8'; 



VERTEBRATES 



descriptions of ermines, whose skins contribute to the costlj? 

 splendor and comfort of the robes of princes. 



The Common Weasel is of a pale reddish-brown color, 

 with the throat, breast and lower part white ; the head and body 

 measuring seven inches, and the tail two and a half. This species 





Weasel. 



inhabit the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and America, and are 

 found in the northern provinces of Persia, as also in Barbary. As 

 their body is small and remarkably flexible, they can easily enter 

 into very narrow openings for carrying on their bloody ravages 

 They frequent barns and granaries, where they spread dreadful 

 liavoc among the mice and rats, being even more formidable ene 

 mies to these creatures than the cat. They often take up theii 

 abode in old willows, where the female brings forth her young, 

 from six to eight in number. She has a large portion of maternal 

 care. She prepares for them a bed of straw lined with leaves and 

 other herbage. The young are born blind. In pursuing their 

 prey, weasels bound to a great length. 



The Ferret- Weasel has red and fiery eyes ; the color of 

 the whole body is a very pale yellow j the length from nose to tail 



