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Collection de
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Canadian Instituta for Hittorical Microraproductions / Inttitut Canadian da microraproductions hiatoriquaa

Ttehnical and Bibliographic Notaa/Notaa tachniquaa at Ubiiographiquaa

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Tha Inatituta Imm attamptad to obtain tha baat
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I I Colourad ink (i.a. othar than blua or black)/

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Laialiura aarr'^a paut cauaar da I'ombra ou da la
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II aa paut qua cartainaa pagaa blanchaa ajoutiaa
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paa 4ti fiimtoa.

Additional commanta:/
Commantairaa supplAmantairaa:

L'lnatitut a microfilm* la maillaur axamplaira
qu1l iui a 4t* poaalbia da aa procurer. *..aa d^talla
da cat axamplaira qui aont paut-Atra unlquaa du
point da vua bibliographiqua. qui pauvant modifiar
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Pagaa raataurAaa at/ou pallicul4aa

Pagaa diacolourad, atainad or foxad/
Pagaa dAcolortoa, tachatiaa ou piquAaa

Pagaa datachad/
Pagaa ditachAaa

Showthrough/'
Tranaparunca

Quality of print variaa/
Qualiti In^gala da I'impraaalon

Includaa aupplamantary matarial/
Comprand du material auppWmantaira

Only adMon availabia/
Saula Mitton diaponibia

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Original copiaa In printad papar eovara ara fNmad
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tha laat paga with a printad or llhiatratad impraa-
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•ion. and anding on the laat page with e printed
or illuetretod impreaalon.

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par le premier plot et en terminent soit per le
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plat, salon le ces. Tous les sutres exemplairas
origlneux sent fllmte en commen^ent per la
premiere pege qui comporte une empreinte
dimpreesion ou d'illustretion et en terminent per
le demlAre pege qui comporte une telle
empreinte.

The leet recorded freme on each microflehe
sheN contain the symbol ^^ (mooning "CON-
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whichever eppiiee.

Un dee symbolee suivsnts spperettre sur le
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platea. cherts, etc.. may be filmed at
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entirely Included in one expoeure ere filmed
beginning in the upper left hend comer, left to
right end top to bottom, ee meny fremee es
required. The following diegrems illustrete the

Les certes, pienches. tebleeux, etc.. peuvent Atre
fllmte A dee teux de rAduction diff Grants.
Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atra
raproduit an un saul clichA. il est film* A pertir
de I'englo supArieur geuche. de gauche i droite.
et de heut en boa, en prenent le nombre
d'imegee nAcesseire. Les diegremmes suivants
illustrent le m4thode.

1 2 3

THE

FUR-BEARING ANIMALS

NORTH AMERICA.

A Monograph of American Mustelid/*:,

IN WHICH AN ACCOUNT OF THE WOLVERINE, THE MARTENS OR SABLI-s
THK ERMINE. THE MINK. AND VARIOUS OTHER KINDS O^WKa"
SELS, SEVERAL SPECIES OF SKUNKS. THE BADGER THE
LAND AND SEA OTrERS, AND NUMEROUS '
EXOTIC ALLIES OF THESE ANIMALS

IS CONTRIBUTED TO THE

HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICAN MAMMALS.

By ELLIOTT COUES,

Captain and AMisun, Surgeon U. S. rmy ; Sectary U. S. Geological Survey ; Member

of the National A«demy of Science., etc.; Author of "Key ^

North American Bird*," " Field Ornithology," etc.

WITH SIXTY ILLUSTRATIONS.

175058

BOSTON :

ESTES AND LAURIAT.
1877.

VI '^^ ,1

PREFATORY NOTE.

U. S. Geological and Geoobaphical

Survey of the Tbrbitobies,
Washington, D. C, July n, 1877.

This treatise on Far-bearing Animals of North Americaf pre-
pared by Di. Elliott Cones, Assistant Surgeon United States
Army, at present on dnty with the Survey, is published as a
specimen fasciculus of a systematic History of North American
Mammals, upon which the author has been long engaged.

In the forthcoming work, which will be published by the
Burvey as soon as it can be prepared for the press, it is proiiosed
to treat the Mammals of North America, living and extinct, in
the same comprehensive and thorough manner in which the
single family of the Muatelidas has been elaborated.

The form of the final work, however, will necessarily be modi-
fied, in order to bring the whole matter within reasonable com-
pass, as well as to adapt it more perfectly to the wants of the
general public, which it is designed to meet. The technical
and critical portions of the treatise yill be condensed as far as
may be deemed compatible with itsdistiuctively soieutifle charac-
ter, while the aspects of the subject which are of more general
interest, such as the life-histories of the species and the eco-
nomic or other practical relations which animals sustain toward
man, will be presented in ample detail.

Other considerations havpi also had weight with me in de-
ciding to publish this Monograph of the Muatelida in advance
of the general "History", and as a separate volume. This
family of Mammals is oo) of special interest and importance,
from an economic point ot view, as all the species furnish valua-
ble peltries, some of which, like Sable, Ermine, and Otter, are
in great demand ; while their pursuit is an extensive and im-
^rtant branch of our national industries.

It is believed that the Monograph satisfactorily reHects the
present state of our knowledge of these animals, and forms

NORTH AMERICAN MU8TELIUi>E.

a (lesirablo contribution to tbe literature of the general subject.
The MuslelidiTf like most otb.r fntnilies of North American
Mammals, have not been Hjstemaiically revhed for many years^
(luring which much new material, hitherto unused, has become
available for the pnr|K>se8 of science ; while the steady and
rapid progress of scientiflc inquiry has rendered it necessary to
reopen and discuss mr.iiy questions in a new light. The same
principles and methods of study which the author ha.s suc-
cessfully ai)plied to the elucidation of the Rodentia of North
America have be^n brought to bear upon the investigation of
the Muatelidw.

The Memoir is based upon specimens secured by the Survey
under my direction, together with all the material contained
in the National Museum, for the opportunity of examining
which the Survey acknowledges, in this aa in other instances,
its indebtedness to the Smithsonian Institution.

The illustrations of the present volume, with few exceptions,*
were engraved by Mr. H. H. Nichols, of Washington, from pho-
tographs on wood made under Dr. Coues's direction by Mr. T. W.
Smillie, of Washington. This method of natural history illus-
tration may still be regarded in the light of an experiment ; but
the cuts may be considered fine specimens of the engraver^d
art, when it is remembered that photography gives no lines
to be followed by the gi-aver. Though showing less detail^
particularly of the under surfaces of the skulls, than might
have been secured by hand-drawing, the cuts possess the merit
of absolute accuracy of contour.

This opportunity is taken to reprint, by permission, a Circular
relating to the proposed " History ", which was addressed by
Dr. Coues to t!«e Medical Staff of the Army, of which he is a
member. The Circular is sufficiently explicit to require no com>
ment ; but I may here express my high appreciation of the
courtesy with which the wishes of the Survey have been met
by the Surgoou General of the Army.

F. V. HAYDEN,
United States Oeologist.

* The Bev«*ral ligares on the electrotype plate VI were kindly loaned by Mr.
£. A. Samaela,of BMton, from the MaMacbusetts Agrioultural Report for 18<>L
The tignres on plate XII were drawn on wood by Mr. S. W. Kct'ti, of Wiwh-
ingtoD, from photographs fnmished by Mr. H. W. Parker^ of the Agricultural
College, Aniherat, Maau.

[K(>|iiiiit«<il.]

WAK DKPAKTMENT.
SUKGEOy GENEHAL'S OFFICE.

\VasuiN(}Ton, JMarvh ;U, 1877.
CIRCULAR ORDERS, }
No. 1. ^

The attention of the Medical Officers of the Army is piirticu-
Inrly invited to the following comniunicatiun addressed to theui
by Assistant Surgeon Elliott Coues, U. S. Army.

It is ho|ied that their assistance and co-operation will be
cheerfully given for the reasons stated and in the manner indi-
4iated by J>r. CouBS.

By ordek of the Sukoeon General:

C. H. CKANE,
AsHiHtant Surgeon General, U. S. Army.

Okfick of U. S. Ok<ii.o«icai. a\i» ClKooiiArniCAL Si'Rvkv,

ffaxhintjton, U. C, March la, 1(?77.
To TiiK Mkdicai. Okkickh.h ok the Akmv:

Mmiical Otncera of tb« Army, and otbera whu may be iutui'eHteil iii the
iiiattt-r, are reHiK-ctfiilly aiul earneHtly invited to c<Mip«rate witb tbu iiader-
NJxiied in tbu pruparatiuu of a work entitled "Hiittofy of Xorth Jmnrkan Unuf
mah," Ut be publiabed by tbn Uoverumeut.

It iH now twenty yean since the last general work upon the Qiiadrupe«ls
of thisconntry appeared. The progress of our knowledge during this period
renders the demand for a new treatise imiierative. It is proposed to make
the forthcoming '^History" a standaril scientific treatise, covering the whole
ground, and fully exhibiting the present state of our knowledge of the sub-
ject. The plan of the work may be briefly indicated ; its scoi>e includes —
1. The Clat«sification of North American Mammals according to the latest
and most approved views of leading tberologists, including diagnoses of
the orders, families, genera and species.
S. Tlie most acceptable Nomenclature of each species and variety, witb ex-
tensive Synonymy.

3. The elaborate technical Description of each species and variety, including

much anatomical detail, especially respecting the skull and teeth.

4. I'he Geographical Distribution of the species — an important matter, con-

cerning which much remains to be learned.
.'>. The " Life-histories " of the species, or an account, as full and completn

as it can l>e made, of their habitt. This is also a matter reqoiring niuuU

further study.
C. The Hibliography of the subject.

NORTH AMERICAN MU8TELIL>;f:.

Whiln tbu Htrictly acientiflc character of tb« work will he uutiutaiiiud, th»
" lifn-hiHtorie«," being '^f goneral iiitorust, will bo divostod as far om |iutt»iblo
of tecbnicalitittH, and treated with u free band, in popular style. Tbe iiiithor
has long be«)n engaged in gatbering material for this work, already far ad-
VHnc««l, and bo|M!H to publisb at no distant day. His resources and facilitiea
for the pntpuratioii of the descriptive and other technical portions of tho
treatise have been ample ; but be hoH still, in ooinmon with other naturalistM,
niuoh to Itiurn res|>eoting the (Geographical Distribution and Habits of North
American Mamuiuls. To these points, therefore, special attention is invited,
with the exfiectatinn that much important and valuable information may
lie secured with tbe assistance of Medical and other OfHcers of the Army,
mnuy of whom enjoy unusual facilities for acquiring a knowledge of this
subject, and whose individual exporiences, in many caseN, represent a fund
of information not yet on scieutiHc record, but which, it is hoped, may now
be made fully available.

Tbe Geographical Distribution of animals can be thoroughly worked oat
only by means of observations made at very many ditferent places. To tbia
end it is desirable that lists should be prepared of tbe varioi s species found
in any given locality, noting their relative abundance or scarcity, times of
apitearance and disappearance, nature of their customary resorts, and other
fiertinent particulars. A suftlcient number of such reports, from various
stations, would greatly increase our knowledge, and render it more precise.
It is believed that the " History of the Post," as already prepared by Medi-
cal Officers, usually includes information of this kind, which, by the permis-
sion of the Surgeon General, is mode available for tbe present purpose.

As a rule, the habits of larger "game" animals, such as are ordinarily ol>-
Jects of the chose for pleasure or protit, and of all those which sustain obvious
economic relations with man, as furnishing food or fun, or oh committing
depredations upon crops or live stock, are the best known ; yet there is
much to be learned even respecting these. The habits of many of the $niaUer,
insignificant or obscure species are almost entirely unknown. Full and ao~
curate information respecting the habits of the numerous specieH of Mares^
Squirrels, Shrews, Moles, Mice, Rats, Bats, Weasels, (jophers, iVc, is par-
ticularly desired. The Bats otfer a peculiarly inviting and little explored
field of research. Among points to which attention may be directed, in any
case, are the following :

Dute and duration of the rut.— Period of gestation.— Usual time of repro-
duction. — Number of young proiluced. — Duration of lactation. — Care of the-
y(mng, by one or both parents. — State of monogamy or polygamy. — Times
of disappearance and re-appearance of such animals as are migratory, and
of such as hybernate. — Completeness or interruption of torpidity. — Times
of changing iielage, of acquiring, shedding and renewing horns.— Habits
connect«d with these processes. — Habits peculiar to the breeding and rut-
ting seasons. — Construction of nests, barrows, or other artiticial retreats. —
Natural resorts at different seasons. — Nature of tbod at various seasons ;
mode of procuring it; laying-up of supplies; quantity required. — Various
cries, of what imlicative.— Natural means of offense and defense, and how
employed. — General disposition, traits, characteristics. — Methods of captur-
ing or destroying, of taming or domesticating. — Economic relations with

CIRCITLAB.

VII

man ; liow inJtiriniiH or bunollcial, to what nxtent, iiMd fur what purpoMH,
yifldiiiit what priMliiotit of valiin.

CHher pointa will doiibtleaa tnggemt theiuaelvea to the nl>mrTer. Anatom-
ical notoM of ocrefiil ilimeotionH of itoft parta, particularly of tho tliffoati ye
and reproductivH organa, aro valuable. AniHsdotal recorda of iwraoiial ex-
perienced iMNHiom at leaat the interuat which attaohea to origioality, and are
▼ery acceptable. PeraiMis are fre<|iiently deterred from oonimiioicating their
obaervationa for fuar that whiit they have to utfitr may not be wante«l. Thia
ia generally a niiatake. In the tirat place, duplication of data aervea the
important purpoho of corrolioiating and U4>iirtnning the accuracy of reports
furniahetl, and in all caaea of aeaaonni plienoinuiia, which of C4iura« vary
with latitude, the aaiue observationa may Ins proHtably r«iN«ateil at dilTerent
atationa. Secondly, |ieraona who write hooka are generally auppoaeil to
know more than they really do.

8|M)viuienH of common and well-known animala, ea|M>cially if bulky, are
of conrae leaa deairable than those of rare and obacMire aiM>cies ; but apeci-
mena of any speciea a«)uured beyond the ortlinary geographical range, or
illustrating unusual oonditiona, auch aa albinism, melaniam. or malforma-
tions, or representing embryonic atagea of growth, are always in demand.
Small dry parcels may be o«inveuiently mailed direct t«> the underaigned ;
large packagea should b« sent in accordance with Circular Orders, No. '2,
War Department, .Surgeon Gtmeral's Office, April 13, 187.'>, (copy herewith [ * ])|
or by express, if the Quartermaster's liepartmeat caunot furnish transpor-

n WA.R nrcPARTMENT,

Surgeon General's Office,

fVnnhington, April I'.i, 1875.

CIRCULAR ORDERS, ) .

No. 2. (

The following Oonernk Order from the Adjutant Oencral's Office ia pub-
lished for the information of Metlical Officers :

GBNKIiALORUBIUt|
No. 4».

WAR DEPARTMENT,

AlUl'TANT (iBNRIUI.'h OFFK K.

WankingUm, AprU 8, 1875.

The (jnartermMt«tr'i. Dt*partnu-nt ia authorized to trannport to the Me<Iioal Muaeum at
¥'aHhlDKton Huch ohjecta as may be turned over to its offlrera for that purpose at any
mititary post or atatioii by the otBcera of the Medical Department.

Br UKDKH OK THi: SKCKITARY ok WAK:

E. D. TOWN8END,

Adjtilant Omttal.

Medical Officers in turning over packagea to the Quartermaster's Depart-
ment for tranB|M)rtation will take receipts in duplicate, and will forward
one of the receipts to the Surgeon General. All packagea for the Museum
should be plainly marked "Surgeon General, U. S. A., Washington, D. C,"
with "Army Medical Museum" inscribed in the lower left band corner.

By order ok the Surgeon Genkkai.:

C. H. CRANK,

A»ai$tant Surgeon OentrnI V. S, Jrrnjf.

VIII

NORTH AMERICAN MU8TELID^:.

Utinn. Speoimenit, after enaiiiiDatlon by the nndenlgued for the pnrpoect
of the work lu hand, will be dopueited, ia the Dame uf the douor, in the
Amiy Medical Muaeiim, or in the National Muneain.

Printed iuiitruotiona for ooUeoting and preeerviug epeoiinena will be fnr-
nlahed ou application to the Smitbaonian Inatitutiou. Medical OfUoent
reoeiviag thiH Circular are retineeted to bring it to the notice uf others who
may be intereeted in the matter, and are cordially invited to open corre-
•pondencu with the writer upon the subject.

It is proper to add, that, for all information or speoimens furnished, full
credit will be given in every instance, both in the text of the treatise in
which such material is utilized, and lu the records and publications of the
Museum in which it is Anally deposited; and that tli« author will regard
ooUperation in this work as a personal favor, to be fully appreciated an<l
gratefully acknowledged.

ELLIOTT COUE8,
A»»UtaHt SurgfOH, U. S. Armjf.

! .

SUMMARY OF CONTKXTS.

CHAPTER I .
The Family MUSTKLID.E.

Gunernl ooiiHideratioiiH — HyHtematio iMwition aud relatiouit uf the JfN«-
f«/td<«'— DiviHioniiitoHubfamitieB— Htihediileof tlieXorth AmerioMi
Kenera — Their ditlvrential oharnctera — DiagnoMes of the North
American Huhfaniilieit — The anal ({lantlH of Mutltlimii— The foHail
North American apeoiea of i/H«fr/<N(f;— Derivation and Hignilica-
lion of names applied to Mtntelido'

CHAPTEK 11.
Subfamily MUSTELIN.E: The Wolverene.

The genus GhIo — Generic characters — Giih fimnA, the Wolverene — Syn-
onymy — Habitat— Hpeoitio characters— Description of external
characters—Measarements— Anal Klunds — Descriptiou of the sknll
and teeth— Measurements of skulls, European anil American —
Nomenclature of the species— Relation of the European and Ameri-
can animal— General history, geographical distribution, and habits
of the Hiiecies- Its distribution in the Old World....

CHAPTER III.
MUSTELINJC— Continued: The Martens.

The genus iffiMfefa — Generic obaroctent, &c. — Analysis of North
American species— if<iafe/a peHnanti, the Pekan or Pennant's Mar-
ten-Synonymy- Habitat— Specific oharacte'.^- Description of
external cbr^racters— Dimensions — Skull and vertebrw— General
history, hr.bits, and geographical distribution-Interpolat«d mat-
ter relating to exotic species of Mmtela—M. mar'e*— Synonymy —
Description of its skull and teeth->i/. /oina— Synonymy- NotcH
on its characters — M. zibelUna — Synonymy — Meosuremonts of
skulls of the three species— Comparative diagnoses of M. martett
americana, and fo^na—MusteUt americana, the American Sable or
Marten — Synonymy— Description and discussion of the spe-
cies—Table of measurements — Geographical variation in the

akull— General history aud habits of the species

8»

'\i

NORTH AME'ZICAN MUSTELIDiE.

CHAPTER IV.
MUSTELIN^—Continued: The Weasels.

The genus Putoriiu — Qeneric oharactera and remarks — Dirision of tha
^^enos into subgenera — Analysis of the North American species —
The subgenus Oale — Putoritu vulgaris, the Common Weasel — Syn-
onymy— Habi*«t—8peoitic eharacters — (General characters and re-
lationships of the species— Geographical distribution— Habits —
Putoriua ermiwea, the Stoat or Ermine — Synonymy — Habitat — Spe-
citio characters— Discussion of specific characters and relation-
ships — ^Table of measurements— Note on the skull and teeth —
Deseription of external characters — Conditions of the change of
color — (Jeneral history and habits of the siiecies — Its distribution
in the Old World — Putoritu longicauda, the Long-tailed Weasel —
Synonymy — Habitat — Specific characters— Description — Measnre-
men^ — General account of the species — Putorius brtuilieiuis fre-
mattu, the Bridled Weasel — Synonymy— Habitat — Specific charac-
ters — General account of the species

CHAPTER V.

MUSTELINE— Continued : The American Ferret.

Theanbgenus Cifnomyotua — Snbgenerio characters — P»toriu» ( CynomyO'
IMS) Rtyripef, the American or Black-footed Ferret — Synonymy —
Specific charaeteis — Habitat — General account of the species — Ad-
DBNDUM : On the species of the subgenus Putoriu* — P. fatidiu,
the Polecat or Fitch— Synonymy — Description— P. faetidus var.
f'mro, the Ferret — Synonymy — Remarks — Ferret breeding and
Laadling — P.feeMiu rar. martmanni, the Siberian Polecat — Synon-
ymy — Remarks — P. mrmaticu», the Spotted Polecat — Synonymy
Mid remarks 147

CHAPTER VI.
MUSTELINE— Continued : The Mink.

The subgenus £i(tr*u{a— Snbgeneric characters and remarks — Putoriu*
Hmh, the American Mink — Synonymy— Habitat — Specific char-
acters — Description of external characters— Measurements — Vari-
ation in external characters — Variation iu the skull — Comparison
with tho European Mink— Notice ot allied Old World species, P.
Intreola and P. »ibiricu» — General history and habits of the Mink —
"Minkeries"

158

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VII.
Subfamily MEPHITIN^: The Skunks.

Qeaenl considerations— Cranial and dental characters — The anal ar-
matare — Division of the subfamily into genera— Note on fossil
North American species— The genus Mephitia — Mephitis mephitiM,
the Common Skunk — Synonymy— Habitat — Specific characters —
Description of external characters— Description of the skull and
teeth — Variation in the skull with special reference to geographi-
cal distribution — Anatomy and physiology of the anal glands and
properties of the secretion — Geographical distribution and habits
of the Skunk— History of the species— Aduknuum : On hydropho-
bia from Skunk-bite, the so-called " rabies mepuitica " l07

CHAPTER VIII.
MEPHITINiE— Continued : Skunks.

The genns Mepkitii, continued — Mephitit macrura, the Long-tailed Mex-
ican Skunk — Synonymy— Habitat — Speciiio characters — Deiorip-
tion — The subgenus Spilogale— Mepkitia (Spilogale) putoriua, the
Little Striped Skunk — Synonymy — Habitat — Specific characters —
Description of external characters — Description of the skull and
teeth — History of the species — ^Tbe genus Conepatus — Contpatiu
mapurito, the White-backed Skunk— Synonymy— Habitat — Speci-
fic characters — Description of external characters — Description of
the skull and teeth — Description of the anal glands— Geographi-
cal distribution and habits

836

CHAPTER IX.
Subfamily MELINiE: The Badgers.

The genns Taxidea — Generic characters and comparison with Mrlea—
Taxidea anuritiana, tha American Badger — Synonymy — Habi-
tat — Specific characters — Description of external characters — De-
scription of the skull and teeth— Geographical variation iu the
akull — History of the American Badger — Its geographical distri-
bution — Habits— 7Vix<uaa auierieaua berlandieri, the Mexican Bad-
ger — Synonymy — Habitat— Subspecific character — General re-
marks— Addendum: Description of the perinwal glands of the
European hudgw, Mela vulgarit 261

aan

1
il

XII NORTH AMERICA^f MUSTELIDiG.

CHAPTER X.
Subfamily LUTRIN.E : The Otters.

<3eneial considerations — The genas Lutra — Gen«rio characters and
remarks — ^The North American Otter, Lutra coHodemtu — Syoon-
ymy — Habitat— Specific characters — Description of external char-
acters — Description of the skull and teeth — Variation in the
skull — History of the species — Geographical distribation — Habi^ii
of Otters — Extinct species of North American Otter 2d3

CHAPTEU XI.
Subfamily ENHYDRIN.E: Sea Otter.^

General considerations— The genns £nAydri«— Generic characters —
Enhifdrit luMs, the Sea Otter — Synonymy — Habitat — Specific
characters — Description of external characters — Description of
the skull and teeth — History of the species — '* The Sea Otter and
its hunting"— The habits of the Sea Otter 325

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PLATE I.-Oi I.O i.rscus.

Skull from above, below, nnd in profile. (^Redw-ed.)

II.~M«'8TKI^ I'KNNANTI.

Sknii from above, belov, and in profile. {Xatiirnl the.)

III. — MrSTKLA MARTRS.

Skall from above, below, and in profile. (Natural siie.)

IV.— Mi;STKI.A POINA.

Skull from above, below, and in profile. {Natural aize.)

V. — MUSTRLA AMERICANA.

Sknll from above, below, and in profile. ( A'aiuml tize.)

VI.— PUTORIUS KRMINRA and P. VCLGARIS.

Fijfs. 1, :<,.'», 6, p. ermium, beads and tails. Figs. 8,4, P. vul-
garis, head and tail. {Natural rize.)

VII.— PUTORUrs NI(}RIPR8.

Skull from above, below, and in profile. (Natural $ue. )

VIII. — PUTORIUS Ftt:TIDU8.

Skull from above, below, and in profile. ( Natural aize. )

IX. — PCTORIUS VI.SON.

Skolt fipom above, balow, and in pntfile. (yatural size.)

X. — MbPHITIS MRI'HITICA.

Skull of ordinary characters from above, bel«)w, and in pro-
file. (Natural aize.)

XI, — Mrphitis mkphitica.

Skull of large size from above, below, and in profile. (Natu-
ral aize.)

XII.— MkFJIITIS (SPIIX>0AI.R) PUTORIUS.

Two skins, to show t^o ^ liar markings. (Mueh reduced.)

XIII.— Mrphitis (Spiixmjale) putorius.

Large old sknll from above, below, and in profile. (Natural

aize.)

zin

XIV

NOBTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^E.

PLATE XIV.— Mephitis (Spilooai^r; putorius.

Small yonng skull from above, below, and ia profile. (Sat-
ural aize.)

XV. — CONRPATUS MAPURITO.

SkoU from above, below, and ia profile, {yatural tUe.)

XVI. — Taxjdba ambricana.

Skull from above, below, and in profile. (Reduced.)

XVII.— Ll'TRA CANAI>BNSI8.

Skull from above, below, and In profile. (Hotttral tize.^

XVIII.— LUTRA VULGARIS.

Skull from above, below, and in profile. (Natural tite.)

XIX.— Enhtdris lutris.

Skull from above and below. (Reduced.)

XX.— ENHYDRIS I.UTRIS.

Skull in profile. (Reduced.) Palate and teeth. (Natural »i»e.)

HISTORY

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDJl

CHAPTER I.

The Family MUSTELID.E.

General considerations— Sj'Btoniatic position ami relations of the Mtmielida —
Division into subfamilies— SeluMlule of the North American genera — Their
differential characters — Diagnoses of the North American Kiibfamilies —
The anal glands of itustelhur — The fossil North American specieB of
MMklimr — Derivation and signiticatiou of names applied to JUualiUda.

THIS is a large, important, and well-defined family of Car-
nivorous Mainuialis, embracing the Weasels and Martens, as
its topical representatives, the Skunks, Badgers, Otters, and a
few other less familiar animals.

Representatives of the family exist in most portions of the
globe, excepting the Australiiin region, home of the Marsupials
and Monotremes. The group reaches its highest development
in the Northern Hemisphere, or ArctogoMi, where both the gen-
era and the species are most numerous and diversified. Some
twenty genera are recognized by modern authors; of these,
the genus Putoriug, including the true Weasels, has the most
extensive geogi!«i>faical distribution in both hemispheres, and
contains by far the largest number of species. In one sense, it
is to be considered as the typical genus of the family. Many
of the other genera consist of but a single species, and some
of them are the sole representatives of the subfamilies to
which thev respectively belong.

The economic importance of the family may be estimated
from the \ery high commercial value which fashion has set
1 M 1

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

npoD the fur of several of the species, such as the Ermiue, Sable,
Nutria, and Sea Otter; an<i various other polts, only less valu-
able than these, are furnished by members of this family.
These animals sustain other relations toward man, by no means
to be overlooked. The serious obstacles which the Wolverene
offers to the pursuit of the more valuable fur-bearing animals
of British America is set forth in following pages ; while the
destructiveness of sush species as the Mink and various kinds
of Weasels is well known to the poulterer. The Skunks are
infamous for the quality, familiar to every one, which places
them among the most offensive and revolting of animals ; they
are, moreover, capable of causing one of the most dreadful dis-
eases to which the human race is exposed. The cruel sport
which Badgers have afforded from time immemorial has given
a verb to the English language ; while the legitimate pursuit
of various Mmtelidw is an important and wide-spread branch
of human industry.* The scientiflc interest with which the
zoologist, as simply such, may regard this family of animL.ls
yields to those practical considerations of e very-day life which
render the history of the Mtutelidw so important.

The definition of the family is strict. The zoological char-
acters by 7hich it is distinguished from other Carnivorous Mam-
mals are well marked; and few if any naturalists of repute
differ in their views respecting the limitation of thf. group. The
systematic position of the family in the Carnivorous series seems
to be also settled by very general consent. Singular as it may
seem, when, without considering intermediate forms, we com-
pare for instance the diminutive, slender-bodied, and nimble
Weasels with the great, heavy-bodied, and comparatively sloth-
ful Bears, the closest affinities of the Musteline series are with
the Ursine; the next nearest are with the Canine; and the
family Maatelidte may properly stAud between the Canidce on

* During the centary, 1769-1868, the Hudson's Bay Company sold at anc-
tion in London, besides many million other pelts, the following of Mmtelidte : —
1,240,511 sables, 674,027 otters, 68,694 wolverenes, 1.507,240 minks, 218,653
skiinks, 275,302 badgers, 5,349 sea otters. In 1868 alone, the company sold
(among many thousand others) 106,254 sables, 73,473 minks, 14,966 otters,
6,298 skunks,. 1,104 wolverenes, 1,551 badgers, 123 sea otters ; besides which
there were also sold In London, in the autumn of the same year, about 4,500
sables, 22,000 otters, &c. Another company, the Canadian, sold in London,
during the years 1763 to 1839, the following: 2,931,383 sables, 29,110 wolver-
enes, 895,832 otters, 1,080,780 minks.— (Droste-HClshoff, Der Zoologische
Garten, 1869, p. 317.)

POSITION AND RELATIONSHIPS OP MlJSTELIi).!.. 3

the one hand and the Urai^hc on the other. In order to give a
clear idea of the positioij and relationships of the Mustelichs, the
following characters* of the higher groups of Mammals under
which the family comes are given : —

MaintualH having a brain with tUo cerebral liemispheres connected by a
more or less well-developed corpus cnllosuiu and a reduced
anterior commissure. Vagina a single tube, but sometimes
with a partial septum. Young retained within the womb till
of considerable size and nearly perfect development, and deriv-
ing its nourinhment from the mother through the intervention
of a " placenta" (devclope<1 from the allantois) till birth. Scro-
tum never in front of penis. . . (Subclass) Iflonodelphia*

Brain with a relatively largo cerebrum, behind overlapping much or all
of the cerebellum, and in front much or all of the olfactory
lobes; corpus callosum (attypically) continued horizontally
backwards to or beyond the vertical of the hippocauipal suture,
developing in front a well-defined re-iurved rostrum.

(Sui-or-order) EDUCADILIA.

Posterior members and pelvis well developed (in antithesis with the
Cetaceans and Sirenians). Proximal segments of both fore
and hind limbs (upper arm and thigh) more or less enclosed in
the general integument of the trunk (in antithesis with the
order Primates). Clavicles rudimentary or wanting. Scaphoid
and lunar bones of the writit consolidated into one (scapho-
lunar) carpal. Digits clawed (not hoofe<l). Teeth of three
kinds, all enamelled; incisors ^3' (exceptionally fewer); ca-
nines specialized and robust; one or more molars in each jaw
usually sectorial. Brain without calcarino sulcus. Placenta
ileciduate, zonory. (=The Curuivora or "beasts of prey" of
ordinary language.) (Order) Fkr^.

Body elevated and adapted for progression on land by approximately
equal development, freedom, and mobility of fore and hind
limbs. Tail free from common integument of body. Ears
well developed. Functional digits terminating in claws.
Digits of neither fore nor hind feet webbed to the ends (ex-
cepting the hind feet of Enhjdra) ; inner digits of fore feet not
produced beyond the rest; inner digits of hind feet seldom
thus pro<1uced, but ofteu reduced or atrophied. (All these ex-
pressions in antithesis to the Pinnipeiia, or suborder of the
Seals.) (Subordei) Fissipedia.

4 NORTH AMERICAN MU8TELID^<.

Skull with the paroooipital prooesa not olosely applied to the aadi-
tory bulla; the mantoid process promiaent and projeoting oat-
wards or downwards behind the external auditory meatus; ex-
ternal auditory meatus diversiform. Intestinal canal with no
ciBcnm. Prostate gland not salient, being contained in the
thickened walls of the urethra. Skull with the carotid oanal
distinct, and more or less in advance of the foramen laoeram
posticum ; condyloid foramen alone distinct from the foramen
laoernm posticum; glenoid foramen generally well defined. Os
penis very large. Cowper's gUnds not developed.

(Super-family) Akotoiuea.

True molars of upper Jaw one (M- ^ : rarely— in MelHrorina—\);
last premolar of upper jaw sectorial (rarely — in Enhydrinte—
with blunt tubercles) (Family) MutMida.

DIVISION OF THE MUSTELID^ INTO SUBFAMILIES.

Haviug thuSf by a process of gradual elimiDation of the char-
acters of other groups, reached a family, Mustelidce, we may
proceed to inquire of what subdivisions the family itself is
susceptible. Authors — 3ven throwing the older writers out of
consideration — differ greatly in their methods of reckoning the
subfamilies and genera, the number of subfamilies recognized
varying from three or four tiO eight. According to my present
nnderstauding of the subject, derived from my knowledge of
American forms, I am inclined to consider that, if any sub-
family divisions are to be adopted, regard for equivalency, or
the just coordination of the characters involved, requires a
larger number of subfamilies than have usually been recog-
nized — very possibly the full number, eight, admitted by Dr.
Gill. The excellent analysis of the family given by this writer
(see p. 3, note) is herewith presented : —

XVI. — MUSTBLID.E.

Sub-families.

I. Skull with the cerebral portion comparatively compressed backwards ; and
with the rostral portion comparatively produced, attenuated, and
transversely convex above; aateorbital foramen small and opening
forwards. Feet with little developed or no interdlgital membrane
[and the species, with few exceptions, not aquatic].
A. Auditory bulla much inflated, undivided, bulging, and convex forwards ;
periotio region extending little outwards or backwards. Palate
^ moderately emarginated.

ANALYSIS OF SUBFAMILIES OF MUSTELID.C.

1. Last molar of upper Jaw (M ' ) trauBverm*, (vitli the inner Ir«lgo in-

flated at its inner angh; ;) ftcotoriai tootli with a Hinglo inner cusp.

a. M ^ ; flmt ttne molar (aectorial) of lower jaw followed liy a second
(tubercular) one. To«h ehort, r<>Kularly arched, and with the laat
phalanges bent up, withdrawing the claws into shcatba. (Gray.)
[Martens and Weastls.] Mr8TRi.iN.i:.

b. M {; first true molar (sectorial) of lower Jaw only develoi>ed. Toea
straight, with the last phalanges and einws extended ; the latter
non-retractile, (tiray.) [Kxtra-liniital.] .... Mf.i.mvorin.c.

2. Last molar of upper Jaw (M 1) enlarged and more or less extended

longitudinally.- M ^. Toes straight, with tho last phalanges and
claws extt ded; tho latter non-retractile. (Gray.) [Uadgers.]

Meij>'.«:.

B. Auditory bulla elongated and extending backwards close to the par-

occipital procefs. (FUnvcr.) Palntu moderately eniargiuated.
i. Last molar of upper jaw (M ] ) transverse; (with the inner ledge nar-
rowed inwards): Htctoriul tooth with two inner cusps. [Extra-lim-
ital.] IIki.ktii>is->:.

C. Auditory bulla inflated, undivided, with the auterior inferior extremity

pointed and commonly united to tho prolonged hamular process of
the pterygoid. (Flower.) Palate moderately eniarginatcd.
1. Last luolarof upper Jaw (M \) transverse; (with the inner ledge com-
pressed.) [Extra-limital.] Zukillix^.

D. Auditory bulla little inflated, transversely constricted behind the

meatus auditorius externus and thence inwards; in front flattened
forwards; periotio region expanded out wards and backwards. Pal-
ate deeply emarginated.
I. Last molar of upper jaw (M ^) quadrangular, wide, but with an ex-
tended outer incisorial ledge. [Skunks.] .... MEi'HiTiyjE.
II. Sknll with the cerebral portion swollen backwards and outwards;
and with the rostral portion abbreviated, high and truncated for-
wards, and widened and depressed above; anteorbital foramen
enlarged and produced downwards and backwards. Feet with
well-developed interdigital membrane, and adapted for swimming.
[The species highly aquatic, one of them marine.]

A. Teeth normal, 36 (M ^, PM ^, C }, I f X 2) : sectorial tooth (PM 4)

normal, eflicient, with an expanded inner ledge ; the other molars
submnsteline. Posterior feet with normally long digits. [Otters.]

Ll.'TRIN^.

B. Teeth very aberrant, 32 (M ^, PM f , C |, 1 1 — the lower inner incisors

being lost — X 2): sectorial tooth (PM f ) defunctionalized as such,
compressed from before backwards; the other molars also with
blunted cusps. Posterior feet with elongated digits. [Sea Otter.]

Enhydrix^.

Of the foregoing eight subfamilies, three, namely, the Melli-
vorincBf Helictidina;, and Zorillinw, each of which consists of a
single genus, are confined to the Old World. No one of the
subfamilies is peculiar to North America ; but the Mephilinaf

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTEl.TDvE.

or Skunks, nro not found in tlio Old Wurhl, where tkoy are
represented by the African ZoriUiiui;; they occur in South p.s
well as North America. The Melinw, or Badgers, are common
to North and Middle America and the Eastern Hemisphere,
but do not occur in South America. The Sea Otter, sole repre>
sentative of the Enhydrinw^ inhabits both coasts of the North
Pacific. The Lutrinw^ or ordinary Otters, are of general dis*
tribution in both hemispheres. The Muatelina', or true Weasels,
Martens, &u., are of very general distribution, as already indi*
cated; such is especially the case with the typical genus PiUo-
riua. The genera Mustela and OhIo chiefly inhabit the higher
latitudes; Oaliotis is peculiar to South America.

The North American forms of the family down to the genera
are exhibited in the following synoptical table : —

Subclass Monodetphia.

Snper-onler Editoabilia,
Order Ferw.

