ORDER CARNASSIER. 403 



are not disagreeable to it, but it prefers animal matters, 

 milk, eggs, and the flesh of birds. It laps in drinking. It 

 cannot bear light, and sees but in obscurity. 



Its sense of hearing must be but feeble, from the small 

 extent and mobility of the auditory conch, and also 

 from the extreme predominance of the sense of smelling 

 over the rest, a result not only of the great development of 

 those parts in which it is situated, but also of the frequent 

 use which the animal makes of it. That of touch resides, 

 like as in other Mammalia, chiefly in the silken hairs in the 

 mustaches, and, probably, in the soft and naked skin, 

 which covers the soles of the feet. 



The Suricate, as might be prejudged from the great deve- 

 lopment of the brain, is easily tamed. It soon acquires 

 a clear notion of the circumstances in which it is placed, 

 and learns to estimate the degree of confidence it should 

 repose in all that surrounds it. Like a Cat, it traverses the 

 house which it inhabits, and will never leave it. It is, in a 

 high degree, susceptible of affection, and also of hatred ; 

 though we cannot agree with M. Fred. Cuvier, that one is 

 always a necessary consequence of the other. Cats are less 

 susceptible of affection than Dogs, and more so of hatred. 

 The Suricate recognises those who tend it, is pleased with 

 their caresses, and becomes permanently attached to them ; 

 but it preserves rancour against those who have offended 

 it, and will seize the first favourable occasion for ven- 

 geance. It will even conceive prepossessions so powerful 

 as not to be removed by the kindest treatment. This spe- 

 cies, erroneously attributed by Buffon to America, is found 

 in the south of Africa. 



The fur of this animal is a dull brown, inclining to fawn 

 underneath, and crossed by slight transversal bands, prin- 

 cipally on the back. On the limbs there is a silvery tint. 

 The skin itself is of a tan colour on the naked parts. The 

 tail is brown. The length of the body from tail to muzzle 



