After Leonard McCoy made such an assessment with regards to the "practical use" of tribbles in 2268, including the fact that they "make a pleasant sound," Spock retorted that "so would an ermine violin, but I see no advantage in having one." (TOS: "The Trouble with Tribbles" ) The painting by Leonardo da Vinci, "Lady with an Ermine", featured an ermine. (VOY: "Scorpion", "Concerning Flight")