Ir 



EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. 41 



creature, on account of its fize, reminds me of another CHAP, 

 animal, known in this country by the name of crabbo^ 3 

 dago, or the crabbed dog, for its matchlefs ferocity, as it 

 kills and devours every thing that comes in its way, 

 without exception, whether quadrupeds, fowls, or rep- 

 tiles ; and never feeming to be glutted with blood, it mur- 

 ders, even without being hungry, all it can vanquifli, 

 which, on account of its courage, activity, and ftrength, 

 are not a few, though it be not larger than a common 

 cat. From what I have faid, I fliould apprehend it 

 much refembles the ichneumon, but ftill more that ani- 

 mal mentioned by Mr. Allemand, in the Count de Buffon; 

 (fee Vol. IV. p. 266.) which he there calls the grifon or 

 grey-weazel, though this that I mention was rather 

 larger ; and he fays, that notwithftanding its being a na- 

 tive of Surinam, none of the people coming from that 

 country could give any account of it. If this be the 

 fame animal, (as I doubt not, and have therefore given it 

 the name of the crabbo-dago or grifon) I am happy to 

 have had it in my power to give the reader fome ac- 

 count of it. I fhall now literally quote the Count's own 

 words, as extra^ed from Mr. Allemand, which will afford 

 the beft proof of its being the fame animal, when com- " 

 pared with the annexed plate, where both the wood-rat, 

 and the crabbo-dago or grifon, are reprefented ; and had 

 I feen this account during the Count's life, I would have 

 molt affaredly taken the liberty of informing him by a 

 VoL.IL G letter, 



