development; their ferocity and destructiveness,
being but little inferior to what we find in the
most sanguinary Felide. Their limbs are short,
yet they possess much agility, to which the form
of their bodies contributes; being very long and
slender, they are able to insinuate themselves into
narrow holes after their prey, and to throw their
bodies into the most lithe contortions, when held.
They do not burrow, nor do they become torpid
in winter. Though the heelis raised from the
ground, the sole is still much inclined: there is
only one tuberculous molar behind the upper car-
nivorous tooth. Most of them exhale when
alarmed, a powerful odour; so insufferable, in the
case of some of the foreign genera (as Mephitis and Mydaus) as to produce fainting in those who are near.
Genus Musrela. (Linn.)
The Weasels proper possess in an eminent degree the characters enumerated above as distinguishing the Family. The neck and body are of great length and tenuity, whence they are called vermiform, or worm-shaped; while the legs and feet are short and small. The toes are not united by a web, as they are in the Otters (Lutra); the claws are sharp; and the tongue isroughened. The dentition is as follows: inc.66; can. 1—11—1; mol. 4—45—5=34.
We have three native, and one domesticated species of Mustela in this country, the common Weasel, the Stoat or Ermine, the Polecat, and the Ferret. Of these we select the first-named (M. vulgaris, Linn.) to illustrate the economy and manners of the genus. The male is about eight inches in length exclusive of the tail, which is
