WEASEL KIND. 83 



north, and but very few in the wanner latitudes. 

 The species appear to be confined in Europe, 

 from Poland to Italy. It is certain that these 

 animals are afraid of the cold, as they are often 

 seen to come into houses in winter, and as their 

 tracks are never found in the snow near their re- 

 treats. It is probable, also, that they are afraid 

 of heat, as they are but thinly scattered in the 

 southern climates. 



THE MARTIN. 



THE Martin is a larger animal than any of the 

 former, being generally eighteen inches long, and 

 the tail ten more. It differs from the polecat, in 

 being about four or five inches longer ; its tail 

 also is longer in proportion, and more bushy at 

 the end ; its nose is flatter ; its cry is sharper and 

 more piercing ; its colours are more elegant j and 

 what still adds to their beauty, its scent, very 

 unlike the former, instead of being offensive, is 

 considered as a most pleasing perfume. The 

 martin, in short, is the most beautiful of all Bri- 

 tish beasts of prey : its head is small and ele- 

 gantly formed ; its eyes lively ; its ears are broad, 

 rounded and open ; its back, its sides, and tail, 

 are covered with a fine thick downy fur, with 

 longer hair intermixed ; the roots are ash-colour, 

 the middle of a bright chesnut, the points black ; 

 the head is brown, with a slight cast of red ; the 

 legs, and upper sides of the feet, are of a choco- 



