WEASEL KIND. 91 



as being more expert in catching mice than they. 

 This animal is usually of the size of the martin, 

 and greatly resembles it in appearance, except 

 that the hair, which is of a grisly black, is much 

 rougher and less downy. The tail also is not so 

 bushy at the end ; and each hair in particular has 

 three or four colours, which are seen in different 

 dispositions of its body. Under its rougher hairs 

 there is a softer fur of a brownish colour, the 

 rough hair being about two inches long, but that 

 of the muzzle extremely short, as likewise that on 

 the legs and paws. However, being long since 

 brought into a domestic state, there are many 

 varieties in this animal ; some being much larger 

 than the martin, others much less ; some being 

 of a lighter mixture of colours, and some being 

 streaked in the manner of a cat. 



The ichneumon, with all the strength of a cat, 

 has more instinct and agility ; a more universal 

 appetite for carnage, and a greater variety of 

 powers to procure it.* Rats, mice, birds, ser- 

 pents, lizards, and insects, are all equally pur- 

 sued; it attacks every living thing which it is 

 able to overcome, and indiscriminately preys on 

 flesh of all kinds. Its courage is equal to the 

 vehemence of its appetites. It fears neither the 

 force of the dog nor the insidious malice of the 

 cat ; neither the claws of the vulture nor the 

 poison of the viper. It makes war upon all kinds 

 of serpents with great avidity, seizes and kills 



* The rest of this description is extracted from 3M. Buffon, except where 

 marked with commas. 



