HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 219 



The WEASEL. 



The length of this animal does not exceed feven 

 inches, from the nofe to the tail ; which is only two 

 inches and a half long, and ends in a point : Its height 

 is not above two inches and a half ; fo that it is nearly 

 five times as long as it is high. 



The mod prevailing colour of the Weafel is a pale 

 reddifh-brown on the back, fides, and legs *, the throat 

 and belly are white; beneath the corners of the mouth, 

 on each jaw, is a fpot of brown. It has whifkers, like a 

 Cat : Its ears are large, and have a fold at the lower 

 part, that gives them the appearance of being double 5 

 its eyes are fmall, round, and black ; its teeth are thirty- 

 two in number, and extremely ftiarp. 



The Weafel is very common, and well known in mod 

 parts of this country ; is very deftru&ive to young birds, 

 poultry, rabbits, &c. ; and is a keen devourer of eggs, 

 which it fucks with great avidity. It will follow a hare, 

 which is terrified into a (late of abfolute imbecility at the 

 fight of this little animal, and gives itfelf up to it with- 

 out refiftance, making at the fame time the moft p iteous 

 outcries. 



