44 HOW HE COUNTERFEITS DEATH. 



the young of the wasp, Michel makes apertures in their 

 nests, into which he introduces his long, hairy tail; and 

 when this is fully covered with the angry insects, he runs 

 with all speed to the nearest tree or bush, against which 

 he strikes it violently, for the purpose of destroying them ; 

 or, if there be water in the neighbourhood, he casts him- 

 self therein, and thus drowns his troublesome followers; 

 that when he has not wherewithal to satisfy his hunger, 

 he, after rolling himself in red earth, thereby to acquire a 

 bloody appearance, stretches himself out at length, distends 

 his tongue, and holds his breath, that magpies, and other 

 birds of prey, fancying him to be dead, may approach the 

 supposed carrion ; but as soon as they are sufficently near, he 

 seizes and devours them; that when caught in a steel- trap, 

 and unable to effect his escape by gnawing off his leg, he 

 counterfeits death, so that when released from his fetters by 

 the hunter, he may take to flight; that when hungry, he 

 plays, so to speak, with the hare, until such time as he 

 has lured her within his reach, when he pounces upon and 

 devours her ; that when pressed by dogs, he often escapes 

 by imitating their bark, as also by suspending himself to the 

 branch of a tree ; that at other times when, during the 

 chase, he meets with a flock of sheep or goats, he jumps 

 on to the back of one of the number, and allows himself 

 to be carried off by the poor animal, which, frightened at the 

 unusual burthen, exerts its utmost speed ; and owing to the 

 other goats following in the track of their companion, the 

 sportsman, fearing that the flock should be scared out of 

 their wits and injure themselves, is compelled to call off the 

 dogs ; that when he wishes to feast on a hedgehog, for 

 which animal he has a great liking, but which, when rolled 



