282 NATURAL HISTORY. 



and when satiated, it hides the remainder, like the dog 

 or the fox, for a future occasion. 



It does not, like the rabbit, dig a hole in the ground 

 but burrows in the holes of trees. Its ordinary food 

 consists of the roots of the country, potatoes, yams, 

 and such fruits as fall from the trees in autumn. It 

 uses its fore paws like the squirrel, to carry its food 

 to its mouth ; and as its hind feet are longer than the 

 fore ones, it runs very swiftly upon level ground, or 

 up a hill, but upon a declivity it is in danger of falling. 

 Its sight is excellent ; its hearing is equal to that of 

 any other animal ; and whenever it is whistled to, it 

 stops to listen. The flesh is dressed like that of a 

 suckjng pig, arid of such as are well fed, it is tolera- 

 ble food, though it has always a peculiar taste, and 

 is rather tough. 



It is hunted by dogs ; and whenever it goes into a 

 sugar ground, where the canes cover the place, it is - 

 easily catched. When in the open country, it usually 

 runs with great swiftness before the dogs until it gains 

 its retreat, within which it continues to hide, and no- 

 thing but filling the hole with smoke can force it out. 

 For this purpose the huntsman burns faggots or straw 

 at the entrance, and conducts the smoke in such a 

 manner tha,t it fills the whole cavity. While this is 

 doing, the poor little animal seems sensible of its dao- 

 ger, begs for quarter with a most plaintive cry, but 

 seldom quits its hole till the utmost extremity. 



The agouti seems to be a native of the south parts 

 of America ; nor is it at all known in the Old Conti- 

 nent. It is, however, very common in Brasil, Guiana, 

 St. Domingo, and all the neighbouring islands. To the 

 cold and temperate climates of America this animal 

 is an entire stranger. 



