THE SABLE. 
277 
fcinguished from it by inexperienced eyes. It is thought not to be so prolific an animal as the 
Beech Marten, seldom producing above three or four at a birth, while the latter animal has 
been known to nurture six or seven young at the same time. If this circumstance be generally 
true, it goes far towards proving that the Beech and the Pine Marten are really distinct ani- 
mals. The head of this creature is smaller than that of the Beech Marten, and the legs are 
proportionately larger. 
The length of the Pine Marten is about eighteen inches, exclusive of the tail, which meas- 
ures about ten inches. The tail is covered with long and rather bushy hair, and is slightly 
darker than the rest of the body, which 
is covered with brown hair. The tint, 
however, is variable in different speci- 
mens, and even in the same individual 
undergoes considerable modifications, ac- 
cording to the time of year and the part 
of the world in which it is found. It has 
rather a wide range of locality, being a 
native of the northern parts of Europe 
and of a very large portion of Northern 
America. 
The Beech Maeteh seems to be of 
rather more frequent occurrence than 
the Pine Marten, from which animal it 
may be distinguished by the white tint 
of the fur on its throat and the upper 
portion of its breast. On account of this 
circumstance, it is sometimes called the 
White-throated Marten. A slight yellow 
tinge is sometimes observed on its throat. 
There are several names by which this 
animal is known, such as the Marten n, 
the Martern, and the Stone Marten. 
In its destructive habits and its 
thirst for blood, it resembles the animal 
which has already been described, and 
has earned for itself the title of “do- 
mestic,” which was applied to it by 
Gesner, because it is in the habit of 
prowling about human habitations, and beech marten. foma. 
of concealing itself in the barns and 
outhouses, for the purpose of gaining access to the poultry. 
The Marten seems to be easily tamed to a certain degree, but beyond that point its wild 
instincts are too firmly rooted for speedy eradication. One of these creatures was procured 
when young by a shoemaker, and remained with him until it had reached maturity. It then 
escaped from its adopted home, and commenced a series of depredations among the fowls 
which were kept by the neighbors, returning every night, and concealing itself in the house. 
Its destructive energies became so troublesome that it was at last sentenced to death by the 
united voices of those who had suffered from its depredations, and paid the penalty of its 
many robberies. 
* 
One of the most highly valued of the Weasels is the celebrated Sable, which produces 
the richly tinted fur that is in such great request. Several species of this animal are sought 
for the sake of their fur. They are very closely allied to the Martens that have already been 
described, and are supposed by some zoologists to belong to the same species, Besides the 
