95 ANIMALS IN MENAGERIES. 



In a state of confinement its docility has been illus- 

 trated by Steller, who mentions a sable, which he saw in 

 the palace of the archbishop of Tobolsk, which used to 

 quit its master's house, wander about the streets, \'isit 

 such persons as kindly treated it, and return again to its 

 own home like a dog. 



The costliness of its fur frequently tempts the dealers 

 to prepare that of the marten so as to imitate sable ; 

 there is, however, one simple method by which the 

 deception may be detected. Marten fur will only lie 

 smooth in one direction ; whereas that of the sable will 

 lie smooth in any way that the hairs may be placed. 

 The two animals, however, both in size and colour, are 

 much alike. 



The Weasel-Cat. 



Prionodon gracilis, Horsjield. Fells gracilis, Horsfield. Viverra 

 Lesang, Hardwicke. Delundung, Javaiiese. 



It is not to record this elegant and most interesting 

 quadruped as actually existing in our menageries, that we 

 introduce it in this place, but rather to awaken the at- 

 tention of those Europeans who may be living in its na- 

 tive country, to the scientific interest which would result 

 from a living specimen being sent to England. It seems 

 one of those important hnks in the chain of nature, 

 which appear to connect two families of animals other- 

 wise distinct, but which are thus brought into such close 

 contact, that even the scientific observer is almost per- 

 plexed to decide whether the characters of one family, or 

 those of the other, are most predominant. 



The Delundung, by which name this quadruped is 

 known in Java, was first made known to Europeans by 

 the indefatigable exertions of General Hardwicke, who 

 considered it, although with doubt, as of the weasel tribe, 

 and placed it with those animals accordingly. Dr. 

 Horsfield adopted the same views; but, upon more ma- 

 tured consideration, this naturahst transferred it to the 

 tiger-cats. Still, however, by no means satisfied that 



