322 THE MEXICAN" WEESEL, 



and lighter beneath than above. It is found in 

 Mexico and New Spain. 



Its manners in confinement are gentle and 

 sprightly. During the day it generally sleeps ; but 

 awakes in the evening, and begins to climb about 

 and search for food. It uses its tail vfith great dex- 

 terity, in seizing and securing such things as it can- 

 not otherwise reach ; but has been observed never 

 to extend this, till its feet are perfectly secure. It 

 tears every thing it finds; either for amusement, 

 or in quest of insects. This mischievous propensity 

 alone prevented one of these animals, that was kept 

 by M. Chaveu, at Paris, from being suffered to 

 range at liberty. Before this was discovered, he used 

 to be let loose at night ; and how far soever he 

 miglit range in the dark, he was always found the next 

 morning lying in the same place. He distinguished 

 his master, whom he would follow and caress though 

 not very tractable. He ate bread, meat, vegetables, 

 and fruit ; drank milk and water, and even spirits if 

 sweetened, with which he would so intoxicate him- 

 self as to continue sick for several days. He was 

 passionately fond of perfumes and sweetmeats. He 

 frequently attacked the poultry, always seizing them 

 under the wing ; and seemed to drink their bloody 

 but never devoured them. His voice, which was 

 only exerted in the night, was somewhat like the 

 barking of a Dog. When he was sporting about, or 

 when he received any injury, he uttered aery some- 

 what like that of a young Pigeon ; and when he 

 meant to threaten, he hissed like a Goose. He al- 

 ways seemed extremely afraid of going into the water. 



