330 
MAMMALIA. 
Boitard relates a curious fact about a peasant, who managed 
to feed bis family at tbe expense of bis neighbour, by tbe united 
agency of a Marten and a Dog, both of which, however, must 
have been wonderfully trained to attain the desired result. The 
said peasant was in the habit of prowling about the farms 
adjacent, followed by his Dog and carrying his Marten in his 
pocket. Whenever he noticed a Fowl distant from the home- 
stead to which it belonged, he let loose the Marten, which 
killed it instantaneously. Of course, the rogue went away at 
once, assuming an innocent air, whilst the Dog was sent back 
Fig. 129. — Polecats (M. putorius, Linn.) 
for the feloniously slain Bird. This plan was ultimately dis- 
covered, and the ingenious villager was compelled to discontinue 
profiting by the natural habits of his confederates. 
Among the Polecat section may be classed the Common Pole- 
cat (Mustela putorius) , the Yison or Minx (Mustela lutreola , Pall.), 
the Ermine (. Mustela erminea , Linn.), the Ferret (. Mustela furo , 
Linn.), and the Weasel (Mustela vulgaris , Linn.) 
The Common, or Fetid Polecat (Fig. 129), owes its latter name 
to the disagreeable smell which it emits when irritated. This 
odour is absolutely insupportable, and alike hateful to all animals. 
