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CARNIVORA. 
THE COMMON WEASEL. LA BELETTE. 
Mustela Vulgaris, 
The common weasel is one of the smallest of this 
numerous race, but is the most extensively diffused 
over the Earth’s surface. Its general length is about 
seven inches, with a tail measuring two and a half. 
It is of a pale red or yellow brown colour, whiter 
beneath. It emits an offensive odour, in common 
with many of the tribe, but it is an elegant little 
animal. It feeds on field-mice, birds, &c. ; and will 
attack animals larger than itself. It lives under roots 
of trees, or in banks ; and will run up a wall in 
pursuit of its prey. Its body, altogether, is extremely 
flexible. Though a ferocious little animal, there are 
instances of its being perfectly tamed. 
There is a variety, which has been described by 
Linnseus, in his Fauna Suecica, as a distinct species, 
under the name of mustela nivalis^ which has since 
been classed sometimes as a variety of this, and some- 
times of the ermine; but although it has the colour 
of the latter, it seems to be more nearly related to this, 
because of its being of the same size ; and the black 
hairs which terminate the tail are much fewer than 
those of the ermine, the black also is of a different 
tinge. It breeds twice or thrice a year, generally 
brings forth four or five at a birth, and deposits them 
on a bed of dry leaves in a hollow tree. 
