THE ICHNEUMON. 191 
*^ccasionally, being able to continue under 
''^ater for a considerable time. When going 
sleep, they roll themselves up like a ball, 
^*^d are not easily awakened. Their voice is 
''^I’y soft, resembling a murmur ; but they are 
^^id not to exert it unless irritated. 
Both varieties of the ichneumon, but espe- 
'^lally the Egyptian, are deadly enemies to 
^^rpents, rats, and other noxious animals ; 
^'^d the Indian variety attacks with great ea- 
S^i'iiess that formidable reptile the cobra-di- 
'^^pello. Hence, being easily tamed, the ich- 
^^Umcn is kept as a domesticated animal, 
'^th in Egypt and India. Possessing the 
^^rength and agility of the cat, with a greater 
^''opensity to carnage, it will glide along the 
^•■ound like a serpent, dart with the velocity 
'^^an arrow, and seize its object with infallible 
'^^rtainty, griping the most venomous ser- 
t'^iits by the throat in such a manner as to 
^^cure itself from injury. It sits up like a 
