 
fionate obferver, feem to demand a nobler game. 


“* Poor is the triumph o’er the timid Hare.”’ 


Another remarkable means of fafety to the Hare is its 
colour, which being fimilar to the ground where it fits, 
fecures it from the fight of its enemies ; and, as a further 
inftance of the care of Providence in the prefervation of 
its creatures, thefe, as well as fome other animals, in 
more northern regions, are obferved to change their co- 
lour, and become perfectly white during winter, which 
renders them lefs confpicuous in the fnow. Some rare 
inftances occur, of white Hares being met with in Great 
Britain. 

The Hare is very prolific, and breeds three or four 
times in the year. The female goes with young thirty 
days, and generally brings forth three or four at a litter. 
The rutting feafon begins in February. 

During the day, Hares fleep or repofe in their feats, 
and feldom remove from them: The night is the feafon 
when they go about in fearch of food; and they are fure 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 339 


to return to their forms or feats by the fame paths which 
they took in leaving them. 


e¢ Tis inftin& that direds the jealous Hare 

“© To chufe her foft abode. With ‘ftep revers’d, 

‘¢ She forms the doubling maze; then, ere the morn 
‘¢ Peeps through the clouds, leaps to her clofe recefs.”’ 


The following inftances of the fagacity of the Hare in 
endeavouring to efcape from its enemies are worthy of 
notice :—Fouilloux fays, he has feen a Hare ftart from its 
form at the found of the hunter’s horn, run towards a 
pool of water at a confiderable diftance, plunge itfelf in, 
and {wim to fome rufhes in the middle, where it lay 
down, and concealed itfelf from the purfuit of the Dogs. 
He mentions another, which, after running two hours 
before the Dogs, pufhed a Hare from its feat, and took 
pofleffion of it. Others he has feen run into a fheepfold, 
and lie down among the Sheep; and fome have effected 
their efcape by mounting an old wall, and clapping them- 
felves down in the mid{ft of the ivy which covered it. 

The fur of the Hare is of great ufe in making hats; 
for which purpofe many thoufands of their {kins are an- 
nually imported from Ruffia. 

The Hare was reckoned a great delicacy among the 
Romans; but was forbidden to the Jews, and held fa- 
cred among the ancient Britons, who religioufly abftain- 
ed from eating it.—We are told, that Boadicea, immedi- 
ately before her laft confli€& with the Romans, let loofe 
a Hare fhe had concealed in her bofom; which, taking 
what was deemed a fortunate courfe, was looked upon 
as a good omen.—It is to this day deemed unclean by the 
Mahometans. 

The Hare is found in moft parts of the world, with 

o2 


340 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 


re] 


very little variety.-—Thofe of North-America are rather 
lefs than the European. They frequent marfhes and 
meadows, and when purfued take refuge in hollow trees. 


THe ALPINE Of " R E 


is grey in fummer, with a flight mixture of black and 
tawny. Its hair is foft; its ears fhorter, and its legs 
more flender, than the common Hare’s. In winter, the 
whole body changes to a fnowy whitenefs, except the 
tips and edges of the ears, which remain black. 

This animal lives on the higheft hills in Scotland, 
Norway, Lapland, Rufha, and Siberia; never defcends 
_ from the mountains, nor mixes with the common Hare, 
although they abound in the fame parts.—It does not run 
faft; and, when purfued, often takes fhelter in clefts of 
rocks. It is eafily tamed, is very frolicfome, and fond 
of honey and other fweets. It changes its colour in Sep- 
tember, and refumes its grey coat in April.—Troops of 
five or fix hundred are fometimes feen, which migrate 
towards the South in fpring, and return in autumn. 


A variety is found in thofe mountains of Tartary 
which extend as far as the lake Baikal. It inhabits the 
middle regions of the hills, among thick woods, and in 
moift places abounding with grafs and herbage. It lives 
in the crevices of rocks, and fometimes burrows in the 
earth lodged between the clefts.-—Its voice is a flarp 
whiftle, not unlike the chirping of a {parrow. 

In the autumn, great numbers of them aflemble to- 
gether, and collect vaft quantities of the fineft herbs, 
which, when dried, they form into pointed ricks of va- 
rious fizes; fome of them four or five feet in height, and 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 341 


of proportionable bulk. Thefe they place under the fhel- 
ter of an overhanging rock, or pile round the trunks of 
trees.—By this means, thefe induftrious little animals lay 
up a ftock of winter food, and wifely provide again{t the 
rigours of thofe ftormy regions ; otherwife, being pre- 
vented by the depth of the fnow from quitting their re- 
treats in queft of food, they muft all inevitably perifh, 


AWARE TUTE ALO ap oe 


THe oR AB BT T, 


) OTWITHSTANDING the great fimilarity be- 
N tween the Hare and the Rabbit, Nature has 
placed an infuperable bar between them, in not allow- 
ing them to intermix, to which they mutually difcover 
the moft extreme averfion. Befides this, there is a wide 
difference in their habits and propenfities: The Rabbit 
lives in holes in the earth, where it brings forth its 
young, and retires from the approach of danger; whilft 
the Hare prefers the open field, and trufts to its fpeed 
for fafety. 


~ 3 


342 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


The fecundity of the Rabbit is truly aftonifhing. I¢ 
breeds feven times in the year, and generally produces 
eight young at a time; from which it is calculated, that 
one pair may increafe, in the courfe of four years, to the 
amazing number of 1,274,840: So that, if frequent re- 
dudctions were not made in various ways, there is reafon 
to apprehend they would foon exceed the means of their 
fupport, and over-run the face of the country. But as 
their increafe is great, fo is the number of their enemies; 
for, befides thofe that are taken for the ufe of man, great 
numbers are devoured by Foxes, Weafels, Foumarts, and 
other beafts of prey.—In Spain, they formerly increafed 
to fuch a degree, as to become fo obnoxious, that the in- 
habitants were obliged to procure Ferrets from Africa to 
deftroy them. 

The Rabbit is capable of procreating at the age of five 
or fix months.—The female goes with young about thirty 
days. Previous to her bringing forth, fhe makes a bed 
with ‘down, that fhe pulls off her own coat. She never 
leaves her young but when preffed with hunger, and re- 
turns as foon as that is allayed, which fhe effects with 
furprifing quicknefs. During the time fhe tends and 
fuckles her young, fhe carefully conceals them from the 
male, left he fhould devour them; and frequently covers 
up the mouth of the hole, that her retreat may not be 
difcovered. 

It lives to the age of eight or nine years, and prefers 
warm and temperate climates.—Pliny and Ariftotle men- 
tion it as being anciently known only in Greece and 
Spain: It is now, however, common in various parts of 
Europe ; but in Sweden and other cold countries, it can 
only be reared in houfes. 

It abounds in Great-Britain, where its {kin forms a 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 343 


very confiderable article in the manufacture of hats.-— 
Lincolnfhire, Norfolk, and Cambridgefhire, are moft 
noted for the production of them. 

The flefh of the Rabbit, as well as the Hare, was for. 
bidden to the Jews and Mahometans. 


SS 
14 A S& 
gf GAL, 


THe Domestic RABBIT 


is of various colours,—white, brown, black, and varie- 
gated.---It is fomewhat larger than the’ wild Rabbit; but 
its flefh is not fo good, being fofter and more infipid.—- 
Its food is generally cabbage leaves, colewort, blades of 
corn, four-dock, and other fucculent plants; but fweet 
fhort hay, with a little clean oats, make the beft diet. 


The Raspit of Ancora, like the Goat and Sheep 
of that country, is covered with long hair, which falls 
down its fide in wavy curls, and is of a filky finenefs. 


Mr Pennant defcribes a remarkable variety under the 
name of the Hooded Rabbit, which has a double fkin over 
its back, into which it can withdraw its head: It like- 
wife conceals its fore legs in a part which falls down un- 


der its throat. There are {mall holes in this loofe fkin 
¥i4 


— 
———— 


344 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


on the back, which admit light to the eyes.—The colour 
of the body is cinereous; that of the head and ears is 
brown. 

A manufcript account of this animal, with a drawing 
by Mr G. Edwards, is preferved in the Britith Mufeum. 


The Rabbit is not a native of America.-—There are 
great numbers of them in many of the Weft-India 
iflands, which have originated from a ftock carried thi- 
ther from Europe. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 345 


THe GUINEA-PIG, or Restuzss CAVY. 
is eee: little animal, though a native of Brazil, lives 


and propagates in temperate, and even in cold cli- 
mates, when protected from the inclemency of the fea- 
fons.---Great numbers are kept in a domettic flate; but 
for what purpofe can hardly be determined. ‘They have 
neither beauty nor utility to recommend them: Their 
ikins are of little value; and their flefh, though eatable, 
is far from being good. ‘Their habits and difpofition are 
equally unpleafant and difgufting: Void of attachment 
even to their own offspring, they fuiter them to be de- 
voured the moment they are brought forth, without mak- 
ing the fmalleft attempt to defend them. The males fre- 
quently deftroy their own young; and are fo ftupid, as 
to allow themfelves to be killed by Cats, without refift- 
ance. They pafs their whole lives in fleeping, eating, 
and in the propagation of their fpecies. They are by na- 
ture gentle and tame: They do no mifchief, but feem to 
be equally incapable of good.—Rats are faid to avoid the 
places where they refide. 

The Guinea-Pig is confiderably lefs 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, 


346 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


in irregular patches; has no tail; is a reftlefs animal 5 
feeds on bread, grain, and vegetables; and makes a noife 
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 f{pecies 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, perifh by the feverity of the climate, and want of 
proper care. 


THe SrotTrTrEp:*C AW. 


ts about the fize of a Hare; but its body is much thicker, 
plumper, and fatter. The colour of the hair on the back 
is dark-brown, or liver-coloured; it is lighter on the 
fides, which are beautifully marked with lines of white 
fpots, running in parallel direCtions from its throat to its 
rump; thofe on the upper part of the body are perfe€tlly 
diftinG ; the belly is white. Its head is large; its ears 
fhort 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 flit or 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 347 


furrow, which feems 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 ftrong 
yellow cutting-teeth in each jaw; its mouth is {mall, and 
its upper lip is divided; it has long whifkers on its lips, 
and on each fide of its head, under the ears; its legs are 
fhort; it has four toes on the fore feet, and three on the 
hind; it has no tail. 

The Spotted Cavy is a native of South-America, and 
lives on the banks of rivers in warm and moitt places. 
It digs holes in the ground, fecretes itfelf during the day, 
and goes out at night in queft of food. 

Its motions are heavy and ungraceful. It runs feldom, 
and with extreme aukwardnefs; fits frequently upon its 
pofteriors; and, in that fituation, {mooths and drefles it- 
felf with its paws, drawing them over its body with the 
utmolt nicety. 

It is a cleanly animal, and will not bear the {malleft 
degree of dirtinefs in its apartment. 

In a domeftic fttae, it is gentle and tractable, fond of 
attention, and licks the hand of any one that carefles it. 
When irritated, it is apt to bite. Its anger is exprefled 
by chattering its teeth, and is always preceded by a kind 


of grunting. It feeds on grain, roots, fruits, and al- 
moft every kind of vegetable. 

When purfued, it takes to the water, and efcapcs by 
diving. If attacked by Dogs, it makes a vigorous de- 
fence. 

Its fleth is eftemed a great delicacy by the natives of 
Brazil. | 

We have been minute in our defcription of this curi- 
ous little animal, which was drawn from the life; and 


think there is great reafon to. conclude, that the {pecies 


poe ree 


348 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS: 


might be eafily naturalized in this country, and added to 
our ftock of ufeful animals. It is not much afraid of * 
cold; and being accuftomed to burrow, it ‘would by that 
means defend itfelf again{t the rigours of our winter. 
There are feveral varieties of them; fome of which 
weigh from fourteen to twenty, and even thirty pounds. 


\N \ NINHE 


SSE 


rr 


Tre CAPIBAR 2 


is a native of South-America, and lives on the banks of 
great rivers, fuch as the Oronoque, Amazons, and Rio 
de la Plata; fwims and dives remarkably well, and is ve- 
ry dexterous in catching fifth, upon which it chiefly fub- 
fifts: It likewife eats grain, fruits, and fugar-canes ; 
feeds moftly in the night, and commits great ravages in 
the gardens.-—They generally keep in large herds, and 
make a noife not much unlike the braying of an Afs. 
Its flefh is fat and tender; but, like that of the Otter, 
has an oily and fifhy tafte. 
It is about the fize of a fmall Hog; and, by fome na- 
turalifts, has been clafled with that animal. 
Its fore hoofs are divided into four, the hind ones into 
three; its head is large and thick, and on the nofe there 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 349 


are long whifkers; its ears are {mall and rounded, and its 
eyes large and black; there are two large cutting-teeth, 
and eight grinders, in each jaw ; and each of thefe grind- 
ers forms on its furface what appears to be three teeth, 
flat at their ends; the legs are fhort; the toes long, and 
connected at the bottom with a {mall web; the end of 
each toe is guarded by a {mall hoof; it has no tail; the 
hair on the body is fhort, rough, and of a brown colour. 

It isa gentle animal, eafily tamed, and will follow thofe 
who feed it and treat it kindly. 

As it runs badly, on account of the peculiar conftruc.- 
tion of its feet, its fafety confifts not in flight; Nature 
has provided it with other means of prefervation: When 
in danger, it plunges into the water, and dives to a great 
_ diftance. 


‘Ny 


i i) 


Wy pS 
LY! ae || MA 70, 
: A EEL ey 
a hea 
~ © +, ¢n, 
= = 
Mdits 


Tuz AGOUTI, or Lone-nosep CAVY, 


is about the fize of a Hare; its nofe is long, upper lip 
divided, fkin fleek and fhining, ofa brown colour mixed 
with red, tail fhort, legs flender and almoft naked; has 
four toes on the fore feet, and three on the hind; grunts 
like a pig; fits on its hind legs, and feeds itfelf with its 
paws; and when fatiated with food, it conceals the re- 


350 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


mainder. It eats fruits, roots, nuts, and almoft every 
kind of vegetable; is hunted with Dogs; runs faft, and 
its motions are like thofe of a Hare. Its flefh, which 
refembles that of a Rabbit, is eaten by the inhabitants of 
South-America. 

Great numbers of them are found in Guiana 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 fometimes five, at a time. 

If taken when young, the Agouti is eafily tamed, and 
It delights 
in cutting or gnawing every thing with its teeth. 
When irritated, the hair of its back rifes, it ftrikes the 
ground with its hind feet, and at the fame time makes a 
noife like the grunting of a pig. 


will go out and return of its own accord. 


Tae’ (A:kK OU Gad 


feems to be a variety of the Agouti; and, though fome- 
what lefs, is nearly of the fame form; but its tail is 
longer. It inhabits the fame countries, is of an olive co- 
lour; its flefh is white, delicate, and has the flavour of a 
young Rabbit; 1s much efteemed by the natives, who 
hunt it with Dogs, and reckon it among the fineft game 
of South-America. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 351 


THe Rocr CAV Y 


is likewife found in Brazil, is about twelve inches in 
length, the colour of the upper part of its body refembles 
that of the Hare, its belly is white, the upper lip divided, 
the ears fhort and rounded like thofe of a Rat, and has 
no tail. It moves like the Hare, its fore legs being fhort- 
er than the hind. It has four toes on the fore feet, and 
only three on the hind.—Its flefh is like that of the Rab- 
bit; and its manner of living is alfo very fimilar. 


\ 


352 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS., 


THe SQUIRREL 
See beautiful little animal is equally admirable 


for the neatnefs and elegance of its formation, as 
for its livelinefs and adtivity.-—Its difpofition 1s gentle 
and harmiefs.---Though naturally wild, it is foon famili- 
arifed to confinement and reftraint; and though excef- 
fively timid, it is eafily taught to receive with freedom 
the moft familiar careffes from the hand that feeds it. 

Tt ufually lives in woods, and makes its neft of mofs 
or dry leaves in the hollows of trees.---It feldom defcends 
upon the ground, but leaps from tree to tree with great 
agility. . 

Its food confifts of fruits, almonds, nuts, acorns, &c; 
of which it accumulates great ftores for winter provi- 
fion, and fecures them carefully near its neft. In the 
fummer, it feeds on buds and young fhoots, and is par- 
ticularly fond of the cones of the fir and pine trees. 

The fpring is the feafon of love with Squirrels. At 
that time the males purfue the females, and-exhibit won- 
derful proofs of agility; whilft the latter, as if to make 


j 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 353 


trial of the conftancy of their lovers, feem to avoid them 
by a variety of entertaining fallies; and, like true co- 
quets, feign an efcape, by way of enhancing the value of 
the conqueft.-—They bring forth four or five young at a 
Btime. “+ : 

The Squirrel is of a bright-brown colour, inclining to 
red; the breaft and belly are white; the ears are orna- 
mented with long tufts of hair; the eyes are large, black, 
and lively; the fore teeth ftrong and fharp; the fore legs 
are curioufly furnifhed with long fliff hairs, which pro- 
ject on each fide like whifkers. When it eats, it fits 
erect, and ufes its fore feet as hands to convey food to 
its mouth. 

The tail of the Squirrel is its greateft ornament, and 
ferves as a defence from the cold, being large enough to 
cover the whole body; it likewife affifts it in taking leaps 
from one tree to another; and we may add a third appli- 


- Cation of it, which would feem altogether improbabie, 
were we not aflured of it by Linnzeus and other natural- 
ifts:—In attempting to crofs a lake or river, the Squirrel 
places itfelf upon a piece of bark; and, erecting its tail 
to catch the wind, boldly commits itfelf to the mercy of 
the waves. The fmalleft guft of wind is fufficient to 
overfet a whole navy of thefe little adventurers; and in 
{uch perilous voyages many hundreds of them are faid to 
perifh. 


Of the Squirrel there are feveral, varieties fome of 
which are to be found in almoft every country; but they 
chiefly abound in northern and temperate climates. 


Z 


354 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 
THe Hupson’s-Bay SQUIRREL 


is {maller than the European. It is marked along the 
middle of the back with a dufky line, from head to tail; 
the belly is of a pale afh colour, mottled with black; and 
the tail, which is dufky and barred with black, is not fo 
long, nor fo full of hair, as that of the common kind. 


THE GREY SQUIRREL 


is about the fize of a young Rabbit: Its ears are fhort, 
and not tufted at the ends; its hair is grey, mixed with 
black; on each fide there is a red ftreak, which runs 
lengthwife; its tail is long and bufhy, of a grey 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- 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 365 


dible damage to the plantations. Great flocks of them 
defcend from the mountains, and lay wafte the fields of 
maize, by eating the young ears.—A reward of three- 
pence per head was given for every one that was killed ; 
and fuch numbers were deftroyed in one year, that Penn- 
fylvania alone paid in rewards the fum of 8oool. of its 
currency. 

It makes its neft in hollow trees, with mofs, ftraw, 
wool, &c.—lIt lays up ftores of provifions in holes made 
in the ground, for its winter fuftenance. Thefe hoards 
are often deftroyed by Swine; and are fometimes fo long 
covered with {now, that the Squirrel perifhes for want of 
food. 

They are not eafily fhot, but evade the gun with great 
quicknefs the moment they fee it levelled. They are 
eafily tamed; and their flefh is efteemed very delicate. 

The fur is very valuable, and is imported under the 
name of petit-gris. 


DHE BLACK SQUIRREL 


is about the fame fize and form with the laft; but its 
tail is not fo long. It is generally black, with white on 
the nofe, ears, and end of the tail. 

Its difpofition and habits are fo fimilar to the Grey 
Squirrel, that it might be taken for a variety of that 
kind; but it is faid to aflociate in feparate troops, and is 
equally numerous. 

It is found in the northern parts of Afia, 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 
“2 


356 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


black, white, and brown. It is twice the fize of the 
common Squirrel, lives under ground, where it brings 
forth its young, and lays in its ftock of provifions. It 
feeds on maize ; and is extremely lively, gentle, and do- 
cile—It is the Coguallion of M. Buffon. 


