He is a perfect rat in appearance, but he would rather astonish one of our English tom-cats if encountered during his rambles in search of rats, as the "bandicoot" is about the same size as the cat.
There is an immense variety of vermin throughout Ceylon, including many of that useful species the ichneumon, who in courage and strength stands first of his tribe.

The destruction of snakes by this animal renders him particularly respected, and no person ever thinks of destroying him.

No matter how venomous the snake, the ichneumon, or mongoose, goes straight at him, and never gives up the contest until the snake is vanquished.
It is the popular belief that the mongoose eats some herb which has the property of counteracting the effects of a venomous bite; but this has been proved to be a fallacy, as pitched battles have been witnessed between a mongoose and the most poisonous snakes in a closed room, where there was no possibility of his procuring the antidote.

His power consists in his vigilance and activity; he avoids the dart of the snake, and adroitly pins him by the back of the neck.

Here he maintains his hold, in spite of the contortions and convulsive writhing of the snake, until he succeeds in breaking the spine.