THE COMMON WEASEL. 295 



Curiosity Mode of taming weasels. 



dom drinks water, and then only for want of 

 milk; and with great caution, seeming only to 

 refresh his tongue once or twice, and to be even 

 afraid of that fluid. During the hot weather, it 

 rained a good deal. I presented to him some 

 rain water in a dish, and endeavoured to make 

 him go into it, but could not succeed. I then 

 wetted a piece of linen cloth in it, and put it 

 near him; when he rolled upon it with extreme 

 delight. 



" One singularity in this charming animal is 

 his curiosity; it being impossible to open a 

 drawer or a box, or even to look at a paper, but 

 he will examine it also. If he get into any 

 place where I am afraid of permitting him to 

 stay, I take a paper or a book, and look atten- 

 tively at it; when he immediately runs upon my 

 hand, and surveys with an inquisitive air what- 

 ever I happen to hold. I must further observe, 

 that he plays with a young cat and dog, both of 

 some size; getting about their necks and paws, 

 without their doing him the least injury." 



The usual method of taming these creatures 

 is, to stroke them gently over the back; and to 

 threaten, and even to beat them, when they at- 

 tempt to bite. Aldrovandus observes, that their 

 teeth should be rubbed with garlic, which will 

 take away all their inclination to bite. 



The motion of these animals consists of un- 

 equal leaps ; and, on occasion, they have the 



