Ferret

a useful but ferocious little animal, kept in a domesticated state and used for rabbit hunting as well as for destroying rats. In its general form it resembles the poleeat, but is rather smaller, its usual length being about 138 inches, exclusive of the tail, which is about 5. It has a*’very sharp nose, red and fiery eyes, and round ears. Its color is a pale yellow. In the slenderne of its body and the shortne of its legs it resembles the weasel. In its wild state it is a native of Africa. The cold of our winters is so severe for it, that it becomes nece ary to keep it in a warm box, with wool or some other substance in which it may imbed itself, In this state it sleeps almost continually; and when awake immediately begins to search about for food: that which is usually given is bread and milk, but its favorite food is the blood of smaller animals, It is by nature an enemy to rabbits; and when sent into their burrows is always muzzled, that he may not kill the rabbits in their holes, but only to drive them out to be caught in the nets prepared for them. ‘The ferret is tame without attachment; and such is its appetite for blood that, it has been known to attack and even kill children in their cradles. It is of an irascible nature, and when irritated, the odor it emits is very disagreeable, and its bite is not easily cured. The female has two broods in the year, each consisting of from six to nine. She not unfrequenrtly devours her young as soon as they are born.