12 
Mustela vulgaris, the weasel, the pest of game preserves and poultry 
yards, followed its prey both by the eye and by scent, and when at fault, 
quartered over the ground like a dog. Birds of prey occasionally attacked 
the weasel, but not always with success. The weasel was reddish above, 
white beneath, occasionally changing to a dull yellowish white in winter, 
when it became the Mustela nivalis of Linnaeus. 
Mustela erminea, the stoat or ermine weasel, was larger and more rapa- 
cious than the last. Colour in summer, dull reddish brown above, white 
beneath, in winter wholly white, tip of the tail always black. In a mild 
winter the change of colour did not take place, showing that the colour 
only, and not the fur itself, was changed. 
Putorius foetidus, the pole-cat, fitchet, or foumart (i.e. foul marten, as 
opposed to the true or sweet marten) might be distinguished from the two 
last by its stouter build, and broad head. It was also much more rapa- 
cious. . v , 
Martes foina (Beech, or stone * marten) and Martes abietum (Pine 
marten). The main distinction was in the colour of the throat, that of the 
former being white, and of the latter yellow, the fur of which last was 
generally considered superior. Dr. Gray, however, considered them even 
as distinct genera, founding his distinctions upon the forms of the skull 
and some other particulars. These animals were similar in their habits to, 
but not so destructive as, weasels, and were comparatively rare in Britain. 
Head triangular, eyes large and lustrous, body long and flexible, tail long 
and bushy, colour of fur a rich umber brown — usual length 27 inches. 
Meles Taxus, the badger, was still to be found in Britain, especially in 
Devonshire. It was a most maligned animal, being accused of destroying 
rabbits, game, and lambs, whereas from the whole structure of the animal 
it was evident that its food was greatly, if not entirely, vegetable. Head 
elongated, body broad and flat, legs short and muscular, toes five in number,, 
short, strong, deeply imbedded in the flesh, armed with flat powerful 
claws. Colour grey above, black beneath, head white, with a black stripe 
passing along the cheek to the neck. Its habits were very solitary and 
nocturnal. 
Of the VespertilxonidjE or bats there were seven British genera, and 
the number of species was numerous, though many were rare, in some in- 
stances only known by isolated specimens. For this reason, it was much 
to be desired that every bat caught should be carefully examined. 
Noctulinia alterolans, the noctule ; Head flat and broad, muzzle long 
and obtuse ; ears oval, wide apart, shorter than the head ; tragus or ear- 
covering narrow at the base, expanding into a reniform top, covered with 
papillae ; fur reddish brown, soft and long. This bat was gregarious in its 
habits, and common in many parts of the country : it measured 14 inches 
in extent of wing. 
