72 
NATURAL HISTORY 
POLE CAT. 
The Pole Cat is somewhat smaller than 
the martin. Its tail is shorter, its snout 
sharper, and its hair thicker and blacker. It 
has some white on its forehead, and about 
the nose and mouth. The breast, tail, and 
legs are of a blackish colour, but tire belly 
and sides yellowish. 
The Pole Cat has so strong and disagree- 
able a smell, that it is become proverbial; 
and when heated or enraged, it emits a 
stench that is absolutely intolerable. The 
dogs will not eat its flesh ; and even its skin, 
though good in itself, sells at a very low 
price, as it can never be entirely divested of 
its natural odour. 
