THE ZENICK. 



193 



number of the teeth is not the same. On account of the color of its fur, it has been termed the 

 Ruddy Ichneumon ; and, from the brindlings in the tail, the Pencilled Ichneumon. It is 

 rather a pretty animal, the tint of its coat being a light tawny brown, and the paws dark. 

 The tail is rather bushy, and brindled with black hairs. It is a native of Southern Africa, 

 and has received its specific title in compliment to the well-known African traveller, Le 

 Vaillant. 



THE CURIOUS animal which is known by the name of KUSIMANSE, or MANGUE, is a native 

 of Sierra Leone and Western Africa. 



It is plantigrade in its walk, and has five toes on each feet. The teeth are of the same 

 description as those of the succeeding animal. Its nose has something of the proboscis in 

 its character, and its ears are small. The food 

 of the Kusimanse consists of the smaller mam- 

 malia, of various insects, and some kinds of 

 fruits. The general color of the animal is a 

 deep ruddy brown, but in certain lights, and 

 when its coat is at all ruffled, the chocolate 

 brown of its fur becomes plentifully grizzled 

 with yellowish white. The reason for this 

 change of tint is, that each hair is marked 

 alternately with white and brown. 



THE ZENICK, sometimes termed the SURI- 

 CATE, is a native of Southern Africa, but not 

 very commonly found. It is not so exclusively 

 carnivorous as the preceding animals, being 

 fond of sweet fruits as well as of an animal 

 diet. It is rather a small animal, measuring 

 about eighteen inches in total length, its tail 

 being six inches long. The feet are armed with 

 long and stout claws, by means of which the 

 creature can burrow with some rapidity. The 

 color is grayish brown, with a tinge of yellow, 

 and the upper surface of the body is covered 

 by several obscurely marked bars of a deeper 

 brown hue. A silvery tint is washed over the 

 limbs. The tail is brown, tinged with red, and 

 black at the extremity. A few indistinct spots 

 are sparsely scattered over the breast. The height of the animal is rather more than six 

 inches. 



The brain is large in proportion to the size of the animal, and, as may be expected, the 

 creature is remarkably docile and intelligent. It is very sensitive to kindness, and equally so 

 to harsh treatment, showing great affection towards those who behave well towards it, and 

 biting savagely at any one who treats it unkindly. When domesticated it ranges the house at 

 will, and cannot be induced to leave its home for a life of freedom. Like the Ichneumon, 

 it is an useful inmate of a house, extirpating rats, mice, and other living nuisances. It is 

 offended by a brilliant light, and is best pleased when it can abide in comparative darkness. 

 This nocturnal habit of eye renders it especially useful as a vermin exterminator, as it remains 

 quiet during the hour while the rats, mice, and snakes lie still in their holes, and only issues 

 from its hiding-place when the shades of night give the signal for the mammalian and reptilian 

 vermin to sally forth on their own food-seeking quest. As its eyes are fitted for nocturnal 

 sight, it becomes a terrible enemy to these creatures, creeping quietly upon them, and seizing 

 them before they are aware of its proximity. 



As far as is known, the sense of hearing is rather dull, and seems to assist the animal but 



ZENICK. Rhyzaena tetradactyla. 



