74 ICHNEUMON. COATI MONDI. 



its prey, which it sometimes pursues to the tops of the 

 highest trees. The blood and brains of its victim are alone 

 valued by this savage epicure ; when it has imbibed these, 

 it proceeds in quest of fresh game. 



THE ICHNEUMON. 



This animal, which has obtained the appellation of the 

 rat of Pharaoh, is among the boldest and most beneficial 

 of the weasel kind. In Egypt, where it is chiefly bred, it 

 answers every purpose of the European cat. It is usually 

 about the size of a marten, and resembles that creature in 

 most respects, except that its hair is rougher, and not so 

 downy ; the tail is also less bushy, and every single hair 

 possesses three or four different colours, according to the 

 disposition of its body. 



To all the strength of the cat, the ichneumon unites a 

 superior share of instinct and agility, a. more universal 

 appetite for carnivorous food, and a greater variety of 

 powers for its acquisition. Rats, mice, serpents, lizards, 

 and even the young of the crocodile, are alike the objects 

 of its pursuit. Divine honours were paid it by the ancient 

 Egyptians, for its services in destroying the eggs of the 

 crocodile, together with the nascent animal ; and therefore 

 it was considered, with other beneficial animals, as an 

 emanation of the Deity. 



In a state of nature, the ichneumon generally haunts 

 the banks of rivers, where its prey is most abundant; in 

 Egypt it has been long domesticated, but in the colder 

 climates of Europe it is bred and supported with extreme 

 difficulty. The species is found in all the southern regions 

 of Asia, and most parts of Africa. 



THE COATI MONDI. 



This is a Brazilian animal, of a reddish colour, having 

 its tail annulated with white. It is distinguished from all 

 other quadrupeds by its snout ; which is moveable in every 

 division, and reverts at the extremity. It sometimes eats 

 its own tail, which is longer than the body. In all respects 



