( i6j ) 



THE ICHNEUMON, or INDIAN V/EASEL. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Six cutting teeth, two canine teeth, in each jaw. 

 Sharp nofe : flender body. 

 Five toes before : five behind. 



SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &c. 



Weafel with tail thick at the bafe, and from thence gradually taperin*. 



The Indian Ichneumon. 



Ed-v:. fl. 193. 



La Mangoufte, 



D^ 



Buff. I J, 150. fl. ig. 



TH E Ichneumon is one of tliofe animals which were well knov/n to die 

 ancients, and has been particularly celebrated for its fuppofed antipathy 

 to the crocodile, of which it is fdid to fctk the eggs with great diligence, 

 and devour them. Fxclufive however of its addidlion to the ep-iTs as an 

 article of food, it can hardly be llippofed to bear any peculiar animofity to that 

 animal. 



Its principal value amongfl t'le antlent Egyptians arofe from its great v(k~ 

 ■fulnefs in clearing the houfes of the inhabitants from rats, mice, and other 



Z 2 vermin. 



