82 SABLE. 



THE SABLE. 



This animal resembles the marten in shape and size, and 

 the weasel in the number of its teeth. It has long whiskers, 

 rounded ears, large feet, white claws, and a long bushy 

 tail The fur is held in the highest estimation ; it is of a 

 brownish-black hue ; and some of the darkest, which are 

 reckoned most valuable, are worth from ten to fifteen 

 pounds. A few varieties of the sable, however, are parti- 

 coloured ; and some have Jbeen found of a snowy white- 

 ness. 



The sable resembles the rest of the weasel kind in vi- 

 vacity and agility ; in sleeping by day, and hunting its prey 

 by night ; and in emitting a peculiarly offensive smell. It 

 inhabits Siberia and Kamtschatka, and generally burrows 

 in the earth. The female brings forth from three to five 

 at a time, and suckles them for about a month. 



During the winter, these animals are hunted with an 

 assiduity proportionate to the value that is set on their 

 skins. The Russian exiles in Siberia are sometimes con- 

 demned to furnish a certain number of furs annually, or 

 to suffer a punishment for the deficiency ; and it is thus 

 that the luxuries and ornaments of the opulent are fre- 

 quently obtained through the miseries of the wretched. 

 Sables, however, are now more frequently killed by Russian 

 soldiers sent into Siberia for that purpose, who are taxed 

 to provide a certain number ; and, by way of encourage- 

 ment, are allowed to participate in the surplus. 



The sable hunters form themselves into troops of from 

 five to forty each, which subdivide into lesser parties, and 

 each chooses a leader : one person, however, directs the 

 whole party. A small covered boat is prepared for each 

 division, laden with provisions, a dog, and a net for every 

 two men, and suitable vessels to bake their provisions. 

 Being arrived on the hunting-ground, before they begin 

 the chace, they offer their prayers to Heaven for success ; 

 and the first animal which they catch, is called " God's 

 sable," and is dedicated to the church. 



The hunting-season being ended, the parties re-assem- 

 ble, report to their leaders what success they have had, 



