THE TANREC. 343 



Description Habits, &c. 



THE T4NREC; 



THIS little animal is a native of the East In- 

 dies, and bears some resemblance to the common 

 hedgehog ; but differs from it sufficiently to con- 

 stitute a distinct species. 



There appear to be two varieties of these 

 quadrupeds; the first is nearly as large as our 

 hedgehog, has a long muzzle, and is thickly co- 

 vered with bristles : the second (which some wri- 

 ters have called the tendrac,) is not bigger than 

 a large rat; its ears and muzzle are shorter than 

 those of the former, and its prickles are only 

 found on the head, neck, and shoulders ; the 

 other parts of the body being covered with a 

 coarse hair, somewhat resembling the bristles of 

 a hog. 



These animals have very short legs, and move 

 slowly : they are chiefly found near creeks and 

 harbours of salt water, and may be frequently 

 seen wallowing in the mire like hogs. At the 

 approach of winter they retire to their subterra- 

 neous habitations, shed their hair, and remain in 

 a state of torpidity for several months. But 

 upon their revival nature provides them with a 

 new dress, and they soon become extremely 

 fat. Their flesh is said to be insipid, soft, and 

 spungy ; yet the Indians consider it as a peculiar 

 delicacy. 



VQL IJ.< NO. XV. 2 X 



