7,3 CARNIVORA. 



could not possibly enter ; and their short strong limbs and sharp 

 claws, enable them to climb with the greatest celerity and adroit 

 ness. In their habits they are more or less nocturnal. Accord 

 ing to Audubon, about twelve species of the true Martens are 

 included in this family, four of which inhabit North America. 



Mustela vulgaris, (or Putorius Vulgaris.) The COMMON 

 WEASEL. 



This is the smallest of the tribe, and well known, especially 

 by farmers, as they often have occasion to lament its onsets upon 

 their young broods of poultry. For this, however, they have 

 some compensation in the destruction, by this animal, of numer 

 ous rats and mice that infest their barns and out-houses ; so that 

 it is sometimes said, weasels &quot; ought to be fostered as destroyers 

 of vermin, rather than extirpated as noxious depredators.&quot; This 

 active little creature is sometimes tamed, and by its playfulness 

 and unexpected display of affection, has awakened much interest. 



M. Erminea, or Putorius Ermincus. The STOAT, or ERMINE. 



This species closely resembles the Weasel, but is a third lar 

 ger, being about the size of a cat. In the summer, its general 

 color is a yellowish brown, when it is called a STOAT ; but it 

 changes to a pure white in winter, when its fur is extremely 

 beautiful, and it is called ERMINE. It is abundant in the northern 

 parts of this continent, and in Europe and Asia. The fur of the 

 Ermine is closest and most purely white in the most northern 

 latitudes, and constitutes a valuable article of commerce. The 

 white skins of this animal usually bring from ten to fifteen dol 

 lars per hundred. The tail remains black at the extremity, du 

 ring all the changes of the color. Formerly, the official robes of 

 judges and magistrates were lined with this fur. In predatory 

 habits, it is like the kindred species. Hares and rabbits fall easy 

 victims to this animal, which kills them with a single bite, pene 

 trating 4o the brain. It frequents stony places and thickets, and 

 in a short race will outstrip a dog. 



Mephitis, (Lat. a noxious odor or exhalation.) MEPHITIC WEA 

 SELS. 



The anicmls of this genus are so named from the intolerable 

 odour which, whon irritated, or for self- protection, they give 

 forth. They have on their fore feet nails, strong and well suited 

 far digging. The distinguishing color of the genus is black, 

 striped with white, lengthwise along the back, and the tail is long 

 and bushy. The Mephitic weasels all move slowly ; seldom flee 

 from man, unless when they arc near their burrows. Though fee 

 ble and insignificant in some respects, yet they seem conscious of a 

 power to &quot; annoy beyond the point of endurance.&quot; Large num- 



