163 



THE WEASEL. 



Mustela vulgaris. ERXLEB. 

 PLATE XIII. 



Tail about a fourth of the length of the body, its tip oj 

 the same colour as the upper parts, which are brownish- 

 red at all seasons, the lower white, 



Mustela vulgaris. Desmar. Mammal. 179; Jen. Brit. Vert. 

 Anim. 12; Bell, Brit. Quadr. 141. 



THE Weasel, in form, colour, and habits, closely 

 resembles the Ermine, which, however, is double its 

 size, and differs in having the extremity of the tail 

 black, as well as in becoming white in winter. To 

 Describe its parts and proportions would be to re- 

 peat what has been said of the preceding species, 

 vts dentition being the same, its head, body, limbs, 

 jnd fur similar. But its tail is proportionally 

 shorter, the hairs towards its extremity less elon- 

 gated, and its inner toes smaller. Its upper parts, 

 sides, and outer parts of the limbs, are brownish -red, 

 like those of the Ermine in summer, but of a 

 brighter tint, the lower parts white or yellowish- 

 white, and the tail in its whole length of the same 



