TUB MUSK. 255 



Disposition, habits, &c. 



black colour; and the tail is so short as lo be 

 scarcely visible. 



The musk is a native of several parts of Asia, 

 and is found throughout the whole kingdom of 

 Thibet. It lives retired among the highest and 

 rudest mountains. Except in autumn, it is a so- 

 litary animal; but at this season large flocks col- 

 lect in order to change their place, being driven 

 southward by the approaching cold. During 

 this migration the peasants lie in wait for them, 

 and either take them in snares, or kill them with 

 arrows and bludgeons. At these times they are 

 often so meagre and languid from hunger and 

 fatigue that they may be taken with tolerable 

 facility. 



The disposition of these animals is gentle and 

 timid ; and they have no weapons of defence ex- 

 cept their tusks. Their activity is very great, 

 and they are able to take astonishing leaps over 

 the chasms of the rocks. They tread so lightly 

 on the snow, as scarcely to leave the print of 

 their footsteps, while the dogs that are used in 

 hunting them, sink in, and are frequently obliged 

 to give up the pursuit. They feed on various ve- 

 getables of the mountains. They are usually 

 taken in snares, or shot by cross-bows placed in 

 their tracks, with a string from the trigger for 

 them to tread on and discharge the bow. Their 

 chase is exceedingly laborious. 



In an oval receptacle about the size of a small 



tOL. II. NO. XIII. 2 K 



