THE WEASEL KIND. 133 



subject so extensive as that of natural history, we must endea- 

 vour to generalize, and cannot descend to minate particulars. 

 In this sketch, however, will be found enough to give us an ex- 

 alted idea of the wonderful plan of the creation, and of the 

 greatness of the Creator. 



In the furs of these animals, of which we have just given a 

 brief description, Russia carries on an important and lucrative 

 trade with most of the countries of Europe and Asia, but most 

 of all with Turkey and China. Constantinople and Pekin may 

 indeed be considered as the two central points of this traffic, as 

 the Turks and the Chinese are extremely fond of this article of 

 dress ; and in those two capitals of the Turkish and Chinese 

 empires, a greater quantity of furs are used, than in any other 

 two cities of the world. 



Thus we see that the skins of these little quadrupeds consti- 

 tute an important article in the commerce of a great empire, 

 and one of the sources from which it derives a revenue that ena- 

 bles it to maintain numerous armies, and to stand high in the 

 political scale of nations. This consideration will open to our 

 minds an ample field for reflection on the harmonious plan of 

 Nature and Providence. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

 WSASS& BIND. 



" The artful, cruel, slender weasel, too, 

 Delights in blood." SMITH. 



" Thus oft th' ichneumon on the banks of Nile, 

 Invades the deadly Aspsi by a wile." LUCAN. 



As the valuable little quadrupeds, which, in the In Ft rhaptei, 

 were, from their commercial importance, considered as a dis- 

 tinct article of natural history, are generally classed with the 

 weasel kind ; we shall resume the subject, and endeavour to en- 

 tertain with as brief a description as possible, of some other ani- 

 mals of the same race; and shall, in order to bring the subject 

 into a closer view, preface it with an exhibition of a few general 

 characteristics. 



Animals of the weasel kind, are distinguished from others of 

 the carnivorous race, by the length, slenderness, and flexibili- 

 ty of their bodies qualities which enable them to wind into 

 very small crevices, in order to follow their prey. Here, there- 



M 



