^ 



290 TIISTOnY OF 



on tbe wliole, and sometimes to devour even its poor provider; 

 and when these pursuits fail, even to dig up the graves, and fall 

 upon the bodies interred there, devouring them bones and all. 

 For these reasons, the natives of the countries where the glutton 

 inhabits, hold it in utter detestation, and usually term it the 

 vulture of quadrupeds. And yet it is extraordinary enough, that 

 being so very obnoxious to man it does not seem to fear him. 

 We are told by Gmeliii of one of those coming up boldly and 

 calmly where there were several persons at w'ork, without testi- 

 fying the smallest apprehension, or attempting to run, until it 

 had received several blows, that at last totally disabled it In 

 all probability it came among them seeking its prey ; and, 

 having been used to attack animals of inferior strength, it had 

 no idea of a force superior to its own. The glutton, like all the 

 rest of Its kind, is a solitary animal, and is never seen in com- 

 pany except with its female, with which it couples in the midst 

 of winter. The latter goes with young about four months, and 

 brings forth two or three at a time.^ They burrow in holes as 

 the weasel ; and the male and female are generally found toge- 

 ther, both equally resolute in defence of their young. Upon 

 this occasion the boldest dogs are afraid to approach them ; 

 they fight obstinately, and bite most cruelly However, as they 

 are imable to escape by flight, the hunters come to the assistance 

 of the dogs, and easily overpower them. Their flesh, it may 

 readily be supposed, is not fit to be eaten, but the skins amply 

 recompense the hunters for their toil and danger. The fur has 

 the most beautiful lustre that can be imagined, and is preferred 

 Defore all others except the Siberian fox, or the sable. Among 

 other peculiarities of this animal Linnteus informs us, that it is 

 very difficult to be skinned ; but from what cause, whether its 

 abominable stench, or the skin's tenacity to the flesh, he has not 

 thought fit to inform us. 



1 Bufibn. 2 Liiinaeiis Systems, jj. 66. 



