THE CRAB-EATER. 345 



Singular antipathies. 



left long alone, or heard an unusual noise ; and 

 when caressed, or desirous of expressing plea- 

 sure, she made a noise as strong as that of a rat- 

 tle briskly turned. 



It is a singular fact, that this animal seemed 

 to have an aversion to particular persons : when 

 taken up, it always smelt at the hand which held 

 it, and never failed to bite those whom it had 

 bitten before, however frequently they approach- 

 ed it. Some people, indeed, were so very dis- 

 agreeable to it, that, even when restrained, it 

 would make use of various stratagems to come 

 at them, and if it could not succeed in seizing 

 their legs, it would lay hold of their shoes or pet- 

 ticoats. 



These quadrupeds are principally found among 

 the mountains of Africa above the Cape of Good 

 Hope. They appear to be of a delicate habit:, 

 and to require a warm climate ; for that in the 

 possession of M. de Seve only lived one winter; 

 notwithstanding the utmost attention was paid to 

 her food and warmth. 



THE CU41B-EATER. 



THIS animal, which has derived its appella- 

 tion from its principally subsisting upon crabs 

 has been compared, by some travellers, to the 

 dog and fox, and others .have deemed it more 

 analogous to the opossum tribe; but according 

 x 2 



