106 MUSK. 



lama, it would be impossible to transport goods, and costly 

 metals, from one place to another: it climbs the most 

 craggy rocks, or descends the steepest precipices, with a 

 load of about a hundred weight, and where its conductor 

 is hardly capable of accompanying its steps. 



This animal is about three feet high. The neck is long, 

 the head small, and the colour white, black, or brown. 

 The female produces only one at a time ; and the period 

 of its life appears limited to twelve years. 



THE MUSK. 



Though the drug which is called by the name of this 

 animal was imported into Europe ages since, and has long 

 obtained celebrity in medicine, it is only of late years 

 that we have had any accurate knowledge of the creature 

 that produces it. 



The musk is destitute of horns, and of fore-teeth in the 

 upper jaw ; but has on each side a slender tusk, nearly 

 two inches long, projecting in view. The length of the 

 body is about three feet and a half, and of the tail scarcely 

 an inch. The hair is remarkable for its length and fine 

 texture ; it is parti-coloured from the root upwards, but 

 tipped with ferruginous ; the belly and tail are whitish. 



The musk inhabits the kingdoms of Tibet, Tonquin, and 

 Boutan. It delights in mountains covered with pines, and 

 shuns the abodes of men. It is extremely timid ; and, if 

 pursued, ascends the most inaccessible cliffs. However, 

 great numbers are killed on account of the drug which they 

 possess ; and which is found in a bag under the belly of the 

 male, about the size of a hen's egg. This appendage the 

 hunters cut off, and secure for sale. Tavernier informs us, 

 that he purchased seven thousand six hundred and seventy- 

 three musk-bags in one journey ; a proof how amazingly 

 numerous these animals must be. The flesh, though asto-* 

 nishingly infected with the scent, is nevertheless eaten by 

 the Tartars and Russians. 



The Brazilian, the Indian, and the Guinea musks are all 

 different species of this genus. The latter is only ten 



