HISTOKY OF 



fore, it runs very swiftly upon plain ground or up a hill, but upon 

 a descent it is in danger of falling. Its sight is excellent, and its 

 hearing equals that of any other animal ; whenever it is whistled 

 ro, it stops to hearken. The flesh of such as are fat and well 

 fed is tolerable food, although it has a peculiar taste, and is a 

 little tough. The French dress it like a sucking-pig, as we 

 learn from Mr BufTon's account ; but the English dress it with 

 a pudding in its belly, like a hare. It is hunted by dogs ; and 

 vlienever it has got into a sugar-ground, where the canes cover 

 the place, it is easily overtaken, for it is embarrassed every step 

 it takes, so that a man may easily come up with it without any 

 other assistance. When in the open country, it usually runs 

 with great swiftness before the dogs, until it gains its retreat, 

 within which it continues to hide, and nothing but filling the 

 hole with smoke can force it out. For this purpose, the hunter 

 burns fagots 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 animal seems sensible of its danger, and begs for 

 quarter with a most plaintive cry, seldom quitting 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 making good a retreat^ 

 it turns upon the hunters, and with its hair bristling like a hog, 

 and standing upon its hind-feet, it defends itself very obstinately. 

 Sometimes it bites the legs of those that attempt to take it, and 

 will take out the piece wherever it fixes its teeth.' 



Its cry when disturbed or provoked, resembles that of a sucking- 

 pig. If taben young, it is easily tamed, continues to play harm- 

 lessly about the house, and goes out and returns of its own ac- 

 cord. In a savage state it usually continues in the woods, and 

 the female generally chooses the most obscure parts to bring 

 forth her young. She there prepares a bed of leaves and dry 

 grass, and generally brings forth two at a time. She breeds 

 twice or thrice a-year, and carries her young from one place to 

 another, as convenience requires, in the manner of a Ciit. She 

 generally lodges them, when three days old, in the hollow of a 

 tree, suckling them but a veiy short time ; for they soon come 

 to perfection, and it should consequently follow that they soon 

 grow old. 



1 Ray's Syuop. 



