92 ANIMALS OF THE 



them how venomous soever they be ; and we are 

 told that when it begins to perceive the effects of 

 their rage, it has recourse to a certain root, which 

 the Indians call after its name, and assert to be 

 an antidote for the bite of the asp or the viper. 



But what this animal is particularly serviceable 

 to the Egyptians for is, that it discovers and des- 

 troys the eggs of the crocodile. It also kills the 

 young ones that have not as yet been able to 

 reach the water ; and, as fable usually goes hand 

 in hand with truth, it is said that the ichneumon 

 sometimes enters the mouth of the crocodile 

 when it is found sleeping on the shore, boldly 

 attacks the enemy in the inside, and at length, 

 when it has effectually destroyed it, it eats its way 

 out again. 



The ichneumon when wild generally resides 

 along the banks of rivers ; and in times of inun- 

 dation makes to the higher ground, often ap- 

 proaching inhabited places in quest of prey. It 

 goes forward silently and cautiously, changing its 

 manner of moving according to its necessities. 

 Sometimes it carries the head high, shortens its 

 body, and raises itself upon its legs ; sometimes 

 it lengthens itself, and seems to creep along the 

 ground ; it is often observed to sit upon its hind 

 legs, like a dog when taught to beg ; but more 

 commonly it is seen to dart like an arrow upon 

 its prey, and seize it with inevitable certainty. 

 Its eyes are sprightly and full of fire, its physiog- 

 nomy sensible, its body nimble, its tail long, 

 and its hair rough and various. Like all of its 

 kind, it has glands that open behind, and furnish 



