ORDER OF CARNIVORA. 
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creatures only avoid Scylla to fall into Charybdis ; for at the 
outlet of the burrow a net awaits them, into which they plunge 
headlong, or are shot by the gun of the sportsman. 
The Ferret, however, should always be muzzled ; but for this 
precaution, it would seize the Rabbits, and, gorging itself 
with blood, remain in a state of insensibility, which sometimes 
lasts several days. It is then almost impossible to induce the 
Ferret to leave the burrow, except by filling every aperture 
of it with smoke, and even this method will not always succeed. 
Apart from this service, the Ferret is of no use ; it mani- 
fests no affection for its master, not even appearing to recognise 
him. 
The Weasel is the smallest of all the Carnivora, and does not 
measure more than six inches in length. It is found all over the 
temperate part of Europe, frequenting the environs of country 
habitations. Its boldness and courage are extraordinary ; it will 
seize animals much larger than itself, even those which are 
formidable, such as the Norway Rat. According to Dr. Jonathan 
Franklin, a Weasel has been seen to attack an Eagle, and after 
allowing itself to be carried high into the air, it succeeded, 
after a prolonged contest, in biting through the throat of the bird 
of prey, when both fell to the ground, the latter in the final agony 
of life, the Weasel uninjured. 
Of all the Mustelidce , the Weasel is the one most easily tamed, 
and shows the greatest affection for its master. 
The Glutton ( Gulo ) Genus . — With the Glutton we commence a 
series of animals of the Mustela Order, the mode of walking of 
which is more or less plantigrade, and their shapes more massive 
than those of the preceding. This animal is the biggest and the 
strongest of the family. It has a large head ; the body somewhat 
more raised from the ground ; a tail of medium length, and 
pretty well furnished with hair; the claws sharp and pointed. 
It derives its name from its voracity, which is said to be 
remarkable. 
The Wolverine, or Glutton (Gulo luscus ), is peculiar to the 
Arctic regions, both of the Old and New Worlds. The manner it 
obtains its food is as follows : — Climbing into a tree, it remains 
concealed till some prey passes beneath, when, springing down 
on to its back, it clings there, ultimately tearing out the victim’s 