Suborder FisBlpedia.

Super-family Jrctoidea,
Fami]y' Muttelidw.

Subfamily SfiuteUnee,

Genera Oulo. (The Wolverene.)
Muatela. (The Martens.)
Putoritu. (The Weasels.)
Subfamily MephitinoB, (The Skunks.)
Genera MephUia.
SpUogale.
CoHfpatus.
Subfamily J/elincr. (The liadgers.)

Genus Taxldea.
Subfamily Intrina. (The Otters.)

Genus Lutra.
Subfamily Enhydrina. (The Sea Otter.)
Genus Enhydra.

ANALYSIS OF GEKKKA OF MUSTELID^E.

SCHEDULE OF DIFFERENTIAL CHABACTERS OF THE NORTH

AMERICAN GENERA.

Variout ckaracleii by which the euhfamiUn and genera art differentiated are eX'

chednle: —

hibiled in the follmring »ck

DonUI formula: I

3-3
3-3-

^•3-3'

1- 3.3.

c. rji

I. .. n, C.

3-3

au3

\-\
l-l-
l-J
I'
l-l

i-r

1-1

S3=

1-1

1-1'

1-1

i-r

„ 3-3

Pm-jp^

= 1"=34.

Pm. 5^4.

1-1
»-3-18"

9-9 S-3

Pm. normally g^ aometimM r^,

jj or jj=3a or 34

MnateUda.

Pm.

4-4

3-3*

3-3

1-1 18

9-4-1^=**

_, 1-1 !«__,

"• 1I.9-16-™

PM. and M. normal— anjcnlar, trenebanti or aoate

a bnonnal— ronnaed, blunt, tnb«rcolona

Baok upper M. quadrate, tranaverae, mnob wider tban long

abor:t aa wide aa long

trlanfcnlar, the bypotbennae poatero-exterior

irresularly oval ; all oomera rounded off

Baok upper Pm. atriotly sectorial, linear, wltb amall anterior interior

cuap

triangular, owing to aize of tbe in-

nerledge

resembl'ng the baok upper M

Upper Pm. 4-4, the anterior one comparattvely well developed

minute, crowded out of line

3-3, the anterior one oomparatively well developed

or 9-9; when 3-3, the anterior very minute

Lower L 3-3, the usual camivorona formula

3-3, the inner pair lacking

Lower sectorial without -obvioiu inner tubercle of middle lobe

with slight but evident-inner tubercle

with strongly developed inner tubercle

nostrum of skull so short that root of zygoma ia nearly or quite op.

posite fold end of nasal bones

moderately produced ; root of cygoma more nearly

opposite hind end of nasals

Brain.case comparatively compressed backward, little broader be-
. hind than before, with straigbtiah or little convex

lateral outline

widened backward, with quite straight lateral ontlinea..
much widened backwards and swollen outward, with very

convex lateral outlines

Frontal region very short, broad, flat on top

lengthened, narrowed, very convex transversely

Bony palate ending opposite back upper molars

produced twck of the molars, but not Lalf-way to end

of pterygoids.

produced far baok of the molars— half-way or more to

ends of pterygoids

Poatorbital processes moderate, slighter obsolete

strong, transverse, acute

Anteorbital foramen bounded above by slender maxillary process,
large, aubtriangnlar, or oval, presenting downward-forward

•a

8 NORTH AMUBICAN MUHTELID.Ii.

St^edule of liyfvniilial ckamcten nf Hii: \orlk .tmrimH gtHetii—Cuuilanoii.

iiwUMm.

AntnorblUl fiiraiuvu bnundud by ntoiit pnicuis, pruneiittiig more or

leM vertirally

Aperture of imre* iu two plmie*, upproauhliiKtho vortloal and horl-

loiiUl

on*> plane or noarly no, more or lemt oblique. . .
Auditory bullio at iimxiiiMini of iuHatiou, witb nhorUiHl aod leaat

tubular uieatua

muah luflalml, wllb moderate oonatrlotlou Into

tbe tubular nieatna

little liiHated, luuoh conatrlnted aoroia the lueatua

liaatoida little develo|MMl, outward or backward

wore duvolo|Nid, outward

I'luch developed, downward

Ferlotlo region oontrautod, brliigluK paroccipltala cloae to auditory

bullte .". .

expandnti, removing parooolpltala from bullus, and

liorizontal

expanded, removing parooelpltala ftttm bnlln, very

oblique

Glenoid foaaas shallow, open, without anterior ledge, preaentlna more
forward than downward, never looKlng condyles. ..
moderately deep and clone, with anterior Imlge pre-
senting downward- forward, never looking con-
dyles

very deep and close, with strong anterior and pos-
terior ledges, sometimes locking condyles

Ooronoid process of Jaw in protlle conical, erect, apex forward of

cond vie

obtusely falcate, sloping, apex

overhanging condyle

Lower border of Jaw sti-alghtisb fh>m symphysis to posterior angle

usually ascending posteriorly, in

straight or concave line

Toea scarcely or not webbed, with ordinary ratio of lengths

fully webbed, with ordinary ratio of lengtha

those of the nind feet elongated, witb extraordi-
nary ratio of lengths ,..

Fore claws long, stout, little curved, highly fossorial .*.

moderate or short, curved and acute, not fossorial

Body very stout; sisi very large; tail bushy, short; appearance

somewhat Iwar-like

rather slender or extremely so; size medium and small ; tail

long, terete

stoat I sise medium and small ; tail long, very bushy

stout, much depressed; sice medium ; tail short, distichous-...
stout, cylindrical ; size large j tail long, conical, dose-haired. ..

Habits chiefly terrestrial

terrestrial and highly arboreal

strictly terrestriaiand more or less fossorial

aquatic (flu vf atile, lauas'rine, or maritime)

aquatic (mrxine)

Sach a table as this might be indefinitely continaed, bat the
foregoing analysis of leading differential characters saffices for
present purposes.

DIAONOSES OF NORTH AMERICAN 8UI1FAMILIKH.

Dued.

■In.

^ H -J «

< X .. ..

< « .. ..

< X .. ..

< .. X x

• X •• ..

. .. X x'

• X .. ..

< .. ..

• .. X K

••

X » IC
XX,.
.. -- X

X X X
X .. ..
.. X ..

.. •• X

X • • ■ ,
.. X X

.. X K
• • • • ■•

X •• ,,

.. X ..
.. •• X

the
I for

We limy tlnally Hum nnd tiiiiplify tlio differential uhiiructers
of tbe foregoing table, with utiiera, in the following expreHsions,
diagno»tlu of the Ave subttiiuiliei* here adopted : —

DIAGNOSES OF THE FIVE NORTH AMERICAN SUnPAMILIRS.

1. ISIusTELiNiG. — Teeth of ordinary Caruivoroua pattern, 38
or 3-i in nuiubor, according to varying number of premolars,
whether ^| (Om/o, Mwttcla) or Jl^J^/Vto* jiw); the number unequal
in the two jaws, ^or ,^; incisors constantly ^; canines J;J, as in
all Mustelidw; and molars .^^, as in all MuHtcliihv excepting Mel-
lirotina'. Molar of upper jaw much wider than long; its long
axis transverse to the axis of the dental series, longitudinally
constricted across the middle. Posterior upper premolar (the
largo *' sectorial" tooth) narrow and linear, with a small dis-
tinct spur projecting inward from its anteroiuterior corner.
Rostral partof skull moderately produced, sloping in profile, very
obliquely truncated, transversely convex, the hind endsof the na-
sals more nearly opposite the roots of the zygoma than their fore
ends are.* Cerebral portion of skull comparatively compressed
backward, little broader behind than before, with moderately
convex lateral outlines. Postorbital processes moderately
develoi)od. Anteorbital foramen small, oval or subcircular,
presenting upward forward {Oulo) or more or less downward
forward {MusteUXf Putorius). Posterior nares thrown into one
common conduit by absence of bony septum. Bony palate pro-
duced far back of molars, — half-way (more or less) to ends of
pterygoids; interpterygoid space longer than wide. Audi-
tory buUcB much inflated, with moderate constriction of the
tubular uieatus.t Little or no expansion of periotic region
behind the buUie, with which the paroccipitals appear in contact.
Mastoids little developed, presenting outward or backward.
Glenoid fossae shallow, the anterior ledge slight ; condyles never
locked. Coronoid process of mandible erect, conical in profile,
the posterior outline with forward upward obliquity {Mustelaf
FutoriuSy — more nearly vertical in Gulo)^ the apex in advance
of the condyle. Feet with ordinary development and ratio of

* It 18 carious to obaerve thf^t an aquatic species of PutoriMt (P. VMOti, tbe
Mink) tends to approach the aquatic Otters {LiitriHw and Enhydrino!) in the
relative shortness of rostrum, its less oblique truncation, flatness on top, &o.

tHere again the aquatic Putoriua riaon approaches the other aquatic
species of different subfamilies in tlie comparative flutuess of the bullie.

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

digits ; digits iucorapletely or not webbed. External appear-
ance and habits variable, according to the genera and species,
none strictly fossorial ; progression digitigrade and subplanti-
grade ; size from nearly the maximun) to the tuiniiuuni in the
family ; body never much depressed, nor tail conical or distich-
ous. Periiueal glands moderately developed. No peculiar sub-
caudal pouch. Nature highly predacious.

2. Mephitinje. — Teeth of ordinary Carnivorous pattern, 34
or 32 in number, according to varying number of premolars,
whether ^ {Mephitis and Spilogale) or indifferently ^ or ||^

(Conepatus)} the number unequal in the two jaws, |" or |^. In-
cisors, canines, and molars as in the last subfamily. Molar of
upper jaw quadrate, about as wide as long (varying in detail
with the genera). Posterior upper premolar with a large inner
shelf, giving a triangular shape to the tooth. Bostral part of
skull moderately produced, and otherwise much as in the last
(aperture of nares very oblique in Conepatus) ; cerebral portion
as in Mttstelina, Postorbital processes slight or obsolete. An-
teorbital foramen very small, circular, sometimes subdivided
into two or more canals. Posterior nares completely separated
by a bony septum reaching to the end of the bony palate.
Bony palate ending opposite last molars {Mephitis, Spilogale)
or a little back of them, but not half-way to ends of pterygoids,
{Conepatus). Auditory bullre little inflated, with much constric-
tion of the tubular meatus. Mastoids well developed, outward.
Periotic region flattened and expansive behind the bullae, the
surface nearly horizontal, the paroccipitals remote from the
bullae. Glenoid shallow, presenting much forward as well as
downward, without anterior wall, never locking condyle. Coro-
noid process of jaw conical in profile, erect, wholly in advance
of condyle (except in Conepatus, which, in this respect, singularly
resembles Enhydra). Feet with ordinary development and ratio
of digits; digits not webbed. Form stout; tail very bushy;
{:elagelong; colors black and white. Habits strictly terrestrial,
more or less fossorial; progression plantigrade; movements
slow. Size moderate and small. No peculiar subcaudal pouch.
Perinseal glands extraordinarily developed, affording a means
of offence and defence.

3. Melin^.* — Teeth of ordinary Carnivorous pattern, 34 in

* The cbaractera here given are drawu entirely from the American genus
Taxidea. and will require modification in order to their applicability to the
subfamily at large.

DIAGNOSES OP NORTH AMERICAN SUBFAMILIES. 11

number (in the North American genus); Pm. ^; the number
unequal in the two jaws, |^; incisors.cauines, and molars as in
the last. Molar of upper jaw triangular, the long side postero-
exterior. Posterior upper premolar substantially as in Mephitinw.
Kostral portion of skull as in the foregoing; cerebral portion
conical, rapidly widening backward, with nearly straight lateral
outlines. Postorbital processes moderately well developed.
Anteorbital foramen large, subtriangular, presenting vertically.
Posterior nares as in Mephitina;. Bony palate produced back
of the molars, as in Mustelinoi. Auditory bullie very highly
inflated, with little constriction across the short tubular portion.
Periotio region much as in Mustelina', the paroccipitals close to
the enormous bullte. Mastoids moderately developed, outward.
Glenoid fossa very deep, with prominent anterior as well as
posterior walls, at length locking in the condyle. Gorouoid
process as in the foregoing. Feet with ordinary development
and ratio of digits, not webbed. Body stout, extremely de-
pressed ; tail short, stout, flattened ; size medium ; snout some-
what hog-like. Progression plantigrade. Terrestrial and highly
fossorial; fore claws highly developed. Perineeal glands mod-
erately developed. A peculiar subcaudal pouch.

4. LuTBiNJs:. — ^Teeth of ordinary Garnivorous pattern, 36 in
number; Pm. ^; the number equal in the two jaws, jg; incisors,
canines, and molars as before. Molar of upper jaw quadrate.
Back upper premolar substantially as in Mephitinw and Melintc.
Kostral part of skull extremely short, bringing the fore ends
of the nasals nearly or quite opposite the anterior root of the
zygoma, the sides of the rostrum erect, the top flat. Cerebral
portion of the skull much swollen backward, with strongly convex
lateral outlines. Postorbital processes variable (highly devel-
oped in the North American species, slight or wanting in some
others). Anteorbital foramen very large, presenting obliquely
downward as well as forward, circumscribed above by a very
slender maxillary process. Posterior nares as in MusteUnte.
Bony palate produced far back of molars. Auditory bullae very
flat. Periotic region expanded, removing the paroccipitals from
the bulhe, but the surface not horizontal as in Mephitimc, but
very oblique. Mastoids highly developed, downward. Glenoid
much as in Melinw, deep, sometimes locking condyle. Coronoid
as in the foregoing. Feet with ordinary development and ratio
of digits, which are fully webbed. Claws variable, sometimes
rudimentary or wanting. Body stout, but elongate and cylin-

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

drical; tail loDg, conical, tapering, sometimes dilated, dose-
haired; muzzle very obtnse. Highly aqaatic in habits. Pelage
Tvhole-colored.

5. Enhydbin^. — Teeth very aberrant in general pattern, the
molars and premolars without trenchant edges or acute angles,
but tuberculous, 32 in number, and of equal nnmbAr in both
jaws, brought about by incisors |^ and premolars ^^i? ^^^ ^^'
nines and molars remaining as before. Molar of upper jaw irreg-
ularly oval ; back upper premolar defunctionalized as a ** sec-
torial" tooth, and substantially similar to the molar. Propor-
tions of rostral and cerebral parts of the skull substantially as
in Lutrina\ but rather an exaggeration of that conformation.
Postorbital processes moderate. Antcorbital foramen very
large, triangular, presenting downward and forward; the bridge
over it very slender. Posterior nares as in Lutrintv. Palate
produced far back of molars ; iuterpterygoid space very wide,
the emargination rather wider than deep. Auditory bullse,
periotic region, mastoids, and glenoids as in LKtrimv. Goronoid
sloping backward, obtusely falcate, its apex overtopping con-
dyle. Hind feet with extraordinary development and ratio of
digits, being transformed into Seal-like flippers ; otherwise gen-
eral configuration and external appearance substantially as in
Lutrince. Highly aquatic and marine.

ON THE ODORIFEROUS ANAL GLANDS OF THE MUSTELID^.

Throughout this family of Carnivores are found special secre-
tory apparatus in the perinseal region, which furnish a strongly
odorous fluid. These glands are so highly developed, and play
such a part in the economy of the animals, that special notice
is to be taken of them. A classification of the MustelidcB has
even been proposed, based chiefly upon their modifications in
the different genera. They early attracted attention, and have
long been generally known to zoologists. Quito recently a
French anatomist, M. Ghatin, has made them a special study,
publishing a very important and interesting paper upon the
subject.* This paper, so far as it relates to the Mustelida (for
the author has studied the odorous anal glands of various other
animals), I have translated for incorporation with the present
work ; under heads of the several species beyond will be found

* Recherches poar servir h I'biBtoire auatoiniqae des glandes odorantes des
mammif^res. Par M.-J. Cbatin. <^ Annates des Sciences Natarelles, 5" sdr.,
tome x\x, pp. 1-1S5, planches i-ix, lb74.

ANAL GLANDS IN HUSTELID^.

the matter relating to them. Here I introduce M. Chatin's de-
scriptions of the parts as they appear in Mustelu foina^ for the
same type of straotare obtains throughout the subfamily Mus-
telime. I also bring in the author s r^sum^ of the several mod-
ifications of structure found in the family at large, with extracts
from his proposed classificatioa of the family, as based prima-
rily upon these organs, though I should add that I do not
indorse his views without qualification.

1.— Description of the glands in Mustela foina, as illustrating
their structure throughout the subfamily Mustelina;.*

The anal glandular apparatus being essentially the same
throughout the Mustelince, the following description of the parts
as they appear in Mustela foina will suffice : —

The anal orifice is found at the bottom of a fossa covered
with thin, smooth, whitish integument, with a slightly raised
border, the rudiment of a fold which is much more highly de-
veloped in the Skunk. At each side of this fossa, in a small
special depression, in front of which this fold lies, is found an
umbilicated papilla, through the narrow orifice of which the
milky-whitish secretion of the anal gland exudes. Within the
perinsBum are two lateral masses, each as large as a small bean,
bound together by one muscular envelope. The anal gland is
11 millimetres long and 6 across the middle. Upon removal of
the muscular coat, which is rather delicate, the secretory part
comes into view ; its exterior is studded with nipple-like emi-
nences ; its substance is like that of the anal glands of most
Garnivores. The parenchymatous tissue mainly consists of lam-
inated fibres, elastic fibres, nerve tubes, and capillaries ; the
striped muscular fibres do not penetrate the substance of
the organ. The culs-de-sac are of an average diameter of 0.04
millimetre ; they are sometimes varicose or moniliform, and in-
close a granular substance. In the middle of the gland is a
small receptacle for the product of secretion, which is voided
through a short duct opening on the edge of the anus, as above
said.

It seems improbable that a scanty supply of merely disa-
greeably musky liquid can effectively answer in any way as a
means of defence. The simple fact that it does not appear to
be repugnant to the animals which may be supposed inimical

* For tbemoditications nf the strnctartt of the organs in Skunks and Badg-
ers, see'sabfamilies MrphitiiKe and MeHnte,

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIPiE.

to Martens and Weasels, is sufficient to invalidate such a
hypothesis. It is true that it is emitted when the animals are
angered, terrified, or put in pain ; but these are merely circum*
stances of irritation akin in many respects to other forms of
excitement. It is more probable that the secretion subserves
a purpose in the sexnal relation, as it is undeniably a means
vrhereby the sexes may discover and be attracted toward each
other.

2. — Resume of the several types of h^ructure of the odoriferous

glands in Mustelidw.

The Ferrets and Martens exhibit one general plan of struct-
ure of the anal glands. At each side of the termination of
the rectum, there is an oval body consisting of a tunic of mus-
cular striped fibres enveloping a mass of glands, in the midst
of which is a receptacle of variable capacity, containing a liq-
uid differing little in its properties, which is poured out through
a short duct opening upon a pore at each side of the anus.

In the Badgers, Skunks, and Eatcls, there are decided mod-
ifications of this plan. In the last two named, the true anal
glands alone exist, and these are quite different from those of
the Mustelina;. Instead of a thin and simple muscular envel-
ope of the gland, we find a thick fleshy tunic, formed of two
layers of interlaced fibres, capable of sudden strong compres-
sion of the receptacle. This latter is not a small simple sac
with laminar walls, such as is found in the centre of the gland
of Mustelinw, but is an enormous reservoir, with a dense resist-
ing fibrous coat, always containing a considerable quantity of
the follicular product. The glandular substance is not spread
all over this central capsule, but is restricted to a particular
portion, and contrasts by its dark color with the white surface
of the envelope of the pouch. The contents of the receptacle
are sufficiently offensive to justify the profound and universal
disgust which these animals excite in consequence of their
curious and very efficacious means of defence. The voiding of
the liquid must be sudden ; and it does not suffice that the re-
ceptacle is large and powerfully muscular ; the offensive liquid
must be directed far backward, so as to flow as little m possible
upon the rectal mucous membrane; consequently the opening
is large and upon the summit of an nmbilicated papilla, around
which rests a cutaneous fold, which in a measure directs the
discharge.

ANAL GLANDS OF MUSTELID^.

This general plan is further modified in the Badgers, where
not only are there anal glands of a usual type, but also in their
neighborhood is found, in both sexes, a racemose cluster of
glands, the secretion of which is turned into the subcaudal
pouch, which is generally described as appertaining to the
anus; but 'Is form is peculiar, and its contents, moreover, are
of a different character from those of the anal glands proper.
In some respects this pouch resembles the large reservoirs of
viverreum of the Civets, and, as in these cases, is sparsely
hairy. Thus the Badger is a special case in its own family,
where it distantly represents, in this respect, the ViverridcB.
These last have, in addition to anal glands, a secretory appa-
ratus for special products, though even here species of Herpestis
have anal glands like those of various Mustelidw.

3. — ResumS of M. Chatin'8 views of the classification of the
family, as based on the odoriferous glands.

" This is one of the least homogeneous families of Carnivora,
if we include in it, after Van der Hoeven and others, such dif-
ferent animals as the Otter, Polecat, Badger, Skunk, Marten,
and Batel. Ij is surprising that types so distinct as these
should have been suffered to remain thus far in an association
as intimate as it is un philosophical, and it is easily seen how
Milue-Edwards was enabled to form three families out of the
components of so miscellaneous an assemblage as that of the
Mmtelidw. In the configuration of the limbs, as well as in their
entirely peculiar habits, the Otters may represent one family
{Lutridw) ; then come the true Mustelidw, embracing Mustela,
Piitorius, &c. ; and, finally, the family Melidic, consisting of
Mephitis (with Conepatus, &c.), Meles {Taxidea, &<f.), and Melli-
vora.

" Now, these three divisions correspond with as many modi-
fications of the perinaeal secretory apparatus : the two former,
Liitridw and Mustelidw, offer in a general way a single pair of
glands opening on the border of the anus, one on each side,
furnished with a receptacle for the product of secretion.

<' In the Melidw, the Badgers on the one hand and the Skunks
and Batels on the other form two quite distinct sections. In
these latter genera are likewise found a single pair of anal
glands, but these are quite different fiom those of the Mustelidw.
The receptacle has a remarkable capacity ; the follicular mass,
instead of spreading over it, occupies but a small portion of its

16 NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

surface ; while the secretion, which is always plentiful, here
acquires an unparalleled fetor. In the Badgers, on the contrary,
these anal glands are not the only secretory organs ; there being
in addition a particular subcandal pouch surrounded by a race-
mose gland, which produces a peculiar liquid.

"This brief summary of the leading modifications of the
perinsBal glands of MMstelidee suffices to show that several dif-
ferent types are included in t'jat group *'*

ON THE EXTINCT MUSTELINE OF NORTH AMERICA.

The following fossil species of North American Musteliiue
have been described : —

1. Mnstela mnstellna, (Cop*).

AelnroiOB ■nstcllBM, Cope, Psiieont. Bull. no. 14, July 35, 1873, 1.
M«r(cs ■■Blcllias, Cope, Ann. Hep. U. S. Geol. Sarv. for 1873, 1674, 590.
MlHtels parvUvka, Cope (change of name on reference of the apeciee to M%uteltt).

Pliocene. Loup Fork epoch.

<' A small, single-rooted second molar of the lower jaw. First
molar sectorial, with a rather narrow posterior heel, one-third
its length, and a small inner tubercle at the base of the second
outer cusp. Last premolar with a short posterior heel, and dis-
tinct outer tubercle on the posterior side of the cusp. Margin
of jaw strongly everted below masseteric fossa.

" MeasuremenU.

^Length of three last molars 0.018

" Length of sectorial molars-. 010

" Width of sectorial molars (greatest) 005

"Height of posterior onsp (greatest) 005

" This species was about as large as the domestic cat, and
less than one-third that '»f Aelurodon ferox^ Leidy." {Quoted
from the second reference . ,^ve cited.)

3. Mnatela nnaablaua, (Oop«).

Martes ■•laMaaa, ihpe, Proc. Acad. Nat. Scl. Phila. 1874, 147.
"tPutorlas laaMaiM", Cope.

From the Santa F6 (N. Mex.) Marls. Pliocene.

" Represented by a mandibular ramus which supports three
teeth. The anterior blade of the sectorial is rather obtuse. The
first premolar is one-rootled ; the secor'^ and third are without

* Bat M. Cbatin, regarding the family in the perspective of his special
studies, may be considered not to have given due weight to other points of
structure, the sum of which, as I believe, indicates that the MMtelidas, as
defined in the present work, are a homogeneous and natural assemblage of
genera, of the grade usually hel<l to represent family value.

EXTINCT MUSTELINE OP NORTH AMERICA. 17

posterior coroual lobe, but exhibit email basal lobes, both an-
terior and posterior. The anterior oT the second is rather
elevated, and the entire crown is directed obliquely forwards.
Canine compressed. Mental foramina below the second and
third premolars.

" MetuHretntnls.

" Length of three premolars 0<)6

"Elevation of anterior lobe of sectorial 00*2

"Depth of ramus at anterior lobe of sectorial 003

" This species is of smaller size than the M. mustelinus, Cope,
and the sectorial tooth less elevated and trenchant." — {Orig.
descr.)

3. Gnl«r» m»erodon« Cope. •

Galera HaeriMioii, Cope, Proo. Phila. Aoad. Kat. Soi. 1869, 155 (see also 138) — Leidj/,
isxtinct Mamm. Dak. Nebr. 1869, 369, pi. xxx. t. 1, 3, 3.

Post-pliocene deposits in Charles Coauty, Maryland, asso-
ciated with remains of Dicotyles torquatua and a Manatus.

**■ This species is based on the greater portion of the right
ramus of the mandible of an adult, containing three molars in
place, the alveolae [«c. alveoli] of the first and of the last, with
a considerable portion of that of the canine.

*< The alveolus indicates a canine of large size. The basis of
the first premolar is turned obliquely outwards, and is two-
rooted. The second and third premolars are separated by a
space: they have well-marked cingula, but neither posterior
nor internal tubercles. The sectorial is elongate, more than
twice as long as wide, the inner tubercle well-marked, acute,
the posterior lobe flattened, elongate ; anterior lobe narrowed.
Alveolus of the tubercular molar longitudinal, receiving a
flattened fang with a groove on each side. Inferior face of
ramus* below anterior line of coronoid process, broad rounded,
turned ^outwards. Masseteric ridge only reaching tlie latt«r
below near the apen of the coronoid process, and not extend-
ing anterior to the line of the posterior margin of the tuber-
cular molar. Bamus narrow at flrst premolar.

In. Lin.
" Length of ramus from posterior margin of canine to ditto of tu-
bercular 1 5.5

" Ditto to^poHterior margin sectorial 1 3.

"Ditto third premolar 3. 75

" Ditto sectorial molar 6.

"Width of same (posterior lobe) 2.8

" Depth ramus at posterior margin first premolar 7. 5

" Ditto ramus at posterior margin sectorial , : 8. 35

" Widtbjramus at posterior margin symphysis 4.5

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

" This species appears to h.%ve been perhaps rather larger
than the Galera barbata (Gray) of Brazil, and of a rather
more slender muzzle. As compared wit a that "pscies, it ex-
hibits many peculiarities. The third premolar is smaller, atid
the first, the sectorial, and the tubercular [are] relatively larger.
In G. barbata, the first molar has but one root, and the
mandibular ramus [is] thicker and deeper. The masseteric
ridge advances .to opposite the middle of the sectorial molar,
and is continued on the inferior margin of the ramus, much
anterior to its position in the G. m acrod o n .

"The discovery of this species adds another link to the evi-
dence in favor of the extension of neotropical types • over the
nearctic regiop during the post-pliocene epoch. Of thirty con-
tinental Xorth American species enumerated by Leidy (An-
cient Fauna of Nebraska, 9) all but thirteen may be said to be
characteristic of that, or closely allied to the species of the
present period of North America. Of the thirteen, one (Elephas)
is characteristic of the old world, of one (Anomodon) affinities
[are] anknown, and eleven are represented by members of the
same family or genus now living in South America." — {Quoted
from the original article.)

4. Galera perdlet:]*. Cope.

HeMlMis penllcli*. Cope, Proo. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1869, 3 (named, not described).
Galeni peNicMa, Cope, Proc. Amer. Philoa. Soo. 1869, 1T7, pi. iii. figs. 1, 1 a.— Leidy,
Ext. Mam. Dak. and Nebr. 1869. 445.

From limestone breccia, Wythe County, Virginia. Post-
pliocene.

" This is a small carnivore of the Lutrine group of the
Mnstelidse, apparently allied to Mephitis and Lutra. [The
generic name given, however, is that of one of the MmteUnw.]
It is only represented by a left ramus of the mandible, with
dentition complete. Its characters are as follows : Dentition
^, |, ^, ^. The tubercular molar is relatively as in the allied
genera, but without sharp tubercle ; the sectorial charac terizes
the genns as distinct from the two mentioned [Lutra and Mephi-
tis]. The posterior lobe is without the mai^ied internal and exter-
nal acute tubercle seen in Mephitis, nor the tubercular crest of
Lutra, but is rounded and slightly concave. The median crests,

* " The genus Galera, Gray, is here regarded as distinct from Galictia Bell
(Grisonia Gray), as it possesses an internal tubercle on the inferior secto-
rial, which is wanting in the latter." — {Loc. cit.)

■mi
■Si

EXTINCT MU8TELIN.E OF NORTH AMERICA 19

inner and onter, are strongly ueveloped, and with the anterior,
qnite an in Mephitis.

•'The jaw pertained to an adult individual ot smaller size
than the common skunk, Mephitis chinga. The bases of the
crowns of the first and second premolars, and to the outer side
of the canine are surronuded by a well marked cingulam. The
length of the crown of the molar is greater in proportion to the
length [?1 than in the skunk. The axis of thecoronoid process
is as in it, at right angles to that of the ramus. The latter is
straighter on the inferior border than in the skunk, and exhibits
a marked difference in the angle being nearly ou the same line,
and not raised above* it, as in the species of American sknuks
and others, figured by Baird.

" MeasiD'eitietiis. %

Linra.

"From augle to outer incisive alveolus 15.6

" Depth at coronoid b.

" From base condyle to tubercular inolar 5.

"Length of sectorial molar 3.6

"Width of sectc'ial molar 1.2

"Ifeight from basal sboulder 2.

" Depth ramus at tubercular . 2-7

"Depth ramus at Pm.2 3.1

" Lttagth of crown of canine 3.

"There are two mental foramina in the specimen, one below
the third, the other below the first premolar. The crown of the
canine is contracted and curved ; slightly flattened on the inner
side." {Quoted from the original description.)

I do not know the skull of Qalera. As figured, the jaw of O.
perdicida differs from that of Mephitinte and Lutritue, as usually
presented, in the straightness of the inferior border, agreeing in
this respect with Mustelime. It closely resembles, among recent
forms, the genus Putorius^ from which, however, the character
of the sectorial lower molar, with its strong acnte inner tubercle
of the middle lobe, as in Mephitis (and Lutra)j perfectly dis-
tinguishes it. I should not be surprised, however, if the relation-
ships of this form proved to be actually with Mephitis, especi-
ally with Spilogale. In a specimen of the latter before me from
Georgia, the lower border of the jaw is quite as straight as
that figured by Professor Cope ; in size, the specimen agrees
better with the figure than it does with some other specimens
of Spilogale before me; the general shape is the same ; there
are two mental foramina exactly as described and figured ; and

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

I fail to uote, in the figure or deMcriptioii, any decided differences
in dentition frcm Spilogale. lu fine, it may be questioned
whether " Oalera perdicida " in even 8i)ecifically distinct from
Spilogale putoritia. The fossil was found, it will be remembered,
amongst remains of numerous species not dintinguishable from
recent ones.*

ON THE DERIVATION AND SIGNIFICATION OP THE NAMES
APPLIED TO THE MUSTELID^.

To treat of this interesting topic I cannot, perhaps, do better
than give a version of Dr. E. von Martens's article, Ueber
Thiernamen^j so far as it relates to the animals of the present
family. This valuable article, as it seems to me, places the
subject in a clear light, and gives, in a sufficiently concise and
convenient form, just the information that ia required for an
understanding of the etymology and philological bearing of
the names used in various languages to designate the species
of Mustelidw. Study of this subject, which is sadly neglected
in ordinary zoological writings, is essential to the proper appre-
ciation of the technical or binomial names ; the older ones being,
as will be seen, not necessarily of Greek or Latin origin, 'as
commonly assumed. Thus, for instance, the generic name Oulo
comes simply by translation into Latin of the Scandinavian
and Russian names, which refer to the voracity of the animal.

Dachs [Meles vulyaris]. — For this remarkable animal, no
Greek name can be determined with certainty, although it is
stated by late investigators, as Fiedler and Lindenmeyer, to ex-
ist in Greece ; for it is at least a hazardous interpretation to
identify the species with the rp6-^oi;^ " runner ", of which Aris-
totle (Gen. 3, 6) speaks on the authority of Herodorus of
Heraklea. The Latin Meles of Pliny, 8, 38, 58, is decidedly
more certain : sufflatie cutis distentu iotm hominum et morsus
canum aroent ; the Badger, of course, does not inflate its skin,
but, nevertheless, its thick hide enables it to withstand bites and
blows. Less pertinent is a passage in Varro De Re Bust. 3, 12,
3, where maelis is written. Isidor of Sevilla (seventh century

* Some time after the foregoiug was written, I addressed to Professor Cope
a note on the subject, stating my views ; and in reply I learned that Professor
Cope " had for some time suspected " that the animal was a Mephitis,

t " Ueber Thiernamen." Von £. von Martens in Berlin. In : Der Zoolo-
gische Garten ; the portions relating to the Mustelidce, here translated, being
at pp. 251-256 and pp. 275-231 of Jabrg. (or vol.) zi (1870).

ETYMOLOGY OP NAMES OF MUSTELID.E.

aftor ^Jhrist) writes melo, genitive melonia ; and, in the vicinity
of Bologna, according to the statement of Diez, the Badger is
still called melogna. Elsewhere, however, this word is obsolete,
being replaced in the living European languages by various
others, entirely different.

The German word dachn may be traced back to the early
period of the Middle Ages : in the quack prescriptions of Mar-
cellus of Bordeaux, in the ninth century, is found adejys tax-
oninu8, Badger's fat, and tajcca, used by the above-mentioned
Isidor as the definition of adeps, fat, with reference to a still
earlier author, is probably the same ; the short form da«, as the
word still runs in Dutch, is fouud in the German vocabulary of
the ninth century ; the nun Hildegard, in the twelfth, wrote
dahsis ; Albertus Magnus, in the thirteenth, daxus. The form
tduous or taxo, as a name for the animal itself, occurs in the
Latin vocabulary from the period of the eighth century; it
may be that this term is related to the pure Latin name of the
yew-tree, taxus of Caesar and Virgil {Taxua bracoata Linu.)>
agreeably to which the initial t straightway becomes fixed in
the Romanic names of the animal, in the Italian, tasao ; in the
Spanish, t^on (and tesajo^ smoked meat) ; the Portuguese
texugo ; while the Old French had its Umson, of which only
tanUre (from taianiere), meaning particularly a Badger- burrow,
and, generally, the den of a wild beast, remains in modern
French. The poet Tasso, and the founder of the German
postal system, Taxis, derive their family name from daehs^
Badger, as the old Roman agitator Sp. Maelius probably also
did. The word itself may be originally German, and have be •
come naturalized in France, Spain, and Italy with the migra-
tions of German races. To derive it from the Sanskrit iakaha
(Greek rszrwv), a carpenter, to be taken in the sense of an ar-
chitect, is rather far-fetched. Another series of names of the
Badger in Northern Europe begins with J5, as the French Mai-
reau, the English badger^ the Danish broTi,* and the Russian
borstik ; but it is not certain that these are all etymologically re-
lated. Blaireau,^ in Middle- Age Latin blerellm, is interpreted by
Diez as the diminutive of the mediaeval Latin bladariu8, a grain-
merchant (Romanic biado, late French 6/e, grain) ; and in support
of this it is argued that the English name of the animal, badger,
signifies also a dealer in grain. Suoh connection requires us to

* " Brock " ia also found as an Eugliah provincialism.— Tr.

tWhich is corrupted, in America, into Biaro, Brairo, and Prarow.— Tk.

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIU.f;.

I, I

invent Ibo certainly erroiieoiiHuxplHiiatiuntlifit the auinuil layM
up a Htore of proviHions in itH domicile, U8 if it drove a trade in
grain. Dietenbiich's derivation from the Celtic, originally Cym-
ric, word blawr, jjray, seems to me to bo nearer the mark; it
would then 1h» "the little gray beast"; and it is corroborative
of this that the uuiniul is called, in Picardy, pman/; in Sweden
and Denmark, graving or griijling, that is to say, Orauling, " a
gray or grizzly beast". But the proper Celtic name of the ani-
mal is broc; in the Gaelic. Irish, and Brt'tonic remarkably like
the Danish broh; and somewhat similar to borauk, which prevails
in Poland, Russia, and Siberia ; there this name for the Badger
is current among the Bashkirs, Kirghiz, and Buchares, and is
rendered borz by the Magyars; so we may consider it a primitive
Turanian word, the more so since the South Sclavonic uses an-
other term, in Cnrniola, jo;snrec or jasbez ; in Bohemia, geziceo.
The WaWsichian f jezure ov enure, which has been incorrectly con-
sidered as from the Latin esor, eater, is probably related.

