HISTORY OF THE COATI. 57 



with facility the highest trees, and subsist much in 

 the same way as our common martens; that fur- 

 ther, he lives in small communities, and occasionally 

 commits serious depredations among the sugar- 

 canes. 



In speaking of the Red Coati (N. rufa) M. Cuvier 

 regrets that his native language is inadequate to 

 describe the multifarious colours which distinguish 

 the animal creation. But the wonderful mani- 

 festations of wisdom and beneficence which are 

 everywhere discoverable, exceed the scope of hu- 

 man language, and the limited faculties of men, 

 accurately to comprehend or to pourtray. The pro- 

 digality of colours, the variety of tints, which are 

 obvious even in a shell or flower, in a bird or in- 

 sect, can never be adequately described; they are 

 perceived by the eye, they gladden or elevate the 

 mind, but who may convey an accurate idea of 

 them to another? No one ever formed a correct 

 picture of a beautiful animal from mere descrip- 

 tion. The same remark may be made on the 

 varied hues of a magnificent sunset; and the chang- 

 ing lights, the radiance and the blendings of those 

 playful tints which sport on the surface of the 

 ocean. 



The red coati has been known for a considerable 

 time, but he has not till lately been described with 

 accuracy. Smelling is the most remarkable of his 

 senses ; those of taste, of sight, and hearing, seem 

 peculiarly obtuse. His nose is perpetually in mo- 

 tion, and he applies it as if trying to feel every 

 object presented to his attention. He also uses it 

 in digging, with the aid of his fore-paws, which 



