61 



EGYPTIAN ICHNEUMON. 



Herpcstcs iclinenmon. 

 German : Ichneumon. 



The Egyptian Ichneumon inhabits North Africa, 

 Spain, and Italy, and is rather a rare animal. 



Some two or three hundred skins are collected 

 annually, and sold at about 5s. 6d. ; when the fashion for 

 pointing furs (that is placing white hair among the fur) 

 was in vogue, the hair of this animal was in great 

 request, being superior for this purpose to the hair of 

 the Skunk or Fox, and even supplanted the Badger, the 

 greater attraction being the varied white tips. 



Its general colour is light brown, covered with longer 

 hairs of red and white, alternate colours. 



Its tail is long and bristty. 



Its cry is a sharp hissing sound, and its bite is severe. 



It lives on small birds, eggs, etc. 



DUSTY ICHNEUMON. 



Herpestes j^tdi'crideutus. 

 This Ichneumon is probably a variety of the following 

 animal, resembling it in every respect except its colour, 

 which is dark brown. 



GEEY ICHNEUMON. 



Ho'jx'stes grcsitis. 



The Grey Ichneumon is an inhabitant of South Africa. 



This little animal, called also the Mongus, is very 

 similar to the Indian species, but is rather smaller, 

 and has more grizzly hair. 



Several hundred skins are imported from time to 

 time, and the value is from 2d. to 4d. 



