120 
CARNIVORA. 
THE PUTORII, OR POLECATS, 
THE POLECAT. LE PUTOIS COMMON. 
Mustela Putorius, L. 
This animal, of which a figure is given, need not,' 
therefore, be minutely described. It is, in general, 
about seventeen inches in the length of the body; 
and the tail measures about six inches. 
From its habits it is extremely destructive ; as 
every animal it can conquer falls a victim to its 
cruelty and appetite ; and those which, for in- 
terested purposes, are protected or altogether do- 
mesticated by us, are frequently destroyed, almost 
wholesale, by this insatiable butcher. It is strong 
and active ; and, by bringing all the feet near to- 
gether, - and drawing the back into an arch, springs 
with great force on its intended victim, which it 
generally kills expeditiously, and with a single bite 
on the head, making a wound scarcely perceptible. 
The havoc it makes among our smaller domestic 
animals is the more extensive, as it is so common, 
and finds a home in every country, whether civilized 
or savage, cultivated or waste. Its facility of passing 
through a small hole enables it to get admission to 
outhouses and barns ; and if no sufficient aperture 
be found below, it is in general able to find one on 
or under the roof, to enable it to proceed to its cruel 
office of devastation within, or to lie concealed till a 
