the deer easily turn up with their noses, even when it is deeply buried in snow. Sometimes, however, it happens, though but rarely, that the winter commences with rain, and a frost ensuing, covers the whole country with a complete crust of ice. In this case both the rein-deer and their owners are undone; for as they have no provisions laid up in case of accident, and they can only obtain a scanty supply from the pine trees, that are covered with moss, the greatest part of the herd commonly perish, without any possibility of assistance.

THE elk varies considerably in size, according to the climate where it is found, and in some parts is truly gigantic; but, in general, the full-grown animal is about as large as a common horse. It is an animal rather of the buck than the stag kind, as its horns are flatted toward the top, and its common pace is a quick shambling trot, during which the hoofs clatter like those of the rein-deer. It inhabits only the colder countries; and is generally found much larger in Asia and America than in Europe. With respect to its disposition, it is timorous and gentle; content with its pasture; and never inclined to disturb any other animal, when supplied itself.

These quadrupeds subsist principally upon grass in summer, and the bark of trees in winter. When the whole country is covered with snow, they herd together under the tall pine-trees, strip off the bark, and remain in that part of the forest, while it affords them a sufficient supply.

THIS animal is well known to the English, from whom it received its name; is about the size of the roe-buck, but the horns are differently formed, being about sixteen inches long, almost touching each other at the bottom, and spreading as they rise, so that their tips are sixteen inches asunder. Like others of the same kind, the antelope is brown on the back, and white under the belly; but these colours are not separated by the black streak which is to be found in all of the like species.

The gazella, kevel, corin, guib, grimme, meminna, and condoma, are animals, distinguished by the common appellation of antelopes, and seem to form an intermediate link between the goat and the deer; agreeing with the former in the texture of their horns, which have a core in them, and are never cast; and with the latter in elegance of form, and extraordinary fleetness. They inhabit, two or three of them excepted, the hottest parts of the globe, or at least those parts of the temperate zone that lie so near the tropics as to form a double climate. They are very numerous in Asia and Africa; and are, in general, of a most light and elegant make; of a restless and timid disposition; remarkably agile; and in most of their boundings so light and elastic, as to strike the spectator with astonishment.

ANIMALS of the hog kind seem to unite in themselves all those distinctions by which others are separated. They resemble the horse in the number of their teeth, in the length of their head, and in having but a single stomach; they resemble the cow kind in their cloven hoofs and the position of their intestines; but in their appetite for flesh, their numerous progeny, and their not chewing the cud, they resemble those of the claw-footed kind. Thus this species serve to fill up that chasm which is found between the carnivorous kinds and those that live upon grass; being possessed of the ravenous appetite of the one, and the inoffensive nature of the other. We may consider them, therefore, as being of a middle nature, and cannot be properly referred either to the rapacious or the peaceful kinds, and yet partake in some degree of the nature of both. They offend no other animal of the forest, at the same time that they are furnished with arms to terrify the bravest.

The wild boar, which is the original of all the varieties that we find in this race, is neither so stupid nor filthy an animal as that which we have reduced to tameness. He is much smaller than the hog; and does not vary in colour, like those of the domestic kind; but is always found of a dark iron-grey, with black ears, feet, and tail. His snout

is much longer than that of the tame hog; and the tusks are considerably larger, sometimes growing near a foot in length; these spring out from both the upper and under jaw; but the lower ones are most to be dreaded, as they are frequently known to inflict desperate wounds.

The chase of the wild boar constitutes one of the principal amusements of the grandees, in those countries where it is to be found. Some mastiffs are generally used upon these occasions; and the boar, when driven from his co

vert, goes slowly and uniformly forward, not much afraid of, nor very far from, his pursuers: at the end of every mile he turns round, and stops, as if desirous of attacking the hounds; but these being aware of his ferocity, keep off, and bay him at a distance; he then resumes his course, till, being completely fatigued, the young dogs close in upon him, though at the risk of their lives, while the more experienced ones, are content to wait until the hunters come up with their spears, and either dispatch or disable him.

THE babyrouessa, or Indian hog, is still more remote 'from the hog kind than the capibara; yet its general figure has induced travellers to rank it among that family. Its legs are longer than those of the hog; its snout shorter; its body more slender, its hair rather resembling wool than bristles; and its tail tufted with the same. The jaw bones are very thick and strong; and from thence proceed four enormous tusks, of a very fine ivory, smoother and whiter than those of the elephant, but not so hard or serviceable.

They have a mode of reposing themselves different from most other animals of the larger kind; which is by hitching one of their upper tusks on the branch of a tree, and then suffering their whole body to swing down at ease; thus suspended from a tooth, they continue the whole night perfectly secure, and out of the reach of such animals as hunt them for prey.-They are principally found in Borneo, Senegal, and Madagascar.

THIS animal, like the hog in a natural state, subsists principally upon roots and vegetables, and seldom attacks any other animal, being content with such provisions as are obtained without danger; yet if it happens to meet with a dead and even putrescent carcase, it immediately seizes upon it as eligible prey. In a domestic state, it is the most sordid and brutal animal in nature; the awkwardness of its form seems to influence its appetites; and it appears to make choice only of what other animals find the most offensive. Stupid, inactive, and drowsy, its life is a complete round of sleep and gluttony; and if supplied with sufficient food, its flesh soon becomes a greater load than its legs are able to support, and it continues to feed, lying down, or kneeling, an helpless instance of indulged sensuality. Wind appears to have a peculiar influence on this quadruped; for when it blows violently, it appears much agitated, and runs towards its sty, screaming in the most violent manner. It has also been remarked that, on the approach of bad weather, it will bring straw to its sty, as if to prepare a bed, and hide itself from the impending storm.-They go with young about four months, and produce six, eight, and often twelve, at a litter.

THE PECCARY AND CAPIBARA.

THE peccary, or tajacu, at first view, resembles a small hog; particularly in the shape of its head, the length of its snout, and the form of its legs; but upon a nearer examination, some striking differences appear. The body is not so bulky; the bristles are much thicker and stronger than those of the hog; instead of a tail it has only a small