252 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Hunting the agouti. 



manner of the squirrel, and it enjoys the sense* 

 of sight and hearing in the utmost perfection. 

 When irritated, its hair stands erect along the 

 back; and it strikes the ground forcibly with its 

 hind feet; at the same time uttering a cry like 

 that of a sucking pig. 



The female breeds twice or thrice a year, and 

 generally brings forth her young in the most se- 

 questered parts of the woods; where she prepares 

 a comfortable bed of leaves and dry grass, for 

 their accommodation. At the expiration of three 

 days she removes them into some hollow tree, 

 and in a short time afterward leaves them to 

 seek their own subsistence. 



When hunted in an open country, the agouti 

 runs with great swiftness before the dogs till it 

 gains its retreat; whence nothing can force it 

 but filling the hole with smoke. " For this pur- 

 pose," says Goldsmith, " the hunter burns fag- 

 gots, or straw, at the entrance, and conducts the 

 smoke in such a manner that it fills the whole 

 cavity. While this is doing, the poor little ani- 

 mal seems sensible of its danger, and begs for 

 quarter, with a most plaintive cry, seldom quit- 

 ting 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 effect 

 ing a retreat, it turns upon the hunters, and, 

 standing upon its hind-feet, defends itself very 

 obstinately. Sometimes it bites the legs of those 



