CARNIVORA. 
179 
codiles ; while in Upper Egypt the former are scarce, 
and the latter abound. It may be said, perhaps, that 
in Lower Egypt the ichneumons have performed their 
destined office ; but, if so, circuitous means seem to 
have been employed to perform that partially, which 
more direct agency might have effected altogether. 
THE INDIAN ICHNEUMON. LA MANGOUSTE DES INDES. 
Viverra Mungos, 
The Indian species of the ichneumon much re- 
sembles that of Egypt, but is generally more than a 
third less in size, and is without the tuft at the ex- 
tremity of the tail. The hair is very coarse, and the 
colour varies from gray to brown. 
The Indian ichneumon will attack and destroy the 
most deadly vipers ; and is said, by Kaempfer, to 
cure itself, if bitten, by eating of a certain plant 
{ophiorrMza mongoz)^ the efficacious virtues of which, 
in such cases, were pointed out to us by the instinct 
of this animal. 
It is often kept domesticated by the inhabitants of 
the East Indies, for the purpose of destroying rats, 
mice, and other small destructive animals ^ and is 
sometimes brought to and kept in this country for 
the same purpose. If irritated, it will fly at and bite 
a person. 
N S 
