222 ICHNEUMON ; FAMILY MUSTELID-E. 



in restraining the multiplication of the Crocodile, by devouring 

 its eggs, and also the young Crocodiles when newly hatched. 

 The Ichneumon is easily domesticated, and seems to form an at- 

 tachment to its place of residence ; it is not unfrequently kept 

 tame in the countries of which it is a native, for the purpose 

 of clearing the houses of mice, rats, &c. One species of this 

 family, the Bassaris astuta, is found in Mexico ; the remainder 

 are all inhabitants of the Old World. 



196. The animals of the family MUSTELIIXE are smaller, for 

 the most part, than those of the Feline family, and consequently 

 less formidable, as far as man is concerned ; but they are equally 

 sanguinary in their propensities and habits, and are equally de- 

 structive to the races on which they are appointed to prey, the 

 smaller mammals, with birds, reptiles, and fishes. From the 

 shortness of the legs, the elongation, slenderness, and flexibility 

 of their bodies, and their gliding movements, they have been 

 not unaptly called Vermiform (worm-like) Carnivora. They 

 are silent, cautious, and creeping ; and attack their prey with 

 unflinching resolution. Having seized their victim, they never 

 let go their hold. They generally aim at the neck below the 

 ear, where they pierce the large blood-vessels with their teeth ; 

 or they fix upon the back of the head, and drive their teeth 

 through the skull. Few quadrupeds surpass them in agility 

 and address; they bcund and spring with vigour, and climb 

 trees with astonishiag dexterity, traversing the branches with 

 a rapid gliding motion. Their habits are nocturnal ; and they 

 pass the greatest part of the day in their retreats, which are 

 the hollows of decayed trees, burrows, holes in walls, &c. With 

 the approach of night, they rouse from their slumbers, and, 

 greedy for blood, begin their prowl. Most of these animals have 

 a strong odour ; which is extremely offensive in some species. 

 Several of the most costly and beautiful furs are obtained from 

 this family ; among them those of the Sable and Ermine. The 

 Pole-cat, Stoat, Ferret, Marten, and Weasel, are British repre- 

 sentatives of this family: they strongly resemble each other in 

 structure and habits ; and all present the characters which have 

 been just detailed. The Stoat is of the same species with tho 



