74 
MAMMALIA. 
ed the title of his genus, and we called him “ Meph.” for short. By 
way of precaution I removed his scent sacs, and he made a rapid 
and complete recovery, after a few days of temporary indisposition. 
While driving about the country, in the performance of professional 
duties, he usually slept in my pocket. After supper I commonly took 
a walk, and he always followed, close at my heels. If I chanced to 
walk too fast for him, he would scold and stamp with his fore-feet, 
and it I persisted in keeping too far ahead, would turn about, disgust- 
ed, and make oft in an opposite direction ; but if I stopped and called 
him he would hurry along at a sort of ambling pace, and soon over- 
take me. He was particularly fond of ladies, and I think it was the 
dress that attracted him; but be this as It may he would invariably 
leave me to follow any lady that chanced to come near. We used 
to walk through the woods to a large meadow which abounded in 
grasshoppers. Here “ Meph.” would fairly revel in his favorite food, 
and it was rich sport to watch his manoeuvres. When a grasshopper 
jumped he jumped, and I have seen him with as many as three in 
his mouth, and two under his fore-paws, at one time ! He would eat 
so many that his over-distended little belly actually dragged upon the 
ground, and when so full that he could hold no more, would still catch 
and slay them. When so small that he could scarcely toddle about he 
never hesitated to tackle the large and powerful beetle known as the 
“ horned bug,” and got many smart nips for his audacity. But he 
was a courageous little fellow and it was not long before he learned 
to handle them with impunity, and it was very amusing to see him 
kill one. Ere many weeks he ventured to attack a mouse, and the 
ferocity displayed in its destruction was truly astonishing. He de- 
voured the entire body of his victim, and growled and stamped his 
feet if anyone came near before the repast was over. 
His nest was in a box near the foot of the stairs, and before he 
grew strong enough to climb out by himself he would, whenever he 
heard me coming, stand on his hind legs with his paws resting on the 
edge of the box, and beg to be carried up-stairs. If I passed by 
