HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 235 



an encouragement to the hunters, they are allowed to 

 {hare among themfelves whatever fldns they take above 

 the allotted number; and this, in a few years, amounts 

 to a confiderable premium. — The Hunters form them- 

 felves into fmall troops, each of which is directed by 3. 

 leader of their own chufing. 



The feafon of hunting is from November to february ; 

 for at that time the Sables are in the higheft perfection : 

 Thofe caught at any other time of the year are full of 

 fhort hairs, and are fold at inferior prices. The bell 

 fkins are fuch as have only long hair, which is always 

 black, and of a gloiTy brightnefs. Old furs do not retain 

 their glofs. — Both the Ruffians and Chinefe have a me- 

 thod of dying their furs; but the dyed Sables are eafily 

 difcovered, having neither the fmoothnefs nor the bright- 

 nefs of the natural hair. 



The bellies of Sables, which are fold in pairs, are 

 about two fingers in breadth, and are tied together in 

 bundles of forty pieces, which are fold at from one to 

 two pounds fterHng. The tails are fold by the hundred,, 

 from four to eight pounds. 



There are inftances of Sables being found of a fnowy 

 whitenefs; but they are rare, and bought only as curi- 

 ofities. 



The hunters of thefe animals are frequently obliged to 

 endure the utmofi extremity of cold and hunger in the 

 purfuit of their booty. They penetrate deep into im- 

 menfe woods, where they have no other method of find- 

 ing their way back but by marking the trees as they ad- 

 vance : If this mould by any means fail them, they arc 

 inevitably loft. They fometimes trace the Sables on the 

 new-fallen fnow to their holes, place their nets at the 

 entrance, and wait frequently two or three days before 



