260 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



glossy brightness. Old furs do not retain their 

 gloss. Both the Russians and Chinese have a 

 method of dyeing their furs ; but the dyed Sables 

 are easily discovered, having neither the smooth- 

 ness nor the brightness of the natural hair. 



The bellies of Sables, which are sold in pairs, are 

 about two fingers in breadth, and are tied together 

 in bundles of forty pieces, which are sold at from 

 one to two pounds sterling. The tails are sold by 

 the hundred, from four to eight pounds. 



There are instances of Sables being found of a 

 snowy whiteness; but they are rare, and bought 

 only as curiosities. 



The hunters of these animals are frequently ob- 

 liged to endure the utmost extremity of cold and 

 hunger in the pursuit of their booty. They pene- 

 trate deep into immense woods, where they have 

 no other method of finding their way back but by 

 marking the trees as they advance: if this should 

 by any means fail them, they are inevitably lost. 

 They sometimes trace the Sables on the new-fallen 

 snow to their holes, place their nets at the entrance, 

 and wait frequently two or three days before the 

 animal comes out. It has happened by the failure 

 of their provisions, that these poor wretches have 

 been reduced to the necessity of tying thin boards 

 tight to their stomachs to prevent the cravings of 

 appetite. Such are the hardships our fellow-crea- 

 tures undergo to supply the wants of the vain and 

 luxuriant ! 



An animal, similar to the Sable, is mentioned by 

 Mr. Pennant under the name of the Fisher. It is 

 found in North America; and by the number of 

 skins imported, must be very numerous there, nearly 

 six hundred of them having been brought in one 



