420 COMMON WEESEL. 
general colour of the Ferret is a very pale yel- 
lowish-brown, or cream-colour; and the eyes are 
of a bright and lively red. 
COMMON WEESEL. 
9 
Viverra Vulgaris. I, - 
Mustella Vulgaris. M. corpore ex fusco-rufo, subtvs albo, cauda 
concolore. Lin. Syst, Nat. Gmel. p. 99. 
Pale reddi«h-brown W. white beneath^ with tail similar in co- 
lour to the body. 
Mustek vulgaris. Aldr. dig. p. 307. 
Musteia. Gesn. Quadr. 752. 
Belette. Bitf, 7. jo. 225. /Z 29,/ i. 
^. Musteia Nivalis. 31. corpore albo, caudoe apice, vix pilis ullis 
nigris. 
Common Weesel. Pe?ina?it Quadr. 2. p. 
The Weesel is one of the smallest species in 
this numerous tribe of quadrupeds. Its general 
length is about seven inches, exclusive of the tail, 
w^hich measures near two inches and a half. Its 
colour is a pale reddish or yellowish-brown, and 
beneath it is entirely white; but below the cor- 
ners of the mouthy on each side, is a brown spot : 
the ears are small and rounded^ and the eyes are 
black. This little animal is possessed of a consi- 
derable degree of elegance in its aspect, and its 
motions are light and easy; but it has the same 
unpleasant smell with the Stoat, and some other 
species. It is an inhabitant of the cavities under 
the roots of trees, as well as of banks near rivu- 
lets, &c. from which it occasionally sallies out in 
