THE FERRET. 



only ufeful, but even necelTary, in warrens, to force them out of their burrows, 

 in order that they may be taken ; for which purpofe the lhape and fize of the 

 body are admirably well adapted, being llender and very flexible. It feldom 

 tears its prey, but is content with fucking its blood : it is therefore necelTary, 

 when the Ferret is turned into the hole, in purfuit of the Rabbit, that it Ihould 

 have a muzzle on its head, otherwife it would fatiate itfelf with the blood 

 of its prey, at the bottom of the hole, and, inftead of returning to its mailer, 

 would go to lleep there, and only wake to renew its depredations, till the 

 cold of a northern winter put an end to its carnage and exigence together: 

 It often happens, that the Ferret gets the muzzle off his head, in which cafe 

 he is generally loft, unlefs he is immediately dug out. Attempts are fometimes 

 made to bring him from the hole, by burning ftraw and other fubftances at 

 the mouth of it ; but this method feldom fucceeds. 



The female is considerably lefs than the male : fhe produces from five or 

 fix, to nine, at a litter, twice a year. 



Being a native of the torrid zone, the Ferret cannot bear the rigour of 

 our northern climate ; it is, therefore, found necelTary to keep it in boxes, 

 in a bed of wool ; where it fpends an idle life, between eating and lleeping, 

 except when called upon to exercife the talents for which it is kept. It is 

 ufually fed on bread and milk. 



The fcent of this animal is ofTenlive, and its manners difgufting; for, 

 although it appears to be tame and familiar, it is fo without attachment ; and 

 fo great is its thirll after blood, that it has been known to attack, and even 

 kill, children in the cradle (a). It is very irafcible, and its bite is not to be 

 cured without great difficulty. 



(a) Buffon. 



