GROUND VERMIN 309 



and in some parts of Scotland. Its length is slightly 

 greater than that of the southern marten, from which it 

 may be distinguished by its yellow throat. Like the 

 last-named animal, it spends a good portion of its 

 existence in trees, which it climbs with utmost facility. 



Trapping is usually resorted to for getting rid of these 

 remarkably wild and greatly destructive animals. In 

 certain localities, the Cumberland fells in particular, 

 martens are hunted with terriers, or in some instances 

 with hounds of larger growth. Although fast and 

 furious while it lasts, the excitement attendant upon 

 these runs after marten is, like the proverbial donkey's 

 gallop, too short-lived, for the marten, usually, very 

 soon runs to ground, from whence he is ejected, by 

 smoking out or other ready method, and promptly 

 despatched. 



THE POLECAT, Mustela putorius, also called Fitchet, 

 and Foumart, the latter probably a shortening of Foul- 

 marten, a title well earned by reason of the particularly 

 evil odour given off by its body. The foumart, the 

 largest of our true weasels, is still found in the wilder 

 and least accessible parts of the country. In certain 

 parts of Wales it is far from uncommon, but in England 

 it is fast becoming a rarity. In certain secluded spots 

 in the Fen country polecats have recently been killed. 

 Its ravages are justly dreaded by the game-preserver, 

 nothing in the form of small game being safe from the 

 attack of this most bloodthirsty and voracious creature. 

 In common with the rest of the weasels, the polecat 

 evinces the vicious propensity of killing merely to 

 gratify its insatiable lust for blood. Wherever per- 

 mitted to obtain entry into the pheasantry or poultry 

 farm, death and destruction will follow in its track, a 



