296 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



The bite of the weasel fatal. 



power of springing some feet from the ground. 

 They are remarkably active ; and will run up a 

 wall with such facility, that no place is secure 

 from them. Their bite is generally fatal ; as 

 they seize their prey near the head, and fix their 

 sharp teeth into a vital part. The wound is so 

 minute that the place where the teeth enter is 

 hardly perceptible ; but a hare, rabbit, or other 

 small animal, bitten in this manner, is never 

 known to recover. 



We are told, that an eagle, having seized a 

 weasel, mounted into the air with it, and was 

 soon after observed to be in great distress. Hi* 

 little enemy had so far extricated itself, as to be 

 able to bite him very severely in the neck ; which 

 presently brought the bird to the ground, and 

 gave the weasel an opportunity of escaping. 



The weasel has a strong predilection for every 

 thing putrescent. M-. de BufFon informs us that, 

 in his neighbourhood, a female and three young 

 ones were taken out of the body of a wolf, that 

 had been suspended from a tree by the hind-feet. 

 The wolf was almost entirely putrefied, and the 

 weasel had made her nest in the thorax* 



These animals are well known in England, and 

 are found in all the temperate parts of Europe; 

 but in the black northern climates they are sel- 

 dom seen. The female brings forth in the spring, 

 and generally produces four or five at a litter. 

 For these she prepares a bed of moss, leaves, and 



