THE MEXICAN WEESEL. 323 



Anotlier of these animals, that was exhibited in 

 1773, at the fair of St. Germain, appeared for some 

 time of a very mild disposition, and would lick the 

 hand of any person who invited such a mark of fa- 

 miliarity. But by frequent irritations of the popu- 

 lace it was afterwards rendered mischievous, and al- 

 ways attempted to bite at the hand after licking it. 

 This creature would often sit upright, and Scratch itself 

 with its fore paws ; was very playful, would fold its 

 paws into each other, and perform many apish tricks. 

 It ate from its paws. When irritated, it always en- 

 deavoured to leap on the person from whom the af- 

 front came. It laid hold of any thing it wanted with 

 its tail, and would frequently hang by this part : 

 when walking, the tail was always carried horizon- 

 tally*. 



The claws are long ; by wdiich it is enabled to 

 climb trees with great ease, where it waits for prey, 

 and from whence it sometimes darts upon small ani- 

 mals that are below. These have no other chance of 

 escaping than by immediately rushing into the wa- 

 ter, if there is an opportunity at hand ; when the 

 Weesel is obliged to let go his hold in order to save 

 himself. When he seizes on any animal, he folds 

 his tail round it ; and gnaws a small hole in its 

 neck, through which he sucks the blood. 



Charlevoix says, it frequently leaps upon the neck 

 of the Moose-deer, where it first fixes itself securclvj 

 then cuts into the jugular vein, and does not move 

 from its station (unless forced by the animal's 



Buff. Quad. vii. '^87_o9-2. 

 Y2 



