HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 323 



bark, except in the chafe ; and are commonly of a red- 

 dim or brown colour. 



Somervile thus beautifully defcribes their mode of pur- 

 fuing the nightly fpoiler : — 



" Soon the fagacious brute, his curling tail 



" Flourifti'd in air, low bending, plies around 



" His bufy nofe, the {learning vapour fnuffs 



" Inquifitive, nor leaves one turf untry'd, 



*' Till, confcious of the recent flains, his heart 



" Beats quick ; his fnuffling nofe, his active tail, 



*' Atteft his joy : Then with deep-op'ning mouth, 



" That makes the welkin tremble, he proclaims 



" Th' audacious felon : Foot by foot he marks 



" His winding way, while all the lift'ning crowd 



'* Applaud his reas'nings : O'er the wat'ry ford, 



" Dry fandy heaths, and ftony barren hills; 



<{ O'er beaten paths, with men and beafls diftain'd, 



** Unerring he purfues, till at the cot 



*' Arriv'd, and feizing by his guilty throat 



44 The caitiff vile, redeems the captive preys 



" So exquifitely delicate his fenfe! " 



