WEASEL KIND. 93 



an odorous substance. Its nose is too sharp and 

 its mouth too small to permit its seizing things 

 that are large; however, it makes up by its 

 courage and activity its want of arms ; it easily 

 strangles a cat, though stronger and larger than 

 itself; and often fights with dogs, which, though 

 never so bold, learn to dread the ichneumon as 

 a formidable enemy. It also takes the water like 

 the otter, and, as we are told, will continue under 

 it much longer. 



This animal grows fast, and dies soon. It is 

 found in great numbers in all the southern parts 

 of Asia, from Egypt to Java ; and it is also found 

 in Africa, particularly at the Cape of Good Hope. 

 It is domestic, as was said, in Egypt ; but in our 

 colder climate it is not easy to breed or maintain 

 them, as they are not able to support the rigour 

 of our winters. Nevertheless they take every 

 precaution that instinct can dictate to keep them- 

 selves warm ; they wrap themselves up into a 

 ball, hiding the head between the legs, and in 

 this manner continue to sleep all day long. " Seba 

 had one sent him from the island of Ceylon, which 

 he permitted to run for some months about the 

 house. It was heavy and slothful by day, and 

 often could not be awaked even with a blow ; but 

 it made up this indolence by its nocturnal activity, 

 smelling about without either being wholly tame 

 or wholly mischievous. It climbed up the walls 

 and the trees with very great ease, and appeared 

 extremely fond of spiders and worms, which it 

 preferred, probably from their resemblance to 

 serpents, its most natural food. It was also par- 