THe GrRouND SQUIRREL 


is very numerous in the forefts of North-America, as 
well as the North of Afia.-—It burrows in the ground, 
and makes two entrances to its habitation; that if one 
fhould be ftopped up, it may have accefs by the other. 
Its hole is formed with great fkill, having feveral branch- 
es from the principal pafflage, each of which is termi- 
nated by a ftore-houfe, in which its winter food is depo- 
fited: In one is containéd acorns, in another nuts, in a 
third maize, and in another chefnuts, which are its fa- 
vourite food. 

Thefe animals feldom ftir out during winter, nor fo 
long as their provifions laft:; When thofe fail, they fome- 
times work their way into places where apples are laid 
up, or into barns where maize is ftored, and make great 


havock. During harveft, they fill their mouths fo full 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 354 


with corn, that their cheeks are quite diftended; and in 
this manner carry it to their concealed ftore. ‘They give 
great preference to certain kinds of food; and if, after 
filling their mouths with rye, they chance to meet with 
wheat, they difcharge the one, that they may fecure the 
other. 

The Ground Squirrel is marked with a ftripe of black, 
which runs along the ridge of the back; and on each fide 
a yellow ftripe, bordered with black: Its head, body, and 
tail, are of a reddifh-brown; breaft and belly white; its 
nofe and feet of a pale-red colour: its eyes full and live- 
ly. ; 

It is very wild, bites feverely, and is tamed with difii- 
culty.——I ts {kin 1s of little value. 


fr entre ay 
SS ne, 
“Hawes ZZ. 


aw 
Ze Seeee TTT ITTV HIATT TANS NSCS ania 


awane 


i 


353 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


NS 


THe BAarRBARY SQUIRREL 


is of an afh colour, inclining to red; each fide is beau- 
tifully marked with two white ftripes, running length- 
wife; its belly is white; its tail bufhy, and variegated 
with regular fhades of black, one beneath the other ; its 
eyes are full and black, with white orbits-—lIt is about 
the fize of the common Squirrel. 


THe Parm SQUIRREL 


is fimilar to the laft, having a pale-yellow ftripe on the 
middle of the back, and two on each fide parallel to it; 
the belly :is of the fame colour; the reft of the body 
black and red clofely mixed: Its tail is long, does not lie 
on its back like that of the Squirrel, but is carried erect. 


Both thefe Squirrels inhabit Barbary and other hot 
countries.—They live chiefly in palm-trees, from whence 
the latter has its name. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 359 


Tue Fat SQUIRREL 


is found in France and the fouthern parts of Europe.— 
Its body is covered with foft hair, of an afh colour ; its 
belly whitifh; its ears thin and naked. It is about fix 
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 hollow of trees. 
It remains in a torpid ftate during winter, and grows ve- 
ry fat. 

It was confidered as a great delicacy among the Ro- 
mans, who had places conftructed on purpofe to keep 
and feed them in, which they called glraria. 


THE GREATER DORMOUSE, or 
| Garpen SQUIRREL, 


is rather lefs than the laft-mentioned. Its eyes are fur- 
rounded with a large black fpot, which reaches to the 
ears 3 its body is of a tawny colour ; its throat and belly 
white, tinged with yellow; its tail is long, and bufhy at 
the end. 

{t is common in the South of Europe, infefts gardens, 
is particularly fond of peaches, and very deftructive to all 
kinds of fruit.——It lodges in holes in the walls, and 
brings forth five or fix young at a time. 

It has a ftrong odour, like a Rat; and, like the Fat 
Squirrel, remains torpid during the winter. 


Z 4 


360 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS., 


quad 


EEUiNUUNN Ne 


THe Lesser DORMOUSE 


is rather larger than the Moule, of a tawny-red colour, 
with a white throat, and full black eyes. It lives in 
woods or thick hedges; makes its neft with grafs, dried 


leaves, or mofs, in the hollow of a tree, or the bottom 
of a thick bufh; and brings forth three or four young at 
a time. . 

It lays up ftores of nuts, acorns, and beans; and re- 
tires, at the approach of the cold weather, to its retreat; 
where it rolls itfelf up in a warm neft, made of foft 
mofs, &c3; and remains in a torpid {tate during the con- 
tinuance of winter. The warmth of a funny day, ora 
temporary change from cold to heat, will fometimes re- 
vive it; but after taking a little food, it foon relapfes 
into its former {ftate. 


= 


EE 


THE FLYING SQUIRREL 


is peculiarly diftinguifhed by a membranous continua- 
tion of the fkin of the fides and belly, which extends 
from the fore to the hind feet, and afliits it greatly in 
making leaps from one tree to another, frequently at the 
diftance of twenty or thirty yards. Its head is {mall and 
round, and its upper lip cloven; its eyes are full, round, 
‘and black; and its ears fmall and naked. 

At is found in all the northern regions, both of the old 
and new continents. It is more numerous in America 
than in Europe, is lefs than the common Squirrel, lives 
in trees, and fleeps in the day, but is extremely active 
during the night. 

In the a& of leaping, the loofe fkin is ftretched out by 
the feet; whereby the furface of the body is augmented, 
the animal becomes lighter in proportion to its bulk, the 
acceleration of its fall is retarded, and it appears to fail 
or fly from one place to another. Where a number of 
them are feen at a time leaping, they appear like leaves 
blown off by the wind. 


‘ , 


362 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


There are feveral kinds, differing much in fize-——In 
the iflands of the Eaft-Indies, there is a variety as large 
as a Hare, called the Tacuan, or Great FLYING 
SquiRREL3; which perfectly refembles the other in fi- 
gure and in the form of its lateral membrane. The 
head is {maller in proportion to the fize of the body; the 
colour of the fkin is dark-brown, mixed with white; the 
under part of the body whitifh; the tail is brown, and 
grows gradually deeper towards the end, where it is 
black; the claws are long, thin, and hooked, like thofe 
of a Cat, and enable it to keep hold where it happens to 
fall; it alfo catches hold with its tail, which is long and 
mufcular. : 

It is a wild and timid animal.-—Its bite is fo ftrong, 
that it can make its efcape from a wooden cage with 


great facility. 
A variety is found in Virginia, pale, by Mr Pennant, 


the HoopeEepD SQuiRREL; the lateral membrane begin- 
ning at the chin and ears, where it forms a kind of 
hood, and extending, like that of the former, from the 
fore to the hind legs: Its body is of a reddifh colour 
above, and of a yellowifh ath beneath.—It is a rare {pe~ 
cies, not much noticed by naturalifts. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 363 


pul) 
1 — ' bhi y Vi. a 
_ ae a, Sadee il lest me fay 
nua Eg hewn, 2 ee) UML 
rc ce 
’ ¥ NAN Caer) if ry 
: Oy : 


BLOT (ESS 


THe Lone-TraiteD SQUIRREL. 


This fpecies is found in Ceylon and Malabar. Tn 
the Cingalefe tongue, it is called Dandoelana; and, from 
the noife it makes, Roekea. 

It is about three times the fize of the European Squir- 
rel: The ears are tufted with black hairs; the end of the 
nofe is pink-coloured; the cheeks, legs, and belly, are of 
a dull yellow; between the ears isa yellow {pot ; the 
crown of the head and the back are black; from each ear 
is a bifurcated line of the fame 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 ath colour, 
and extremely bufhy; the part next the body quite fur- 
rounded with hairs; on the remainder the hairs are fepa- 
rated, and lie flat. 

We are indebted to Mr Pennant for the drawing of 
this curious animal, the defcription of which is taken 
from his Indian Zoology. 


364 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 


THE ) £ RS eee: 


HIS animal, remarkable for the fingular conftruc- 
fT tion of its legs, is found in Egypt, Barbary, and 
Paleftine.-—It is fomewhat lefs than a Rat: Its head has 
a great refemblance to that of a Rabbit; its eyes are 


large and full; the fore legs are only one inch in length, 


and are ufed as hands to convey. victuals to its mouth; 
the hind legs are naked, and very much refemble thofe 
of a bird, having only three toes on eaeh, the middle one 
longeft; its tail is much longer than its body, and termi- 
nated with a black tuft, the tip of which is white; its 
hair is long and foft, of a reddifh colour on the back; the 
under parts of the body are white; acrofs the thighs there 
is a large black band, in the form of a crefcent. : 

The motions of the Jerboa are fimilar to thofe of the 
Kanguroo. - It goes forward very nimbly on its hind feet, 
taking leaps of five or fix feet from the ground. 

It is a lively, harmlefs animal, lives entirely on vegeta- 
bles, and burrows in the ground like a Rabbit. 

It is the Damon Ifrael of the Arabs, or Lamb of Irael; 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 365 


and is fuppofed to be the Coney of holy writ, our Rabbit 
being unknown in Paleftine. It is alfo the Mou/e men- 
tioned in Ifaiah*; Achbar, in the original, fignifying a 
Jerboa. 

There are fome varieties of the Jerboa, found in Sibe- 
ria, Tartary, and various parts of Afia.——They differ 
chiefly in fize, the largeft being about the fize of a Rat: 
Its ears are large, pointed, and tipped with white; the 
hair on the back is of a tawny colour, and very foft; the 
belly and under part of the body are white; the end of 
the tail is diftinguifhed by a white feathered tuft, an inch 
long; it has five toes on the fore feet, three on the hind; 
and about an inch above the laft, are two long flender 
toes, with nails on each. 

This creature makes its neft of the fineft and moft de- 
licate herbage; rolls itfelf up, with its head between its 
thighs; and fleeps during the winter, without taking any 
nutriment. 

When purfued, it fprings fo nimbly, that its feet 
fearcely feem to touch the ground. It does not go 
ftraight forward, but turns here and there till it gains a 
burrow, where it quickly fecretes itfelf.-—In leaping, it 

carries its tail ftretched out; but in ftanding or walking, 
catries it in the form of an S, the lower part touching 
the ground. 

The Jerboa is eafily tamed, is fond of warmth, and 
feems to be fenfible of the approach of bad weather by 
wrapping itfelf up clofe in hay. 

Among the Mogul Tartars, this animal is called the 
Alaghtaaga.-—It is fuppofed to be the Lwo-footed Moufe, 
and the Egyptian Mou/e of the ancients, w risk were faid 

_to walk on their hind legs. 


™ Chap. Ixve. vers 1%. 


366 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDsS, 


seo wesetie ven sverdeee HTUlidees toBNH" 


re Er. M AR Oe 
H.. been placed by naturalifts in the fame clafs 


with the Hare and the Rat; and on examining 
its parts, we find a partial agreement with both thefe 
animals. In its nofe and lips, as well as in the general 
form of its head, it refembles the Hare; its ears are like 
thofe of the Rat, with which it likewife agrees in the 
number and form of its teeth and claws: In other re- 
fpects, it is no way fimilar to either of thofe kinds; and 
is ftill farther feparated from them by habitudes which 
feem peculiar to itfelf, and diftinguifh it from almoft eve- 
ry other fpecies of quadrupeds. 

The Marmot inhabits the higheft regions of the Alps ; 
and is likewife found in Poland, Ukraine, and Chinefe 
Tartary. 

It is fomewhat lefs than a Hare: Its ears are round, 
and fo fhort, that they are almoft hid in the fur; its tail 
is fhort and bufhy; the hair on the back is of a brown- 
ifh-afh colour; and that on the belly reddifh, foft, and 
bufhy. Its voice refembles the murmuring of a young 
puppy: When irritated or frightened, it makes a whif- 
tling noife, very loud and piercing. | 

It feeds on infects, roots, and vegetables; but when 
tamed, is remarkably fond of milk and butter.-—It lives 
in holes, formed with great art in the fide of a moun- 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 367 


tain. ‘There are two entrances to each; and the cham- 
ber to which they lead is deep and fpacious: the bottom 
is lined with mofs and hay, of which thefe provident ani- 
mals lay in a ftore during fummer; and, at the approach 
of winter, fhut themfelves up in their holes by ftopping 
the entrances with earth, fo effectually, that no difcovery 
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 to a dozen Marmots. They roll themfelves 
up; and being well covered with hay, remain in a torpid 
ftate, infenfible to the rigours of the feafon, and perfect- 
ly fecure from the florm that rages without; till the 
cheering influence of the fun again calls them out to re- 
new their exhaufted ftrength, to propagate their kind, 
and provide for their future retreat. The torpid ftate 
lafts from about Michaelmas till April. They go in ex- 
tremely fat, but gradually wafte ; and at the end of their 
long fleep, they appear lean and extremely emaciated. 
_ The Marmot produces once a year; and the litter ge- 
nerally confifts of three or four. 

When a number of them are feeding together, they 
place one as a centinel, which makes a whiftling noife on 
the leaft appearance of interruption ; and the party imme- 
diately betake themfelves to their holes, the centinel driv- 
ing up the rear. 

The Marmot is very playful, and eafily tamed. It 
learns to hold a ftick, to dance, and to exhibit various 
geftures : It will obey the voice of its mafter. Like the 
Cat, it has an antipathy to Dogs, which it attacks fierce- 
ly upon the leaft irritation. It is very apt to gnaw linen 
or woollen ftuffs, often fits upright, and walks with eafe 
on its hind feet.-—It eats in the manner of a Squirrel, 
and carries its food to its mouth with its fore paws. 


368 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS: 


Its flefh is fometimes eaten, but is always attended with 
a difagreeable odour. 


ee RS 


= Sh 
TOO aT UE HU an oo WO A OOMMWOBWW 


Lowi MONA X 


is found in various parts of North-America, and feems to 
be the fame with the Marmot of Canada, defcribed by M. 
Buffon. : 

It is larger than a Rabbit, and in form and colour re- 


fembles the Muik-Rat: Its tail is fhort and rough; its . 


ribs fo flexible, that it can eafily pafs 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 fides and belly; and its feet and legs black. 

It fleeps during winter in holes under the roots of 
trees, and lives on fruits and other vegetables.——Its 
flefh is good and well tafted. 


An animal of the fame kind is found in the Bahama 
ifles; but whether it retires to fleep, in a climate fo mild, 
is not well known. | 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 360 


“fy it . i} 
) | iM ) 


4/7) 
‘ a 


ZN Sey 
LT a Ce 


m~FN 


= = = 
= 


=S : 
S ————_—= 
“any, SSS 
Re SSS 


THE QUEBEC MARMOT 


is rather larger than a Rabbit: Its ears are fhort, and its 
whole head round; its cheeks are of a grey colour, and 
its nofe black; its back is variegated, each hair being 
grey 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 fhort, and rather bufhy.— 
It inhabits Hudfon’s Bay and Canada. 

One of them, exhibited in London fome years ago, 
was perfectly tame. ve 

Mr Pennant fuppofes it to be the fpecies called the 
SIFFLEUR by the French of Canada. 


370 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Tue HAMSTER. 


Although the qualities of this animal are fufficiently 
noxious to render it an object of univerfal deteftation, in 
thofe countries where it abounds; yet, when confidered 
with regard to thofe inftin&ts which conduce to its own 
prefervation and fupport, it well deferves our higheft ad- 
miration. 

Its habitation is curious, and conftructed with great 
art. It confifts of a variety of apartments, adapted to 
various purpofes, and extremely well fitted both for the 
comfort and convenience of the inhabitants. The firft 
entrance is formed in an oblique direction; at the end of 
- which the male finks a perpendicular hole, which he re- 
ferves for his own ufe- The female makes feveral, for 
the accommodation of herfelf and family, that her young, 
during the fhort time they are allowed to ftay with her, 
may have a free paflage to the general ftores. One of 
the holes is lined with ftraw, and fervés as a lodging; 
the others contain provifions, of which great quantities 
are always accumulated during the time of harveft.-— 
They begin to lay in their ftores in Auguft.—To facili- 
tate the tranfportation of their food, Nature has furnifh- 
ed them with two pouches in each cheek, which they fill 
with corn, beans, or peafe, till they feem ready to burft; 


- HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 37: 


and, on their return to their holes, empty them, by pref- 
fing their two fore feet againft their cheeks.—The quan- 
tity of provifion found in thefe magazines, depends on 
the age or fex of the inhabitants. “The old Hamfters 
often amafs an hundred pounds weight of grain; but the 
young and the females are fatisfied with much lefs. 

At the approach of winter, the Hamfters retire into 

their fubterraneous abodes, the entrance to which they 
fhut up with great care: There they remain in perfect 
tranquility, and feed on their provifions till the froft 
becomes fevere, when they fink into a torpid ftate, in 
which they continue till the return of fpring. During 
this period, if any of the holes be opened, the Hamfter is 
always found lying upon a bed of foft ftraw, with its 
head turned under its belly, between its two fore legs; 
whilft the hind ones reft upon the muzzle: Its eyes are 
fhut, every member perfectly ftiff, and fenfation fo to- 
tally fufpended, that neither refpiration nor any other 
fign of life can be perceived. "When diffe€ted in this fi- 
tuation, the heart may be feen alternately contraCting 
and dilating very flowly, the fat appears to be coagu- 
lated, and the inteftines are quite cold. During this 
operation, the animal feems to feel very little: It fome- 
times opens its mouth, as if it wanted to refpire; but 
the lethargy is too {trong to admit of its entirely awak- 
ing. 
& They copulate about the end of April; when the males 
enter the apartments of the females, but remain only a 
few days.—If two males happen to meet in the fame hole, 
a furious combat enfues, which generally terminates in 
the death of the weaker. 


The females bring forth twice or thrice every year; 
/ fh, 2 | 


372 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


each litter confifting of fix or eight.——In about three 
weeks, the young are driven from their holes, and left 
to provide for themfelves.——Their increafe is fo rapid 
in fome years, as to-be almoft fufficient to occafion a 
dearth; but the ferocity with which they upon all occa- 
fions attack and devour each other, is fo great, as to be 
the happy means of preventing the ill effects of their ae 
cundity. 

It is not only its own fpecies to which the fury of the 
Hamfter is directed: He attacks and devours every ani- 
mal, without diftinction, that he is able to conquer; and 
frequently oppofes himfelf to enemies much fuperior to 
himfelf in ftrength. Rather than fly, he allows himfelf 
to be beaten to death. If he feize a man’s hand, he 
muft be killed before he can be made to quit his hold. 
A Horfe or a Dog are equally objeéts of his rage; and 
wherever he feizes, it is with difhculty he can be difen- 
gaged. 

The Hamfter is about the fize of a large Pichon Rist: 5 
has a fhort tail, almoft naked: Its head and back are of 
a reddifh-brown colour, not unlike that of a Hare; its 
_ throat is white, and it has three white fpots on each 
fide: Its breaft and belly are black. 

It is found in various parts of Germany, Poland, and 
Ukraine. , 

The Polecat is its greateft enemy. | It purfues the 
Hamfter into its hole, and deftroys great numbers. 

Mr Ray obferves, that the hair of this animal is fo 
clofely united to the fkin, that it cannot be pulled off 
without great difficulty; on which account it is s held i in 
high eftimation. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 373 


if = pn ere 
he ae ge nme ae OO eo = ae en I 


Sra EaNIES, = 
Giz, —————— ee ry eC 
MGM ee tagy yyy 9 SUEMAMIMEBL LEPTIN BOO nth wr om are sisting 

TM MAIL EE airinrae paetasBelt 


Hie SOW s Lik 


is about the fize of a large Rat. Its fkin is beautifully 
marked with {mall white {pots upon a yeilowifh ground. 

It is found upon the banks of the Wolga, and in the 
adjoining provinces as far as Auftria.—It burrows in the 
ground like a Rabbit, and lays in ftore of provifions, con- 
fifting of grain, herbs, and roots: It alfo feeds on young 
Mice, is very fond of fait, and is frequently taken on 
board the barges laden with that commodity.——The fe- 
males bring forth from two to five at one time. 


Tue ZISEL, orn Eartess MARMOT, 


inftead of ears, has only a {mall orifice on each fide of 
its head. It is of a dark-grey colour. Its body is long 
and flender, and its tail fhort. 

It is found in Bohemia, Auttria, ee, and Sibe- 
ria.-—It forms its hole in the ground, with a double en- 
trance; and fleeps during the winter in the center of its 
lodge.—It lays in a ftore of corn, nuts, &c.; and fits up 
like a Squirrel when it eats.----It is eafily provoked, and 
bites hard. 

