STRANGE ANIMALS AND THEIR WAYS. 



365 



thing respectable in that line ; but that cat-nip, pure and 

 simple, did the business finely. 



6. Quite pretty was the pattern of the animal's ears — 

 they were so clean, trim, soft, and small. Though rather 

 pert, they had an air about them that was really amiable, 

 and such as the canine fancier would pronounce elegant. 

 She was not averse to a little fondling, and I well remem- 

 ber the first time she climbed upon my lap. Those pretty 

 ears suddenly quivered. The ticking of my watch had ex- 

 cited her. Down goes that ubiquitous utilitarian organ 



into the watch-pocket. Failing with the nose, she makes 

 a desperate effort with that and both forefeet all at once. 

 Still unable to evict that case of mystery, she thrusts her 

 nose down by its side, and for several minutes, with simi- 

 an quaintness, listens to the ticking of mortal Time. 



7. In the same manner, though not to the same extent, 

 the nose of the Nasua, like the same organ of the elephant, 

 projects far beyond the mouth. At our first acquaintance 

 with the animal, we were anxious to see if it could drink 



