There is no doubt that weasels reduce the numbers 

 of smaller game animals and game birds. For this rea- 

 son the State Game Commission is endeavoring to ex- 

 terminate the weasel in order that hunters will have 

 more game. On the other hand, it has been proved 

 that weasels keep down the number of rats, mice, rab- 

 bits and other destructive rodents. Therefore, a com- 

 plete extermination of the weasel will undoubtedly 

 cause an increase of these destructive forms. On the 

 other hand, the extermination of the mountain lion or 

 cougar and the wolf, as well as the reduction in num- 

 bers of wildcats, has made possible the increase of wild 

 deer. 



It is, therefore, well for the student of mammals 

 to consider all of the relationships that exist among 

 them and to observe carefully the laws of balance in 

 nature. Information concerning these various aspects 

 of the interdependence of mammals will be of great 

 economic value and will certainly make the study of all 

 wild life more attractive. Only a thorough knowledge 

 of the habits and activities of animals should guide 

 man's interference. 



This study of interrelationships is tremendous and, 

 in many cases, much is yet to be learned. While the 

 foregoing paragraphs merely indicate some of the pos- 

 sibilities in such a study, it is hoped that enough has 

 been given to stimulate further observations. 



The Hibernation of Mammals 



As the winter season approaches, one sees a grad- 

 ual decrease in the number of living things. From 

 late August until the first snow fall, there is a general 

 exodus of forms into the realms of obscurity. Where 



