MAMMALIA. 435 



tion in which it is most valuable, the pure white of the skin 

 contrasting with the deep black colour of the tail. Its 

 unsullied aspect has even become proverbial; in so much 

 that the "ermined robe of justice" is regarded as symbolical 

 of the mental purity of its wearer. The Ermine has been 

 observed among the Swiss mountains at an elevation of 9,600 

 feet; its habitation is above the lower limit of perpetual 

 snow, and in the region of the Alpine shrubs.* 



IV. Canidce. The various races of the domestic Bog, in all 

 climates the friend and companion of man, belong to this 

 family, and also the Fox and the Wolf. The Fox would 

 probably have ceased to exist in these countries, but for the 

 protection afforded to him by the sportsman. The Wolf 

 (Fig. 328), less cunning and more fierce, has long since been 



Fig. 328. WOLF. 



exterminated. Professor Bell inclines to the opinion, "that 

 the Wolf is the original source from which all our domestic 

 dogs have sprung, t" 



V. Felidce. -The Cat tribe includes the Lion, the Tiger, the 

 Panther, the Leopard (Fig. 329), the Puma, and those other 

 quadrupeds remarkable for their destructive powers. They 

 serve to keep within bounds the excessive multiplication of the 

 smaller mammalia, and are widely distributed. The Wild Cat 

 is now the only representative of the group in these countries. 



There was a period, however, when a Tiger larger than 

 that of Bengal, and with proportionally larger paws, roamed 

 over Europe. Its remains have been found in England, and 

 Professor Owen speaks of it as the "Great Cave Tiger." 



* Berghaiis and Johnston. 

 f British Quadrupeds, p. 200 



