96 ANIMALS OF THE 



But whatever differences there may be in the 

 figure or colour of these little animals, they all 

 agree in one common affection, that of being in- 

 tolerably fetid and loathsome. I have already ob- 

 served, that all the weasel kind have glands fur- 

 nishing an odorous matter, near the anus, the 

 conduits of which generally have their aperture 

 just at its opening. That substance which is 

 stored up in these receptacles, is in some of this 

 kind, such as in the martin, already mentioned, 

 and also in the genette and the civet, to be de- 

 scribed hereafter, a most grateful perfume ; but 

 in the weasel, the ermine, the ferret, and the 

 polecat, it is extremely fetid and offensive. These 

 glands in the animals now under consideration, 

 are much larger, and furnish a matter sublimed to 

 a degree of putrescence that is truly amazing. 

 As to the perfumes of musk and civet, we know 

 that a single grain will diffuse itself over a whole 

 house, and continue for months to spread an 

 agreeable odour, without diminution. However, 

 the perfume of the musk or the civet is nothing, 

 either for strength or duration, to* the insupport- 

 able odour of these. It is usually voided with 

 their excrement ; and if but a single drop hap- 

 pens to touch any part of a man's garment, it is 

 more than probable that he can never wear any 

 part of it more. 



In describing the effects produced by the excre- 

 ment of these animals, we often hear of its raising 

 this diabolical smell by its urine. However, of 

 this I am apt to doubt; and it should seem to me, 

 that as all the weasel kind have their excrements 



