HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 247 



In the most northern parts of Europe, it regularly 

 changes its colour in winter, and becomes perfectly 

 white, except the end of the tail, which remains in- 

 variably black. It is then called the Ermine, and 

 is much sought after for its valuable fur, which 

 makes a considerable article of commerce in Nor- 

 way, Lapland, Russia, and other cold countries; 

 where it is found in prodigious numbers. It is also 

 very common in Kamschatka and Siberia, and is 

 taken in traps baited with flesh. The skins are 

 sold in this country for from two to three pounds 

 sterling per hundred. In Norway, they are either 

 shot with blunt arrows, or taken in traps made of 

 two flat stones, one being propped up with a stick, 

 to which is fastened a baited string: and as soon 

 as the animal begins to nibble, the stone falls 

 down, and crushes it to death. The Stoat is like- 

 wise found white in the winter time in Great Britain, 

 and is then erroneously called a WJiitc Weasel. 

 Its fur, however, among us, is of little value, having 

 neither the thickness, the closeness, nor the pure 

 whiteness, of those which come from Siberia. 



One of them, which we had in our possession, 

 had entirely assumed its winter robe; but with a 

 considerable mixture of yellow, especially on the 

 top of the head and back. 



They begin to change from brown to white in 

 November, and resume their summer vesture in 

 March. 



The natural history of this animal is much the 

 same with that of the Weasel ; its food being young 

 Birds, Rabbits, Mice, &c.; its agility the same; 

 and its scent equally fetid. 



