160 
VOYAGE TO SENEGAL. 
as high as the elephant, but much less stout : it is a kind of 
camel; it has a long neck; the same sort of head; and two pro- 
tuberances, which form a kind of natural saddle on its back; it 
îîas also extraordinarily long legs. The horny substance of its 
foot is blaclf. and cleft like that of an ox ; it walks fast, and runs 
v/el! during -a great distance, it eats little, and is not delicate, 
but feeds on thistles, reeds, leaves, and shoots of trees. It is al- 
ways in a half-starved state ; but the Negroes eat its flesh, which 
they find very good* 
The natives have never attempted to tame this animal, or to 
make use of it for carrying burdens; they do not therefore know 
whetlier it is docile, or capable of bearing a load. They do not 
approach it witliout dif§cuity, and never without alarm. Nature 
has furnished it with seven horns, which are straight, black, 
strong,- and pointed; and in those which are of full age, they are 
above two feet iti length , but when the animal is young, they 
are not more than six niches: they are then enveloped in a rough 
liiind of hair to within two or three inches of their extremity; but 
t)}is hair drons off when the horn has attained a certain lenî^th. 
It resides iu the. woods and on the highest mountains. 
Tfiere is ftlso in this part of the coiuitry a species of white 
aoes, whose C0i'>ur is as beautiful as that of our finest white 
jabbits. Thev have fine red eyes, are of a small stature, and are 
very gentle and docile when young; but as they grow up, their 
natural cunning and mviîignity are developed. They are so deli- 
cate, and so much attached to their native country, that they re- 
fuse food, and starve themselves to death when taken out of it. 
The F)ench residents at Galam had several of them; but they 
were îiever able to bring any alive to isle St. Louis. It cannot 
surely be said that it is the loss of liberty which causes them to 
pine to deatii : for ihey care little about being chained in their 
own country ; and vvlnle m this state, they eat and thrive abun- 
dantly; but they will not leave the territory. I his is a great pity, 
as thev are the most beautiful animals in the world; and setting 
aside their malice, noLhing is more agreeable or diverting. 
Tiie weazle of this country is not larger than that of Europe ; 
but it is totally wbjte, lîud so brdhunt is the colour, that it seems 
to be covered \uLh siivtr. It is fierce, and naturally untame- 
abie: it bites in a strange manner; and when it gets any thing 
between its teelh, it is easier t'> kill it, than make it let go its. 
hold. It is lon!^; strong, and slender; and its continual motion 
gives it such an extraoi dmary appetite, that it is obliged to be con- 
linually in st nch of food, it i>reys upon birds, fowls, rats, and 
serpents; ijsdeed, nothing comes amiss to it ; and when it meets 
with an animul for which it has a liking, consulting less its strengtli 
