466 Dr. Smith's Description of two Quadrupeds 



a great anxiety to carry things of every description to the phice 

 where he was confined ; and whatever he got he invariably 

 showed much inclination to retain, as even the most trilling 

 articles were not without difficulty regained. He always seemed 

 much deliohted at the occurrence of rain, and during its con- 

 tinuance kept leaping and running about with unusual activity. 

 Great warmth appeared always to be disagreeable to him ; and 

 whenever the heat of the sun was powerful, he regularly, if pos- 

 sible, got into the shade. On various occasions he appeared 

 playful and mild, which, however, there was reason to believe, 

 arose more from cunning than from good-nature ; and on one of 

 these occasions he «continued his familiarity till he got his play- 

 mate, a young dog, within his grasp, after which he proceeded 

 instantly to devour him. He appeared always extremely suspi- 

 cious, and as if in constant fear of snares ; for on one or two 

 occasions I placed a common deal board obliquely across the 

 house in which he was confmed, and it was not till a consider- 

 able time after he had become accustomed to it that he ventured 

 out of the distant corner into which at such times he reoularlv 

 retreated. On gaining sufficient confidence to enable him to 

 leave his retreat, he invariably advanced with much caution 

 towards the board ; and it was not till after a considerable lapse 

 of time that he even dared to bring his nose in contact with it. 

 In doing this, he frequentlj^ and suddenly retreated without anj^ 

 evident reason, and often merely from ffies which he disturbed 

 by advancing his head. After having on such occasions cau- 

 tiously smelt the object which caused his fears, he never even 

 then appeared satisfied with his situation till he had licked it all 

 over with his tongue, and tried the influence of his teeth upon 

 such parts as they could be brought to touch. 



He appeared now and then fond of exercise ; and at such 

 periods he would run a hundred times, or even more, from one 



extremity 



