82 THE STOAT, OR ERMINE, 
be designated, whether it be wearing its winter or summer dress—is not 
unlike that of the weasel, although the dark parts of the fur are not so ruddy 
nor the light portions of so pure a white as in that animal. The toes and 
the edges of the ears are also white. ; 
The change of colour which takes place during the colder months of the 
year is now ascertained, with tolerably accuracy, to be caused by an actual 
whitening of the fur, and not by the gradual substitution of white for dark 
hairs, as was for some time supposed to be the case. 
The hairs are not entirely white, even in their most completely blanched 
state, but partake of a very delicate cream-yellow, especially upon the under 
portions, while the slightly bushy tip of the tail retains its original black 
tinting, and presents a singular contrast to the remainder of the fur. In 
these comparatively temperate latitudes, the Stoat is never sufficiently 
blanched to render its fur of any commercial value. As may be supposed 
from the extreme delicacy of the skin in its wintry whiteness, the capture of 
the Stoat for the purpose of obtaining its fur is a matter of no small difficulty. 
The traps which are used for the purpose of destroying the Stoat are formed 
STOAT OR ERMINE (Winter Dyess). 
so as to kill the animal by a sudden blow, without wounding the skin ; and 
many of the beautiful little creatures are taken in ordinary snares. 
In this country, where the lowest temperature is considerably above that 
of the ordinary wintry degrees, the Stoat is very uncertain in its change of 
fur, and seems to yield to or to resist the effects of the cold weather accord- 
ing to the individuality of the particular animal. 
The Stoat is considerably larger than the weasel, measuring rather more 
than fourteen inches in total length, of which the tail occupies rather more 
than four inches. There is, however, considerable difference in the size of 
various individuals. 
It is a most determined hunter, pursuing its game with such pertinacious 
skill that it very seldom permits its intended prey to escape, and by dint of 
perseverance can even capture the swift-footed hare. 
When the female Stoat is providing for the wants of a young family, she 
