CHAP. XIII. ANIMALS OF THE WEASEL KIND. HAVING described the bolder ranks of carnivorous animals, we now come to a minuter and more feeble class, less formidable indeed, than any of the former, but far more numerous, and, in proportion to their size, more active and enterprising. The weasel kind may be particularly distinguished from other carnivorous animals, by the length and slenderness of their bodies, which are so fitted, as to wind, like worms, into very small openings, after their prey; and hence also they have received the name of vermin, from their similitude to the worm in this particular. These animals differ from all of the cat kind, in the formation and disposition of their claws, which, as in the dog kinds, they can neither draw in nor extend at pleasure, as cats are known to do. They differ from the dog kind, in being cloathed rather with fur than hair; and although some varieties of the fox may resemble them in this particular, yet the coat of the latter is longer, stronger, and always more resembling hair. Beside these distinctions, all animals of the weasel kind have glands placed near the anus, that either open into, or beneath it, furnishing a substance, that, in some, has the most offensive smell in nature, in others, the most pleasing perfume. All of this kind are still more marked by their habitudes and dispositions, than their external form; cruel, voracious, and cowardly, they subsist only by theft, and find their chief protection in their minuteness. They are all, from the shortness of their legs, slow in pursuit; and, therefore, owe their support to their patience, assiduity, and cunning. As their prey is precarious, they live a long time without food; and if they happen to fall in where it is in plenty, they instantly destroy all about them, before they begin to satisfy their appetite, and suck the blood of every animal, before they begin to touch its flesh. These are the marks common to this kind, all the species of which have a most striking resemblance to each other; and he that has seen one, in some measure may be said to have seen all. The chief distinction in this numerous class of animals, is to be taken from the size; for no words can give the minute irregularities of that outline, by which one species is to be distinguished from that which is next it. I will begin, therefore, with the least and the best known of this kind, and still marking the size, will proceed gradually to larger and larger, until we come from the weasel to the glutton, which I take to be the largest of all. The weasel will serve as a model for all the rest; and, indeed, the points in which they differ from this little animal, are but very inconsiderable. THE WEASEL,(g) as was said, is the smallest of this numerous tribe; its length not exceeding seven inches, from the tip of the nose to the insertion of the tail. This length, however, seems to be very great, if we compare it with the height of the animal, which is not above an inch and a half. In measuring the wolf, we find him to be not above once and a half as long as he is high: in observing the weasel, we find it near five times as long as it is high, which shows an amazing disproportion. The tail also, which is bushy, is two inches and a half long, and adds to the apparent length of this little animal's body. The colour of the weasel is of a bright red on the back and sides, but white under the throat and the belly. It has whiskers like a cat, and thirty-two teeth, which is two more than any o the cat kind; and these also seem better adapted for tearing and chewing, than those of the cat kind are. The eyes are little and black; the ears short broad, (g) British Zoology, vol. i. p. 83. and roundish; and have a fold at the lower part, which makes them look as if they were double. Beneath the corners of the mouth, on each jaw, is a spot of brown. This animal, though very diminutive to appearance, is nevertheless, a very formidable enemy to quadrupeds a hundred times its own size.* It is very common and well known in most parts of this country; but seems held in very different estimation, in different parts of it. In those places where sheep or lambs are bred, the weasel is a most noxious inmate, and every art is used to destroy it; on the contrary, in places where agriculture is chiefly followed, the weasel is considered as a friend that thins the number of such vermin as chiefly live upon corn: however, in all places, it is one of the most untameable and untractable animals in the world.(g) When kept in a cage, either for the purposes of amusement or inspection, it will not touch any part of its victuals while any body looks on. It keeps in a continual agitation, and seems frighted so much at the sight of mankind, that it will die, if not permitted to hide itself from their presence. For this purpose, it must be provided in its cage, with a sufficient quantity of wool or hay, in which it may conceal itself, and where it may carry COURAGE OF THE WEASEL.