THE WOOD-SHOCK, OR PEKAN. 



35' 



JAPANESE SABLE. Martes Melanopus. 



destruction in a farmyard than if they were possessed of greater powers and smaller 

 discrimination. 



Oftentimes they are most wantonly destructive, killing great numbers of victims and 

 contenting themselves with drinking the blood, without attempting even to tear the 

 flesh in any other manner. This method of attack is well exemplified in the case of 

 the stoat, and will be alluded to when that animal is described in its place among the 

 Mustelidae. 



The size of the Sable is about equal to that of the marten, being about eighteen 

 inches in length exclusive of the tail. It is not a very prolific animal, as it seldom 

 produces more than five young at a birth, and is generally content with three. March 

 and April are the months in which the young Sables are born, so that they are not 

 likely to suffer from the want of proper nourishment until they have gained sufficient 

 strength to search for food on their own account. 



WOOD-SHOCK, OR PEKAN.-yMartes Canadensls. 



The PEKAN, more popularly termed the WOOD-SHOCK, is a native of Canada and 

 other parts of America, and is of some value on account of its fur, which is nearly 

 as useful, although not so valuable, as that of the sable, with which animal it is very 



