332 THE FERRET. 



that the eye could scarce attend them. It was fed with eggs 

 and flesh, but it always let them putrefy before it touched 

 either. As some of this kind are known to be fond of honey, 

 it was tried to feed this animal with such food for a while ; after 

 having for three or four days deprived it of other kind of food, 

 it ate of this, and died shortly after ; a strong proof of its being 

 a distinct species from the pole-cat or the martin, who feed 

 upon honey, but otherwise pretty much resemble the Ermine 

 in their figure and dispositions. 



In the north of Europe and Siberia their skins make a 

 valuable article of commerce, and they are found there much 

 more frequently than among us. In Siberia they burrow in 

 the fields, and are taken in traps baited with flesh. In Nor- 

 way they are either shot with blunt arrows, or taken in traps 

 made of two flat stones, one being propped with a stick, to which 

 is fastened a baited string, and when the animals attempt to 

 pull this way, the stone drops and crushes them to death. 

 The fur of the Ermine, in every country, changes by time ; 

 for, as much of its beautiful whiteness is given it by certain arts 

 known to the furriers, so its natural color returns, and its for- 

 mer whiteness can never be restored again. 



THE FERRET. 



The animal next in size to the Ermine, is the Ferret ; which 

 is a kind of domestic in Europe, though said to be originally 

 brought from Africa into Spain, which being a country abound- 

 ing in rabits, required an animal of this kind more than any 

 other ; however this be, it is not to be found at present among 

 us, except in its domestic state ; and it is chiefly kept tame, 

 for the purposes of the warren. 



The Ferret is about one foot long, being nearly four inches 

 longer than the Weasel. It resembles that animal in the 

 slenderness of its body, and the shortness of its legs ; but its 

 nose is sharper, and its body more slender, in proportion to 

 its length. The Ferret is commonly of a cream color ; but 

 they are also found of all the colors of the Weasel kind ; 

 white, blackish, brown, and party-colored. Those that are 



