A very beautiful species of the deer, found in Africa and the East Indies, of a light red colour, though some of the kind are of a deeper red. He is about the size of a fallow deer, and often variegated with beautiful spots of bright white. The horns are slender and triple forked. The Axis is a native of Ceylon and Borneo, a timid and harmless creature, more ornamental to the landscape, where it skips and plays in a wild state, than useful

THE GUINEAPIG, OR CAVI,

Or, as the French call him, the Cochon d'Inde, is generally white, with spots of red and black. He is a native of the Brazils, but now domesticated in most parts of Europe. The female is very prolific, breeding nearly every two months, and bringing from

four to twelve at a litter. This animal seems to hold a middle place between the mouse and rabbit tribe, but is much slower in its motions than either. There are several species of the Cavi which it would be useless to describe.

THE DORMOUSE, OR SLEEPER,

AN animal somewhat like the mouse, of the order of Glires. They build their nests either in the hollow of trees, or near the bottom of thick shrubs, and line them most industriously with moss, soft lichens, and dead leaves. Conscious of the length of time they have to pass in their solitary cells, Dormice are very nice in the choice of the materials they employ to build and furnish it; and generally lay up a store of food, consisting in nuts, beans, and acorns: and on the approach of cold weather they poll themselves in balls, their tail curled up over their head between the ears, and in a state of apparent lethargy, pass the greatest part of winter, till the warmth of the sun, pervading the whole atmosphere, kindles their congealed blood, and calls them back again to the enjoyment of life, the pursuit of love, and the duty of propagating their species. Except in time of breeding and bringing up the brood, the Dormouse is generally found alone in his cell.

A SPECIES of the weasel kind, found chiefly in Egypt, where he has been long domesticated, and even deified on account of his great utility in destroying serpents, snakes, rats, mice, and other vermin; he is also fond of crocodile's eggs, which he digs out of the sand where they have been deposited. It is a very fierce, though small animal, fearing neither the vengeance of the dog, the insidious malice of the cat, the claws of the vulture, nor the sting of the serpent. It has been asserted, ́ (upon what foundation we cannot ascertain) that the Ichneumon jumps into the jaws of the crocodile, and entering his throat, gnaws his inside, and by attacking his vitals, puts the animal to death.

legs, and very long hinder ones.

This creature is

about the size of a rat; the head resembles that of a rabbit with long whiskers, the tail is ten inches long, and terminated by a tuft of black hairThe fur of the body is tawny, except the breast and throat, and part of the belly, which are white. The Jerboa is very active and lively, always walks on the hinder feet, and jumps and springs, when pursued, six or seven feet from the ground. He burrows like the rabbit, and feeds like the squirrel; he is a native of Egypt, and all the adjacent countries.

A QUADRUPED of the opossum kind, but bearing also a great affinity in shape and manners with the Jerboa, though considerably larger, the body being upwards of three feet in length; the fore-feet are armed with five claws, and the hind ones with three, the middle one resembling a strong hoof, and considerably larger than the others. The Kanguroo neither runs nor walks, but leaps with great swiftness on his hinder legs. He feeds entirely on

vegetables, and brings up his young in the same manner as the opossum. Several are kept in Richmond park, at the king's expense.

Is a mild, timorous creature, not above four feet and a half in height, and generally of a brown colour, They are used as beasts of burden by the South Americans, and are so capriciously vindictive, that, if their drivers strike them, they immediately squat down, and nothing but caresses can humour them to rise again. When provoked, they spit at their adversary a strong acid liquid, that inflames the skin.— The Pacoes are much less than the Lama, and of different colours in a domestic state. They are used for the same purposes, and differ little in habits and nature. The wool of both these animals is made use of for several purposes, and is a principal ingredient in the composition of hats, in several Parts of the new and old continent.

E