io8 CLU ADRUPEDS, 



well wrapped up in mofs, grafs, or leaves ; eats roots, fruits, worms, 

 and infefts. 



, Mr. BufFon accufes them of tricks, not a little mifchievons. " I 

 have often," fays he, " had the female and her young brought me 

 about'the beginning of June j from three to five in number; white 

 in the beginning, and fhewing only the marks of their fpines ; wil- 

 ling to rear fome of them, 1 put the dam and her young in a tub, 

 with abundant provifion ; but the old animal, inftead of fuckling her 

 young, devoured them all, one after another. On another occafion, a 

 hedge-hog, that had made its way into the kitchen, difcovered a little 

 pot, in which was meat prepared for boiling ; the mifchievous animal 

 drew out the meat, and left its excrements in the (lead. In the garden 

 they did very little damage, and it was fcarcely perceivable that they 

 were there : they lived on fruits that fell from the trees ; they dug the 

 earth into {hallow holes ; eat caterpillars, beetles, and worms ; were alfo 

 very fond of flrfh, boiled or raw." 



They Qeep during winter; at no time eat much, and can remain very 

 long without food. Their blood is cold, like all other torpid.animals. 



THE 



TANREGand TENDRAC, 



AR E two little animals, defcribed by Mr. BufFon, of the hedge- 

 hog kind, yet different j like the hedge-hog, covered with 

 prickles, but mixed with more hair j unlike that animal, they do not 

 defend themfelves by rolling up in a ball. Found only In the Eaft- 

 Indies, where the hedge-hog exifts alfo. ' 



The Tanrec is about the fize of a mole ; the Tendrac flill lefs, 

 defended only with prickles on the head, neck, and Ihoulders ; being 

 elfewhere covered with a coarfe hair, refembling hog's briftles. Having 

 very fhort legs, they move (lowly j grunt like a hog, and wallow in the 

 mire. Are chiefly in creeks and harbours of fait water; multiply great- 

 ly ; make holes in the ground, and fleep for leveral months. During 

 this torpid (late, their hairs, perhaps alfo their prickles, fall, and are 

 renewed on their revival ; are ufually very fat \ their flefh infipid, foft, 

 and ftringy, yet the Indians confider it as a delicacy. 



THE 