Its fur is of little value; but its flefh is reckoned good 
eating. 

Aa 3 


= 


374 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


In Poland and Ruffia, there is an animal of this kind, 
called the ZEmN1i; and, by Mr Pennant, the Podolian 
Marmet.° ; 

Its habits are fimilar to thofe of the Souflik; but it is 
larger, ftronger, and more mifchievous. | 

The head is thick, the body flender, and the ears fhort 
and round: It has two cutting-teeth in each jaw; thofe: 
of the under jaw are much longer than the upper: The 
eyes are fmall, and concealed in the fur like thofe of the 
Mole: Its tail is fhort, and of an afh colour. 


Aa Nt 


Tue Tart-LEss MARMOT. 


We are favoured by Mr Pennant with the drawing of 
this animal, which has hitherto been undefcribed.——In 
the form of its body, it feems to agree with the defcrip- 
tion given of the Zifel, and probably may be a variety of 
that animal. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 375 


Tue LEMING, or LarpLanp MARMOT. 


This wonderful little animal is found only in the nor- 
thern parts of Europe and Afia; and is fometimes feen 
in immenfe numbers, over{preading large tracts of coun- 
try, in Norway, Sweden, and Lapland. But as its ap- 
pearance is at very uncertain periods, and the fource 
from whence it is derived has not been hitherto explored 
by any naturalift, its exiftence has been ferioufly attri- 
buted, by fuperftitious ignorance, to the generation of 
the clouds, from whence, it has been fuppofed, it was 
poured down in fhowers of rain.-—Myriads of them 
march together; and, like a torrent which nothing can 
refift, their courfe is marked with ruin and defolation. 
Neither fire nor water prevents their progrefs. They go 
ftraight forward, in regular lines, about three feet afun- 
der, and generally in a fouth-eaft direction: They fwim 
acrofs lakes and rivers: No oppofition impedes them. If 
thoufands are deftroyed, thoufands fupply their place: 
The void is quickly filled up; and their number does not 
appear diminifhed. ‘They perfift in their courfe, in fpite 
of every obftacle; and if prevented from proceeding, 
they either by afliduity furmount it, or die in the at 
tempt.-—Their march is moftly in the night. They reft 
during the day, and devour every root and vegetable they 

Aa4 


976 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


meet with. They infect the very herbage; and cattle 
are faid to perifh that feed upon the grafs they have | 
touched. 

An enemy, fo numerous and deftru€tive, would foon 
render the countries they pafs through utterly uninhabit- 
able, did it not fortunately happen, that the fame rapa- 
city that excites them to lay wafte the produCtions of the 
earth, at laft impels them to deftroy each other.—Having 
nothing more to fubfift on, they are faid to feparate into 
two armies, which engage with the moft deadly hatred, 
and continue fighting and devouring each other till they 
are all entirely deftroyed. Thoufands of them have been 
found dead; andthe air, infected by their putrid car- 
cafes, has fometimes been the occafion of malignant dif- 
tempers.—Great numbers of them are likewife deftroyed 
by Foxes, Lynxes, Weafels, and other beafts of prey, 
which follow them during their march. 

The Leming runs {wiftly, although its legs are fhort 
and flender.—It is fomewhat lefs 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 fhort, eyes 
fmall, fore legs fhorter than the hind: The colour of the 
head and body black and tawny, difpofed in irregular 
patches; the belly white, tinged with yellow. 

Though perfectly difgufting to every other people, its 
flefh is faid to be eaten by the Laplanders. 

Where thefe emigrants are colle€ted, as was before 
obferved, is not certainly known. Linneeus fays, they . 
are produced among the Norwegian and Lapland Alps; 
and Pontoppidan fuppofes, that Kolen’s Rock, which di- 
vides Nordland from Sweden, 1s their native place. But 
wherever they come from, none return. Their courfe 
is predeftined; and they purfue their fate. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 377 


Yes ae ae 


¢ 


HOUGH imall, weak, and contemptible in its 
ie a appearance, pofiefles properties which render it a 
more formidable enemy to mankind, and more injurious 
to the interefts of fociety, than even thofe animals that 
are endued with the greateft {trength and moft rapacious 
difpofitions. To the one we can oppofe united powers 
and fuperior 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 ineffetually 
oppofed to an enemy pofflefled of fuch variety of means 
to elude it. 

There are two kinds known in this country,—the 
Black Rat, which was formerly univerfal here, but is 
now very rarely feen,' having been almoft extirpated by 
the large brown kind, generally diftinguifhed by the 
name of the Norway Rat.-—tThis formidable invader 
is now univerfally diffufed 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 ath; the throat 
and belly are of a dirty white, inclining to grey; its feet 
are naked, and of a pale flefh colour; the tail is as long 
as the body, covered with minute dufky fcales, thinly in- 
ter{perfed with fhort hairs. 


378 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


In fummer, it frequents the banks of rivers, ponds, 
and ditches; where it lives on frogs, fifh, and fmall 
animals. But its rapacity is not confined entirely to 
thefe: It deftroys rabbits, poultry, young pigeons, &c. : 
It infefts the granary, the barn, and the ftorehoufe ; does 
infinite mifchief among corn and fruit of all kinds; and, 
not content with fatisfying its hunger, frequently carries 
off large quantities to its hiding-place. 

It is a bold and fierce little animal; and when clofely 
purfued, will turn and faften on its affailant.—Its bite is 
keen; and the wound it inflicts is painful, and difficult 
to heal, owing to the form of its teeth, gape are long, 
fharp, and of an irregular form. 

The Rat is amazingly prolific, ufually producing from 
twelve to eighteen at one time.-—Their numbers would 
foon increafe beyond all power of reftraint, were it not 
for an infatiable appetite that impels them to deftroy 
and devour each other. The weaker always fall a prey 
to the ftronger; and the large male Rat, which ufually 
lives by itfelf, is dreaded by thofe of its own fpecies as 
their moft formidable enemy. 

it is a fingular fact, in the hiftory of thefe animals, 
that the fkins of fuch of them as have been devoured in 
their holes have frequently been found, curioufly turned 
infide out; every part being completely inverted, even to 
the ends of the toes. How the operation is performed, 
it would be difficult to afcertain; but it appears to be ef- 
feCted in fome peculiar mode of eating out the contents. 

Befides the numbers that perifh in thefe unnatural con- 
flicts, they have many fierce and inveterate enemies, that 
take every occafion to deftroy them. Several kinds of 
Dogs purfue them with great alacrity, and eagerly kill 
them, though they ihvariably refufe to eat their flefh: 


Es 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 379 


‘The Cat is alfo a very formidable enemy, but generally 
finds greater difficulty in the conteft: The Rat makes a 
vigourous refiftance, and fometimes effects its efcape. 
The Weafel is the moft determined enemy of the Rat 
kind: It hunts them with unceafing avidity; purfues 
them into their holes, where it foon kills them, and 
fucks their blood: And in particular fituations, the Fer- 
ret is a {till more deadly adverfary. Mankind have like- 
wife contrived various methods of deftroying thefe bold 
intruders. For that purpofe, traps are often found inef- 
fectual; fuch being their extreme fagacity, that when 
any are drawn into the fnare, the others by that means 
learn to avoid the dangerous allurement, notwithftanding 
the utmoft caution may have been ufed to conceal the de- 
fign. The fureft method of killing them is by poifon: 
Nux vomica ground, and mixed with oatmeal, with a 
{mall proportion of oil of Rhodium and mutk, have been 
found from experience to be very effectual. 


380 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


THe WATER-RAT 


13 fomewhat f{maller than the former; its head and nofe 
are thicker; its eyes are {mall; its ears fhort, fcarcely 
appearing through the hair; its teeth are large, ftrong, 
and yellow. In an old one which we examined, the low= 
er incifors meafured fomewhat 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 grey; 
the tail five inches long, covered with fhort black hairs, 
and the tip with white. : 

The Water-Rat generally frequents the fides of rivers, 
ponds, and ditches; where it burrows, and forms its 
neft. It feeds on frogs, {mall fith, and fpawn; {wims 
and dives remarkably faft; and can continue a long time 
under water. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 381 


ee ee 


7 ce ae Se es dee er ee aa 
OSH deg eee OTE Dp et tM EINE ALAMITII TE o. 
ie ‘3 ad a 


ae eet 


, 3 ee St 
“eycuyypiinenyen oo aS 
iatiniedhaay yj atime 


Toe MUSK-RAT or Canapa 


is about the fize of a young Rabbit: Its head is thick 
and fhort, refembling that of a Water-Rat; its hair foft 
and gloffy ; beneath the outward hair there is a thick fine 
down, very ufeful in the manufacture of hats; it isof a 
reddifh-brown colour; its breaft and belly afh, tinged 
with red; its tail is long and flat, covered with fcales; 
its eyes are large; its ears fhort and hairy; it has two 
ftrong cutting-teeth in each jaw,—thofe of the under jaw 
are about an inch long, but the upper ones are fhorter, 

This animal is a native of Canada, where it is called 
the Ondatra. 

In many refpects, it very much refembles the Beaver, 
both in form and manners. It is fond of the water, and 
fwims well.—At the approach of winter, feveral families 
affociate together. ‘They build little huts, about two feet 
in diameter, compofed of herbs and rufhes cemented 
with clay, forming a dome-like covering: I’rom thefe 
are feveral paffages, in different directions, by which 
they go out in queft of roots and other food. The 
hunters take them in the fpring, by opening their holes, 
and letting in the light fuddenly upon them.-—At that 
time their flefh is tolerably good, and is frequently eaten; 


382 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


but in the fummer, it acquires a {cent of mutk, fo ftrong, 
as to pene it perfedtly unpalatable. 


OE LD Dalisun LUNBITIND era nasi TIMI = 


Tue Muscovy MUSK-RAT 


is about the fize of the common Rat: Its nofe is long 
and flender, like that of the Shrew-Moufe; it has no ex- 
ternal ears, and its eyes are very {mall; the tail is com- 
prefled fideways, and its hind feet are webbed; it is of a 
dufky colour; the belly of a light afh. 

It is a native of Lapland and Rufha, frequents the 
banks of rivers, and feeds on {mall fifhes. It is often 
devoured by pikes and other fifh, to which it commu- 
nicates fo ftrong a flavour of mufk, as renders them very 
unpleafant to the tafte. 

From its tail is extracted a kind of mufk, very ‘much 
refembling the genuine fort.—Their {kins are frequently 
laid amongft cloaths to preferve them from moths.——In 
Lapland, it is called the De/man. | 


“ae? 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 383 


— 


a 
! Lionel _ 


eS 
i 


ee 


ie = ae 9 BE’ A°VOCE 'R 


is the moft induftrious of all animals. Its labours feem 
the refult of a focial compact, formed for mutual conve- ) 
nience, prefervation, and fupport ; and as, in all well-re- 
gulated focieties, a due fubordination is neceffary for the 
well ordering and conducting each individual effort to the 
advantage of the whole; fo, amongft thefe curious ani- 
mals, we find that, in forming their habitations, all have 
their proper part of the work afligned to them, that, by 
dividing their labours, fafety, ftability, and expedition, 
may be the general effect. ‘To this purpofe, a communi- 
ty of two or three hundred aflemble together: An over- 
feer is chofen, whofe orders are punctually obeyed ; and, 
by ftriking the water {martly with his tail, gives the 
fignal where the united force of numbers is neceffary to 
be applied, in order to ftrengthen or fupport the fabric; 
or, at the approach of an enemy, to apprize the fociety 
of their danger.—As foon as a convenient place is chofen 
for the erection of their building, which is generally a le- 
vel piece of ground with a {mall rivulet running through 
it, they di-ile into companies: Some are employed in 
cutting down trees of great fize, which is done by gnaw- 


384 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


ing them with their teeth: Thefe they lay acrofs the dam 
with furprifing labour and perfeverance, or form into 
piles, which others roll down to the water, where they 
make holes at the bottom for receiving the ends, and 
placing them upright, fecure them in that pofition; 
whilft another party is engaged in collecting twigs, inter- 
weaving and twifting them with the piles, and thereby 
firengthening the work : Some collect large quantities of 
earth, ftones, clay, and other folid materials, which they 
difpofe of on the upper fide of the piles next the ftream, 
_ forming a mound ten or twelve feet thick at the bottom, 
tapering gradually upwards, and capable of fuftaining a 
confiderable weight of water. The length of the dam, 
occafioned by this means, is fometimes not lefs 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 confift 
of three ftories, about eight feet high above the water: 
The firft 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 thicknefs, neatly plaiftered with clay on the 
infide, which is arched like an oven, and at the top re- 
fembles a dome.—In each houfe there are two openings, 
one towards the water, to which the animal has always 
accefs, in cafe of furprife; the other towards the land, 
by which it goes out in queft of food.—The number of 
houfes in one of thefe dams is from ten to twenty-five, 
fome of them large enough to contain a family of twenty 
or thirty Beavers. Each Beaver forms its bed of mofs; 
and each family lays in its magazine of winter provifion, 
which confifts 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 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 38¢ 


are faid to be fondeft of the faflafras, afh, and {weet 
gum. During fummer, they feed on leaves, fruits, and 
fometimes crabs or cray-fifh; but fifh is not their favour- 
ite food. Their time of building is early in the fummer. 
In winter, they never go farther than to their provifion 
ftores, and, during that feafon, 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 Eu- 
rope, Afia, and America; particularly the latter, from 
whence many thoufands of their fkins are annually 
brought into Europe. In 1763, the Hudfon’s Bay com- 
pany fold 54,670 Beaver fkins at one fale.—They vary in 
colour. The moft valuable are black; but the general 
colour is a chefnut-brown, more or lefs dark. Some 
have been found entirely white, others {potted ; but both 
thefe kinds are very rare. — 

The Beaver is remarkable for the fize and ftrength of 
its cutting-teeth, which enable it to gnaw down trees of 
great magnitude with eafe. Its ears are fhort, and almoft 
hid in the fur; its nofe blunt ; tail broad and flat, nearly 
of an oval form, and covered with fcales—it ferves not 
only as a rudder to direét its motions in the water, but 
as a moft ufeful inftrument for laying on the clay, pref- 
fing it into the crevices, and fmoothing the outward co- 
vering; its fore feet are {mall, and not unlike thofe of a 
Rat; the hind feet are large and ftrong, with membranes 
between each toe; its length, from nofe to tail, is about 
three feet; the tail is eleven inches long, and three 
broad. 

The caftor produced from thefe animals is found in 
a liquid ftate, in bags near the anus, about the fize of an 

Bb 


386 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


egg. When taken off, the matter dries, and is reducible 
to a powder, which is oily, of a fharp bitter tafte, and 
a ftrong difagreeable {mell.—Thefe bags are found indif- 
ferently in males and females, and were formerly fup- 
pofed to be the animal’s tefticles; which, when purfued, 


it was faid to bite off, and by that means efcape with its 
life. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 387 


on of We OU SE: 


HIS well-known little animal is diffufed in great 
a. numbers over almoft every part of the world. It 
feems a conftant attendant on man, and is only to be 
found near his dwelling. Its enemies are numerous and 
powerful, and its means of refiftance weak and inconfi- 
derable: Its minutenefs feems to be its beft fecurity ; 
and it is faved from utter extinction only by its amazing 
fecundity. 

The Moufe brings forth feveral times in the year, and 
generally from fix to ten each litter. The young are 
produced without hair, and in little more than fifteen 
days are able to fubfift by themfelves; fo that the in- 
creafe is prodigious. Ariftotle tells us, that having fhut 
up in a veffel a Moufe big with young, and provided 
plenty of grain for her and her offspring, in a fhort time 
he found 120 Mice, all fprung from the fame ftock. 7 

The Moufe, when viewed without the difguft and ap- 
prehenfion which ufually accompany the fight of it, is a 
beautiful little animal: Its fkin is fleek and foft, its eyes 
bright and lively, all its limbs are formed with exquifite 
delicacy, and its motions are {mart and active. 

Some few of this {pecies are of a pure white colour; 
but whether they be a permanent kind, or only an acci- 

Bba2 


388 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 


dental variety, cannot well be determined. Its appear 
ance is, however, very beautiful: Its fine full eyes, of a 
red colour, form an agreeable contraft with the {nowy 
whitenefs of its fur. 


aL 
aaa; 


Bed ir ist 5 
OCU TTL EN ittieenesn 


Tue Lonc-TaiLED FIELD-MOUSE 


/ 


is rather larger than the common Moufe, and very fimi- 
lar to it in form: It is of a yellowifh-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 ftores 
for its fupport during winter. It burrows in the earth, 
and generally forms its neft near the root of a tree or 
thick bufh. If provifions fail during a ftorm, they de- 
vour each other 3 are very prolific, and bring forth nine 
or ten young at a time. | 

Mr Pennant mentions a fpecies, found in Hamphhire, 
only two inches and an half long from nofe to tail, of.a 
fine ruft colour above, and white beneath. It appears in 
great numbers in harveft-time among the fheaves and 
ricks of corn. During the winter, it fhelters itfelf under 
ground, where it makes a warm bed of dry grafs and 
leaves.—Its young are brought forth on a neft made be- 
tween the ftraws of the ftanding corn, and are generally 
about eight in number each time. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 389 


BEES 


aw 


Tue SHort-TAILED FIELD-MOUSE 


differs from the laft, in having a thicker head, and fhort- 
er tail: Its ears are very fhort, and almof hid in the 
hair; its body is about three inches long, and the tail 
one inch; the upper part of the body is of a reddifh- 
brown, and the belly a deep-afh colour.—Like the laft, it 
frequents the fields and woods, but is feldom troublefome 
in gardens: It alfo lives on the fame kinds of food, 
which it hides in holes under ground.—It makes its neft 
in moift meadows, and brings forth feven or eight young 
at a time. 


t 


THe SHREW-MOUSE 


is fmaller than the common Moufe, being only two inch- 

es and a half long from the nofe to the tail: The nofe is 

long and flender; the ears fhort; and the eyes, like thofe 

of the Mole, almoft concealed in the fur. It is of a red- 
Bb 3 


390 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


difh-brown colour; the belly white.——The two upper 
fore teeth of this animal are fingularly conftructed, and 
deferve particular notice; having a fmall barb on each 
fide, fo fine, as to be fcarcely vifible. 

The Shrew-Moufe frequents old walls and heaps of 
ftones; feeds on infects, corn, and putrid fubftances; 
and is fometimes feen on dunghills, where it roots with 
its nofe like a Hog.—lIt has fo ftrong and difagreeable a 
{mell, that the Cat, after fhe has killed, refufes to eat it. 
——It forms its neft of dry grafs, mofs, &c, on the furface 
of meadows or paftures; and is faid to breed four or five 
young at a time. 

There feems to be an annual mortality of thefe animals 
in Auguft; numbers of them being found dead in the 
fields, highways, &c. about that time. 


THe Water SHREW-MOUSE 


is larger than the laft. The upper part of its body is 
black ; the throat, breaft, and belly, of a light afh-colour. 
—It is rarely to be feen; frequents the banks of rivulets 
and marfhy places, where it burrows. 

It is very numerous in Lincolnfhire, but was never ob- 
ferved there till about twenty years ago.—It 1s called, in 
that country, the Blind Mou/e. : | 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 391 


THe Dwarr MOUSE 


is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, where it was dif- 
covered, and firft defcribed, by Sparrman.-—It is diftin- 
guifhed from every other fpecies of the genus by four 
black lines along its back, from the head to the tail. 

It is fuppofed to be the moft diminutive quadruped in 
the world, being {carcely two inches in length. In the 
annexed reprefentation it is drawn the natural fize, and 
forms a ftriking contraft with thofe gigantic animals 


which inhabit that quarter of the world. 


