78 ANIMALS OF THE 



Their chief use in warrens, is to enter the holes, 

 and drive the rabbits into the nets that are pre- 

 pared for them at the mouth. For this purpose, 

 the ferret is muzzled ; otherwise, instead of driv- 

 ing out the rabbit, it would content itself with 

 killing and sucking its blood at the bottom of the 

 hole ; but by this contrivance, being rendered 

 unable to seize its prey, the rabbit escapes from 

 its claws, and instantly makes to the mouth of 

 the hole with such precipitation, that it is inex- 

 tricably entangled in the net placed there for its 

 reception. It often happens, however, that the 

 ferret disengages itself of its muzzle, and then it 

 is most commonly lost, unless it be dug out ; for 

 finding all its wants satisfied in the warren, it 

 never thinks of returning to the owner, but con- 

 tinues to lead a rapacious solitary life while the 

 summer continues, and dies with the cold of the 

 winter. In order to bring the ferret from his 

 hole, the owners often burn straw and other sub- 

 stances at the mouth ; they also beat above, to 

 terrify it : but this does not always succeed ; for 

 as there are often several issues to each hole, the 

 ferret is affected neither by the noise nor the smoke, 

 but continues secure at the bottom, sleeping the 

 greatest part of the time, and waking only to sa- 

 tisfy the calls of hunger. 



The female of this species * is sensibly less than 

 the male, whom she seeks with great ardour, and, 

 it is said, often dies, without being admitted. 

 They are usually kept in boxes, with wool, of 



* Buffbn. 



