70 
HABITS OF THE POLECAT. 
double bag, just below the anus, but I am of opinion that an unpleasant exuda¬ 
tion proceeds also from the animal through the medium of the skin; hence the 
difficulty furriers have to encounter before they can render the fur of this animal, 
which would otherwise be valuable, free of unpleasant smell. My reason for 
thinking so is this:—With the assistance of another person, I removed, as well 
as I could, the odoriferous glands I have mentioned, and even put the poor animal 
to considerable additional pain by using a caustic solution, after extirpation with 
the knife; notwithstanding which, on irritation, the stench would be still 
perceptible, although, certainly, not to the same extent as formerly. Perhaps 
had I used the knife more freely, I might have been perfectly successful; but I 
was apprehensive of unfitting the poor creature for an experiment I had in 
further contemplation, and was unwilling, besides, to put him to what might 
ultimately prove superfluous and ineffectual suffering. I had several Ferrets, 
and wished now to produce a cross breed with the Polecat, which I have heard 
is occasionally resorted to by warreners to improve their stock. The Polecat, 
however, is usually so fierce an animal and so difficult to reclaim, that I have 
often suspected they used the Marten ( M.foina ), or some such animal, more 
frequently for this purpose, than the former, wdiom he closely resembles in general 
appearance. After repeated, and often very mortifying failures, I succeeded in 
procuring the mixed breed, but most unfortunately failed in rearing the young 
ones, in consequence, I am led to suppose, of the unhealthiness of their female 
parent, who died soon after giving them birth. 
A curious adventure happened to me in connection with this Polecat. A friend 
(a great lover of animals) expressed much anxiety to see him, and I accordingly 
conveyed 44 Jemmy” (that was the name I bestowed upon him) to his house, in 
my pocket; and, on entering, set him down at once upon the carpet. This was 
rather an incautious step, for I had not perceived a Cat sleeping on the hearth¬ 
rug, upon whom 44 Jemmy’' sprung, and, seizing Puss behind the ear, would 
shortly have put a period to her further mousing, had we not (with much 
difficulty) forced him to quit his hold. I dare say, had Puss been prepared for 
his attack, he would hardly have mastered her so quickly, for he was still young 
and of no great size; but a full-grown Polecat would, I think, be able to destroy 
any Cat. 
A friend of mine had a little terrier, about ten pounds weight, considered an 
excellent Rat-killer, and he repeatedly challenged me a combat between this Dog 
and 44 Jemmy.” Not wishing to risk the life of the latter, wdiich I of course 
regarded as infinitely the more valuable animal of the two, I, for a long time, 
declined the challenge; but after the affair of the Cat, I thought I might safely 
consent to my sporting friend’s request. The result was , 44 Jemmy’s” fixing upon 
the poor terrier’s under jaw, and there hanging, shaking with great fury for some 
