THE POLECAT. 



173 



of sight, smell, and hearing, are acute. In all the genus the subcaudal glands secrete a fluid of 

 unpleasant odour, and particularly so in the polecat. 



The fi-malc breeds in the spring, making a nest of dry grass in her burrow; the young are from 

 three to five ill number. The adult polecat measures about one foot four or five inches, exclusive of 

 the tail, which is comparatively short. The body is covered with a woolly undercoat ; and this, with 

 the base of the long hairs which form an outer garment, is of a pale yellow ; the extremities of the 

 long hairs are of a deep, glossy, blackish-browii. The margins of the ears and part of the lips are 

 white. Though by no means so valuable as that of the sable or marten, the fur of this animal, 

 generally known by the name of Fitch, is imported very extensively from the north of Europe, and 

 is abundant in the furriers' shops in the metropolis. 



THE POLECAT. 



THE FERKKT. 



Aldrovandus, Johnson, and several of the old writers, mention that the polecat will prey upon 

 fish. The following fact is recorded in Bewick's "Quadrupeds :" "During a severe storm, one of 

 these animals was traced in the snow from the side of a rivulet to its hole, at some distance from it. 

 As it was observed to have made freqiient trips, and as other marks were to be seen in the snow, 

 which could not easily be accounted for, it was thought a matter worthy of great attention. Its hole 

 was accordingly examined, the foumart taken, and eleven fine eels were discovered to be the fruits of 

 its nocturnal exertions. The marks on the snow were found to have been made by the motions of 

 the eels while in the creature's mouth." 



THE FEBEET.* 



THIS animal is a native of Africa, whence, according to Strabo, it was imported into Spain for the 

 purpose of destroying rabbits, with which, at one period, that country was injuriously overrun. From 

 Spain it has spread through the rest of Europe, not as a wild, but as a domesticated, animal. From 

 the earliest times the Ferret was used in the capture of rabbits, by being turned muzzled into their 

 burrows. Pliny alludes to this practice in his Eighth Book. 



* Mustela furo. 



