QUADRUPEDS. 75 
ble smell, are so extremelv cleanly, that the male and 
female may be often seen alternately employed in smooth- 
ing each other's skins, disposing their hair, and improving 
its gloss. They sleep like the hare with their eyes half 
open, and continue extremely watchful if they apprehend 
any danger. They are very fond of durk retreats; and 
previously to their quitting these, they look round, and 
seem to listen attentively ; then, if the road be clear, 
they sally forth in quest of food ; but run back on the 
slightest alarm. The female begins to produce young 
when only two months old, and as she has young ones 
every two or three months, and sometimes as many as 
twelve at a time, a thousand might be raised from a 
single pair in the course of a year. 
THE MOUSE. (Mm musculus.) 
THIS is a lively, active animal, and the most timid in na- 
ture, except the hare, and a few other defenceless species. 
Although timid, he eats in the trap as soon as he is caught; 
yet he never can be thoroughly tamed, nor does he betray 
any affection for his assiduous keeper. He is beset by a 
E 2 
