156 VOYAGE TO SENEGAL. 
and strangled it ; but if he missed his leap, and the gazelle es* 
caped, he remained in the greatest apparent çonfusion. The 
huntsman then caressed him, took him again on horseback, and 
continued the sport, when the ounce became so eager to re- 
trieve his credit, that the next animal that appeared was sure to 
be taken. 
The Africans do nothing towards taming ounces, but leave them 
m a pure state of nature, so that they are less docile, amusing, and 
useful. 
This animal is about the size of a greyhound : it has a round 
head, a wide mouth;, and very sharp teeth. There is nothing fe- 
rocious in its appearance, but it is naturally savage. It never 
approaches villages or farms, except at night, and does not attack 
either men, women, or children; but every thing else suits its 
purpos^. There is nothing good about it but its skin. 
The tiger-cat in Africa is merely a degenerate species of the 
tiger, with which we are acquainted ; and though it be smaller 
and less strong, it possesses all the untameable fejocity peculiar 
to its prototype. 
There is also very common in this country, a cunous species of 
lizard or caméléon; this animal is generally two feet long, from 
the muzzle to the root of the tail; and the tail itself is not less than 
three feet in length. It lives on fruit and roots; its skin is 
covered with little yellow, green, black, and white scales, which 
appear as if varnished, so bright are the colours. Its large red 
eyes, which are even with the top of the head, seem to sparkle 
when^you come too near it, or irritate it. When in a state of 
anger, its bag, which is under its throat, suddenly swells, and the 
animal becomes agitated and furious. Its bite, without being veno- 
mous, is severe ; and it never lets go the part which it has seized. 
If it be not quickly killed, it carries away the part which it has 
caught, and it is not easy to deprive it of life. Blows do it no 
harm; but the only part at w^hich it can be mortally wounded is 
the nostrils, on which it sheds a few drops of blood, opens its 
mouth, and expires. Its feet have iive toes, armed with long, 
strong, and sharp claws, which serve to climb trees, as well as to 
attack and defend itself. Its tail is also a weapon of defence 
with which it does much injury. The Negroes eat these animals, 
and find the Hesh excellent; they hunt them with their ordinai-y 
arms, and often take them with a slip-knot when they find them 
on the branch of a tree. 
The vast plain which Rubault now quitted, is partly under the 
dominion of the King of Bambouk. He arrived at seven o'clock 
in the evening in the village of Maleme, the ordinary residence of 
the king. This kingdom, how ever^ which Rubault calls Ban*- 
