JAPANESE SABLE.—Martes Meldnopus. 
destruction in a farmyard than if they were possessed of greater powers and smaller 
discrimination 
Oftentimes they are most wantonly destructive, killing great numbers of victims and 
contenting themselves with drinking the blood, without attempting even to tear the 
flesh in any other manner. This method of attack is well exemplified in the case 
of the stoat, and will be alluded to when that animal is described in its place among the 
Mustelidee. 
The size of the Sable is about equal to that sf the marten, being about eighteen 
inches in leneth exclusive of the tail. It is not a very prolific animal, as it seldom 
produces more than five young at a birth, and is poner content with three. March 
and April are the months in which the young Sables are born, so that they are not 
likely to suffer from the want of proper nourishment until they have gained sufficient 
strength to search for food on their own account. 
WOOD-SHOCK, OR PEKAN.—Martes Canadensis. 
The PEKAN, more popularly termed the Woop-sHock, is a native of Canada and 
other parts of ‘Ameri rica, and is of some value on account of its fur, which is nearly 
as useful, although not so valuable, as that of the sable, with which animal it is very 
