328 MAMMALIA. 



insatiable lust for destruction ; for they will slaughter many more 

 victims than are necessary to satisfy their hunger. But it must 

 be remembered that, as the blood and brains of their prey is 

 generally the only portion utilised, the number of victims must 

 necessarily be considerable. 



Weasels are artful and cunning, and generally succeed in taking 

 their prey by surprise, displaying considerable intelligence on such 

 occasions. They can be tamed, biit are almost incapable of affec- 

 tion. Thus they are made the slave of Man, not his friend. 



We must mention, as a special detail of their organisation, 

 the unpleasant and foetid odoiir which they possess, especially 

 when irritated. This emanates from a liquid, secreted by two 

 glands placed at the setting on of the tail. 



The Marten genus is divided into two sections — the Marten 

 proper, and the Polecats. 



The principal species in the first section are the Common or 

 Pine Marten (Miistela ahietum), the Sable [Mustela zibdUna), and 

 the Beech Marten [Mustela martes). 



The Common Marten, which is essentially nocturnal in its 

 habits, is about twenty inches long ; it is a native of the 

 wildest forests ia the North of Europe and America. Birds 

 of all kinds. Hares, Rabbits, Squirrels, Dormice, Wood-mice, 

 and, exceptionally. Serpents and Lizards, fall a prey under 

 the murderous fangs of this destructive creature. It also has 

 the reputation of being partial to honey. 



Their place of abode is made in the middle of thickets, 

 or in. the hollows of trees. When the female is on the point 

 of giving birth to her yoimg, she looks out for a Squirrel's 

 nest, and having surprised and devoured the proprietor, instals 

 herself therein. 



The fur of the Common Marten is valuable, but it does not 

 bear comparison with that of some of the other species of which 

 we are about to speak. 



The Sable {Mustela zihelUna) is furnished with a fine and soft 

 coat. In summer its neck is greyish, but the rest of its body 

 is of a rich fawn-colour. This little animal, eagerly sought after 

 on account of its fur, has its habitat in the northern regions of 

 Siberia and European Eussia. The Turks, Russians, and Chinese 

 are the principal purchasers of their skins, and distribute them in 

 trade far and wide, through Europe and Asia. The winter coat 



