CLASS 1. MAMMALIA: ORDER 5. CARNIVORA. 



300 



<. ' : to«5 as , . 



••C wafeii 





POLECAT. 



FL'IiliET. 



The Ferret, Viverra furo of Shaw, the Furet of the French, is of a light yellowish color, 

 different parts being more or less white, for the long fur is partly white, and the short almost 

 entirely yellow ; the eyes are pink ; length of head and body fourteen inches ; of the tail six 

 inches. It is supposed to be a native of Africa, but is not found there in a wild state ; it is do- 

 mesticated in Europe, and, by some, is regarded as a variety of the polecat, produced partly 

 through albinism. This, no doubt, is an error. Its habits are similar to those of the European 

 weasels, but more blood-thirsty. Capable of a certain degree of tameness, it seldom, if ever, be- 

 comes attached, and is a dangerous inmate, unless properly secured. It has even been known 

 to attack and cruelly lacerate an infant which had been left unguarded in its cradle, and with 

 such ferocitv that, after it had been driven awav, the cries of the tortured child brouo-ht it from 

 its hiding-place, eager to renew the attack. 



This species, whose whiteness and red eyes may, perhaps, be the result of a long period of 

 domestication, cannot bear cold, and should be kept warm to insure its healthy condition. It is 

 said to breed twice a year in a state of domestication, unless it devours its offspring, which it 

 sometimes does, and then it has three litters. The gestation of the female continues six weeks, 

 and she then produces generally six or seven young — sometimes even nine. These are blind for 

 a month, and at the end of two more are considered fit for service. 



We have the evidence of history as to the southern origin of the ferret. Strabo informs us 

 that in early times a great portion of Spain was literally eaten up on the surface, and drilled 

 into holes like a honeycomb, by rabbits, just as many parts of the. Pampas in South America 

 are at present by the viscacha. Countries, when taken possession of by these burrowing rodents 

 «n such multitudes, are quite unprofitable to man ; and scarcely any human means, indeed 

 none which would be repaid by the advantage gained, can rid them of tliese pests. To bring 

 Spain within the class of useful countries, the ferret was imported from Africa; and it has 

 ver since been more or less preserved in Europe, not domesticated — for, to soften its disposi- 

 tion would be to destroy its usefulness — but a subject of the care of those who employ it. To 



