in zoology. See MUSTELA.

in heraldry. This word alone signifies black spots on a white field; but if the word plain should be used with it, it denotes nothing but white furs.

or Ears of corn; an order of knights in France, instituted by Francis the last of that name, duke of Brittany.

This order was so called on account that the collar of it was made up of ears of corn, lying athwart one another in saltier, bound together, both above and below, each ear being crossed twice, the whole of gold. To this collar there hung a little white beast, called an ermin, running over a bank of grass diversified with flowers.