MIDAS LEONINAS. 401 



which hangs from the neck, and gives it very much the ap- 

 pearance of a diminutive lion. 



One of these little creatures, kept tame, became familiar 

 with every one, and used to climb up the chairs, over their 

 shoulders and heads, just as a squirrel does. Mr. Bates relates 

 that one he met with, having reached his shoulder, looked 

 into his face, showing his little teeth, and chattering, as though 

 it would say, "Well, and how do you do?" It exhibited 

 more affection towards its master than to strangers, and would 

 climb up to his head a dozen times in an hour, and mako 

 great show of searching for certain animalcule©. 



Audubon the natm^alist possessed a little creature of this 

 species, which could distinguish different objects depicted in 

 an engraving. On showing it the portrait of a cat and a 

 wasp, it became much terrified ; but when the figure of a 

 grasshopper or beetle was placed before it, it precipitated itself 

 on the picture, as if to seize them. 



Another, which belonged to a lady, used, when angry, to 

 pull at her hair, and nibble the ends of her ringlets. It also 

 possessed the accomplishment of being abla to stand on its 

 head. 



It is certainly one of the most beautiful of its tribe. It is 

 covered with long glossy locks of a bright and lustrous chest- 

 nut, having a golden sheen, almost var^^ing in texture with 

 the fine fibres of unwoven silk. The colour darkens some- 

 what on the paws. The fur is everywhere long, but on the 

 head and shoulders it is of extraordinary length in proportion 

 to the size of the animal, which has thus oained a name verv 

 inappropriate to its disposition, as it is an especially timid 

 little creature, and unable to do l)attle with any foe. It is, 

 however, so active and clever in hiding itself, that it is 



