an order of knights instituted in 1450, by Francis I., Duke of Bretagne, and which formerly subsisted in France. The collar of this order was of gold, composed of ears of corn in salter, at the end of which hung the ermine, with the inscription à ma vie. But the order expired when the dukedom of Bretagne was annexed to the crown of France.

an animal of the genus Mustela, an inhabitant of northern climates in Europe and America. It nearly resembles the marten in shape, but the weasel in its habits. During summer the upper part of the body is of a pale tawny brown colour, and the tail tipped with black; but in winter the fur assumes that snowy whiteness for which it is so much admired.

and ERMINES, and ERMINOIS, in Heraldry. See HERALDRY, § Of Furs.