THE WOLVERENE. 



every where elfe. They carry their ideas of the value of thefe furs even to 

 a degree of enthufiafm, and fay, that the garments worn by the heavenly 

 beings are made of it; nor can they make their wives or miltrefTes a greater 

 prefent than one of thefe Ikins, which was formerly fold for thirty, and even 

 lixty rubles (a); and for the two paws, which the women wear in their hair, 

 they frequently give one, and fometimes even two, Sea-Beavers. 



Linnaeus, in his Syftema Naturae, p. 67, edit. 13, defcribes an animal, 

 which he calls Muftela Gula, and fays it poflefles mo ft of the properties of 

 the Wolverene. As he candidly confelTes that he has never had an 

 opportunity of examining the living animal, and is, therefore, at a lofs where 

 to clafs it, it is probable that they are both the fame. 



The Wolverene often examines the fnares and traps which are fet by the 

 hunters for other animals, and Heals the Sables, &c. from them. It defends 

 itfelf itrongly, when attacked, and will tear the ftock from a gun with its 

 teeth, or break a trap in pieces (b). In America it watches and furprifes the 

 Beavers, as they are coming out of their houfes; and fometimes even breaks 

 into their habitations, and devours them; whence it is there called the 

 Beaver- Eater. 



This animal is found in Canada, Hudfon's Bay, and in all the countries 

 bordering on the Northern Ocean, where it is called by the different names 

 of Wolverene, Quickhatch, Carcajou, and Glutton. 



(a) The average value of the ruble is about four shillings sterling. 



(n) Pennant. 



