THE SABLE. 



277 



tinguished from it by inexperienced eyes. It is thought not to be so prolific an animal as the 

 Beech Marten, seldom producing above three or four at a birth, while the latter animal has 

 been known to nurture six or seven young at the same time. If this circumstance be generally 

 true, it goes far towards proving that the Beech and the Pine Marten are really distinct ani- 

 mals. The head of this creature is smaller than that of the Beech Marten, and the legs are 

 proportionately larger. 



The length of the Pine Marten is about eighteen inches, exclusive of the tail, which meas- 

 ures about ten inches. The tail is covered with long and rather bushy hair, and is slightly 

 darker than the rest of the body, which 

 is covered with brown hair. The tint, 

 however, is variable in different speci- 

 mens, and even in the same individual 

 undergoes considerable modifications, ac- 

 cording to the time of year and the part 

 of the world in which it is found. It has 

 rather a wide range of locality, being a 

 native of the northern parts of Europe 

 and of a very large portion of Northern 

 America. 



The Beech Marten seems to be of 

 rather more frequent occurrence than 

 the Pine Marten, from which animal it 

 may be distinguished by the white tint 

 of the fur on its throat and the upper 

 portion of its breast. On account of this 

 circumstance, it is sometimes called the 

 White-throated Marten. A slight yellow 

 tinge is sometimes observed on its throat. 

 There are several names by which this 

 animal is known, such as the Marteron, 

 the Martern, and the Stone Marten. 



In its destructive habits and its 

 thirst for blood, it resembles the animal 

 which has already been described, and 

 has earned for itself the title of "do- 

 mestic," which was applied to it by 

 Gesner, because it is in the habit of 

 prowling about human habitations, and 

 of concealing itself in the barns and 

 outhouses, for the purpose of gaining access to the poultry. 



The Marten seems to be easily tamed to a certain degree, but beyond that point its wild 

 instincts are too firmly rooted for speedy eradication. One of these creatures was procured 

 when young by a shoemaker, and remained with him until it had reached maturity. It then 

 escaped from its adopted home, and commenced a series of depredations among the fowls 

 which were kept by the neighbors, returning every night, and concealing itself in the house. 

 Its destructive energies became so troublesome that it was at last sentenced to death by the 

 united voices of those who had suffered from its depredations, and paid the penalty of its 

 many robberies. 



BEECH MABTEN.— Muetela foina. 



One of the most highly valued of the Weasels is the celebrated Sable, which produces 

 the richly tinted fur that is in such great request. Several species of this animal are sought 

 for the sake of their fur. They are very closely allied to the Martens that have already been 

 described, and are supposed by some zoologists to belong to the same species. Besides the 



