88 THE NATURALIST IN NORWAY. 



ermine-skins which he presented to the Pope, who was 

 much pleased with them. 



The ermine is called in Norway hermeUn, and also 

 rose-rat, or the rat dwelling in holes. The little crea- 

 ture is an excellent swimmer, and on the coast of Fin- 

 mark it frequently goes on a voyage of discovery to one 

 of the small islands adjacent to the mainland in search 

 of the eggs of the seafowl which are found in the 

 crevices of the rocks there. Sometimes the female 

 makes her nest under a heap of stones near the water 

 on one of these islands,, and brings forth her young 

 there. It is, in that case, a serious question with her 

 as to how she is to convey her offspring in safety over 

 to the mainland. " Necessity is the mother of inven- 

 tion," and the little ermine hits upon the following 

 ingenious expedient. Having hunted about until she 

 has found a piece of wood of as smooth a surface as 

 possible, she places her young ones upon it, and push- 

 ing this frail vessel gently into the water, she herself 

 swims carefully by its side, in fear and trepidation for 

 the safety of her charge, but, at the same time, with 

 implicit confidence in her own skill. Now and again 

 she gives a gentle push with her snout or fore-paw to 

 the tiny bark, until at length, wearied but not over- 

 come, she arrives at the distant shore, proud, as she 

 has reason to be, at the success of her efforts. 



The ermine brings forth her first brood, which are 

 from three to five in number, by about the end of May; 

 she breeds two or three times in the year. 



The ermine, although so small, is a fierce and pug- 

 nacious little creature, and will even attack human 

 beings when assailed; it is doubtful if it has ever 

 been tamed. It will certainly live in confinement, but 



