River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1872-12-27

merry, Inls Iur was very IasnlOnaDly worn.
and by many was considered but little in
ferior to the celebrated sable but it is
now very rarely seen in this country,
although it is worn to some extent abroad.
The length Of the Marten is about eight
cen inches, exclusive of the tail, which
measures about ten inches. The tail is
covered with long and rather bushy hair,
end is slightly darker than the rest of the
body, which is covered with brown hair.
II has rather wide range of locality, De-
ing native of the northern parts of
Europe, and a very large portion Of North
ern America.
THE SABLE.
One of the most highly valued is the
celebrated Sable, which produces the
richly tinted fur that is in such great re.
quest. Several species of this animal are
sought for the sake of their fur. They
are very closely allied to mo Martens that
have already been described, and are
supposed by some biologists to belong to
the same species A North American
species is known, together with another
which is an inhabitant OF japan. These
two creatures although they are very
similar to each other, in general aspect,
can be distinguished from each other by
the different hue of their legs and feet
the American Sable being tinged with
white upon those portions Of its person,
and the corresponding members Of Jap.
anese Sable being marked with black.
The Sable is spread oyer large extent
of country, being found in Siberia, Kant
schatka, and Ia Asiatic Russia. Its fur
is in the greatest perfection during the
coolest months Of the year, and offers an
incucement to the hunter to brave the fear
full inclemency of northern winter, in
order to obtain higher price for his
small but valuable commodities. A really
perfect Sable skin is but seldom obtained,
and will command an exceedingly high
price. An ordinary skin il considered to
be worth from FIVE to twenty, or twenty.
five dollars but if it should be of the very
best quality, is valued at sixty dollars.
THE WEASEL.
The fur of the Weasel is sometimes
powerfully influenced by the effects of the
severe cold, and has been known to be-
come nearly white during a sharp and
protracted frost. 1t is worthy of notice
that in such cases the tip OF the tail does
not partake Of the general change of tint,
but retains its bright, red hue, precisely
as the tail of the Ermine retains its iettv
blackness, while the remainder of the fur
is either white or cream.colored. Mr..
Bell, remarks, that he has seen Weasel
which has retained It's wintry whiteness in
two spots on each side of the nose.
although the remainder of the fur had re-
turned to its usual reddish hue during
the summer months. While clad in the
white garments of winter, in which state
it is frequently found in Siberia and
Northern Europe, it is the animal which
was called Mustela nivalis or snowy
Weasel.
THE ERMINE.
To persons who have had but little ex-
perience in the habits of wild animals, it
is generally matter of some surprise that
the celebrated Ermine fur, which is in such
general favor, should be produced by one
of those very animals which we are pop
ularly accustomed to rank among
" vermin," and to exterminate in every
possible way. Yet So it is.
The highly-prized Ermine and the much
detested Stoat, are, in fact, one and the
same animal the difference in the color
oftheir coats being solely caused by the
larger or smaller proportion of heat to
which they have been subjected. In the
summer time, the fur of the Stoat. by
which name the animal will be designated,
whether it be wearing its summer or win
ter dress, is not unlike that of the weasel
although the dark parts of the fur are not
so rudy, nor the light portions of so pure
a white as in that animal The toes and
the edges of the ears are also white. The
change of color which takes place during
the colder months of the year, is now
ascertained with tolerable accuracy To be
caused by an actual whitening of the fur,
and not by the gradual substitution of
white for dark hairs, as was for some time
supposed to be the case.
THE OTTER.
Although by no means large animal,
the Otter has attained universal repu-
tation as terrible and persevering foe to
fish. Being possessed Of very discrim-
mating palate, and invariably choosing
the finest fish that can be found in the
locality, the Otter is the object of the pro.
foundest hate to the proprietors of streams,
and by all human fishermen. 1t is so
dainty an animal that it will frequently
kill several fish, devouriDg only those por.
tons which best please its palate, and
leaving the remainder ON the banks to
become the prey of rats, birds, or other
fish-loving creatures.
The fur Of the Otter is so warm and
handsome that it is IL great request for
some commercial purposes. The entire
length Of the animal is rather under three
feet and half, of which the tail occupies
about fourteen or fifteen inches