24 NATURAL HISTORY [Quadrupeds. 



cover it, no further damaged than to afford a passage for them ; 

 nay, there have been instances of childrens toes being gnawn 

 by these animals. 



This species swims well, and dives with ease, and long ; is 

 very impudent ; makes no great haste in withdrawing itself. 

 I have often seen them, when pursued to their holes, turn in 

 the entry, and with a threatening look dare their adversary, 

 scarce disappearing till he comes close up to them. 



A few of the islands of Orkney are not infected, I may 

 say, with these animals ; but I think they seem to be on the 

 increase, and spread like a plague. 



Some of this species are very large. I have measured seve- 

 ral of them, which I found differed a little, but the largest, 

 from the nose to the point of the tail, eighteen inches and 

 three-quarters long ; the teeth large, strong, and sharp ; the 

 muscles of the cheeks very full ; the fur brown, lighter below ; 

 the tail is almost bare of hair, covered with scales, and in 

 many full of knobs and scars, the consequence of its encoun- 

 ters with cats and other enemies. The ears are large and 

 thin, capable of being much erected, which the animal always 

 does to the utmost when looking earnestly at any thing; the 

 eyes full, black, and somewhat prominent. 



