THE WEASEL KIND. 77 



The Weasel is in length barely feven inches, from the nofe to the 

 infertion of the tail j its height not above an inch and a half, confe- 

 quently is near five times as long as high. The bufhy tail, of two 

 inches' and a half, adds to the animaKs apparent length. Colour pale 

 tawny brown on the back and fides, white under the throat and belly ; 

 has whiikers like a cat, and thirty-two teeth (two more than the cat), 

 and thefe better adapted for tearing and chewing than the cat's. Eyes 

 litrle and black ; ears Ihort, broad, and rounded, have a fold at the 

 lower part, which makes them feem double. Beneath the corners of 

 the mouth, on each jaw, a brown fpot. 



This animal inhabits the temperate parts of Europe, fcarce in the 

 North and in Barbary ; is very formidable to quadrupeds an hundred 

 times its fize. Where fheep cr lambs are bred, the weafcl is detefted 

 and deftroyed as noxious j where agriculture is followed, is confidered as 

 a friend, being deftruftive to fuch vermin as live on corn. One of the 

 mod untam.eable and untraceable of animals. When kept in a cage, will 

 not touch its victuals while looked at ; is continually agitated j and 

 frighted fo m.uchat the fight of mankind, that it will die, if not permitted 

 to hide itfelf in a fufficient quantity of wool or hay, whereto it may carry 

 its food ; pafles three parts of the day in Deep j night its time of exer- 

 cife and feeding. Is feen ftealing from its hole at the approach of even- 

 ing, and creeping about the farmer's yard for prey. If it en:ers am.ong 

 poultry, immediately aimis at the young ones j does not eat its prey on 

 the place, but killing it by a fingie bite near the head, with a wound 

 fcarcely perceivable, carries it off; is a great dcvourer of eggs j is re- 

 markably adlive j in a confined place, fcarce any animal can efcape it ; 

 runs up die fides of walls with facility, and winds through a very fmall 

 hole. In winter, chiefly confines itfelf in barns and farm yards, till 

 ^P^^^gj where it brings forth, and makes war on rats and mice, with 

 greater fuccefs than the cat, purfuing them into their holes. A gentle- 

 man once found eighty-five, newly killed, in one weafci's hole. Creeps 

 aifo into pigeon holes, dcitroys the young, catches fparrows, and fm.all 

 birds; and, if it has young, hunts with great boldnels and avidity. In 

 fummcr, ventures farther from the houle, to where the rat, its chief 

 prey, precedes it ; is found in low grounds, by the water-fide, near mills, 

 and often hides its young in the hollow of a tree. 



The female takes every precaution to make an eafy bed; lines her 



hole with grafs, hay, leaves, and mofs ; brings from three to five, with 



cloied eyes ; but foon ftrong enough to follow their dim, and affift in 



4 her 



