80 . THE WEASEL. 
It frequents the banks of ponds, rivers, and marshes, seeming to prefer 
the stillest waters in the autumn, and the rapidly flowing currents in spring. 
As may be supposed from the nature of its haunts, its food consists almost 
wholly of fish, frogs, crawfish, aquatic insects, and other creatures that are 
to be found either in the waters or in their close vicinity. The general shape 
of its body is not quite the same as that of the marten or ferret ; and assumes 
something of the otter aspect. The teeth, however, are nearer those of the 
polecat than of the otter; and its tail, although not so fully charged with 
hair as the corresponding member in the polecat, is devoid of that muscular 
power and tapering form which is so strongly characteristic of the otter. 
The feet are well adapted for swimming, on account of a slight webbing 
between the toes. 
The fur of this animal is excellent in quality, and is by many persons 
valued very highly. By the furriers it passes under the name of “ Mcenk,” 
and it is known by two other names, “ Tutucuri” and “ Neers.” As it bears a 
SSS 
2/EZ : : 
(WEASEL.—JZustela Vulgaris.) 
great resemblance to the fur of the sable, it is often fraudulently substituted 
for that article,—a deception which is the more to be regretted, as the fur of 
the Mink is a really excellent one, handsome in its appearance, and extremely 
warm in character. By some authors, the identity of the Mink with the 
water-polecat has been doubted, but, as it appears, without sufficient reason. 
THERE is hardly any animal which, for its size, is so much to be dreaded 
by the creatures on which it preys as the common WEASEL. Although its 
diminutive proportions render a single Weasel ar insignificant opponent to 
man or dog, yet it can wage a sharp battle even with such powerful foes, and 
refuses to yield except at the last necessity. 
The proportions of the Weasel are extremely small, the male being rather 
larger than the opposite sex. In total length, a full-grown male does not 
much exceed ten inches, of which the tail occupies more than a fifth, while 
the female is rather more than an inch shorter than her mate. The colour 
of its fur is a bright reddish brown on the upper parts of the body, and the 
