THE PINE-MAJITEN. 177 



formation of the colouring matter which tinges the hair. 

 Human beings as well as animals become weaker as they in- 

 crease in age ; and it has been observed that their hair also 

 loses its colour, in consequence of such energies as they possess 

 being required to assist the more important functions of nature. 

 This corroborates the correctness of the former remark. 



The ermine, like other species of its genus, has the faculty 

 of ejecting a fluid of a strong musky odour. It is abundant, 

 not only in the barren grounds of the Hudson Bay territories, 

 but is also found in Norway and Siberia. 



When the fur is used for robes, or similar purposes, the 

 black tuft at the end of the tail is sewn on at regular dis- 

 tances to the skin, giving to the ermine fur the appearance 

 we are all familiar with. 



THE PINE-MABTEN, 



The pine-marten, a species of weasel, obtains its name from 

 being found amid pine forests, and from its habit of climbing 

 the trunks of pines in search of prey, It is a fierce and 

 savage creature, choosing to live alone, away from the haunts 

 of man. It is from eighteen to twenty inches in length — with 

 a tail measuring about ten inches- — and is covered with long 

 bushy hair. Moving without difficulty among the branches, 

 it seizes many an unfortunate bird in its deadly gripe before 

 its victim can take to flight — robbing also the nest of the eggs 

 within it. 



It is common in Europe, as well as in America ; but in the 

 cold regions of the Hudson Bay Company it is hunted for the 

 sake of its skin, which is, when blanched during the winter's 

 cold, scarcely inferior to that of the celebrated sable. 



When pursued and overtaken, it stands at bay, exhibiting 



(378) 1 2 



