. A general history of quadrupeds : the figures engraved on wood . greement is likewife obferva-ble in their internal conformation, which is ftill more ex-a6l,—in the fliortnefs of their inteflines, the fharpnefsand number of their teeth, and in the ftru£lure of theirfeet and claws. They are all equally carnivorous; andtear, rather than chew their meat. They eat flowly, andgrowl whilft they feed, as if afraid of lofing their are all cowardly, and feldom make an attack butwhere conqueft is certain. Animals of this race may be confidered as the moftformidable enemies of mankind. There
. A general history of quadrupeds : the figures engraved on wood . greement is likewife obferva-ble in their internal conformation, which is ftill more ex-a6l,—in the fliortnefs of their inteflines, the fharpnefsand number of their teeth, and in the ftru£lure of theirfeet and claws. They are all equally carnivorous; andtear, rather than chew their meat. They eat flowly, andgrowl whilft they feed, as if afraid of lofing their are all cowardly, and feldom make an attack butwhere conqueft is certain. Animals of this race may be confidered as the moftformidable enemies of mankind. There are others morepowerful, but their difpofitions are milder, and theyfeldom offend till they find themfelves injured: Othersare more numerous, but they are weaker, and find theirfafety not in oppofing, but in flying from man. Thefeare the only quadrupeds that in any degree make goodtheir ground againft him, and maintain a kind of dividedfway over many fair and fertile trails, that feem, in otherrefpe£ls, formed for the comfort ^nd convenience of fo-clal HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 241 ANIMALS OF THE WEASEL KIND. These little, active, and enterprlfing animals are par-ticularly diftinguiftied from other carnivorous kinds bythe length and flendernefs of their bodies, which are ad-mirably adapted to their manner of living, and methodsof taking their prey. They are fo fmall and flexible, asto wind liice worms into very fmall crevices and open-ings ; whither they eafily follow the little animals thatferve them for food. All the animals of this kind are furniflied with fmallglands, placed near the anus, from which an undluousmatter continually exudes : The effluvia of it is extreme-ly ofFenfive in the Polecat, Ferret, Weafel, &c.; but inthe Civet Cat, Martin, and Pine Weafel, it is an agree-able perfume.—^^Fhey are all equally marked for rapineand cruelty; they fubfift only by theft, and find theirchief prote£l:ion in their minutenefs. They are all; fromthe fhortnefs of their
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1800, booksubjectmammals, bookyear1800
