OEDEE OF CAENIVOEA. 331 



Similar to the Marten, it frequents inhabited localities, and 

 perpetrates the same outrages. After the pairing season, which 

 takes place in spring, the male retires into the woods and subsists 

 on the resources which they provide. If favoured by such circum- 

 stances as enable it to establish itself in a rabbit-warren, it makes 

 sad havoc among the legitimate residents. 

 The Polecat is found all over Europe. 



Fig. 130. — Ermines {JU. erminea, Linn.) 



The Vison, or Minx (M. lison, Gmelin), is a North American 

 representative of this animal ; but its fur is of much more value. 



The Ermine (Fig. 130) is, like the Sable, a native of the more 

 northerly regions of the globe — Sweden, Norway, Russia, Siberia, 

 but Arctic America is where it most abounds. Those who 

 himt the Sable generally combine with it the pursuit of the 

 Ermine. The prime skins of these animals fetch an exceed- 

 ingly high price, and a very important trade in them is 

 carried on. The judges and other high officials consume a 

 large quantity for their robes. Oxa ladies, who love to deck 

 their delicate persons with this beautiful fur, also show a marked 



