HABITS WHEN DOMESTICATED. 219 
to the house of its own accord, where it con- 
tinued during the remainder of the day. It 
waged war against the Norway rats which had 
their domicile in the dam that formed tne fish- 
pond, and it caught the frogs which had taken 
possession of its banks. We did not perceive 
that it captured many fish, and it never attacked 
the poultry. It was on good terms with the 
dogs and cats, and molested no one wiless its 
tail or foot was accidentally.trod upon, when it 
invariably revenged itself, by snapping at the 
foot of the offender. 
It was rather dull at mid-day, but very active 
and playful in the morning and evening, and at 
night. It never emitted its disagreeable odour 
except when it had received a sudden and severe 
hurt. It was fond of squatting in the chimney- 
corner, and formed a particular attachmen: to an 
arm-chair in our study. 
The skins of the mink were formerly an 
article of commerce, and were used for raking 
muffs, tippets,, etc.; they sold for about fifty 
cents each. Richardson states that they a” pres- 
ent are only taken by the traders of the fur com- 
pany to accommodate the Indians, and that they 
are afterwards burnt, as they will not repay the 
expense of carriage. The fur, however, although 
short, is even finer than that of the marten. 
A short time since, we were kindly presented 
