CLASS 1. MAxMMALIA: ORDEE 5. CABNIVORA. 
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POLECAT. FERRET. 
The Ferret, Viverra furo of Shaw, the J^uret of the French, is of a light yellowish color, 
difiei'ent parts being more or less white, for the long fur is partly white, and the short almost 
entirely yellow ; the eyes are pink ; length of head and body fourteen inches ; of the tail six 
inches. It is supposed to be a native of Africa, but is not found there in a wild state ; it is do- 
mesticated in Europe, and, by some, is regarded as a variety of the polecat, produced partly 
through albinism. This, no doubt, is an error. Its habits are similar to those of the European 
weasels, but more blood-thirsty. Capable of a certain degree of tameness, it seldom, if ever, be- 
comes attached, and is a dangerous inmate, unless properly secured. It has even been known 
to attack and cruelly lacerate an infant which had been left unguarded in its cradle, and with 
such ferocity that, after it had been driven away, the cries of the tortured child brought it from 
its hiding-place, eager to renew the attack. 
This species, whose whiteness and red eyes may, perhaps, be the result of a long period ot 
domestication, cannot bear cold, and should be kept warm to insure its healthy condition. It is 
said to breed twice a year in a state of domestication, unless it devours its offspring, which it 
sometimes does, and then it has three litters. The gestation of the female continues six weeks, 
and she then produces generally six or seven young — sometimes even, nine. These are blind for 
a month, and at the end of two more are considered fit for service. 
We have the evidence of history as to the southern origin of the ferret. Strabo informs us 
that in early times a great portion of Spain was literally eaten up on the surface, and drilled 
into holes like a honeycomb, by rabbits, just as many parts of the Pampas in South America 
are at present by the viscacha. Countries, when taken possession of by these burrowing rodents 
in such multitudes, are quite unprofitable to man ; and scarcely any human means, indeed 
none which would be repaid by the advantage gained, can rid them of these pests. To bring 
Spain within the class of useful countries, the ferret was imported from Africa; and it has 
ever since been more or less preserved in Europe, not domesticated — for, to soften its disposi- 
tion would be to destroy its u-^efulness — but a subject of the care of those who employ it. To 
