HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



225 



The FERRET 



is only known to us in a kind of domeftic ftate. — It is 

 originally a native of Africa ; from whence, according to 

 Strabo, it was brought into Spain j and, from its known 

 enmity to the Rabbit, was made ufe of to reduce the 

 numbers of them with which that kingdom abounded. 

 It has fince been employed for the fame purpofe in vari- 

 ous parts of Europe ; but as it is not able to bear the fe- 

 verity of a cold climate, it cannot fubfift without great 

 care and fhelter. It is ufually kept in a box, with wool ; 

 of which it makes itfelf a warm bed. It fieeps a great 

 part of the day •, and the moment it awakes, feems eager 

 for its food, which is commonly bread and milk. 



It breeds twice a year. The female goes fix weeks 

 with young. Some of them devour their offspring as 

 foon as they are brought forth; when they immediately 

 come in feafon again, and have three litters, which gene- 

 rally confift of live or fix, but fometimes feven or eight, 

 and even nine. 



It is apt to degenerate in this country, and lofe in 

 P 



