HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 245 



bite it severely in the throat ; which presently 

 brought the Eagle to the ground, and gave the 

 Weasel an opportunity of escaping. 



Notwithstanding the wildness of its nature, there 

 are not wanting instances to prove that it is capable 

 of being thoroughly tamed. M. Buffon, who assert- 

 ed the impossibility of bringing the AVeasel into 

 any degree of subjection, is afterwards corrected 

 by a lady, who assures him, that she has tried 

 the experiment upon a young Weasel taken in her 

 garden ; which soon learned to recognise and lick 

 the hand from \vhich it received its food, and be- 

 came as familiar, caressing, and frolicsome as a 

 Dog or a Squirrel. The same author mentions 

 another experiment, made by a gentleman, who 

 trained a young Weasel so completely, that it 

 followed him wherever he went. The method of 

 taming them is to stroke them gently over the 

 back ; and to threaten, and even to beat them' 

 when they bite. 



These facts may serve to shew the possibility of 

 rendering this animal domestic ; and hold out a 

 useful hint to us, that its services might be very 

 great in clearing ships, granaries, and other places, 

 from the vermin \vith which they are frequently 

 infested : for it is very well known, that one of 

 these animals will kill more Rats and Mice than 

 any Cat, being better able to pursue them into their 

 holes and lurking-places. 



The odour of the Weasel is very strong, especially 

 in the summer time, or when it is irritated and 

 pursued; it is then intolerable, and may be smelt 

 at some distance. 



The following circumstance, related by Buffon, 

 will shew r that this animal has a natural attachment 



