XVII 

 THE MUNGOOSE 



FROM the cobra it is a natural step to his foe — 

 the mungoose. This creature — the ichneu- 

 mon of the ancients — occupies a most 

 important place in the classical and mediae- 

 val bestiaries. Every old writer gives a graphic 

 account, with variations according to taste, of the 

 '* mortall combat " between the aspis and the ich- 

 neumon. But the noble creature was not content 

 with fighting a mere serpent, it used to pit itself 

 against the leviathan. Phny tells us that the crocodile, 

 having gorged himself, falls asleep with open mouth 

 in order that the little crocodile bird may enter and 

 pick his teeth. Then the watchful ichneumon "whip- 

 peth " into the monster's mouth and "shooteth" 

 himself down his throat as quick as an arrow. When 

 comfortably inside, the ichneumon sups off the bowels 

 of his host, and, having satisfied his hunger, eats his 

 way out through the crocodile's belly, so that, to use 

 the words of the learned Topsell, who gallantly gives 

 flace aux dames, " Shee that crept in by stealth at the 

 mouth, like a puny thief, cometh out at the belly like 

 a conqueror, through a passage opened by her own 

 labour and industrie." 



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