THE COMMON WEESEL. 181 



having searched out one of the corners, which 

 formed a hollow place, would sleep there for hours 

 together. As soon as the animal awoke, it always 

 stretched its limbs, and afterwards arched its back, 

 (much in the same manner as we observe in Cats,) 

 before it began to move about. It frequently 

 yawned. 



As soon as it was perfectly asleep, its master 

 could unfold it, and, suspending it by the head, 

 could swing it, like a pendulum, for five or six 

 minutes, backward and forward, without interrupt- 

 ing its repose. In this state all its muscles ap- 

 peared perfectly relaxed, and its spine, almost 

 beyond conception, flexible. 



This Weesel was generally very playful; and 

 had various entertaining tricks and frolics. Some- 

 times it would stretch itself out on its back or 

 belly ; at other times would run up its master's 

 clothes, and bite him with great gentleness, much 

 like a young Dog at play. When its master struck 

 the table with his finger, it would generally run 

 round his hand, raise itself upright, and jump 

 about in a pleasing manner, uttering at the 

 same time a kind of murmuring noise, expressive 

 of the satisfaction it experienced. These efforts, 

 however, soon fatigued it, and it would fall asleep 

 almost immediately afterwards. Such a love 

 had this little creature for liberty, that it was 

 always impatient of confinement, and would ne- 

 ver suffer itself to be put into its cage without 

 N 3 expressing 



