THE BEECH MARTEN. 347 
considerable modifications, according to the time of year and the part of the world in 
which it is found. It has rather a wide range of locality, being a native of the northern 
parts of Europe and of a very large portion of Northern America. 
Tue Breech MARTEN. seems to be of rather more frequent occurrence than the Pine 
Marten, from which animal it may be distinguished by the white tint of the fur on its 
throat and the upper portion of its breast. On account of this circumstance, it is 
sometimes called the White-throated Marten. A slight yellow tinge is sometimes 
observed on its throat. There are several names by which this animal is known, such as 
the Marteron, the Martern, and the Stone Marten. 
In its destructive habits and its thirst for blood, it resembles the animal which has 
already been described, and. has earned for itself the title of “domestic,” which was 
applied to it by Gesner, because it is in the habit of prowling about human habitations, 
BEECH MARTEN.—Martes Foina 
and of concealing itself in the barns and outhouses, for the purpose of gaining access to 
the poultry. : 
The Marten seems to be easily tamed to a certain degree, but beyond that point its 
wild instincts are too firmly rooted for speedy eradication. One of these creatures was 
procured when young by a shoemaker, and remained with him until it had reached 
maturity. It then escaped from its adopted home, and commenced a series of depredations 
among the fowls which were kept by the neighbours, returning every night, and concealing 
itself in the house. Its destructive energies became so troublesome that it was at last 
sentenced to death by the united voices of those who had suffered from its depredations, 
and paid the penalty of its many robberies. 
Another Marten was captured in a rather curious manner. It had been driven from 
its home, and, in order to escape the dogs that were chasing it in hot pursuit, leaped over 
a precipice, and fell from a height of forty or fifty feet, without meeting with anything to 
break its fall. It lay on the ground as if dead, and one of the spectators descended the 
cliff, and captured the Marten. However, it soon eave indications of returning animation, 
by seratching and biting so fiercely that the captor was glad to put it into a bag. It soon 
oe. Mi 
