Page:Charles Catton, Animals (1788).pdf/67



talk of the Hitorian or Naturalit is often urrounded with perplexities and difficulties; ometimes, from the incertitude, the variation, and almot total diimilarity of his information; and ometimes from the entire want of every information; for, of thoe who are pleaed with poeing a new or trange animal, and will be at the trouble of tranporting it from ditant parts, few have abilities or inclination, to eek that knowledge which would atisfy a Zoologit in its habits and propenities; and, perhaps, very few enjoy opportunities of acquiring certain intelligence.

With repect to the animal now before us, we acknowledge our want of certain information; all we can ay is, that it was brought from India in one of the Company’s hips; it appeared to have all the motions and actions of a common Squirrel; and, as its ize was larger, o its trength was greater. The fine rich colouring of the fur gave it a very grave and majetic appearance. We are orry to add, that ince this drawing was made the animal is dead.

The length of the body was 15 inches; the tail as long; the head longih and round; the ears tufted; the colour of the head and ears a fine deep brown; the houlders, along the back, hams and tail, black; ides a reddih purple; chet, fore feet, belly, and inide of hind feet, a yellowih white. The end of the tail to this animal was not of an orange colour, as the one decribed by Mr. Pennant was.