-j6 QJJ ADRUPEDS. 



its urine with its paws (but it refembles the wolf in cry, which often 

 deceives the hunters). Having once feafted on its prey, will not return 

 to it, but hunts for another : Whence may have arifen the common re- 

 port of the lynx having the fhorteft memory of all quadrupeds. 



The SYAGUSH is native of the Eaft-Indies, and refembles the lynx 

 in fize, in form, and in being tufted at the tips of the ears ; but differs 

 in not being mottled. Its hair is rougher and (horter, its tail longer, its 

 muzzle more lengthened, its phyfiognomy more fierce, and its nature 

 more favage. Leaps on its prey, and creeping on their necks, fcratches 

 their eyes out. 



The SERVAL is native of Malabar, refembling the panther in its 

 fpots, but the lynx in the fhortnefs of its tail, in its fize, and in its ftrong- 

 built form. 



Thefe feem to be the principal diftinflions of this kind. From the 

 large panther to the domeftic cat, which is the fmalleft of all, their nature 

 feems the fame, fierce, fubtle, cruel, and cowardly. The panther, the 

 leopard, and the jaguar, as they are the largeft, are alfo the mofl dan- 

 gerous ; but all are rapacious in proportion to their power. 



The whole race may be confidered as the inveterate enemy of man- 

 kind i others are fl:ronger, but gentle ; more numerous, but more fee- 

 ble ; and rather expe<5t fafety by concealment, than by oppofition ; while 

 thefe maintain their ground, and may be faid to keep certain diftrifts of 

 the earth in their own poffefiion. 



THE 



WEASEL KIND 



AR E diftinguifhed by their length and flendernefs of body, by 

 which they pafs through very fmall crevices. They bear the 

 name of vermin from this fimilitudc to the worm. Their claws can 

 neither be drawn in nor extended at pleafure (as cats). They are 

 clothed rather with fur than hair ; and have glands near the anus, 

 opening into, or beneath it, furnifhing a fubftance, in fome the moft 

 offenfive fmell in nature, in others a plcafing perfume ; cruel, voracious, 

 cowardly, thievifli, and flow j fupported by their patience, afilduity, 

 and cunning j live long without food j but if they meet with plenty, de- 

 flroy all before they fatisfy their appetite, and fuck the blood, before 

 they touch the flefli. The 



