Quadrupeds. 783 



grown. I stood still ; and so intent were they on their game, evi- 

 dently hunting by scent, that they saw not my six feet of length ; 

 and I actually captured one with my umbrella, so close did they pass. 



Tlie Polecat, so far as I can learn, has never been found in the 

 island. 



The Marten, though evidently very rare, has nevertheless been 

 seen. My friend, the Rev. J. F. Dawson, riding one summer's even- 

 ing along the Undercliff, approached within a few yards of a marten, 

 sitting at the entrance of a hole : he was too near the animal to be 

 mistaken, and the deep yellow tinge of the throat showed that it was 

 the pine marten, if the species be distinct. The track of a marten 

 in the snow has since been seen by a gentleman well qualified to 

 judge, about 'a mile from the spot where the animal was seen by Mr. 

 Dawson. 



Of Cats and Dogs I shall say nothing. We have enough of each, 

 of all sorts, sizes, and descriptions. Of some of the former I cer- 

 tainly could record instances of personal attachment, far beyond what 

 they usually get credit for. To one now in my posseseion I am in- 

 debted, not only for abundant amusement afforded by the gambols of 

 herself and kitten, but also for an ample supply of voles and shrews, 

 whereby I have been greatly assisted in my endeavours to distinguish 

 the different species. She is certainly a bit of a naturalist, is evi- 

 dently well acquainted with the habits of several of our smaller mam- 

 malia, and pursues the study with great success. I wish I could 

 confine her to this pursuit, for she sometimes tries my patience, and 

 endangers her own existence, by making ornithological excursions. 



Cats that have run wild abound. I once saw one that had been 

 trapped in this neighbourhood, which, from its unusual size, the 

 coarseness of its fur, and the ferocity of its expression, would seem 

 to have reverted to the original type, if such there be, or ever was, 

 in a wild state, for I incline to the opinion that the cat, and perhaps 

 the dog, like the camel and the horse, and some others, were created 

 in a state of domestication. 



Anecdotes illustrative of the sagacity and fidelity of dogs are nume- 

 rous enough and sufficiently well authenticated ; I shall not, therefore, 

 occupy your pages with any that have come under my observation ; 

 although a fine fellow of the Newfoundland breed, in my possession, 

 whose form is worthy of the pencil of a Landseer, deserves to have 

 instances, both of his intelligence and of his attachment to his master 

 and mistress, put upon record. 



The Fox. It was once the boast of our islanders, that neither 