-The following story is told in Selkirkshire :-"A group of haymakers, while busy at their work on Chapelhope meadow, at the upper end of St. Mary's Loch (or rather of the Loch of the Lowes, which is separated from it by a narrow neck of land), saw an eagle rising above the steep mountains that inclose the narrow valley. The eagle himself was, indeed, no unusual sight; but there is something so imposing and majestic in the flight of this noble bird, while he soars upwards in spiral circles, that it fascinates the attention of most people. But the spectators were soon aware of something peculiar in the flight of the bird they were observing. He used his wings violently; and the strokes were often repeated, as if he had been alarmed and hurried by unusual agitation; and they noticed, at the same time, that he wheeled in circles that seemed constantly decreasing, while his ascent was proportionally rapid. The now idle haymakers drew together in close consultation on the singular case, and continued to keep their eyes on the seemingly distressed eagle, until he was nearly out of sight, rising still higher and higher into the air. In a short while, however, they were all convinced that he was again seeking the earth, evidently not as he ascended, in spiral curves; it was like something falling, and with great rapidity. But, as he approached the ground, they clearly saw he was tumbling in his fall like a shot bird; the convulsive fluttering of his powerful wings stopping the descent but very little, until he fell at a small distance from the men and boys of the party, who had naturally run forward, highly excited by the strange occurrence. A large black-tailed weasel or stoat ran from the body as they came near, turned with the usual nonchalance and impudence of the tribe, stood up upon its hind legs, crossed its fore-paws over its nose, and surveyed its enemies a moment or two (as they often do when no dogs is near), and bounded into a saugh bush. The king of the air was dead; and, what was more surprising, he was covered with his own blood; and, upon further examination, they found his throat cut, and the stoat has been suspected as the regicide unto this day." This singular story I always looked upon as too good to be true, until lately a friend mentioned the following fact that came under his own observation:-A light snow covered the ground; and he, having walked out to an adjoining hill to meet with one of his shepherds, fell in with the track of one of these weasels, which is easily to be distinguished from that of the smaller species, by the larger footprint and length of the spring, among the snow. He followed the track for some time, for his amusement, along the side of the hill, until he came to the marks where a pair of grouse had been sitting, when he lost all traces of the weasel, and could follow it no further. As there was no appearance of a hole, he was much surprised, and paying close attention to the track of the animal he came to be convinced that it had sprung upon one of the birds, which had flown away with it. As he is a person of uncommonly acute observation, sound judgment, and strong sense, I have the utmost confidence in the correctness of his judgment regarding this curious circumstance. The conclusion is, that the stoat knew quite well what it was about, and would keep its hold until it came to the ground again, under similar circumstances with the eagle. The matchless agility and comparative strength of this bold little creature, would enable it to save itself during the fall; before which took place, it had probably, as in the former strange instance, destroyed the life of its more harmless prey.— CORRESPONDENCE, MAG. NAT HIST. (g) Buffon, vol. xv. p. 37. whatever it has got to eat; which, however, it will not touch until it begins to putrefy. In this state it is seen to pass three parts of the day in sleeping; and reserves the night for its times of exercise and eating.* In its wild state, the night is likewise the time during which it may be properly said to live. At the approach of evening, it is seen stealing from its hole, and creeping about the farmer's yard for its prey. If it enters the place where poultry are kept, it never attacks the cocks or the old hens, but immediately aims at the young ones. It does not eat its prey on the place, but, after killing it by a single bite near the head, and with a wound so small that the place can scarcely be perceived, it carries it off to its young, or its retreat. It also breaks and sucks the eggs, and sometimes kills the hen that attempts to defend them. It is remarkably active; and, in a confined place, scarce any animal can escape it. It will run up the sides of walls with such facility, that no place is secure from it; and its body is so small, that there is scarce any hole but what it can wind through. During the summer, its excursions are more extensive; but in winter it chiefly confines itself in barns and farmyards, where it remains till spring, and where it brings forth its young. All this season it makes war upon the rats and mice, with still greater success than the cat; for being more active and slender, it pursues them into their holes, and, after a short resistance, destroys them. It creeps also into pigeon-holes, destroys the young, catches sparrows, and all kind of small birds; and, if it has brought forth its young, hunts * TAMING THE WEASEL.