FISHER. 
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inquisitive air whatever I happen to hold. I must 
further observe, that he plays with a young cat 
and dog, both of some size ; getting about their 
necks, backs, and paws, without their doing him 
the least injury." 
The motion of the weasel consists of unequal 
leaps ; and, on occasion it has the power of spring- 
ing some feet from the ground. It is remarkably 
active ; and will run up a wall with such facility* 
that no place is secure from it. It is useful to the 
farmer in ridding him of rats and mice, which it 
will pursue into their holes, and there kill ; but its 
depredations are not altogether confined to these 
pernicious animals, as it also very frequently des- 
troys young poultry and pigeons. It seizes its 
prey near the head ; and but seldom eats it upon 
the spot, generally carrying it away to its retreat. 
It often destroys the moles in their habitations ; 
as is proved by its being at times caught in the 
traps laid for those animals. We are told that 
when it pursues the hare, that timid creature is 
terrified into a state of absolute imbecility, and 
gives up itself without the least resistance, making, 
at the same time, the most piteous outcries. 
A story is related, that an eagle, having seized 
a weasel, mounted into the air with it, and was 
soon after observed to be in great distress. Hig 
little enemy had so far extricated itself, as to be 
able to bite him very severely in the neck ; which 
presently brought the bird to the ground, and gave 
the weasel an opportunity of escaping. 
Fisher. 
This species, notwithstanding its name, is not 
amphibious. It lias a black nose; strong and 
stiff whiskers ; six small weasel-like teeth above 
and below ; it has six large canine teeth y four 
