THE length of the common Weasel is about eight inches, his colour chestnut on the back and sides, and white beneath the throat and belly. His body is long, and his legs are very short. He feeds on flesh, and will destroy rats and mice, and does not spare hens, chickens, eggs, &c.

There are several varieties of the Weasel, some of them living about houses, others inhabiting the woods. They are of various colours and sizes. They are exceedingly vigilant, and have given rise to the adage, "You never catch a Weasel asleep." They are found in abundance in the northern parts of the eastern continent.

THE COMMON WEASEL OF AMERICA, STOAT, OR ERMINE.

THIS animal answers, in general, to the above description; in the middle states it is called Weasel, further north it is called Stoat in its summer dress; in winter it becomes white, and is then called Ermine. The following extracts are from Dr. Godman.

Among the small quadrupeds inhabiting this continent (America), few are to be found equalling the Ermine in beauty-perhaps none that excel it in the qualities of courage, graceful celerity of movement, and untiring activity. Its whole aspect inspires the beholder with an idea of its character, which is well supported by its actions.

"The long and slender body, bright and piercing eyes, keen teeth, and sharp claws, clearly show that, however diminutive the animal may appear, it is destined by nature to destroy other creatures more numerous and less powerful than those of its own race; this length and slenderness of body is accompanied by a peculiar degree of flexibility, and by a strength of limb, which, in so small an animal, may be fairly esteemed surprising. There is scarcely an opening through which its prey can enter, where the Ermine cannot follow, and, having once gained access, its instinctive destructiveness is only allayed when no other victim remains to be slaughtered."

SIZE.

FORM. COLOUR. HABITS. COUNTRIES.

THE length of this animal is about seventeen inches. In form it resembles the weasel. Its colour is a deep chocolate. It generally lives in the neighbourhood of houses, and devours hares, rabbits, and birds. When pinched for food, it will catch and eat fish. It is remarkable for an odour that is insufferably fetid. painting are sometimes made. northern parts of Europe.

Of its fur, hair pencils for
It is an inhabitant of the

SIZE. FORM.

THE SKUNK.

COLOUR.

HABITS. COUNTRIES.

THE length of the Skunk is about eighteen inches. Its legs are short, its body is broad and flat. There are scarcely two of them coloured alike. They are generally black or brown, with white spots or stripes. It usually lives in the vicinity of houses, and at night prowls about the barns, and kills the poultry, and sucks the eggs. It feeds also on small quadrupeds, young birds, and wild fruits. This animal is chiefly remarkable for the fetid odour which it discharges upon its assailant when attacked. It is peculiar to North America.

man.

The following amusing description is furnished by God"Pedestrians, called by business or pleasure to ramble through the country during the morning or evening twilight, occasionally see a small and pretty animal a short distance before them in the path, scampering forward without appearing much alarmed, and advancing in a zigzag or somewhat serpentine direction. Experienced persons generally delay long enough to allow this unwelcome traveller to withdraw from the path; but it often happens that a view of the animal arouses the ardour of the observer, who, in his fondness for sport, thinks not of any result but that of securing a prize.

"It would be more prudent to rest content with pelting this quadruped from a safe distance, or to drive it away by shouting loudly; but almost all inexperienced persons, the first time such an opportunity occurs, rush forward with intent to run the animal down. This appears to be an easy task; in a few moments it is almost overtaken; a few more strides and the victim may be grasped by its long and waving tail-but the tail is now suddenly curled over the back, its pace is slackened, and in one instant the condition of things is entirely reversed;-the lately

triumphant pursuer is eagerly flying from his intended prize, involved in an atmosphere of stench, gasping for breath, or blinded and smarting with pain, if his approach were sufficiently close to allow of his being struck in the eyes by the pestilent fluid of the Skunk.”

THE Civet is the largest of the weasel kind, and is more than two feet in length, exclusive of the tail, which is about one foot. The body of the Civet bears a strong resemblance to all animals of the weasel kind. Its colour varies, though it is chiefly ash, sometimes spotted, and at others streaked with black. It is a native of the warmest climates, but will exist in cold ones if treated with care.

HABITS. CURIOUS PARTICULARS.

The Civet is naturally ferocious and voracious. It is, however, capable of being tamed. It feeds on small animals, especially on birds, which it takes by surprise. It is particularly valued for a perfume which it produces, called civet. This has so powerful a smell, that it is impossible to bear any quantity of it in a room; and no person could support the scent of the animal, unless there was a free circulation of air. The Dutch keep great numbers of the Civet at Amsterdam, for the purpose of collecting this drug from them. It is contained in glands near the tail, and is sold at a very high price.

THE Ichneumon is, in general, about the size of the common cat, but somewhat longer in the body and shorter in the legs. The colour is a pale reddish gray. It is sometimes streaked with a mixture of colours in the same manner as a domestic cat. The Ichneumon is a native of Egypt, Barbary, and the Cape of Good Hope.

This animal is one of the boldest and most useful of the weasel kind. It is held in high estimation, especially in Egypt, for the destruction it makes of the crocodile's eggs. Rats, mice, birds, serpents, and lizards, all become its prey; and it will attack the most poisonous reptiles, and, if wounded by them, it is said to find an antidote in some herb. Besides destroying the eggs of the crocodile, it also attacks their young, and for this cause it was formerly so highly estimated by the Egyptians, that they worshiped it. It is kept by them in their houses, as the cat is in

ours.