50 POPULAR SCRIPTURE ZOOLOGY.

stood upon its hind legs for a few moments to survey its
enemies, and then went into the neighbouring wood. On
examining the eagle, it was dead, having been killed by a
wound in its throat, supposed to have been made by the
weasel. This supposition was confirmed by a similar attack
having been made by a weasel on a grouse, which flew away
with the animal hanging to it.”

The weasel is mentioned in the list of unclean animals
in the 1]th chapter of Leviticus, verse 39, and is there
classed with the reptiles; but the word in the Syriac sig-
nifies a creeping movement, which is very applicable to the
weasel. The Vulgate and Septuagint agree with our version.
The name was very probably given also to some of the lizard
tribe, and in this case one of these might be meant.

Musreza ruro.—The Ferret.

This little animal measures about thirteen inches, ex-
clusive of the tail, which is about five more; it has a sharp
nose, red and fiery eyes, and round ears; the colour is pale
yellow, sometimes mixed with white, black, and brown. In
its wild state it is a native of Africa, whence it was brought
into Spain, and has gradually been introduced into other
European countries. It sleeps almost continually during
the cold weather, our climate being, in fact, too severe for it,