!26 



house : in some parts of the East it is domesti- 

 cated, and is very useful in clearing the houses of 

 Vermin. 



9. and 1 0. Spotted Fitchets of New Holland (Vi- 

 verra Maculata). 



1 1 . The Otter ( Mustek Lutra). 



Is pretty generally diffused over Europe, North 

 America, and Asia as far as Persia ; it feeds princi- 

 pally on fish, and is very destructive to our ponds 

 and rivers ; it lives in holes under ground, the open- 

 ings to which are beneath the surface of the water. 

 The bite of the Otter is extremely severe, but they 

 are capable of being tamed, and taught to fish for 

 their owner, which they do with the greatest address, 

 as they are capable of remaining a considerable 

 time under water. 



12. The Pekan (Mustela Canadensis). 



13. The Martin (Mustela Foina\ 



Inhabits the woods of most parts of Europe, feed- 

 ing on birds, and other smaller animals. 



14. The Pine Martin (Mustela Martis). 



Is occasionally found in the pine forests in the 

 northern parts of our Island. 



15. Fisher Weasel (Mustela Nigra), 



16. The Stoat, or Ermine (Mustela Erminea). 



Is found principally in the wilds of Russia, and 

 other cold countries. It is from the skin of this ani- 

 mal that the valuable white fur is made. They are 

 said to change their colour, being brown in summer 

 •and white in winter* 



