MAMMALS. 25 



These and other deficiencies in the Irish fauna, as well 



as their probable explanation, have been alluded to on 



a previous page; and it may be added that 



, several attempts have from time to time been 

 mammals. . -■• , 



made to differentiate the Irish stoat, otter, and 

 long-tailed field-mouse. These have not as yet, however, 

 been generally accepted as more than varieties. Formerly 

 too, before the appearance of the second edition of Bell's 

 work, the Irish hare was distinguished on account of the 

 above-mentioned error respecting the permanent colour of 

 its coat. 



I have already enumerated the animals which have be- 

 come extinct in these islands in comparatively recent times. 

 Protection ^^^ wild cat and the polecat will probably be 

 versus ex- next to go ; and in truth very few of those 

 termination, ^yho have most right to a voice in the mat- 

 ter will miss them. Extreme views are never more to 

 be deprecated than in this question of protection ; and 

 the keeper who shoots and traps indiscriminately without 

 thought of the mischief he may be doing, is scarcely more 

 to blame than are those dwellers in cities who, without 

 any concern, direct or otherwise, in such matters, raise 

 their voice in pious ejaculation whenever they read in the 

 ' Field ' or elsewhere of the death of a polecat or other 

 vermin. Our noxious mammals are, though small, many 

 and active. True, there is no danger to man, for our 

 woods harbour no beast that could not with address be 

 despatched with a spade ; but the damage done, one way 

 with another, by the fox, wild cat, polecat, marten, stoat, 

 weasel,^ otter, seals, and all the rodents with the excep- 

 tion of the largely insectivorous dormouse, is simply in- 

 Interferinf calculable. It would not, of course, answer to 

 witlithe exterminate any one of these; for if the car- 

 " balance." nivora were gone, the rodents would multiply 

 into a plague, and even if the latter could be annihilated, 



1 Sir Herhert Maxwell informs me that he i)rcserves weasels, being 

 persuaded that their staple food consists of mice, voles, and rabbits. 



