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THE POLECAT. 



Though the polecat has frequently been ranked 

 with the ferret, it doubtless is of a different race, for 

 it has one rib less than that animal, and in form 

 exceeds it six inches in length ; its body is not so 

 slender in proportion to the size ; and the nose is not 

 sharp pointed, but rather blunt. 



The polecat, in general, is of a deep chocolate co- 

 lour, though round the mouth it changes to white ; 

 the ears are short and completely rounded, and at the 

 edges tipped with white. This animal is destructive 

 to every species of young game ; and, like the ferret, 

 is the rabbit's most inveterate foe ; and it has been 

 asserted that an individual polecat is sufficient to de- 

 stroy a whole warren's breed ; their thirst for the ani- 

 mal's blood is carried to such an excess, that they are 

 constantly destroying without attempting to devour ; 

 and it is no uncommon thing to see twenty dead rab- 

 bits taken from the same burrow ; and pigeon-houses 

 afford this creature a delicious supply, though, like an 

 epicure, it is peculiarly fond of their brains ; in short, 

 the polecat is a destructive animal, whose skin even is 

 rendered useless from its foetid smell. 



THE MARTIN. 



Of all the animals of the weasel kind, the martin is 

 allowed to be the most pleasing ; all its motions shew 

 grace and agility ; yet it will attack quadrupeds that 

 are five times its size : it is four or five inches longer 

 than the polecat ; and, unlike the rest of its species, 

 it sends forth a pleasant smell: its head is small, and 

 elegantly formed ; its eyes animated, and full of fire ; 

 its ears are broad, open, and rounded ; and the back 



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