TIIE ERMINE. 
447 
the ermine. It is found very generally all 
over the Northern hemisphere, and is much 
hunted on account of its fur, to obtain 
which uninjured it is shot with blunt arrows 
or trapped. The fur is greatly valued, and in 
its white state is used by kings and other 
great personages as a badge of rank.” 
“Why do certain animals turn white in 
cold weather, aunt?” inquired Richard. “I 
suppose there must be some good reason 
for it.” 
“There is, indeed, a very good reason. 
White substances conduct heat much more 
slowly than black, as has been proved by 
many experiments; and, as it is important, 
during the intense cold of a Northern winter, 
to preserve the animal heat as much as pos¬ 
sible, the Great Father of all clothes the 
little creature in a snowy garment.” 
“I should think there might be another 
reason,” observed Annie,—“in preventing 
animals from being so conspicuous as they 
would be if they travelled over the snow 
in their dark clothing.” 
“Very probably it may be so,” replied 
Miss Winston. “ The Arctic fox, the bear 
and many birds are examples of this kind 
