426 STOAT. 
Lastly, Aldrovandus affirms that the Weesel 
sometimes carries her young in her mouth from 
place to place several times in a day, when she 
suspects that they will be stolen from her. 
STOAT. 
Viverra Ermlnea. 
Mustela Erminea. M. caudce apice atro, Lin. Syst* Nat, Gmel. 
p. 98. 
W. with the tip of the tail black. 
Mustela hieme alba, aestate supra rutila, infra alba, caudae apice 
nigro. Briss. Quadr. p. i']6, 
Roselet. Buf, y, p. 2^0. pi. 31. f. i. 
L'Hermine. Buff, y.p. 240.pl. 29./. 2. 
Stoat and Ermine. Pennant Quadr. 2. j?. 35. 
This animal much resembles the Weesel in its 
general appearance, as well as in colour, but is 
considerably larger; the body, exclusive of the 
tail, measuring ten inches, and the tail five and a 
half: the tip of the tail is also constantly black, 
whatever may be the gradation or cast of colour 
on the body ; for the Stoat, in the northern re- 
gions, becomes milk-white during the Avinter, in 
which state it is commonly called the Ermine. It 
is sometimes found of this colour in our own 
country, and instances are not very uncommon 
in which it appears parti- coloured, or white in 
some parts, and brown in others, the change of 
colour having not been completed. Its smell is 
strong and unpleasant. The Stoat is similar in 
