350 THE SABLE. 
upon the wild berries that it finds on the branches. The hunters assert that the Sable 
is not content to feed only on the hares and such like animals, which constitute the usual 
prey of the larger Weasels, but that it is in the habit of killing and devouring the ermine 
and the smaller members of the Weasel tribe. Even birds fall victims to these agile and 
voracious animals, being often overtaken in their flight among the branches of trees by a 
well-aimed leap and a sharp stroke of the fore-paws. 
Sometimes the ordimary supplies of food fail, and then the Sable enacts the part of 
parasite to some larger animal, such as a bear or a wolf, and, following on its track, 
endeavours to gain a subsistence by feeding on’ the remnants of the prey which may 
be taken by the superior powers of its unwitting ally. 
The Sables are taken in various modes. Sometimes they are captured in traps, which 
are formed in order to secure the animal without damaging its fur. Sometimes they are 
fairly hunted down by means of the tracks which their little feet leave in the white snow, 
and are traced to their domicile. A net is then placed over the orifice, and by means 
of a certain pungent smoke which is thrown into the cavity, the inhabitant is forced to 
rush into the open aix, and is captured in the net. The hunters are forced to support 
themselves on the soft yielding surface of the snow by wearing “snow-shoes,” or they 
would be lost in the deep drifts which are perfectly capable of supporting so light and 
active an animal as the Sable, but would engulf a human being before he had made 
a second step. 
It now and then happens that the Sable is forced to take refuge in the branches of a 
tree, and in that case it is made captive by means of a noose which is dexterously flung 
over its head. 
On examining the fur of the Sable, it will be seen to be fixed to the skin in such a 
manner that it will turn with equal freedom in all directions, and les smoothly in what- 
ever direction it may be pressed. The fur is rather long in proportion to the size of the 
animal, and extends down the limbs to the claws. The colour is a rich brown, slightly 
mottled with white about the head, and taking a grey tinge on the neck. 
Even in the localities where it is most usually found it is by no means a common 
animal, and is so cautious that it is not easily induced to enter a trap or to permit itself 
to be outwitted by its pursuers. Should the hunter prefer to catch the Sable in traps, he 
thinks himself fortunate if he secures a Sable in every eight or ten traps. Sometimes, on 
going the round of his traps, which is a task of great labour and difficulty, and involves 
a journey of many miles, he finds them all empty, and the baits gone, having been 
devoured by some crafty animal that has followed the hunter in his course for the sole 
purpose of robbing the traps of their baits. 
When domesticated, the Sable exhibits no small amount of intelligence, and can be 
tamed with considerable success. One of these animals was an inhabitant of the palace 
belonging to the Archbishop of Tobolsk, and was so thoroughly domesticated, that 1t was 
accustomed to wander at will about the city and pay visits to the inhabitants. Two 
other specimens of the same creature were tamed, but not to so complete a degree. They 
used to sleep during the greater part of the day, but were peculiarly vigilant and restless 
during the night. After partaking of food, they always became exceedingly drowsy, and 
would sleep so soundly that they might be shaken, pinched, or even pricked with a sharp 
instrument without giving any signs of awakening. This curious somnolence would 
generally last from thirty “minutes to one hour. They exhibited a great dislike to cats, 
and if they saw one of those animals, would rise on their hind-legs as if to fight it. 
The mode of attack is the same in all the members of the Weasel tribe. They always 
endeavour, as far as possible, to steal unperceived upon their intended prey, and then to 
fasten suddenly upon the doomed animal by means of their sharp teeth, and tightly 
clinging paws. They always endeavour to seize their victim by the back of the head, 
and with a single bite drive their long canine teeth into the brain. They seem to be 
singularly and literally bloodthirsty in character, delighting to suck the blood of the 
animals which they have destroyed. 
Unfortunately for the possessors of rabbits, poultry, or Sills creatures, the 
whole of the Weasel tribe are sad epicures in their taste, and will wreak far more 
