43 7 
’GLUTTON-. 
fliers ; to lie in wait for such animals as have 
been maimed by the hunters ; to pursue the isatis 
while it is hunting for itself ; and when that ani- 
mal has run down its prey,, to come in and seize 
upon the whole, and sometimes to devour even its 
poor provider ; when these pursuits fail, even to 
dig up the graves, and fall upon the bodies in- 
terred there, devouring them bones and all. For 
these reasons the natives of the countries where the 
glutton inhabits, hold it in utter detestation, and 
Usually term it the vulture of quadrupeds. And 
yet, it is extraordinary enough, that, being so very 
obnoxious to man, it does not seem to fear him. 
We are told by Gmelin of one of these coming 
up boldly and calmly where there were several 
persons at work, without testifying the smallest 
apprehension, or attempting to run until it had 
received several blows, that at last totally disabled 
it. In all probability it came among them seek-; 
ing its prey ; and having been used to attack 
animals of inferior strength, it had no idea of a 
force Superior to its own. The glutton, like all 
the rest of its kind, is a solitary animal ; and is 
never seen in company, except with its female, 
with which it couples in the midst of winter. The 
latter goes with young about four months, and 
brings forth two or three at a time. They bur- 
row in holes as the weasel ; and the male and fe- 
male are generally found together, both equally 
resolute in defence of their young. Upon this 
occasion the boldest dogs are afraid to approach 
them ; they tight obstinately, and bite most cru- 
elly. However, as they are unable to escape by 
flight, the hunters come to the assistance of the 
dogs, and easily overpower them. Their flesh, 
it may readily be supposed, is not fit to be eaten ; 
but the skins amply recompense the hunters for 
their toil and danger. The fur has the most beau- 
VOL, I a 3 K 
