296 THE POLECAT. 



ter,and forcing the bees away. It does not remove far from 

 houses in winter, as its prey is not so easily found in the 

 woods during that season. The female brings forth her 

 young in summer, to the number of five or six at a time ; 

 these she soon trains to her own rapacious habits, supply- 

 ing the want of milk, which no carnivorous quadruped has 

 in plenty, with the blood of such animals as she happens 

 to seize. The fur of this animal is considered as soft and 

 warm ; yet it is in less estimation than some of a much in- 

 ferior kind, from its offensive smell, which can never be 

 wholly removed, or suppressed. The Polecat seems to be 

 an inhabitant of the temperate climates, scarcely any being 

 found towards the north, and but very few in the warmer 

 latitudes. The species appear to be confined in Europe, 

 from Poland to Italy. It is certain, that these animals are 

 afraid of the cold, as they are often seen to come into 

 houses in winter, and as their tracks are never found in 

 the snow, near their retreats. It is probable, also, that they 

 are afraid of heat, as they are but thinly scattered in the 

 southern climate. 



