AGOUTI. 
m 
runs with great swiftness before the dogs until it 
gains its retreat, within which it continues to hide, 
and nothing but filling the hole with smoke can 
force it out. For this purpose, the hunter burns 
faggots or straw at the entrance, and conducts the 
gmoke in such a manner that it fills the whole 
cavity. While this is doing, the poor little animal 
#eems sensible of its danger, and begs for quarter 
with a most plaintive cry, seldom quitting its hole 
till the utmost extremity. At last, when half 
suffocated, it issues out, and trusts once more to 
its speed for protection. When still forced by the 
dogs, and incapable of making good a retreat, it 
turns upon the hunters, and with its hair bristling 
like a hog, and standing upon its hind feet, it 
defends itself very obstinately. Sometimes it bites 
the legs of those that attempt to take it, and will 
take out the piece wherever it fixes its teeth. 
Its cry, when disturbed or provoked, resembles 
that of a sucking pig. If taken young, it is easily 
tamed, continues to play harmlessly about the 
house, and goes out and returns of its own accord. 
In a savage state it usually continues in the woods, 
and the female generally chooses the most obscure 
parts to bring forth her young. She there prepares 
a bed of leaves and dry grass, and generally brings 
forth two at a time. She breeds twice or thrice a 
year, and carries her young from one place to 
another, as convenience requires, in the manner 
of a cat. She generally lodges them, when three 
days old, in the hollow of a tree, suckling them 
but for a very short time, for they soon come to 
perfection, and it should consequently follow, that 
they soon grow old. 
