ORDER CARNASSIER. 295 



and gray on the neck ; and differs from the preceding 

 Martens in having fur to the extremities of the toes ; a 

 natural indication that it is an inhabitant of the cold 

 and frozen regions of the earth, as we have seen in the 

 text. 



The Sable, which is so remarkable for the beauty of its 

 skin, is also inferior to none of its kind in what we call 

 instinct. It is capable of being rendered very docile ; a 

 remarkable instance of which is related by Steller, in one 

 that was domesticated in the palace of the Archbishop of 

 Tobolsk, which used to wander about the city, and visit the 

 neighbours. It will attack and destroy a hare, though 

 larger in size than itself ; and it is said also to kill the 

 Ermines and Siberian Weasels. 



It is principally an inhabitant of woody countries ; lives 

 in holes in the trees, and not under ground; and hunts 

 during the night, particularly if it be clear and fine ; but if 

 otherwise, retires to sleep. 



If pressed by hunger, it follows Bears, Gluttons, and 

 Wolves, as the Chacal does the Lion, to partake of the 

 overplus of their meals. It will also then eat fruit, parti- 

 cularly that of the service-tree. It is about the size of the 

 Common Marten. The hairs of the fur will lie any way in 

 which they may be placed. A single skin, of the best qua- 

 lity, is said to fetch twelve or fourteen pounds. 



The females, towards the end of March or the beginning 

 of April, produce from three to five young. 



The Vison is a native of South America. Buffon says, 

 that although its skin was well known in the fur trade, 

 the animal to which it belonged was not strictly ascer- 

 tained ; that the name has been variously applied ; and 

 that no description, to be relied on, has been given of it. 

 But he adds, that he has inspected the animal, and found it 

 to belong to the family of Martens ; and Cuvier confirms 

 his classification. The Vison. like the Pekan, is partly 



