GLUTTON. 79 



on the sides. Its conformation enables it to climb trees 

 with greater facility than to proceed along the ground, 

 and consequently it catches its prey rather by surprise 

 than pursuit. 



In North America, this voracious creature is frequently 

 seen lurking among the thick branches of trees, on pur- 

 pose to seize deer and other animals. Endued with per- 

 severance equal to its rapacity, it will watch in silent 

 expectation for several days successively ; but no sooner 

 does its prey come within its reach, than it drops with 

 unerring aim upon it, fastens its claws between the shoul- 

 ders, and obstinately retains its hold till it has eaten through 

 the neck, and opened the large blood-vessels. It is asto- 

 nishing to consider how much flesh one of these animals 

 is capable of devouring at a time. Klein mentions one 

 which, though in captivity, and labouring under ill health, 

 daily devoured thirteen pounds, and yet remained unsatis- 

 fied. Indeed, the glutton will eat such immoderate 

 quantities, that its belly becomes distended, and its whole 

 form in a great measure altered ; but, like all epicures, it 

 is seized with lassitude after its meal, and will sometimes 

 lie in a state of torpidity close to the animal which it has 

 killed, for two or three days together. When thus reduced 

 to a state both loathsome and helpless, it derives its chief 

 security from the horrid stench which it exhales, and 

 which few animals can bear to approach. 



The glutton, like all the rest of its kind, is a solitary 

 animal, and is never seen in company, except with the 

 female, which produces two or three young at a time. 

 They burrow in holes, and are very resolute in defence of 

 their offspring ; fighting against dogs with the greatest 

 obstinacy, and biting with the most tenacious grasp. The 

 hunters, however, pursue them with much eagerness for 

 the sake of their furs, which possess the most beautiful 

 lustre imaginable, and are preferred for some uses to all 

 others, except those of the Siberian fox and the sable. 



Ej. 

 ft 



