LETTER XXXVI. 



played in his works, I shall, in pursuance of my ori- 

 ginal plan, without descending to minutiae, carry you 

 forward to some of .the most striking objects of the; 

 animal creation; and, in this undertaking, I hope I 

 shall be able to season instruction with pleasure. 



I might, indeed, take up your time with elaborate 

 descriptions of the Guinea pig, an animal of diminu- 

 tive size and inconsiderable utility in comparison of 

 many others; and which, as it is often domesticated 

 among us, you will probably one time or other have 

 an opportunity of observing ; as also of the spotted 

 cavy, the agouti, and many others too numerous to 

 examine in detail, most of them natives of South 

 America, or other distant regions, and seldom seen in 

 these parts of the world.; but knowing well the value 

 of your time, and the importance of your studies, i 

 shall endeavour to exhibit such objects as are more 

 particularly interesting. I cannot, however, omit to 

 take notice of 



THE SQUIRREL, 



a beautiful little animal, equally remarkable for the 

 elegance of its form, the liveliness of its disposition, 

 and the agility of its motions. It is gentle and harm- 

 less : though naturally wild, it is easily domesticated; 

 and although excessively timid, it soon becomes fa- 

 miliar. 



The head, body, tail, and legs, of this elegant little 

 quadruped, are of a bright brown colour; the belly 

 and breast are white, its eyes black, large, and full of 

 vivacity; but its tail, which is long and umbrageous,, 

 constitutes its greatest singularity, rve well as its prin- 

 cipal ornament. It is also not less useful than orna- 

 mental; for being, sufficiently large and bushy to co- 

 ver the whole body, it serves as an excellent defence 

 against the inclemencies of the weather, It also 

 greatly assists it in clinging and adhering to trees \ 

 and Linnaeus, as well as other naturalists, assures us, 

 that in crossing a river, -the squirrel places itself upon 

 a piece of bark, and erecting its tail, in order to catch 

 the wind, uses it as a sail, and thus commits itself to 

 the mercy of the waves. It would certainly be both 



