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A DESCRIPTION OF 
THE FERRET (Musteiafuro,) 
Is a small, yet bold animal, and an enemy to all others 
but those of his own kind. He is made somewhat like 
the weasel, and breeds in all countries of Europe. His 
eyes are remarkably fiery. The tame ones live on milk, 
bread, barley, &c. ; the wild ones on the blood of 
rabbits, hares, &c. It is much used to drive rabbits from 
their holes, and for this purpose the Ferret is always 
muzzled, for it is such an inveterate enemy to the rabbit, 
that if a dead one be presented to a young Ferret, it in- 
stantly bites it with an appearance of rapacity ; or if it 
be living, the Ferret seizes it by the neck, winds itself 
round it, and continues to suck its blood till it be satiated ; 
indeed, its appetite for blood is so strong, that it has been 
known to attack and kill children in the cradle. It is 
very soon irritated ; and its bite is very difficult to be cured. 
