AGOUTI. 59 



with greater facility than to proceed along the ground ; and 

 consequently it catches its prey rather by surprise than 

 pursuit. 



In North America this voracious creature is frequently 

 seen lurking among the thick branches of trees on purpose 

 to seize deer and other animals. Endued with perseverance 

 equal to its rapacity, it will watch in silent expectation for 

 several days successively ; but no sooner does its prey come 

 within its reach, than it drops with unerring aim on its 

 victim, fastens its claws between the shoulders, and obsti- 

 nately retains its hold till it has eaten through the neck 

 and opened the large blood vessels. It is astonishing to 

 consider how much liesh one of these animals is capable of 

 devouring at a time. 



Gluttons, like all the rest of their kind, are solitary 

 animals. They burrow in holes, and are very resolute in de- 

 fence of their offspring, fighting against dogs with the 

 greatest obstinacy, and biting with the most tenacious grasp. 

 The hunters, however, pursue them with much animation 

 for the suke of their furs, which possess the most beautiful 

 lustre imaginable, and are preferred for some uses to all 

 others, except those of the Siberian fox and the sable. 



THE AGOUTI. 



This animal seems to be a middle species between the 

 hare and the marmot. It is very numerous in South 

 America, and has been denominated the rabbit of that con- 

 tinent, which it resembles in size ; its ears, however, are 

 shorter, its back arched, and its hair bristly. Its tail also 

 is shorter, and entirely destitute of hair, and the number of 

 its toes are different from that of the hare kind. In disposi- 

 tion, no similitude can be traced; it is voracious in all its 

 appetites, and little nice in its selection of food. It burrows 

 in the cavities of trees ; is sharpsighted, agile, and capable 

 of being reclaimed; after which it seldom reverts to its 

 original wildness. 