LE 
MEAS NN 
Sa ANNO 
ye \; Re 
BS YA 
; SSS Rg) 


SSS 


= Sasa 3S=S=E| Pe = 
S| ae am coe A SS 
iN eee ee ited 


Bb 4 


392 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 


Pines, MOL Ee 


vide for its fubfiftence under the furface of the 
earth, is wonderfully adapted, by the all-wife Author of 
nature, to its peculiar mode of living. It enjoys the 
fenfes of hearing and {melling in a very eminent degree : 
The former gives notice of every approach of danger; 
whilft the latter enables it to find its prey in the midit of 
darknefs, and compenfates in a great meafure for an 
almoft total want of fight. To an animal fo circum- 
ftanced, a larger degree of vifion would be attended with 
manifett inconveniences, as well as liable to continual in- 
juries. We are told by anatomilts, that, for their better 
fecurity, the eyes of the Mole are furnifhed with mufcles, 


re animal, deftined to feek its food and pro- 


“ The ingenious Mr Burn, hatter, of Newcaftle upon Tyne, has lately 
difcovered a method whereby the exquifitely fine fur of this noxious, and hi- 
therto defpifed animal, is likely to become of the greateft importance and 
utility to the public: By incorporating it with other materials, it forms a 
ftamen of peculiar ftrength and beauty, for the purpofe of making hats, 
fuperior to any that has hitherto been made ufe of in that valuable branch 
of manufacture, and for which he has obtained a Royal Patent. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 393 


by which it has the power of withdrawing or exerting 
them at pleafure. Its eyes are extremely fmall, and per- 
fe&tly hid in the fur; but it is probable, they are fo 
formed, as to admit diftint images of the diminutive ob- 
jects of its purfuit. 

The form of this creature’s body, and particularly the 
conftruCtion of its fore feet, are admirably adapted to the 
purpofe of making its way in the earth, which it does 
with wonderful facility: They are quite naked, very 
broad, with large palms, almoft like a hand: There are 
five toes on each, terminated with ftrong nails, very con- 
cave on the under fide; and, in place of a thumb, a 
{trong bone under the fkin. The hind feet are very 
{mall, with five flender toes, and a fmall thumb on the 
infide.— Whenever it happens to be furprifed on the fur- 
face of the ground, it difappears in an inftant; and every 
attempt to prevent its fubterraneous retreat would be 
vain. 

The Mole is moftly found in grounds where the foil is 
loofe and foft, and affords the greateft quantity of worms 
and infects, on which it feeds. 

The female brings forth in the fpring, and generally 
produces four or five at a time. ‘The young are quite 
naked, and continue fo till they are grown to a confider- 
able fize.-—-It makes its neft a little below the furface of 
the ground, forming a commodious apartment, where it 
prepares a warm bed of mofs and herbage: From this 
there are feveral paflages in different directions, to which 
it can retreat with its young ones in cafe of danger ; into 
thefe it likewife makes excurfions in queft of food.-—In 
the act of forming its tracks or runs, it throws up large 
heaps of mould, which are extremely troublefome and in- 


384 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


jurious in meadows, grafs lands, and cultivated grounds. 
Its deftruction 1s confequently an object of importance to 
farmers, gardeners, &c. 

The {kin of the Mole is extremely tough; its fur fhort, , 
clofe-fet, and fofter than the fineft velvet, or perhaps the 
fur of any other animal: It is ufually black, fometimes 
{potted with white, and fometimes (though rarely) white. 
It is about fix inches in length, and its tail one inch. 


Tue Rapiatep MOLE 


ss lefs than the common Mole, being not quite four 
inches long: Its fur is very clofe, fhort, and fine: Its 
nofe is very curioufly befet with radiated tendrils.—It is 
4 native of North-America, feeds on roots, and forms 
{ubterrancous paflages in different directions. 

There is a kind, found in Siberia, with a very fhort 
nofe, and no tail. It is of a beautiful green and gold co- 
lour, variable with the light. 

There are fome other varieties, that differ chiefly in 
the colour of the hair; fuch as the Yellow Mole of 
North-America, which is larger than the European. Its 
hair is foft, and of a filky glofs. : 

That which is foundin Virginia refembles the com- 
mon Mole. It is of a black colour, mixed with deep 


purple. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 39. 


THoe.O P-O.5'5 0-M 


S found in great numbers in various parts of North 
| and South-America, and was fuppofed by Buffon to 
belong entirely to the new continent: We are now, 
however, affured, that it exifts in many of the Indian 
iflands. Several varieties of the Opoffum kind have been 
feen alfo in the newly-difcovered countries in the South 
Seas. 


mS 
RRS 
VEN 
SNAEN oo 


Tue Saracoy. THe Murine. 


The Saracoy, or Mutucca Opossum of Mr Pen- 
nant, is about the fize of a Cat: Its head is long; nofe 
fharp and pointed; ears large, thin, and naked; eyes 
fmall, black, and lively, having a white fpot above each 
of them; its fur is foft, long, and of a dufky afh colour; 
its belly white; its tail is fimilar to that of a Rat, naked 
and fcaly, except a {mall part near the body, which is 


* t 
iD 


396 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS: 


covered with hair; its legs are fhort; and its feet or 
hands not unlike thofe of a Monkey, having five toes or 
fingers on each; the thumbs on the hind feet are defti- 
tute of nails. But the peculiar and diftinguifhing cha- 
racteriftic of the Opoffum is a pouch or falfe belly, in 
which the female depofits her young immediately after 
they are brought forth, and nourifhes them in it till they 
are able to provide for themfelves. 

The Chevalier d’Aboville, whilft in America during 
the late war, in order to be fatisfied refpecting the time | 
of its geftation, manner of bringing forth, and fuckling 
its young, procured a male and female Opoflum, which 
he tamed, and kept in his chamber till they copulated. 
Ten days after, he obferved a confiderable alteration in 
the fize and form of the pouch; its aperture being wider 
than it was before, and its orifice thicker: From that 
time it gradually grew clofer, leaving only a {mall open- 
ing in the middle, fimilar to a navel: On the fifteenth 
day he introduced his finger, and found at the bottom of 
the bag a {mall round body, about the fize of a pea: The 
twenty-fifth day he could feel a motion under his finger. 
After the young had been a month in the pouch, they 
were plainly to be feen, on opening it a little. At the 
end of two months, on examining the pouch, there ap- 
peared to be fix 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 fix weeks 
old, the young Opoflum could refume it by ftrong fuc- 
tion, the mouth being then large enough to receive the 
pap, which is about two lines in length, and the fize of 
the fecond or third ftring of a violin. i 

The number of the young varies from five to ten or 
eleven. 


i 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 39 


The paps are not difpofed in regular order, as in other 
animals; but feem as if they were formed in thofe places 
where the embryos attach themfelves to the mother. 

The Opoffum is a flow, helplefs animal, when on the 
ground; but climbs trees with great eafe and quicknefs ; 
fometimes conceals itfelf among the branches, and fur- 
-prifes the birds that come within its reach. It frequent- 
ly hangs fufpended by its tail; and in that fituation 
watches for its prey, which it darts upon with great agi- 
lity. 

By means of its tail, the Opoffum flings itfelf from 
one tree to another.—It feeds on birds, reptiles, infects, 
roots, leaves, and the bark of trees.—It is eafily tamed, 
is neither mifchievous nor RSP CIOs ; but its figure is dif- 
agreeable, and the odour that exhales from its fkin rank 
and difgufting. 

The Murine Orossum, or MarmoseE of M. Buf- 
fon, inhabits the warmeft parts of South-America.-—It 
refembles the former, but is much lefs. Its food and 
manner of living are likewife very fimilar to it. 

It brings forth from ten to fourteen young at a time ; 
but, inftead of a bag, the female has two longitudinal 
folds under her belly, within which the young are fe- 
cured. When firft produced, they are not larger than 
beans, and remain clofely attached to the teat till they 
attain {ufficient growth and ftrength to provide for them- 


felves. 


398 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


X) KOOKS 
ZENE 


THe Mexican OPOSSUM 


differs little from the preceding either in fize or form :— 
It is found in the mountainous parts of New-Spain, lives 
in trees. Its tail is ufeful in twifting round the branch- 
es, and fecuring its hold. 

The young attach themfelves to their mother by their 
hands and tails; and, upon the leaft alarm, embrace her 
clofely; whilft fhe carries them to the fhelter of fome 
neighbouring tree. i 


QW, 4 il) 
SANE 
Wg 


: wy eoaeron 
— an 
Sx 7——- Te ta 
SS ww" 


=n 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 399 


THe PHALANGER, or, SurRINAM 
OPOSSUM, 


is fomewhat larger than a Rat: Its nofe is thick; ears 
fhort and hairy; its. fur of a reddith colour, variegated 
with light afh and yellow; the under part of the body 
yellowifh-white;\it is diftinguifhed from all thofe of the 
Opoffum kind we have hitherto mentioned, in having the 
firft and fecond toes of the hind feet clofely united; its 
claws are large; tail long, very broad and thick at its 
junction with the body, and naked at the end. 

It inhabits Surinam; is fuppofed to be the animal call- 
ed the Cane-Rat, very deftructive to the fugar-canes. 


goo HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 


THE Sporrts OPPOSSUM or New 
SOUTH-WALES. 


The general colour of this animal is black; the body 
{potted with irregular roundifh patches of white; the 
ears are large and erect; muzzle long, pointed, and fur- 
nifhed with longsflender whifkers; both fore and hind 
legs thinly covered with hair of an afh colour; on the 
fore feet it has five claws, and on the hind four; length, 
from nofe to tail, about twenty-five inches; tail thick 
and bufhy, like that of a Squirrel, except a part near the 
body, which is {mall, and covered with fhort hairs. ‘The 
female has fix teats, placed circularly within the pouch. 


Tue VuULPINE OPOSSUM oF New 
SouTH-WALES 


is long-bodied and fhort-legged; from the nofe to the in- 
fertion of the tail, meafures two feet two inches; tail fif- 
teen inches; upper part of the body grifly, confifting of 
dufky, reddifh, and white hairs; the under parts light- 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 401 


‘tawny; two thirds of the tail black; a blackith fpace 
round each eye; long black whifkers; five toes on the 
fore feet, and four on the hind, with a thumb of two 
joints placed at the bafe of the inner toe; the toes of the 
fore feet are long, and anfwer the purpofe of a hand; 
the ears are about an inch anda half in length; in the 
upper jaw are fix cutting teeth, four grinders, and two 
canine teeth; in the lower jaw, two long cutting teeth, 


hike thofe of a Squirrel, and four grinders, but no canine 
teeth. 


THe Fryinc OPOSSUM or NEw 
SOUTH-WALES. 


Its nofe 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 glofly, 
mixed with grey ; the under parts white; on each hip is 
a tan-coloured fpot; the fur is continued to the claws; 

Cec 


gon HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


the. failing membrane is the fame as that of the Grey 
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 a long thumb, which enables the animal 
to ufe it as a hand; it is remarkable, that the three out-_ 


fide claws of the hind feet are not feparated like the 
others. 


itishe 


Tone 
eas Ui oP 
HON iho 
a sae 
Ve: (ts ‘ 


a Nie eA 

ES TS > Rosy ne z 

== ~ Pp ix }}! oe 

—— SEN SS = Pate yee Su yy 
we = uy lame i is 
Ve ae ey : - et = 


sek ta dat Bab 


THe OPOSSUM or Van DiEMEN’s LAND 


was difcovered by Captain Cook in January, 17773; who 
defcribes it as about twice the fize of a large Rat.—It is 
covered with long foft glofly hair, of a rufty brown co- 
lour; its belly is of a dirty white. 

It inhabits Van Diemen’s Land, the fouthern point of 
New-Holland. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 403 


7 Tue SQUIRREL-OPOSSUM. 


We are favoured with a drawing of this beautiful ani- 
mal, taken from a living one in the poffeffion of the re- 
verend Mr Egerton, prebendary of Durham, by the in- 
genious Mr Carfrae. 

It is a native of New South-Wales; is about eighteen 
inches long, exclufive of the tail, which is twelve: Its 
head is broad, and pointed at the muzzle, which is fur- 
nifhed with long whifkers; its eyes are full, exceedingly 
prominent, and of a fiery rednefs; it has five claws on 
the fore feet,—three on the hind, and a thumb; two 
cutting teeth in each jaw, the upper projecting beyond 
the under.-—Its manners are fimilar to thofe of a Squir- 
rel. It fits up, holds its food in its fore paws with great 
dexterity, and feeds itfelf. When irritated, it fits ftill 
more erect, or throws itfelf upon its back, making a loud 
and harfh noife.—It feeds on vegetables, fmall birds, 
&e. 

Cc 2 


go4 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


The fur is long, foft, and very clofe; of a mixed 
brown or greyifh colour on the back; the under parts of 
a yellowifh-white. Its tail is prehenfile, very broad at 
the bafe, tapers to the end, and is naked on the under 
fide.—The female is furnifhed with a pouch. 


E = 
Megs ‘ 
i 
a 
\ 
sy x lt * \s 
VES SENG ZH, 


i aps le KANGUROO 


is a native of New-Holland, where it was firft difcover- 
ed by Sir Jofeph Banks. Its head is {mall and taper, 
ears large and erect, upper lip divided, the end of the 
nofe black, noftrils wide, lower jaw fhorter than the up- 
per, and there are whifkers on both; it likewife has 
{trong hairs above and below the eyes; its head, neck, 
and fhoulders, are fmall; the lower parts of the body in- 
creafing in thicknefs to the rump; its tail is long, very 
thick near the rump, and taper; its fore feet are ex- 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 405 


tremely fhort, and are moftly ufed in digging or bringing 
its food to its mouth; it moves altogether on its hind - 

legs, making fucceflive bounds of ten or twelve feet, 
~ with fuch rapidity, as to out{trip the fleeteft Greyhound ; 
it {prings from rock to rock, and leaps over bufhes feven 
or eight feet high, with great eafe; 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 refts on its hind legs, which are hard, 
black, and naked on the under fide. Its fur is fhort and 
foft, of a reddifh afh colour, lighter on the lower parts. 

It is the only quadruped our colonifts have yet-met 
with in New South-Wales that fupplies them with ani- 
mal food. There are two kinds. The largeft that 
had been fhot weighed about 140lb.; and meafured, 
from the point of the nofe to the end of the tail, fix feet 
one inch; the tail, two feet one inch; head, cight inch- 
es; 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 fmaller kind feldom exceed 60 lb. 

This animal is furnifhed with a pouch, fimilar to that 
of the Opoflum, in which its young are nurfed and fhel- 
tered. 


406 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


BeOS : N \N 
=e Sob) 


THE KANGUROO-RAT, or New 


SOoUTH-WALES, 


is about the fize of a Rabbit, and in fhape refembles the 
Kanguroo, both in refpect to the fhortnefs of the fore 
legs, and the peculiar conftruction and ufe of the hind 
ones; the form of the head is like that of a Rat, and its 
body nearly of the fame colour; in the upper jaw it has 
two long cutting teeth, with three fhort ones on each 
fide of them; in the lower jaw, two long cutting teeth, 
and three grinders on each fide. 

The female, like moft of the animals of that country, 
has a pouch, like the Opoffum. 

It feeds on vegetables, burrows in the ground, and Is 
very tame and inoffenfive, 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 407 


Tue YELLow MACAUCO. 


{SSO ESET 
PSS ——— 


~~ = See seme 
OCD fp PLLTEE TD ALLS 


CLIPS ALAS IIE OP 


Tux RiInc-TAILED MACAUCO. 


HE YeLttow Macauco has been clafled with the 

# Weafel tribe by Mr Pennant, in his Hiftory of 
Quadrupeds; and it feems to bear fome general refem- 
blance to that f{pecies of animals. Its head is flat and 
broad; its ears are fhort, eyes {mall, body long and flen- 
der, legs and thighs fhort and thick, and it has five 
ftraight toes on each foot: Its fur is fhort, foft, and 
glofiy,—of a black colour, mixed with yellow, on the 
back; the cheeks, infide of the legs, and belly, yellow; 
along the back, from head to tail, there is a broad dufky 
ftripe; and another on the belly, half way from the tail, 

} ‘aga | 


408 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


which is nearly as long as its body, of a bright tawny 
colour, mixed with black, and has the fame prehenfile 
faculty as thofe of fome kinds of Monkies. Its length, 
from nofe to tail, is nineteen inches. 

~ One of this fpecies was fhewn in London fome years 
ago, and was faid to have been brought from Jamaica, 
where it is called the Potto. It was good-natured and 
fportive, would catch hold of any thing with its tail, and 
{ufpend itfelf by it. aN 


The Rinc-rarLep Macavco is a very beautiful 
animal, about the fize of a Cat. Its body and limbs are 
long and flender; its tail very long, and marked with al- 
ternate bars of black and white: In the conformation of 
its paws, it feems to approach the Monkey kind; but its 
nofe is long and fharp, like that of a Fox; and its ears 
are alfo largé and pointed: Its head and throat are 
white; eyes large, and furrounded with black: Its fur 
is glofly, foft, and delicate,—of a reddifh-afh colour on 
the back; belly white. 

It is found in Madagafcar and the neighbouring ifles, 
is very playful, but not mifchievous. When in mo- 
tion, it makes a fort of galloping progrefs in an oblique 
direction, and carries its tail almoft erect; but when fit- 
ting, it is twifted round the body, and brought over its 
head. ‘Troops of thirty or forty are fometimes feen 
together. hs 

It is a cleanly animal; and, when taken young, may 
be eafily tamed. 


Fm 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 409 


ery Tan ures MACAUCO. 


Qse’ YP», 

slp Ss, Ree 
Ge ess 

f ok ERS 
UY 70 SESS 
ot a PU 


Wyre 
Nays 
Ny) 


TASS 
s OG WY 
AG 


ees ea 
mma "> SEH NE a ae 
aAKdan a, \ Ses Sinise 47 
ao iets AAT) titi 
Ay SOC hat] 


LHE, MON GO 0-Z, 


The Tatu-Less Macauco is found in Ceylon and 
Bengal, lives in woods, and feeds on fruits; is fond of 
eggs and {mall birds, which it devours greedily. 

It is a very inactive animal, and its motions flow; very 
tenacious of its hold, and makes a plaintive noife. 

Its head is fmall, and nofe pointed ; each eye is edged 
with a circle of white, which is alfo furrounded with 
another of black; its body is covered with a fhort filky 
fur, of a reddifh-afh colour; the toes naked; nails flat, 
except thofe on the inner toes of the hind feet, which 
are fharp and crooked. Its length, from the nofe to the 
rump, is fixteen inches. 


41Io HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. | 


The Moncooz is nearly the fame fize as the Ring- 
tailed Macauco. | 

Its fur is fine, foft, and woolly,—of a deep brownifh- 
afh colour; the eyes are of a beautiful orange colour, 
furrounded with black ; the ears are fhort; cheeks white ; 
end of the nofe black; the tail very long, and covered 
with hair of the fame fort and colour as the body; its 
hands and feet are naked, and of a dufky colour; its 
nails, except one upon the inner toe of each hind foot, 
are flat. 
_ Jt inhabits Madagafcar and the ifles adjacent, fleeps in 
trees, is very playful and good-natured, feeds on fruits, 
is extremely tender, and cannot bear any change to a lefs 
temperate climate. 


ian Bo Le Oe ie 


is a very flender animal, and differs greatly from the pre- 
ceding, 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 diftinct and feparate 
from the toes than thofe of other Macaucos; its nofe is 
pointed, like that of a Dog; its forehead high; ears 
round and thin; its fur is fhort and delicately foft, of a 
tawny colour on the back, and whitifh below: It has no 
tail. 

The Loris is a native of Ceylon, very aCtive, lives in 
trees, and feeds on fruit. Seba fays, the male climbs 
the trees, and taftes the fruit before he prefents it to his 
mate. - 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 411 


THe Brack MACAUCO, 


or Vari of M. Buffon, is larger than the Mongooz.—. 
It is a native of Madagafcar, is very fierce,’‘and makes a 
loud noife 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 ftands out like a 
ruff. 

The general colour of this animal is black; but fome 
are white, {potted with black. The feet are black and 
naked. 


Pin. vpogiR gs op POR 


is remarkable for the great length of its hind legs, in 
which it refembles the Jerboa; has four flender toes and 
a diftin&t thumb on each foot: Its vifage is pointed; eyes 
large and prominent; ears erect, broad, and naked: Its 
hair is foft and woolly, of a deep afh colour, mixed with 
tawny: Its length, from the nofe to the rump, is nearly 
fix inches; the tail is nine inches long; round, {caly, al- 
moft naked, like that of a Rat, and tufted at the end. 

