80 MARTEN. POLE-CAT. 



THE MARTEN. 



There are two varieties of this animal ; the one called 

 the beech or common marten ; and the other the pine or 

 yellow-breasted marten ; but the distinctions between them 

 are not so considerable as to require illustration. 



The marten is about eighteen inches long from the nose 

 to the tail. Its colours are much more elegant than those 

 of the pole-cat, to which it is nearly allied ; and its scent 

 is rather agreeable than offensive. In short, the marten is 

 the most beautiful of the British beasts of prey ; it dis- 

 plays grace and agility in all its motions, and its courage 

 enhances its other attractions. The hare, the sheep, and 

 even the wild cat, are none of them a match for this animal ; 

 but it preys chiefly on poultry, rabbits, and other defence- 

 less creatures, which it can master without a contest. 



Whenever the marten finds itself pursued by dogs, it 

 makes towards its retreat ; which is generally the hollow 

 trunk of a tree, the original tenement perhaps of a squirrel 

 There it remains in security, and brings forth its young 

 gradually habituating them to that carnage in which itself 

 delights. 



These animals are much more numerous in the northern 

 parts of Europe and America than in Britain or France. 

 In every country they are hunted for their skins, many 

 thousands of which are annually imported into England, 

 from Canada and Hudson's-Bay. 



Gesner mentions a marten which he domesticated, and 

 which became extremely playful and tractable. Buffon 

 likewise kept one for some time, confined by a chain ; but 

 it never could be divested of its ferocity, and continued in- 

 sensible to attachment ; till, watching its opportunity, it 

 made its final escape when about eighteen months old. 



POLE-CAT. 



This animal is nearly afoot and a half long; exclusive 

 of the tail, which is about six inches. The colour is a 

 deep chocolate, with a space of white round the mouth, 

 and the ears are likewise tipped with white. It is long, 

 slender, and active ; and is very destructive to poultry, 



