673 .J&fA&TEN. 
Marten. 
The marten is a larger animal than ehj of the 
former, being generally eighteen inches long, and 
ihe tail ten more. It differs from the polecat, in 
being about four or five inches longer ; its tail 
is longer in proportion, and more bushy at 
the end ; its nose is- hatter ; its cry is sharper and 
more piercing ; its colours are more elegant ; and, 
what stil l adds to their beauty, its scent is very un- 
like the former,, instead of being offensive, is con- 
sidered as a most pleasing perfume. The marten, 
in short, is the most beautiful of all British beasts 
@f prey ; its head is small, and elegantly formed * 
its eyes lively ; its ears are broad, round and open ; 
its back, its sides, and tail, are covered with a fine 
thick downy fur, with longer hair intermixed ; the 
roots are ash colour, the middle of a bright ches- 
nut, the points black ; the head is brown, with a 
plight cast of red ; the legs and upper sides of the 
feet are of a chocolate colour ; the palms, or 
tmdersides, arc covered with a thick down, like that 
of the body ; the feet are broad ; the claws white, 
large, and sharp, well adapted for the purposes of 
climbing ; but, like others of the weasel kind, in- 
capable of being sheathed or unsheathed at plea- 
sure ; the throat and breast are white ; the belly 
of the same colour with the back, but rather 
paler ; the hair on the tail is very long, especially 
at the end, where it appears much thicker than 
near the insertion. 
Of all animals of the weasel kind, the marten is 
the most pleasing ; all its motions show great 
grace as well as agility ; and there is scarce an ani- 
mal in our woods that will venture to oppose it. 
The instant the marten finds itself pursued by 
dogs, for which purpose there is a peculiar breed 
