CARNIVORA. MUSTELID^. 41 



Observations. The Pine Marten inhabits the mountainous dis- 

 tricts of Berkshire, especially where pine forests abound. It is, 

 however, often found in beech woods, where it is sure of a more 

 ready supply of food. Its nocturnal habits, and native shyness, 

 effectually screen it from observation, even in districts where it 

 abounds. Though this animal is formed for subsisting on animal 

 food, still, when nuts are plentiful, it resorts to them for suste- 

 nance, and hence, in those seasons, the hunter is unable to pro- 

 cure it in much abundance, as it will not then take the bait, as 

 they say. It is taken in a log trap, made and baited in such a 

 way, that it cannot reach the meat without passing under the dead 

 fall ; the bait being fixed to a spindle, it springs the trap, and lets 

 the log fall upon itself while devouring the bait. To lead the 

 animal along the line of traps, the hunter drags after him a dead 

 squirrel, or a tainted piece of meat. By this means the Marten 

 falls upon the course whenever he happens to cross the track, and 

 is led along to the nearest trap. A line of Marten traps some- 

 times extends forty miles, though not in a direct line. The course 

 is always in a circle, so that the hunter in visiting his traps comes 

 round nearly to the place where he commenced his route. The 

 Marten, if taken young, can be domesticated, in which state it is 

 lively, playful, and cleanly, and is entirely free from any thing 

 unpleasant ; it emits, on the contrary, rather an agreeable odor, 

 and is hence termed the s u eel Marten. It has all the sprightliness 

 of the squirrel, and is very active in pursuing its game ; ascends 

 trees readily, and in them it principally dwells. Its chattering is 

 much like that of the gray squirrel. When it encounters an 

 enemy, it bristles up, shows its teeth, and arches its back, and, 

 when attacked, it bites unmercifully, and will not readily let go its 

 hold. Hence, when a dog attempts to seize it, it resists so 

 actively, that it often escapes, even from its jaws, unless the dog 

 is accustomed to its warfare. 



A remarkable arrangement is found in the organ of hearing in 

 the animals living by the destruction of others ; thus, in the Pe- 

 kan and Pine Marten, the bony process of the meatus auditorius 

 is directed forward ; by this very structure they are fitted for the 

 pursuit of prey ; and their moral qualities also seem to correspond, 

 as they are far from being timid, or disposed to fly from an enemy, 

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