F E R 
fcribed and figured the weapons of a rofe-tree fly, 
produced from a falfe caterpillar of that fhrub, with 
two rows of teeth, one on each fide, in the manner 
of the faw belonging to the ferra pifcis or faw-fifh. 
FAUX BOURDON. An appellation given 
by Reaumur and bthers to the bees ulually called 
drones in England. 
FAUX PUCERON. A genus of infeds fo 
called by Reaumur, from their ftrong refemblance 
to the real pucerons. The two principal kinds of 
tliefe are found on the backs of the leaves of 
fig-trees, and in little hollow balls at the fummiits 
of the branches of the box, formed of the upper 
leaves vitiated by the fears of thefe infe6ts. 
FAWN. An appellation given to a buck or 
doe of the firft year. See Deer. 
FEDOA. A name given by Gefner, and fome 
other naturalifts, to the godwit, more commonly 
called JEgocephalus. 
F'^ELIS, in the Linnasan fyftem of zoology, 
forms a large genus of quadrupeds of the order of 
fer£E; the chara6ters of which are thefe: the fore- 
teeth are fmall, obtufe, and equal ; they have three 
grinders; the tongue is furniflied with prickles all 
pointing backwards; and the feet are formed for 
climbing with retraftile claws. To this genus be- 
long the lion, tiger, leopard, lynx, ounce, cata- 
mountain, and domeftic cat. 
FELIS VOLANS. An animal defcribed by 
Scaliger, and fuppofed to be what we call the fly- 
ing fquirrel. This creature has a loofe membrane 
on each fide, connefling the fore with the hinder 
legs; which it can diftend at pleafure, an J by means 
of which it is enabled to take fuch long leaps, 
as to appear to fly. 
FELIS ZIBETHICUS. An appellation given 
by naturalifts to the civet-cat, a fpecies of the vi- 
' verra in the Unnjean fyftem. See Civet-Ca r. 
FEMALE. An animal which generates within 
itfelf; fo called in oppofition to the male, which 
engenders in another. The female, in quadru- 
peds, and in birds, is ufually fmaller and weaker 
than the male; but, in predaceous birds, the female 
is the largeft, ftrongeft, and moft courageous. 
FER^. In the Linnsan f/ftem of zoology, 
one of the orders of animals and clafs of mamma- 
lia: the charafters of which are, that they have 
fharp teeth ; the upper fore-teeth are fix in num- 
ber; and the canine, or dog-teeth, are longer than 
the reft. Of this order are, the lion, the tiger, the 
bear, the cat, the weafel, the ferret, the didelphis 
or philander, the otter, the fea-calf, the dog, the 
badger, the hedgehog, the mole, die bat, and vari- 
ous others. 
FERN-OWL. A provincial name for the ca- 
primulgus or goat-fucker, called alfo the churn - 
owl. It is a very beautiful bird; and bears a 
ftronp-er fimilitude to the cuckow than the owl 
kind, 
FERRA, A filh called alfo the Gwiniad, or 
Guinead. 
FERRET. An animal of the muftela or wea- 
fel kind; called alfo muftela fylveftris, furo, and 
furunculus. 
This animal is a kind of domeftic in Europe; 
but in it's wild ftate it is a native of Africa, from 
whence it was originally imported into Spain, in or- 
der to free that country from the multitudes of rab- 
bits with which it was over-run; and from thence 
the reft of Europe were fupplied with it. It grows 
ro the length of a foot; and has a very lharp nofe, 
FIB 
red and fiery eyes, and round ears. • The colour of 
the body is a pale yellow, but it is alfo found of all 
the colours of the weafel kind, white, black, 
brown, and party-coloured. It alfo refembles the 
weafel in the flendernefs of it's body, and the 
fhortnefs of it's legs. It is a lively, aftive ani- 
mal; and the natural enemy of rabbits, fucking 
the blood of it's prey, but feldom mangling it. 
The Ferret, though a native of the torrid zone, will 
breed in our climate, and bi ings forth from five to 
nine at a time; but it is apt to degenerate, and 
lofe it's favage nature, till an intercoude can be 
procured between it and the pole-cat; which in 
fome meafure reftores the breed to it's natural fero- 
city. The Ferret has the fame difigreeable fmell 
as the pole-cat; and, being unable to endure 
the rigours of our climate in a wild ftate, it is 
generally domefticated, and kept for the purpofes 
of the warren. It is trained up to enter the rabbit- 
holes, and to drive the inhabitants into nets pre- 
pared for them at their mouths. To cffed; this, the 
Ferret is muzzled ; clfe, inftead of driving out the 
animals, it woukl only kill them, and fuck their 
blood : but, by this contrivance, the rabbits efcape 
fiom tiie Ferret, and precipitately run to the mouths 
of rheir holes, where they are entangled in the nets. 
Sometimes, indeed, it happens that the Ferret finds 
means to difengage itfelf from it's muzzle, when it 
is ufually loft to it's mafter; for, finding all it's 
wants ftipplled in the warren, it continues there till 
the feverity of the weather proves fatal to it's ex- 
iftence. In order to allure the Ferret from it's re- 
treat, the owners often burn ftraw and other fub- 
ftances at the m.outh of the hole, or ftamp with their 
feet over it: but this does not always fucceed; for 
as there are often feveral avenues to each hole, 
tl:e Ferret is neither affeded by the noife nor the 
fmoke, but continues fecure at the bottom, fleep- 
ing the greateft part of it's time, and waking only 
to fafisfy the calls of hunger. 
The feimle of this fpecies is fenfibly lefs than 
the male, whom fhe feeks with great ardour; and, 
it is faid, that ftie often dies merely from not being 
admitted to coition. Thefe creatures are ufuallv 
kept in boxes like rabbit-hutches ; and arefurniflied 
with wool, of which they make themfelves warm 
beds, which ferve to defend them from the rigours 
of the climate. They are generally fed with bread 
and milk; they breed twice a year; and fome of them 
devour their young the inft^.nt they are produced. 
The Ferret is an ufeful, but difagreeable and 
ofi'enfive animal: it's fcent is foetid; it's nature is 
voracious; it is tame without attachment; and, fuch 
is it's appetite for blood, that it has been knov/n to 
attack and kill children in their very cradles. It 
is eafily irritated ; and though at all times it's fmell 
is oftenfive, it is then peculiarly fo; and it's bite is 
not to be cured without great difficulty. 
FERRET, INDIAN. A name applied by 
fome to exprefs the animal known in America by 
the appellation of quirpele and quil. See Ich- 
neumon. 
FIARSING. A Swedilh and DaniHi appella- 
tion for the draco marinus. It is a fpecies of the 
trachinus, according to Artedi i and is diftinguifhed 
from the reft by having it's lower jaw longer than 
the upper, and being deftitute of beards. 
FIATOLA. A name given by the Italian 
fifliermen totheftromateus. 
FIBER, or CASTOR FIBER, of Linnsus. 
An animal with ftrong cuttting teeth i fhort ears, 
hid 