YiELFBASS [Gttlo Imcua], — According to the latest investi-
gations, the Glutton inhabited Middle Europe nearly to the
Alps, in the period of the Lake-dwellers {P/ahlbauten, literally
pile-buildings), together with the Beindeer; and of its occur-
rence in Germany, even in the last century, two cases are given,
one at Frauenstein in Saxony, by Klein, 1751, the other at
Helbistadt in Brunswick, by Zimmermann, 1777, both, unfor-
tunately, without the particulars. Though both these zoolo-
gists saw the stuffed specimen, neither gives the date of cap-
ture, the first only stating that it occurred nnder Augustus II,
who died in 1733. These can only have been stray specimens,
since no contemporaneous or previous writer mentions the oc-
currence of the animal in Germany. The species was entirely
unknown in the Middle Ages, making its first appearance in
literature through Michow, a physician of Cracow (de Sarma-
tia Asiana et Europsea, 1532), as Lithuanian and Moscovitie,
and through Bishop Olaus Magnus, of Upsala, 1563, as an ani-
mal of North Sweden, thus nearly at the limit of its present
distribution. What we can gather from the name of the ani-
mal accords perfectly with this. In Europe, names are only
found in the vernacular proper of Scandinavia and Bnssia, ja')/
or jerv of the former, and rossomaka of the latter, both of which
are given by the above-mentioned historians; all German,
French, Latin, and such, are book-names, intended to denote

'"■"'it

ETYMOLOGY OF NAMEH OF MU«TELID.«.

the voracity of tUe aiiiiual, and point back to the well-known
acfount of Olaus, as the CiHiiuan Viel/ruHn, the Latin Gulo, the
French (Houton, the Kiigli-sh Glutton. It has often been as-
Herted that the Oerman Viel/rnmi, in the sense of glutton, is a
uiisunderstandiug, it being derived from the Swedish word
/jail, Norwegian /jail, nw^k or cliff; but this 1 cannot credit,
first, be<'ause the second syllable is not accounted for on such
supposition {Jjall—ydrf is remote, and the animal is nowhere
BO called, but simply jar/)', secondly, because both the Swed*
ish Olaiis Magnus and the Norwegian Bishop Pontoppi 'an
give its voracity special prominence, and from this trait dtr'Ty
the name jerf {gierv, "gierig", greedy!), translated Oulo aud
V!el/raH8. Another Norwegian clergyman, H. Strom, gives, in-
deed, the designation Field/rans, besides jer/, to the animal,
which is of rare occurrence in his locality, but with the explicit
remark that Field/raas was, beyond doubt, derived from the
German word Viel/ra«8. This is thus exactly contrary to the
usual German acceptation; aud, in fact, '^Felseufrass'' would
be a singular appellation.

ZoBEL [Muatela zibellina]. — The name appears as early as the
latter half of the Middle Ages, uuder many variations, as the
modern Latin, aabelus, zihellina ; German, zebel (as early as the
ninth century, according to Graff), zobel; Proven9al, 8ebeli ;
English and old French, sable ; Swedish, mbel ; Russian, sobol ;
Finnish, 8oboli — in every case meaning a northern peltry. In
the East, we find another variation, samur, in the Crimea and
Armenia, and thence to Servia and Wallachia. The name is
probably of Turanian origin.

Mabdeb [Mu8tela martes, M. /oina], — This word now occurs
in Germanic and Romanic languages, in both either with or
without the second R, as the Spanish and Portuguese marta^
in the former as a feminine noun, and likewise the French la
marte, though in some dialects la martre, the ProveuQal mart,
Italian martora and martorella ; the English martin [or, oftener,
marten — Tb.] appears to be an easy way of saying martern, still
in use in some localities ; Dutch marter^ Swedish mard, Danish
maar. Seeking for the earliest form of the word, we first find
mMVtes in Martial, the Spanish-born Roman poet ; but this can
scarcely be an old Latin word, as it is not found in Pliny or
other classical writers; and Martial often introduced foreign

NORTH AMERICAN MUStELID^.

words iato his Latin. In Anglo-Saxon, it only appears as
meardh ; whilst, on the other hand, in Germany, we find martarm
used by Hildegard and Albertas Magnus, in the twelfth and thir-
teenth centuries. The resemblance to the German verb " mar-
tern*' (to torment] is obvious ; in fact, " martern" might be de
fined " to act like a marten ", the proper implication being, not
the sanguinary murders the marten commits, but the palpable
torment which it designedly inflicts. Another derivation comes
decidedly nearer — martyr, mea^uiug a person tortured, from
martyrittm, torture, whence the verb first arose. The resem-
blance in sound may have occasioned the second B in those
cases in which it appears. We might also seek to establish a
connection between " marder", a marten, and " Morder", Ger-
man for a murderer; but the T, which occurs in a majority of
the forms of the word, is against this, as is also the fact that
the German name occurs in many languages to which " Mord -^
and *♦ Morder " do not belong.

A second Romanic name of the Marten is fidna; Spanish
and Italian the same, Portuguese /Mtn/m, Freuch la fotiine; in
some dialects with a in place of u, as in certain Italian locali
ties fainay in Provence faguino, fahino, Old French fayne;
Gatalonian fagina, Belgic faweina^ in the Cmton of Grau-
biindtea further modified into Jierna. The obsolete German
names of certain pelts, Fehe, Feh-toamme, are very likely re-
lated. The word is not Latin as the name of an animal ; but
it may be inquired, with respect to the later forms, whether it
does not probably signify marta fagina, Beech-marten, as one
of the two European species of the genus is often named;'
properly the Tree- or Pine-marten, in distinction from the
Stone- or House-marten, since the former lives in the forest,
the latter about buildings ; though very curiously, the Stone-
marten [Miistela foina] is the Martarua or Maries fagorum of
Albertus Magnus and afterward of Ray, whilst the Pine-
marten [M. martes] is distinguished as M. abietum, ** Martha
of the firs". The precise distinction between fouine, foina =
Stone-marten, and martey martes == Pine-marten, moreover, may
have been first set forth by Buffor and Linui«us, and have
obtained rather among zoologists than among the people at
large; the more valuable Pine-marten ["Edel- marder", liter-
ally " noble marten "J took the commonest name, leaving the
less popular one for the other rarer species. From this /outne,

ETYMOLOGY OF NAMES OF MUSTELID^.

the French have formed the verb fouiner, to pry into or rum-
mage abont.*

The Celtic, Sclavonic, and Finnish names are entirely differ-
ent, as are the Cymric bela,^ the Russian, Polish, Bohemian,
and Crainish kuna, Finnish and Laplandish natM; with which
the Magyaric nyest or nest accords.

iLTis [Putorius fcctid us].— The German name is found under
many variations, according to localities, particularly in North
Germany, as iltnis, eltis, Danish ilder, Swedish iller; further-
more, with k, ilk, ulk, according to Bechstein in Thuringia even
Hau8-unk, which is the well known name of a reptile [toad];
and again with 6, elh-thier, elbkatze, which has been sought to be
derived from elben = elves, the nocturnal sprites; but the oldest
form of the word known to me, illihenzus of Albertus Magnus
(thirteenth century), is little unfavorable to this etymology. The
Dutch burning stands entirely alone. The Romanic languages
name the species simply from its bad smell, as the Italian puzzola^
French putois, mediteval Latin putorim, the pusnais of French
animal-fable, which is the same as purrtise, a bed-bug. The
second portion of the English name, pole-cat, is of obvious
meaning; agreeably to which we find in Diefc bach (Celtica, ii,
p. 435) that in Wales, in early times, the animal was kept, or,
more likely, suffered to remain, about houses, to destroy mice.j;
Another English name, Jitcher, Jitchet [or fitch — Te.], related to
the old French fissan, apparently indicates the same capacity in
which the animal was employed or regarded. The Sclavonic
languages have a particular word, tschor, tschorz, or tscher, in
Carniolan twor, in Roumanian dihor.

By Pliny (8, 55, 84), this species is called viverra, probably
an Iberian word no longer occurring in later languages, and
which Linn^us first reapplied in zoology to the Civet-cats.
Since the Middle Ages, however, two forms of the name of this
animal have simultaneously appeared, the first without t, furo
of Isidor of Sevilla (seventh century), whence the present Por-

• " Durchsuchen, durchstobera''; so defined by the writer, bnt other au-
thority defines fouiner to slink otf, to sneak away ; iised only in trivial
style. But either meaning is sufficiently characteristic of the auiraals. — Tr.

t Obviously related to the modern French belette—aeo beyond. — Tr.

i The whole English word, pole-cat, is by s«»iuo simply rendered " Polish-
cat", as if the animal were originally from Poland. In America, the word
has been very commonly transferred to I'le Skunks, Mephitis: Catesby's pol-
cat is such, and Kalm's fiskatta is transited pole-vat.— Tn.

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

tuguese /urao, aud the Spanish huron, transferred by the Span-
ish colonists to the South American Galictis vittata, and the
North American Mustela hnro Fr. Cav., aud furetus of the Em-
peror Frederick II, considered as French by Albertus Magnus,
with which the present French furet, English ferret, Celtic
fured and fearaid, German frett, are all related. The -et may be
a diminutive form, or be a part of the original word ; it is
slighted by the etymologist Isidor, who somewhat gratuitously
finds in it the Latin /wr, thief. The word cannot be Arabic, for
Isidor died in 636, before the irruption of the Arabs into Africa.
But if, as Shaw states, the Weasel is called /ert in Barbary, the
probability is that the word, like others, is common to the North
African pre- Arabic and the Iberian pre-Romanic languages, and
that it is this very animal which Strabo calls the North African
(Libyan) Weasel.*

::!:ii

WiESEL [Putorius vulgaris]. — This wor.l f ^ found in most of
the Germanic languages: Swedish ivessia; English weeselor
weasel; Dutch tcezel. It may be traced back to late mediaeval
German and Anglo-Saxon. The Swabian verb tcuseln, to skip
about ("»«cfe rasch bewegen^) like any small creature, may
readily be derived from wiesel, notwithstanding the difference
in the vowel. In this case again, as in the instance of dachsj
the same word recurs in Spanish, but without the diminutive
termination, as veso. It is found in medisBval Latin of the
twelfth century, aud was by the Romanic colonists bestowed
upon an American Musteline animal {Putorius vison, the repre-
sentative of the European Mink). The ordinary French term
for the Weasel, belette, is diminutive of the old French hele,
from the Geltic and the present Welch beUif a mar:^^\9. and also
occurs under a different modification in North '^' i'/, which
was certainly once inhabited by Celts. It may aii d more
readily have been preserved in French, since it may be con-
sidered related to helle, pretty, and be so interpreted. Certainly
in many languages the Weasel derives its name from its neat
and elegant ways, as the Italian donnola and Portuguese
doninhttf little lady; the Spanish comadrejaj god-mother; the

* According to Rolleston ( Journ. Anat. and Phys. i. 1867, p. 47 aeq.) the Cat
and the Marten were both domesticated in Italy nine hundred years before
the period of the Crusades, and the latter, Mustela foina, was the " cat " or
ydkQ of the ancients, who, farthermore, called Mnatela martea ya/i^ "yp'^o, and
designated rherra genetta as rap-njaaia j a\>j. — Tr.

ETYMOLOGY OP NAMES OF MUSTELID.E.

andereigerra* of the inhabitants of Biscay, meaning the same
as the Portuguese word just given; the late Greek vu/i^jra,
v:<fvr':a, a bride; the Bavarian Schonthierlein, "pretty little
creature"; the English fairy (Diez). The Sclavonic touguea
have an entirely peculiar series of names: I^ska, lasika, Uistiza,
and the like.

In Greek and Latin proper, we find for the Musteline ani-
mals only three names, which are all different from those
which are better known in living- languages, and of the pres-
ent existence of which we only find isolated instances ; these
are Uri^, yakir^, and muHtela,

Pliny uses mttstela in different places for native and exotic
Mustelidce, without furnishing the means of nicer discrimina-
tion of the species; he indicates their mousing capacity ; and
Palladius De Be Rust. 4, 9, 4, says that they were kept for this
purpose. The name appears to be derived from wiw, and to
mean "a mouser"; for I cannot agree with Sundevall in recog-
nizing in the second syllable the Greek >S5j>a, a hunt; since *
does not become t in Latin. According to Bisso, the Weasel
is called moustelle to this very day in Nice, and in Lorraine,
according to Diez, moteUe; this is a partial persistence of the
name which, among the Romans, not only indicated the
Weasel as the species best known to them, but also included
the other Musteline animals in general. So it was also with
the Greek ya/Jr^ (Ba^^rachomyomachia, 9) or yaX^ (Arist. Hist.
An. 2, 1, and his not very well written book 9, (hap. 6), the
best-known Greek species of the Marten family, yellowish,
white beneath, and a mouser; whilst the fable that it was a
transformed maiden (Ovid, Metam. 9, 306-323; Galanthis,
with the express statement that the beast still lived about
houses) accords well with the complimentary names already
mentioned. Thus mustela is primarily our Weasel [Putorius
vulgaris], though occasionally other species receive the same
name, as, for example, an African one, in Eerodotas, 4, 192.
More difficult to explain is the second Greek name, 7 ^xn?, the
skin of which, according to Homer (Iliad, 10, 333), made a
night-cap for a Trojan hero, and which, according to Pseudo-
Aristotle, Hist. An. 9, 6, was of the size of a small Mrltese dog
{^^Malteser Hundchens'^), like a Weasel, white underneath, and
fond of honey. This latter circumstance caused Cetti to sep-

* Precisely the same as the Latiu vtuliercula. — Tr.

r i

1:. I

I }

!;i

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID/E.

arate his boccamela ("honey-mouth" — as we should say, "hav-
ing a sweet tooth "), which is, however, a species scarcely dis-
tinguishable from P. vulgaris {of. Zool. Gart. 1867, p. 68). Au-
bert and Wimmer, on the other hand, argue for Musiela foina,
as this animal is common in Greece, wuere it is still called
UtU ; the latter position is certainly well taken, and the
Marten, as the larger animal, better fulfils the Homeric indica-
tion just given; but the expression "white underneath" is
only true of the throat of the Martens, for both species of
Miistela are dark-colored on the belly, and in this respect very
different from the Weasel. For the rest, it is much more prob-
able that Aristotle named both the Marten and the Weasel
together, than that he distinguished two kinds of Weasels and
knew nothing whatever of the Marten.

!Hermelin [Ptttorins erminea]. — Though this name sounds
like a foreign word, it is nevertheless probably of German ori-
gin, since not only are there several provincial variations of
less strange accent, like Heermdnchen and Hdrmehen^ but there
is also the simple harmo of old German manuscripts of the
ninth to the eleventh century (Graff, althochdeutscher Sprach-
schatz). From this came harmelin, of the twelfth century,
simply the diminutive. The name went with the peltries into
foreign lands, becoming the Italian arnielUno, the Spanish
arminoj the French [and English] ermine — originally, with Al-
bertus Magnus, who had many French forms of names, ermini-
um, — and came back to the German as Hermelin, with a foreign
accent, on the last syllable. The she-fox Ermeley n, in the Fable of
"Reinecke Fuchs" ["The Beasts at Court"], obviously derived
her name from this animal. In Lithuanian, we find szarnm or
szarmonys as the name of the same animal, which is the same as
harmo, according to the rules for the rendering of the sound,
just as the Lithuanian szirdis is the German herz. The inter-
pretation of Hermelin as the " Armenian Mouse " is thus vir-
tually refuted. The Swedes call the animal ro88-kat and lelcaty
the latter probably shortened from Lemmingskatze, since the
creature is destructive to Lemmings. In North France, we find
for the Ermine the name roselet, obviously indicating its red-
dish color, and with this corresponds the fabulous name Bossel,
offspring of the Ermeleyn. The South European languages
have no special name of their own for the Ermine, since it is
there found only in the mountains, as the Southern Alps and
the Balkan for example.

■m

ETYMOLOGY OF NAMKS OF MUSTELIDiE.

NoEZ [Putorius lutreo}a].—Thifi anim:^! is at ouce proclaimed
to be East European by its name; for the word, first used in
Germany by the Saxou mineralogist Agricola, in 1546, is Scla-
vonic; the Russian is norka, the South Russian nortschilc, the
Polish nurek^ from the verb nurka, to dive. The Swedes alone,
in whose country the animal also appears, have a particular
name for it, mdnk, which is the source of the mink or minx ap-
plied to the different North American species [P. vison].

Otter \Lutra vulgaris]. — To the comparative philologist this
word offers a field as broad as it is difficult, for the names of
the animal in various European languages are enough alike to
be compared, yet suflQciently dissimilar to be questioned as the
same word; the initial particularly differs in a suspicious
manner: otter, Intra, evudpt^. In Sanskrit and Zend,* we find
for an aquatic animal, of what kind is not known with cer-
tainty, but which may easily have been the Fish-otter, the name
udra-s, derived from the root ud, water (Latin tidu8, Greek udwp).
With this agrees perfectly the Lithuanian ndra, the Gurlandic
and Livonian uderis^ and, with slight change of the initial,
wydra, which obtains throughout the Sclavonic tongues, the
Roumanian vidre — all of which are actual names of the Otter.
In the Germanic languages, the u becomes o; otr in the old
Northern sagas, ottar in old mediaeval German, otter in the
present German, Dutch, Danish, and Swedish, though in the
latter the early initial u sometimes reappears, giving utter.
The change of d into t is the rule in the rendering of the sound
of Sanskrit, Greek, Lithuanian, and Sclavonic in the Germanic
languages, although in pure German this consonant properly
changes into sharp « {udtop, water — "troAAer"), as is not, how-
ever, the case with the name of the animal.

In Greek, we find, as the name of the Otter, evudpi^^ Herod. 2,
72, and 4, 109, ivudpU, Arist. Hist. An. 1, 1, and 8, 5, or svu8po<i,
Aelian Hist. An. 11, 37, nearly always mentioned in connection
with the Beaver; also the forms, agreeing better with the San-
skrit, oSpot;^ Upa, the former for an actual serpent (Ilias, 2, 723,
Arist. Hist. An. 2, 17, 83), the latter for a fabulous serpent like
monster (Hesiod, Theogon. 413, &c.).

In Latin, we find only Intra, Plin. 8, 30, 47, which differs not
only in the initial, but also in the t, though the Latin should
agree with the Greek and Sanskrit and differ from the Ger-

*Zend: the language of the Avesta, or ancient sacred writings of the Per-
flians. The people who used it were a branch of the Asiatic Aryans.— Tr.

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

m ■

maDic in respect to the coDSoaants. This Intra obtains in
modern Romanic languages with little variation ; French, la
loutre; Italian and Portuguese, lontra; Astariau, londra ;
in some Italiaa dialects, lodra, ludria (preserving the prim-
itive df), and lonza (which becars iightly upon the name ume
[cf. onza^ on^a, ounce] among the cats [Felidw]', Proveugal,
luiria or loiria. The n in many of these names may simply be
a matter of easy pronunciation. Curiously enough, we find
in Nor^vay, far removed from Rouianic influence, a name of the
Otter of similar sound, sleater.

The Spaniard says nutria. This may be an arbitrary corrup-
tion of Intra; but when we recall the Greek hwJptq^ and consider
that many Spanish names of. animals are nearer the Greek
than the Latin (for example, golondrina=ix^^^^"*'^ [^ swallow],
and galapago in the first two syllables = ;f£Acuv5y [a turtle]),
it seems very likely that nutria is derived from hufiptq ; and it
may be seriously questioned whether the latter is actually com-
pounded of h and Uiup, not rather that the v represents the I in
lutra^ and that the £ is simply a prefix, as in lkaxo<: = the San-
skrit la^ AtMsrthe Latin levis. Initial I and n are sometimes in-
terchangeable, as for instance in the Greek kirpov and virpov^
the Latin lamella=t\xei Provencal namela (Curtics, Griechische
Etym. 395). The primitive IndoGermanic word from which
all the above are conjecturally derived probably did not begin
with a pure vowel, since a consonant precedes it in so many of
the foregoing forms, as the v in Sclavonic, the I in Latin, and
the rough aspirate in Greek.

The German word otterj when it signifies a snake, is femi-
nine ; when used for the quadruped it is indifferently masculine
or feminine. The former is justifiable, inasmuch as the old
Northern otr or otur is masculine ; to make it feminine may be
partly on account of its identity with the name of the serpent,
partly from its analogy with the Romanic lutra. Albertas
Magnus furthermore converted lutra into the masculine form,
luter. In the Middle Ages, finally, there arose the Latin
word lutrix, as the name of a snake, formed from lutra by anal-
ogy with natrix, and apparently furnishing an imitation of the
double employ of otter.

On account of its similarity in form and its kindred significa-
tion, I cannot refrain from mentioning in this connection the
word natter [viper, a kind of snake]. In spite of the Spanish
nudriay I believe that it has nothing to do with otter^ though

ETYMOLOGY OP NAMES OP MUSTELID^E.

the two are often confomidetl by persoua not learned in natural
history, or considered of similar signiflcatiou. It is an old
word, appearing in the Latin of Cicero as natrix (Qu. Acad. 2,
28); in the Gothic of Uilllas as nadrs, masculine moreover,
Ev. Luc. 3, 7, where the Greek text has e-j^tSva, and Luther
translated " otter", but at that time already feminine in the old
Northern nadhra. The same word is also found in Celtic. This
wide diffusion of the word makes it probable that the Latin
natrix is not to be interpreted as a swimmer, as if from nare
=natare; in general, people take ^^ natter" for a poisonous
serpent, not simply as a water-snake, and the specific applica-
tion of the term to the Coluber natrix Linn, is of later origin.
Many philologists derive the word from an old root, na (Ger-
man nahen, Latin neo, Greek v^co), in the sense of coiling
{^^umachniiren")', cf. Latin necto.

We may briefly treat of other names of the Otter. The
Celtic languages have a particular term, Gaelic dobran, Cymric
dyfrgi. The Tartaric kama has probably given name to the
largest tributary of the Volga. In many, particularly Astatic,
languages, our animal is called by some equivalent of " water-
dog " or " river-dog "; as in the Dekan pani-ciitta ; in the Ca-
naries (and also in the East Indies), nir-nai} Malayan, andjing-
ayer ; whilst the zwi/s? nordfxiot of Aelian, 14, 21, appear to have
been Otters.

'•<. I

u, \

I ;

CHAPTER II.

Subfamily MUSTELINiE: The Wolverene.

The genua Ouh — Generic characters — Gitlo lusciu, the Wolverene — Syn-
onymy — Habitat — Specific charactera — Description of external charac-
ters — Measurements — Anal glands — Description of the skull and teeth-
Measurements of skulls, European and American — Nomenclature of the
species — Relation of the European and American animal — General his-
tory, geographical distribution, and habits of the species — Its distribu-
tion in the Old World.

HAVING already presented the characters of the subfamily
Mmtelitue with detail sufficing for present purposes, I may
at once proceed to consider the genera composing the group. .
These are : Guh; Qalictia; Mwatela; Putoriu8. The second of
these is not represented in North America. Putorius is sus-
ceptible of division into several subgenera. These genera will
be treated in successive chapters, the present being devoted to
the genus Oiilo.

The Genus GULO. (Store, 1780.)

< MosteU, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. lOtb ed. 1758, and of many authors.

< Unas Linn. Syst Nat. i. 10th ed. 1758, and of some authors.

< MelCS> PtM. Spio. Zool. xiv. 1780 ; also of BoddcBrt, 1784.

=6Bl0t Storr,* Prod. Meth. Hamm. 1780, and of late authors generally. (From Klein.)

< Taxu, Tiedem. ZoSl. L 1808.

* This extremely rare work has lately been made the subject of a critical
essay by Prof. T. Gill, who examined a copy in the library of the Surgeon-
General, U. S. Army, at Washington (" Ori the ' Prodromus Methodi Mam-
malinm ' of Storr". By Theodore Gill. E £tracted from the Bulletin of the
Philosophical Society of Washington, October, 1874. Philadelphia : Collins,
printer, 1876. 8vo. pamph., 1 p. 1., pp. i-xiii). The fall title, as quoted by
Gill, is as follows : —

Prodromvs Methodi Mammalivm. | Reotore Yniyersitatis magnifi-

THE GENUS GULO.

ENE.

rene — Syn-
iil cbarao-
nd teeth—
ure of the
meral his-
} distribu-

abfatnilj
98, 1 may
e group. .
Bcond of

S is BUS-

lera will
y^oted to

n Klein.)

a critical
SargeoD-
odi Mam-
in of the
Collios,
[uoted by

magaiii-

•lo j dvce

dam I ex

dootoris

I Gk)TTL.

268 I pro-
adente |

z.i-1

Generic charactkhb.— Dental formula : i. J— ; <•• —^ ; pm. j^ ;
m, }^\ = J-^ = 38 (as in Muatela). Sectorialtooth of lower jaw (anterior true
M.) without an internal cnBp(u8nallyeviav.utin JiMsfc/a). Anteorbital fora-
men presenting obliquely upward as well us "orward, canal-like, and open-
ing over interspace between last and pennltimate premolars. Sknll little
constricted at the middle ; rostral portion relatively shorter, atonter, and
more obliquely truncated anteriorly than in ilitstela. General upper oi tline
of the skull in profile more arched. Mastoids and auditory tubus mora pro-
duced, the whole periotio region decidedly more prominent. Zygomatic
arch very high behind, at first ascending vertically, then giving off a pos-
terior convexity. -Depth of emargination of palate about equal to distance
thence to the molars. Skull, as a whole, massive, finally developing strong
ridges.

Vertebral formula ; c. 7 ; d. 15 ; ^ 5 ; ». 3 j cd. 15 or 16. {Gerrard.)
Size much above the average for this family, and nearly at a maximum
(Galictiaalone, of this subfamily, is said to be larger). Form very stoat,
and general appearance rather Bear-like than Weasel-like ; organization ro-
bust. Legs short and stout. Tail short (about as long as the head), bushy,
with drooping hairs. Pelage shaggy. Ears low. Soles densely hairy, with
six small naked pads. Claws strong, acute, much curved. Coloration pe-
culiar.* Anal glandsmoderately developed. Progression incompletely plan-
grade. Habits chiefly terrestrial.

Xotwithstandiug the remarkably peculiar outward aspect of
Oulo in comparison with its allies, it is very closely related to
the Martens in structure, forbidding more than generic distinc-
tion from Musteltt. The dental formul. is the same. In addi-
tion to the cranial characters above given, it may be stated
that the sknll is relatively as well as absolutely more massive
than that of the arboreal Martens, in coordination with the much
more robust and sturdy organization of the Wolverene.

Detailed descriptions of the skull and teeth, as well as of
the external characters of the genus, are given beyond under
the head of the single known species, 0. Imcus.

The generic name is the Latin guh, a glutton, in allusion to
the voracity of the animal. The obvious relation of the word
is with the Latin gula, throat or gullet, also used figuratively
for appetite or gluttony ; and in various languages the vernac-
ular name of the species is a word of similar significataoo.
*'6ulo~ was the original specific name in the binomial nomen-
clature ; but its application to the present animal was origi-
nally simply by translation into Latin of the Scandinavian
and Russian vernacular (cf. anted,, p. 22).

* In the pattern of coloration, however, we discern the trace of the same
character that is fully developed in Mepkitia mepMtiea — the light bands, oon-
vernng over the rump, being similar to the stronger white stripes which
mark the Skunk.

3 M

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

The Wof¥ei*eiie.

!J' i

GuId Inscns.

PLiiTB I.

{A. Old World r^^fereneti.)

flulo, antiquomm — "Qmn. Quad. Virlp. 1531, A-23, fig.— 01. if Off. HUt. Gent. Sept. tS55,

60S.— .i{(frot). Quad. Dig. 1645, \19.—Seh«ff. Lappon. 1673, 339.— CfcarM. Exeroit. 1677,

U.-Rtaez. Hi8t. Xat. Polon. 17iSl, 218.— Xiinn. S. N. 9d-Sth eda. 1740-7, AA.—KMn,

Quad. 1751, 83, pi. i.—Hm, Hlat. An. 1733, 546, pL Vl.—Jontt. Theatr. 1733, 131, pi.

57."
MbsIcU ruro>rH8C«, mtdlo 4onl nlgro, L. Fn. Sueo. Ist ed. 1746, S, no. 6; S. K. 6th-7tb

eda. 1748, 5, no. \.—Kram, Elenoh. Veg. et Anim. 1736, 311.
MNStela galo, L. Fn. Suec. 3d ed. 1761, 5, no. 14; S. K. i. 10th ed. 1758, 45, no. 3 ; S. K. i.

13tb ed. 1766, 67, na S.-Ounn. Act. Nidioa. ill. 181, pL 3, f. i.—Houtt. Katnra. il

169, pi. 14, f. 4.— JfuU. Zool. Dan. Prod. 1776, 3, no. n.—Enl. Sy at. An. 1777, 477, no.

IS.— i\ib. Fu. Grwnl. 1780, 31, no. 13.
VniU gUlOt Schreh. S&og. ill.' 1778, 535, pis. 144 (Act. Holm. 1773) and 144* (Buff.).— Zimm.

Geog. Gesoh. il. 1780, 376, no. 168.-Om, S. K. i. 1788, 104, no. 8.— /STAaw, O. Z. i. 1800,

460, pL 104.— I<urt. S. N. i. 1806, 64.-<7ur. "TabL £l6m , 113."— 'T. Cup. Diet.

ScLNat. xix.79, f.— ."
Meles gnlo, PaU. Spio. Zool. xiv, 1780, 35, pi. 3 ; Z. R. A. i, 1831, 73, no. 80.— Bodd. Blench.

An. 1. 1784, 81, no. 5.
Taius gUlO, 2V'ed«m. Zool. i. 1808, 377.
OhIO borealls, "mi»a. Ilium. Fig. till Skand. Fu."— "Acb. Fn. Sueo. 1800, 35."— Oie. S. A.

i. 1817, —.— Wagn. Sappl. Schieb. il. 1841, 246.— JTey*. <C BUm. Wirb. ^ur. 1840,

W.—Sch\m. Syn. Mamtn. 1841, 347.— J3to«. Wirb. Dentscbl. 1857, 309, Iga. 1:9, 130

(akull).— £rand(, Beiuerk. Wirb. N. E. Raaal. 185-, 30.— (7ray, P. Z. S. 1865, 130.
QalolBlklrlCHS, FaXl. "Sp. Zool. xiv. t. 9".-(0ray.)
6hI0 aretleiis, De*m. Mamm. i. 1830, 174.— Lm*. Mam. 1837, 143.— JVfoA. Syn. 1839, 154.—

Gfieb. SSag. 1855, tW.—FiUlngtr, Naturg. Sfiag. i. 1861, 341, f. 70.
GbIo TUlgSrtli, Oriff. An. Klngd. v. 1837, 117, no. 331.— IT. 8miA, Nat. Lib. x7. 1343, 308.
Colo lntnv»,\"H*dtnb(irg".—(Ony.)
Boaaomaka, SvMian.—"Nieremh. Hist.Kat. 1635, 18S.— £o««omaci, B<IL Trav.i. 1763, 331.—

IZofoiHoeh, JZybcA. Orenb. Topog. i. 1773, 337.— JJofomal;, SttUir, Beaohr. Kamt. 1774,

X18. "
TeelTraat, " r«6r. Reize naar China, 1704, 31.— flbute. Kat Hiat Dier. il. 1761, 189, pi. 14,

f. 4."— J)iifcA.
Tlelfrau, Kttin, op. et loe. eit.—J. O. Om. Reise Sibir. iiL 1751, i9a.~Miai*r, Natnra. i.

1773, 965, pi. 14, f. 4 (ex. Hoatt.).— Fon Marttnt, Zool. Gart. xl. 1870, 353 (phllotogi-

cal).— German.
Tlrlfras, HaUen, Natnrg. Thlere, 1757, 548.
e«alOB, Bomare, Diet d'Hiat. Nat ii. 1768, 343.
ViOltOB, Bomare, torn. eft. 333.-£u/. Hiat. Kat. xili. 1765, 878; Snppl. iii, 340, pi. 43. '

Frtneh.
OUttoa. Pann. Syn. Qnad. 1771, 196.— fnglwA.
Jerfi Jierr, Vllfrast Xorwegian.

Jkrr, Jcrr, FlUrara, 8wedi$h.-Genberg, Act. Stookh. 1773, 339, pi. 7, 8.
6ie4ik, LapUmdere.

{B. American r^ereneee.)

OoatI Hnmlo aHals amerleaaas, jn.'ifi, Quad. 175I, 74
VnHB.frrtl hHisoBlB, BrUe. Quad. 17 J6, 36), no. 3.

U. 8. Oeologleal Survey

MnitoUda. FLATS I.

!. Sept. 1559,
Ezeroit. 1677,
r, ii.—KUin,
1753, 131, pi.

). K. eth-Uh

att.).—Zimm.
Q.Z.I. 1800,
P. Cuv. Diet.

iodd. Blenota.

~Ouv. R. A.
). ^ur. 1840,
Igs. i:», 130
)65, 130.

Clnlo Inscnv. (Reduced.)

I) ;: I

iiiii

SYNONYMY OF OULO LUSCUfl.

tnut l«MNi, L. S. N, i. nsi>. 4T, 00. 9; I'M, Tl, no. 4 (batril on BrUton Mil Eilward*).—
Ent. Syit. Anim. 1777. 167, uo. i.—Schrib. Sttog. 111. 1778, 33!).— Z<tnm. Oeogr. UeMh.
ti. 1780, 97(1, no. MQ—Oin. 8. K. 1. 17^8, I03,no. i.—Skaw, Q. Z. 1. 1800, 469, pi. lOS,
lower tig (after Edward*).— furf. 8. K. I. 1H06, 04.

TniT» IvnCTt. Fabrie. Fn. Onenl. I7i«0. 94, No. 14.

Melw IIMMt. Bodd. Elench. An. 1. 1784, 60.

tilllo IHUH. /. '9ab. FraDkllDH Jotirn. 1893, 690.— £, Sab. Suppl. Parry* Ut Voj. 1894,
p. o\xxTlv. —Rieh. App. Parry's 9d Vvy. Irt93, ^Ji.—Rieh. F. U.A. I. 1899, il.—Pueh.
Syn. 1890, lii.—Oodm. Am. K. H. 1. 1831, \»y pi.— .lower ag—Roii, Exp. 1835, 8.—
H. Smith, Nat. Lib. xv, \Hi, W«.—De Kay. N. T. Zoiil. 1. 1849, 97, pi. 19, f. 9.— Ofay,
LUt Mamm. lir. Mu«. 1843, 68.— Aud. <e Bach. Quad. X. A. I. 18io --.a, pi. ge._
Thomp$. K. H. Vermont, 1833, 30.— Sa<rd, Stanabury's Report, i "VI, 311 <Oreat Salt
Lake, Utah) ; M. N. A. 1837. m.-BaHngi. Canad. Nat. and Oeol. . 18S7, 941.-Aom,
op. eil, Tl. 1861, 30, 441— Maxim. Arcb. Naturg. 1861,—; Verz. N.An. SKng. 1869, 33.—
Oerr. Cat Bones Br. Mu«. 1869, 96 (Inclttdes both).— Coum, Am. Nk^ 1. 1867, 339 —
Dall, Am. Nat. Ir. 1870, 991 (Tukon).— Albn, Boll. M. C. Z. 1. 1870, 177 (MaaMwhu-

aetU).— Jr«rr. U. S. Geol. Surr. Terr. 1879, 669 (Wyoming) Atttn, Ball. Essex. Inst.

vi. 1874, 34 (Miontgomery, Colorado).— 3Vi;);)«, apud dmu. Birds N. W. 1874, 994,
In text (Clear Creek Coonty, Colorado).— Coum d Tarrow, ZoOl. Expl. W. 100
Merid. t. 1873, 61 (Wahsatob Mountains and localities In Uub).

Gulo •rctlcUR, var. A., D*$m. Mamm. 1. 1890, 174, no. 967.— Har{. Fn. Amer. 1893, 60.

6hIo WOlVereae, Orif. An. Eingd. r. 1897, 117, no. 339.

CaroOol* -^o BonUtn, Toy. 1703, 6l.—8arratin,' M«m. Acad. Sol. Paris, 1713, p. 19.— JBo-
mare, Diet. d'HIst. Nat. I. 1769, 493.— Fr«n«A Canadian*. (.Vol </ F. Ouvier, Stippl.
Buff.) (Also, Carkajou, Karkajou. Compare Cree Indian names.)

Ctrn^on or QHCCqiehatCh, Dobbt, Hudson Bay, 1744, 40.

QalckhUlCh or WoiTCreae, Edw. Birds, il. pi. 103.— £Ui«, Hudson's Bay, i. 1730, 40, pi. 4.
{Quickthateh and QuUjuihatch are also found. Compare Cree Indian names.)

Wolrerene, Pmn. Syn. Quad. 1771, 195, no. 40, pi. 90, f. 9; Hist. Quad. II. 1781, 8, pi. 8;

Arot. Zoiil. i. 1784, 66, uo. il.—Hearns, Journ. , 31i.— Church, Cab. Quad. II. 1805,

pi. — . (Also, Wolverennt, Woheren, Woliierin, Wolverine, Wolvering.)—Yolveren»,
Leei. Man. 1897, 149 (In text).

Oriisle •nerlcrniiStLe H«lkftichit, Hall. Naturg. Tblere, 1757, 518.

Wolfbecr, Houtt. Natuur. Hist. Dieren, ii. 997.-iro{A'6ar, JUtiU. Nature, i. 1773, 983.

Oan tt is Imye it Hudson, Bri»». op. et loc, eit

Okeecoobawgew, Okeceoohawvees, Cree Indian*. (Obrlous derivation of Quiekhateh, U
not also of Oare^/ou.)

HAB.—Arctogaa. In America, the whole of the British ProTinces an'!
Alaska, south in the United States to New England and New \'ork,and sti.i
further in the Rocky Mountains, to at least 39^.

Specific chabacters. — Sub-plantigrade, thick-set, shaggy, bushy-tailed,
with thick legs and low ears ; blackish, with a light lateral band meeting
its fellow over the root of the tail, thus encircling a dark dorsal area ; fore-
head light ; 2-3 feet long ; tail-vertebro) 6-9 inches.

Description of external characters.^

The form of this auimal indicates grea strength, without
corresponding activity. The body is heavy und almost clumsy,
supported upon thick-set and rather low lep"^ , the walk is in-
completely plantigrade. The back is high-arched, the general

* Special paper : Histoire d'un animal nomm6 Carcajou en Am^nqoe, &o.
t Taken from a mounted specimen, from Great Salt Lake, Utah, in the
National Museum.

