THE ICHNEUMUN. 339 



if the proper quantity be not provided. The Sable is also 

 killed by the Russian soldiers, who are sent into those parts 

 to that end. They are taxed a certain number of skins 

 yearly, like the former, and are obliged to shoot with only a 

 single ball, to avoid spoiling blunt arrows. As an encourage- 

 ment to hunters, they are allowed to share among themselves 

 the surplus of those skins which they thus procure .; and this, 

 in the process of six or seven years, amounts to a very con- 

 siderable sum. A colonel, during his seven years stay, gains 

 about four thousand dollars for his share, and the common 

 men six or seven hundred each for theirs. 



THE ICHNEUMON. 



The Ichneumon, which some have injudiciously denomi- 

 nated the cat of Pharaoh, is one of the boldest and most use- 

 ful animals of all the Weasel kind. In the kingdom of Egypt, 

 where it is chiefly bred, it is used for the same purposes that 

 cats are in Europe, and is even more serviceable, as being 

 more expert in catching mice than they. This animal is usu- 

 ally of the size of the Martin, and greatly resembles it in ap- 

 pearance, except that the hair, which is of a grisly black, is 

 much rougher, and less downy. The tail, also, is not so 

 bushy at the end ; and each hair in particular has three or 

 four colors, which are seen in different dispositions of its body. 

 Under its rougher hairs, there is a softer fur of a brownish 

 color, the rough hair being about two inches long, but that 

 of the muzzle extremely short, as likewise that on the legs 

 and paws. However, being long since brought into a domestic 

 state, there are many varieties in this animal ; some being 

 much larger than the Martin, others much less ; some being 

 of a lighter mixture of colors, and some being streaked in the 

 manner of a cat. 



The Ichneumon, with all the strength of a cat, has more 

 instinct and agility ; a more universal appetite for carnage, 

 and a greater variety of powers to procure it. Rats, mice, 

 birds, serpents, lizards, and insects, are all equally pursued ; 

 it attacks every living thing which it is able to overcome, and 



