SONNET ON THE NORTH HILL, MALVERN. 21 



all its characters, with the description given above. The whole 

 appearance, and especially the condition of the teeth, bespoke 

 that it was a young animal. Consequently, the yellow colour of 

 the throat, in this instance, could not have been, — as the advo- 

 cates for the identity of the two species confidently assert that it 

 is, — the effect of advancedage. Still, it must be acknowledged, 

 the distinctive characters of these two of the most interesting of 

 British digitigrade animals, are, by no means, at present clearly 

 or satisfactorily established. I feel great anxiety to acquire 

 some more correct and precise information than we hitherto 

 possess, on this subject. 



Birmingham, December, 1834. 



I have omitted to cite, among other valuable works for reference on the 

 present subject, the first volume of Dr. Turton's General System of Nature. 

 The foUovfing is a nearly literary translation from the second volume (page 340) 

 of the Elemens des Sciences Naturelles, by Dum^ril, — a publication very little 

 knovrn in this country, but containing much infoi-mation, of great utility to the 

 student in Natural History : — ** Species of the Mustela genus are found on both 

 continents. They subsist principally upon eggs, and the blood and brains of 

 small animals strangled by them. They are divided into three sub-genera : the 

 Otters (les Loutres) which have the posterior toes palmated ; the legs short; the 

 tail broad at the base ; the muzzle rounded; and the head flat. They swim and 

 dive with great facility ; feed upon fishes ; and their fur is very valuable. The 

 Weasels (les Belettcs) have separate ,toes ; short claws ; the body and neck 

 elongated ; and back arched. There are many species of this genus, as the 

 common weasel, ferret, pole-cat, marten, pine-marten, sable, and stoat. The skins 

 of the (three) latter are principally in request. The Skunks (les MoufFettes) 

 have long claws ; the body much broader posteriorly than anteriorly ; the tail 

 very hairy. They give out a most unplesant odour. They inhabit America." 



SONNET ON THE NORTH HILL, MALVERN. 



Let him a murmurer at this " world of woe," 



Thy rugged steep, majestic hill, ascend ; 



And let him gaze on those fair vales below. 



Where Nature's charms in boundless space extend ; 



Where all in countless numbers ranged around, 



Heaven's noblest blessings open to the view ; 



A world of beauties wherein nought is found 



But shows a Maker's care how watchful and profound !— 



And let him now, but for an instant, gaze, 



On that fair scene that greets his dazzled eye ; 



The gorgeous picture that the sky displays. 



As clouds float o'er clouds in heaven's bright arch of blue— 



And this is all for him ! — oh if his heart swell not to ecstacy, 



Bitter must be the hour that sees that murmurer die ! 



F. H. W. 



