HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 275 



That kept by M. de Seve was extremely playful 

 and familiar, knew its own name, and would return 

 at a call. What was remarkable, it seemed to have 

 an aversion to particular persons, whom it would 

 always bite on their approaching it: some people 

 were so disagreeable to it, that even when restrain- 

 ed, it would make use of several artifices to come 

 near enough to bite them ; and when it could not 

 lay hold of their legs, would fly at their shoes or 

 petticoats. When discontented, it made a noise 

 like^the barking of a whelp; and when pleased or 

 caressed, would utter a sound like the shaking of a 

 rattle. 



THE RATEL. 



DESCRIBED by Mr. Pennant under the name of 

 the Fizzler, is a native of the Cape of Good Hope. 

 It lives chiefly upon honey, and is endowed with a 

 wonderful faculty of discovering the secret retreats 

 where the Bees deposit their stores. About sun- 

 set, the Ratel is particularly attentive in watching 

 the motions of these industrious insects; and hav- 

 ing observed their route, it follows with great care 

 the direction in which they fly. It is frequently 



