98 AGOUTI. LEMMING. 



Their note is peculiar ; and when expressive of pain, is very 

 piercing. 



THE AGOUTI. 



This animal seems to be a middle species between the 

 hare and the marmot. It is very numerous in South 

 America ; and has been denominated the rabbit of that 

 continent, which animal it resembles in size; its ears, 

 however, are shorter, its back arched, and its hair bristly. 

 Its tail also is shorter, and entirely destitute of hair ; and 

 the number of its toes is different from that of the hare- 

 kind. In disposition, no similitude can be traced ; it is 

 voracious in all its appetites, and not nice in its selection 

 of food. It burrows in the cavities of trees ; and is sharp- 

 sighted, agile, and capable of being reclaimed ; after which 

 it seldom reverts to its original wildness. 



The female breeds twice or thrice a year : she suckles 

 her young for a short time, and then leaves them to pro- 

 vide for themselves, of which they are soon capable. 

 Vast numbers of these animals are killed for their flesh, 

 which is said to be very good when dressed, like that of a 

 sucking-pig. They are frequently hunted by dogs ; but 

 are more usually driven from their retreats in hollow trees 

 by the smoke of burning substances, applied to the aper* 

 ture. While this is performing, the poor animal expresses 

 its terror by the most plaintive cries : but seldom quits its 

 hole till the last extremity. When half-.suffocated, it de- 

 scends, and seeks security by flight ; and, when not in a 

 situation to make good its escape, it turns on the hunters, 

 and defends itself by means of its teeth and claws, with 

 an obstinacy scarcely to be expected from such a feeble 

 creature. 



THE LEMMING. 



This extraordinary animal, one of the greatest pests of 

 some of the northern countries of Europe, has the figure of 

 a mouse ; but the tail is shorter, and the body is about five 



