DIGITIGKADE CAEXIYORA. 



537 



ill barns, frequently remaining there till the spring, to give birtli 

 to its young among the hay or straw ; in such situations it wages 

 war more successfully than a^cat against rats and mice, which can- 

 not escape because it follows them into tlieir holes. In the spring 



Fro. 461. — AVKASEL. 



it is to be found along the banks of rivers and brooks, and conceals 

 itself in thickets, where it catches bhxls. It is generally by a 

 single bite through the skull, piercing the brain, that Weasels 

 destroy their victims. 



The Ermine {Mudela erminea) is another species of Polecat. Its 

 body is about nine inches long, and its tail about four. This little 

 animal has two coats. In winter it is white, with its tail tipped 

 with black, and bears the name of Ermine, but during the spring it 

 changes to a beautiful brown above, and yellowish white beneath ; 

 it is then called the Roselet. It is found in the northern parts both 

 of the old and new continent. The winter skins are much sought 

 after as furs, and form a considerable article of commerce. 



The Martens (Mustela) differ slightly from the true Polecats in 

 the structure of their teeth, and their more elongated muzzle : the 

 species are very numerous, and are scattered over both continents ; 

 among them we can only notice 



The Sable Marten {Mudela Zibelllne), so celebrated on account of 

 the richness of its fur. It inhabits the northern parts of Europe 

 and Asia, and abounds most in the mountains of frozen countries, 

 the intense cold of which renders them uninhabitable by man. As 

 it is the winter coat only that is so highly prized, the pursuit of 

 the Sable is, of all kinds of hunting, the most arduous and perilous, 



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