84 ANIMALS OF THE 



late colour ; the palms, or undersides, are covered 

 with a thick down, like that of the body ; the 

 feet are broad, the claws white, large and sharp, 

 well adapted for the purposes of climbing, but, 

 as in others of the weasel kind, incapable of 

 being sheathed or unsheathed at pleasure; the 

 throat and breast are white ; the belly of the same 

 colour with the back, but rather paler ; the hair 

 on the tail is very long, especially at the end, 

 where it appears much thicker than near the in- 

 sertion. 



There is also a variety of this animal, called 

 the Yellow-breasted Martin, which in no respect 

 differs from the former, except that this has a 

 yellow breast, whereas the other has a white one : 

 the colour of the body also is darker ; and, as it 

 lives more among trees than the other martin, its 

 fur is more valuable, beautiful, and glossy. The 

 former of these M. Buffon calls the Fouine; the 

 latter, simply the Martin; and he supposes them 

 to be a distinct species : but as they differ only 

 in colour, it is unnecessary to embarrass history 

 by a new distinction, where there is only so 

 minute a difference. 



Of all animals of the weasel kind, the martin 

 is the most pleasing ; all its motions show great 

 grace, as well as agility; and there is scarcely 

 an animal in our woods that will venture to op- 

 pose it. Quadrupeds five times as big are easily 

 vanquished ; the hare, the sheep, and even the 

 wild cat itself, though much stronger, is not a 

 match for the martin : and although carnivorous 

 animals are not fond of engaging each other, yet 



