190 the ichneumon. 
resemblance to each other, and in general coD' 
formation are like the weasel. They are coC’' 
monly of a pale reddish gray colour, ea^^ 
hair, which is hard and coarse, being mottle^* 
with brown so as to give a speckled appeal"' 
ance to the whole body. The eyes are of » 
bright red colour ; the ears rounded, and 
most naked ; the snout long and slender ; 
body rather thicker than in most other specie^ 
of the weasel family ; and the claws long aB^ 
sharp. 
The larger ichneumon is found in varioB® 
parts of Africa, but chiefly in Egypt, whet® 
the services rendered by it in destroying th® 
eggs and young of the crocodile caused it 
be worshipped as an emanation of the Deitf 
by the ancient Egyptians, who gave it tb® 
name of Pharaoh s rat. The smaller ichneB' 
mon seems to be confined to the East Indies- 
In their wild state these animals frequent tb® 
banks of rivers, in which they swim and di'^® 