NORTH AMEBICAN MUSTELID^.

figure drooping both before and behind, both tail and head being
carried low. The general appearance is strikingly that of a
Bear cab, with tht addition of a basby tail, though there is
somewhat of the elongation which characterizes the Mustelidte.
The head is broad and maoh rounded on every side, with rather
short and pointed muzzle, wide apart eyes, and low ears,
altogether not very dissimilar from that of Mustela pennanti.
The jaws, however, are rather Ganine in appearance. The
moffle and septum of the nose are naked, the former for about
half an inch from the end of the snout. The eyes are remark-
ably small. The ears are low, much broader than high, obtusely
rounded, well furred on both sides, scarcely overtopping the fur
oi the parts. The whiskers are few and short ; there are other
similar bristles about the head. The pelage, as usual, is of two
kinds ; there is a short under-fur, a kind of coarse kinky wool
scarcely an inch long, which is mixed with the longer stiffer
and straightish over-hairs, which are about four inches long on
the sides, flanks, and hips, giving the animal a shaggy aspect,
like a Bear. On the fore parts, and especially the head, how-
ever, the coat is miich shorter and closer. The tail is clothed
with still longer hairs, measuring some six or eight inches,
drooping downward and conferring a peculiar shape, as if this
member were deficient at the end. The tail-vertebrae are one-
fourth, or rather more, of the length of head and body. The
legs are very stout and the feet large ; the track of the animal
resembles that of a small Bear, but it is less completely planti-
grade. The palms and soles are densely furry ; but the balls
of the digits are naked, and among the hairs may be discerned
small naked pads at the bases of the digits, as well as a larger
one beneath the carpus, the correspondent to which on the heel
is apparently wanting. The fourth front digit is longest; then
comes the third, fifth, second, and first, which last is very short.
On the hind feet, the third is longest, the fourth little shorter ;
then follow the second, fifth, and first.

In color, the Wolverene is blackish, or deep dusky brown,
with a remarkable broad band of chestnut or yellowish-brown,
or even fading co a dingy brownish-white, beginning behind
tke shoulders, running along the sides, and turning up to meec
its fellow on the rump and base of the tail, circumscribing a
dark dorsal area. There is a light-colored grayish area on the
firont and sides of the head. On the throat, and between the
fore legs, there is a patch, or there are several irregular spots

fe5

DESCRIPTION OF GULO LUSCUS.

of light color, as in Mmtela. The legs, feet, most of the tall,
and ander parts generally^ are quite blackish. The claws aj.'e
whitish, strong, sharp, much curved, and about an inch long.

" The color of the fur varies much according to the sea8«)a
and age. The younger animals are invariably darker in the
shadings than the old, which exhibit more of the grey mark-
ings. ... In some specimens the yellowish fringing of the
sides and rump is almost entirely white and of larger extent,
leaving but a narrow stripe on the centre of the back dark. lu
such the hoary markings of the head would be of greater extent.,
and descend, most probably, to the shoulders." — (Ross, I. c.)

Mensurements of seven apecmens of GuLO LU8C08.

C i

356
1092
1093
1657
1664

Localitj-.

Fort Simpson, H. B. T
Yukon Biver, Alaska .

Peel's KiVer"(bec.V..'!

Mackenzie's River

Montana, XT.S

From tip of nose
t«>—

a
H

Tail to
end of—

9
>

i2. 60 5. 00|6. 25 36.50 7.40
3.10 5.50,6.70, 31.00i7.60

13.40

13.60

Length
«f-

.10,

3. 00 5. 10|6. 75
2.705.15 6.50
3. 75 4. 80'6. 50
3.80 6. 10|6. 90,

39. 3517. 60
29. 00j9. 25
37. 00 a 00
34. gOd. 00
36. OOia 90

i.oo:

13. lOjj. 001175:.
15.00 5.50i6.70J.

13. 00
13.00
14.00

5.1016.50
4.40

3.00

Fresh.

...do.

Dry.

*From Koss. Longest hairs of body 4.00; of tail 7.50; upper canines 0.90; lower 0.75.
t From Baird.

Anal glands.

The anal glandsof this animal are stated to be of about the size
of a wainut ; the fluid yellowish-brown and of the consistency
of honey. The discharge is by the usual lateral papillse within
the verge of the anus. The scent is foetid in a high degree.

Description of the slull and teeth. (See Plate I.)

The massiveness of the skull of Gulo, iu comparison with that
of Mustela, is as striking as its superiority in size. In general
form, the prominent peculiarity is the strong convexity of the
•uppe " outline in profile. From the highest point, just behind
the orii»its, the skull slopes rapidly downward behind ; and the
frontal declivity is also miich greater than iu Mmtela. There

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

is mnch more of a frontal concavity, and the plane of the nasal
orifice is extremely oblique. The.<^ features of the profile rather
suggest a Feline than a 3Insteline skull, although, of course, the
resemblance is still far from complete. There is i. strong char-
acter in the zygoma: in Mitstela a simple arch; here a nearly
horizontal beam borne posteriorly upon an upright base, with
a strongly convex backwardly projecting elbow. The same
straightness requires a prominent process for definition of this
part of the orbit. The zygoma is laminar and quite deep, much
more so than in Mustela. Viewed from above, the zygomata
are widely divergent from before backward. The anteorbital
foramen is comparatively small, and appears over the fore bor-
der of the sectorial tooth. Prominent characters are observed
in the paroccipital and mastoid, which form great processes of
abutment against the bullae, the same being only moderate in
Muatela, and merely indicated in the smaller Weasels. The pal-
ate is very Inroad for its length, with straight (not a little con-
cave) sides ; measured across its broadest point, it forms very
nearly an equilateral triangle with the sides. The posterior
emarginatiou is moderate, broadly U-shaped. The bullae andi-
torise are only inflated on less than the interior half, the rest
being greatly contracted and drawn out into a long tubular
meatus (one extreme, of which the other is seen in the slender-
bodied species of Gale — compare descriptions). The basi-
occipital space is somewhat wedge-shaped, owing to the diverg-
ence posteriorly of the bullae. The pterygoids are very stout
at base, but soon become laminar, and terminate in long, slen-
der, hamnlar processes. Even in young skulls, the lambdoidal
crests are as strong and flaring as in the oldest of Mustela^ and
terminate in the very prominent mastoids. The occipital sur-
face is considerably excavated beneath these crests; the median
superior protuberance is great. The condition of the sagittal
crest varies, as usual, with age. In the youngest specimens, it
is single and median for but a little way, then gradually divar-
icates on either hand to the supraorbital process ; in the old-
est, the divarication only begins more than half-way forward,
a high, thin crest occupying the rest of the median line. The
general shape of the brain- box, viewed from above, is, in con-
sequence of the breadth and dc;pression of the skull behind,
neither the ovate nor the somewhat cylindrical, as obtains in
Mtutela and Putoriiia, but rather trapezoidal, somewhat as in
Taxidea. The body of the under jaw is shaped exactly as in

SKULL AND TEETH OF OULO LUSCUS.

Mustelay tbongh it i8 more massive, but the coronoid is diflfer-
ent. Its back border rises straight and perpendicularly, the
anterior border carving strongly backward to meet it in a
rounded obtuse apex. In Mustela, the borders gradually ap-
proximate to each other and meet more acutely. M. pennanti
alone is much like Gulo in this respect.

Reviewing general cranial characters from the small Oale to
the large GulOy we see with increase of mere size a correspond-
ing increment of massiveness; a graduation in obliquity of the
plane of the end of the muzzle ; a lengthening and constriction
(on the whole) of the rostrum ; an increase of the convexity of
the upper profile ; a depression of the zygomata from regular
arches to a shape higher behind and more nearly horizontal in
continuity; enlargement of paroccipitals and mastoids; con-
striction and lateral elongation of the buUce into auditory
tubes ; and a flattening and widening behind, and correspond-
ing contraction in front of, the brain-box.

The dentition shares the general massiveness of the cranium.
Compared with those of Mustela, the teeth, if not relatively
larger, are more swollen and stouter, with bulging sides, blunt
points, and dull edges. The back upper molar is placed so far
inward, out of line with the rest, that its outer border scarcely
projects outside the inner border of the next. It has the same
general character as in Mustela. The median constriction is
slight, the inner more strongly regularly convex, with raised
brim and cresceatic ridge inside this ; the outer is double con-
vex (convex with an emargination), higher than the other, with
an irregularly tuberculous surface. The antero-internal spur of
the last premolar is low and little more than a mere heel,
scarcely to be called a cusp. Turgidity aside, this tooth other-
wise repeats the same in Mustela. The next premolar abuts
against the reentrance between the spur and main body of the
last one, rather than lies iu continuation of the same axis. The
foremost premolar is relatively smaller and more crowded than
the same in Mustela ; it rests directly against the canine, to
the inner side of the general axis of dentition. It would seem
that but little more crowding would cause this tooth to perma-
nently abort. The great canines are extremely stout at the
base, rather blunt, and have a strong forward obliquity. Of
the six upper incisors, the lateral pair are, as usual, mueh
larger (wider and deeper, though little, if any, longer) than the
rest. They are usually found much abraded by rubbing

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

M ■

against the under canines. The other incisors are all alike,
smaller and evenly set ; all show indication oftrilobation, with
a large middle and minate lateral lobes, best seen from behind,
where, at the pomt where the teeth flatten toward the tips,
ridges divaricate, the termination of these ridges forming the
lateral lobes. Tbo inferior incisors are irregularly set, the mid-
dle one on each bide being crowded back ont of the general
plane. The outermost pair are broader than the rest, and seem
longer, viewed from the front, since moro of the tooth is exposed
from the alveolus. The next, partially displaced pair, viewed
from the front, seem the smallest of all ; but this is due to their
position. Viewed from behind, their size is seen to be much
greater than that of the middle pair. All the incisors are
obscurely lobate at end. The under canines are shorter, stouter,
and more curved than the upper ; most of their surface is stri-
ate. The anterior lotrer premolar, like the same tooth in the
upper jaw, is very small, displaced inward, and apposed against
the canine. The next premolar is markedly increased in size,
and set in the jaw with its longitudinal axis very oblique to the
general axis of dentition, as if turned partially around for want
of room. The next two premolars are much larger still and
massive ; they both show a single central pointed conical cusp,
whose sides are bevelled down all around to the rimmed base of
the tooth, but there is no indication of the secondary cusp half-
way up th<) back edge of the main cusp, as in Mmtela pennanti,
martea^ americana, and perhaps all of this genus. Similarly,
on the great sectorial lower molar, there is no sign of a secondary
cusp on the inner face of the main cusp, as is so plainly seen in
M. marte8, and which also exists in less degree in M. pennantif
americana, and foina. These differences of the two back under
premolars and front under molar are, perhaps, the strongest
dental peculiarities of Oulo as compared with Muatela. Be-
sides this, the two main cusps of the anterior lowe** premolar
are snbequal in size and elevation instead of very unequal, as
in Mustelttf where the hinder one is much the highest. The
posterior tuberculous portion of this tooth is relatively much
smaller. As in allied genera, the back lower molar 'is small,
subcircular, tuberculous, not calling for special remark.

In a large proportion of the skulls which come to hand, the
canines and sectorial teeth are found cracked, even split en-
tirely in two or broken off, apparently a result of the desperate
exertions the captured animals made to free themselves from
iron traps.

NOMENCLATURE OP GULO LUSCUS.

I append measurements of a very large and another rather
small American skull, with those of a specimen from Lapland.

JUeasiirements of akulh, European and American.

Total length from apex of intermaxillary to occipital protuberance.

Greatest width (zygomatic)

Diatance between orbits

Nasal bones, length

Fpper incisors from front to hinder margin of palate

Upper molars and premolars, length taken together

Lower molars and premolars, length talcen together

Lower Jaw, length to back of condyle

Lower Jaw, height of coronoid above condyle

Greatest width of palate

Least width of sknil

Intermastoid width

Interparoccipital width

Foramen mi^num, width

Width across supraorbital protuberance

5.50
3.35
1.40

it. 80
1.65
1.95
.3.65
1.70
1.80
1.30
3.00
1.95
0.70
1.75

5.75
3.55
1.45
1.00
2.85
1.65

2.05
0.75
1.75

6.00
3.75
1.50
1.00
a 10
1.75
S.10
4.00
1.85
1.95
1.55
3.50
2.35
0.80
1.80

N03IENCLATURE OF THE SPECIES — RELATION OF THE EURO-
PEAN AND AMERICAN ANIMAL.

This animal has received a great variety of names, both tech-
nical^and vernacular. Nearly all barbarous tribes of Northern
regions in both, hemispheres, as well as civilized nations, have
each bestowed some appellation ; and in some cases at least
the latter have adopted an aboriginal name, with more or lesL
modification, while in all cases the book-names of the species
appear to be derivcvl rom the vernacular. Thus, " quickhatoh "
of the English residents of British America is obviously an
Anglicism of the Oree or Knisteneaux word, and I agree with
Sir^^John Bichardson that carcajou of the French Canadians is
probably derived from the same source. I have no idea what
the meaning of the more frequent term tcolverene may be j
none of its various spellings furnish a clue, beyond the obvious
wolf, which is however of wholly uncertain applicability here.
GulOj gluttonj glouton, are self-explaining, in allusion to the
voracity of the animal ; this is also the meaning of the Swed-
ish, Bussian, and German names above quoted. Oulo was
adopted by Linnaeus as the specific n.ime of the European ani-
mal, which he placed in the genus A.ustela. This author sepa-
rated the American as Ursus luscus—Sin absurd name indeed.

NOBTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

'* Lascus ^ signifies blind of one eye, raope-eyed ; as is said to
have been the nnfortanate condition of a specimen imported
from Hudson's Bay, some time in possession of Sir Hans
Sloane, and described by Edwards, upon whose account Lin-
naeus based his Ursus htsciu. Linnaeus was frequently capri-
cior3, and sometimes facetious, in bestowing names; while
some of those he gave were wholly inappropriate. Thns the
Paradisea apoda (** footless"), the common bird of Paradise,
was so called for no other reason il.an that the skins imported
into Europe used to lack the feet, these having been removed
in the preparation of the specimens by the natives. This tax-
idermal accident not only gave rise to the name, but to the
general belief that the bird had no feet, and to various fabu-
lous accounts of its hal'.o as a consequence of such condition.
It is deplorable that an accidental deformity of one particular
individual should be thus perpetuated as the designation of a
species ; the more so, as it is the name which, according to
strict rules of nomenclature, must prevail. It may, however,
be fairly questioned whether it should not be sot aside, under
the accepted ruling that priority shall not be entitled to prece-
dence when the first name involves a palpable error, or is
wholly inept, as in the present instance. The specific term
gulo being used for the genus, the name borealis would come
next in order, should Imcus be ignored on these considerations.
The foregoing synonymatic lists show that this species has
not escaped subdivision into nominal ones, and that varieties
have been genen^lly recognized. But the close similarity of
the animals from the two continents did not escape some of
the earlier writers, among them even those of slight scientific
acquirements or experience. Thus Shaw, in 1800, states of the
Wolverene, of which he reproduces Edwards's figure, that " this
appears to be no other than a variety " of Ursua gulo. Des-
marest allowed varietal distinction from the animal be called
G. arcticus. Cuvier endorsed the specific validity which earlier
writers had generally admitted ; this error Griffith perpetuated,
and, calling one Oulo vulgariSj the other G. wolverene^ introduced
at once two new synonyms. At least, if these names did not
originate with him, I have not found them in previous works.
A certain '* Gulo leucurus Hedenborg", quoted by Gray, I have
not had an opportunity of verifying. In the foregoing syn-
onymy I separate the American from the Old World quota-
tions merely for the convenience of reference, and must not be

HISTORY AND HABITS OP THE WOLVERENE.

nnderstood as implying that any distinction, varietal or spe-
cific, subsists between the Glutton and the Wolverene.

In comparing numerous American skulls with one from Lap-
land, I detect in the former a tendency to less constriction of
the cranium behind the postorbital processes. This is an in-
teresting correlation with one of the more pronounced differ-
ences in the skulls of M. martes and M. amerioana. But this
is the only discrepancy I find, and it is not, moreover, uni-
formly exhibited to any appreciable degree. The identity of
the animals of the two continents is to be considered fairly es-
tablished, whatever range of variation in size and color either
may present.

Pallas notes a curious supposed character in urging a criti-
cal comparison of the two forms. " Pilos Guloni esse trique-
tros notavit Baster (Act. Harlemens. vol. xv.) sed hoc an in
Americano ? nostrati pili teretes ", he says, on p. 75 of the
" Zoographia ".

HISTOEY AND HABITS OF THE SPECIES.

The written history of the Glutton or Wolverene dates firom
an early period in the sixteenth century, when the animal is
mentioned with little interval oi time by several writers in much
the same extravagant terms. The first appearance of the ani-
mal Ie Mterature ie said by von Martens to have been in 1532,
at the hands of M chow, a physician of Cracow, in the work De
Sarmatia AsiatM, ei Europcea, Olans Magnus (1562), to whom
is commonly attri mted the earliest mention, though he thus
appears to h''.ve bsen anticipated, gives a most extraordinary
account, mad'^ up of the then current popular traditions and
superstitions, and tales of hunters or travellers, unchecked by
any proper scientific enquiry; although, to do him justice, he
does not entirely credit them himself. We may be sure that
such savory morsels of animal biography did uot escape the
notice of subsequent compilers, and that they lost nothing of
their flavor at the hands of the versatile and vivacious Bu£fon.
Endorsed for two centuries by various writers, each more or
less authoritative in his own times, and, moreover, appealing
strongly to the popular love of ^he marvellous, the current fables
took strong root and grew ape v^, flourishing like all <* ill weeds",
and choking sober accounts. Ooming down to us through such
a long line of illustrious godfathers, they were treated with the
respect generally accorded to long years, and furnished the

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

staple of professedly educational text-books. Probably no
yoath's early conceptions of the Glutton were uncolored with
romance ; the general picture impressed upon the susceptible
mind of that period bein/| that of a ravenous monster of insa-
tiate voracity, maichles& strength, and supernatural cunning, a
terror to all other beasts, the bloodthirsty master of the forest.
We cannot wonder at the quality of the stream, when we turn
to the fonntain-head of such gross exaggeration. We find it
gravely stated that this brute will feast upon the carcase of
some large animal until its belly is swollen as tight as a drum,
and then get rid of its burden by squeezing itself between two
trees, in order that it may return to glut itself anew — an alleged
climax of gluttony to which no four-footed beast attains, and
for the parallel of which we must refer to some of the most
noted gormandizers of the Boman Empire. We have indeed
reliable accounts of such gastronomic exploits, but they are
not a part of those records which are generally accepted as
zoological. In one of the old zoological works of some celeb-
rity, there is a very droll picture of a Wolrarene squeezing
itself between two trees, with a most anxious expression of
countenance, the fore part of the body being pressed thin, while
the hinder is, still distended, and the large pil oof manure already
deposited being rapidly augmented with further supplies. Still
in the track of the marvellous, we read how the Glutton, too
damsy and tardy of foot to overtake large Buuiinants, betakes
itself to the trees beneath which they may pass, and there
'Crouches in wait for its victim ; it drops lik9 a shot upon the
unsuspecting Elk, Moose, Beindeer, and, faatening with claws
and teeth, sucks the blood and destroys them as they run. That
nothing may be left undone to ensure success, the animal has
the wit to throw down moss or lichens to attract its prey, and
to employ the friendly services of Foxes to drive the quarry
beneath the fatal spot. I allude to these things, not that such
gross exaggerations longer require refutation, but because they
are a part, and no inconsiderable one, of the history of the
species ; and because, as we shall see in the sequel, a perfectly
temperate and truthful narration of the creature's actual habits
sufficiently attests the possession of really remarkable qualities,
which need be but caricatured for transformation into just such
fables. We may remember, also, that the history of the Wol-
verene is mixed in some cases with that of other animals, some
of whose habits have been attributed to it. Thus Charlevoix

HISTORY iND HABITS OP THE WOLVERENE.

45^

(Voy. Amer. i, 201) speaks of the "carcf^oa or qaino^oa, a
kind of cat", evidently, however, having the Goagar (FelU con-
color) in view, as appears firom the rest of his remarks. Sach
habit of lying in wait for their prey is common to the Coagar,
Lynx, and other large Oats. Not to prolong this portion of the
subject, I may state briefly, that the animal whose oharaoteris-
tics will be ftally exposed in the course of this article is simply an
uncommonly large, clumsy, shaggy Marten or Weasel, of great
strength, without corresponding agility, highly carnivorous, like
the rest of its tribe, and displaying great perseverance and
sagacity in procuring food in its northern residence when the-
supply is limited or precarious, often making long uninterrupted
journeys, although so short-legged. It is imperfectly planti-
grade, and does not dimb trees like most of its allies. It lives
in dens or burrows, and does not hibernate. It fSeeds upon the-
carcases of large animals which it finds already slain, but does
not destroy such creatures itself, its ordinary prey being of a
much humbler character. It is a notorious thief; not only of
stores of meat and fish laid up by the natives of the countries
it inhabits, the baits of their traps, and the animals so caught,
but also of articles of no possible service to itself; and avoids
with most admirable cunning the various meth'^ds devised for
its destruction in retaliation.

. All the earlier accounts referred to the animal of Europe and
Asia. I have not found the terms " Carcajou " and " Wolverene ",
nor any allusion to the Ainerican form, until early in the eight-
eenth century. La Honti^n speaks of it in 1703, likening it to
a large fierce Badger; Lawson has been quoted in this connec-
tion, he having attributed to the Lynx some of the f>:>!:Ioua
accounts of the Glutton ; but it is evident that his remarks
neither apply, nor were intended to apply, to the Wolverene.
Gatesby sp<»<aks of an animal "like a small bear'' which exists
in the Arctic portions o( America ; this reference is among tbo
earlier OE ito the Wolverene, those which confound it Tilth
other speeds being excluded.* We have other definite aec xints
of the Wolverene, near the middle of the eighteenth c^mtuiy,

* The Wolverene has been confused not only with the Lynx an 1 Coogar
in early times, but also quite recently with the American Badgei Dnmiea
americana. Thus F. Cnvier (Snppl. Bnffon, i, 1831, 967) treate at Ie.>gth <tf
(• Le caro^joa, on Blaireau AmMcain ", his whole article being based npoa
the Badger, to which he miseonoeiyes the ntaae Cwrc^joa to belong. Paol
Qerrais also speaks of the "CarJcajou on Blairean d'Am^riqn«" (Proc. Verb.
Hoc. Philom. Paris, 1842, 30).

NOBTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

!:i:

as those of Klein, Ellis, Dobbs, Edwards, and Brisson. Ursua
Uucu9 of Linnoeus arose in a way already narrated, and the
apeoies may be considered to have been well known from this
period, although it was for a long time very generally supposed
to be different from the Glutton of Europe and Asia.

The various American biographies of this animal are without
exception more or less incomplete and unsatisfactory; even
those which are shorn of obvious exaggeration are, in large
part, a compilation of earlier statements. They have, however,
steadily improved, the latest, that of Audubon and Bachman,
being by far the best, although Sir John Richardson's was an
excellent contribution. The account which Pennant gave in
1784 (Arct. Zool. pp. 66-68) is purged of some of the fables, yet
curiously shows how their effects will linger. He scouts the
idea of such excessive gluttony as had been attributed, yet
relates the moss-throwing story, and represents the Wolverene
as " a beast of uncommon fierceness, the terror of the Wolf and
bear ; the former, which will devour any carrion, will not touch
the carcase of this animal, which smells more foetid than that
of the Pole-cat". Pennant traces its distribution as far north
as Copper Biver, to the countries on the west and south of Hud-
son's Bay, Canada, and the tract between Lakes Huron and
Superior. He gives a fair description, and adds : — " It hath
much the action of a Bear ; not only in the form of its back,
and the hanging down of its head, but also in resting on the
hind part of the first joint of its legs." <* The Kamtschatkans ",
he naively continues, *^ value them so highly as to say, that the
heavenly beings wear no other furs." Richardson gives some
interesting particulars, among them none, so far as I am aware,
that are not accurate. In a passage he quotes from Graham's
MSS., we see a probable basis for the fabulous accounts
that the Fox is the Wolverene's provider or abettor in the
chase — ^for it is the well-nigh uuiversal rule that fable is founded
on facts exaggerated, distorted, or perverted. Alluding to the
Wolverene's notorious habit of following Marten roads, Mr.
Graham remarks that the animal tears the captured Martens to
pieces or buries them at a distance in the snow. ** Drifts of snow
often conceal the repositories thus made of the martens from
the hunter, in which case they furnish a regale to the hungry
fox, whose sagacious nostril guides him unerringly to the spot
Two or three foxes are often seen following the Wolverene for
this puq>ose." Richardson discredits the accounts which had

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE WOLVERENE.

47>

eome down from Buffoo of the destruction of Beavers by the
Wolrerene. ♦' It must be only in summer, " he says, " when
those industrious animals are at work on laud, that it can sur-
prise them. An attempt to break open their house in winter,
even supposing it possible for the claws of a Wolverene to pene-
etrate the thick mud walls when frozen as hard as stone, would
only have the effect of driving the beavers into the water to
seek for shelter in their vaults on the borders of the dam."»

Hearne gives a much more credible account of the depre-
dations of the Wolverene upon another of the valuable fur-
bearing animals of the north— the Fox— during the period
of reproduction. Being directed by scent to the burrow of
the Fox, which its great strength enables it to enlarge if
necessary, it enters and destroys the whole family. In evi-
dence of its amazing strength, of that sort most effective in
palling, pushing, and prying, the same author mentions that a
Wolverene had been known to upset the greater part of a pile
of wood nearly seventy yards around, in order to get at some
provisions which had been deposited in this c&che. Audubon's
article, although entertaining and accurate, is chiefly a com-
pilation from previous accounts, as he appears to have met with
the animal iu a state of nature but once, the result of which
occurrence is bis principal contribution to the subject. This
was in Rensselaer County, near the banks of the Hoosac River.
He tracked a Wolverene iu the snow to its den, which was
among rocks, and shot it after prying away some heavy firag-
ments. '' There was a large nest of dried leaves in the cavern,
which had evidently been a place of resort for the Wolverene
during the whole winter, as its tracks from every direction led
to the spot. It had laid up no winter store, and evidently
depended on its nightly excursions for a supply of food. It
had however fared well, for it was very fat."

The fur of the Wolverene is highly valued both by civilized
and uncivilized people. A number of skins sewn together
makes a very beautiful carriage robe or hearth-rug, and the pelts
are in common use for these purposes. The Indians and Esqui-

* An anonymoas writer, doubtless General D. S. Stanley (" D. S. 8., Fort
Sally, Dakota " ; American Naturalist, ii, 1868, p. 215), notes the depr dations
committed by the Wolverene upon Beaver, in the following terms : — "The
wolverene follows the Beaver and preys upon them; in northern latitudes,
the wolverene is almost always present where the beaver is abundant. The
beaver has a beaten path on the bank of the stream near his lodge. There
the wolverene lies in wait for him, and often cuts short his career."

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIU^E.

manz use the far as they do that of the Wolf, for friogiug their
garments, the skin being cut in strips for this purpose. I have
already given (p. 2) some statistics of the trade in this kind
of pelt, which indicate the comparative standing of the animal
among the fur-bearing species of this country. The following
methods of its capture are taken firom Qibson : — *

<i The wolverine is a dangerous foe to many animals larger
than itself, and by the professional hunter it is looked apon as
an ngly and dangerous customer. There are several methods
of trapping this horrid creature, and in many localities sue*
oessfhl trapping of other animals will be impossible without
first ridding the neighborhood of the wolverines. Dead-falls
of large size will be found to work successfully, baiting with
the body of some small animal, such as a rat or squirrel. A
piece of cat, beaver or muskrat flesh is also excellent, and by
slightly scenting with castoreum success will be made sure.
SevertU of these traps may be set at intervals, and a trail made
by dragging a piece of smoked beaver meat between them.
The gun-trap, . . . will also do good service in exterminating
this useless and troublesome animal. Steel traps of size No. 3
or 4 are commonly nsed to good purpose. ... In all oases the
trap should be covered with leaves, moss or the like, and the
bait slightly scented with castoreum. Like all voracious ani-
mals, the perpetual greed of the wolverine completely over-
balances its caution, and thus renders its capture an easy
taflk.''t

The Wolverene '•> an animal of circumpolar distribution in
both hemispheres. In North America, it exists in all suitable
comtry north of the United States to the Arctic Ooast, and
even on some of the islands of the Polar Sea, traces of itS'
presence having been discovered on Melville Island, about
latitude 75^. Our notes upon its distribution in this country
may relate chiefly to its southern limits. Of an erroneous quo-
tation, by which it has been supposed to occur as far south as
Carolina, I have already spoken. Its southern limit has been
fixed more properly between 42^ and 43°; this is probably
nearly correct for the eastern portions of the continent, aside
from what recession of the species northward may have re-
cently occurred, although, as we shall see, the species reaches

* Complete Amerioan Trapper, [etc.] p. 200. New York. 16mo. 1876.

t A statement at Tariaoce with the experience of others, as detailed on a
following page, from which it would appear that the wary creature is par-
ticularly difficult to entrap.

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE WOLVERENE.

fartber soath In the West. lu Massachusetts, accordiuR to Mr.
Alleo, It still Uogered a few years since, in that portion where
the Canadian, as distinguished from the Alleghanian, fauna is
represented. But the Massacliusetts reports are all probably
traceable to a Hoosac Mountain reconl some years prior. Dr.
Hitchcock and Dr. De Kay both quote Dr. Emmons for this,
although the species is not given in the latter's report. In
New York, it was rare In the time of Audubon and De Kay :
the former notes specimens from Rensselaer (1810) and Jefferson
(1827) Counties. Dr. Z. Thompson, writing in 1833, states that
it was then extremely rare in Vermont, none having been met
with to his knowledge for several years. Though occasionally
found when the country was new in all parts of the State, it
was never very plentiful, and for years had been known only
in the most wooded and unsettled parts. I have met with but
one record of its presence in the United States from west of
New York to the Rocky Mountains, though it is to be pre*
sumed that it inhabits, or has lately done so, the wooded por-
tions of our northern frontier. Maximilian speaks ({. o.) of the
occurrence of the species o j the western border of Canada and
near the month of the Red River of the North, and surmises
that the species may extend to the Missouri River, especially
as he saw a skin, but without indication of locality, at one of
the trading posts. I never saw the Wolverene in Dakota or
Montana, where most of the country is altogether too open.
Baird, oowever, speaks of its occasional occurrence in the Black
Hills, and registers a specimen from " northwest of Fort Union"*
(probably Montana, toward the base of the Rocky Mountains);
and Mr. C. H. Merriam (as recorded I. s. c.) procured a speci-
men on the Yellowstone River, Wyoming, in August, 1872.
In the Rocky Mountains, as was to have been expected, its
extension southward has been traced to the farthest known
point, between 40^ and 39<^. Professor Baird notes a specimen
obtained by Captain Stansbury from the Great Salt Lake, Utah,
which lies wholly south of 42o. This individual is still (1877) pre-
served, mounted, in the National Museum. It is probable that
its extreme limit is even somewhat farther than this, reaching in
the mountains to the borders of Arizona and New Mexico and

"This locality (Fort UDion), frequently mentioned in the works of An-
dabon, Baird, and others, no longer exists as snob, being now a heap of rob-
bisb. It is replaced by Fort Buford, commanding the mouth of the Yellow-
stone, at the extreme southwest corner of Dakota, acyoining the southeast
corner of Montana.
4M

'■' I

if!''

■IS '■ ■■

NOBTH AMERICAN MUSTEUD^.

corresi)onding latitudes in California. Of this, I was assured
by hunters whose statemeLts I had no reason to doubt, and
who were evidently acquainted with the species. But I could
not confirm their statements by actual observation, and, for
all that is positively known, the Salt Lake record remains the
southernmost, excepting that very recently furnished by Mr.
Allen {(^. cit). He saw the skin of an individual taken in
the vicinity of Montgomery, Colo., near the limit of timber,
and the animal was stated to be not uncommon. This locality
is somewhat south of 40<^, and the occurrence is strongly
corroborative of the accounts I received, as just mentioned.
I have myself lately seen a mounted specimen among a collec-
tion of animals made by Mrs. M. A. Maxwell, in the vicinity
of Boulder, Colo. I have no record from the region west of the
main chain of the Bockies in Oregon or Washington Territory,
although it is not to l>b presumed, upon this negative evidence,
that the species does not occur there.

The Wolverene ranges, as we have seen, in greater or less
abundance, all over the northern portions of this country. It
appears to be particularly numerous in the Mackenzie Biver
region, and it fairly infests the whole country bordering the
lower portions of this river and the west side of the mountains.
From this country, many accounts have reached me, from vari-
onr cflBcers of the Hudson's Bay Company, through the liber-
al* ~ of the Smithsonian Institution, which placed in my hands
all tbe matter represented in its archives upon the mammals of
the far north. These manuscripts witness the wonderful cun-
ning and sagacity of the beast, as well as its ferocity, and repre-
sent it to be the greatest enemy with which the hunters and
trappers have to contend in the pursuit of fur-bearing animals.
Messrs. Kennicott, Macfarlane, Boss, and Lockhart have each
recorded their experiences, which together afford the material
for a complete biography.

The hunter, says Mr. Lockhart, may safely leave an animal
he has kiPM for one night, but never for a second time, with-
out placing i '. in a strong c^he of logs. The first night the
Wolverene is pretty sure to visit the place, but will touch
nothing. The next night he is certain to return, and, if he can
possibly get at the meat, he will gorge himself, and then make
away with the rest, which he cunningly hides, piece by piece,
under the snow, in different directions. At every c^he he
makes he voids his urine or drops his dirt, probably to prevent

HISTORY AND HABITS OP THE WOLVERENE.

Foxes, Martens, or other animals from smelling the hidden meat
and uigging it np. Gd.chcs must be made of green wood, and
be exceedingly strong, or the animal will certainly break into
them. He has been known to gnaw through a log nearly a
foot in diameter, and also to dig a hole several feet deep in
frozen ground, to gain access to the coveted supply. Should
he succeed in gaining entrance for himself, and yet be unable
to displace the logs sufSciently to permit of removal of the
meat, the brute will make water and dirt all over it, rendering
it wholly unfit to be used; even a dog will then scarcely touch it.

To the trapper, the Wolverenes are equally annoying. Wi!<»n
they have discovered a line of Marten traps, they will ?»orc<r
abandon the road, and must be killed before the trapping can
be successfully carried on. Beginning at one end, they proceed
from trap to trap along the whole line, pulling them success*
ively to pieces, and taking out the baits from behind. When
they can eat no more, they continue to steal the baft>3 and cftche
them. If hungry, they may devour two or three of the Martens
they find captured, the remainder being carried ofi and hidden
in the snow at a considerable distance. The work of demoli-
tion goes on as. fast as the traps can be renewed.

The propensity to steal p.ad hide things is one of the strongest
traits of the Wolverene. Vo such an extent is it developed
that the animal will often secrete articles of no possible use to
itself. Besides the wanton destruction of Marten traps, it will
carry off the sticks and hide them at a distance, apparently in
sheer malice. Mr. Boss, in the article above quoted, has given
an amusing instance of the extreme of this propensity: — "The
desire for accumulating property seems so doeply implanted in
this animal, that like tame ravens, it does not appear to care
much what it steals so that it car^ exercise its favorite propen-
sity to rx>mmit mischief. An instance occurred within my own
knowledge in which a hunter and his family having left their
lodge unguarded during their absence, on their return found
it com\A^tely gcitted— the walls were there but nothing else.
Blankets, guns, kettles, axes, cans, knives and all the other
paraphernalia of a trapper's tent had vanished, and the tracks
left by the bea#; snowed who had been the thief. The family
set to work, and by carefully following up all his paths recov-
ered, with some trilling exceptions, the whole of the lost prop-
erty."

Though very clumsy animais, the Wolverenes manage to cap-

1 1<1

'ilf.

NORTH AMERICAN HUSTELIDiE.

tare, at times, such prey as Hares or Groase, and they successfully
attack disabled Deer. We have already seeu how they destroy
Foxes in their burrows; and they are usually found in excel-
lent oonditioD. They also feed on offal or carrion ; in fact, any-
thing that they can catch or steal. Their own flesh is only
eatable in the extreme of starvation. They bring forth in bur-
rows under ground, probably old Bear washes, and have four
or five young at a birth. It is very rarely that they are discov-
ered at this period oc whilst suckling their young. One rea-
son, however, may be that they reproduce late in June and
early in July, wheu the mosquitoes are so numerous that no
one who can avoid it goes abroad in the woods. Tbe rutting
season is in the latter part of March. The femais is ferocious
in the defeose of her youn^*, and if difiturbed at this time will
not hesitate to attack a mau. Indeed, Indians have been heard
to aver that they would sooner encounter a she-bear with her
cubs than a Oarcajou under the same circumstances. In Octo-
ber, when the rivers set fast, the Wolverenes reappear in fam-
Ses, the young still following their dam, though now not much
her inferior in size. They are full grown when about a year
old. In early infancy, the cubs are said to be of a pale cream
calor.

The Wolverene may be captured in wooden traps similar to
those used for JNIarteus, but of course made on a much larger
scate, as the animaVs strength is enormous, even for its size.
The traps are sometimes built with two doors. But so great is
the cunning and sagacity of the beast, that the contrivance for
its destruction must be very perfect. The traps are covered
up with pine-brush, and made to resemble a c^he as much as
possible ; the Wolverene is then likely to break in and get
caught. The bait, ordinarily the conspicuous feature of a trap,
must iu this instance be concealed, or the animal will either
faxeak in from behind, or, failing in this, will pass on his way.
It is sometimes also taken in steel traps, or by means of a set
gun ; but both these methods are uncertain, great " medicine ''
being required to outwit the knowing and suspicious beast.

The eyesight of the Wolverene is not very bright, but his
sense of smell is extremely acute.

"The winter I passed at Fort Simpson", writ^ Mr. Lock-
hart, '' I had a line of Marten and Fox traps, and Lynx snares,
extending as far as Lac de Brochet. Visiting them on one
occasion I found a Lynx alive in one of my snares ; and being

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE WOLVERENE.

indisposed to carry it so far home, determined to kill and skin
it before it should freeze. But how to cache the skin till my
return ? This was a serious question, for Carcajou tracks were
numerous. Placing the carcase as a decoy in a clump of willows
at one side of the path, I went some distance on the opposite
side, dug a hole with my snow-shoe about three feet deep in the
snow, packed the skin in the smallest possible compass, and
put it in the bottom of the hole, which I filled up again very
carefully, packing the snow down hard, and then strewing
loose snow over the surface till the spot looked as if it had
never been disturbed. I also strewed blood and entrails in the
path and around the willows. Beturning next morning, I found
that the carcase was gone, as I expected it would be, but that
the place where the skin was cached was apparently undis-
turbed. 'Ah! you rascal,' said I, addressing aloud the absent
Carcajou, ' I have outwitted you for once.' I lighted my pipe,
and proceeded leisurely to dig up the skin to place in my mnski-
moot. I went clear down to the ground, on this side and on
that, but no Lynx skin was there. The Carc^ou had been
before me, and had carried it off along with the carcase ; but
he bad taken the pains to fill up the hole again and make every-
thing as smooth as before !