It is found in fome of the remote iflands of India, 
efpecially Amboyna. 


4iz2 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


ANIMALS oF THE MONKEY Kinp. _ 
WW come now to the defcription of a numerous 


race of animals, confifting of a greater variety — 
of kinds, and making nearer approaches to the human 
fpecies, both in form and action, than any other clafs of — 
quadrupeds. 

Monkies are found only in the warmeft 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 ifles; in the South of China; in Japan; and im 
South-America, from the Ifthmus of Darien, as far as Pa- 
raguay. A fpecies or two are alfo met with in Arabia 
and the province of Barbary. 2 
‘ On account of the numbers and different appearances 
of thefe animals, they have been divided into three 
claffes, and defcribed under the following denominations ; 
viz-—APES, or fuch as have no tails; BaBoons, or fuch 
as have fhort tails; Monxz1es, or fuch as have long tails. 


In the Are kind, we fee the whole external machine 
ftrongly imprefied with the human likenefs, and capable 
of fimilar exertions: They walk upright, their pofteriors 
are flefhy, their legs are furnifhed with calves, and their 
hands and feet are nearly like the human. 

In the Baspoon, we perceive a more diftant refem- 
blance of the human form: He generally goes upon all 
four, feldom upright, but when conftrained to it ina 
ftate of fervitude.—Some of them are as tall as a man. 
—They have fhort tails, long faces, funk eyes, are ex- 
tremely difgufting, lafcivious, and poflefled of the moft 
brutal fiercenefs. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 413 


The Monkey kind are removed ftill farther, and 
are much lefs than the former. Their tails are generally 
longer than their bodies; and, although they fit upon 
their pofteriors, they always move upon all four.—They 
are a 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 mifchiev- 
ous intention, 


Toe ORAN-OUTANG, or WILD 
MAN oF THE Woops, 


is the largeft of all.the Ape kind, and makes the neareft 
approach to the human figure. One of this kind, dif- 
feted by Dr Tyfon, has been very accurately defcribed 
by him. The principal external differences pointed out 


414 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


by that learned phyfician, confifted in the great length of 


the arms, and fhortnefs of the thighs; the thumb is alfo 3 


much fmaller, and the palm of the hand longer and nar- . 


rower, than in man; the form of the feet is very diffimi- 
lar, the toes being much longer, and the large toe placed 
at a greater diftance from the others; the forehead is. 
higher, the nofe flat, and the eyes much funk: Befide 
thefe, the anatomift has enumerated a variety of effential 
differences in the internal conformation of the Oran-Ou- 
tang; all of which fufficiently evince, that, though he 
has the ftrongeft affinity to the human form of any other 
quadruped; yet; as Buffon elegantly obferves, ‘ the in- 
terval which feparates the two fpecies is immenfe; the 
refemblance in figure and organization, and the move- 


ments of imitation which feem to refult from thefe fimi- ~ 


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 Madagafcar, Borneo, and fome parts of the 
Eaft-Indies. 

It is a folitary animal, avoids mankind, and lives only 
in the moft defert places. 

The largeft of the kind are faid to be about fix feet 
high, very active, {trong, and intrepid, capable of over- 
coming the ftrongeft man: They are likewife exceeding- 
ly fwift, and cannot eafily be taken alive-—They live en- 
tirely on fruits and nuts, will fometimes attack and kill 
the negroes who wander in the woods, and drive away 
the elephants that happen to approach too near the place 
of their refidence. They fometimes furprize the female 
negroes, and carry them off into the woods, where they 
compel them to ftay with them. 

When taken young, however, the Oran-Outang is ca- 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ars 


pable of being tamed, and rendered extremely docile.— 
One of them, fhewn in London fome years ago, was 
taught to fit at table, make ufe of a fpoon or fork in eat- 
ing its victuals, and drink wine or other liquors out of a 
glafs. It was extremely mild, affectionate, and good-na- 
tured; much attached to its keeper, and obedient to his 
commands. Its afpect was grave, and its difpofition 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 clofer on the back than on 
the fore part of the body; the hands and foles of the feet 
were naked, and of a dufky colour. 


A. variety, called the Premy, is found in Guinea, 
Ethiopia, and other parts of Africa, much fmaller than 
the laft, being not more than a foot and a half in length. 
It is very tractable, good-natured, and eafily tamed ; is 
fuppofed to have been the Pithecos of the ancients. It 
lives in woods, and feeds on fruits and infects.—Troops 
of them aflemble together, and defend themfelves from 
the attacks of wild beafts in the defert, by throwing a 
cloud of fand behind them, which blinds their purfuers, 
_and facilitates their efcape. 


ZY 
Zi, i Paes SS 
As; vat 


416 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 


THe GIBBON 


is diftinguifhed by the extraordinary length of its arms, 
which reach to the ground when its body is upright, and . 
give it a difgufting appearance. Its face is flat, and of a 
tawny colour, furrounded with a circle of grey hair, 
which adds to the fingularity of its afpect; its eyes .are 
Jarge and deep funk; ears round and naked; body cover- 
ed on all parts with black rough hair, except its buttocks, 
which are quite naked. 

It is a mild, gentle, and tractable animal; feeds on 
fruits, leaves, and barks of trees; is a native of the Eaft- 
Indies, Sumatra, and the Molucca ifles; and meafures 
from three to four feet in height. 


‘ey 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 417 


Rr SE ST HT Ee 
OTT; ! MMeLoMIHRUNSBESt casei) Tes 
bi OTT | heat 

its} | aanle 


SS - 
iM 
i 4 


"i iy . 


AW; 
Lid Fs 
Lore) 


iif Tene ifs, Ly 
a TY 


Tut MAGOT, or Barsary APE, 


is wilder and more untractable than the others. His 
head is large, and his nofe prominent: He likewife dif- 
fers from the laft,’in having cheek pouches, which he 
frequently fills with food before he begins to eat. The 
canine teeth are large and f{trong; ears round, and fome- 
what like thofe of aman: The body is covered with hair 
of a brown colour, inclining to green; lighter on the 
belly. When ftanding erect upon his hind legs, he is 
generally two feet and a half or three feet high. He 
walks oftener on four than on two feet; and, when reft- 
ing, fupports his body on two prominent callofities, fitu- 
ated on his buttocks. 

The Magot is a very common fpecies; and is found in 
moft parts of Africa, from Barbary to the Cape of Good 
Hope. 


418 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Si 


AGE ieeetaeae 
<) LS 


THe BABOON 


differs from animals of the Ape kind, not only in ex- 
ternal appearance, but alfo in temper and difpofition. 
Fierce untra¢table and libidinous, its difpofition feems 
to partake of the hideous and difgufting deformities of 
its outward figure.—Its body is thick, compact, and ner- 
vous; and its ftrength prodigious.—Neither art nor ca- 
refles can render it in any degree docile or obedient. It 
feems to be continually fretting with rage, and feeking 
every opportunity of fhewing its favage and vicious pro- 
penfities.—In a ftate of captivity, it muft be kept clofely 
confined ; and, even in that ftate, we have feen one fhake 
the bars of its cage fo powerfully with its hands, as to 
excite the utmoft terror in the {pectators. | 

This animal, of which we have given a very faithful 
reprefentation from the life, was about four feet high 
when ftanding on its hind legs: Its head was large, 
fhoulders of an amazing ftrength and thicknefs, its muz- 


ae 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 419 


gle long and thick, eyes {mall and deep funk, 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 elegant toupee from its forehead and each fide of its 
face, which, when angry, it erected; the hair on the bo- 
dy was uniformly of a light reddifh-brown ; the tail fhort, 
and darker at the end; buttocks red and naked. 

The Baboon inhabits the hotteft parts of Africa; feeds 
on fruits, roots, and other vegetables.—Numerous troops 
fometimes 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 fhort time. 

The female brings forth only one young at a time, 
which fhe carries in her arms, and fuckles at her breaft. 
—Notwithftanding its libidinous difpofition, it will not 
breed in temperate climates, 


tl 5 | “ (a: i i 


Pe sel it 


420 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 


THe Great Rispep-NosE BABOON. 


This fingular creature is no lefs remarkable for its 
great fize and ftrength, than for the variety of beautiful 
colours on different parts of its body. Its nofe is marked 
with broad ribs on each fide, of a fine violet-blue colour : 
A vermilion line begins a little above the eyes; and, run- 
ning down on each fide of the nofe, which is fomewhat 
fimilar to that of a Hog, fpreads over the tip of it: The 
infides of the ears are blue, which gradually foftens to a 
purple, and terminates in vermilion ; the rump is alfo of 
a vermilion colour ; and the beautiful colours on the hips 
are gradations from red to blue: The hair on the fore- 
head is long, turns back, and forms a kind of pointed 
creft: Its beard is dark at the roots, orange at the mid- 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 421 


dle and yellow at the end: The back and legs are cover- 
ed with fhort hair, of a dark brown colour, mixed with 
yellow ; the breaft and belly with long whitifh hair, 
fpeckled with fmall dark fpots: Its tail is fhort 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 ftrong. At the fight of 
women it difcovered marks of the moft violent paflion: 
It once caught hold of a lady, who was fo incautious as 
to approach too near it; and fhe was with fome difficulty 
refcued by the interference of the keeper. Its voice was 
{trong and harfh, not unlike the ordinary growl of the 
Lion. It generally went upon its four feet, unlefs 
obliged by its keeper to ftand erect. Its moft ufual atti- 
tude was fitting on its rump, with its arms placed before 
it. 

This creature inhabits the hotter parts of Africaa——— 
Schreber fays, it lives on fucculent fruits and nuts, is 
fond of eggs, will put eight at once into its pouches, 
then take them out one by one, break them at the end, 
and {wallow the contents. 

Our reprefentation of this animal was done from a 
drawing in the poffeflion of the Rev. Mr Egerton, taken 
_ from the life by an eminent painter. 

We fuppofe the Aandri// of Buffon to be a variety of 
this {pecies. 


Dd 3 


422 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


———— - CJ 
§ = re, 
NANNY TALE LLL AY Wi LALLA) may 


THe SmMauL Rippep-Nos—e BABOON 


feems to agree in every refpe&t with that defcribed by 
Mr Pennant, in the firft volume of his Hiftory of Qua- 
drupeds, under the name of the ManpRILL. 

The annexed cut was done from the living animal, in 
the pofieffion of Mr Rayne, furgeon, in Newcaftle. 

It is about fifteen inches in height; its face flat, of a 
fine blue colour; eyes bright hazle, exceedingly brilliant 
and lively; the cheeks marked with {mall ribs, bounded 
with thick bufhy hair, of a greenifh colour, beautifully 
fpeckled with black, falling back on each fide; the hair 
on the forehead is of the fame colour, very long, and 
runs up to a point on the top of the fhoulders; the muz- 
zle is broad, and furnifhed with fhort hair, thinly fcat- 
tered on each fide; on the chin it has a fhort thin beard, 
ending in a point, where it is of an orange colour; the 
hair on the body is dark brown, mixed with fhades of 
green on the back and fides,—the haunches dufky ; the 
ears are {mall, naked and pointed; the tail fhort and 
hairy; the buttocks bare, and of a red flefh-colour; 
hands and feet naked: It has cheek pouches; feeds on 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 423 


fruits, nuts, roots, and other vegetables. It is lively, 
playful, and full of mifchievous frolics; walks commonly 
on all four, is in continual motion, and leaps with afto- 
nifhing agility.——This fpecies is faid to come from the 
coaft of Guinea. 


HEM g init [ } wad! yy! 


Tuz MAIMON, or Pic-rattep’ BABOON, 


fo termed from its fhort naked pig-like tail, is the leaft 
of all the Baboon kind; a gentle, mild, and tractable 
animal; very lively and frolicfome : but has none of that 
impudent petulance fo peculiar to moft of its fpecies.— 
Its muzzle is large and thick; face and ears naked, and 
of a fleth colour; the hair on the head and back is of a 
deep olive, paleft on the belly; it has hazel eyes, check 
pouches, callofities on the buttocks, which are naked, 
and of a red colour. It is a native of Sumatra and 
Japan. 

One of this kind was fhewn in the North in 1788, 
from which this drawing was made. 

Dda4 


424 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


It is a curious circumftance, that not only this, but 
every animal of the Baboon and Monkey kind we have 
yet feen, have fhewn a remarkable greedinefs for tobac- 
co, muftard, and even {nuff, which they eat without ex- 
prefling the {malleft inconvenience, and always feem ex- 
tremely defirous for more. | 


THe Doc-racep BABOON 


fs diftinguifhed by a longer tail than the reft of its kind ; 
In this refpect, it feems to bear fome affinity to the Mon- 
key, and has been mentioned under that denomination 
by feveral naturalifts. 

We may obferve here, that, in tracing the progrefs of 
animated Nature,.we are led, by the moft imperceptible 
gradations, from one kind to another : The line of fepa- 
ration feems fo faintly drawn, that we are frequently at 
a lofs how to fix the boundaries of one clafs without en~ - 
croaching upon that of another; and, notwithftanding 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 425 


the regularity and order which every-where prevail a- 
mong the numerous families that inhabit the earth, the 
beft and moft approved fyftems of arrangement fall infi- 
nitely fhort of precifion: They ferve, indeed, to dired 
us to the general characters which form the diftinguifh- 
ing features of each genus, but are very inadequate to 
difcriminate the intermingled fhades and nice touches by 
which all are diverfified. 

The drawing of this animal was taken from one fhewn 
in London under the name of the Persian SavaGe.— 
Its head was large ; muzzle long and thick; eyes fmall; 
face naked, and of an olive colour; the hair on its fore- 
head feparated in the middle, and hung down on each 
fide of the face, from thence down its back as far as its 
waift; it was long and fhaggy, of a bluifh-grey colour, 
freckled with dark fpots; the hair on the lower part of 
the body fhort; its buttocks bare and red. 

That defcribed by Mr Pennant, which feems to agree 
with this, is reprefented as very fierce and untractable. 

It inhabits the hotteft parts of Africa and Afia, lives in 
troops, and commits great depredations in gardens and 
cultivated grounds; is above five feet high, exceedingly 
{trong, vicious, and impudent. 


Aur Ursine BABOON 


is not unlike the laft, but rather lefs. Its nofe 1s long; 
head large; ears fhort; forehead high and prominent, 
“terminating in a ridge; the body thick and ftrong, co- 
vered with long dufky hair, which gives it the appear- 
ance of a young Bear; its tail half the length of the bo- 
dy ; buttocks red. 

This animal is very numerous about the Cape of Good 


426 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Hope.—Troops of them affemble together, and make ex- 
peditions for the fake of plunder, in which they obferve 
the utmoft precaution. To prevent furprife, they place 
‘a centinel, which, upon fight of a man, gives a loud yell; 
when the whole troop retreats with the greateft precipi- 
tation. It is highly entertaining to fee the females car- 
rying off their young ones clinging to their backs ; whilft 
their pouches are crammed fo full of fruit, that they feem 
ready to burft. They fometimes form a line, and throw 
the fruit from one to another, in order to carry it off the 
more expeditioufly. 


THe WANDEROU 


is a native of Ceylon and the Eaft-Indies——lIts head is 
thick and long, and furrounded with a large quantity of 
white hair, which falls down below the chin,’ forming a 
rough fhaggy beard; the reft of the body is covered 
with a dark-brown coat, almoft black.——Like all ani- 
mals of this kind, it is wild and vicious; but when taken 
young, may eafily be tamed; and appears to be more 
f{ufceptible of education than other Baboons. 

There are feveral varieties of this fpecies.—The Behics 
of fome are black, with white beards; in others, the bo- 
dy is whitifh, and the beard black: Some are found en- 
tirely white; but this fpecies is extremely rare, and is 
{aid to be ftronger and more mifchievous than the others. 

Thefe bearded Baboons are much efteemed for the 
gravity of their appearance; and are ufed by the Indians 
in their ceremonies and fhows, in which they are faid to 
acquit themfelves to the admiration of the fpectators. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 427 


Ae NAC A OU, 


or Hare-Lippep Monkey of Mr Pennant, is placed 
next to the Baboons, and makes the neareft approach to 
them in the form of its body, which is fhort and thick: 
Its head and muzzle are large; its vifage ugly, naked, 
and wrinkled; and its noftrils divided, like thofe of a 
Hare: Its tail, however, is long, like that of a Monkey: 
The colour of the hair on the upper part of the body is a 
greenifh-afh,—lighter on the breaft and belly. 

There are feveral varieties, which differ both in fize 
and colour, 

This animal is found in Guinea, Congo, and fome of 
the fouthern parts of Africa.—They go in troops, and do 
infinite mifchief 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 pull- 
ing up what does not pleaie them, do more damage thar 
by what they really eat. 


Tue PATAS, or Rev MONKEY, 


is nearly of the fame fize with the Macaque, and inhabits 
the fame country; its body is, however, rather longer, 
its face lefs hideous, and its hair more beautiful. It is 
remarkable for the brilliancy of its coat, which is of fo 
bright a red, as to have the appearance of being painted. 
There are two varieties of this kind: The one is dif- 
- tinguifhed by a black line above the eyes, extending from 
ear to ear; in the other, the line is white. Both have 
long hair under the chin, and round the cheeks; which 
in the firft is yellow, and in the fecond white: The nofe 


\ 


428 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


is black; the under part of the body-of an afh colour, 
tinged with yellow. 

_ Thefe Monkies are very numerous on the banks of the 
river Seregal.—They are fo curious, as fometimes to de- 
fcend from the tops of trees to the extremities of the 
branches, while boats are pafling, and feem to obferve 
them with great attention. If not difturbed, their fami- 
liarity becomes troublefome: They break off branches, 
throw them at the paffengers, and frequently with fo fure 
an aim, as-to annoy them not a little; but, upon being 
fhot at, they fet up moft hideous cries, endeavour to re- © 
venge themfelves by collecting more offenfive materials,. 
fuch as ftones, dirt, &c. which they throw at the enemy, 
and foon retire. ) : 


Travellers relate that, in Guinea, Monkies are fre- 
quently feen together in troops of forty or fifty, plun- 
dering gardens and fields of corn with great boldnefs, © 

One of them ftands on a tree, liftens, and looks about 
on all fides, while the reft are bufy. Upon the leaft ap- 
pearance of interruption, he fets up a loud cry to alarm 
the party; when they immediately fly off with the booty 
they have colleéted, leaping from tree to tree with prodi- 
gious agility. 


THe MALBROUCK 


differs little from the laft, either in difpofition or mans 
ners. It is a native of Bengal, is fond of fruits, fre- 
quently f{teals into plantations of fugar-canes, loads itfelf 
with them, and, if purfued, will throw away a part to 
carry off the remainder with more eafe.—It efcapes the 
purfuit of Tigers and other wild beafts, by climbing 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 429 


trees, and leaping from one to another. Serpents are 
the moft deadly enemies of this and all the Monkey kind : 
They follow them to the higheft branches of the trees, 
and frequently furprife them whilft they are fleeping. 


Tue Cuinese BonNeET MONKEY 


- appears to be only a variety of the Malbrouck: The prin- 
cipal difference confifts in its having the hair on its head 
difpofed in the form of a flat bonnet, from which its 
name has been derived. It inhabits the fame country, 
and lives in the fame manner. 

When fruits and fucculent plants fail them, thefe ani« 
mals are faid to eat infects, and fometimes watch by the 
fea-fide for crabs and other thell-fith, which they are very 
dexterous in catching. 

They are never thoroughly tamed, and cannot be truft- 
ed without a chain.—They do not breed when in a ftate 
of confinement, even in their own country; but require 
to be at perfect freedom in their native woods. 


