THE MA:\LMALtA OF DOkSETSHIRfi. 25 



Stoat or Ermine, Musicla erminca. 



Also common in the county, but is greatly decreasing in 

 numbers owing to the persecution of game-keepers. 



Pole-cat or Foumart, jMiistda putorius. 



Formerly common in Dorset, but now almost, if not entirely, 

 extinct. There used to be a stuffed specimen in Holnest House, 

 which was sold a few years ago. The only one I saw alive was 

 in 1870 at Glanvilles Wootton. It was at once known and 

 recognised by my father. 



Genus MARTES. 



Marten-cat, Maries foina. 



The Rev. William Chafin, in his "Anecdotes of Cranborne 

 Chase," records marten-cats as one of the sort of animals hunted 

 there, but believes them (18 16) to be nearly extinct, their skins 

 being too valuable for them to be allowed to exist. In 1836 

 one was caught alive near Stock House by the Rev. H. F. 

 Yeatman's hounds, but, biting the huntman's hounds severely, 

 it was kept alive for some little time. 



Pine Marten, ]\Iartcs ahiclum. 



One was shot near the Down House, Blandford, by Sir John 

 Smith's keeper in 1 844. The British specimens formerly referred 

 to Maries foina, are the same as Maries abietiim or, as Lydekker 

 names it, Muslela viartes. 



Family CANID.E. 

 Genus Vi'LPES. 



Fox, Vtilpes vulgaris. 



This animal has been celebrated from the earliest antiquity for 

 the cunning and ingenuity which it manifests, whether in 

 obtaining food or in eluding pursuit. It is a great enemy to the 

 farmer, as it steals his poultry and lambs, and, owing to the 

 sport it affords, his land is cut up, his crops injured, his gates 

 broken, and numerous gaps made in his hedges. The first pack 