" At Peel's River, on one occasion, a very old Carcajou dis-
covered my Marten road, on which I had nearly a hundred and
fifty traps. I was in the habit of visiting the line about once
a fortnight ; but the beast fell into the way of coming oftener
than I did, to my great annoyance and vexation. I determined
to put a stop to his thieving and his life together, cost what it
might. So I made six strong traps at as many different points,
an nlso set three steel traps. For three weeks I tried my best
to caiou the beast without success ; and my worst enemy would
allow that I am no green hand in these matters. The animal
carefully avoided the traps set for his own benefit, and seemed
to be taking !■«« delight than ever in demolishing my Marten
traps and CAiing the Martens, scattering the pdes in every
direction, and caching what baits or Martens he did not devour
on the spot. As v>e had no poison in those days, I next set a
gun on the iMHik of a little lake. The gun was concealed in
some low bushea. hoc the bait was so placed that the Carcajou
must see it on his way up the i>ank. I blockaded my path to
the gun with a small pine tree which completely hid it. On
my first visit afterward I found that the beast had gone up to

v.\

■i * ' It''

III i

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^E.

the bait and smelled it, but had left it antoached. He had
next pulled up the pine tree that blocked the path, and gone
around the gun and cut the line which connected the bait with
the trigger, just behind the muzzle. Then he had gone back
and pulled the bait away, and carried it out on the lake, where
he laid down and devoured it at his leisure. There I found my
string. I could scarcely believe that all this had been done
designedly, for it seemed that faculties fully on a par with human
reason would be required for such an exploit, if done intention-
ally. I therefore rearranged things, tying the string where it
had been bitten. But the result was exactly the same for three
successive occasions, as I could plainly see by the footprints ;
and what is most singular of all, each time the brute was care-
ful to cut the line a little back of where it had been tied before,
as if actually reasoning with himself that even the knots
might be some new device of mine, and therefore a source of
hidden danger he would prudently avoid. I came to the con-
clusion that that Carcajou ought to live, as he must be something
at least human, if not worse. I gave it up, and abandoned the
road for a period.

'^On another occasion a Carcajou amused himself, much as
usnal, by tracking my line from one end to the other and de-
molishing my traps, as fast as I could set them. I put a large
steel trap in the middle of a path that branched off among
some willows, spreading no bait, but risking the chance that
the animal would ' put bis foot in it' on his way to break a trap
at the end of the path. On my next visit I found that the trap
was gone, but I noticed the blood and entrails of a hare that
had evidently been caught in the trap and devoured by the
Careajon oii the spot. Examining his footprints I was satisfied
that iie had not been caught, and I took up his trail. Proceed-
ing about a miie through the woods I came to a small lake, on
the banki of which I recognized traces of the trap, which the
beast bad laid down in order to go a few steps to one side to
make water on a stump. He had then returned and picked up
the trap, which he had carried across the lake, with many a
twist and turn on the hard crust of snow to mislead his ex-
pected pursuer, and then again entered the woods. I followed
for about half a mile farther and then came to a large hole dug
in the snow. This place, however, seemed not to have suited
him, for there was nothing there. A few yards farther on,
however, I found a neatly built mound of snow on which the

H )

III

HISTORY AND F\BITS OP THE WOLVERENE.

animal had made water and left his dirt ; this I knew was hia
cache. Using one of my snowshoes for a spade I dug into the
hillock and down to the ground, the snow being about four feet
deep ; and there I found my trap, with the toes of a rabbit still
in the jaws. Could it have been the animal's instinctive im-
pulse to hide prey that made him carry my trap so far merely
for the morsel of meat still held in it ? Or did his cunning
nature prompt him to hide the trap for fear that on some
future unlucky occasion he might put his own toes in it and
share the rabbit's fate ? "

This propensity of the Wolverene to carry off traps receives
confirmation from other sources. In Captain Cartwright's
Journal (ii, 407), a similar instance is recorded in the follow-
ing terms :— " In coming to the foot of Table Hill I crossed
the track of a Wolvering with one of Mr. Callingham's traps
on his foot : the foxes had followed his bleeding track. As this
beast went through the thick of the woods, under the north
side of the hill, where the snow was so deep and light that it
was with the greatest difficulty I could follow him even on In-
dian rackets, I was quite puzzled to know how he had con-
trived to prevent the trap from catching hold of the branches
of trees or sinking in the snow. But on coming up with him I
discovered how he had managed : tor after making an attempt
to fly at me, he took the trap in his mouth and ran upon three
legs. These creatures are surprisingly strong in proportion to
their size ; this one weighed only twenty-six pounds and the
trap eight ; yet including all the turns he had taken he had
carried it six miies."

The ferocity of the Wolverene, no less than its cunning, is
illustrated in some of the endless occasions on which it matches
its powers against those of its worst enemy. A man had set a
gun for a Carcajou which had been on his usual round of dem-
olition of Marten traps. The animal seized the bait unwarily,
and set off the gun ; but owing to careless or improper setting,
the charge missed or only wounded it. The Carcajou rushed
upon the weapon, tore it from its fastenings, and chewed the
stock to pieces. It is added to the account of this exploit that
the beast finished by planting the barrel muzzle downward up-
right in the snow ; but this may not be fully credited. The
stories that pass current among trappers in the North would
alone fill a volume, and they are quite a match for those that
Glaus Magnus set down in his book centuries ago. How much

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

r t

wiser are we in our geDeration ? Is there anything new under
the san T But we need not go beyond the strict fact to be
impressed with the extraordinary wit of the beast, whom all
concur in conceding to be " as cunning as the very devil ".

With so much for the tricks and the manners of the beast
behind our backs, roaming at will in his vast solitudes, what of
his actions in the presence of man T It is said that if one only
stands still, even in full view of an approaching Carcajou, he
will come within fifty or sixty yards, provided he be to wind-
ward, before he takes the alarm. Even then, if he be not
warned by sense of smell, he seems in doubt, and will gaze
earnestly several times before he finally concludes to take him-
self ofi; On these and similar occasions he has a singular
habit— one not shared, so far as I am aware, by any other beast
whatever. He sits on his haunches and shades his eyes with
one of his fore paws, just as a human being would do in scruti-
nizing a dim or distant object. The Carcajou then, in addition
to his other and varied accomplishments, is a perfect skeptic —
to use this word in its original signification. A skeptic, with
the Greeks, was simply one who would shade his eyes to see
more clearly. To this day, in sign-language among some of the
North American Indians, placing the hand to the forehead sig-
nifies " white man " — either in allusion to this habit, or to the
shade given the eyes by the straight vizor of the military cap,
which the Indians see oftener than they desire. Mr. Lockhart
writes that he has twice been eye-witness of this curious habit
of the Wolverene. Once, as he was drifting down stream in a
small canoe, he came within a short distance of one of the ani-
mals on the bank ; it stopped on perceiving him, squatted on
its haunches, and peered earnestly at the advancing boat, hold-
ing one fore paw over its eyes in the manner described. TSot
seeming to take alarm, it proceeded on a few paces, and then
stopped to repeat the performance, when Mr. Lockhart, now
suf&ciently near, fired and killed the beast. On another occa-
sion, when the same gentleman was crossing the Rocky Mount-
ains, a Wolverene, which had become alarmed and was making
off, stopped frequently and put up his paw in the same manner^
in order to see more clearly the nature of that which had dis-
turbed him.

On other occanions, the Wolverene displays more boldness
than this in the presence of man. It has been known to seize
upon the carcase of a deer, and saffer itself to be shot rather

ITS DISTRIBUTION IN THE OLD WORLD.

than relinquish possession, though the hunter had approached
vithin twenty yards of his game. When pressed by the pangs
of hunger, still bolder exploits are sometimes performed, as in
the instance narrated by Capt. J. C. Ross. In the dead of an
Arctic winter, his ship's company were surprised by a visit
from a Wolverene, which clambered over the snow wall sur-
rounding the vessel, and came boldly on deck among the men.
Forgetful of its safety in the extremity of its need for food,
the animal seized a canister of meat, and suffered himself ta
be noosed while eating.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIBS IN THE OLD WORLD.

This portion of the subject is translated from J. F. Brandt's
elaborate article.*

According to Georgi (?. ». c. [i. e. Geogr. Phys. Beschr. 1786)
p. 1547), the Glutton is found in the temperate, and particu-
larly in the cold regions of Bussia and Siberia ; that is to say,
from Lithuania and Gurland, where, however, it is rare, to
Finland, Eola, Archangel, Wologda, Perm; and in Siberia,
from the mountains which bound this country (the Altai, the
Sajan, and Danrian Alps, the Stannovoi, &c.), to the Arctic
Tundras. Brincken (Mem. sur la For^t de Bidlowicza, p. 45)
speaks of Gluttons in the forest of Bidlowicza. Eichwald,
however, two years later (1830), states that formerly they were
only found in some few forests of Podolia and Pinsk (Skizze,
p. 237). In 1791, Fischer says (Naturgesch. von Li viand,
Livonia, 2d edition, p. 141) that the Glutton was already rare
in Livonia, though still common in Bussia, Poland, Lithuania,
and Lapland, as well as in Gurland; though in Derschaa
and von Eeyserling's description of the Province of Gur-
land, published as early as 1805, the Glutton is not mentioned
among the animals of Gurland, and it is likewise wanting in
Lichtenstein's Catalogue of the Mammals of Gnrland,
published in 1829 (Bull. Nat. Hist. Moscou). Eessler only
mentions the Glutton incidentally, stating that there were
reports of its casual appearance, and that a specimen was
once captured, though giving no particulars. According
to Bczaczynski (Anctnar. Hist. Nat. p. 311), two Glut-
tons were killed in Podolia at the beginning of the last
century. It is, therefore, unquestionable that the Glutton

* Bemerknogen ttber die Wirbelthiere des nordlichen earopaischea Rasa-
lands, besonders des nordlichen Ural's. Ein Beitrag zur nuheren zoolo-
gisch-geographischen Kenntniss Nordost-Europa's.

I !

til

NOBTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

was occasionally found in Gurland, Litliuania, and Podolia
dnring the last centary, but that it no longer extends so far
westward and southward, so that we may rely, concern-
ing its appearance in Russia, upon the statement of Pallas
<Zoog. B.-A. i. p. 74) that the animal was seldom found in
European Russia, except in the northerly forests, though com-
mon in Siberia. In East Siberia, Sarytschew (Reise, i. p. 77)
discovered it on the middle portions of the Indigirka. W r a n •
gel (Reise, ii. pp. 274, 238) indicates the occurrence of the Glut-
ton in WcTchojansk and the country of the Tschukts. G e b 1 e r
(Uebersicht d. Eatuuisehen Geb. p. 84) calls Gulo borealis
a bolitary inhabitant of the Altai forests, and we once received
from him a specimen from the Altai region. According to vo u
Middendorff, the Glutton is also found on the Boganida
River, whence it makes excursions to the Tundra, to plunder
the traps set for the Yulpeslagopus. It was lately observed
by Wosnesseuski in Kamtschatka, where it was more nu-
merous in northern than in southern portions. There, particu-
larly in the Anadyr regions, it is said to inhabit the Tundras

rather than the forests Georgi (7. c.) designates the

Ural in general, Lehman n (Brandt in Lehmaun's Reise
Zoolog. Append, p. 301) and Eversmanu, probably more
rightly, only the middle and northerly Ural as its habitat.
According to Hoffmann's verbal communications, the ani-
mal is to be found in the northerly Ural, at least as far as
forests exist, as before indicated by Georgi, and seems to be
not rare there, for a skin costs but three silver roubles, and the
Samojeds are in the habit of trimming their garments with the
fur. Ermann (Reise-, i. 1, p. 562) states that the Glutton
occurs on the Obi River. Schrenck (Reise, i. pp. 10, 66, 97)
reports that it is found in the forests of the District of Mesen,
particularly on the Pinega River, and sometimes on Onega
Lake. The government of Wologda annually delivers 300 to
500 Glutton skins (von Baer and Helmersen, Beitrage, vii.
p. 251). I do not recall, after more than twenty years' experi-
ence in the government of St. Petersburg, a single instance of a
Glutton's having been captured there. Wallenius (Fauna
Fenn. p. 11, and Forteckning o^ver Sallsk. Samlingar, p. 7) cites
the Glutton as inhabiting the Finnish provinces of Tawastland
and Osterbotten. We may safely fix its present distribution in
the Russian possessions from Finland and Russian Lapland (?)
to Kamtschatka, and from the middle Ural and Altai to the
northerly Tundra.

CHAPTER III.

MUSTELIN^E— Continued : The Martens.

The genas Ifuste/a— Generic characters, &c.— Analysis of North Aiaerioaa
species— MuiUla pennatiti, the Pekan or Pennant's Marten— Synonymy-
Habitat— Specific characters— Description of external charactera— Dimen-
aions— Skull and vertebrte— General history, habits, and geographical dis-
tribution—Interpolated matter relating to exotic species of Mustela—M.
wiar/e»— Synonymy— Description of its skull and teeth— If. /oIho— Syn-
onymy— Notes on its characters— Jlf. jibe//i«a— Synonymy— Measoreme"*?
of skulls of the three species— Comparative diagnoses of M. martes,
amerkana, and foina— if ustela americana, the American Sable or Marten —
Synonymy — Description and disenssion of the species — ^Table of measure-
ment*— Gteographical variation in the skull— General history and habits
of the species.

IN this chapter are treated the genus Muatela and the two
species by which it is represented iu North America. Sev-
eral closely allied species of the Old World are also introduced,
as seemed to be required for the adequate discussion of their
intimate relationships.

The Genus MUSTELA. (Linn., 1758, e»i«Mflf.)

< Mvstela, Linn. Syst Nat. 1 10th ed. 1758, and of many authors.

< Tlverra, Shaw, Gen. Zool. i. 1600 ; not of anthors.

< ORlOt H. Smith, (fide Oray); not of Storr.
=: Maries, Author*, after Bay.

>.PekaalB« J. E. Oray, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1865, 107. (Type M. pennanti.)

> Foiiai J. E. Oray, Proo. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1865, 107. (Type If. martt* var. fagontm.)

> CfearrOBia, J. E. Gray, Proo. Zoiil. Soo. 1865, 108. (Type M. flavigula Bodd.)

Generic chars. — Dental formula :

3-3 .
3-3 '

1-1 t P™'4_4>

1-1

2-2

2^= 38 (as in OuJo; one more premolar,* a'oove and below, on each side,
than in Putoriua). Sectorial tooth of lower jaw usually with an internal
cusp. Anteorbital foramen presenting vertically or somewhat downward as
well as forward (as in Putorius ; reverse of Gulo) ; canal-like, opening over
interspace between last and penultimate premolars (as in Gulo ; the open-
ing is over the last premolar in Putoriua). Skull much constrioted at the
middle, the rostral portion relatively longer, mure tapering than in Gulo or

" As a not infrequent anomaly, the small anterior premolar which consti-
tutes the increment in the dental formula as compared with that of PutoriuB
fails to develop. Thus it 'is wanting on the right side above in a skull, No.
7159, from Fort Good Hope, though present on the lelv side and on both sides
below. Similarly, an incisor occasionally aborts.

I , •<*

NORTH AMERICAN MUST£LID^.

1'^

n ii^"

Putoriu "'1 much more obliciuely truncated flian in Putoriui, lew ao tban
in Oulo \ 'ital prufile more or less concave. Nasal bunos narrower in tbe
middle than at either end. General upper outline of skull moderately
arched. Production of mastoids and auditors l>all(e and fjeneral prominence
of periotio region intermediate between Oulo and Putorius. Zygomatic arch
high behind (usually higher than in front) ; nowhere vertical, nor developing
a posterior convexity. Depth of emarginution of palate greater than dis*
tanoe thence to the molars. Skull as a whole less uussive than iu either
Gulo or Putoriut.

Vertebral formula. — According to Oerrard, the vertebrie of M. tnartes, type
of the genus, is c. 7, d. 16, 1. *>, a. 'A, cd. 18 or 19 ; other species of the genus
differ in tbe number of caudals.

Size medium and large for this subfamily. Form moderately stoat ; claws
strong, cnrved, acute. Tail longer tban tbe bead, bushy, cylindrical or taper-
ing. Soles dbS«Hl7 furry, with nuked pads. Pelage long and soft, but not
fibaggy ; whol«3-colored, or nearly so, never whitening in winter. Progression
digitigrade. Habits highly arboreal as well as terrestrial ; not aqoatio.

This fcenuB forms the liuk between Gulo and PutoritM, as will
be evident upon comparison of tlu- diagnoses of the three. Tbe
ski 11, however, is lighter than in either of the two other genera
of Mu8telin(B, with more produced aud tapering rostrum ; in
height, relative to length or breadth, it is intermediate. The
spt di have a somewhat Fox like or Cat-like superficial aspect,
rather than that appearance we usually associate with the name
of " WeaseF, being much stouter-bodied, more copiously haired,
and bushier-tailed ; one species, indeed, is commonly called
black " fox " or black " cat ". They appear to be more decid-
edly arboreal than the Weasels, spendiug much of their time in
trees, and are not aquatic, like several of the Weasels propei*.
They are agile and graceful iu their movements ; and, if not really
more active than the Weasels, their actions seem to possess
a quality of lightness and elasticity different from the writhiop'
and insiuuative motions of the very slender-bodied, short-. ■ "r .j.
Weasels. Although strictly carnivorous, predacious, and de-
structive to many kinds of small Mammals and Birds, they
appearless ferocious and bloodthirsty than the Weasels, whose
sanguinary impulses seem insatiable ; and at times they exhibit
a playful and comparatively amiable disposition.

The name of tbe genus is the Latin mustela or miutella, a
kind of Weasel ; the word being apparently derived from, or
related to, the more general term mtis.* Its adjectival deriva-

* This seems to have inolnded, besides Mice, various kinds of small de-
structive animals, snob as now might be collectively referred to aa " vermin".
Thns, mutpontiouB is supposed to have probably been an Ermine. The word
may be simply a long form of maa, like maxilla or axilla from mala and ala.

THE QENU8 MU8TELA.

tive, mu8telinu», refers primarily to general Wea«el-!ike quali-
ties ; secondarily, to tbn peouliar tawny color of moat species
of Weasels in sammer, and is* transferable to other animals,
just as "foxy" signifies the peenliur red of the Oommou Pox.
For Au example, familiar to ornithologists, the "tawny" thrush
of Wilson, Tardus ^^ mustelinu*^, may be cited.

This genns comprises the Martens and Sables, of which there
are several species, inhabiting the northern portions of both
Old and New Worlds, and particularly abundant in the higher
latitudes. Aside from the very distinct Fisher, or Pekan, Mua-
tela pennanti, peculiar to North America, the species are so
closely related that some authors have contended for their
identity. There appear, however, to be good grounds upon
which at least three if not four si ecies may be established;
one confined to America, the rest belonging to the Old World.
The high commercial value of the pelts of these animals, and
their corresponding economic importance, has sharpened the
eyes of those pecuniarily interested to such degree that nu-
merous kinds of "sable" and "marten'* are recognized by the
furriers; and the caprices of imperious fashion set a wholly
fictitious value upon slight shades of color or other variable
conditions of pelage, which have no zoological signiflcanee
whatever. The Sable par excellence is the Russian and Asiatic
animal, Mustela zibellina, a variety of the common European
Marten, M. niartes, or a closely allied species; but, as all Sables
are Martens, it is perfectly proper to speak of our species, M.
americanttf as the American Sable or Marten. Some of its for-
tuitous conditions of pelage — the darker shades — represent the
" sable " of furriers, while in the ordinary coloration it may be
called by another name. The meanings of the various terms
employed to designate animals of this genus are more fully
discussed elsewhere, under heads of the several species.

The two North American species of Mustela may be readily
distinguished by the followiujj characters : —

Analysis of tfie Is'orth American species of Mustela.

Xiarger : length two feet or more ; tail a foot or more, the vurtebree about half
the length of head and body, tapering from base to point. Bars low, wide,
aemicircolar. Blackish ; lighter on fore apper parts and head ; darkest
below ; no light throat-patch M. pennanU.

Smaller : length under two feet ; tail less than a foot long, the vertebne leas
than half the length of the body, uniformly bushy. Ears high, subtrian-
gnlar. Brown, &c.; not darker below than above ; usually a large ydlow-
ish or tavroy throat-patch M. amerioana.

'I li:

■

}■"''

',1
■ 1

Plil

62 NORTH AMERICAN MUHTELID^.

The Peknn, or Peniinnrii Garten.

Mnstcla pemaantli

Plati II.

MasleU poaiMlllt Era. Sy«t. A.d. 1777, 470, DO. 10 (bailed on the FUher of P»nnant: for
dUouMlon of nam*, in <inf jiton o> nrioiity over eanadtiudi Scbreber, o£ Bd. op. ityfrA
eit. p. liD.—Zimm. Qeo^. Oeich. 11. 1760, 310, no. 908.— J. Sab. Frank. Joam. 1633,
esi.-fifri/. Cut. R. A. t. 1837, 133. no, 354.-£««t. Man. 1837, 190, no. iOi—rUeh. Syn.
Mam. 1839, 317.— Oodm. Am. K. H. i. 1831, W3.-Bd. M. X. A. 18ST, 14B, pi. 36, f. 1.-
Xtwb. P. R. R. Rep. ▼!. 1857, 41.-0oop. <« SueU. N. H. W. T. 18W, 99, 114.-Am«,
Canid. Nat. tI. 1881, ii.—Oilpin, Tr. Nov. Soot. lout. 11. 1870, 0, 59.— AU. Ball. M.C.
Z. 1. 1869, 161 (Mats.) I BalL £h. Init. vl. 1874, 54 (Colorado^. —AmM, BaU. Minn.
Acad. Xat. Sol. 1874, 69.

Manes fCBRUdli ^«V< P- Z. S. leeS, 107; cat Carnlv. Br. Mas. 1869, 8S.

Mrntela raaadeasll, Sehr«b. Stfng. ill. 1778, ''.99, pi. 134 (bated on the P*ktm of Bnltot
not M. i;atKuUmii of Erxl., which is Putoriut oUon).—Zimm. Qeog. Oesob. IL 1780, 309,
no. WJ—Bodd. Elench. An. 1. 1784, 86.— Om. S. N. 1. 1788, 05.— Titrt. S. K. i. 1606, 50
(not eame name on p. 57, which Is the American Otter).— JTuAI, Beitr. 1690, 74. — Ditm.
Mamm. i. 1890, 183, no. 384 ; Ency. M6th. pi. 80, f. 4 j Noot. Diet xix, 370.— ffarl. Fn.
Amer. 1835, 65.- X«m. Man. 1837, 149.— <7rt/. Cav. R. A. t. 1897, 194, no. 3Sa.—IUch.
Syn. 1839, 916.-iNeA. F. B. A. i. ie3», S3, no. IH.-Rieh. Zodl. Voy. Blossom, 1639, N*.—
JfV. Ouv. Diet Soi. Kat. xlz. 356.- Martin, P. Z. S. 1833, 97 (anat.).— .SnMNOtM, Rep. Qnad.
Mass. 1840, 36.'-Wagn. Sappl. Scbreb. il. 1841, 333.— i>eJray,X. Y. Zotfl. i. 1643,31,
' pi. 13, f. 1 (sknlD.-Aud. <t Baeh. Q. N. A. 1. 1849, 307, pi. il.—DtKay, Fifth Ann.
Rep. Reg. Univ. N. T. 1863, 33, pi. (oriR. fifi).-TAomp«. N. H. Vermont, 1893, 39.—
Kenn. Trans. III. State Agric. Soc. 1853-4, 578 (Illinois.)- fnwl. Proc. Boat. Soo.
Ti. 1858, ii6.-aUbel, Odontog. 36. pi. 13, f. 1 ; Sttag. 1855, 773. -Afacim. Aroh. Katarg.
1861, 9i».—aiUing$, Canad. Oeol. and Natii. 1837, l\6.—Knuland, Proo. Boat Soo. vl.
1659, 418 (skeleton).— Hail, Canad. Nat. vi. 1661, 396.— Afoxim. Vera. K. A. SKng.
1863, 43.

MHStel* eanaiensls var. alba. Rich. op. eit. 54 ("White Pekan"; albinism).

Maitela (Maries) caaaieasls. Schim, Syn. Mamm. 1. 1844, 334.

Maries eaaateasls, Gray, List Mamm. Br. Mas. 1643, 63.— Oerrard, Cat. Bones Br. Mas.
1863, 91.

TWerra caaaieBsU, Shaw, Qfin. Zool. i. 1600, 439.

Mutela melaaorhyacha, Sodd. Elench. An. 1784, 88, na 13 (based on Fither of Pennant) —
Zimm. in Penn. Arkt. Zool. 1767, 85.

Tlverra piscator, Shaw, Gen. Zoiil. i. 1600, 414 (based on Fislur of Pennant).

Maitcia alffra. Turt. ed. L. S. N. i. 1806, 60 {= Fither Wtanl of Pennant).

Masteia godnaai, Fisek. Syn. Mamm. 1839, 317.— £m«. Mamm. 1843, 150.

Mastela piscatorla, Let$. Man. 1897, 150, no. 403 ((jaotes pennwnti Eral. with qaery).

"Oalo castaaeuB •( ftrruglBens, H. Smith."— {J. E.Qray.)

Pekaa, OharUv. Xoav. France, ill. 1744, 134.— Bu/. Hist Nat. xiil, 1765, 304, pi. 49 (basis of

M.eanaden*i$ Sohreb.).— Bom m, Diet. d'Hist. Nat. Ul. 1768, 401 Pthano, Seataglia,

An. Qaad. iv. 1775, pi. 155, f. 1 (ex Baffon).— P«to>t, Penn. Syn. Qaad. 1771, 934, no.
159; Hist. Qnad. 1781, no. 304 ; Arct. Zuol. i. 1784, 78, no. 38 (apparently aame as the
animal of Brisson and Baffon).— PeJtan of French Canadian. (' ' Peean " is also foand.)

Pekaa-maNer, Maxim. I. e.

Fisher, P«nn. Syn. Qaad. 1771, 323, no. 157; Hist. Qnad. 1781, 338, no. 303; Arot Zool. 1.

1784, 83, no. 31 (basis of Jf. pennantii, Erxl.).— Fisher, American, Tulgo.
Marte«ptcbenr, Detm. op. eit. 164.

FeaaaBt's Martea, Oofm. op. et loe. eit.

W<)|ack, Heamt, Joam. —,378. (Also written Weejaek.}

OtCfcoek, Oree Indians (Jtiehardson) = Otsehilik, Ojibwayi {Maxim.) = Wejaek, Fur Traders=
Woodihoek, Angliei.

TfeA*ChA, Chippovtayani (Xois).

Black Foi, Black Cat, rxdgo.

Hab.-— North America, approximately between 35° and 65°, in wooded
portions of the oonntry.

U. S. OeoloKio*! 8nrT«.T.

MniteUda. PLATE II.

91aatela peanaBtl. (Mat. size.)

n i ^

i
1

DESCRIPTIOU OF MUSTELA PENNANTI.

Specific CHARACTERS. — Black or blackiab, lightening by mixture of brown
or gray on the apper fore part and bead ; no conspicuons ligbt tbroat-
patoh ; generally darker below than above ; very large and stoat ; length
2 or 3 feet ; tail over a foot long.

Description of external characters.*

Form. — With its large size, tbis auimal combines a stout-
ness of form not seen in other species of the genus. The
general aspect is rather that of a Fox than of a Weasel, but, in
place of the acute muzzle and pointed ears of the former, we
have a fuller face, somewhat canine in physiognomy.t The
muzzle is thick and short ; the prominent nasal pad has the
ordinary T-shape, and is definitely naked; it is black. The
whiskers are stiff, scant, and short, hardly reaching to the ears ;
there are other stoutish bristles over the eye, at the corner of
the mouth, on the cheeks and chin ; they are all black. The
eye is rather large and full for this group. The ears are low,
but remarkably broad, being about twice as wide at base as
high ; they are rounded in contour, and well furred, both sides,
to the entrance of the meatus. The feet are broad and flat,
furred both sides, and armed with very stout, compressed,
much curved, acute claws, not hidden by the bristles at their
base; they are light-colored. On the palm may usually be
seen the following pads (though they are sometimes hidden by
the overgrowing fur): one at the end of each digit ; a V-shaped
area of four nearly coalesced pads, indicated by mere sulci be-
tween them, situated opposite the first digit, and indicating the
bases of, respectively, the first, the second, the third and fourth
combined, and the fifth digit. There is a tenth pad, .aolated
from the rest, far back, on the wrist, near the outer border.
On the hind feet, the arA ngement of the naked bulbs is essen-
tially the same, excer'ini^ that the hiudermost (tenth) one is
wanting. The tail-veitebrse are about half as long as the head

*From -varions specimena in the Sraithsoniau Institation.

t«The physiognomy of the Pekan is very different from that of the Marten.
When the latter is threatened, its featnres resemble those of an enraged cat,
bat the expression of the Pekan's coantenance approaches to that of a dog,
though the apparent obliqaity of its eyes gives it a sinister look. The head
has a strong, ronndish, compact appearance, and contracts suddenly to form
the nose, which terminates rather acutely. The ears, low and semicircular,,
are far apart, so as to leave a broad and slightly rounded forehead. They
are smaller in proportion than the ears of the Pine-martin. The eyes, situ-
ated where the head carves in to form the nose, appear more oblique than
they really are."— (Richardson, I. c.)

it ■

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

» i:

and body. The tail is cylindric-coDic, rapidly tapering to a
iibarp point from the enlarged and bushy base. The general
pelage is mach coarser than that of the trne Martens, and
looser, if not longei ; it consists of the asi;ial under fur, with
long, glossy, bristly hairs intermixed. The pelage is very short
on the head.

Color. — Color is very variable, according to age, season, or
other fortnitous circumstances ; in general, however, a particu-
lar pattern, if not also tone, is preserved. The animal is darker
below than above, at least on parts of the belly, contrary to the
usual rule in this group. The belly, legs, and tail, in most ma-
ture examples, are black or blackish-brown, and the hinder
part of the body above is much the same. On the rest of the
upper parts, however, there is a progressive lightening toward
the head, from increasing admixture of light brown and gray
shades, which colors, occupying but little, if any, of the length
of the hairs on the dark parts of the body, on the lighter parts
so increase in extent that they give the prevailing tone, over-
powering both the smoky-brown bases and the blackish tips of
the hairs. The ear has usually a light bordering. On the
under parts, even of the blackest individuals, are usually found
irregular white (not tawny or buflfy) blotches on the chest, in
the arm-pits, and on the lower belly between the thighs.. The
throat may also show a few white hairs, though I have never
observed anything like the conspicuous light gular area com-
monly displayed by the Marteu.

Smaller specimens before me lack much of the general black-
ishness above indicated ; still the feet, tail, and at leabt a me-
dian abdominal area are darker than the upper parts in general,
though the darkness is rather brown than black. The light
upper parts are pale or hoary gray, overlaid with the blackish
tips of the hairs. Both Bichardson and Audubon note nearly
white specimens.

Dimensions. — Of the full-grown animal, about 30 inches from
nose to root of tail (many specimens are only about 2 feet long,
while others a third larger than this are noted). Tail-vertebrre
about 14 inches (12 to 16), the terminal hairs 2 to 4 inches
longer. Nose to eye 2 inches ; to occiput, over curve of head,
6J ; ear 1 inch high, about tvrice as broad ; distance between
tips of ears 7 inches : hind foot 4i ; fore leg, from elbo^r, 6 or
7 inches ; iiind leg, from hip, nearly 12. Individuals are said
to range in weight from 8^ to 18 pounds.

SKULL AND VERTEBRAE OF M. PENNANTL

Skull and vertebra:

Cranium. — The skull of this species is iuatautly distingaished
from that of Jf. martes by its obviously superior size. The larg-
est of six examples before me measures 4.40 iu extreme length
by 2.40 in greatest zygomatic width. The under jaw is 3.00 in
length. There are other points. The zygomatic arch is nota-
bly lower. The skull is more contracted behind the orbits.
The larabdoidal (occipital) crest is stronger and more flaring ;
its termination as a broad flange back of the meatus audito-
rius is conspicuous when the skull is viewed from above,
whereas in the skull of M. martes, held in the same position,
the terminations of this crest are almost hidden by the bulge
of the brain-box. The bony palate is more narrowly and deeply
emarginate behind. The bullae auditorii« are relatively smaller
and flatter; the meatus is absolutely smaller. Some other
minor points might be established. I observe no noteworthy
dental peculiarities, aside from superior size of the teeth.
This skull exceeds iu length the large fossil one mentioned by
Prof. Baird from the Bone Cave of Pennsylvania, which is
little over 4 inches long. Several New York skulls are Jess
than 4 inches in length by little over 2 in greatest breadth.
One skull, of a very old animal, iu which the sutures are all
obliterated, is remarkably massive, and broad for its length,
measuring only just 4 inches long by full 2.40 in breadth.
This series of skulls, like others in this group, shows that the
character of the sagittal crest, or elevation, is wholly transi-
tory ; in old specimens, the crest is a thin laminar ridge, while
in others there is a median longitudinal elevation half an inch
or more in width. The lambdoidal crest is subject to the same
modifications. The constriction of the skull back of the supra-
orbital processes also increases with age.

Vertebrcv :—c. 7, rt. 14, 1. 6, s. 3, cd. 20 or 21 (Gerrard). Knee-
land {loc. supra cit.) gives the caudals as 20; the rest of his
formula agrees with Gerrard's. Of the 14 ribs, he gives 10 as
apparently " true " (sternal).

The Pekan is much the largest of the genus, and indeed of
the whole Weasel kind (subfamily Mustelina), excepting only
the Wolverene and (riisoii. In size, as in some other points of
form, vigor, and ferocity, it approaches the W^olverene, and is
obviously the connecting link between Mustcla and Gulo. It
has no immediate representative in the Old World.
5 M

^ ^

NORTH AMERICAN MU8TELID.E,

GENERAL HISTORY, HABITS, AND GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBU-
TION OF THE SPECIES.

As this species is confined to North America, and as it pre-
sents marked zoological character.^, its written history is less
extensive and less involved than that of animals which have
a circumpolar distribation in both the Old and New World.
In tracing up this matter, we go back to the works of Baffon,
Brisson, and Pennant, all of whom appear to have described
the animal from the same specimen — one in the cabinet of M.
Aubry at Paris. It is the Pekan of Bnflfon, 1765, and the
Fisher of Pennant, Syn. Quad. 1771. Pennant's account of
his Fisher is unmistakable ; but he describes, in addition, the
Jt*ekan of Buft'on, not re • gnizing in it the same species. These
two accounts furnished /" many years the bases of all the sci-
entific binomial names ir osed by various authors. The Mus-
tela canadensis of Schrebei,.1777, is the Pekan of Bnffon ; the
M. pennantii of Erxleben, 1777, and Jf. melanorhyncha of Bod-
daert, 1784, are the Fisher of Pennant. This is perfectly plain ,•
but a question of pnoiity arises between the names pennantii
Erxl. and canadensis Schreb., owing to some uncertainty of
actual date of publication of the works of Erxleben and
Schreber, since the supposed eari author quotes the other in
various places. Judging, however, by the printed dates of
publication, as the proper means of arbitration, pennantii of
Erxleben takes precedence. The question is, however, further
complicated by the fact that Erxleben has also a Mustt>la cana-
densis (p. 455), which Included both the Vison and Pekan of
Buffon — the Mink and the Fisher; and many authors have
adopted the name for the latter. But, as Prof. Baird has
clearly shown, Erxleben's description of M. canadensis applies
solely to the Mink, and, indeed, will take precedence over M.
vison, if Brisson be not quotable as an authority in biDorjinal
nomenclature. As a summary of the subject, therefore, it may
be said that M. canadensis Erxl. goes to the Mink, wuile M. ca-
nadensis Schreb. and authors sinks to a synonym of M. pennantii
Erxl.

In later years, various nominal species have been established
upon the Pekan, none of which, however, require special dis-
cussion.

The naLie Fisher, very geuf .?l'f -i-oplied to this species by
others as well as authors, \ o< n nee; tain origin, but probably

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE PEKAN.

arose from some misconception of its babits, or from confound-
ing tbem with those of the Mink. The name is entirely inap-
plicable, as the animal is not aqaatic, does not fish, nor habitu-
ally live upon fish, and it should be discarded, as likely to
perpetuate the confusion and'misunderstanding of which it has
alw M o a greater or less extent been the cause. Pekan is a
word of unknown,* or at least of no obvious, application, but
is less objectionable, inasmuch as it does not mislead. As to
the supposed piscatorial exploits of the Pekan, we find refuta-
tion in some of the very earliest accounts of those who, unlike
certain compilers of books, bad actual knowledge of the ani-
mals they recounted. Thus Bartram, who is quoted by Pen-
nant, states that " though they are not amphibious, and live on
all kinds of lesser quadrupeds, they are called Fi8hers^\ Hearne
states that they dislike water as much as cats do. In fact, the
universal testimony of those who are best informed is that the
economy of the Pekan is as nearly as possible like that of the
Pine Marten, as indeed one would expect, judging by analogy.
Godmau, a naturalist who has perhaps not always been fully
appreciated, states ihe case correctly in criticising the same
points: — "That it will eat fish when thrown on shore there is
little doubt, as almost all the carnivorous animals are delighted
with such food : but we have no proof that this Marten is in
the habit of fishing for itself." Sir John Richardson has a para-
graph which may be quoted in continuation of this point, as
well as for its affording further insight into the character of the
species : —

"The Pekan is a larger and stronger animal than any variety
of the Pine Marten, but it has similar manners ; climbing
trees with facility, and preying principally upon mice. It lives
in the woods, preferring damp places in the vicinity of water,
in which respect it differs from the Martin, which is generally
found in the dryest spots of the pine forests. The Fisher is
said to prey much upi-.i frogs in the summer season; but I
have been informed tay,t its favorite food is the Canada porcu-
pine, which it kills by biting on the belly. It does not seek its
food in the water, although, like the Pme-martin, it will feed

upon the hoards of frozen fish laid up by the residents

It brings forth, once a year, from two to four young."

