238 WILD LIFE OF SCOTLAND 



white breast, the other with a bright orange breast, 

 and known respectively as the beech, and pine 

 martens. They are probably only different stages, 

 or sexes of the same. The marten is the most agile 

 of our wild creatures, passing over the ground 

 with the sinuous motion characteristic of the 

 family, and climbing with the utmost ease, and 

 grace. 



To the question as to whether he had ever seen 

 a marten, a gamekeeper replied, " Often." This 

 seemed hopeful, and, as he hailed from the wildest 

 part of the Highlands, not unlikely. But more 

 particular inquiry brought out that he meant the 

 sand-martin. And there is reason to fear that will 

 soon be the only marten Scotland boasts. The 

 Duke of Argyll writes about the west coast, " All 

 gone, but within my memory." 



Whereas the marten has a pleasant aromatic 

 scent, like the green pine- wood he frequents, the 

 foumart (foul marten) emits, when excited, an 

 offensive odour. Whereas the marten is sharp- 

 sighted and agile, the foumart is near-sighted, and 

 slow. Readers of Smiles' interesting biography 

 will remember how Edward was assailed by a 

 pole-cat, while spending the jsilent hours in an old 

 ruin ; and how the brute uttered cries which the 



