220 SACALIUS INDICUS. 



a vulpine expression ; the eyes full ; iris dark hazel, 

 emitting a greenish gleam; forward, the animal 

 was compactly formed, but the hind-quarters and 

 tail exhibited a skulking character; the fore-legs 

 were bowed forward at the shins ; the claws longer 

 tlian in domestic dogs. Mr Bennet bought it when 

 a pup, and whilst it was still wholly of a light fawn 

 colour, with a downy fur ; but even then it was 

 fierce and untractable, retiring to the furthest 

 comer of its cage, resisting on being taken out, and 

 even offended if looked at. Its voracity was exces- 

 sive, swallowing masses of flesh without mastication. 

 By degrees, becoming more tractable, it was let 

 run at large, became sensible of caresses, was not 

 offensive in smell, and would receive its master by 

 throwing itself down, rubbing and frisking about 

 his feet, taking his hand in the mouth, whining, 

 and wagging the tail. In England it followed its 

 master about the house, but would unwillingly 

 enter the street. Left with a friend during a voy 

 age to India, it did not recognise him by the sight 

 on his return ; but on hearing his voice, testified 

 the joy it felt in the manner of dogs on similar 

 occasions. This animal was presented by Mr Ben- 

 net to the Zoological Gardens ; yet, from the above 

 description, it may be doubted whether it is not i> 

 feral, or perhaps a wild pariah. 



We place here, with considerable hesitation, the 



