THE M00NGU8. 



191 



Taking advantage of these admirable qualities, the ancient Egyptians were wont t(» tame 

 the Ichneumon, and permit it the free range of their houses, and on account of its habits paid 

 it divine honors as an outward emblem of the Deity considered with regard to His sin-destroy- 

 ing mercy. There is much more in the symbolization of those old Egyptians than we deem, 

 and they looked deeper into the character and the causes of outward forms than we generally 

 suppose. Although the diminutive size of this creature renders it an impotent enemy to so 

 large and well mailed a reptile as the crocodile, yet it causes the destruction of innumerable 

 crocodiles annually by breaking and devouring their eggs. The egg of the crocodile is 

 extremely small, when the size of the adult reptile is taken into consideration, so that the 

 Ichneumon can devour several of them at a meal. 



The color of this animal is a brown, plentifully grizzled with gray, each hair being ringed 

 alternately with gray and brown. The total length of the animal is about three feet three 



fUMKI&B&t ''JfcJ^ 



ICE3$E,WUL0~N.—Herpe8te8 ichneumon. 



inches, the tail measuring about eighteen inches. The scent-gland of the Ichneumon is very 

 large in proportion to the size of its bearer, but the substance which it secretes has not as yet 

 been held of any commercial value. The claws are partially retractile. 



The Moongtts, sometimes called the Indian Ichneumon, is, in its Asiatic home, as use- 

 ful an animal as the Egyptian Ichneumon in Africa. In that country it is an indefatigable 

 destroyer of rats, mice, and the various reptiles, and is on that account highly valued and 

 protected. Being, as are Ichneumons in general, extremely cleanly in manners, and very 

 susceptible of domestication, it is kept tame in many families, and does good service in keeping 

 the houses clear of the various animated pests that render an Indian town a disagreeable and 

 sometimes a dangerous residence. 



In its customs it very much resembles the cat, and is gifted with all the inquisitive nature 

 of that animal. When first introduced into a new locality it runs about the place, insinuating 

 itself into every hole and corner, and sniffing curiously at every object with which it comes in 

 contact. Even in its wild state it exhibits the same qualities, and by a careful observer may 

 be seen questing about in search of its food, exploring every little tuft of vegetation that comes 

 in its way, running over every rocky projection, and thrusting its sharp snout into every 

 hollow. Sometimes it buries itself entirely in some little hole, and when it returns to bight 

 drags with it a mole, a rat, or some such creature, which had vainly sought security in its 

 narrow domicile. 



While eating, the Ichneumon is very tetchy in its temper, and will very seldom endure 

 an interruption of any kind. In order to secure perfect quiet while taking its meals, it 



