54 



HISTORY OF MEXICO. 



in fwiftnefs, and in all its movements ; but very different 

 in colour, in lize, in its habitation, and fome of its qua- 

 lities. The hair of its belly is quite white, and the reft 

 of it is white mixed with grey. Its fize is double that of 

 the fquirrel, and it does not dwell in trees, but in fmall 

 holes which it digs in the earth, or amongft the ftones of 

 ramparts which enclofe fields, where it does confidera- 

 ble damage by the grain which it carries off. It bites 

 moft furioufly any one who approaches it, and cannot 

 be tamed, but has great elegance of form, and is grace- 

 ful in its movement. This fpecies is a very numerous 

 one, particularly in the kingdom of Michuacan. The 

 Techallotl is no way different from the preceding animal, 

 except in having a fmaller and lefs hairy tail. 



The AmyztH^ or fea-lion, is an amphibious quadruped 

 which inhabits the fliores of the Pacific Ocean, and fome 

 rivers of that kingdom. Its body is three feet in length, 

 its tail two. Its fnout is long, its legs fliort, the nails 

 crooked. Its ikin is valuable on account of the length 

 and foftnefs of its hair (/). 



The Mapach of the Mexicans is, agreeable to the opi- 

 nion of Buffon, the fame quadruped which is known in 

 Jamaica by the name of Ration ^ rattoon, or Weft-Indian 

 fox. The Mexican one is of the fize of a badger, with 

 a black head, a long ftiarp fnout like a greyhound, fmall 

 ears, round body, hair mixed with black and white, a 

 long and hairy tail, and five toes to every foot. It has 

 a white ftreak over each eye, and like the fquirrel makes 

 ufe of its paws to convey any thing to its mouth which it 

 is going to eat. It feeds indifferently on grain, fruits, 



infers. 



(i) We recton the Amiztli among the quadrupeds which arc common to 

 other countries of America, as it appears to be the fame animarwhich Bulfon 

 4efcribes under the name of Saricovicnne. 



