420 COMMON WEES EL. 



general colour of the Ferret is a very pale yel- 

 lowish-brown, or cream-colour; and the eyes are 

 of a bright and lively red. 



COMMON WEESEL. 



Viverra Vulgaris. 



Mustella Vulgaris. M. corpore ex fusco-rvfo, subtus albo, cauda 

 concolore. lin, Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 99. 



Pale reddish-brown W. white beneath) with tail similar in co- 

 lour to the body. 



Mustela vulgaris. Aldr. dig. p. 307. 



Mustek. Gem. Quadr. J$z. 



Belette. Buff. 7. p. 225. pi. 29. f. I. 



. Mustela Nivalis. M . corpore albo, caudce apke, vix pilis vUits 

 nigris. 



Common Weesel. Pennant Quadr. 2. p. 33. 



THE Weesel is one of the smallest species in 

 this numerous tribe of quadrupeds. Its general 

 length is about seven inches, exclusive of the tail, 

 which measures near two inches and a half. Its 

 colour is a pale reddish or yellowish-brown, and 

 beneath it is entirely white; but below the cor- 

 ners of the mouth, on each side, is a brown spot : 

 the ears are small and rounded, and the eyes are 

 black. This little animal is possessed of a consi- 

 derable degree of elegance in its aspect, and its 

 motions are light and easy; but it has the same 

 unpleasant smell with the Stoat, and some other 

 species. It is an inhabitant of the cavities under 

 the roots of trees, as well as of banks near rivu- 

 lets, &c. from which it occasionally sallies out in 