-The usual method of taming these creatures is, to stroke them gently over the back; and to threaten, and even to beat them, when they attempt to bite. Aldrovandus observes, that their teeth should be rubbed with garlic, which will take away all their inclination to bite. ACCOUNT OF A TAME WEASEL-Instances are not wanting to prove that the weasel may be brought into complete subjection. Madamaiselle de Laistre, in a letter on this subject, gives a very pleasing account of the education and manners of a weasel which she took under her protection, and which frequently ate from her hand, seemingly more delighted with this manner of feeding than any other. "If I pour,” says this lady, "some milk into my hand, it will drink a good deal, but if I do not pay it this compliment it will scarcely take a drop. When satisfied it generally goes to sleep. My chamber is the place of its residence; and I have found a method of dispelling its strong smell by perfumes. By day it sleeps in a quilt, into which it gets by an unsown place which it had discovered on the edge; during the night, it is kept in a wired box or cage, which it always enters with reluctance, and leaves with pleasure. If it be set at liberty before my time of rising, after a thousand little playful tricks, it gets into m bed, and goes on to sleep on my hand or on my bosom. If I am up first, it spends a full half hour in caressing me, playing with my fingers like a little dog, jumping on my head and on my neck, and running round on my arms and body with a lightness and elegance which I never found in any other animal. If I present my hands not. at the distance of three feet, it jumps into them without ever missing. It shows a great deal of address and cunning in order to compass its ends, and seems to disobey certain prohibitions merely through caprice. During all its actions it seems solicitous to divert, and to be noticed; looking at every jump, and at every turn, to see whether it be observed or it ceases them immediately, and betakes itIf no notice be taken of its gambols, self to sleep; and when awakened from the soundest sleep, it instantly resumes its gaiety, and frolics about in as sprightly a humour, unless when confined or teased too manner as before. It never shows any illmuch; in which case it expresses its displeasure by a sort of murmur. In the midst of twenty people, this little animal distinguishes my voice, seeks me out, and springs over every body to come to me. His play with me is the most lovely and caressing; with his two little paws he pats me on the chin with an air and manner expressive of delight. This and a thousand other preferences, show that his attachment is real. When he sees me dressed to go out, he will not leave me; and it is not without some trouble, that I can disengage myself from him; he then hides himself behind a cabinet near the door, and jumps upon me as I pass, with so much celerity, that I often can scarcely perceive him. He seems to resemble a squirrel in vivacity, agility, voice, and in his manner of murmuring. During the summer, he squeaks and runs all the night long; and since the commencement of the cold weather I have not observed this. Sometimes when the sun shines while he is playing on the bed, he turns and tumbles about, and murmurs for awhile." with still greater boldness and avidity. In summer, it ventures farther from the house: and particularly goes into those places where the rat, its chiefest prey, goes before it. Accordingly, it is found in the lower grounds, by the side of waters, near mills, and often is seen to hide its young in the hollow of a tree. The female takes every precaution to make an easy bed for her little ones: she lines the bottom of her hole with grass, hay, leaves, and moss, and generally brings forth from three to five at a time. All animals of this, as well as those of the dog kind, bring forth their young with closed eyes; but they very soon acquire strength sufficient to follow the dam in her excursions, and assist in her projects of petty rapine. The weasel, like all others of its kind, does not run on equably, but moves by bounding; and when it climbs a tree, by a single spring it gets a good way from the ground. It jumps in the same manner upon its prey: and, having an extremely limber body, evades the attempts of much stronger animals to seize it. This animal, like all of its kind, has a very strong smell; and that of the weasel is peculiarly foetid. This scent is very distinguishable in those creatures, when they void their excrement; for the glands which furnish this foetid substance, which is of the consistence of suet, open directly into the orifice of the anus, and taint the excrement with the strong effluvia. The weasel smells more strongly in summer than in winter; and more abominably when irritated or pursued, than when at its ease. It always preys in silence, and never has a cry except when struck, and then it has a rough kind of squeaking, which at once expresses resentment and pain. Its appetite for animal food never forsakes it; and it seems even to take a pleasure in the vicinity of putrefaction. Buffon tells us of one of them being found, with three young ones, in the carcass of a wolf that was grown putrid, and that had been hung up, by the hindlegs, as a terror to others. Into this horrid retreat the weasel thought proper to retire to bring forth her young; she had furnishing the cavity with hay, grass, and leaves; and the young were just brought forth when they were discovered by a peasant passing that way." THE ERMINE, or STOAT.