Copy 1, Volume 1

The naturalist's cabinet: containing interesting sketches of natural history. Illustrative of the natures, dispositions, manners, and habits of all the most remarkable quadrupeds, birds, fishes, amphibia, reptiles, &c. in the known world / By Thomas Smith.

  • Smith, Thomas, 1775 or 1776-1830.
Date:
1806-1807
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The naturalist's cabinet: containing interesting sketches of natural history. Illustrative of the natures, dispositions, manners, and habits of all the most remarkable quadrupeds, birds, fishes, amphibia, reptiles, &c. in the known world / By Thomas Smith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    143/426 (page 121)
    THE WOLVERINE. - 12) Description—Boldness, &e. - THE WOLVERINE. THIS quadruped resembles the wolf in size, and the glutton in the formation of its head, The upper parts and the belly are of a reddish brown: the sides are yellowish brown; and a band of this colour crosses the back near the tail, which is long and of a chesnut colour: the face is black. The legs are remarkably strong, short, and black; and the soles of the feet are covered with hair. The pace of the wolverine is very slow; but this defect is amply compensated by sagacity, strength, and acuteness of scent. They burrow in the ground ; and, from the fierceness of their disposition, are said to~be even a terror to the wolves and bears, -They are also possessed of _ great courage and resolution. One of them has been known to seize on a deer that an Indian had killed; and though the Indian advanced within twenty yards, he still refused to relinquish his prize, and even suffered himself to be shot on the fallen animal. They have also been some- times seen to take a deer from a wolf, before the latter had time to begin his repast after killing it. Indeed their amazing strength, and the length and sharpness of their claws, enable them to make a vigorous resistance against almost every other animal. As a proof of their prodigious strength, there NO. III. ° ~~