HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION. 19 



higher by giving due attention to the selection 

 of the breeding stock and by careful mating of 

 the same. The ferret of today, as bred and raised 

 in America, is a slim, very muscular animal and 

 can kill animals much larger than itself. It 

 resembles tlie mink or weasel in shape and size, 

 having a long, slim body, small head and pointed 

 nose. Having a very flexible body, it can enter 

 very small holes and follow rats in the most 

 difficult places. As already stated, they are of 

 two colors, white and brown. Tliere is no differ- 

 ence in the two varieties as to their breeding and 

 working qualities. It is only a matter of fancy 

 as to color. They are hardy, strong animals and 

 breed well in any climate. The average life for 

 the ferret is from six to nine years. The breed- 

 ing season is from March to September. One 

 female will sometimes raise from ten to twelve 

 young in one year, sometimes having two litters 

 or even more, but usually less. The ferret will 

 not breed until the following spring. She must 

 be one year old. 



In Europe, like America, they are mainly used 

 for rat and rabbit hunting. This animal, accord- 

 ing to naturalists, is merely a variety of the pole- 

 cat, modified by effect of long continued cap- 

 tivity. Readers must not associate the polecat 

 here alluded to, which is found only in Europe, 



