288 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



that have submitted to the power of man. It seems not even 

 to know, much less to have any affection for its master ; if he 

 calls it, the animal neither answers nor pays any attention ; 

 if he caresses, it exhibits no gratification ; and if it once suc- 

 ceeds in escaping from its confinement, it never will, as many 

 others do, return to it again. Time and habit, which act 

 generally on the individual or on the race of other domestic 

 animals, never soften the natural unbending character of 

 its disposition, nor has it ever been brought to any other 

 use than that of destroying Rabbits and vermin. 



A breed is produced between this animal and the Pole- 

 cat, which is much prized for the chase of Rabbits, 

 Rats, 8fc. 



The females are smaller than the males, breed twice a 

 year, and generally produce five at a time. 



The Javanese Ferret, named conditionally by M. Cuvier 

 Nudipes, has the same system of dentition and of senses as 

 the Polecats, and differs only in the sole of the feet and 

 colour of the fur. The former is more naked ; the latter is 

 bright golden yellow, except on the head and at the end of 

 the tail, which are yellowish white. These perhaps may 

 not amount to specific differences. 



The Sarmatian Weasel is shaped like the Polecat, but 

 differs materially from that species in the colours of the fur, 

 being yellow brown spotted with yellow and white patches 

 It measures about fifteen inches from nose to tail, which is 

 about six or seven more. 



Pallas states that this animal is never seen to drink unless 

 it be of the blood of its prey. He gives an ample descrip- 

 tion of its manners, #c., which, as they accord very much 

 with those of its congener, the Common Polecat, we shall, 

 for brevity's sake, not notice further than by observing, 

 that it is the relentless enemy of almost all animals it 

 can conquer, and that it lies in a hole during the day of 

 which it has either dispossessed another animal or dug for 

 itself. When irritated, it emits a scent and erects the fur 



