244 ANIMAL COMPETITORS 



All these, in early times common enough 

 throughout all our northern forests, have been 

 destroyed, or have retreated before civilization 

 until now few are seen south of the wilds of 

 northern Canada, where they still yield their 

 furs to the Indian and the wandering trapper. 

 This brings us to the more familiar weasels, 

 minks and ferrets. 



"Slender, lithe, perfectly toothed, sharp-clawed, 

 secretively colored, and endowed with strength, speed, 

 cleverness, and indomitable courage, the weasels are 

 the scourge and terror of all the small ground-keep- 

 ing animals, and do more than any other class of 

 agents to restrain mice, gophers, and .similar nui- 

 sances. Some or all can climb, but their preference 

 for the ground distinguishes them from the martens, 

 as also do the comparatively short tail, close fur, 

 three instead of four premolar teeth, and the pres- 

 ence of anal glands whence they may discharge a 

 fetid odor. This musky, nauseous secretion is most 

 copious and evident in the large European polecat, 

 but most distressing to human nostrils in an old mink ; 

 and ordinarily it is not very noticeable in a weasel. 

 Its emission is under control, and becomes perceivable 

 mainly when the animal is excited or alarmed. Its 

 service seems to be that of attracting the sexes ; and 

 trappers save it to put upon their bait as an addi- 

 tional allurement." 



