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ANIMALS OF 



with respect to the rest of Animated Nature : 

 a falling leaf disturbs them, and every animal 

 overcomes them. From hence they are diffi- 

 cultly tamed ; and will suffer none to approach 

 them, except the person by whom they are fed. 

 Their manner of eating is something like that 

 of the rabbit; and, like it, they appear also to 

 chew the cud. Although they seldom drink, 

 they make water every minute. They grunt 

 somewhat like a young pig ; and have a more 

 piercing note to express pain. In a word, 

 they do no injury ; but then, except the plea- 



sure they afford the spectator, they are of very 

 little benefit to mankind. Some, indeed, dress 

 and eat them; but their flesh is indifferent 

 food, and by no means a reward for the trouble 

 of rearing them. This, perhaps, might be 

 improved, by keeping them in a proper warren, 

 and not suffering them to become domestic : 

 however, the advantages that would result 

 from this, would be few, and the trouble great; 

 so that it is likely they would continue an use- 

 less, inoffensive dependent, rather propagated 

 to satisfy caprice than to supply necessity. 



