and, in a state of apparent lethargy, pass the greatest part of winter, till the warmth of the sun, pervading the whole atmosphere, kindles their congealed blood, and calls them back again to the enjoyment of life, and the duty of propagating their species. Except in time of breeding and bringing up the brood, the Dormouse is generally found alone in his cell.

THE animals of this tribe are all carnivorous. From their slender and lengthened bodies, short legs, and the very free motion in every direction, permitted by the loose articulations of the spine, they are well formed for pursuing their prey into the deepest recesses. Constituted by nature to subsist on animals, many of which have great strength and courage, they possess an undaunted and ferocious disposition. The species are extremely numerous. The Weasel is the smallest of this class; it has a long and thin body; its length, with its tail, is only seven inches, and its height not more than an inch and a half.. There are some of this species of different colours, as red, brown, black, and some all white. There are two sorts, the domestic Weasel, living in houses, barns, &c.; the other wild, living in the woods and mountains. In the northern parts of Europe they are very numerous. This little creature will destroy rats, mice, and moles, but they do not spare hens, chickens, eggs, &c.

It was formerly supposed that the Weasel was untamable; but Buffon, in a supplementary volume, corrects this error, and from a letter of a female correspondent, shows that it may be rendered as familiar as a cat or a lapdog. It frequently eat from his correspondent's hand, and seemed fonder of milk and fresh meat, than of any other food. "If I present my hands," says this lady," 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 accomplish its ends, and seems to disobey certain prohibitions merely through caprice. During all its actions it seems solicitous to divert and be noticed, looking at every jump and at every turn to see whether it be observed or not. If no notice be taken of its gambols, it ceases them immediately, and betakes itself to sleep; and when awaked from the soundest sleep, it instantly resumes its gaiety, and frolics about in as sprightly a manner as before. It never shows any ill humour, unless when confined or too much teased, in which case it expresses its displeasure by a sort of murmur very different from that which it utters when pleased."

Is a small, yet bold animal, and an enemy to all others but those of his own kind. He is made somewhat like a 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 kind, that if a dead one be presented to a young Ferret, it instantly 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.

Is in size between a cat and a fox. The skin is spotted and beautiful, of a reddish gray colour. The spots on the sides are round and distinct, those on the back almost close; its tail is long, and marked with seven or eight rings of black. From an orifice beneath its tail, it yields a kind of perfume, which smells faintly of musk. This little animal is meek and gentle, except when provoked, and is easily domesticated. In Constantinople it strays from house to house, as does our cat, and in its wild state inhabits marshy places and irriguous valleys.

HAS SO strong and disagreeable a smell that it is become proverbial; his skin is stiff, hard, and rugged, and when well prepared, lasts long in garments. His tail is not above three inches long. The breast, tail, and legs are of a blackich colour, but the belly and sides yellowish. He keeps in secret corners at tops of houses, and is a disastrous pest to the poultry yard. Some of them frequent the woods and destroy a great quantity of birds; and some others, forsaking the haunts of man, retire to the rocks and crevices of the cliffs on the seashore, preferring a meagre and scanty diet with security, to the daintiness of chicken flesh and eggs, attended with trouble and fear. Rabbits, however, seem to be their favourite prey, and a single Polecat is often sufficient to destroy a whole warren. The Polecat is the same with the Fitchat or Foumart, the hair of which is made into fine brushes and pencils for the use of painters. This small animal is fierce and bold. When attacked by a dog, it will defend itself with great spirit, attack in its turn, and fasten upon the nose of its enemy with so keen a bite, as frequently to oblige him to desist.

Is found throughout India, Guinea, and the Philippine Islands, and famous for producing the perfume called civet. He is kept for the sake of this perfume, and fed with pap, made of millet, with a little fish or flesh boiled with it. The civet obtained from the male is esteemed the best. It is found in a large double glandular receptacle, situated at a little distance beneath the tail. When a sufficient time for the secretion has been allowed, one of these animals is put into a long wooden cage, so narrow that it cannot turn itself round. The cage being opened by a door behind, a small spoon is introduced through the orifice of the pouch, which is carefully scraped; this is done twice or thrice a week, and the animal is said always to produce the most civet after being irritated.

The Berbe is called by Europeans, Wine Bibber, because he is fond of palm wine; is much like a cat, only his snout is much sharper, and the body smaller. He is spotted like a Civet Cat.