164 ANIMALS OF THE 



ducts the smoke in such a manner that it fills the 

 whole cavity. While this is doing, the poor little 

 animal seems sensible of its danger, and begs for 

 quarter with a most plaintive cry, seldom quitting 

 its hole till the utmost extremity. At last, when 

 half suffocated, it issues out, and trusts once more 

 to its speed for protection. When still forced by 

 the dogs, and incapable of making good a retreat, 

 it turns upon the hunters, and with its hair brist- 

 ling like a hog, and standing upon its hind-feet, 

 it defends itself very obstinately. Sometimes it 

 bites the legs of those that attempt to take it, 

 and will take out the piece wherever it fixes its 

 teeth.* 



Its cry when disturbed or provoked resembles 

 that of a sucking pig. If taken young, it is easily 

 tamed, continues to play harmlessly about the 

 house, and goes out and returns of its own accord. 

 In a savage state it usually continues in the woods, 

 and the female generally chooses the most ob- 

 scure parts to bring forth her young. She there 

 prepares a bed of leaves and dry grass, and gene- 

 rally brings forth two at a time. She breeds 

 twice or thrice a-year, and carries her young from 

 one place to another, as convenience requires, 

 in the manner of a cat. She generally lodges 

 them when three days old in the hollow of a tree, 

 suckling them but for a very short time, for they 

 soon come to perfection, and it should conse- 

 quently follow that they soon grow old. 



* Ray's Synop. 



