87 



CHAPTEE XL 



The Ermine in Norway. Where Found. Its Skin. A Koyal Gift. 

 Habits of the Ermine. Its Nest. Its Offspring. An Ingenious Ex- 

 pedient. Pugnacity of the Ermine. The Ermine and the Bear. A 

 Small but Dangerous Assailant. The Ermine and the Eagle. Me- 

 thod of capturing the Ermine in Norway. Its Food. Its Colour. 

 Medicinal Virtues. The North Cape. Its Description. French 

 Travellers in Norway. A Singular Mistake. 



THE ermine (Mustela erminea) is found in all parts of 

 Norway. It is one of the few quadrupeds that are to 

 be met with in Magero, near the North Cape. During 

 the winter months ermine-skins may be frequently pur- 

 chased in the Christiania market ; their cost is about 

 ninepence each. In winter the hair is much longer 

 and softer than in summer. Great numbers of these 

 skins are sold by the Norwegians to the Russians, who 

 sell them again at an exorbitant price to the Chinese, 

 as well as to the Turks. In ancient times ermine-skins 

 were held in great estimation, and were even considered 

 a gift worthy of royalty itself. When King Christian 

 I. of Denmark paid a visit to the court of Rome, he 

 took with him some of the most valuable productions 

 of his dominions, and among other things were some 



