PuToRIUS. 149 
smaller mammalia such a process as that adopted by the Pole-cat, would 
have resulted in instant death and speedy decomposition. 
The Ferret (Putorius furo) is a domesticated variety of the Pole-cat, 
reputed to be of African origin. Certain it is that it cannot stand 
extreme cold like its wild cousin, and an English winter is fatal to it if 
not properly looked after. It inter-breeds with the Pole-cat. 
Ferrets are not safe pets in houses where there are young children. 
Cases have been known of their attacking infants in the cradle, and 
severely lacerating them. 
They are chiefly used for killing rats and driving rabbits out of 
burrows ; in the latter case they are muzzled. As pets they are stupid, 
and show but little attachment. Forbearance as regards making its 
teeth meet in your fingers is, I think, the utmost you can expect in 
return for kindness to a ferret, and that is something, considering what 
a sanguinary little beast it is. 
No. 191. PUTORIUS LARVATUS, ve/ TIBETANUS. 
Black-faced Thibetan Pole-cat. 
Hasirat.—Utsang in Thibet, also Ladakh. 
DeEscription.—‘ Tail one-third of entire length; soles clad; fur 
long ; above and laterally sordid fulvous, deeply shaded on the back 
with black ; below from throat backwards, with the whole limbs and tail, 
black ; head pale, with a dark mask over the face.” —Hodgson. 
S1ze.—Head and body, 14 inches ; tail, 6 inches, with hair 7 inches ; 
palma, 12; planta, 23. 
This animal, according to Gray, is synonymous with the Siberian 
Putorius Eversmannit, although the sudden contraction of the brain case 
in front, behind the orbit, mentioned of this species, is not perceptible 
in the illustration given by Hodgson of the skull of this Thibetan 
specimen. Horsfield, in his catalogue, states that the second specimen 
obtained by Captain R. Strachey in Ladakh, north of Kumaon, agreed 
in external character. 
In some respects it is similar to the European Pole-cat, but as yet 
little is known of its habits. 
No. 192. Putorius DAVIDIANUS. 
Hapirat.—Moupin in Thibet. 
DESCRIPTION.— Uniform fulvous brown, yellower under the throat ; 
upper lip and round nostrils to corner of the eye white, darker on nose 
and forehead. 
S1zE.—Head and body about 113 inches ; tail, 65 inches. 
