THE SABLE. 305 



Methods of taking the sable. 



one of them a post is stuck into the ground, on 

 which a beam is placed horizontally, so fastened 

 to both trees, that one end of it lies between the 

 post and the tree. Over this beam another is 

 laid as a trap-fall; at the end of which a thin 

 support is put, which, when the trap-fall is up, 

 stands over the notched end of the post. At the 

 extremity of the support is a mat-string, and ano- 

 ther at the lower transverse beam, tied very 

 short. Both are brought together; and a stick 

 is put through them, having at its lower end a 

 piece of flesh or wild-fowl attached ; which, by its 

 preponderance, keeps the stick down, and thus 

 holds the two strings together. The sable creeps 

 cautiously along the lower beam, till he can reach 

 the bait, and pull it to him ; this loosens the stick 

 by which the strings were held together; the 

 stay slips its hold, and consequently the upper 

 beam falls upon the shoulders of the animal and 

 holds him fast. 



The season of hunting is from November to 

 February ; for at that time the sables are in the 

 highest perfection. Their skin is more valuable 

 than that of any other animal, a single one hav- 

 ing sometimes sold for ten or even fifteen pounds. 

 The bellies of sables, which are sold in Paris, are 

 about two fingers in breadth, and are tied toge- 

 ther in bundles of forty pieces. The tails are 

 sold by the hundred. 



Instances have occurred of these animals being, 

 in some measure, domesticated. M. Gmelin 



NO. vn. 2 