THe MAN GAB Y 


is diftinguifhed 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 yellowifh-brown 
colour; that on the belly white. Some of them have a 
broad collar of white hair furrounding their neck and 
‘face.—They are natives of Madagafcar. Aer 


Lose by. mv 
85 enor 


Pc 
a #8 
i 


430 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDs, 


Tue CALLITRIX, or Green MONKEY, 


fo called from its beautiful hair, which, on the upper 
part of the body and tail, is of a fine green colour; the 
throat, belly, and under fide of the limbs, are of a filvery 
whitenefs: The tail is eighteen inches long, length of 
the body thirteen, height eight and a half. 

It is common in the Cape de Verd iflands and the 
Eaft-Indies; and is alfo found in Mauritania, and in the 
territories of ancient Carthage.—Hence it is probable, 
fays M. Buffon, that it was known to the Greeks and 
Romans: and that it was one of thofe long-tailed Mon- 
kies to which they gave the general name of Callitrix. 

It feems to be the fame kind as that mentioned by 
Adanfon; who relates that the woods of Podor, along 
the river Niger, are full of Green Apes, which, from 
their colour, are fcarcely difcernible among the branches 
of the trees where they live. 

The animal from which the above was taken, was a 
female, in the poffeflion of William Hargrave, efq; of 


Shawdon. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 431 


THe MUSTACHE 


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 bluifh colour, 
body of a greenifh afh, breaft and belly lighter. Its 
length is only one foot; that of the tail eighteen inches. 
—It is a native of Guinea. 


Bee TAL AP OUN 


is a native of the Eaft-Indies, where it is fuffered to mul- 
tiply without moleftation, owing to the religious fuperfti- 
tion of the bramins, which forbids them to take the life 
of any kind of animal whatever. They are fo tame and 
familiar, that numbers of them frequently come into 
their towns, enter the houfes, and, if not prevented, help 
themfelves to whatever they meet with that is agreeable 
to them; fuch as fruits, fweetmeats, &c. ; 

The Talapoin is about twelve inches long: Its head is 
round; ears black, and fhaped 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 dufky yel- 
low, tinged with green, the belly lighter; its tail very 
long, flender, and of an olive colour. 


432 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 


THe Variep MONKEY, or MONA, 


is beft known of all the Monkey tribe, being more fre- 
quently brought into Europe than any other.——It is a 
native of Barbary and other northern parts of Africa, 
Arabia, and Perfia; where it is called the Mona, from 
which our general term is derived. bs 

Its nofe is fhort and thick; its face of a dark-lead co- 
lour; the beard on each fide long, and of a greenifh-yel- 
low; the top of the head is bright-yellow, freckled with 
black; back and fides deep-brown, with black freckles; 
legs, feet, and tail, black; infide of the thighs of a pale 
blue colour, thinly covered with whitifh hairs; and on 
each fide of the rump, clofe to the tail, is a large white 
{pot. 

The drawing and defcription were taken from the liv- 
ing animal, in the pofleflion of Robert Hedley, efq; of 
Newcaftle. It was remarkably gentle, tame, and fami- 
liar; and feemed to have fome attachment to thofe with 
whom it was acquainted. Its length was eighteen inch- 
es; tail about two feet. It was fed with bread, roafted 
meat, and fruit of all kinds, of which it was particularly 
fond. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 433 


All the Baboons and Monkies we have yet defcribed 
are furnifhed with cheek-pouches, capable of containing 
food fufficient to fupply them for a day or two: They 
alfo ferve as receptacles for whatever they obtain more 
than fupplies their prefent wants. But we have thought 
it unneceflary to repeat this circumftance in the account 
of every animal of thofe kinds. 


T HE 1G Ba, © ane, ane ©: 


differs from other Monkies, in having no callofities on 
its buttocks, which are entirely covered with hair; it 1s 
alfo much larger, being nearly four feet high when erect. 
Its face is fhort, and rather flat, furnifhed on each fide 
with long hairs, of a pale yellow colour; its body is 
beautifully variegated with differentiy coloured hair; 
round the neck there is a collar of a bluith-purple co- 
lour; the top of the head and body is grey; breaft and 
belly yellow; arms white below, and black above; tail 
white; fect black; face and ears red; lips black; and 
round each eye there 1s a black ring.——It is found in 
Cochin-China, and in the ifland of Madagafcar, where 
itis called the Sirac. 

M. Buffon places the Douc in the laft clafs of thofe 
animals of the Monkey kind that belong to the old conti- 
nent; and defcribes it as forming a fhade between them 
and the Monkies of America, which he diftinguithes by 
the generic names of Sapajaus and SacGoins.—They 
both of them differ from Monkies, in having neither 
cheek-pouches nor callofities on their buttocks; and they 
are diftinguifhed from each other by characters peculiar 
toeach. ‘The Sapajou is furnifhed with a preheniile tail, 

Ee 


434 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


the under part of which is generally covered with a 
fmooth naked fkin: The animal can coil it up or extend 
it at pleafure, fufpend itfelf by its extremity on the 
branches of trees, or ufe it as a hand to lay hold of any 
thing it wants. The tails of all the Sagoins, on the con- 
trary, are longer than thofe of the Sapajous, ftraight, 
flaccid, and entirely covered with hair.—This difference 
alone is fufficient to diftinguifh a Sapajou from a Sagoin. 


We now proceed to the hiftory and defcription of the 
moft remarkable of this numerous race. 


THe OUARINE, or PREACHER, 


is the largeft of all the American Monkies, being about 
the fize of a large Fox. Its body is covered with long 
fmooth hair, of a fhining black colour, forming a kind of 
ruff round the animal’s neck: Its tail is long, and always 
twifted at the end. 

Great numbers of thefe Morikies inhabit the woods of 
Brazil and Guiana; and, from the noife they make, are 
called Howling Monkies. Several of them affemble toge- 
ther; and placing themfelves in a kind of regular order, 
one of them begins firft with a loud tone, which may be > 
heard to a great diftance; the reft foon join in a general 
chorus, the meft diffonant and tremendous that can be 
conceived: On a fudden they all ftop, except the firit, 
who finithes fingly ; and the affembly breaks up. 

Thefe Monkies are faid to be very fierce, and fo wild 
and mifchievous, that they can neither be conquered nor 
tamed.——They feed on fruits, grain, herbs, and fome- 
times infeéts; live in trees, and leap from bough to 
bough with wonderful agility, catching hold with their 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 435 


hands and tails as they throw themfelves from one 
branch to another, and maintain themfelves fo firmly, 
that, even when fhot, they remain fixed to the trees 
where they die. 

The flefh of the Ouarine is good; and is not only 
eaten by the natives, but alfo by Europeans who frequent 
thofe parts. 


tain CO ALT A 


is fomewhat lefs than the Ouarine. Its body and limbs 
are long and flender; hair black and rough; tail long, 
and naked’on the under fide. 

This animal is found in the neighbourhood of Care 
thagena, in Guiana, Brazil, and Peruu—Great numbers 
aflociate together.—They feldom appear on the ground; 
but live moftly in trees, and feed on fruits: When thefe 
are not to be had, they are faid to eat filhes, worms, and 
infects; are extremely dexterous in catching their prey, 
and make great ufe of their tails in feizing it. 

The Coaitas are very lively and a¢ctive—In pafling 
from one tree to another, they fometimes form a chain, 
linked to each other by their tails; and {wing in that 
manner till the loweft catches hold of a branch, and 
draws up the re{t——- When fruits are ripe, they are gee 
nerally fat; and their flefh is then faid to be excellent. 


There are many varieties of the Coaita, which differ 
chiefly in colour. Some are totally black, others brown, 
and fome have white hair on the under parts of the body. 
—They are called Spider Monkies by Edwards, on ace ” 
count of the length and flendernefs of their legs and tails. 

Ee 2 


436 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


M. Buffon fuppofes the Exquima to be another va-= 
riety of this {pecies.—It is nearly of the fame fize, but 
its colour is variegated. The hair on its back is black 
and yellow; its throat and belly white.—Its manner of 
living is the fame with that of the Coaita, and it inha- 
bits the fame countries.—Both kinds are remarkable in 
having only four fingers on each hand, si ae defti- 
tute of the thumb. 


Tue SAJOU, or CAPUCIN. 


There are two varieties of this fpecies,—the Brown 
and the Grey; which, in other refpects, are perfectly 
- fimilar. Their faces are of a flefh colour, thinly covered 
with down; tails long, full of hair on the upper fide, 
naked below, and prehenfile; hands black and ai 
length of the body about twelve inches. 

Thefe animals inhabit Guiana, are extremely lively 
and agile, and their conftitution feems better adapted to 
the temperate climates of Europe than moft of the Sapa- 
jou kind. M. Buffon mentions a few inftances 3s their 
having produced in France. 

The Sajous are very capricious in their attachments, 
being fond of particular perfons, and difcovering the 
greateft averfion to others. 


Tue SAI, on WEEPER, 


inhabits Brazil; is very mild, docile, and timid; of a 
grave and ferious afpeét; has an appearance of weeping 5 
and when irritated, makes a plaintive noife.—It is about 
fourteen inches long; the tail longer than the body; hair 
on the back and fides of a deep brown colour, mixed 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 437 


with red on the lower parts.—There is a variety with 
white hair on the throat and breait. 

Great numbers of thefe creatures aflemble together, 
particularly in ftormy weather, and make a great chat- 
tering.—They jive much in trees, which bear a pod- 
ded fruit as large as beans, on which they principally 
feed. 


THe SAIMIRI, on Ornance MONKEY, 


is a moft beautiful animal; but fo extremely delicate, 
that it cannot well bear to be brought from its own cli- 
mate to one lefs warm and temperate. 

It is about the fize of a Squirrel: Its head is round; 
eyes remarkably lively and brilliant; ears large; hair on 
the body fhort and fine, of a fhining gold colour; feet 
_ orange; its tail is very long: Its prehenfile faculty is 
much weaker than the reft of the Sapajous; and on that 
account, it may be faid to form a fhade between them 
and the Sagoins, which have long tails, entirely covered 
with hair, but of no ufe in fufpending their bodies from 
the branches of trees or other objects. 


1 gens dea 5 wm Kt 


is fometimes called the Fox-TarLtEpD Monxkey; be- 
caufe its tail, like that of the Fox, is covered with long 
hair. Its body is about feventeen inches in length; hair 
long,—of a dark brown colour on the back, lighter on 
the under fide; its face is tawny, and covered with a fine 
fhort whitifh down; the forehead and fides of the face 
are white; its hands and feet are black, with claws in-~ 
fiead of nails. 
He 3 


438 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


The 5aki is a native of Guiana, where it is called the 
Saccawinkee. | 


THe TAMARIN 


is about the fize of a Squirrel: Its face is naked, of a 
{warthy flefh colour; its upper lip fomewhat divided; its 
ears are very large and erect, from whence it is called 
the GREAT-EARED Monkey; its hair is foft, fhaggy, 
and of a black colour; hands and feet covered with 
orange-coloured hair, very fine and fmooth; its nails 
long and crooked; tail black, and twice the length of its 
body. | 

The Tamarin inhabits the hotter parts of South-Ame- 
rica; is a lively, pleafant animal; eafily tamed; but fo | 
delicate, that it cannot bear a removal to a lefs temperate 
climate. | 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 439 


Tue OUSTITI, or CAGVI, 


is {till fmaller than the Tamarin; its head and body not 
exceeding feven inches in length: Its tail is long, bufhy, 
and, like that of the Macauco, marked with alternate 
rings of black and afh colour; its face is naked, of a 
fwarthy flefh colour; ears large, and like the human; 
body beautifully marked with dufky, afh-coloured, and 
reddifh bars; its nails are fharp; and its fingers like 
thoie of a Squirrel. 

The Ouftiti inhabits Brazil; feeds on fruits, vegeta- 
bles, infects, and fnails; and is fond of fifh. 

Mr Edwards gives a defcription of one of thefe ani- 
mals, accompanied with an excellent figure.—He fays, 
that, one day being at liberty, it darted upon a fmall 
gold-fith that was in a bafon, which it killed and devour- 
ed with avidity; and that afterwards {mall eels were 
given to it, of which it feemed at firft afraid, from their 
twifting themfelves round its neck; but that it foon over- 
came and eat them.—He likewife fays, that the Outtiti 
produced young ones in Portugal, which at firft were 
extremely ugly, having hardly any hair on their bodies. 

Ee 4 


44o HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


They adhered clofely to the teats of the mother; and, 
when grown a little larger, fixed themfelves upon her 
back, from whence fhe could not eafily difengage them, 
without rubbing them off againft a wall: Upon thefe oc- 
cafions, the male always allowed them to mount upon 
his back to relieve the female. 


THe MARIKINA- 


is by fome called the Lion-Are, from the quantity of 
hair which furrounds its face, falling backwards like a 
mane}; its tail is alfo fomewhat bufhy at the end: its © 
face is flat, and of a dull purple colour; its hair long, 
bright, and filky,—from whence it is likewife called the 
Sitky Monkey; it is of a pale yellow colour on the 
‘ body; the hair round the face of a bright bay, inclining 
to red; its hands and feet are without hair, and of the 
fame colour as the face; its body is ten inches long, tail 
thirteen. 

‘This creature is a native of Guiana, is very gentle and 
lively, and feems to be more hardy than the other Sa- 
goins.—Buffon fays, that one of them lived at Paris feve- 
ral years, with no other precaution than keeping it in a 
warm room during winter. | 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. gat 


Tue PINCHE, or Rep-Tartep MONKEY, 


is fomewhat larger than the Ouftiti.— It is remarkable in 
having a great quantity of fmooth white hair, which falls 
down from the top of its head on each fide, forming a 
curious contraft with its face, which is black, thinly co- 
vered with a fine grey down: Its eyes are black and five- 
ly; throat black; hair on the back and fhoulders of a 
light reddifh-brown colour; breaft, belly, and legs, 
white; the tail is long, of a red colour from the rump to 
the middle, from thence to the end it is black. : 

The Pinche inhabits the woods on the banks of the ri- 
ver of Amazons; is a lively, beautiful little animal; has 
a foft whiftling voice, refembling more the chirping of a 
bird than the cry of a quadruped. It frequently walks 
with its long tail over its back. 


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pemllizggs 


—— 


442 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Tue MICO, or Fair MONKEY, 


is the laft that we fhall defcribe of this numerous race, 
and is the moft beautiful of thew all.—Its head is fmall 
and round; face and ears of fo lively a vermilion colour, 
as to appear the effect of art; its body is covered with 
long hair, of a bright filvery whitenefs, and uncommon 
elegance, tail long, and of a fhining dark chefnut colour. 

It frequents the banks of the river, of Amazons, where 
it was difcovered by M. Condamine, who preferved one 
alive till almoft within fight of the French coaft; but it 
died before his arrival. 


We have now laid before our readers a few of the 
moft noted varieties of this numerous race: Many others 
might likewife be added to fwell the account; but of 
thefe, little more is known than their names and places 
of habitation. There are, probably, ftill more, which 
neither the affiduity of the naturalift, nor the curiofity of 
the traveller, has been able to draw from their native 
woods. Indeed, there is great room to conjecture, that 
the variations of the Monkey kind are fomewhat like 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 443 


thofe of the Dog, continually encreafing; for it is very 
obvious, that, among the fmaller kinds of Monkies, the 
characteriftic differences do not appear to be great, howe 
ever they may vary in fize or in colour; and it is certain, 
that the modes of living, faculties, and propenfities of 
thefe animals, are ftrikingly fimilar: So that, if we rea- 
fon from analogy on this fubje&t, we may fairly con- 
clude, that different kinds of Monkies may unite and 
propagate with the fame facility as the Goat and the 
Sheep, or the almoft 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 fubje&ts, or drawings which might be 
depended on: And it is to be lamented, that, amongft 
the numbers that have been publithed, fo few fhould pof- 
fefs that peculiar character fo obfervable in the various 
members of this imitative tribe, which it is wholly im- 
poflible to trace from a ftuffed fkin, void of every kind of 
expreffion; the mufcular parts, which fhould convey the 
idea of action, being generally ill fupplied, or entirely 
wanting. 


444 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 


Tuz PORCUPINE. 


HIS animal, fo formidable in its appearance, 
would be much more truly fo, if it poffeffed the 
power erroneoufly afcribed to it, of darting its quills at 
its enemies, and wounding them at a diftance. 
- Though denied the privilege of making offenfive war, 
it is fufhciently armed to refift the attacks of animals 
much more powerful than itfelf.—Upon the fmalleft irri- 
tation, it raifes its quills, and fhakes them with great vi- 
elence, directing them to that quarter from whence it is 
in danger of being attacked, and ftriking at the objet of 
its refentment with its quills at the fame time. We have 
obferved, on an occafion of this fort, at a time when 
the animal was moulting or cafling its quills, that they 
would fly out, to the diftance of a few yards, with fuch 
force, as to bend the points of them againft the board 
where they ftruck; and it is not improbable, that a cir- 
cumftance of this kind may have given rife to an opinion 
of its power to-ufe them in a more effectual manner. 
The largeft of the quills are from ten to fifteen inches 
in length, thick in the middle, and extremely fharp at 
the end: Between the quills, the hair is thin, black, and 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 44: 


briftly: The tail is covered with white quills, which are 
fhort and tranfparent: Its legs are fhort; and it has four 
toes before, and five behind. 

The Porcupine is found in India, Perfia, and Palef- 
tine: It is likewife common in all parts of Africa. —The 
Indians hunt it for its quills, of which they make a kind 
of embroidery: They alfo eat its fleth. | 

There are Porcupines in a wild ftate in Spain and 
Italy, though they are not originally natives of any part 
of Europe.—Their flefh is fometimes expofed in the mar- 
kets at Rome, where it is eaten. | 

The Italian Porcupines have fhorter quills, and a lefler 
creft, than thofe of Afia or Africa. 

The Porcupine is an inoffenfive animal; lives on fruits, 
roots, and vegetables; fleeps during the day, and feeds 
by night. 

The female goes with young feven months, and brings 
forth one at a time. The drawing of this animal was 
made from the life. 


446 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 


THe Brazitian PORCUPINE 


differs fo greatly from the laft, that it can fcarcely be 
faid to bear any relation to it, except in its being cover- 
ed with fpines about three inches in length: They are 
white, very fharp, and have a bar of black near the 
points. The breatt, belly, and lower part of the legs, 
are covered with ftrong briftly hairs of a brown colour. 
Its tail is long and flender, and almoft naked at the end: 
The animal ufes it in defcending trees, by twifting it 
round the branches. | 

t inhabits Mexico and Brazil, lives in woods, and 
feeds on fruits and {mall birds. It preys by night, and 
fleeps in the day. It makes a noife like the grunting of 
a Swine, and grows very fat.—-Its flefh is white, and 
efteemed good to eat. 


ee. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 447 


—F SEF 
SEZ Z 


Foe COEND OU 


of M. Buffon, which he likewife calls the BRaziLian 
PorcuPINE, inhabits the fame countries with the laft, 
and its habits and mode of living are fimilar; but, in re- 
{pe&t to its figure, it feems to be a very different animal. 
Its ears are fliort, and hid in the hair; its head, body, 
and upper part of its tail, are covered with long foft 
hair, in which are interfperfed a number of ftrong fharp 
fpines; its tail is {horter than that of the preceding f{pe- 
cies, and it ufes it in the fame manner in defcending 
trees, frequently fufpending itfelf from the branches. 


An animal, fimilar to this, is found in Canada, and 
various parts of North-America, as high as Hudfon’s 
Bay.—It is called the Urson, or CanapDa PorcuPineE. 

Many of the trading Indians, during their long excur- 
fions, depend on this creature for a fupply of food, and 
efteem it both wholefome and pleafant: They alfo make 
ufe of the quills to trim the edges of their deer-fkin ha- 
bits, fo as to look like fringe; and ftick them in their 
noles and ears to make holes for their rings. 


448 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Tue HEDGE-HOG, or URCHIN, 


ESTITUTE of every other means of defence, 
D is provided by Nature with a fpinous armour, 
which fecures it from the attacks of all the {maller beafts 
of prey; fuch as Weafels, Martins, Polecats, &c. 
When alarmed, it immediately colle€ts itfelf into the 
form of a ball, and prefents on all fides a furface covered 
with. fharp points, which few animals are hardy enough 
to engage. ‘The more it is harrafled, the clofer it rolls 
itfelf; till its fears become an additional means of fafe- 
ty, by caufing it to void its urine, which, running over 
its whole body, frequently obliges its enemy to defift, 
difgufted by the fimell. . 

