THE RATEL. 105 



As may be supposed from th^ extreme delicacy of the skin in its wintry 

 whiteness, the capture of the Stoat for the purpose of obtaining its fur 

 is a mattter of no small difficulty. The traps which are used for the 

 purpose of destroying the Stoat are formed so as to kill the animal by 

 a sudden blow, without wounding the skin, and many of the beautiful 

 little creatures are taken in ordinary snares. 



In this country, where the lowest temperature is considerably above 

 that of the ordinary wintry degrees, the Stoat is very uncertain in its 

 change of fur, and seems to yield to or to resist the effects of the cold 

 weather according to the individuality of the particular animal. 



The Stoat is considerably larger than the weasel, measuring rather 

 more than fourteen inches in total length, of which the tail occupies 

 rather more than four inches. There is, however, considerable differ- 

 ence in the size of various individuals. 



It is a most determined hunter, pursuing its game with such perti- 

 nacious skill that it very seldom permits its intended prey to es- 

 cape, and by dint of perseverance can capture even the swift-footed 

 hare. 



When the female Stoat is providing for the wants of a young family, 

 she forages far and wide for her offspring, and lays up the produce of 

 her chase in certain cunningly-contrived larders. In a wood belonging 

 to Lord Bagot, a Stoat nursery was discovered, having within it no less 

 than six inhabitants, a mother and her five young. Their larder was 

 supplied with five hares and four rabbits, neither of which had been in 

 the least mangled, with the exception of the little wound that had 

 caused its death. 



In the clumsy-looking animal which is called the Ratel, a beauti- 

 ful adaptation of nature is manifested. Covered from the tip of the 

 nose to the insertion of the claws with thick, coarse, and rough fur, 

 and provided, moreover, with a skin that lies very loosely on the 

 body, the Katel is marvellously adapted to the peculiar life which it 

 leads. 



Although the Ratel is in all probability indebted for its food to va- 

 rious sources, the diet which it best loves is composed of the combs and 

 young of the honey-bee. So celebrated is the animal for its predi- 

 lection for this sweet dainty that it has earned for itself the title of 

 Honey Ratel, or Honey Weasel. The reason for its extremely thick 

 coating of fur is now evident. The animal is necessarily exposed to 

 the attacks of the infuriated bees when it lays siege to their fastnesses, 

 and if it were not defended by a coating which is impenetrable to their 

 stings, it would soon fall a victim to the poisoned weapons of its myriad 

 foes. 



During the daytime the Ratel remains in its burrow, but as evening 

 begins to draw near it emerges from its place of repose, and sets off 



