28 THE TRAPPER'S ART. 



From eighty to ninety dollars are sometimes demanded by the 

 hunters for a single skin. 



The Russian Sable is monopolized by the imperial family 

 and nobility of that country. Only a few skins find their way 

 into other countries. Some, however, are obtained privately 

 in Siberia, by Jewish traders, and brought annually to the 

 Leipzig fair. The fur of the Sable has the peculiarity of 

 being fixed in the skin in such a manner that it will turn with 

 equal freedom in all directions, and lies smoothly in whatever 

 direction it may be pressed. The fur is rather long in propor- 

 tion to the size of the animal, and extends down the limbs to 

 the claws. 



The best method of capturing the Sable is by the steel-trap, 

 the same as I have already described for taking the mink and 

 marten. 



The Sable can be domesticated with success. 



THE ERMINE. 



Next in importance to the sable, amongst European furs, is 

 that of the Ermine. The Ermine belongs to the Aveasel fam- 

 ily, has the general weasel shape and appearance, and inhabits 

 the northern parts of Europe and Asia. It is a small animal, 

 measuring only about fourteen inches in total length, of which 

 the tail occupies four inches. There is, however, considerable 

 variation in the size of individuals. The Ermine is carniv- 

 orous and a most determined hunter. It preys on hares, rab- 

 bits, and all kinds of small quadrupeds, birds, and reptiles. 

 It is very fond of rabbits, of which, especially the young, it 

 destroys great numbers. The pheasant and partridge also 

 suffer greatly from its predacity. It pursues its game with 

 great pertinacity and rarely suffers it to escape. It is also 

 a great plunderer of birds' nests of all kinds. Its favorite 

 mode of attacking its prey is by fastening on the neck 

 and sucking the blood of its victim. Wood, in his " Illus- 

 trated Natural History," gives the following account of the 

 manner in which the hare is hunted by the Stoat or Ermine : 



"Although tolerably swift of foot, it is entirely unable to cope 

 with the great speed of the hare, an animal which frequently falla 



