NATURALISTS CABINET. 



Description, &c. 



the ferret in every thing but colour, and which 

 is a native of Arabia. 



The head and back of this animal are of a 

 darkish brown hue, slightly mixed with white; 

 the breast and belly are of a bright yellow, as is 

 also that part of the head round the eyes; a tinc- 

 ture of brown, more or less, prevails on the nose, 

 chocks, and other parts of the face, where the 

 hair is shorter and smoother than on the body; 

 this colour gradually terminates above the eyes. 

 The legs are of a deep yellow, and covered with 

 short, thick, and compact hair: it has four toes 

 on each foot, and a small one behind: the claws 

 are small, sharp, and black : the tail is nearly 

 twice the length of that of the common ferret, 

 and exceedingly thick at the base; it is covered 

 with a long and thick hair, like that on the body, 

 and terminates in a sharp point. 



This little animal is much caressed by the 

 Arabs on account of its great assiduity in destroy- 

 ing serpents, insects, and vermin. 



THE POLECAT. 



THE general form of the polecat so nearly 

 resembles that of the ferret, as to induce many 

 persons to suppose them one and the same ani- 

 mal ; but, on a careful examination, several strik- 

 ing differences may be noticed. This quadru- 



