THE DOTJBOTJCOULI. 227 



alive for five months, and observed that it slept re- 

 gularly from nine in the morning to seven at night ; 

 sometimes its sleep commenced even at daybreak, and 

 light was always much disliked. When going to sleep, 

 j* selected the most shady place, behind some wood, 

 >r in the cleft of a tree, and, like the squirrels and 

 weasels, had great facility in passing through very 

 small holes or openings. 



When disturbed during the day, it appears almost 

 in a state of lethargy ; it can scarcely raise its large 

 white eyelids, and the eyes, which at night resemble 

 those of an owl, are without lustre. In the ordinary 

 sleeping position, it seats itself like a dog; the back K 

 bent; the four hands brought together, an<J the head 

 is almost concealed between them. It is at this time 

 very stupid ; may be touched without being bit, and 

 its mouth may even be opened, and the teeth ex- 

 amined. 



But if sluggish during the day, it is restless and all 

 exertion at night. It now seeks its food ; hunts small 

 birds and insects, but in addition will eat almost every 

 kind of vegetable. It was particularly fond of flies, 

 which it took with great address, and was even tempt- 

 ed to hunt for them in a dull day. It drunk little, 

 and would sometimes pass twenty or thirty days with- 

 out tasting a liquid. Humboldt kept his specimen 

 in the bedroom, notwithstanding the native opinion 

 that they will tear out the eyes of persons as,3ep ; 

 it made extraordinary noises, and jumped against the 



