y the repeated mischief done
in his barge by rats, procured a ferret to destroy them. The ferret
remaining away a considerable time, he thought it was devouring some
rats that it had killed, and went to sleep, but was awakened early next
morning by the ferret, who was commencing an attack upon him. The
animal had seized him near his eyebrow; and the man, after endeavoring
in vain to shake him off, at length severed the body from the head with
a knife,--the latter still sticking so fast, as to be with difficulty
removed.

THE MINK.

This animal is found throughout a great extent of country, from
Carolina to Hudson's Bay, and in its habits and appearance resembles
the otter. The favorite haunts of this species are the banks of
streams, where it inhabits holes near the water. It is an excellent
swimmer and diver, and feeds on frogs and fish. It also commits great
depredations in the poultry-yard. When provoked, it ejects a fetid
liquor, which is exceedingly unpleasant.

THE MARTEN.

Of this animal there are two or three species, confined to the northern
regions of the eastern continent. Of all the weasel tribe it is the
most pleasing; all its motions show great grace as well as agility; and
there is scarcely an animal in our woods that will venture to oppose
it. Quadrupeds five times as large are easily vanquished; the hare, the
sheep, and even the wild-cat itself, is not a match for it. We are told
of a marten which had been tamed, and was extremely pretty and playful
in its manners. It went among the houses of the neighborhood, and
always returned home when hungry. It was extremely fond of a dog that
had been bred with it, and used to play with it as cats are seen to
play, lying on its back, and biting without anger or injury.

THE SABLE.

This animal, as well as several others of the tribe, is greatly valued
for its fur. It resembles the marten, and is found in the northern
parts of both continents. The enterprise, perseverance, and hardships
of the hunters, in America as well as Siberia, in pursuit of this
creature, are almost incredible. In the latter country, the hunting of
the sable chiefly falls to the lot of condemned criminals, who are sent
from Russia into these wild and extensive forests, that for the
greatest part of the year are covered with snow; and in this instance,
as in many others, the luxuries and ornaments of the vain are wrought
out of the dangers and miseries of the wretched. These are