THE SABLE {Mustela zibellina) 



This small carnivore, a near relative of our native Pine-Marten, 

 is one of the most valuable ot fur-yieldinj,' animals. It formerly 

 ranged across the northern parts of Asia, from the Urals to the 

 Behring Sea, but has been so persistently hunted down that it is 

 now chiefly found in the forests of eastern Siberia and Kams- 

 chatka, Petropavlovsk on the coast of the latter being the chief 

 depot for sable-skins. It is only the thick winter- fur that is 

 valuable, and a good pelt may be worth as much as ^{^30. 



Saoles were formerly caught for the most part by trapping, and 

 sometimes guns were resorted to, though with great risk of injury 

 to the skins. At the present time they are usually hunted down 

 witli dogs, and forced to take refuge in trees, from which they 

 are shaken or knocked down into suitably disposed nets. 



