. The popular natural history . Zoology. WEASELS—THE PINE MARTEN. 75 its chase the business of their lives, and to expend their whole energies in capturing the animal from whose body the much-prized fur is talcen. The continual persecution to which the Caama is subjected, has almost exterminated it in the immediate vicinity of Cape Town, where it was fonnerly seen m tolerable plenty. Gradually, however, it retreats more and moie northward before the tread of civilized man, and at the present day is but very rarely seen within the limits of the colony. WEASELS. Next in order to the dogs, is pla
. The popular natural history . Zoology. WEASELS—THE PINE MARTEN. 75 its chase the business of their lives, and to expend their whole energies in capturing the animal from whose body the much-prized fur is talcen. The continual persecution to which the Caama is subjected, has almost exterminated it in the immediate vicinity of Cape Town, where it was fonnerly seen m tolerable plenty. Gradually, however, it retreats more and moie northward before the tread of civilized man, and at the present day is but very rarely seen within the limits of the colony. WEASELS. Next in order to the dogs, is placed the large and important family of the Weasels, representatives of which are found in almost every portion of the earth. There is something marvellously serpentine in the aspect and struc- ture of the members of4this family—the Mustelidas, as they are called, from the Latin word Mustela, which signifies a Weasel. Their extremely long bodies and very short legs, together with the astonishing perfection of the muscular powers, give them the capability of winding their little bodies into the smallest possible crevices, and of waging successful battle with animals of twenty times their size and strength. First on the list of Weasels are placed the agile and lively Martens, or Marten-Cats, as they are sometimes ternied. Two species of British Martens are generally admitted into our catalogues, although the distinc- tion of the species is even as yet a mooted point. The Pine Marten is so called because it is generally found in those localities where the pine-trees abound, and is in the habit of climb- ing the pines in search of prey. It is a shy and wary animal, withdraw- ing itself as far as possible from the sight of man ; and although a fierce and dangerous antagonist when brought to bay, is naturally of a timid disposition, and shuns collision with an enemy. It is a tree-loving animal, being ac- customed to traverse the trunks and branches with wonderful address and activi
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
