178 THE COMMON WEESEL. 



The cry of the Weesel, which,, indeed, is never 

 exerted but when it is injured, is rough, and very 

 expressive of anger. Its smell is strong and of- 

 fensive; much more perceptible during hot than 

 cold weather. When pursued or irritated, this will 

 sometimes infect the air to a very considerable 

 distance. Notwithstanding the general character 

 that this little creature has acquired for intrepidity 

 of disposition, it is said to be always seized with 

 convulsions when much terrified. 



If Weesels are caught whilst young, their man- 

 ners will become mild and engaging. They will 

 attach themselves to any person who regularly 

 feeds and attends them ; and will always recognise 

 him both by sight and smell. Their odour is in- 

 deed an objection to their being kept in habitable 

 apartments; but this is not very unpleasant, unless 

 at times when the animals are irritated : and it is 

 said that, by feeding them on milk and vegetable 

 food, it may in a great degree be overcome. 



A correspondent of M. de Buffon having found 

 a brood of young Weesels, resolved to bring one 

 of them up tame ; and his endeavours perfectly 

 succeeded. The animal at length became so much 

 attached to him, that, when on holidays he amused 

 himself in the public walks, it would constantly 

 follow him, although the places were generally 

 crowded with people. 



This interesting little creature was fed with 

 milk, or boiled meat. It ate little, and would 



usually 



