$2 account of the ichneumon. Nov. 21, 
and a greater variety of methods to procure it. E- 
very living creature which it is able to overcome, it 
ventures to attack; and preys upon every kind of 
flefh. Neither the strength of the dog, nor the’ ma- 
lice of the cat, can terrify it; neither the claws ofthe 
vulture, nor the poison of the viper, can intimidate 
it. Fearlefs of venom, it makes war upon all kinds 
of serpents; and when it perceives the effect of their 
rage, it is said to obtain an antidote from a certain 
root which the Indians call by its name, after which 
it returns to the attack, and seldom fails of victory. 
Rats, mice, birds, serpents, lizards, and insects, are 
all equally pursued by this animal; but it is peculiarly 
serviceable to the Egyptians, as it is a great destroy- 
_ er of the eggs of crocodjles, which it digs out of the 
sand, and also kills multitudes of the young of those 
terrible reptiles before they have been able to reach 
the water. It is even said, that when it finds a cro- 
codile asleep upon the fhore, it boldly enters the 
mouth of that animal, and when it has effectually 
destroyed it, eats its way out again. 
The ichneumon is about the size of the domestic 
cat, somewhat longer in the body, and fhorter in the 
legs. The tail is more pointed and lefs bufhy than’ 
that of the martin, which, in other respects, it 
neatly resembles, Its fur is of a grisly black co- 
lour ; but not so fine as that of the martin. Every 
hair has three or four colours, which are seen in 
different dispositions of its body. The eyes of this 
animal are sprightly and full of fire; and its phy- 
siognomy sensible. Its nose is long and slender ; its 
ears small, rounded, and almost naked; its teil is 
