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poisonous fangs, instinctively go to an herbaceous antidote, with 
which the} r are well acquainted. This animal was adored by the 
ancient Egyptians for his national services; and is domesticated 
by their descendants, to destroy rats, mice, and other vermin. 
The ichneumon is formed, like the weasel, with a slender head, 
long nose, bright eyes, very sharp teeth, and a long coat of hair 
beautifully brindled, often shining like silver. It sometimes springs 
suddenly on its prey with wonderful agility; at others, it steals 
insidiously among the high grass and bushes, and seizes it unawares: 
it is very courageous, and frequently attacks animals much larger 
than itself. 
The salt waters of Travencore abound with a seal of that 
species, which is called phoca pusilla, an animal seemingly between 
the beaver and the otter, in some respects partaking of both, and 
differing from the phoca vitulina, and others of the genus, found 
on the rocky islands of the ocean. The Travencore seal has a 
round head, short ears, thick neck, tapering body, and flat tail, 
like a fish; it is web-footed, and the skin covered with a soft oily 
hair: this amphibious creature, uniting in so many respects the 
quadruped with the aquatic animal, seems to link the two species 
in the great chain of creation: they vary in size and appearance 
in different countries; at Anjengo they seldom exceed four feet 
in length: they are gregarious and sociable; form parties on the 
banks of the rivers, but always plunge in at the approach of a 
stranger. 
The birds in the southern parts of Malabar, as in most tropical 
climates, are gaily clothed; but less melodious than the northern 
songsters. The parroquets are remarkably handsome; the head 
