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TIic pilnciiial mode of defence which Nature has beftowed on this animal, 

 i.s of a nature fo extraordinary, that were it not aflerted by perfons of the 

 moft unquL-ftionable credit, it would feem entirely apocryphal. 



When fuddenly irritated, or when purfued, and in danger of being taken, 

 it pofTcfles tlie faculty of fuddenly emitting effluvia fo powerfully ofFcnfive as 

 to taint the air to an almoft incredible diftance. 



If the dcfcriptions given of this odious vapour are not aggravated by the 

 abhorrent recolleclion of thofe who have experienced its effefts, every other ill 

 fmell which nature can produce, is furpaficd by the overpowering fastor of this 

 extraordinary quadruped. In conlequence of this horrible emanation the dogs 

 relinquifh their purfuit, and men are obliged to fly with precipitation from the 

 tainted ipot : but if unfortunately the leafl: drop of the liquid which it com- 

 monly difchargcs at this particular juncture, fliould happen to light on the 

 clothes of the hunter, he becomes a general nuifance wherever he appears, 

 and is obliged to divert himfelf of his drefs, and practice all the arts of ab- 

 lution, in order to be rcftored to the fociety of mankind. 



To add to the hiftory of thefe flrange circumftances, it is affirmed that the 

 animal is fometimes tamed by the Americans, and rendered domeftic ; but, 

 furely, (as an eminent zoologift has well obferved,) if this be ever really prac- 

 lifed, the creature ought to be treated with the highefl attention, left it fliould 

 at any time be provoked to exert its extraordinary faculty. It fliould be 

 added that this peftilential vapour is not ablblutcly peculiar to tlie prefent 

 Ipecies, but is exerted in a fomewhat inferior degree by two or three others 

 of its genus, which are alio natives of the American continent. 



■ TROGON 