Doubt has been cast by A udubon upon Richardson's state-

* Compare Ptan or Fctan, the AseiDiboine name of the Otter, which may
possibly ha'o become traneferred with modification to the present Gpecies.

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiG.

ill

1 1

ment tbat tbe Pekan i Us the Porcupine ; but its accuracy is
attested by Mr. Gilpiu lu tbe article above quoted, who states
that Porcupine quills have beea found in its stomach.

A modified derivation of the name Fislier is given by De
Kay : — " We are informed by a person who resided many years
near Lake Oneida, where the Fisher was then common, that
tbe name was derived from ics singular fondness for the fish
used to bait traps. The hunters were in the practice of soak-
ing their fish over night, and it was frequently carried off by
tbe fisher, whose well known tracks were seen in tbe vicinity.
In Hamilton County it is still [1842] numerous and trouble*
some. The hunters there have assured me tbat they have
known a fisher to destroy twelve out of thirteen traps in a line
not more than fourteen miles long." The same author contin-
ues : — " The hunting season for the fisher, in the northern part
rf the State, commences about the tenth of October, and lasts
to the middle of May, when fhe furs are not so valuable. The
ordinary price is $1.50 per skin; but it is not so fine, nor so
highly valued as tbat of tbe sable." According to all ac-
counts, the animals were formerly very abundant in the State
of Kew York, where, however, they have latterly become re-
stricted to (lortbern mouutainous aud thinly settled portions.

The bone caves of Pennsylvania, accoi'ding to Baird, have
furnished numerous remains of Pennant's Marten, among them
one skull larger than some recent ones examined (but compare
p. 65). The animal may be still found occasionally in the
mountains north of Carlisle, in Perry County, where the liv-
ing animal figured by Audubon was procured.

The distribution of tbe Pekan is general in wooded districts
throughout the greater part of North America. As indicating
approximately the southern limit of its distribution (for, like
the Marten and Ermine, it is essentially a northern animal), we
may refer to its occurrences in North Carolina and Tennessee,
as atte«ited by Audubon and Bacbman. The i)arallel of 35°
may be near its limit. Mr. Allen recently ascertained its pres-
ence in Colorado. West of the Rocky Mountains it was long
ago noted by Lewis aud Clarke, whose accounts of the " Black
Fox " are checked by numerous later observers, as Newberry,
Cooper, and Suckley, who found it in Washington and Oregon
Territories. From California, however, I have no advices,
though the animal probably inhabits at least a part of tbat
State. Dr. Newberry says it is rare in Oregon, but less so in

I. n.

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE PEKAN.

Washiogtou Territory. Accordiug to Dr. Suckley, it is found
quite plentifully in the thickly wooded districts nlong the
eastern, and probably also the western, slopes of the Cascade
Range, especially in the neighborhood of streams ; it also in-
habits the Blue Mountains of the same region. In the eastern
United States, it must not be presumed that it actually occurs
now throughout its ascribed range ; for the settlement of the
country practically restricts it to the more inaccessible or at
least unfrequented wooded districts. Many years ago, as we
have already seen, it had become greatly thinned out in the
Middle States, and this process has been steadily progressing,
until, at the present day, the Pekan is almost unknown in most
of the United States east of the Mississippi. Writing in 1853,
Mr. Kennicot states it "used frequently to be seen" in Illinois
in the heavy timber along Lake Michigan. Il New England,
according to Mr. Allen, it probably still occurs, though rarel}',
iu the Ilocsac ranges. In 1840, Dr. Emmons reported it as
occasionally found in the vicinity of Williamstown, Mass.,
especially in the mountainous ranges which extend through
Stamford, Vt. It is stated to bo rare iu Canada, and not found
at all in the populous districts. In Nova Scotia, according to
Dr. Gilpin, it was never very plenty, and is being rapidly
exterminated, only two hundred at most being taken yearly,
chiefly in the high wild region of the Cobequid Hills in Cum-
berland. In British America, Sir John Kichardson states that
it is found as far north as Great Slave Lake, latitude G3^ ; and
the specimens I have examined confirm this dispersion, ex-
tending it to include Alaska also.

The Pekan is stated to breed but once a year: it brings
forth its young in the hollow of a tree, usually 30 or 40 feet
from the ground. Two, three, and four young, but not more,
so far as I have learned, ire produced in a litter. It has been
known to offer desperat*^ esistance in defence of its young, as
on the occasion when lue individual figured by Audubon was
procured. This animal, a young one, was kept in confinement
for several days. " It was voracious, and very spiteful, growl-
ing, snarling and sp'f-ting when approached, but it did not
appear to suffer much uneasiness from being held in captivity,
as, like many other predacious quadrupeds, it grew fat, being
becter supplied with food than when it had been obliged to
cater for itself in the woods." Another mentioned by the
same author as having been exhibited in a menagerie in

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiG.

Charleston, S. C, some months after its capture, continued
sullen and spiteful, hastily swallowing its food nearly ^vhole,
and then retiring in growling humor to a dark corner of its
cage. Hearne, however, has remarked that.the animal is easily
tamed, and shows sone affection at times. When taken very
young, it may becon^e perfectly tame, and as playfnl as a
kitten ; such was the oase with a pair mentioned by Mr. B. K.
Koss.

The Pekan is sometimes forced, by failure of other sources
of supply, to a vegetarian diet, when it feeds freely upon beech-
nuts.

In continuation of the history of this animal, which I have had
no opportunity of studying in the living state, the following
paragraphs are quoted from the authors just mentioned, as
illustrative of its habits and manners: —

"Pennant's Marten appears to prefer low swampy ground;
we traced one which had followed a trout stream for some dis-
tance, and ascertained that it had not gone into the water.
Marks were quite visible in different places where it had
scratched up the snow by the side of logs and piles of timber,
to seek for mice or other small quadrupeds, and we have no
doubt it preys upon the Northern hare, gray rabbit, and ruffed
grouse, as we observed a great many tracks of those species in
the vicinity. It further appears that this animal makes an
occasional meal on species which are much more closely allied
to it than those just mentioned. In a letter we received from
Mr. Fothergill, in which he furnishes us with notes on the habits
of some of the animals existing near Lake Ontario, he informs
us that ' a Fisher was shot by a hunter named Marsh, near
Port Hope, who said it was up a tree, iu close pursuit of a pine
marten, which he also brought with it.' . . .

" Whilst residing iu the northern part of our native State
(New York), thirty-five years ago, the hunters were in the habit
of bringing us two or three specimens of this Marten in the
course of a winter. They obtained them by following their
tracks iu the snow, when the animals had been out in quest of
their prey the previous night, thus tracing them to the hollow
trees in which they were concealed, which they chopped down.
Th€j informed us that as a tree was falling, the Fisher would
dart from the hollow, which was often fifty feet from the ground,
and leap iuco the snow, when the dugs usually seized and killed
him, althoagh uot without a hard struggle, as the Fisher was

HISTOBY AND HABITS OF THE PEKAN.

iofloitely more dangerous to their UouuiU than either the gray
or red fox. They usually called this species the Black Fox.

"A servant, on one occasion, came to us before daylight, ask-
ing us to shoot a raccoon for him, which, after having been
chased by his dogs the previous night, had tP.Ken to so large a
tree that Ue neither felt disposed to climb it nor to cut it down.
On our arrival at the place, it was already light, and the dogs
were barking furiously at the foot of the tree. We soon per-
ceived that instead of being a raccoon, the animal was a far
more rare and interesting species, a Fisher. As we were anx-
ious to study its habits we did not immediately shoot, but teased
it by shaking some grape vines that hac crept up nearly to
the top of the tree. The animal not only became thoroughly
frightened, but seemed furious ; he leaped from branch to
branch, showing his teeth and growling at the same time ; now
and then he ran half way down the trunk of the tree, elevating
his back in the manner of au angry cat, and we every moment
expected to see him leap off and fall among the dogs. He was
brought down after several discbarges of the gun. He seemed
extremely tenacious of life, and was game to the last, holding
oh to the nose of a dog with a dying grasp. This animal proved
to be a male: the body measured tweuty-flve inches, and the
tail, including the fur, fifteen. The servant who had traced him,
informed us that he appeared to have far less speed than a fox,
that he ran for ten minutes through a swamp iu a straight
direction, and then took to a tree. . . .

" Species that are decidedly nocturnal iu their habits, fre-
quently may be seen moving about by day during the period
when they are engaged in providing for their young. Thus the
raccoon, the opussum, and all cur bares, are constantly met
with in spring, and early summer, in the morning and after-
noon, whilst in autumn and winter they only move about by
night. In the many fox hunts, iu which our neighbours wer^
from time to time engaged, not far from our residence at the
north, ... we never heard of their having encountered a single
Fisher in the daytime; but when they traversed the same
grounds at night, in search of raccoons, it was not unusual for
them to discover and capture this species. We were informed
by trappers that they caught the Fisher in their traps only by
night.

" On several occasions we have seen the tracks of the Fisher
in the suot ; they resemble those of the pine marten, but are

NOHTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

double tlieir size. To judge by them, the animal advances by
short leaps in the manner of a miuk."

I will supplement this aucouiit with the interesting experi-
ences of ]Mr. B. K. Koss (as recounted I. 8. c.) with this species
in the Mackenzie Kiver region : — " In this district it is not found
except in the vicinity of Fort Resolution, which may be con-
sidered as its northern limit. In the numerous deltas of the
mouth of Slave River it is abundant, frequenting the large
grassy marshes or prairies, for the purpose of catching mice, its
principal food. In appearance it bears a strong family likeness
to both the martin and the wolverene. Its general shape assimi-
lates more to the former, but the head and ears have a greater
similitude to those of the latter. It is named by the Chippei-
wayan Indians 'Tha cho,' or great martin. Its neck, legs and
feet are stouter in proportion than those of the martin, and its
claws much stronger. Incolor and size it varies greatly. Young
full-furred specimens, or those born the previous spring, can
scarcely be distinguished from a large martin except by a
darker pelage and a less full, more pointed tail. As it advances
towards old age, the color of the fur grows lighter, the long
hairs become coarser, and the grayish markings are of greater
extent and more conspicuous.

"The largest fisher which I have seen was killed by myself
on the Riviere de Argent, one of the channels of the mouth of
Slave River, about 15 miles from Fort Resolution. It was fully
as long as a Fulvus fox, much more muscular, and weighed 18
pounds. In the color of its fur the greyish tints preponderated,
extending from half way down the back to the nose. The fur
was comparatively coarse; though thick and full. The tail was
long and pointed, and the whole shade of the pelage was very
light and had rather a faded look. Its claws were very strong
and of brown color; and as if to mark its extreme old age the
teeth were a good deal worn and very much decayed. I caught
it with difficulty. For about two weeks it had been infesting
my martin road, tearing down the traps and devouring the
baits. So resolved to destroy it, I made a strong wooden trap.
It climbed up this, entered from above, and ate the meat. A
gun was next set but with no better success, it cut the line
and ran off with the boue that was tied to the end of it. As a
* dernier resort' I put a steel trap in the middle of the road^
covered it carefully, and set a bait at some distance on each
side. Into this it tumbled. From the size of its footprints my

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE PEKAN.

impressiou all along was that it was a Hinall wolverene that was
annoying lue, and I was surprised to tiiul it to be a fisher. It
shewed good fight, hissed at me much like an enraged cat, bit-
ing at the iron trap, and snapping at my legs. A blow on the
nose turned it over, when I completed its dt-ath by compressing
the heart with my foot until it ceased to be.»t. The skin when
stretched for drying was fuUy as large as a middle sized otter,
and very strong, in this respect resembling that of a wolverene.

<'In their habits the fishers resemble the martins. Their
food is much the same Hut they do not seem to keep so gener-
ally in the noods. They are not so nocturnal in their wander-
ings as the foxes. An old fisher is nearly as great an infliction
to a martin trappfi is a wolverene. It is an exceedingly pow-
erful animal for its size, and will tear down the wooden traps
with ease. Its regularity in visiting them is exemplary. In
one quality it is however superior to the wolverene, which is
that it leaves the sticks of the traps where they were planted :
while the other beast if it can discover nothing better to hide,
will cache them some distance off. It prefers meat to fish, is
not very cunning, and is caught without difficulty in the steel-
trap. Fishers are caught by methods similar to those employed
in fox-trapping.*'

It may not be generally known that the Pekan successfully
assaults an animal as large as the Raccoon; indeed, that the
abundance of the latter in some districts depends in a measure
upon the rarity of the former. The following letter, addressed
to Prof. Baird, in 1857, by Mr. Peter Reid, of Washington
County, New York, sufficiently attests these facts: — "Raccoons
are more numerous here now than they were at the first set-
tlement of the country, or for some time subsequent. Thirty
years ago they were so seldom found, that many boys 15 or
18 years old had scarcely seen one. Before the increase In
their numbers I once witnessed a circumstance that satisfied
my mind on this score. Whilst hunting, early one winter I
found the carcase of a freshly killed sheep, and by the tracks
around it in the light snow perceived that a Fisher had sur-
prised a Raccoon at the feast. A hard chase had ensued, the
Raccoon tacking at full speed to avoid his pursuer, the Fisher
outrunning and continually confronting his intended victim.
I saw where at length the Fisher had made an assault, and
where a bloody contest had evidently ensued. The Raccoon,
worsted in the encounter, had again broken away, and the chase

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

'ks

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1.0

?^ m 12.2

£ 1^ 12.0

III

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FtiotogFSfM:

Sdenoes

Carporation

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as WiST MAIN STRUT

WnSTIR.N.Y. 14SM

(716) 177-4503

NORTH AMERICAi- MUSTELIDiE.

was resumed, but with dimiuished energy on the part of the Rac-
coon ; the animal had been soon overtaken again, and a still more
desperate encounter had taken place. The Goon had failed
fast, and it had at length become merely a running fight, when
both animals had entered a swamp where it was impossible for
me to trace them further; but I have no doubt the Goon was
killed. 1 have witnessed similar engagements between the
Mink and Mnskrat, the Weasel and House Rat, always ending
in the death of tho assaulted. The Fisher has been nearly
extinct in these parts for about twenty-five years, and this to
my mind accounts for the great increase in numbers of the
Raccoon."

INTKRPOLATED MATTER RELATING TO THE EXOTIC MUSTEL^,
>ni. MARTES, FOINA, AND ZIBELLINA.

Before euteriug upon the disouasiou of the iutimate relatiouships of the
American Sable or Pine Marten with its extralimital allies, some notice of
the latter seems to be required in order to a better understanding of the in-
tricate questions concerned. I accordingly present the three exotic species,
with such remarks as seem called for and as I am able to offer. The ma-
terial before me indicates, with little hazard of error, that the American
form is specifically distinct from both the Beech Marten and the Pine Marten
of Europe. Its relationships with the Asiatic Sable seem to be closer, but
these I am unable to discuss satisfactorily, owing to lack of specimens of the
Asiatic animal.

Note, — Much of the synonymy r«Utiug to these esotlo specie* has been rather gnmnia-
rily compiled at second hand, and shouid be taken with the alluwanoe for " probable error "
which uanally obtains in such cases.

1. The European Pine Marten.

Mnatela marles.

Plate in.

Maries, Antiquorum.—Sldrot. Quad. Digit. 1645, 331.— CharUt. Esercit. 1677, 90.— Wa^n.

Helvet \9D0, ldl.—8ibb. Soots. Illust. 1664, iL II.— Szaet. Polon. 1741, 339; irj6, 314—

Linn. 8. K. L 9d ed. 1740, ii.—Jontt Xbeatr. Quad. 1 755, pL 64.
MartM Sjrif CSlrlS, a»m. Quad. 1551, 865, tg.—Jon$t Tbeatr. Qaad. 1755, 156.
MartM arkerea, BdiunnOtf. Theriotroph. 1603, llO.
Martet !■ arkorlkas, Affrie- Anim. Snbter. 1614, 38.
Varies akitlaa, Ray, 8yn.Qaad. 1693. 300.— KUin, Qaad. 1751, 64 —FUming, Br. An. 19M,

14.-JMI, Brit Quad. 1837, 174 ; 9d ed. 1974, 917.— 0«rr. Cat. Bones. Br. Mns. ll:<69. 90.—

Oray, LUt Uamm. Br. Mas. 1843, 63 ; P. Z. S. 1865, 104 ; Cat Carn. Br. Mus. 1669, Bl.—

FUt. Naturg. S^ng. L 1661, 335, f. 67.
Martcs aklctiH var$. aartcs, raltaris, allaica, Oray, P. z. S. iseis. 104; Cat. Cam. Br.

Mna. 1669, 89 (but obvlonaly not MutUta altaica Pall., which is a Puloriut).
MntCla fllTO aivricaas, gala MlUte. Linn. Fn. Sueo. 1st ed. 1746, 3, no. 7 ; Syst Nat «d.

6th, 1748, 5, no. 3 —aiU, Hist An. 175-2, 546, pi. 97.— Cram. Elencb. An. 1756, 311.

Ill

U. 8. OeoIoKieal Snrvey.

MniteUd*. PLATB m.

aimtcto aiarlM. (Nat. sIm.)

EUROPEAN FINE MARTEN, IfUSTELA MARTES.

■ntel* mmtin, Bri»$. Quad. 17M, 947, no. 8 — L. Fn. 8ae«. 9<i «d. 17«1, 6, na IS ; S. V.. 10th
•d. 1758, 40, na 9; i. 1766, 67, no. 6.— Jf u(L Zool. Dan. Prod. 1776, 3, no. li.—Erxl. Syat.
1777, 435, na 4.— «aAr«6. Siiag. HI Wi, 475, pi. VM.—Zimtn. 0«oL OoMh. ii, 1780, 303,
no. 107.— Mrm. Oba. ZooL 4i.— WUdung. Tasoh. 18U0. 34, pi. 3.— (Tm. S. 2f. L 1788, 05, na

8.— 3MM. ITatnrg. Denttobl. i , 769.— Vtelol M«m. Soc. Kat Moao. L 1806, 840 (by-

bridity with e«t) Turt. 8. X. i. 1806, SO.—PaU. Zoiig. i. 1811, m.—Ihtm. Mamm. i.

1890. 101, na 980 i Ency. Mith. pi. 81, f. 4.— Fr. Cuv. Mauim. UL llvr. 69 ; Diet ScL Kat.
xxix.9S5,flg.l.— Geo/.Dict.CU8S.s.909.— £«««.MaDi. 1897, 148.— i^.V Syn. 1899,914.—
Jengtu, Brit. Vert 1835. 11.— Siem.Piet. Arch. Naturg. 1839, 351.— £«]/*. <• BIm. Wirb.
Ear. L 1640, «J.—StlyiL. Fn. Belg. 1843, 8.— Biatne. Compt Rend. ziv. 1843, p. 910
Mq. pis.; Oat6ogr. 1849, —.—Bark. X. Act Leop. xsv. 1843, «60.—8«him, Syn. 1844,

X.—Bp. Fn. Ital. !▼. f. —.—CH*b. Fn. Vorw. Sang. , 56 ; Odout , 33 ; SKof . 1859,

774.— MnMi, Arob. NatafK- xlz. 1853, 17.— Brandt, B«m. Wirb. Nord. Ear. RaniL 93 i
Beit Kennt SJiag. RumL L 1855, pi. iv.-Midtt. Sib. SiiuK. 69, pi. 9, t.—.—Sehrenek.,

Reiae AmarL , 36.-Bto«. TViib. DenUcbl. 1857, 313, f. 131. liH.-JHcktl, Zool. Oart

xlT. 1873, 457 (albino).

MnleU urntttt var. •Mctna. L. S. N. i. 1766, 67.

TIrcm ■•rtcs, Bkaui, O. Z. i. 18OO, 410.

MartM BjriTaties, Aib*. Skand. Fn. {MartM tyltestri* Oesn).

MutelS VH|(«rl8, OHf. Cav. R. a. r. 1837, 133, ua 349.

MllNer, Riding. Abbild. Tbiere. 1740, pi. la.—ilUU. Saranil. Hi. , .'13 ; Xaturit. 17:3, 367.—

Martetu, ZooL Gart zi, 1870, p. 334 (philological).— 0«rm<i».

M«Hre« CkarUv. Kour. France, iii. 1744. 13*.— French.

MnrnwUkHtr, Hatter, Vaturg. Vierf. Tb. 1757, 4il.—0erman.

MartCi BfUi. L 0. Baft Hiat Xat viL 186, pi. 33.— Bom. Diet iii. 1768. •.il.-Frtneh.

Marte coaaiae. Our. R. A. i. 149.

HsrMr, .ffoutt Xat Hiat Dieren, ii. 1761. m.—Belffie.

MMf. Pontopp. Dan. i. 1763, 610— Danith.

Martoni, Seatag. An. Quad, ii, pL 69. (from haffon).— Italian.

VtUmmttr, Mart. Buff. Vierf. Tb. iv. ISO.

Mclmarter. Otrm.

M«rt«, apanUk.

HMrt, SwedUh.

MartlB,l/>«nn. Syn. Quad. 1771, 815, no. 154 ; Brit Zool. 3^, fle.

Plae ■wteii, Sweet Martei, VelIow*breaale4 M»rtt».-Englith.

Description of the skull and tseth of M, martes.
' (See Plate III.)

The HkuU and teetb of M. martes may be described in general terms to
illustrates this part of the structure of the genua, and to serve as a standard
of comparison for the 'ither closely related species. The points in which they
specially differ froui that of Putorius are elsewhere' summed. The skull
indioafws considerable strength, particularly in the rostral portions, where it
is maraive (still it is not so strong relatively as in either Gulo or Putorius);
the cranial part is thinner, and usually gives indication of the cerebral folds
within. Most of the sutures are early obliterated ; those of the nasals, bullie
auditoriie, and zygomatic processes of sqnamosal and malar are the last to
disappear. The nasals persist separate from each other long after they fnae
with the maxillaries.

The zygomatic width of the skull is more than half its length ; these
Arches are upright, but are borne well away from the skull by the outward
obliquity of their roots, both fore and aft. From an egg-shape cerebral
part, the skull tapers to a decided postorbital constriction ; this is approxi-
mately of the same (more or less) width as the rostral part. The cerebral
part is rather broader than high. The upper profile of the skull is slightly

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.C.

convex, H]opiiig more rapidly down behind, with a frontnl concavity and
oblique nasal oriflce. The roof of the brain-box is convex in every direction ;
a temporal "fossa" lieiug only indicated by the ridges (sagittal and lamb-
doidal), which indicate the extent of the tt^mporiil muscle. The sagittal crest
divaricates anteriorly to run out to each Rupraorbital process; in old ani-
mals, it is a thin high ridge ; in the yonng, a tablet of greater or less width.
The occipital crest rises and flares with nge, but is always a thin edge. The
occipital depression below this is well marked ; the condyles are notably
projecting, and connected by a sharp ridge below the foramen magnum.
The mastoids are not conspicuous. The bnllie are large, elongate, oblique,
convex forward ; a slight constriction across them, and some outward pro-
longation, develops a tubular meatus. Excepting the bnllie, the general
floor of the skull is quite flat. The palate is completely ossified some dia-
tancc back of the molars, and nearly plane. A broad, deep emargination
lies between the pterygoids ; these are simply laminar, vertical, and terminate
in a well marked hamular process. The palatal plates of the intermazil*
laries, when not fused, are seen to be of very slight extent ; the small inoisiTe
foramina do not reach as far back as the hinder border of the canines. The'
orbits are pretty well defined by the curve of the zygoma and presence
of supraorbital processes, but are not otherwise distinguished from the
general temporal cavity. The anteorbital foramen is large, high up over the
fore edge of the last premolar. The nasal orifice has a well-marked and little
irregular bony parietes.

The jaw has a lightly and somewhat irregularly convex inf :.ior profile. The
coronoid plate is large, erect, its apex reaching or slightly overlapping the
zygomatic arch. The angle of the jaw is a slight sbarp process. The con-
dyle is low, about on the level of the teeth, broad from si(7e to side, bnt very
narrow in the opposite direction. Its reception in the gle loid fossa is close,
bnt the articulation does not lock as in Mdes or Tajcidea.

The single upper molar is completely tubercular, low, flat, with irre^lar
minor elevations and depressions, much broader transversely than length-
wise, subquadrate in general contour, partly divided by a slight median
constriction (both vertical and horizontal), with an inner and outer moiety,
whereof the former more or less considerably exceeds the outer in length.
The inner border of this inner moiety is always strongly convex, with m
raised brim. In typical M. marten, the inner moiety is twice (to speak
roundly) as large as the outer. In Jf. americana, much as in /oiiia, the
disproportion is obviously less. The outer border of the outer moie^-' in
ni<ir(e« is simply convex ; in the other forms just mentioned it is more or
lessemarginate. The inner moiety shows one tubercle within the brim ; the
outer has two such.

The next tooth — lijst premolar— is tho largest of all, and sectorial in «har-
acter, bnt with a prominent fang projecting inward from the anterior end.
In profile, it shows a large, pointed, central cusp, flanked before and behind
with a small one. There is quite an excavation between the large central
and small posterior cusps. The next two molars, of nearly equal size, are
much smaller than the lost, but repeat its characters in diminishing degree,
minN« the antero-intemal fang. The remaining anterior premolar is very
small. It is a simple conical cusp, with a slight heel behind, bnt none be-
fore; it occasionally aborts. The large canines are not peculiar. The six

U. 8* Geological 8arvey.

MnitoUdM. PLATl lY.

i>i

li««t«l» tolna* (Vat aiM.)

EUROPEAN BEECH MARTEN, Ml>T£LA FOINA.

Inoiaon are oIomIj crowded ; the outer pair are tnnoh larger than the reek ;
tbeee are all alike. The outer are regularly curved, with an enlarged oin-
galnm around the base ; the others etart obliquely forirard flroni the Jaw,
then turn vertically downward with an appreciable angle.

In the lower Jaw, of the two molan the hinderuiost ia email, olroular, and
completely tuberculous. The next is the largest of the under teeth, ehiedy
tectorial in character, but with a depressed, rimmed, tubercular, posterior
moiety. This rim at each of its ends rises into a alight cusp, but the inner
one is merely a slight heel to the central cusp, instead of a prominent point
aa in M. foitia. The two main ouaps of the tooth are much higher, the
hinder one highest, compressed, with cutting edge, forming with each other
the usual V-sbape reSotrance, continued further down as a closed slit. The
last premolar is a conical cusp augmented posteriorly by a secondary cusp
half aa high, and with a heel both before and behind at the base. The next
premolar is like the last, but smaller, with a mere trace of the secondary
■cusp, though it is well heeled fore and aft. On the next premolar, the seC'
•ondary cusp entirely subsides in a general gentle slope from the summit of
the tooth to its base behind, and the front heel is not developed. The tirst
premolar is simply a minute knob. It looks like a tooth hardly yet estab-
lished, or else about to disappear. The lower canines are shorter, stonter,
«nd more curved than the upp«!r. The six incisorH are greatly orowdetl be-
iween the canines, so much so that, through lack of room, one at least some-
times fails to develop, leaving only /Ire, as in more than one specimen before
me. They are smaller than the upper ones, and not so regular, for one or
A pair— most frequently the middle one — on each side is crowded back out
-of the plane of the rest. As in the upiier Jaw, the outer pair of under inoi-
aon are the largest, and have slightly clubbed and bilobate tips.

3. The European Beeck marten.

Muatela roin«»

Plate IV.

Hartes iOMesilca, Ot»n. Quad. 1551, 865, lAg.—Aldrov. g,iad. Dixit. iniS, 33i.—Jontt.

Thestr. Quad. 1735, 156.
Martcs laxalills, Sehwtnckfeld, Tberiotropb. 1603, 110.
Mar««S la taxis, Agrie. Anlm. Subter. 16U, 38.
Maries flicarMai, Buy, Syn. Quad..l693, aoo.-Ffem. Dr. An. lf«8, u.
VartM saxema, KUin, Quad. 1751, 64.

Matlela fejraa, Briu. Quad. 175H, 346, no. 7.— Pan. Zoiig. K. A. i. 1811, M.

Haslcla fMaa, WkiU, Pbil. Trans. Ixiv. 1774, VJ6.—Erxl. Syat. An. 1777, 458, no. 5.-«cAre6.

Sitng. iii. 1778, 494, pi. 139.— Ztotm. UMftr. Qeacb. li. 1780, 303, no. 196— Om. S. K. 1.

1788, as, no. 14.— H«rm. Obs. ZoSi. 4'i.—Witdung. Taacb. fUr 1600, —.—B«eh$t. Naturg.

i. , 755.— Dmm. Mamm. L 1890, 183 ; Nouv. Diet xlx. 380 ; Enoy. M^tb. pL 81, f. 1.—

Fr. Cuv. Diet. Soi. Nat. sxix. 334.— /«. <7«o/. Diet. ClaM. x. 909.— Ori/. An. Kingd.

V. 1897, 193, no. 350.— /en. Br. Vert. 1833, II.— 8tlyt-L. Fn. Belg. i. 1849, 9.— jr«v«. <e

KlM.Wirb. Eur. 1840, 67.— Sekiiu. Syn. Mamm. 1. 1844, 336.—B(a<nv. Compt. Band.

xiv. 1849, 910 seq. p\n.—Oieb. Odont. 33, pi. 13, f. 3; saug. 1855, m.—Benut, Arch.

Naturg. six. 1833, 17.— Ptoicer. Ann. Maji- >'• U- S<1 "«r. xx. 1857, 416.— Brandt,

Bemerlc. Wirb. Eur. N. E. Raaal. , 94.—Bliu. Wirb. Dentachl. 1857, 917, f. 193.—

JOekd, Zool. Gart. xiv. 1873, 457 (albino).
''iTiTerra ftolaa, Shaw, Gen. Zool. i. 1800, 409.

NORTH A&IEHICAN MUBTELID^E.

U»rit% M**, U*U, Urit. q»mi. I(U7, 107 ; iKl •<!. 1(C4, 'Mxt.—em^. Llat lIiiniB. Br. Uua.

IM3, 63i I'. Z. S. It)'i3, l(M; Cat. Ciiro. Ur. Ma*. Irttu, <^.—ii*rr. CaC BonM Br. Una.

IMS, Wl.
MMtcU ■•HW vmr. talis, I. 8. N. I KM, r.7.
MMItlainitoM, OA««ii. Ann. Hcl. Mat. Mb (vr. lU. ie7l. 97 (anat.).
FMlir, Brit$. op. toe. oit.—BomMrf, Ulct. d U. N. il. ItW. •ua.—Buf. Hiat. Xat. riL Ml.—

Ote». K. A. I. U9.—Frtneh.
P«lM», AvMir. giud. U. pi. m.— Italian.
MrlBMSNer, //«/(. Xatarg. Vierf. Tb. 1757, i'o9.— (itn»an.
NleliaaNer od*r BHCkaMNcr, Jr«{/#r, Vontcll. Tblrre. III. 4.— r>'«nN<»i.
■■■•■•Ner, JKarf. Buff. Vierf. Tb, 147, pi. «l a.—8rhr. Fn. Bote. I. no. 9.—U«rmmi».
MartlM. iVnn. Byn. Qaad. 1771, 919. no. IM -, Br. Zoiil. 3«. (//omm, Stom. and BmcA JTar-

f«n. itarUm, Mtrttrun. Martklt.)
Palaat A>>an<«A.

The Beech or Stone MarttMi, wbicb He«ins tn be troll establisbeJ nsa spectea,
may asually be diatiodniabed from tbe Pine Marten by the pare white throat
and acme other external features, as well as by some difference in babita.
Bot stronger characters are foand In the sknll and teeth. Some differences
in tbe proportions of the sknll are obvionn, and snflScient to confer a ncog'
nizably different physiognomy ; the rostral part of the sknll is mach shorter.
The flrontal profile above is more sloping ; the zygomatic width is relatively
greater. The zygoma is regularly arcbeil tbronghoat, instead of rising ab-
ruptly behind and then sloping down gradually forward. 'The anterior root
of tbe zygoma, owing to the shortness of tbe mnzzle, is nearly half-way
from the supraorbital process to the end of tbe sknll ; it is mnob farther
back in if. mtirtet. Tbe palate is much shorter and broader fpr its length.
The back upper molar is very notably less massive; its inner moiety is bat
littl'j larger than tbe outer ; the latter is nicked on the outer border, whereas
in M. martea the inner moiety of tbe same is nearly twice as large as tbe outer,
and the border of the latter is strongly convex. In if./oina, tbe inner anterior
fang of the last premolar is very small and oblique ; in M. martm, it is much
larger and projects inward at a right angle. Tbe next premolar is appreciably
smaller than the same tooth in M. martes. These dental peculiarities, taken
ttotu specimens before me, are confirmatory of Blasius' dia)rnosi8. Tbe skulls
are 3.35 or less in total length by about 1.90 in greatest width ; those of M.
marte$ are 3.oU or more in leugtb, with a width scarcely greater than in
if. marici. It seems a slight difference in the figures, but tbe resulting mod-
ification in shape is decided. Similarly, the palate of M.foina is about 1.40
in length by 0.90 in greatest width inside tbe teeth ; that of if. siartet is
1.70 in length, with no greater width. As a practical means of appreciating
these differences, let one take the Jaw of if. martn, and try to fit it to a
skull of if. /oiaa, or conversely. Cautions and accurate observers, like Dau-
benton and Bell, have recorded their doubts of the specific distinctness of
the two forms; bat Bell, at least, has found reason to change his opinion,
while the views of many equally good judges are concnrreat with thosejbere
adopted.

ASIATIC SABLE, MIXTELA ZIBELLINA.

Tfr

3. The Avintie «iible.

.Vaatvla ■Ibvlllnn.

MNUrlM Mkf lU, Qt$n. ^}\im\. IUI, ma.—Rtaez. Anct. Polon. 1730, 317.

MNilel* MkriM. Fortr. Atig. Thlerb. 0«toer, Xtxif, 347.

MNdela IlkelllM, SUtrot. Qutd. Diftt. 1043, 333.— CAirbr. Exereit. l«n, Va.—Ray, Syn.

(juMl. 16tf3. JtOl— Linn. S. X. Sii ed. 1740. 44 1 Oth ed. 1740, 5, no. l.—KUin, Quul. 1731,

64.— /oiuf. Tbeatr. Qiuul. 1733, 130— Linn. 8. X. lOtb ed. 173a, 46, no. 8; 19th ed.

1706, 00. no. 9.—^. a. am. N. C. Petrop. t. 330. pi. 0.— £rx(. Syst An. 1777, 407, no.

9.-8chrtb. Sttag. Iti. I77e, 47d, pi. 130.-/imiN. Oeofcr. OMoh. 11. 1740, 309, no. 100.—

Pnll 8pio. Zool. xir. KM, 34, pi. 3, f. 9; Zotfrt- K. A. 1. 180, 83, pi. t.-Turt. 8. N. i.

18U0, 39.— (^m. 8. N. i. 17M, 90, no. 9.—3im. Kom. 0«Mh. 111. 493.— Dwm. Hnnim. I.

IMO, IM, no. 989; Nonv. Diet. zix. i^\ Snoy. ll«tb. pi. 89.— IV. Cm». Diot. 8oL Nat.

xxlx. 1893, 9S3.-/«. Qtof. Diet. ClaM. z. 910.— OK/. An. Klngd. v. 1897, 194, no. 331.—

L«M. Man. 1807, 14d.-iVwA. Syn. 1809, 310.— Biaiiwf. Compt. Road. xiv. 1849, 910 Mq.

pU.—8ehiM, Syn. Main. i. 1S44, 330.-Oi«6. Sitag. lefSS. 776.— firamit, B«merk. Wirb.

X. E. RoMl. 91.— JTidd. 8iblr. SXng. 68, pi. 9.— Sehr«nek, RetM AmnrI , 97.

NastcU ■•riM ItkCllllt, JBiiM.Qnad. 1730, 348, no. 9.
TlTcrra ilbelllas, 8hnw, 0«n. Zodl. i. 1800, 4li.

.««H« IIMIlia, Oray, P. Z. & 1803, 103 (" JfiuMla" Uiptw) : Cat. Carn. Br. Mn«. 1869, R3.
M«?t«l llkellllia var. MiallM, Brandt Beit. Kennt. Siiag. KumI. 183.V 0, pll. 1, li, and pi.

Ill, f. 7,8,9 (many "•ubrarietiea" nameil).
ZokeU. Agrie- Anim. Sabt«r. 1014, 39.
Mckelllaa, Schef. Lappon. 1073, 343.
Zeliel, StnhUnb. Ear. a. Asia, 1730, 430.— J. O. am. Reise. (. 1731. 391.-i7(iU. Katurg. Vlerf.

Tbiorv, 1757, 439.— jra/{. Natura. 1773, 379.— SMf. Kauitacht. 1774, 119.— itarttn», Zuol.

0-*-t. xi, 1870, 334 (philological).
takcldirr, Boutt Xat. Hist Dieren, U. 1761, 904.-i>i/f<'A.
XlbcIlM, Bnff. Hist. Xat xiii. 1703, 309.-Iiomar«, Diet iv. 176i>, 6iO.-Freneh.
CehCllIlM, CeTeilina. SpanUh.—l\h«lUmo, Italian.— Suhbtl, Hivedith.—^bol, Poliih, Kim-

lUn.
Sable, Pmn. .Syn. Qnad. 1771, 917, no. 156 ; Hist Qnad. 339, no. 901 ; Arot. Zo6l. i. 1784. 79, no.

30. (Saphilina* PiUu, aable akins, is foand in Jornandes; Zomboliitu ooours in

Marco Po)o.— ITebitor.)

Lack of specimens of tbis form nnfortnnateJy prevents me from bringing
it into the discnssion upon any original investigations ; tbe views of aathors
are discnssed beyond. I have, however, careftally examined both skins
and skolla of Jf. martet, fvina, and americana. Such is the variability
of the pelage, that probably no decisive indications can be gathered from
comparisons of tbe skins, however widely these may differ in extreme cases.
The skulls and teeth afford the readiest means of separating these three
closely-allied forms.

The following measurements of three skulls, selected as fairly expressing
averages of If. martet, foina, and americana respectively, will show in
what the cranial differences consist. The sknll of M. foina differs more
from those of both M. martet and M. americana than these latter do from
each other; bnt these latter are readily distinguished by their dental-
characters.

10 NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

Mta»iirtmmt$ of $ktilh of MM. roiKA, martu, «n4 ambmcaka.

M. folna
(Ucrauwy).

Ineku.

