agouti. 
If 
wlndi is even shorter than in the rabbit, and 
entirely destitute of hair. Lastly, it differs in the 
number of its toes, having but three on the hinder 
feet, whereas the rabbit has five. Ail these dis- 
tinctions, however, do not countervail against its 
general form, which resembles that of a rabbit, and 
most travellers have called it by that name. 
As this animal differs in form, it differs still- 
more in habitudes and disposition. As it has the 
hair of a hog, so also it has its voraciousness. 
It eats indiscriminately of all things ; and when 
satiated, hides the remainder, like the dog or the 
fox, for a future occasion. It takes a pleasure in 
gnawing and spoiling every thing it comes near. 
When irritated, its hair stands erect along the back/ 
and, like the rabbit, it strikes the ground violently 
with its hind feet. It does not dig a hole in the* 
ground, but burrows in the hollows of trees. Its 
ordinary food consists of the roots of the country, 
potatoes and yams, and such fruits as fall from the 
trees in autumn. It uses its fore paw, like the 
squirrel, to carry its food to its mouth ; and as 
its hind feet are longer than the fore, it runs very 
swiftly upon plain ground, or up a hill, but upon 
a descent it is in danger of falling. Its sight k 
excellent, and its hearing equals that of any other 
animal ; whenever it is whistled to, it stops to 
hearken. The flesh of such as are fat and well 
fed is tolerable food, although it has a peculiar 
taste, and is a little tough. The French dress it 
like a sucking pig, as we learn from M. BufFon'si 
account ; but the English dress it with a pudding 
in its belly like a hare. It is hunted by dogs ; and 
whenever it has got into a sugar-ground, where 
the canes cover the place, it is easily overtaken, 
for it is embarrassed every step it takes, so that a 
naan may easily come up with it without any other 
assistance. When in the op®n country, it usually 
VOL, li. 