-Next to the weasel in size, and perfectly alike in figure, is the ermine. The stoat or ermine, differs from the weasel in size, being usually nine inches long; whereas the former is not much above six. The tail of the ermine is always tipped with black, and is longer in proportion to the body and more fur nished with hair. The edges of the ears and the end of the toes in this animal FEROCITY OF THE WEASEL.-One fine summer evening, about thirty years ago, as a Mr. Brown was returning from Gilmerton, near Edinburgh, by the Dalkeith road, he observed on the high ground, at a considerable distance, betwixt this and Craigmillar Castle, a man who was leaping about, performing a number of antic gestures, more like those of a maniac than a sane person. After contemplating this apparently absurd conduct, Mr. Brown began to think it might be some unfortunate maniac, and climbing over the wall, made directly towards him; and when he had got pretty near, he perceived that this man had been attacked, and was defend ing himself against the assault of a number of small animals, which he at first mistook for rats, but which, in fact, turned out, on getting closer, to be a colony of from fifteen to twenty weasels, which the unfortunate man was tearing from him, and endeavouring to keep from his throat. Mr. Brown joined in the combat, and having a stick, contrived to hit several, and laid them lifeless. Seeing their numbers decreasing, the animals became intimidated, and speedily fled towards a rock hard by, and disappeared in its fissures. The gentleman was nearly overcome by fatigue and exhaustion, having been engaged in the struggle with the weasels, as far as he could are of a yellowish white; and although it is of the same colour with the weasel, being of a lightish brown, and though both this animal, as well as the weasel, in the most northern parts of Europe, changes its colour in winter, and becomes white; yet even then the weasel may be easily distinguished from the ermine by the tip of the tail, which in the latter is always black. It is well known that the fur of the ermine is the most valuable of any hitherto known; and it is in winter only that this little animal has it of the proper colour and consistence. In summer, the ermine, as was said before, is brown, and it may at that time more properly be called the stoat. There are few so unacquainted with quadrupeds as not to perceive this change of colour in the hair, which in some degree obtains in them all. In the north of Europe and Siberia, the skin of the ermine makes a valuable article of commerce, and they are found there much more frequently than among us. In Siberia they burrow in the fields, and are taken in traps baited with flesh. In Norway they are either shot with blunt arrows or taken in traps made of two flat stones, one being propped with a stick, to which is fastened a baited string; and when the animals attempt to pull this away, the stone drops and crushes them to death. This animal is sometimes found white in Great Britain, and is then called a white weasel. Its furs, however, among us are of no value, having neither the thickness, the closeness, nor the whiteness of those which come from Siberia. The fur of the ermine, in every country, changes by time; for, as much of its beautiful whiteness is given it by certain arts known to the furriers, so its natural colour returns, and its former whiteness can never be restored again.* THE FERRET.-The animal next in size to the ermine, is the ferret; which is a kind of domestic in Europe, though said to be originally brought from Africa into Spain, which being a country abounding in rabbits, required an animal of this kind, more than any other: however this be, it is not to be found at present among us except in its domestic state; and it is chiefly kept tame, for the purposes of the warren. guess, upwards of twenty minutes; and, but (The Ferret.) THE ERMINE. This handsome little animal is a common inhabitant of America. It is a bold animal, and often domesticates itself in the habitations of the fur-traders, where it may be heard the live-long night pursuing the white footed mouse. Captain Lyon, mentions his having seen an ermine hunt the foot-step of mice like a hound after a fox, and he also describes their mode of burrowing in the snow. "I now observed," says he, "a curious kind of burrow, made by the ermines, which was pushed up in the same manner, as the tracks of moles through the earth in England. These passages run in a serpentine direction, and near the hole or dwelling place the circles are multiplied, as if to render the approach more intricate." The same lively writer relates the manners of a captive ermine as follows:-" He was a fierce little fellow, and the instant he obtained daylight in his new dwelling, he flew at the bars, and shook them with the greatest fury, uttering a very shrill, passionate cry, and emitting |