BRASILIAN WEESBL. 43 



it were, on its belly, and then to spring suddenly upon, 

 and seize it by surprise. It is also a great enemy to 

 weesels, cats, and dogs; and it destroys the eggs of cro- 

 codiles, and kills the young of these horrible creatures in 

 great numbers, thereby performing an invaluable service 

 to the inhabitants of that country. The notion, that the 

 Ichneumons destroy the full-grown crocodiles, by enter- 

 ing into their mouth, when asleep, and preying on their 

 entrails, is, however, entirely fabulous. These animals 

 principally frequent the banks of rivers; and they both 

 swim and dive with great facility. By the ancient 

 Egyptians they were held in such veneration, that divine 

 honours were paid to them. 



The length of the Ichneumon, exclusive of the tail, is 

 from fourteen to about twenty-two inches ; and the tail 

 is nearly of the same length as the body. The fur is 

 coarse, rough, and of a pale reddish-grey colour, each 

 hair being mottled with brown and mouse-colour. The 

 tail is thick at the base, from whence it gradually tapers 

 almost to a point, where it is slightly tufted. The eyes 

 are of a bright red colour; and the legs are short. 

 Under the tail there is an orifice which leads to a kind 

 of pouch, where a strong and odoriferous liquor is 

 secreted. 



Brasilian Weesel, or Coati MondL Although by no 

 means an agile animal, the Brasilian Weesel is able, with 

 facility, to climb trees in pursuit of prey. It likewise 

 digs up the ground with great ease, in search of worms 

 and the grubs or larvae of beetles. Its chief food, how- 

 ever, consists of birds, eggs, and small quadrupeds. 

 In walking, it carries its tail nearly in an upright position. 

 When irritated or offended, it emits an intolerable odour. 

 Notwithstanding this, the inhabitants of several parts of 