ToUllenith { las

OfMlMt width ' 1.M

LaMt width (eseluntT* of buuU) 0. W

IMaUBM batwiMQ orblta 0.M

Upper Inolaon tntn front hinder auriin

of palate 1.35

ITpporiiMlaraaBd pnimoUra, leogth Ukon

lOEathar olM

Lower Jaw, lensth, fhnu apei of •yaphy-

ala to back of condyle 9.05

Lower Jaw, height anule to top of coro-

Mid 0.M

Front border of orbll, aad of Intermaz.

Illary , 0.M

Width of mm sle behind caniaeo 5lM

Oreateat leacth of tygouia i 1.80

Oreateat width of paUte inaide teeth 0. ««

Width aoroea anpraorbltal proceaaea 1. <I0

Oreateat length (longltuduial) of baok ,

opper moUr 0.83

Width of craninm proper 1.10

M. martea

(Swedes).

xao

l.M

o.ao
o.ts

1.73
1.10
IM
1.00

3L«

i.n

0.10
OlM

1. 75

1.10

t.40

1.10

0.70

1.05

1.70

fl.00

OHO

o.«s

0.90

o.«e

o.ao

1.40

The indioations afforded liy the t'oreKoiug meiMurements. tugether with
tome other cranial aud dental charaoters, may be oammiMl in the following
diagnoatic paragraphs. It wiVi be seen that moot of the cranial points brought
out by Prof. Baird {op. eit. p. Vht) are substantiated, but it must be borne
inHmiud that they are matters of degree, which may not always hold, except
of averages. The remarkable difference iu the baok upper molar, as insistetl
upon by Oray, is the principal character upon which to rely between marlea
and americaHO.

Comparatire diagnotn.

M. martet. — Inner moiety of book upper molar one-third lunger than outer
moiety, and altogether aboat twice as large (ooinoideatly with which the
entire dentelure of martet is stronger than in the other two forms, though
differences in particular teeth are not readily expreosed) ; outer border of
outer moiety regularly strongly convex. Fang of last upper premolar large,
traosyerse. Penultimate under molar with a cusp well developed at the
poptero-internal base of the main cusp. Sides of muzzle nearly parallel.
Supraorbital processes midway between greatest constriction of craninm and
anterior root of zygoma ; the constriction moderate. Zygomatic width more
than half total length of skull.

M. am«rioaiui.— Inner moiety of back upper molar scarcely longer or larger
than the outer [in 35 skulls examined] ; outer border of outer moiety double-
convex, <. «., with an emargination. Fang of last premolar small, oblique.
Penultimate under molar with merely a slight heel at base inside of the main
eosp. Sides of muzzle sensibly tapering. Supraorbital processes nearer point
of greatest constriction than anterior root uf zygoma ; constriction great.
Zygomatic width about half total length of skull.

M. foina. — Molar and last upper premolar as in americaHa ; pt:nnltimate
lower molar with prominent supplementary cusp as in martet. Sides of mnz-
ale sensibly tapering. Supraorbital processes much nearer point of greatest
constriction than anterior root of zygoma ; oonstrirtion slight. Zygomatic
width much more than half total length of skull.

MA.

•mcrlMu

xm
i.n

0.70
AM

i.n

1. 10

t.40

1. 10

1.10
0.70
1.10
0. M»

aoo
o.ao

l.M

iier with
Following
I bronght
be borne
d, except
I insisted
n marlet

lan outer
liioh the
I, though
lorder of
lar Urge,
[1 at the
parallel,
linm and
1th more

or larger
IT double-
oblique,
the main
rer point
n great.

ultimato
I of mnz-
greateat
rgomatio

3^'

U. 8. Geological Survey.

MniteUdn. PLATE Y.

MuMtcIa auiertcMUM. (Nat. aiM.)

SYNONYMY OF MUSTELA AMERICANA.

The Americnii ^.ibBe or .llarten.

Mnstels ninerlcnnn.

Plate v.

MDMlr:* marleil, For»t. Phil. Irana. Ixii. 1773, 372.— 7^. Snb. Frankl. Jonrn. 1893, Ml.— Earl
Fn. A mer. ISSS, 67 (qnot«s a "MutteU vUnn var.")— Warden, Hist U. S. t. ldl)», 613.—
Rich. F. B. A. i, 1809. 51, no. n.—Oapp. Zuol. Joaro. ▼, 1630, 903.— Oodm. Am. N.|H.
i. lau, WO.—Emmont, Rep. Qnad. Masi. 1^40, 40.— D* K. N. Y. Zoiil. i. 1H9, Sil, pL 11,
f. a, pi. IS. f. 3 {akn\\).—Aud. <t Saeh. i). N. A. iii. 1853, 176, pi. 13S.—Tkompi. N.|H.
Vermont, 18S3, 9il.-Bming$, Canod. Nat. and Geol. U. 1857, 463.— AOm, Bull. H.C.
Z. i. 1870, 161 (eritioal).-ir«nn. Xr. III. State Agric. Soc. for 1853-54, 1855, 578.— AU.
Bnll. Esa. Inst vi. 1674, 54, 59 (Colorado and Wyoming).— Hall, Canad. Nat and
6eoL Tl. 1801, 295.

MHNielA ■■erinas, TurUm, ed. L. 8. N. i. 1$(H>, 60— Bd. M. N. A. 1857, 153, pi. 36, f. 3 (aknll),
pi. 37, f. 1 (aknll).— A'eipft. P. R. R. Rep. vi. If57, n.-Kntel. Proo. Boat. Soc.,::. H. vL
1858, 418.— Coop. <C Sueki N. H. W. T. 18<iO, n.—Rois, Canad. Nat vi. 1861, 35.— iT^pin,
Tr. Nov. Soot. Inst ii. 1870, 10. S9.—Ame$, Ball. Minn. Acad. Nat Sci. 1<>74. 69.—
Coue* <t rarroic, Zool. Expl. \V. 100 Merid. v. 1875, 61 (Taos, N. y[.).—AlUn, Bull. U. S.
Geol. Sarv. vol. ii. no. 4, 1876, 338 (skull).

M«HCB aBCrlCIIBa, Gray, P. Z. S. 1865, 106 ; Cat. Cam. Br. Mas. 1869, 84.

Maitcs •■erim* van. ablctlaoMefi, karo, et leuropHs, Gray, U. ee.

Maslela Ilkelllnt var. amerlcuna, Brandt. Beit. Siiag. Knasl. 1855, 16, pL 3, f. 10 (critical).

MnMela llbclllaa, Oodm. Am. Nat. Hist. i. 1831,308 (refers to trne Sable, but the Amer.
loan speciea described).

XustCia \uWm», Ruf. Am. J. Sc. i. 1819. fi; Phil. Ma^. 1819, 411; Isis, 1834, 453 (Upper
Missouri River) (tail white at eniD.—Fifeh. Syu. 1839, 315.

Mustela (Martea) rnlplaa, Sehim. Syn. Mamm. i. 1844, a't7.

MaMCia leucopas, Kuhl, Beit 1820, U.—Fhch. Syn. 1839, 316.

MBKtela (Maries) leacopui, Sehimi Sya. Mamm. i. 1844, :)i7.

Martn leucopas, Gray, List Mamm. Br. Miis. 1843, 63.— 0'«rr. Cat. Done* Ur. Mua 1863, 91.

MttSlela leacopus, Griff. Cav. R. A. v. 1837, 136, no. 357.

Mustela hnro, f. Cuv. Diet Sci. Nat xxix. 1833, a.^G; Snppl. Unlf. i. 1831, 331.— /«. Geoff.
Diet Class. X. m.—fisch. Sjn. 18S9. 317.

Mustela (Martea) huro, Sehim, Syu. Mauim. i. 1844, xn.

Mustela martlans, Amet, Bnll. Minn. Acad. Nnt. Sci. 1874, 69.

MartiB or Martea, Plae Marteu, Amerlrau Hablr, of American writors.

Wawpeestau, Wawbeechlns, Wappanvw, Indian (Richardson).

Description ontl (liscitsiiion of the species.*

This animal is about the size of a large House Gat, though
standing much lower on account cf the shortness of the legs.
The length of the head and body is about a foot and a half,
more or less ; the tail with the hairs is a foot long or less ; the
tail-vertebrte are less than half as long as the head and body.
The tail is very full and bushy, particularly toward the end,
the reverse of the tapering pointed shape which obtains in M.
pennanti. The longer hairs of the tail at and near the end
measure abont 3 inches. The head is quite broadly triangular,
or rather conical, with the contraction of the muzzle beginning

* Prepared from naineroaa specimens id the Smithsonian Institation.
6m

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIOiE.

]<
Ri|'

(

at the site of the eyes. These are oblique, and situated about
over the angle of the mouth, midway between the snout and
the ears. The latter are quite high, somewhat pointed, though
obtusely so, but not regularly orbicular as in M. pennanti f their
height above the notch is rather greater than their width at base;
they are closely hairy on both sides. The longest whiskers
reach to the back of the ears ; there are other bristles over the
eyes, on the oheeks, and chin. The end of the snout is defi-
nitely naked in T-shaped area, as usual in this genus. The
limbs are short and stout ; ihe feet appear small in comparison
with the calibre of the legs. The outstretched hind legs reach
more than half-way to tbo end of the tail. The soles are ordi-
narily densely furred, only the ends of the pale-colored claws
appealing. But in the frequent specimens observed with scant-
haired soles, the tubercles may be distinctly seen, without part-
ing the fur ; they have the ordinary disposition.

The pelage is long and extremely soft and full. It consists
of three kinds of fur. The first is very short, soft, and wool-
like, immediately investing the skin, as may be seen upon pluck-
ing away both kinds of the longer hairs. The second is soft
and kinky, like the first, but very much longer, coming to the
general surface of the pelt. The third is the fewer, still longer,
glossy hairs, bristly to the roots.

It is almost impossible to describe the colors of the Pine
Marten, except in general terms, without going into the de-
tails of the endless diversities occasioned by age, sex, season,
or other incidents. The animal is *< brown", of a shade from
orange or tawny to quite blackish ; the tail and feet are ordi-
narily the darkest ; the head lightest, often quite whitish ; the
ears are usually rimmed with whitish ; on the throat, there is
usually a large tawny yellowish or orange-brown patch, from
the chin to the fore legs, sometimes entire, sometimes broken
into a number of smaller, irregular blotches, sometimes want-
ing, sometimes prolonged on the whole nnder surface, when
the animal is bicolor, like a Stoat in summer. The general
" brown " has a grayish cast, as far as the under fur is con-
cerned, and is overlaid with rich lustrous blackish-brown in
places where the long bristly hairs prevail. The claws are
whitish; the naked nose-pad and wMskers are black. The
tail occasioBally shows intersi^ersed white hairs, or a white tip.

Upon this subject, I cannot do better than quote again from

DESCHIPTION OF MUSTELA AMERICANA.

the artiole of Mr. B. R. Boss, who describes the Marten frooi
long exfierietice of its vartations :-^

•< The winter far of this species is full and soft, abottt an
inch avd a half deep, with a number of coarse black hairs
interspersed. The tail is densely covered with two kinds of
hair, sitaiilar to those of the bAck but coarser. The hairs «n
the tol|) ate longest, measnri'ng 2^ inches, and giring the end a
very bushy appearance. The fur is in full coat from about the
end of October until the beginning of May, according to locality.
When in such condition the cuticle [sic, meaning skin viewed
from inside] is white, clean, and very thin. From the latter of
these dates the skin acquires a darker hue, which increases
until the hair is renewed, and then gradually lightens until the
approach of winter, the fur remaining good for some time
before and after these changes. When casting its hair the
animal has far from a pleasing appearance, as the under fur
falls off leaving a shabby covering of the long coarser hairs,
which have then assumed a rusty tint. The tail changes later
than any other part, and is still bushy in some miserable look-
ing summer specimens now lying before me. After the fall
of these long hairs, and towards the end of summer, a fine
short fur pushes up. When in this state the pelage is very
pretty and bears a strong resemblance to a dark mink in its
winter coat. It gradually lengthens and thickens as winter
approaches, and may be considered prime after the first fall of
snow.

'• It is difficult to describe the color of the martin fur accu-
rately. In a large heap of skins (upwards of fifty) which I
have just examined minutely there exists a great variety of
shades darkening from the rarer of yellowish-white and bright
orange, into various shades, of orange brown, some of which
are very dark. However, the general tint may with propriety
be termed an orange brown, considerably clouded with black
on the back and belly, and exhibiting on the flanks and throat
more of an orange tint. The legs and paws as well as the top
of the tail are nearly pure black. The claws are white and
sharp. The ears are invariably edged with a yellowish white,
and the cheeks are generally of the same hue. The forehead
is of a light brownish fr-^v. darkening towards the noso, but
in some specimens it is nearly as dark as the body. The
yellowish marking under the throat, (considered as a specific
distinction of the pine martins) is iu some well defined and of

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiG.

'f I

i 'i

an orange tint, while in others it is almost perfectly white. It
also varies much in extent, reaching to the fore legs on some
occasions. At other times it consists merely of a few spots,
while in a third of the specimens under consideration it is
entirely wanting.

"After minutely comparing these skins with Prof. Baird's
and Dr. Brandt's description of the martins, and the latter
gentleman's paper on the sables, I find that the if. Americana
of this district agrees in general more closely with the latter,
and am therefore disposed to coincide with that gentleman in
his opinion that they are only varieties. The martins of this
district bear a greater resemblance to the sables of Eastern
Siberia than to the martins of Europe, holding, as it may be
with propriety said, an intermediate position. I am also in-
clined to believe that the various colors found in these regions
are simply varieties of the same species, and that the difter-
ences if any, seen in the Zib. [«{c, lege zibellina] are merely
continental. In summer, when the long hairs have fallen off,
the pelage of this animal is darker than in winter. The fore-
head changes greatly, becoming as deeply colored as any other
part of the body, which is of an exceedingly dark brown tint
on the back, belly and legs. The yellow throat- markings are
much more distinct at this season, but vary much both in color
and extent, though in only one summer skin are they abso-
lutely wanting. The white edging ou and around the ears still
remains, but tte cheeks assume a grayer tint. The tail is not
so full, but from the high North latitude (the Arctic coast)
from which these skins were procured it is still rather bushy.
One of the specimens has the dark hairs laid on in thin longi-
tudinal stripes, causing a curious appearance."

The last paragraph, brings us directly to the consideration
of the position which the American Marten holds among its
congeners. Upon this vexed question it is incumbent upon
me to review the testimony for and against the specific dis-
tinction of this animal from the Old World Pine Marten and
Sable, and to state clearly the grounds upon which my own
conclusions rest. Passing over some earlier accounts, which,
owing to inadequacy or lack of point, are entirely superseded
by later and better investigations, we may examine four au-
thors who have made the subject a matter of special examina-
tion, namely. Gray, Brandt, Baird, and Allen.

In the first place,' M. foina may be thrown entirely oat of

RELATIONSHIPS OF MUSIELA AMERICANA.

the question. It is now almost universally admitted to be a
distinct species, even by the most cautious and conservative
writers, some among whom, like Bell, were formerly inclined
to the contrary opinion. Some external characters, more or
less obvious and constant, like the white gular patch, are
correlated with perfectly definite and satisfactory cranial and
dental peculiarities, as elsewhere detailed in this paper.

In discussing the European and American Pine Martens, to
which I will now direct attention, Gray, Brandt, and Baird
were agreed upon specific distinction. Allen dissented from such
view, reviving the case as presented by Richardson, Audubon,
and others. Dr. Oray made the separation entirely upon the
character of the posterior upper molar. Dr. Brandt elaborately
detailed external characters of size, propo. :d, color, and char-
acter of pelage. I^aird adduced certain crauial and dental as
well as external features. Allen confined himself to external
prints. Finding that the accounts of authors are unsatisfac-
tory or conflicting in these respects (as may be truly said to be
the case), observing the great admitted range of variation, and
not examining the skulls and teeth, he disallowed specific valid-
ity. I myself, with ample material before me, do not find suffi-
cient grounds derived from examination of the skins alone for
admitting the specific distinction of M. americana and martes
(but it is otherwise when the skull and teeth are considered).
Some of the alleged distinctions obviously fail. Thus, there is
no difference in the furring of the soles (cf. Baibd, op. cit. p.
154); in the animal from either country, the pads may be ex-
posed or concealed according to season or locality. Many of
the minute points of coloration adduced by Brandt cannot be
verified, and, indeed, are negatived in the examination of suffi-
cient series of specimens. Prof. Baird has, I think, most perti-
nently summed the case in the following terms {I. c): — "The
Swedish specimens are much larger, although the skulls appear
to indicate the same age. The fur is harsher and coarser, and
the prevailing tints paler ; the tail and feet are not very dark
brown, instead of being almost black. The color of the fur at
base is lighter. The throat-patch does not touch the fore legs.
The tails of the European specimens appear longer in propor-
tion to the boily . . . . " This greater length of the tail is
also attested by Brandt, who says that the tail-vertebrte in M.
martes equal one half or more of the length oi head and
body, and extend nearly one-third beyond the outstretched

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

hind leg«. This distiDction is confirmed, as an average char-
acter, by the speciinens before me, thongb, like other matters
of mere degre-e, it is subject to some uncertainty of determina-
tion. I similarly endorse, on the whole, a lighter, grayer, more
uniform coloration of M. martesj t^lthough in the interminable
variations of M. americana probably no infallible distinctions
can be substantiated. But all these points Lave a certain value
when correlated, as they should be, with the cranial and dental
peculiarities. These are decided, and, I think, not open to
reasonable question as affording good specific characters.
Baird has tabulated most of them, and the specimens I have
examined confirm nearly all the distinctions he has soaght to
establish. While lie has not, as asserted by Gray, overlooked
certain dental peculiarities, he has perhaps not laid the stress
upon them which is warranted. Gray rests secure, I think, in
basing the primary distinction upon the remarkable features
presented by the back upper molar. We may bring the points
to mind by saying that in M. martes we find an hourglass-
shaped tooth with one bulb (the inner) very much larger than
the other ; while in M. americana there is less median constric-
tion, nearly an equality in size of the two bulbs, and an emar-
g'nate instead of simply convex exterior contour of the outer
bulb. There are coordinated dental characters : the last upper
premolar in M. martea ha« a strong, directly transverse, inner
fang ; the same in M. americana Is smaller and oblique. The
penultimate lower molar in M. martes develops a compara-
tively strong supplementary cusp at the base on the inner side
iff the main cusp, represented in M. americana merely by a
slight heel. It is to these dental characters that I primarily
refer in predicating, as I do, specific validity of M. americana.
I coordinate them with the cranial characters elsewhere de-
tailed, and supplement them with the less essential external
features already noted, in coming to the conclusion that the
American is not the Pine Marten of Europe.

The question then narrows to the characters of M. americana
in comparison with those of M. zibeUina, the true "Bussian''
Sable. Gray separates the two upon dental peculiarities ; the
Sable having, according to his determination, the same dental
characters as M. martes. I regret that I have not been able to
verify this. If it indeed holds, it would be sufficient ta settle
the issue between M. zibellina and M. americana^ whatever
might then become of the ascribed and supposed differences

RELATIONSHIPS OF MUSTELA AMERICANA.

between toe former of these .and M. niartes. Viewing the un-
questionably close relations between the American and Asiatic
Sables, it becomes very desirable to clear up this point. With-
out reference to dental or cranial characters, Baird says that
''the true Sable is readily distinguishable by the short tail,
which does not extend as far as the end of the outstretched
hind feet, and by the balls of the toes covered entirely with
woolly fur". The latter distinction does not hold, as we have
seen; the former is disallowed by Brandt, who finds that in
both the Asiatic and American Sable the tail has much the
same length, being, without the hairs, about one-third the body,
and not reaching as far as the outstretched hind feet. Certain
supposed color distinctions which Brandt found in the Ameri-
can specimens he examined are clearly negatived by the more
extensive series before me. He, however, finds in the Ameri-
can animal a pelage less dense and lighter-colored, with a less
bushy tail, and, upon such consiilerations, is induced to regard
it rather as a variety of the ziheUina than as a distinct species
or as the Pine IVIarten of Europe. The very close relationships
of the American and Asiatic Sables are unquestionable. Brandt
properly alludes to intermediate si)ecimens he had seen ; Mr.
Koss reaffirms such a state of the case ; in fine, external char-
acters, when thoroughly sifted, are seen to be inadequate as a
means of specific diagnosis. The case really hinges upon the
validity of the dental characters ascribed by Gray, of which it
is seen that Brandt makes no note. If these characters hold,
there is no doubt of the propriety of separating M. americana
specifically ; otherwise, it must be referred to Jf. zibelUna as a
continental race, as Brandt has done.

In the present state of the case, this may be considered the
proper reply to the often-asked question, have we the true Sable
in America ? The animal is, to all external api)earance, indis-
tiuguisbable except in some of those slight points of pelage
which, through the whims of fashion, a£feot its commercial
value, but there may be a technical zoological character of im-
portance in the teeth.

I will only add that I see nothing tending to give weight to
a supposition that there might be more than one species or va-
riety of Marten on this continent. All the endless diversity in
minor points* which inspection of large series reveals comefr
clearly within the range of individual variability as a result of
climate, season, age, sex, or other incidents.

88 NORTH AMEKICAN MUSTELID^.

MtoMurfmenls' of thirty-four frtMh «j*(d»ieM 0/ Mustcla a^iericama.

(

1017
1018
1019
1090
1091
1099
1093
1033
104S
lOM
1(M0
1699
1831
1034
1633
1638
1609
1603
1706
1634
1633
1636
1637
1640
1648
1694
1693
1696
1637
1698
1699
1630
1631
1639

Takon ( November)..

.do
....do.
....do .
,...do
....do
. . . .do
....do .
...do.

.do

..do.
.(October) ...
.(December) .

• • • ■ Utl ■•••■• I

• • • > uo •••••■ I

....do

. (March) ....
....do ...

Peel's River (December) .

.do.
...do ..
...do ..
...do ..
....do..

do ..

....do ..
— do..
...do ..
...do..
....do ..
...do ..
....do..
...do ..
...do ..
. . do . .
...do ..
. . .do . .
...do ..
...do ..
...do ..
...do ..
...do ..

.(November)

■ ■ * > a lUO ••••■•

• ••>•• U V ■••••■

..(December).

. . (November) .

■ ■•••• no ■•■•••

• ■ > • ■ ■ UO ■■••••

. . (December) .
..(October) ...

• ■>■■• UO ■•■•••
>■•••• UO •••■••

• •••■• UU ■•■•••

. .... do

>•■••• UO ■•••■•
»■•>•■ UO ■••■•*

From tip of DOM
to—

1.60 3.
11.70H.

1.40-}.

I. Hi.
It. 3313.

1.63 3.
II.OOjS.
|l.70;3.

1. 75 3.
!l. 453.
1 1. 4513.
11.60 3.
|1. 40:i
1 1.703.
1.433.
11.63 3
ll. 60 3
1. 60;3.
.1.60:3.
1.603.
ll. 40 3.
1. 43,3.
1. 603.
1. «5 3.
1.33 3.
l.tlO.S.
1. 611 3.
1.603.
1. 60 a.
1.60 3.
1.60 3.
1.30 3.
1. 40 3.

00 4.40
00|4.3U
60!3. 80
HOili. 43
60 3.60
90{3. 93
901.1. 93
73>3. 90
65 3. 60
10:4. OS

«v 3. 50|
803.30
90 3. 85
70 3. 45
M 4. lO'
50,3.53
00 3. 95
90'3. 851
90;3. 90
0IH3. 83
83|3. 73
SO'3.50
60;:l. 60
803.80
10 4. lOj
80 3. 80;
90 3; 83
30 4. 110'
95.3. 95;
75 3. 85
10 4. 00
90 3.80;
80 3. 851
70,3. 50'

18.30
18.75
13.60
16.00
16.90
18.33
17.30
10.30
16.60
18.73
16.00
16.70
17.75
13.30
18.30
16.30

Tail to
end of—

7.60
8.30
6.95
6.30!
7.30
8.93
8.00,
8.30I
7.10
7.80i
6.30
6.6O1
8.001
6.30
7.83!
7.13

Length
of-

10.00 3.
19.00!3.

9.8313.

9.80|9.
10.60 3.

11.83
11.00
19.00
10.40
11.40
9.80

10.903.

11.60
10.10
10.60

10.133.

17. 60 7. 30
18. 3018.00!
18. 40!7. 80
17. 40 7. 90'
17. 40 7. 30;

16. ooh. 00!

16. 3017. 95
17. 90'7. 90
18.30 7.80
17.0017.95
17. 10 7. 40
18. 00'7. 15
17.007.10
17. 60 7. 75
17.50:7.50
17. 30 7. 60
17. 707. 33
13. 80 6. 90

10.90
19.00

11.303.

93 4. 43 L 40

404. to. ...|
703.33!l.3t)
903.63'!. 33,
80 3. 80' 1.901

104.3W....
00 4. 301. ...I
104.401 1. 351

303. 6:.i 1.90;

104.10: 1. 60i

63 3. 80 1. 30:

80X80

904.30

003.00

934.43 1.63;

60 3L 70 1.401

104.»|L43:

004.91

101

10.70
10.30

9.90I3.
10. 00>3.
11. 10!3.
10. 8013.
10.9Sl3.
10. 703.
10. 353.
10. 3013.
11. 03a
11. 103.
10. 70 3.

9.853.

9. 80:3.
I

I.90I

1.90

3.034.1011.351

U33I

104.90 1.40,
703.701 1.93!
73X73,1.301
034.101.30
154.10 1.35
004.101.60
004.00LS0
004.001.33
804.00L33
004.10L43
034. 90 1. 601
00 4. 9311.33!
0O4.1O1.3O|
63X701.40

Fresh.
..do.
..do.
...do.
...do.
..do.
..do.
...do.
...do.
...do.
...do.
..do.
..do.
...do.
..do.
...do.
...do.
..do.
. . .do.
...do.
...«io.
...do.
...do.
...do.
...do.
..do.
...do.
...do.
...do.
...do.
...du.
...do.
...do.
..do.

"As recorded by the collectors on the Ia1>els of the specimens.

The foregoing table of careful fresh measuremeuts satisfac-
torily indicates the average diuieusioos and range of variation
of this species in the higher latitudes. The female is seen to
be considerably smaller than the male on an average, though
the dimensions of the sexes inosculate. The range is from 15^
to over 19 in length of head and body, with an average near
17^. The tail-vertebrte range from little over 6 to 8}, averaging
near 7}. With the hairs, this member ranges from 9} to 12
inches, being generally about 11 inches. Etar from about I4 to
If* generally about 1 ^. Fore toot 2f to 3f , settling near 3. Hind
foot 3f to nearly 4}, generally a little over 4. These eztrem??.<
it will be remembered, are those between the largest males and
smallest females ; neither sex has so wide a range.

VARIATION IN SKULLS OF MUSTELA AMERICANA. 89
OEOOBAPHIt'AL VABIATIGN IN THE SKULLS OF M. AMERICANA.

Mr. J. A. AUeu has recently * given a table of measurement of
length and breadth of forty-six skulls of this species, prepared to
show the range of geographical variation. His results are here
reproduced, together with his critical commentary on the
specific validity of M. americana. It will be seen that he aban-
dons his former t position, and endorses the distinctive charac-
ters of the dentition of J/.U. niarteSf foina, and americana.

The forty-siz male akulln of this npec.es. of which messuretueuts are
given belovr are Liainly from four or tive localities ilifferi'ig widely in lati-
tude. A comparison of the average size of a cousiderabld number from each
shows a well-marked decrease in size soutbwanl. Four skulls from Peel
River, the largest, and also from the most northerly lucnlity, have an aver-
age length of 3.39, and an average width of 2.07, the extremes l)eing 3.50 and
3.35 in length and 2.12 and 2.02 in width. Nine skulls from the Yukon (prob-
ably mostly from near Fort Yukon) give an average length of 3.34 and an aver-
age width of 1.98, the extremes being 3.55 and 3.0U in length and 2.15 and 1.73
in width. Five skulls from Fort Good Hope give au average length of 3.24
and an average width of 1.95, the extremes in length being 3..37 and 3.15 and
in width 2.05 and 1.73. Ten skulls from the uorthern shore of Lake Superior
average 3.14 in length and 1.76 in width, the extremes iu length being 2.23
and 3.02 and in width 1.89 and 1.65. Eight skulls from the vicinity of Um-
bagog Lake, Maine (Coll. Mus. Comp. Zool.), average 2.90 in length and 1.72
in width, the extremes in length being 3.10 and 2.73 and in width 1.85 and
1.50. Five skulls from Northeastern New York average 3'.02 iu length and
1.61 in width, the extremes being in length 3.10 and 2.92 and in width 1.69
and 1.50. There is thns a gradual descent in the average length from 3.39
to 3.02, and in width from 2.07 to 1.61. The largest and the smallest of the
series are respectively 3.55 and 2.92 in length. Several fall as low as 3.00,
and an equal number attain 3.50. The difference between the largest and
the smallest, excluding the most extreme examples, is one-sixth of the dimen-
sions of the smaller and one-seventh of the size of the larger.

The sexes differ considerably in size, relatively about the same as in Puto-
riuB vi$on; bnt the above generalizations are based wholly on males, and in
each case on those of practically the same age, only specimens indicating
mature or advanced age being used.

The series of fully one hundred skulls of this species contained in the
National Museum presents a considerable range of variation in details of
structure, involving the general form of the skull, the relative size of differ-
ent parts, and the dentition, especially the form and relative size of the last
molar. In a former paper,| I had occasiou to notice somewhat in detail the
variations in color our American Martens present, and the difficulty of find-

* Bull. U. S. Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories, vol. ii,
no. 4, pp. 328-330 (July, 1876).

t Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Cambridge, i, pp. 161-167 (Oct. 1869).

t " Mammals of Massachusetts ", Bull. Mus. Comp. Zuol. vol. i, pp. lGl-167
(Oct., 1869).

r: '

NORTH AMERICAN &iJ8TELID.£.

ing aD> fentiires of coloration that iMeuie<l to iudioate more thiio • ■ingi*
Aiuericau H|)ecieH, or that would Mvrve to diatiuguUh thia eren from the Mar*
t«UB of the Old WorUl. Dr. J. E. Gray, it is true, bad already oalled atten-
tioo to the Hiiiall size of the lovt uiolar in the American Martens a* compared
with the size of the ttame tooth in the Old World Martens ; but, as his obser-
vatiou was apparently ba.'ted on a single American skull, and as I was at
the time strongly impressed with the wide range of individual variatioa I
had found in allied groups, even in dental characters, and also with the great
fre<inency of Dr. Gray's characters failing to be distinctive, I was riialad
into supposing all the Martens might belong to a single cironmpolar speoiet,
with several more or less strongly-marked geographical races. My friend
Dr. Cones some months siuoe kindly called my attention to the validity of
Dr. Gray's alleged difference in respect to the size and form of the last molar,
which I have since had opportunity of testing. This character alone, however,
fails to distingaisb Muttela foimt from Mnntela americana, in which the laat
molar is alike, or so nearly so that it fails to furnish distinctive diffiorenoeo.
The size and general form of the skull in the two are also the some, the
shape of the skull and the form of the last upper molar failing to be diag-
nostic. The second lower true molar, however, in MMtela /oiHa presents a
character (shared by all the Old World Martens) which serves to distinguish
it from MtttMa americana, namely, the preMuce of an inner cusp not found
in the latter. In Hiittela jUwigula, the last molar is relatively tuuilUr than,
even in Muttela americana, and of the same form. JJutUla loarta* differ* in
its more massive dentition and in the heavier structure of the sknll, but
especially in the large size of the last molar aud the very great development
of its inner portion. Hence, while the size and shape of the l&at upper molar
serves to distinguish Mantela marte$ from Muateta americana, it U\l» as a valid
distinction between Muatela americana aud Muatela flarigula and Mtiakla /oIko,
As already remarked, however, Muslela americana locks the inner cusp of the
second lower molar, which is present in the Old World Martins, or at least
possesses it only in a very rudimentary condition.

Meaauremcnts of fori y- nix ahtlU of Mcstela americana.

Locality. '

Rcmarka.

6043

Vnkon lli ver

<f
d-
d'
<f
(f
<f
cT
<f
<S
<f
cf
d

e
d

3.55
3.50
3.45
3.37
>3.30
3.00
3.38
3.38
3.30
3.37
3.35
3.«
3.35
3.15
3.50
3.37

3.:«5

X35
3.40

9.15
1.85
1.83
1.88
1.85
1.73

ifea'

9L03
3.05
1.98
1.93
1.76
1.73
3.0t
S.13

Imperfect

Imperfect.
do.

6040

ilo

6085

1047

do..

6044

•

SASl

do :

R(M8

6046

UOOOi

TCfin&i AIbbUa ....................

7159

Fort noml Hone

7167

. do ■ ■...-. ....••....-...••

7168
7164

^. do -

7163

••do . k ,■.•..•..«.•••••.•••••••

6081

Peel River ..........•••......•.•.

60n

. do

6063

605V

3385

Red River

1.94

HISTOBY AND HABITS OP THK MABTEN. 91

MvanHrvmeHlt of forijf-»U tlulhof Mcatrla amrkicana— ConiiuiMd.

Locality.

4070
4tK

4«7S

Lak« Su|>«iior (north ihorp) .

, (lu

, do

do...

.do.

4«78
4M1

1868

1163

3810

3018

9049

541

550

548

SB3

^
M4

.do.
.do.
.il6.

WaabiDKton Territory

, do

Eaaex Conoty, New York.
,do...

of
rf
<f
<f
if
</

.do.

Saranac Lake, New York.
UoibagoK Lake, Maine . . .
.do

.do.

.do

.do.

<f
<f

<i
<f
<f
<i

a
<f
•i
<f

3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.
3.

3.
3.
J.
3.
3.
3.
3.

3.
9.
X

3.
3.

3.
U.

i«.
I*

33
IH
15
16
IS
15
15
10

03
93
15

03
00
10
03
00
i>9
03
iO
00
00
00
00

93
13

Uauiarka.

1.79 I
1.69 .
1.09 I
1.69 I

1.83 {

1. c^

1.80 I
1.69 i
1.83 I
1.90 I
1.79
1.59

1.57
1.63
1.68
1.90
1.68
1.89
1.70
1.79
1.74
1.78
1.78
1.68
1.50

Rntlier young.

lio.

du.

GENERAL HISTORY AND HABITS OF ."HE SPECIES.

According to the foregoiog considerations, tlie history of
this iuterestiog auimal, one highly valuable iu an economic
point of view, is to be disentangled from that of the Europeau
and Asiatic species, with which it has always been to a greater
or less degree intermixed. The first specific name, so far as I
have become aware, is that bestowed iu 1S06 by Turton, in an
edition of the 8y»tema Xaturw; if there be an earlier one, it
has escaped me. This name, however, appears to have been
generally overlooked, or at least unemployed, until of late
years revived by Professor Baird. His usage of the term,
however, has received but partial support, some of the later
writers agreeing with the custom of earlier ones in referring
our animal to the European Marten, from which, as I have
shown, it is well distinguished. Previous to the appearance of
Dr. Brandt's elaborate memoir, only one author, it seema^
among those who denied its specific validity, came so near the
mark as to refer it to the Asiatic Sable. This was Dr. God-
man, but even he used the name nnder the impression that the
tarue Sable existed in America, as well as the Pine MarteOy.

NORTH ASIEBICAN MUSTELIDiE.

^' i

wbich be refers to as .1/. Marten. As will be seen by refereooe
to tbe list of synouyius, several uoiniQal species bave been
established at tbe exi)euse of tbt* Aiu%riean Sable, ui>on slight
individnal peculiarities. Tbe earliest of these is the M. tulpina
of M. Rafiuesque, which re|>re.seots the occasional anomaly of
tbe tail white-tipped, as alluded to by Mr. Ross in the article
already quoted. A similar couditiou of the feet constitutes
KubPs ilf. leucoput ; while the M. huro of F. Cnvier is appar-
ently only light-colored individuals. Dr. Gray seeks to estab-
lish these last two varieties, and adds another, ^1/. abietinoidetf
based upon dark-colored examples, with the " tbroat-8|K)t large
or broken up into small 8pot8'\ But these pretended species
are not such, nor even as varieties are they entitled to more
than passing allusion, as indicating to what extent some indi-
viduals may depart from the usual style of coloration.

Although the American animal was known in very early
times, long before it received a distinctive name, having been
referred alternately to tbe European Pine Marten and Asiatic
Sable, or to both of these species, very little definite informa-
tion upon its range and habits was recorded for many years.
Pennant, our principal early authority on tbe animals of the
North American fur countries, and tbe source of much subse-
quent inspiration on these species, considered it tbe same as
M, martes, and drew its range accordingly. He states that it
inhabits, in great abundance, tbe northern parts of America,
in forests, particularly of pine and fir, nesting in the trees,
bringing forth once a year from two to four young ; that its
food is principally mice, but also includes such birds as it can
catch ; that it is taken in dead-falls, and sometimes eaten by
the natives. As an article of commerce in comparatively early
times, we notice the sale of some 13,000 skins in one year (1743)
by tbe Hudson's Bay Company, and the importation from Can-
ada by tbe French into Kochelle of over 30,000. *^ Once in two
or three years,'' he adds, they " come out in great multitudes,
as if their retreats were overstocked : this the hunters look on
as a forerunner of great snows, and a season favorable to the
chase." Such periodicity in numbers thus early noted is con-
firmee! by later observi^tions.

Sir John Richardson has tbe fuUowiug observations upon the
distribution of tbe Sable in British America : *'Tbe Pine-martin
inhabits the woody districts in tbe northern parts of America,
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, in great numbers, and have

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE MARTEV.

beeu observed to be particularly nbnmlanc where the trees have
been killed by Are but are still staudiug. It is v^ry rare as
Heame has remarked, iir the district lyiog north of Gharchill
River, and east of Great Slave Lake, known by the name of
Chepewyan or Barren Lands. A similar district, on the Asiatic
side of Behring^s Straits, twenty-five degrees of longitude in
breadth, and inhabited by the Tchutski, is described by Pen-
nant as equally unfrequented by the Martin, and for the saui0
reason, — the want of trees. The limit of its northern range
in America is like that of the womis, about the sixty-eighth
degree of latitude, and it is said to be found as far south as New
England. Particular races of Martins, distinguished by ohe
fineness and dark colours of their Air, appear to inhabit certain
rocky districts. Therocky and mountainous but woody district of
the Nipigon, on the north side of Lake Superior, has long been
noted for its black and valuable Martin-skins. . . . Upwards
of one hundred thouBr.ad skins have long been collected annu-
ally in the fur countries."

