This curious little animal is a native of Egypt, Barbary, and the Cape
of Good Hope. It is, in general, about the size of a common cat, but
rather longer in its body, and shorter in its legs. Its colour is a pale
reddish grey. It is sometimes streaked with a variety of colours, in the
same manner as a domestic cat. While eating, it sits upright, and uses
its fore feet like hands.
[Illustration:
THE ICHNEUMON.
]
This animal is the boldest and most useful of the weasel kind. It is of
very great service in Egypt, and indeed is almost worshipped there, for
it destroys a great quantity of the eggs of the crocodile, and will even
attack the crocodile itself. Rats, mice, birds, serpents, and lizards
become its prey; and it will even seize the most poisonous reptiles, and
if bitten by them, it is said to be able to cure itself by the use of
some herb. The Egyptians esteem it so much, that they keep it in their
houses, as we do the cat.