There are few Dogs that will venture to attack the 
Hedge-hog, except fuch as are trained to the fport, 
merely to gratify the cruel pleafure of feeing a harmlefs 
animal endure, with aftonifhing patience, the moft wan- 


ton outrages; whilft the Dogs, becoming more enraged 


at the wounds they receive from its prickles, at laft 
oblige it to unfold itfelf; and it then foon falls a victim 
to their fury. | 

The Hedge-hog generally refides in {mall thickets and 
hedges; lives on fruits, worms, beetles, and all kinds of 


eee 


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at 


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~ 


eta 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 449 


infects; conceals itfelf in the day, and feeds during the 
night.—It is eafily taken; for it neither flies nor attempts 
to defend itfelf; but, when touched, fhrinks ito its cir- 
cular form, which it will not eafily quit, unlefs thrown 
into water. 

The Hedge-hog, in the winter, wraps itfelf up in a 
warm nef{t, made of mofs, dried grafs, and leaves; and 
fleeps out the rigours of that feafon. It is frequently 
found fo completely encircled with herbage on all fides, 
that it refembles a ball of dried leaves. When taken out 
and placed before a fire, it foon recovers from its torpid 
ftate. 


fe 6. ea ND OR ANC 


is about the fize of a Rat. The upper part of its body 
is covered with fpines, fhorter and {maller than thofe of 
the Hedge-hog, which it fomewhat refembles, but does 
not roll itfelf up like that animal; the reft of the body is 
covered with a kind of fine hard hair, of a whitifh co- 
lour; about the head and. nofe it has feveral long hairs, 
like whifkers. | 


Ff 


aso HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


An animal fimilar to this is mentioned by M. Buffon, 
under the name of 


THE TANREG; 


which is larger than the laft, and has fewer briftles: 
They only occupy the top of the head, and along the 
back as far as the fhoulders; thofe on the neck are the 
longeft, and ftand erect: The reft of the body is covered 
with a briftly kind of hair, of a yellowifh colour, among 
which are intermixed fome black hairs, much longer 
than the other. Its nofe is long, and its ears more appa- 
- rent than thofe of the Tendrac. 


Both thefe animals are natives of India.n—They make 
a grunting noife, and are fond of wallowing in mud, like 
Hogs: They frequent the banks of rivers, can live a long 
time in the water, and are frequently caught in {mall in- 
lets of the fea: They dig holes in the ground, where 
they continue in a kind of torpid ftate during feveral 
months.—They are generally very fat; and the Indians 
eat their fleth, though it is reckoned infipid and ftringy. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 4agsr 


oe Ord ea. Ik, 


LTHOUGH the Otter is not confidered by 
A naturalifts as wholly amphibious, it is neverthe- . 
lefs capable of remaining a confiderable time under wa- 
ter, and can purfue and take its prey in that element 
with great facility. 

Its legs are very fhort, but remarkably ftrong, broad, 
and mufcular; on each foot are five toes, connected by 
ftrong membranes, like thofe of 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 to a point; 
the eyes are brilliant, and placed in fuch a manner, that 
the animal can fee every object that is above it, which 
gives it a fingular afpeét, very much refembling an eel or 
an afp: The ears are fhort, and their orifice narrow. 

The fur of the Otter is of a deep brown colour, with 
two {mall light {pots on each fide of the nofe, and ano- 
ther under the chin. 

Vf 2 


452 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


This animal makes its neft in fome retired fpot by the 
fide of a lake or river, under a bank, where it has an 
eafy and fecure accefs to the water, to which it immedi- 
ately flies upon the leaft alarm; and, as it fwims with 
great rapidity, generally efcapes from its purfuers. 

It deftroys great quantities of fifh; and, in purfuit of 
its prey, has been obferved commonly to fwim againft 
the ftream. 

As foon as the Otter has caught a fith, it immediately 
drags it to the fhore; devours a part, as far as the vent; 


and, unlefs prefled by extreme hunger, always leaves the 
remainder, and takes to the water in queft of more. 

Otters are generally taken in traps placed near their 
landing places, where they are carefully concealed in the 
fand.—When hunted with Dogs, the old ones defend 
themfelves with great obftinacy : They bite feverely, and 
do not readily quit their hold where they have once faf- 
tened. An old Otter will never give up while it has 
life; nor make the leaft complaint, though wounded 
ever fo much by the Dogs, nor even when transfixed 
with a fpear. 

There are many inftances of Otters being tamed; but 
in thofe which have come to our knowledge, they were 
taken when young, accuftomed by degrees to obedience 
and reftraint, and became fo far domefticated as to fol- 
low their mafter, anfwer to a name, and employ their 
excellent talents at fifhing in his fervice. 

Otters, when taken young, may be eafily reared and 
made tame.—We have feen two young ones fucking a 
Bitch, and treated by her with as much tendernefs as her 
own offspring. 

William Collins, of Kimmerfton, near Wooler, had a 
tame Otter, which followed him wherever he went. He 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. ‘453 


frequently carried it to fifh in the river; and, when fati- 
ated, it never failed returning to its mafter. One day, 
in the abfence of Collins, being taken out by his fon to 
fith, inftead of returning as ufual, it refufed to come at 
the accuftomed call, and was loft. ‘The father tried eve- 
ry means to recover it; and after feveral days fearch, be- 
ing near the place where his fon had loft it, and calling 
it by its name, to his inexpreffible joy, it came creeping 
to his feet, and fhewed many genuine marks of affection 
and firm attachment.—lIts food, exclufive of fifh, confifte 
ed chiefly of milk and hafty-pudding. 

Some years ago, James Campbell, near Invernefs, had 
a young Otter, which he brought up and tamed. It 
would follow him wherever he chofe; and, if called on 
_ by its name, would immediately obey. When apprehen- 
five of danger from Dogs, it fought the protection of its 
mafter, and would endeavour to fly into his arms for 
greater fecurity.—It was frequently employed in catching 
fifth, and would fometimes take eight or ten falmons in a 
day. If not prevented, it always made an attempt to 
break the fifth behind the fin next the tail; and as foonas 
one was taken away, it immediately dived in purfuit of 
more. When tired, it would refufe to fifth any longer; 
and was then rewarded with as much as it could de- 
vour. Being fatisfied with eating, it always curled itfelf 
round and fell afleep; in which ftate it was generally 
carried home.—The fame Otter fifhed as well in the fea 
as in a river, and took great numbers of codlings and 
other fifh.----Its food was generally frefh fifh, and fome- 
times milk, 

Another perfon, who kept a tame Otter, fuffered it to 
follow him with his Dogs. It was very ufeful to him in 

Pts 


‘4g4 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


fifhing, by going into the water, and driving trouts and 
other fith towards the net —It was remarkable, that the 
Dogs, though accuftomed to the fport, were fo far from 
giving it the fmalleft moleftation, that they would not 
even hunt an Otter whilft it remained with them; on 
which account the owner was under the neceflity of dif- 
pofing of it. | 

Notwithftanding the Otter’s avidity for fifh, it will not 
eat it, unlefs it be perfectly frefh. When that cannot be 
procured, it is fed with milk, or pudding made of oat- 
meal, &c. 


Otters are found in moft parts of the world, with no 
great variation.—They are common in Guiana, and fre- 
- quent the rivers and marfhes of that country. They are 
.fometimes feen in great numbers together; and are fo 
fierce, that it is dangerous to come near them. They 
live in holes, which they make in the banks of the rivers. 


The Otters of Cayenne are very large, weighing from 
ninety to one hundred pounds. They frequent the large 
rivers of that country. ‘Their cry is loud, and may be 
heard at a great diftance. They are of a dark brown co- 
lour.—Their fur is fhorter than that of the Beaver, and 
very foft. 


The SmaLu OTTER, found in Poland and the North 
of Europe, is much lefs than the common Otter, and of 
a dufky brown colour. Its feet are broad, webbed, and 
covered with hair.—lIts fur is very valuable, being next 
in beauty to that of the Sable. - 

This Otter is found alfo in North-America, where it 
is called the Minx; frequents the water, and lives on 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 455 


fith; is fond of poultry; frequently fteals into the hen 
roofts, bites off the heads of the fowls, and fucks their 
blood; is very fetid; and, when irritated, has a moft 
loathfome {fmell.—Its length, from nofe to tail, is twenty 
inches; tail four.—Its fur is of a dark brown colour, ve-~ 


ry glofly and beautiful. 


IEA 


Vag 5 bi At OT TE AR, 


Vaft numbers of thefe animals inhabit the coaft of 
Kamtfchatka, and the numerous iflands contiguous to it, 
as well as the oppofite coafts of America: They are alfo 
found in fome of the larger rivers of South-America. 

Their fkins are of great value, and have long formed a 
confiderable article of export from Rufha. ‘They difpofe 
of them to the Chinefe at the rate of feventy or a hun- 
dred rubles each, and receive in return fome of their 
moft valuable commodities. 

The fur of the Sea-Otter is thick and long, of a beau- 
tiful fhining black colour, but fometimes of a filvery 
hue; the legs are thick and fhort; the toes joined by a 

F f4 


456 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. | 


web; the hind feet like thofe of a Seal; length, from 
nofe to tail, four feet two inches; tail thirteen, flat, and 
pointed at the end.—The largeft of them weigh from fe- 
venty to eighty pounds. 

The Sea-Otter is remarkably harmlefs, and moft affec- 
tionately fond of its young: It will pine to death for its 
lofs, and die on the very fpot where it has been taken 
away. Before its young can {wim, it will carry it in its 
paws, and fupport it in the water, laying upon its back. 
—It fwims in various pofitions,—on its back, fides, and 
even in a perpendicular pofture ; and inthe wateris very 
fportive.—Two of them are fometimes feen embracing 
each other.—It frequents fhallow places, abounding with 
fea-weed; and feeds on’ lobfters, crabs, and other fhell- 
fith. 

It breeds but once a year, and produces one young at 
a time, which it fuckles and carefully attends almoft a 
year. 

The flefh of a young Ottter is reckoned delicate eating, 
and not eafily diftinguifhed from that of a lamb. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 424 


SW 7 NY =. 
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lif) hii Wie ay? ~ 3 \ aN WSs SS SS 
LTT] ACE RRR SSE pe PRS See — SN SAY NY = = 
DTP eps SSO /— SSS ARNE MY : 
iy pu; CS y 4 y } \) 1) M a4 ft y \ i 4 SS 
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, aa ig EET | at 2 te BONY be 
Bhi TT fy ny OP (( yA ir 
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AE Ode 0's be eb, 3 
O' all animals, is the moft fluggifh and ina€tive ; 


and, if we were to judge from outward appear- 
ance, would feem the moft helplefs and wretched. All 
its motions feem to be the effect of the moft painful ex- 
ertion, which hunger alone is capable of exciting. 

It lives chiefly in trees; and having afcended one with 
infinite labour and difficulty, it remains there till it has 
entirely {tripped it of all its verdure, {paring neither 
fruit, bloffom, nor leaf; after which it is faid to devour 
even the bark. Being unable to defcend, it throws itfelf 
on the ground, and continues at the bottom of the tree 
till hunger again compels it to renew its toils in fearch of 
fubfiftence. 

Its motions are accompanied with a moft piteous and 

lamentable cry, which terrifies even bea{ts of prey, and 
proves its beft defence. 

Though flow, aukward, and almoft incapable of mo- 
tion, the Sloth is ftrong, remarkably tenacious of life, 
and capable of enduring a long abftinence from food. 
We are told of one that, having faftened itfelf by its feet 
to a pole, remained in that fituation forty days without 
the leaft {ultenance.—The ftrength in its legs and feet is 


o 


4s8 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


fo great, that, having feized any thing, it is almoft im- 
poflible to oblige it to quit its hold. The fame animal 
laid hold of a Dog that was let loofe upon it, and held 
him faft with his féet till he perithed with hunger. 

There are two kinds of Sloths, which are principally 
diftinguifhed by the number of their claws.—The one, 
called the Ai, is about the fize of a Fox, and has. three 
long claws on each foot: Its legs are clumfy, and auk- 
wardly placed; and the fore legs being longer than the . 
hind, add greatly to the difficulty of its progreflive mo- 
tion: Its whole body is covered with a rough coat of 
long hair, of a lightifh-brown colour, mixed with white, 
not unlike that of a Badger; and has a black line down 
the middle of the back ; its face 1s naked, and of a dirty 
white colour; tail fhort; eyes fmall, black, and heavy. 
It is found only in South-America, 

The Unav has only two claws on each foot: Its head 
is fhort and round, fomewhat like that of a Monkey ; its 
ears are fhort; and it has no tail. It is found in South- 
America, and alfo in the Ifland of Ceylon. 

The flefh of both kinds is eaten. They have feveral 
ftomachs, and are faid to belong to the tribe of rumi- 
nating animals. 


HISTORY OF. QUADRUPEDS. 459 


Soe oA NDS ea Ge R, 


HERE are feveral animals diftinguifhed by the 
B ii common name of Ant-eaters, which differ great 
ly in form. They are divided into three clafles; viz. 
the Great, the Middle, andthe Leffler Ant-eater. 


The Great ANT-EATER is nearly four feet in 
length, exclufive of its tail, which is two and a half. 
It is remarkable for the great length of its fnout, which 
is of a cylindrical form, and ferves as a fheath to its long 
and flender tongue, which always lies folded double in 
its mouth, and is the chief inftrument by which it finds 
fubfiftence. 

This creature is a native of Brazil and Guiana, runs 
flowly, frequently fwims over rivers, lives wholly on 
ants, which it colle&ts by thrufting its tongue into their 
holes, and having penetrated every part of the neft, with- 
draws it into its mouth loaded with prey. 

Its legs are fo ftrong, that few animals can extricate 
themfelves from its gripe. It is faid to be formidable 


460 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


even to the Panthers of America; and fometimes fixes it- 
felf upon them in fuch a manner, that both of them fall 
and perith together ; for its obftinacy is fo great, that it 
will not extricate itfelf from its adverfary even after he is 
dead. 

The flefh has a ftrong difagreeable tafte, but 1s eaten 
by the Indians. 


The MippLe ANT-EATER is one foot feven inches 
from “hofe to tail. It inhabits the fame countries, and 
procures its food in the fame manner, as the laft. Its 
tail is ten inches long, with which it fecures its hold in 
climbing trees by twifting it round the branches. 

Both thefe animals have four ftrong claws on the fore 
feet, and five on the hind. 


The Lesser ANT-EATER has a fharp-pointed nofe, 
inclining a little downward: Its ears are fmall, and hid 
in the fur: It has two ftrong hooked claws on the fore 
feet, the outward one being much the largeft ; and four 
on the hind feet: Its fur is long, foft, and filky,—of a 
yellowifh-brown colour: Its length, from: nofe to tail, is 
feven inches and a half; tail above eight, thick at the 
bafe, and taper to the end.—It inhabits Guiana; climbs 
trees in queft of a fpecies of ants which build their nefts 
among the branches. 


Animals of this kind are found in Ceylon and the 
Cape of Good Hope. Kolben defcribes the latter as 
having long heads and tongues; that they feed on ants; 
and are fo ftrong, that, if they faften their claws in the 
ground, they cannot eafily be pulled away,——~It is call- 
ed in Ceylon the Zalgot, or Ant-Bear. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 461 


THe Great MANIS, orn PANGOLIN. 


HIS fingular animal is defended by a coat of mail, 
Ck which protects it from the attacks of the moft 
powerful animals. All the upper parts of its body are 
clofely covered with {cales of different fizes, which it can 
erect at pleafure, oppofing to its adverfary a formidable 
row of offenfive weapons. The Tiger, the Panther, or 
the Leopard, in vain attempt to force it. The moment 
it perceives the approach of an enemy, it rolls itfelf up 
like a Hedge-hog, and by that means fecures all the 
weaker parts of its body. 

It is a native of Formofa and the Indian ifless is like- 
wife found in Guinea, where it feeds on ants, which it 
takes by laying out its long red tongue, covered with an 
unctuous flime, acrofs the paths of thofe infects. 

It is flow in its motions; grows to the length of eight 
feet, including its tail, which is four. 

Its flefh is much efteemed for its delicacy; but it is 
difficult to procure, as the animal avoids mankind, and 
lives in ob{cure retreats, in woods, and marfhy places. 


462 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS., 


THe PHATAGIN, or Lonc-Taitep MANIS, 


is lefs than the Pangolin, being not more than a foot 
long from head to tail. Its body is covered with tharp- 
pointed fcales; its throat and belly with hair: Its es 
are fhort; and each foot has four claws. It is remarka- 
ble for the great length of its tail, which-in fome is 
above a yard long. 

It is a native of Guinea, has been fometimes called the 
ScaLy Lizarp, and may be faid to be the conneQting 
link in the chain of being between quadrupeds and rep- 
tiles, 


Tab wo tA RR MA DOL Lae 


S found only in South-America, where there are fe- 
| veral varieties of them.—They are all covered with a 
ftrong cruft or fhell, and are diftinguifhed from each 
other by the number of the flexible bands of which it is 
compofed. 

It is a harmlefs, inoffenfive animal; feeds on roots, 
fruits, and other vegetables; grows very fat; and is 
greatly efteemed for the delicacy of its flefh. 

The Indians hunt it with fmall Dogs, trained for that 
purpofe. When furprifed, it runs to its hole, or at- 
tempts to make a new one, which it does with great 
expedition, having ftrong claws on its fore feet, with 
which it adheres fo firmly to the ground, that if it 
fhould be caught by the tail whilft making its way into 
the earth, its refiftance is fo great, that it will fometimes 
leave it in the hands of its purfuers: To avoid this, the 


~ 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 463 


hunter has recourfe to artifice; and by tickling it with 
a ftick, it gives up its hold, and fuffers itfelf to be taken 
alive. If no other means of efcape be left, it rolls itfelf 
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 fituation it fome- 
times efcapes by rolling itfelf over the edge of a preci- 
pice, and generally falls to the bottom unhurt. 

‘Vhe moft fuccefsful method of catching Armadillos is 
by {nares laid for them by the fides of rivers or other 
places where they frequent.—They all burrow very deep 
in the ground, and feldom ftir out, except during the 
night, whilft they are in fearch of food. 

To give a minute defcription of the fhells or coverings 
of the Armadillos, would be extremely difficult ; as they 
are all compofed of a number of parts, differing greatly 
from each other in the order and difpofition of the fi- 
gures with which they are diftinguifhed: But it may be 
neceflary to obferve, that in general there are two large 
pieces that cover the fhoulders and the rump, between 
which lie the bands, which are more or lefs in number 
in different kinds. ‘Thefe bands are not unlike thofe in 
the tail of a lobfter; and, being flexible, give way to the 
The firft we fhall mention is 


motions of the animal. 


THe TATUAPARA, or THREE-BANDED 
ARMADILLO. 


Its fhell is about twelve inches long, with three bands 
in the middle: The cruft on the head, back, and rump, 
is divided into a number of elegant raifed figures, with 
five angles or fides: Its tail is not more than two inches 
long: It has neither cutting nor canine teeth; and has 
five toes on each foot. 


464 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


Toe TATOU, or S1ix-BANDED 
ARM ADIL Tyo; 


is about the fize of a young Pig. Between the folds of 
the bands there are a few fcattered hairs: Its tail is long, 
thick at the bafe, and tapers to a point. It is found in 
Brazil and Guiana. 


Toe TATUETTE 


is furnifhed with eight bands. Its ears are long and up- 
right ; eyes {mall and black: It has four toes on the fore 
feet, and five on the hind: Its length, from nofe to tail, 
is about ten inches; the tail nine. it inhabits Brazil, 
and is reckoned more delicious eating than the others. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 465 


THe NINE-BANDED ARMADILLO 


has a tenth band, moveable half way up on each fide: 
The fhell on the fhoulders and rump is marked with hex- 
angular figures; the breaft and belly are covered with 
Jong 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 Mufquito fhore, and lived fome time. It 
was fed with raw beef and milk, but refufed to eat our 
fruits and grain. 


