OEDEE OP OAENIVOEA. 333 



creatures only avoid Scylla to fall into Charybdis ; for at the 

 outlet of the burrow a net awaits them, into which they plunge 

 headlong, or are shot by the gun of the sportsman. 



The Ferret, however, should always be muzzled ; but for this 

 precaution, it would seize the Rabbits, and, gorging itself 

 with blood, remain in a state of insensibility, which sometimes 

 lasts several days. It is then almost impossible to induce the 

 Ferret to leave the burrow, except by filling every aperture 

 of it with smoke, and even this method will not always succeed. 



Apart from this service, the Ferret is of no use ; it mani- 

 fests no affection for its master, not even appearing to recognise 

 him. 



.The Weasel is the smallest of all the Carnivora, and does not 

 measure more than six inches in length. It is found all over the 

 temperate part of Europe, frequenting the environs of country 

 habitations. Its boldness and courage are extraordinary ; it will 

 seize animals much larger than itself, even those which are 

 formidable, such as the Norway Rat. According to Dr. Jonathan 

 Franklin, a Weasel has been seen to attack an Eagle, and after 

 allowing itself to be carried high into the air, it succeeded, 

 after a prolonged contest, in biting through the throat of the bird 

 of prey, when both fell to the ground, the latter in the final agony 

 of life, the Weasel uninjured. 



Of all the Mustelidce, the Weasel is the one most easily tamed, 

 and shows the greatest aifection for its master. 



The Glutton (Gulo) Genus. — -With the Grlutton we commence a 

 series of animals of the Mustela Order, the mode of walking of 

 which is more or less plantigrade, and their shapes more massive 

 than those of the preceding. This animal is the biggest and the 

 strongest of the family. It has a large head ; the body somewhat 

 more raised from the ground ; a tail of medium length, and 

 pretty well furnished with hair; the claws sharp and pointed. 

 It derives its name from its voracity, which is said to be 

 remarkable. 



The Wolverine, or Glutton (Gtdo luscits), is peculiar to the 

 Arctic regions, both of the Old and JSTew Worlds. The manner it 

 obtains its food is as follows : — Climbing into a tree, it remains 

 concealed till some prey passes beneath, when, springing down 

 on to its back, it clings there, ultimately tearing out the victim's 



