74 



MAMMALIA. 



ed the title of his genus, and we called him " Meph." for short. By 

 way of precaution I removed his scent sacs, and he made a rapid 

 and complete recovery, after a few days of temporary indisposition. 

 While drivini^r about the country, in the performance of professional 

 duties, he usually slept in my pocket. After supper I commonly took 

 a walk, and he always followed, close at my heels. If I chanced to 

 walk too fast for him, he would scold and stamp with his fore-feet, 

 and if I persisted in keeping too far ahead, would turn about, disgust- 

 ed, and make off in an opposite direction ; but if I stopped and called 

 him he would hurry along at a sort of ambling pace, and soon over- 

 take me. He was particularly fond of ladies, and I think it was the 

 dress that attracted him; but be this as it may. he would invariably 

 leave me to follow any lady that chanced to come near. We used 

 to walk through the woods to a large meadow which abounded in 

 grasshoppers. Here " Meph." would fairly revel in his favorite food, 

 and it was rich sport to watch his manoeuvres. When a grasshopper 

 jumped he jumped, and I have seen him with as many as three in 

 his mouth, and two under his fore-paws, at one time ! He would eat 

 so many that his over- distended little belly actually dragged upon the 

 ground, and when so full that he could hold no more, would still catch 

 and slay them. When so small that he could scarcely toddle about he 

 never hesitated to tackle the large and powerful beetle known as the 

 " horned bug," and got many smart nips for his audacity. But he 

 was a courageous little fellow and it was not long- before he learned 

 to handle tliem with impunit}', and it was very amusing to see him 

 kill one. Ere many weeks he ventured to attack a mouse, and the 

 ferocity displayed in its destruction was truly astonishing. He de- 

 voured the entire body of his victim, and growled and stamped his 

 feet if anyone came near before the repast was" over. 



His nest was in a box near the toot of the stairs, and before he 

 erew strontr enouoh to climb out bv himself he would, whenever he 

 heard me coming, stand on his hind legs with his paws resting on the 

 edge of the box, and beg to be carried up-stairs. If I passed by 



