35 



with in a curiously speckled or particoloured dress. They are 

 very pugnacious creatures, and will fight with great resolution to 

 the last gasp. I recollect seeing one which had its spine injured 

 by a stone aimed at it by a plough-boy, drag itself along upon 

 its forelegs only, and spring at the lad, seize him by the leg, and 

 quit its hold only when choked by the lad's firm grasp of its 

 throat. 



The Polecat or Foumart is a very destructive marauder, and is 

 frequently hunted by dogs trained to the sport. He is, however, 

 more commonly met with in the lower parts of the country than in 

 the mountains, where his place is taken by the Marten, or Sweet- 

 mart, as he is designated, to distinguish him from his mal-odorous 

 kinsman. This last animal is much larger than those already 

 referred to. The huntsman of the Ullswater hounds told me that 

 he had not long ago seen one killed, which weighed as much as 

 four-and-a-half pounds ; and I have seen a stuffed specimen at 

 Lyulph's Tower, of the same large proportions. Mart-hunting is 

 keenly enjoyed by the dalesmen. When hardly run, he will take 

 refuge in a tree, or, if on the open fell, as more generally happens, 

 he will seek shelter in some heap of boulders, or hole in the rocks. 

 From such "bields" he is frequently dislodged by kindling a fire 

 to windward of his hiding place. As soon as the smoke reaches 

 him, he bolts. This manoeuvre he will repeat until he is completely 

 exhausted. The chase frequently leads over very rough and 

 precipitous ground, and is attended with risk to the limbs and 

 even life of its votaries. Smoking-out has been attempted with 

 the fox under similar circumstances ; but it is a hopeless failure 

 when applied to reynard. The number of Marts is gradually 

 becoming less. 



The Badger has for many years been regarded as extinct in 

 Cumberland. Quite recently, however, "brock" has reappeared 

 amongst us ; stray specimens continue to be reported from different 

 quarters ; and I hope it may ere long be regarded as fully re-estab- 

 lished. The number of places still known as " Brockholes," &c., 

 sufficiently attest its former abundance. I remember a venerable 

 acquaintance of my youthful days describing the process of brock- 



