THE FERRET. 355 
companion of the rat-catcher and the rabbit-hunter, being employed for the purpose of 
following its prey into their deepest recesses, and of dvivi ing them from their strongholds 
into the’ open air, when the pursuit is taken up by its master. The mode in w hich the 
Ferret is employed will be presently related. 
Some writers have thought the Ferret to be identical in species with the polecat, and 
have strengthened this opinion by the well-known fact that a mixed breed between these 
two animals is often employed by those who study the development and the powers of 
the Ferret. 
However, the most generally received opinion of the present day considers the Ferret 
to be a distinct species. Mr. Bell, in his work on the British Quadrupeds, remarks that 
the different geographical range which is inhabited by these creatures is one of the most 
striking arguments in favour of the distinction of the species. The polecat is found in the 
northern parts of Europe, bearing the severest cold with impunity, and able to track its 
prey for many miles over the snow. But the Ferret is originally a native of Africa, and 
is most sensitive to cold, needing artificial means w hereby it can be preserved from the 
cold air of our English climate, and perishing if it be exposed to the frosts of winter. 
When the Ferret is kept in a state of domestication, the box or hutch in which it resides 
must be amply supplied with hay, 
wool, or other warm substances, or » 
the creature will soon pine away ; 
and die. 
It sometimes happens that a 
Ferret escapes from its owners, and 
making its way into the nearest 
wood or warren, remains in its new 
quarters until the end of autumn, 
living quite at its ease, and killing 
rabbits and game at its leisure. 
But when the cold weather draws 
near, and the frosty mghts of autumn 
begin to herald the frosty days of 
winter, the Ferret will do its best 
to return to its captivity and its 
warmer bed, or, failing in its at- 
tempt, will die. That a Ferret should 
escape is by no means an unlikely 
circumstance, for the creature is so 
active of limb and so serpentine of 
body that it can avail itself of the 
very smallest opening, and, when once at liberty, can conceal itself with such address that 
it is very rarely recovered. 
Some years ago, an escaped Ferret was discovered in its usurped burrow, and most 
gallantly captured by a young lad who was at the time among the number of my pupils. 
He was prowling round a small, thickly-wooded copse, in search of birds’ nests, when he 
saw a sharply-pointed snout protruding from a rabbit-hole in the bank which edged the 
copse, and a pair of fiery little eyes gleaming like two living gems in the semi-darkness of 
the burrow. Being a remarkably silent and reticent lad, he told no one of his discovery, 
but went into the village, and presently returned, bearing a little dead kitten which had 
just been drowned. He then crept to the foot of the bank which overhung the burrow, 
and holding the dead kitten by its tail, lowered it into the hole. The Ferret made an 
immediate spring at the prey which had made so opportune an arrival, and was jerked 
out of the burrow before it could loosen its hold. 
The lad grasped the Ferret across the body, but as he was lying in such a manner that 
he could only use his left arm, the enraged animal began to bite his hand in the most 
furious manner. However, the young captor could not be induced to let the Ferret escape, 
and with great presence of mind whirled the creature round with such rapidity that it 
AA2 
FERRET.—Mustéla Furo. 