466 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


THe KABA. 5:3 ye 


is furnifhed with twelve bands, and is the largeft of all 
the Armadillos, being almoft three feet long from nofe to 
tail: The figures on the fhoulders are of an oblong 
form; thofe on the rump hexangular. It is feldom 
eaten. 


THe WEASEL-HEADED ARMADILLO, 


fo called from the form of its head, which is flender, 
has eighteen bands from its fhoulder to its tail: The 
fhell is marked with fquare figures on the fhoulders; 
thofe on the legs and thighs are roundifh: The body is 
about fifteen inches long; tail five. 


All thefe animals have the power of drawing them- 
felves up under their fhells, either for the purpofe of re- 
pofe or fafety. They are furnifhed with ftrong lateral 
mufcles, confifting of numerlefs fibres, crofling each 
other in the form of an X, with which they contrac 
themfelves fo powerfully, that the ftrongeft man is 
{carcely able to force them open.——The fhells of the 
larger Armadillos are much ftronger that thofe of the 
{maller kinds. Their flefh is likewife harder, and more 
unfit for the table. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 467 


WML: 
aby Y 


LD 
Uidd id 
Vif 
thd 


r= = <S 


earns 


tt 
AN 


WY \\ Ny 
A \N 


Tue WALRUS, or SEA-HORSE. 


HERE are feveral animals whofe refidence is al- 
TL moft conftantly in the water, and which feem to 
partake greatly of the nature of fifhes, that are neverthe- 
lefs clafled by naturalifts under the denomination of qua- 
drupeds; and being perfectly amphibious, living with 
equal eafe in the water as on land, may be confidered as 
the laft ftep in the fcale of Nature, by which we are 
conducted from one great divifion of the animal world to 
the other. —Of thefe the Walrus is the moft confiderable 
for its fize, being fometimes found eighteen feet in 
length, and twelve in circumference at the thickeft part: 
It is likewife remarkable for two large tufks in the upper 
jaw, which fometimes exceed two feet in length, and 
weigh from three to twenty pounds each. 

The head of the Walrus is round; its lips very broad, 
and covered over with thick pellucid briftles; its eyes 
{mall and red; inftead of ears, it has two fmall orificess 
and above the whifkers, femicircular noftrils, through 

Gig. 


468 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


which it throws out water like the whale, but with much 
lefs noife: Its fkin is thick and wrinkled, and has a thin 
covering of fhort brownith hair: Its legs are fhort: It 
has five toes on each foot, connected by membranes 3. 
and on each toe a fmall nail: The hind feet are very 
broad, and extended nearly ona line with the body: 

The Walrus is chiefly found in the northern feas.-— 
Great herds of them are fometimes feen together on the 
fea fhore, or fleeping on an ifland of ice. When alarm- 
ed, they inftantly throw themfelves into the water with 
great precipitation. If wounded, they become bold and 
furious, and unite in the defence of each other: They 
will attack a boat, and endeavour to fink it by ftriking 
their great teeth into its fides, at the fame time bellowing 
in a moft hideous manner. 

It is hunted for its teeth, which are equal to thofe of 
the Elephant for durability and whitenefs. 

An ordinary Walrus is faid to yield half a ton of oil, 
equal in goodnefs to that of the whale. 

The female produces one or. two young at a time, 
which fhe fuckles upon land. 

In climbing upon the ice, the Walrus makes ufe of its 
teeth as hooks to fecure its hold, and draw its great un- 
wieldy body after it. 

It feeds on fea-weeds and fhell-fith, which it is faid to 
difengage from the rocks to which they adhere with its 
tuiks. | 

The White Bear is its greateft enemy.—In the come 
bats between thefe animals, the Walrus is faid to be ge- 
nerally victorious on account of the defperate wounds it 
anflicts with its teeth. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 469 


segoeeneeey ci) Se = 


0 35 SerdplAeieds 


is found, with fome variety in almoft every quarter of 
the globe: In the northern feas of Afia, Europe, and 
America, as well as the lefs frequented regions towards 
the fouth pole. 

Its ufual length is from five to fix feet. The body is 
clofely covered with fhort hair of various colours, fmooth 
and fhining; its tongue is forked at the end; it has two 
canine teeth in each jaw, fix cutting teeth in the upper, 
and four in the lower; it has five toes on each foot, fur- 
nifhed with ftrong fharp claws, which enable it to climb 
the rocks, on which it frequently bafks. 

It {fwims with great ftrength and fwiftnefs, is very 
playful, and fports without fear about fhips and boats.— 
It feeds on various kinds of fifh, and is frequently feen 
near the fhore in purfuit of its prey. 

Seals are found in great abundance on the coafts of 
Great-Britain; particularly in the deep recefles and ca- 
verns in the northern parts of the ifland, where they ree 
fort in the breeding time, and continue till the young 
‘ones are old enough to go to fea. . 

The time for taking Seals is in the month of October, 
dr the beginning of November. The hunters, provided 


G ¢ 3 


470 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


with torches and bludgeons, enter the mouths of the ca- 
verns about midnight, and row in as far as they can: 
They then land; and, being properly ftationed, begin by 
making a great noife, which alarms the Seals, and brings 
them down from all parts of the cavern in a confufed bo- 
dy, making frightful fhrieks and cries. In this hazard-_ 
ous employment, great care is neceflary on the part of 
the hunters to avoid the throng, which preffes down with 
great impetuofity, and bears away every thing that op- 
pofes its progrefs; but when the firft crowd is paft, they 
kill great numbers of young ones, which generally ftrag- 
gle behind, by ftriking them on the nofe. 

A young Seal yields above eight gallons of oil._ When 
full grown, their fkins are very valuable, and make a 
beautiful kind of leather, much ufed in making fhoes, 
&c. 

The flefh of the Seal is fometimes eaten; and that it 
was formerly admitted to the tables of the great, may be 
feen in the bill-of-fare of a fumptuous entertainment 
given by archbifhop Nevil in the reign of Edward the 
Fourth. ih 

The growth of Seals is fo amazingly rapid, that after 
nine tides from their birth they are as active as the old 
ones. 

The female brings forth her young on the land, fits on 
her hind legs while fhe fuckles them, and, as foon as they 
are able, carries them to fea, learns them to {wim and 
{earch for food: When they become fatigued, fhe places 
them on her back.—-The young ones know the voice of 
their mother, and attend to her call. 

The voice of the Seal has been compared to the hoarfe 
barking of a Dog ; when young, it is clearer, and refem- 
bles the mewing of a Cat. sn 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 471 


Seals are likewife found in the Mediterranean and Caf- 
pian feas, in the lake Baikal, and fome of the larger 
lakes. Thefe are fmaller than the falt-water Seals; but 
fo fat, that they feem almoft fhapelefs. 


Puen  HooprtEp SE AL 


is found in the South of Greenland; and is diftinguifhed 
by a thick fold on its forehead, with which it can cover 
its eyes and nofe. Its hair is white, with a thick coat of 
black woolly hair underneath, which makes it appear of 
a fine grey colour.—The hunters fay, that it is not eafily 
killed till the covering on its head is removed. 


472 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 


THE Ursine SEAL, or SEA-BEAR, 


is much larger that the common Seal, being eight feet 
in length, and weighing eight hundred pounds. 

Thefe animals are found among the iflands which lie 
between Kamtfchatka and America; alfo on the coats of 
New Zealand, Staten Ifland, New Georgia, and Falk- 
land’s Iflands.—They lie in thoufands on the fhore, in 
feparate families, each confifting of above an hundred. 
One male will fometimes have fifty females, which he 
guards with extreme jealoufy. They are exceflively fat 
and indolent, fometimes fcarcely ever moving from the 

place where they lie for the fpace of three months; 
during which time the females breed and fuckle their 
young. If another approach their ftation, they are rouf- 
ed from their fupinenefs: A battle enfues, which fre- 
quently becomes general, and fpreads confufion through 
the whole fhore. Thefe confli€ts are extremely violent ; 
and the wounds given are very deep, refembling a cut 
with a fabre. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 473 


The attachment of the male to the young is very 
ftrong: He defends them with great obftinacy, and fre- 
quently revenges their lofs upon the female, whom he 
beats moft cruelly; whilft the crawls to his feet, and 
feems to deprecate his wrath with the moft obfequious 
geftures.. 


The female generally brings forth one, feldom two, at 
a time. 


They fwim with great eafe, at the rate of about feven 
miles in an hour—When wounded, they will feize on a 
boat, carry it along with them, and fometimes fink it.— 
They can continue a long time under water.—In climb- 
ing rocks, they faften their fore paws, and draw them. 
felves up. 

Thefe, and all the Seal kind, will live a long time 
after receiving the moft dreadful wounds; but the moft 
trifling blow on the fnout or forehead inftantly kills 
them. 

The general colour of thefe animals is black. They 
are covered with a coat of long rough hair, under which 
is a foft down of bay colour. On the neck of the old 
ones, the hair is erected, anda little longer than the reft. 

The fat and flefh of the old males are very naufeous; 
but thofe of the females and the young, when roafted, 
are faid to be as good as the flefh of a fucking pig. 


\ 


474 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


T HE B.A ok 


HIS fingular animal is diftinguifhed from every 
other quadruped by being furnifhed with wings, 
and feems to poffefs a middle nature between four-footed 
animals and birds: It is allied to the one by the faculty 
of flying only, to the other both by its external and in- 
ternal ftru€ture: In each refpeG@ it has the appearance 
of an imperfect animal. In walking, its feet feem to be 
entangled with its wings, and it drags its body on the 
ground with extreme aukwardnefs. Its motions in the 
air do not feem to be performed with eafe: it raifes it- 
felf from the ground with difficulty, and its flight is la- 
boured and ill-dire€ted ; from whence it has very fignifi- 
cantly been called the FLIrTeER-Mouse.——tThere are 
feveral varieties of the Bat kind. 


Toe SHOoRT-EARED BAT 


is found in almoft every part of Europe, and is moft 
commonly known in Great Britain.—Its ufual length is 
about two inches and a half; the extent of the wings 
nine inches. 


‘ 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 475 


Tt makes its firft appearance early in the fummer. It 
fleeps during the day, and begins its flight in the dufk of 
the evening. It frequents the fides of woods, glades, 
and fhady walks; and is frequently obferved to fkim a- 
long the furface of the water in queft of gnats and other 
infects, which are its principal food. 

Its membranes or wings are of a dufky colour, and 
very thin: They extend from the fore feet to the tail. 
The hind feet are divided into five toes, furnifhed with 
claws; The body is covered with a fhort foft fur, of a 
moufe-colour, tinged with red: ‘The eyes are very {mall; 
and the ears like thofe of a Moufe: it has four cutting 
teeth in the upper jaw, and fix in the under. 

The female produces two young at a time, which fhe 
fuckles at her breaft ; and is faid to carry them when fly- 
ing. 

Towards the end of fummer, the Bat retires into 
caves, old buildings, or hollow trees, where it remains 
in a ftate of inactivity. During winter, fome cover 
themfelves with their wings as with a mantle, and fuf- 
pend themfelves by the hind feet; others ftick faft to old 
walls; and fome retire into holes. 


> 


476 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS: 


THe Lonc-EARED BAT 


is only an inch and three quarters in length: The extent 
of its wings is feven inches; its ears are above an inch 
long, very thin, and almoft tranfparent; within each of 
them there is a membrane, refembling an ear, which 
may poflibly ferve as a valve to defend the organs of 
hearing during its inactive ftate. | 


Tue NOCTULE, or Great BAT, 


is found in Great-Britain, but is not fo common as the 
two laft mentioned: It is likewife found in France, and 
is caqmmon in various parts of Ruflia. 

Its length is nearly three inches; that of the tail one 
and feven-tenths; the extent of the wings thirteen inch- 
es; the ears are fhort, the hair of a reddifh-afh colour, 
and on the chin there is a very {mall wart. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 449 


Tue PIPISTRELLE 


is the {malleft, and its appearance the leaft difgufting, 
of all Bats. Its length is not quite one inch and a quar- 
‘ter; the extent of its wings fix and a half; its nofe is 
{mall, ears broad, and its forehead covered with long 
hairs; the upper part of the body is of a yellowifh-brown 
colour, the lower part dufky, and the lips yellow.—It in- 
habits France, and is common in Rufla and Siberia. 


THe BARBASTELLE 


is diftinguifhed by the fhortnefs of its face, almoft cone 
cealed by its large broad ears; the bafes of which touch 
each other, and cover the forehead and eyes: Its cheeks 
are full, and its lips hairy; its nofe is very fhort, and the 
end of it flat. Its length is about two inches; the ex- 
tent of the wings ten and a half.—It is found in France. 


Tue SER OTINE 


is about the fize of the common Bat; its nofe is fome- 
what longer; its ears are fhort, and broad at the bafe; 
the hair on the upper part of the body is of a light-brown 
or ruft colour, and the belly paler.—It is likewife found 
in France. 


Tue Horse-sHoe BAT 


is diftinguifhed by a membrane furrounding its nofe and 
upper lip fomewhat in the form of a horfe-fhoe, from 
whence it derives itsname. Its ears are long, very broad 
at the bafe, and are not furnifhed with a {maller or in- 


478 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


ternal ear, common to almoft all the Bat kind: The up- 
per part of the body is of an afh colour, the belly whi- 
tifh. They vary in fize: The largeft are about three 
inches and a half long from the nofe to the end of the 
tail; the extent of the wings is above fourteen. 

This kind is very common in France, and is the laft of 
feven diftinct fpecies defcribed by M. Buffon as natives 
‘of that climate —Thefe are all equally harmlefs, diminu- 
tive, and obfcure; fhunning the light, and endeavouring 
to conceal themfelves in holes and caverns. ‘They never 
come out, but during the night, in queft of food; and 
return at day-break to their dreary habitations. But 
under the influence of a warmer climate, the Bat affumes 
a very different character, and poflefles powers which 
render it formidable to mankind, and a fcourge to thofe 
countries where it is found. Some of them are as large 
as a well-grown pullet; and fo numerous, that they fre- 
quently darken the air as they fly. They are fond of 
blood, and will attack men whom they find afleep; they 


are faid to introduce their fharp-pointed tongues into a 
vein, fucking the blood till they are fatiated, without 
awaking the fufferer. 

The ancients had an imperfect knowledge of thefe 
animals; and from their aptnefs to convert every object 
of terror into an imaginary being, it is probable they had 
conceived the idea of Harpies, from the cruelty, voracity, 
and difgufting deformity of thefe creatures. 

Thefe monfters inhabit Madagafcar, and all the iflands 
of the Indian Ocean: They have likewife been found in 
New Holland, the Friendly Iles, the New Hebrides, and 
New Caledonia. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 479 


Tue ROUSETTE, or Great 
TERN ATE. BA, TT, 


is the largeft, being above one foot in length, and the 
extent of its wings more than four: It has large canine 
teeth, four cutting teeth above, and the fame below; its 
tongue is pointed, and terminated with fharp-pointed pa- 
pill, or prickles; its nofe is fharp, and its ears large 
and naked; it has five toes on the hind feet, furnifhed 
with ftrong hooked claws; it has no tail; the head is of 
a dark ruft colour; the back dufky; the neck, fhoulders, 
and under fide, of a lighter brown, inclining to red; the 
membranes of the wings dufky. 


They feed on fruits, and are extremely fond of the 


480 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, 


juice of the palm-tree, with which they will frequently 
intoxicate themfelves, fo as to drop on the ground. One 
hundred and fifty or two hundred of them may fome- 
times be feen on the fame tree, all hanging with their 
heads down, and their wings folded; and in this manner 
they repofe during great part of the day.—They grow ve- 
ry fat at certain times of the year; and when young, 
they are eaten by the Indians, and confidered as excel- 


lent food. 


Tue ROUGETTE, or Lesser 
TERNATE BAT, 


inhabits the fame countries, and is very fimilar to the 
laft in the fhape of its head and body: The hair is of a 
cinerous brown colour; and on the neck it has a half- 
collar, of a lively red, mixed with orange. | It is about 
five inches long; and the extent of its wings little more 
than two feet. 

The Rougettes fly in flocks, and perfeétly obfcure the 
air with their numbers. They fly from one ifland to 
another, and begin their flight about fun-fet. During 
the day they lodge in the hollow trunks of trees. They 
fkim along the furface of the water with great eafe, and 
frequently dip and wafh themfelves in the fea. They 
live chiefly in trees; and when about to fly, they beat 
the air with their wings, before they can difengage 
themfelves from the branch to which they are attached. 
When fhot at or fuddenly furprifed, feveral of them fall 
to the ground; and in that fituation are incapable of re- 
fuming their flight, till they climb upon fome elevated 
objet. They move aukwardly on the ground, and ule 
_ their utmoft efforts to quit it as foon as poflible. 


“HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 481 


Both thefe kinds bring only one young at a time, once 
a year. 


ur SprotrRe, B. AT 


is a native of South-America. It is called the Vampyre 
by M. Buffon; who fuppofes it to be one of the blood- 
fucking tribe. 

Its nofe is long ; and at the end there is a membrane, 
of a conical form, fomewhat like a horn, but flexile, 
which gives it a hideous and difgufting afpect. It has 
no tail. Its body is covered with long hair, of an ath 
colour. 


THe SENEGAL BAT 


has two cutting teeth in the upper, and fix in the under 
jaw; and two canine teeth, and eight grinders, in each 
jaw: Its head is long, ears fhort and pointed, head and 
body of a tawny-brown colour, belly lighter, length ra- 
ther more than four inches, extent of the wings twenty- 
one. 


Tue BuLtu-poc BAT. 


Its nofe is thick; lips large, and fomewhat pendulous; 
its ears are broad and round, the edges touching each 
other in the front; the upper part of the body is of a 
deep afh colour, the lower paler; its tail is long; length 
about two inches,—extent of the wings nine and a half: 
It has twenty-fix teeth; two cutting and two canine in 
each jaw; eight grinders in the upper, and ten in the 
lower jaw. 


Hoh 


482 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 


oh 


Ten Busatee 5 ae 


The noftrils of this animal are not feparated by a car- 
tilage, as in moft animals, but are placed on the fide of a 
{mall gutter or furrow, which is open from one end to 
the other; the ears are long and narrow; the upper part 
of the head and body is of a reddifh-brown colour,—the 
lower part whitifh, tinged with yellow; hair on the fore- 
head and under the chin very long; length of the body 
about an inch and a half,—extent of the wings: little 
more than feven. 


Tee StY¥RIPED. Behe 


has a fmall, fhort nofe; ears fhort, broad, and pointing 
forward.—Thefe Bats vary in cclour. The body is ge- 
nerally of a clear brown,—the under part whitifh: Its 
wings are ftriped with black, and fometimes with yellow 
and brown.—Length of the body two inches. 
native of Ceylon, where it is called Kirzwouwla. 


It is a. 


To this we may add a very minute kind, mentioned by 
Mr Forfter, which was feen and heard in myriads on the 
ifland of Tanna, one of the New Hebrides; but every 

attempt of our voyagers to obtain a nearer infpection of 
them, failed of fuccefs. 


_. Bats differ very much in the number and difpofition of 

their teeth, which has occafioned no {mall confufion in 
the arrangements of fy{tematic writers; fome of them 
being furnifhed with two, others with more, cutting 
teeth in each jaw. 


HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 483 


We have now given the moft diftinguifhed varieties of 
this curious fpecies. It would be fruitlefs, if not impof- 
fible, to point out all the peculiarities to be found in the 
various tribes which abound in every country in the 
world, and differ from each other more in their habits . 
and difpofitions than in their exterior form and appear- 
ance, which in all of them feem to be equally deformed 
and difgufting.—But we fhould not from hence conclude, 
that imperfection and deformity are always in uniform 
analogy with the notions we have preconceived of what 
is fair and beautiful. Amidft the infinite productions of 
creative power, variety of form, difference of faculties, 
and degrees of utility, are eminently obfervable; com- 
pofing one general plan, in which wifdom, order, and 
fitnefs, are difplayed through all its parts. 


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