ANIMAL of the WEASEL-KIND.
Of the limited knowledge of man, and the unlimited bounds of the animal creation, another inſtance occurs in the ſubject we are now to deſcribe. This animal muſt be conſidered as a non-deſcript; the regularity and proportion of the features are ſuch, that it appears a perfect animal, that is not a variation produced by chance, nor the offſpring of a miſcellaneous copulation.
The body is twelve inches long, and with the legs and head is black; on the back are four longitudinal, broad, waved ſtripes of white; in the front of the forehead is a ſmall triangular ſpot of the ſame; the ears are ſhort and round, and white on the inſide, which is continued a little down the face; the tail is 10 inches long, very full and buſhy, the hair ſoft and fine; the tail in general is down, but erect, as ſhewn in the drawing, when pleaſed or frightened; has five claws on the fore legs, and four on the hind ones; teeth are very ſmall and fine; ſleeps in the day time, at preſent in a lady’s ſkin muff; when awake in continual motion; is very agile and frolickſome; is very tame and docile; anſwers to the name of “Jack,” and readily comes to any one when called: legs rather ſhort.
Was brought from Bengal laſt ſummer, by Capt. Gell, of one of the King’s ſhips; is now in the poſſeſſion of Sir Joſeph Banks, by whoſe permiſſion this drawing was made.
Upon the whole, the tail of the animal, when erect, is like that of the Squirrel; but, from the ſhape of the body, we think it more properly claſſes with the Weaſel tribe: indeed, the name handed to us was "THE STRIPED POLE CAT."
