' THE GLUTTON. 3/1 



proaches the tree, the Glutton throws down the 

 moss. If the Deer stops to eat, the Glutton in- 

 stantly darts upon its back ; and, after fixing him- 

 self firmly between the horns, tears out its eyes : 

 which torments the animal to such a degree, that, 

 either to put an end to its torments, or to get rid of 

 its cruel enemy, it strikes its head against the trees 

 till it falls down dead. The Glutton divides the 

 flesh of the Deer into convenient portions, and con- 

 ceals them in the earth for future provisions *. 

 When the voracious animal has once firmly fixed 

 himself by his claws and teeth, it is impossible to 

 remove him. In vain does the unfortunate Stag seek 

 its safety in flight : and if it does not, as has been 

 asserted, kill itself, its enemy soon brings it to the 

 ground by sucking its blood, and gradually devour- 

 ing its body '|-. 



The Gluttons feed also on Hares, Mice, Birds, 

 and even on putrid flesh ; and it is said by the Nor- 

 wegians (though certainly without foundation) that 

 they carry;, their voracity to such a degree, as to be 

 obliged to relieve themselves by squeezing their 

 over-swoln bodies between two trees ; by this means 

 exonerating their stomachs of that food which has 

 not time to digest. If this creature seizes a car- 

 case, even bigger than himself, he will not desist 

 from eating so long as there is a mouthful left. 



Pontoppidan was assured by a friend, a man of 

 probity, that he had taken a Glutton alive, a cir- 



* The Gluttons on the river Lena kill Horses in a simikr manner. 

 —Caz.Llt. i. 4K1. t Euft: Quad. vii. 277- 



Bb 2 