But the range of the American Sable is now known to be
more extended in both directions than appears from the fore-
going. In some longitudes, at least, if not in all, it reaches the
Arctic coast, as mentioned by Mr. B. R. Ross, and as attested
by specimens I have examined. Mr. Ross states that it is found
throughout the Mackenzie River District, except in the Barren
lands, to which it does not resort, being an arboreal animal. It
occurs abundantly in Alaska, apparently throughout that vast
country ; and, in short, we cannot deny it a less highly Arctic
extension than that of the Asiatic Sable. Along the Pacific
side of the continent, west of the Rocky Mountains, the Sable
has been traced to the Yuba River of California by Dr. J. S.
Newberry, who represents it as not uncommon in Oregon ; and
Dr. George Suckley procured specimens in Washington Terri-
tory. Mr. J. A. Allen found the animal in Wyoming and Colo-
rado, and considers it as common in the last- mentioned Territory
in Park County. But however far south it may extend in such
longitudes, there is apparently a great stretch of treeless country
in which it is not found at all. I obtained no indications of its
presence in any of the nnwooded portions of Dakota and Mon-
tana, which I have explored with special reference to the dis-
tribution of the Mammals and Birds. It is represented as coui-
mon in Canada, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Labrador. In
New England, according to Dr. Emmons, writing in 1840, it

M li

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

was ::oi Infrequent in tbe pine and beech forests of Massaoha-
setts, and Mr. Alien states that it is still occasionally s^en in
the moantaius of Berkshire Gountj. It itihAbits l^e raoantaio-
oas regions of New York and some parts of Pennsylvania; bat
in tracing its extreme southern limit in the Atlantic States, we
see that it b^s not been found so far south as the Pekan has. I
find no indication of its occnrfence in Maryland or Vir^nia.
The southern limit, which hfis been set at abcnt 40° north, is
probably correct for this longitude, though in the mountainous
regions of the West it may require to be somewhat e&tended.
Oeneral Considerations aside, its local distribution is determined
primarily by the presence or absence of trees, and further
affected by the settlement of the country. Being of a shy and
suspicious nature, it is one of the first to disappear, among the
Bmaller animals, with the advance of civilization into its woody
resorts. In unpeopled districts, even the vast numbers that
are annually destroyed fot the pelts seems to affect their abund-
ance less materially than the settlement of the country does.
Notwithstanding such destruction, they abound in the northern
wilds. Even in Nova Scotia, a thousand skins are said to have
been exported annually within a few years, and they may justly
be regarded as among the most important of the land fur-bearing
animals. Respecting their comparative scarcity at times, Mr.
Boss has recorded a remarkable fact of periodical disappear-
ance. ** It occurs in decades," he says, " or thereabouts, with
wonderful regularity, and it is quite unknown what becomes of
them. They are not found dead. The failure extendts through-
-out the Hudson's Bay Territory at the same time. And there
is no tract, or region to which they can migrate where we have
not posts, or into which our hunters have not penetrated. . . .
When they are at their lowest ebb in point of numbers, they
will scarcely bite at all fat the bait of the traps]. Providence
appears thus to have implanted some instinct in them by which
the total destruction of their race is prevented."

The Sable is ordinarily captured in wooden traps of very
simple construction, made on the spot. The traps are a little
enclosure of stokes or brush in which the bait is p^ced upon
a trigger, with a short upright stick supporting a log of wood;
the animal is shut off from the bait in any but tbe desired
direction, and the log falls upon its victim with the slightest
disturbance. A line of such traps, several to the mile, often
extends many miles. The bait is any kind of meat, a mouse,

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE MARTEN.

9fi

squirrelf piece of flsb, or bird's head. One of the greatest ob-
staclei thftt the Sable huuter has to contend with in many
looalitiee is the persistent destruction of his traps by Uie Wol-
verene aod Pekan, both of which display great cunning and
persererance io following ap his line to eat the bait, and even
the SaUes themselves which may be captured. The exploits
of these animals in this respect may be seen from the accoants
elMwb«« given. I have accounts froi*^ Hudson's Bay trappers
of a Sable road fifty miles long, containing 150 traps, every one
of which was destroyed throughout the whole line twiee^^onoe
by a Wolf, once by the Wolverene. When thirty miles of
this same road was given up, the remaining 40 traps were
broken five or six times in succession by the latter animal.
The Sable is principally trapped during the colder mouths, from
October to April, when the fur is in good condition ; it is nearly
valueless daring the shedding in summer. Sometimes, however,
bait is refused in March, and even early that month, probably
with the coming on of the rutting season. The period of full
furring varies both in spring and autumn, according to lati-
tude, by about a month as an extreme.

^Notwithstanding the persistent and uninterrupted destruc-
tion to which the Sable is subjected, it does not appear to
diminish materially in numbers in unsettled parts of the
coontry. The periodical disappearances noted by Mr. Boss
and the animal's early retreat before the inroads of population
are other matters. It holds its own partly in consequence of its
shyness, which keeps it away from the abodes of men, and
partly because it is so prolific; it brings forth six or eight young
at a litter. Its home is sometimes a den under ground or be-
neath rocks, but oftener the hollow of a tr<^e ; it is said to fre-
quently take forcible possession of a Squirrel's nest, driving off
or devouring the rightful proprietor. Though frequently called
Pine Marten, like its European relative, it does not appear to be
particularly attached to coniferous woods, though these are its
abode in perhaps most cases, simply because such forests pre-
vail to a great extent in the geographical areas inhabited by
the Marten.

The Sable is no partner in guilt with the Mink and Stoat in
invasion of the farm-yard, nor will it, indeed, designedly take
up its abode in the clearing of a settler, preferring always to
take its chances of food supply in the recesses of the forest.
Active, industrious, cunning, and predaceous withal, it finds

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

ample subsistence in tbe weaker Rodents, Insectivora, and birds
and tbeir eggs. It bunts on tbe ground for Mice, which con*
stitute a large share of its sustenance, as well as for Shrews,
Moles, certain reptiles, and insects. An expert climber, quite
at home in tbe leafy intricacies of tree tops, it pursues Squirrels,
and goes birds'-nesting with success. It is said ^o also secure
toads, frogs, lizards, and even fish. Like the Wolverene and
Fekan, it sometimes makes an entrance upon the hoards of meat
and fish which are cached by the natives in the higher latitudes.
It is said not to reject carrion at times. It has been stated to-
eat various nuts and berries, as well as to be fond of honey; but
we may receive such accounts with caution, viewing the very
highly carnivorous character of the whole group to which the
species belongs.

The Sable has some of tbe musky odor characteristic of its
family, but in very "mild degree compared with the fetor of
the Mink or Polecat. Hence the name " Sweet Marten ", by
which its nearest European ally is known, in contradistinction
from Fonlimart, or *' Foul Marten '', a name of the Polecat.
With a general presence more pleasing than that of the spe-
cies of PutorittSj it combines a nature, if not less truly preda-
ceous, at least less sanguinary and insatiable. It does not kill
after its hunger is appeased, nor does a blind ferocity lead it
to attack animals as much larger than itself as those that the
Stoat assaults with success. Animals like tbe Babbit and
Squirrel form less of its prey than the smaller Rodents and
Insectivores. In confinement, tbe Marten becomes in time
rather gentle, however untamable it may appear at first ; it is
sprightly, active, with little unpleasant odor, and altogether
rather agreeable.

CHAPTER IV.

MUSTELINE— Continued: The Weasels.

The genus Putoriiis — Generic characters and remark'j — Division of the genns
into sabgenera — Analysis of the North American species — The subgenus
Gale — Putorius vulgaris, the Common Weasel — Synonymy— Habitat— Spe-
cific characters — Oeneral characters and relationships of the species — Geo-
graphical distribution — Habits — Putorius erminea, the Stoat or Ermine —
Synonymy — Habitat — Specific characters — Discussion of specific charac-
ters and relationships — ^Table of measurements — Note on the skull and
teeth — Description of external characters — Conditions of the change of
color— General history and habits of the species — Its distribution in the
Old World— Ptttortu* longicauda, the Long-tniled Weasel — Synonymy —
Habitat— Specific characters — Description — Measurements — General ac-
count of the species — Putorius hrasiliensis fre^iattis, the Bridled Weasel —
Synonymy — Habitat — Specific characters— General account of the species.

CONTINUING with the sabfamily Mustelinee, but passing
from the genns Mmtela, we reach the next genus, Puto-
riu8f which contains the true Weasels or Stoats (subgenus
Oale), the Ferrets and Polecats (subgenus Putorius proper),
the American Ferret (subgenus Opnomyonax), an<r the Minks
(subgenus Lutreola). This chapter is devoted to the considera-
tion of the species of the first of these sections, after presenta-
tion of the characters of the genus at large. The other sec-
tions are reserved for succeeding chapters.

The Genus PUTORIUS; (OuviER.)

< Mastela, or IlartM, of aome anthon.

X Tlvem (p., Latra ip. of aome anthors.

= Putorius, OuvUr, Rdgne Anim. L 1817, and of aathors generally.

— FnlorlUB, Ksys. d Bku. Wirbeltb. Ear. 1840.

> SyMBOpm, Oray, Cat Mamm. Br. Mas. 1843.

> Lntreola, ■' Wagntr ", Oray, P. Z. S. 1865, 117. (Type JftMtela {utrvoto L .)

> eale, "Wagntr", Oray, P. Z. S. 1865, 118.

> Neocsle, Oray, P. Z. & 1865, 114. (Type P. bratiHmuit.)

> f 1801, €hray, P. Z. S. 1865, 115. (Type P. vison.)

3-S.

Genkric characters.— DcMtol formula: I. ~j; C. i^ ; Pm. j^,
M. 1=^ =11 =34 (one premolar above and below less than in Gu lo and Mus-
tela). Seotorial tooth of lower jaw (anterior true molar) w ithoat an inter-
7m W

: ,1' ■!
1' I

Ji!

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

nal cusp. Anteorbital foramen presenting downward-forward (as in JifiM-
tela; reverse of Gulo), a mere orifice, not oanal-lilce, and opening over ttie
last premolar (tlie opening more anterior in Gulo and Mustela). Skull as a
rule* little oontraoted at the middle ; the rostral portion extremely short,
stout, turgid, scarcely tapering, and much more vertically truncated than in
Gulo or Mustela; frontal profile convex, and usually more nearly horizontal
than in Gulo or Mustela. Nasal bones widening forward from an acute base.
General outline of skull in profile scarcely arched — sometimes quite straight
and horizontal in most of its length. Production of mastoids and auditory
buUte and general prominence of periotic region at a minimum ; the buUio
flatter than in Mustela or Gulo, and sci cely so constricted across as to pro-
duce a tubular meatus. Zygomatic arch usually not higher behind than in
front, nowhere vertical uor developing a posterior convexity. Depth of
emargination of palate little if any greater, or less than, distance thence to
the molars. Skull as a whole more massive than in Mustela, though smaller.
Size medium and very small (including the smallest species of the whole
family). Body cylindrical, slender, often extremely so; legs very short;
tail long, terete, uniformly bnshy or very slender and close-haired, with a
terminal pencil. Ears large, orbicular. Soles commonly furry. Pelage
usually close and short, whole-, or oftener, parti-colored ; turning white in
winter in Northern species. Progression digitigrade. Habits indetermin-
ate — terrestrial, arboreal, or aquatic.

The foregoing characters are drawn up from consideration of
the European and North American forms, and may require
some qualification, in ultimate details, to cover all the modifi-
cations of this extensive genus, containing, as it does, several
sections or groups of speeies, probably of snbgeneric value.
From Oulo or Mustela it is at once distinguished by the differ-
ent dental fofmnla. The skull, as compared with that of its
nearest ally, Mustela, differs notably in the shortness and
bluntness of the muzzle, position and direction of the ante-
orbital foramen, slight convexity of the upper profile, and other
points noted above. There is a decided diffbrdnce in the char-
acter of the auditory bullae, more readily perceived on compar-
ison than described ; the bulla) are* usually less iiiflated — some-
times quite dat, as in P. vison; and even when^ as in somie
cases, the inflation of the basal portion is not much less than
in Mustela, we miss the constriction ■ which in the latter genus
produces a well-determined tubular meatus. The sknll of Pit-
torius is decidedly heavier for its size than that of Mtistela, in
this respecc more like that of Gulo, though it is comparatively
much flattened and otherwise dissiihilar from the latter.

The name of the genus is from the fjiatin putor, a stench

* In some species of Putorius, however, the constriction is as great as is
ever found in Mustela.

ANALT8IS OP THE 0ENU8 PUTORIUS.

{pnteo, to stink), as on^of its synonyms, Feetoriusy is from
fcetoVf fceteoj of the ^^e signification. The relation of the
EngMsh putridffetid^ &c., is obvious.

The extensive genus Put<yriu» is divisible into several well-
mfM'ked sections, doubtless of subgeneric valne. Three such
gi )nps exist in North America. These may be analyzed as
follows, in connection with a fourth group, Putorius proper,
introduced to farther elucidate the position and relations of a
new subgenus 1 propose for the reception of the Putorim n<-
gripes.

Dtvinon of the genttn into mhgenera.

1. Gale. * — The Stoats or Ermin&t, and Weasels. — Skull amootb, without
well-developed sagittal crest. Frontal profile strongly convex and deoli-
vous. Pterygoids with small haniiUar processes, or none. Balli anditoriu)
nicked at end by orifice of the meatus. Skull moderately vbraptly con-
stricted near the middle ; postorbital processes slight. Species of small and
smallest size, with very slender, oylindrioal, " vermiform " body, very long
neck, and tail (of variable length) slenderly terete, with terminal pencil,
usually black ; pelage, including that of the tail, short and close set (the
Northern species usually turning white in winter), bicolor, of uniform color
above, lighter below. Ears large, high, and orbicular. Palmar pads all
separate Toes scarcely webbed. Htibits terrestrial, and somewhat arbo-
real ; not aquatic. Of general distribution in both hemispheres.

2. CYNOMVONAXt (uob., subg. Dov.).—A»terican Ferret. — Skull developing
sagittal crest. Frontal profile scarcely or not convex, strongly declivous.
Pterygoids with slight hamular process. Bnlln? anditorite nicked by orifice
of meatus. Sectorial tooth of upper jaw with its outer border nearly straight,
developing no decided antero-external process, and the antero-internal pro-
cess merely a slight spur. Skull abruptly and strongly constricted in ad-
vance of the middle, with strongly developed postorbital processes. Last
molar of ntider jaw minute, merely a cylindrical round-topped stump, without
trace of cusps or other irregularity of surface. Animal of large size, equal-
ling or exceeding a large Mink, yet retaining the attenuate, elongate and
cylindrical body, long neck, large suborbioular ears, slenderly terete black-
tipped tail, and close short pelage of Gale. Coloration not distinctively
bieblor; legs darker than body; peculiar facial marking. Toes not semi-
palmate. Palmar pads discrete. Habits terrestrial. No seasonal change of
colors. One species known, peculiar to North America.

3. PuTOBiusi (proper). — The Ferrets or Poieoa**.— Skull finally develop-
ing sagittal crest, and roughened muscular impressions. Frontal profile

*Etym. — ^Tlie Greek yak^, a weasel.

tJSfym. — Greek kvuv, dog, //Uf, mouse, uva^ (or ava^), king. — ^The genus
Cynomys {kvuv, five) is that of the so-called " prairie-dogs", among which the
species lives, and upon which ic largely subsists.-.-C'j/nomj^on(ur, " king of
the prairie-dogs ".

t Etynu — See above.

100

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiG.

convex, strougly deolivoos. Pterygoids dev^lopiug large hamnlar processes.
BnlltB auditorifB nicked by orifice of meatus. Sku^t scarcely constricted near
the middle, where, if anything, it is broader than histrnm ; postorbital pro-
cesses poorly developed. Sectorial tooth of upper jaw as in Cunomymax.
Back molar of lower jaw of ordinary size, circular, developing irregularities
of the crown. Animals rather large, comparatively stout-bodied, less length-
ened, with rather bushy, tapering tail, and low, orbicular ears; pelago
long and loose, instead of close-set, variegated above, or there not notably
darker than below ; do not tuta white in winter. Palmar pads separate.
Toes not semipalmate. Terrestrial in habits. The species confined to the
OldJ World.

4. LUTRKOLA*.— TA« JlftnA^g.— Skull of ad..!^i developing sagittal crest and
muscular impressions. Frontal outline nearly straight and scarcely declivous.
Pterygoids with strong hamular process. BuUsb auditoriie notably less
inflated than in the foregoing, prolonged into a somewhat tubular meatus,
not nicked at orifice. Coiistriction of skull and development of postorbital
processes intermediate in degree between Putoriua proper and Cynomymax.
Sectorial tooth of upper jaw with its outer border concave, owing to devel-
opment of a strong antero-exterior spur, which lies out of the axis of dentition,
and forms with the antero-interior cusp (present in all MustelUuB) a rather
open V, into which the antecedent premolar fits, the antero-internal process
developing to a conical cusp. Back lower molar as in Ptitorius proper.
Animals of large to largest size in the genus, stout-bodied, rather long and
very bushy tail, cylindrico-tapering ; pelage moderately loose, but thick,
to resist water, very bristly and lustrous, dark-colored, nnicolor or only
varied with irregular white patches on under parts ; no seasonal changes of
pelage. Ears very low. Feet semipalmate, natatorial. Palmar pads with-
out hairy intervals. Habits highly aquatic. Species common to both hem-
ispheres.

The first of these subgenera is represented in North America
by several species, some of which are not clearly distingaished
from their congeners of Europe, while another is specifically
identical with an animal which ranges through Central intoSoath
America. The seco^^^ and fourth each contain a single North
American species, a .ar as known, the fourth having a closely
allied European congener ; while the second, peculiar to Amer-
ica, is the nearest analogue of the third, which has no exact
American representative.

The North American species of Putorim at large may be
determined by the following analysis of subgeneric and specific
characters : —

• £(;ym.— "Lutreola", " Little Otter "—.'-ainutive form of the Latin Mra,
an Otter, which the Mink much resembles. For von Marten's exposition of
the word lutra in its several forms, and discussion of the philological ques-
tions involved, see p. 39.

ANALYSIS OP N A. SPECIES OP PUTORIUS.

101

JnaJyaU of Xorth An'ricun »fiecie8 of PutoriuB.

A. (Oah.) Of smalleHt size (length of uaad and body nnder 12 inohus), nioMt

slender and attennate body, and longeut neck. Ears conspicuous,
orbicular. Tail slenderly terete, with the tip nsnnliy (rarely in
vitlgnria) bleok. Toes cleft. Palmar pads separate. Coloration
bicolor, in distinct upper and under areas, latter not darker than
former, feet not black; or, entirely white, excepting black tip of
tail. (Weasels, Stoats or Ermines.)

a. Head not darker than rest of upper parts, nor variegated with stroaks

or spots.
a'. Tail pointed at end, scarcely or not black-tipped, 2 inches or less

in length, including hairs; belly white or scarcely tinged with

sulphury 1. P. vulgakis.

V, Tail with a terminal pencil of black hairs, and over 2 inches long,

including hairs.
a'l. Belly pure sulphury -yellow ; tail-vertebra3 2-5 inches long, the

black tip not confi'netl to the terminal pencil. . . 2. P. kkmixea.
h". Belly tawny, saffron or salmon-yellow ; tail 6-7 inches long, the

black tip reduced to terminal pencil. . . . 3. P. longicauda .

b. Head darker than rest of upper parts, with light stripes or spots ; belly

as in b" 4. P. brasiliensis fkkxatus.

B. (Cynomyonax.) Much larger; length of bead and body over It inches;

body scarcely stouter, and equallv close-haired, and tail very
short, slenderly terete, black-tipped. Ears conspicuous, orbic-
ular. Toes cleft. Palmar pads separate. Coloration not bicolor
in distinct i.^eas. (American Ferret.)
Pale brown, nearly uniform, or brownish-white, scarcely darker on
the back ; feet, end of tail, and broad bar across the face black.

5. P. NIORIPKS.

C. {Luireola.) Size of the last, or rather less ; body as stout or stouter. Ears

low. Toes semipalmate. Palmar pads fused. Tail uniformly
bushy. (Mink.)
Dark chestnut-brown or blackish, uniform, or only varied by white
patches below ; tail without differently colored tip.

6. P. VISON.

The Subgenus GALE. (Wagneb.)

This sabgenas, which iuclndes the Weasels proper aud the
Stoats or Ermines, comprises a large majority of the species of
PutoriiMj widely distributed over the globe. The leading char-
acters which distinguish it from its nearest allies have already
been given (p. 99), together with an analysis of the four species
known to inhabit North America. Further details of the skull,
teeth, and external form are presented beyond, uuder head of
G. erminea, which, as a typical member of the subgenus, may
serve as a standard of comparison. We may at once, there-
fore, proceed to consider the several North American species.

102

NOBTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiG.

" II

The ITeaMel.

Putorlns (Snle) vulgiirla.

Plate VI, Fiob. 9, 4.

(rt. Old Wo Id re/ereneet.)

MustCia, Vni-iomm {"Oem. Qaad. 1551, 851, f.—.—JleAivenclu- Tlioriotroph. 1803, 116.—

OkarM. Bxercit 1677, 20.—Rtaei. Polon. 1731, 3:i5").
Mustela VHlgarlS, Aldrov. Qoad. Digit. 1645, dfft.-SM. Scot. Illast. ii. 1681, 11.— Kav. Syn.

161)3, 195.— Z>. 8. N. eds. 3d-5tli, 1740-47, U.—KUin, ( jii»d. 1751, m.—Jontl. Tbeatr. 1755,

153, pi. 64.— Brt«(. Quad. 1756, 341, no. \.—Erxl. Syst. Auim. 1777, 471, no. 13 (synon.

luuchmixedwitbthatof other »^ao\ei»).—Hehreh. SUug. Hi. 1778.— 6m. S. K. i. 1788,99.—

Bechtt. Xitturg. i. , 813.- Turt. S. X. i. 1806, 61.— De«m. Mamm. i. 1830, 179, no. 375;

Konv. Diet. xix. 373; Knoy. M6tli. pi. 84,f. \.—Fr. Ouv. Diet Soi. Kat. xxix.1833. 351, uo.

7.— ft. Geo/. Dlot.Cla»a. x. 313.— £<■««. Mau. 1827, 146.— F»*cA. 8yn.l839, 333.- FI«m. Dr.

An. 1838, n.—Jen. Br. Vert 1835, 19.— Bell, Br. Quad. 1837, 141 ; 3d ed. 1874, 183. f. — .-

Selyt-L. Fn. fielg. 1843, 10.— Gray, List Matntu. Br. Mus. 1843, Si.—Oieb. SSug. 1855,

783.— Fits. Natarg. Saug. i. 1861, 335, f. 69.— Wov. Cat. Br. Mas. 1863, i>3.—Farwiek, Zool.

Gart. xi V. 1873, 17 (albino) .
JMnteU vulgaris a. ieUlr», ff. nivallii, '7m. S. X. i, 1788, 99, nos. 11 a, 11 b.
Vlverrn VUlgarlN, Shaw, O. X. i, 1800, 420, pi. 98, apper Hg.
Mustela (dale) vulgaris, ScftiH;,Syn.Mamm.i.l844,344.-0my,P. Z.S. 1865, 113; Cat. Carn.

Br. Mus. 1860, 00.
Putortus vulgaris. Griff. An. Kiugd. v. 1837, 13l, no. 344 (bat not same name on p. 130, no.

y39).—Brandt, Wirb. Eur. N. E. Bussl. , 36.

FoetoriUH vulgaris. Keys. cC Blai. Wirb. Eur. 1840, 69, no. 147.— £;«r«. Wirb. Deutitchl. 1857,

^l.—Jtiekel, Zool. Gart xiv. 1873, 4%; (albino).
Mustela nivalis, Unn. Fn. SuecSd ed. 17ei, 7, no. 18; S. N. i. 1766, 69, no. II.— mUl. Zool.

Prod. 1776, 3, no. li.—Erxl. Syst An. 1777, 476, no. U.—Sehreb. Siiug. ili. 1778, pL 138.—

BeU. Kon. V^et. Akad. Stockh. vi. 1785, 213, no. 9, pi. l.—Leg». Man. 1837, 146.
Mustela gale, raU. Zoog. B.-A. i. 1831, 94, no. 32.
Belette, Brim. op. et loe. eit.—Buff. Hist. Xat. vli. 225, pi. 29, f. l.—Bomare., Diet. 1. 1768,

368.— fVen«A.— Mareot, Marcotte, French.
VOMMvn Weesel, Penn. Syn. Quad. 1771, 313, no. 151 ; Brit Zool. i. , 95, pi. 7, f. n.—Shaio,

op. loe. cit.— Weasel or Weesel, English.
Scheenwiesel, Mull. Xaturs. i. 1776, 276 (= M. nivalis).
Wiesci, Klelne WIeSel, German (of. v. Martens, Zool. Gart xi. 1870, p. 376, philological).—

Wezel, Belffie.—y'tewl, LiekatI, I>an{«A.— Mneemuus, Danish (whit«).— Saonus,

Swedish (white).— Ballottula, Italian.— Com»irti», Spanish.

(6. American resfereruses.)

Mustela nivalis, Forst. Phil. Tr. Ixii. 1772, 373.

Mustela vulgaris. Earl. Fn. Amer. 1. 1825, 6l.—Maxi,n. Reise, ii. 1641, m.-Thomp$. K. H.
Verm. 1853, JO.— Hall, Canad. Xat and Geol. vi. 16U1, 295.

Mustela (Futorius) vulgaris, RUh. v. b.-a. i. 1829, 4S.

Putorlns vulgaris, Emm. Rep. Quad. Mass. 1840, 44.— >i2;.Pr. Bost.Soc. xiii. 18C9, 183; Bnll.

M. C. Z. L 1870, 167.
Mustela (Gale) vulKaris var. americana. Gray, P. Z. S. 186.'>, 113 ; Cat Can. Br. Mas. 1869, 91.
Mustela pusllla, De K. N. Y. Zool. L 1843, 34, pi. 14, f. l.—Beesley, Geol. Cape May, 1857, 137.
Futorius pusillus. And. A Bach. Q. K. A. iL 1851, 100, pL 64.— £d. M. K. A. 1857, \33.—8uea.

N. H. W. T. 1860, 9St.—Bam. Rep. Mass. Agric. for 18C1 (1862), 154, pL 1, f S, 4.— JfoxiM.

Aroh.Xaturg.1861,— ; Vcrz. X.Am. Siiug. 1862,4!).— i?OA«, Canad. Xat and Geol. vi.

1861, 441.— Jfcrriam, Rep. U. S. Geol. Surv. Terr. 1872, 661 (Idaho).— ilme«, BaU. Minn.

Acad. Xat Soi. 1874, 69.
Futorius "CiCOgnanr*, Rich. Zool. Beeohey's Voy. 1839, 10* (err.).
Comnion Weesel, Penn. Hist Qaad. 1781, no. 193; Arct Zoiil. i. 1784, 75, no. 35.

Hab. — In America, the northern portions of the United States and north-
vrard. Earope and Asia, northerly.

U. 8. Cteologloil Survey.

MaiteUda. PLATE VI.

•rias ermlneii. Figs. 1. 3, 5, 6. ) ^^^^ g,^^. j
lorlii* vnli^nrla. Figs. 8, !. S '

Put
Fnlorln*

CUABIOTEBS OF PUT0RIU8 VULGARIS.

103

SPKCiric CHARACTERS.— Very amall ; length of head and body 6 or 6 inches ;
of tail-vertebrn) 2 inches or lem; tnil-verlebnc nboiit one-fourth or lewi of
the head and body; tail slender, oylindrical, pointed at tip, which is con-
color or not obvionsly black ; nnder parts white, rarely, if ever, tin|;e<l with
sulphury; coloration otherwise as in P. erminea. Caudal vertehrw 15
( Gerrard).

Oeneral characters and relationships of the species.

To describe tbe general body-colors of this animal would be
to repeat, in substance, most of what is beyond s&id of P. erminea.
I find no differences susceptible of intelligible description ex-
cepting those given in the foregoing diagnosis, although, as
usual in this genus, there is considerable individual variation
in the shade of tbe mahogany-brown upper parts, in tbe details
of the line of demarcation with the white of the under parts,
and in the color of the feet, which appear to bo indifferently
like the back or like the belly. I do not observe, however^ in
any of the specimens before me, that the under parts are nota-
bly tinged with sulphury-yellow, as is frequently or usually the
case with'P. erminea. They are quite purely white.

The points of this animal to which attention should be di-
rected in comparison with its ally, P. erminea^ are the general
dimensions and the color of the tail. This member is both abso-
lutely and relatively shorter than in P. erminea; it is cylin-
drical, very slender, and usually terminates in a point, without
the slightest bushy enlargement. In most specimens, as in all
the European examples I have seen, there is no black whatever
at the end of the tail ; on the contrary, the tip is frequently
mixed with a few white hairs. In other specimens, however,
the end of the tail is dusky, as in No. G491, from the Yukon
{Kennicott) ; while in No. 3316, from Oregon ( Wayne), the tip
is 'quite blackish. The tail-vertebrso range from rather less
than an inch in length to full two inches, if not a trifle more,
though the latter dimension seems to be rarely reached ; the
terminal pencil of hairs from ^ to ^. According i;o Gerrard,
there are fewer (15) caudal vertebriB than in P. erminea.

Accounts of authors are surprisingly at variance in assigning
dimensions to this animal. De Kay says in one place 12-13
inches (nose to end of tail), but this is probably a slip of the
pen, for his detailed measurements amount to 8.80 for head and
body and 1.80 foi tail-vertebne ; Audubon, 8 ; Bachman gave
7 inches, the tail-v»rtebrp<i 2. Baird gives 6 ; the tail from 0.83
to 1.60; the head, 1.45; fore foot, 0.58; hind foot, 0.92. The

104

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

I I I

smaller dimeusious seem to be nearer the average. Tbe Hkiu
from the Yukon, above mentioned, probably well stretched,
measures 7.50; tail-vertebras 1.2.5 ; hind foot, 1.10. The Ore-
gon specimen was apparently uliout 7 inches ; the tall 2. Two
skins from British America (4411, Fort Itosolution, Kennicottj
and 4231, Moose Factory, Drexler) are notably smaller and
shorter-tailed than any others I have seen. They are about G
inches long, the tailvertebni' an inch or less, the hind feet
about 0.75.* They are also somewhat peculiar in the intensity
of a liver-brown shade.

With only such small and dark-colored si>ecimenH as these
last before us (strictly representing P. pmiUun of Audubon and
Bachnian), there might be littlcditliculty in distinguishing at least
an American race; but, as already indicated, such distinctions
disappear on examining larger series, and consequently fail to
substantiate a geographical race. Whatever minute discrep-
ancies may be noted in comparing certain American with cer-
tain other European examples, assuredly these do not hold
throughout the series ; and, moreover, the diflferences inter m
between animals of either continent are as great as any of those
which can be detected when the animals of the two continents
are compared. Thus, holding in my hands the Ynkon speci-
men and No. 2290, from Leeds, England, I find that I have in-
con testably the same species. In size and color, these two are
much more nearly identical than Nos. 2290 and 2279, the latter
being also from Leeds. The Yukon animal has, indeed, a bushy
tip to the tail ; but, again, the one from Moose Factory has not.
A specimen from Scotland (No. 1058} has proved susceptible of
overstuffing up to more than 10 inches for length of head and
body ; but No. 2290 was scarcely 7 inches long. The presence
of true M. vu^aris on our continent may be considered estab-
lished. So that the question practically narrows tb whether
we have not also an additional species. This I cannot admit ;
for if minute differences of the grade allowed to distinguish a
supposed ^^pusillus " be taken into account, we must, to be con-
sistent, also separate from this latter the specimen from Oregon.t
with its longer blackish-tipped tail, and so have three North

* Reliable European writers assign a length of about 8 inches of head and
body, the head If, the tail 2. The female is usually an inch, if not more,
smaller than the male.

tThis furnishes a case parallel with that of Henperomya "boylii" and H.
" aiisterus". There is a strong local intlueuce exerted upon various animals
in this region.

OEOOBAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF P. YULOARIS. 105

AmeiioaD ^'speoief)'' of the vulgaHx t.vpe, namely, rulgnrh m
attested by the Yukon siteciinen ; ^^itusillm ", as by the Hudson's
Bay example and others ; and a nameless Oregon species. We
should obviously be reduced to this dilemma in any such at-
tempt to describe Hpecimem instead of characterising s]>ecies.
And in determining our species and races, it is quite sufHcient
to note the minor variations from a common type without giv-
ing the subjects of such variation a name.

Nevertheless, as it is desirable to carry investigations of the
characters of animals into minute particulars, fh» following
summary is presented : —

Var. 1. An animal averaging slightly less than P. vulgaris of
Europe, with the end of the tail blackish. Alaska, &c.

Var. 2. Bather smaller than the last; the tail relatively longer
(vertebrto about two inches) and distinctly dusky-tipped. Ore-
gon and Washington Territories.

Var. 3. Very small — about six inches long; tail-vertebrro one
inch or less; color darker than in P. vulgarin, but tail concolor.
Hudson's Bay, &c.

Oeographical distribution.

The area over which this species turns white in winter may
be approximately deduced from the accounts of various au-
thors. This is nearly coincident with what is now known of
the American range of the animal. Mr. J. A. Allen states that
it tarns in northern New England, but not so far south as
Massachusetts, where the change sometimes, but not always,
occurs to P. erminea. Dr. De Kay denies any change in New
York, though I suspect this may not hoU^ for the northern
mountainous portions of the S^ate. According to Maximilian,
the change takes place in the region he explored, as it doubt-
less does in all higher latitudes.

The range of the Least Weasel extends entirely across the
continent on this hemisphere ; but its north and south disper-
sion are less definite, in the present state of our knowledge.
To the northward, Richardson formerly limited its extension
to the Saskatchewan; but my specimens, from the Yukon,
Fort Resolution, and Hudson's Bay, largely extend the sup-
posed range, and I infer that the animal is generally distrib-
uted in British America and Alaska. Audubon's examples
were from the Gatskills and Long Island; and this author
alludes to others from Lake Superior. The Bed Biver and

111

106

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiG.

Upper Missouri regions, Oregon and Washington Territory,
are other recorded localities. According to Mr. Allen, it is
rather rare in Massachusetts — much more so than P. erminea.
The total lack of citations of the species from Southern or even
Middle districts in the United States is in evidence, though of
a negative character, of the geographical distribution at pres-
ent assigned. ,

Habits.

Cur accounts of the habits of this animal are lamentably
meagre; nor can I add to them from personal observation.
De Kay says it is by no means a rare animal, but one difficult
to capture ; that it feeds on mice, insects, young birds, eggs,
&c., and possesses al! the rapacity characteristic of the tribe.
Audubon repeats this, in substance, with the inference that,
ow;ing to its small size, it would not be mischievous in the
poultry-house, and would scarcely venture to attack a full-
grown Norway Rat.

In this dearth of facts respecting the animal in America, we
turn to other authors. One of the most particular, and at the
same time interesting and apparently reliable accounts, is that
given by Thomas Bell (who was evidently familiar with the
aiiimal) in the work above cited. Comparing its habits with
those of the Stoat, Bell finds them considerably distinct,
and believes that the accusations current against the Weasel
should mostly be laid rather at the door of the Stoat. He
continues : —

"It is not meant to be asserted that the Weasel will not,
when driven by huiiger, boldly attack the stock of the poultry
yard, or occasionally make free with a young rabbit or sleep-
ing partridge ; but that its usual prey is of a much more igno-
ble character is proven by daily observation. Mice of every
description, the Field and Water Vole, rats, moles, and small
birds, are their ordinary food ; and from the report of unpre-
judiced observers, it would appear that this pretty animal
ought rather to be fostered as a destroyer of vermin, than ex-
tirpated as a noxious depredator. Above all, it should not be
molested in barns, ricks or granaries, in which situations it is
of great service in destroying the colonies of mice which infest
them. Those only who have witnessed the multitudinous num-
bers in which these little pests are found, in wheat-ricks espe-
cially, and have seen the manner in which the interior is
drilled, as it were, in every direction by their runs, can at

HABITS OF THE WEA8EL.

107

all appreciate the amoant of their depredations ; and s .rely
the occasional abduction of a chicken or duckling, supposing
it to be even much more frequently chargeable against the
Weasel than it really is, would be but a trifling set off against
the benefit produced by the destruction of those swarms of
little thieves.

« The Weasel climbs trees with great facility, and surprises
birds on the nest, sucks the eggs, or carries off the young. It
has been asserted that it attacks and destroys snakes; this,
however, I believe to be entirely erroneous. I have tried the
experiment by placing a Weasel and a sommon )jnake together
in a large cage, in which the former had tut? opportunity of
retiring into a small box in which it w is accustomed to sleep.
The mutual fear of the two animals kept them at a respectful
distance from each other; the snake, however, exhibiting quite
as much disposition to be the assailant, as its more formidable
companion. At length the Weasel gave the snake an occa-
sional slight bite on the side or on the nose, without materially
injuring it, and evidently without any instinctive desire to feed
upon it; and at length, after thc^ had remained two or three
hours together, in the latter part of which they appeared
almost indifferent to each other's prt;>ence, I took the poor
snake away and killed it.

<* Far different was this Weasel's conduct when a Mouse was
introduced into the cag'<>; it instantly issued from its little box,
and, ia a moment, one single bite on the head pierced the
brain and laid the Mouse dead without a struggle or a cry. I
have observed that when the Weasel seizes a small animal, at
the instant that the fatal bite is inflicted, it throws its long
lithe body over its prey, so as to secure it should the first bite
fail ; an accident, however, which I have never observed when
a Mouse has been the victim. The power which the Weasel
has of bending the head at right angles with the loug and
flexible, though powerful neck, gives it g^eat advantage in this
mode of seizing and killing its smaller prey. It also frequently
assumes this position when raising itself on its hinder legs to
look around.

" The disposition which has been attributed to the Weasel
of sucking the blood of its prey, has, I believe, been generally
much exaggerated. Some persons have positively denied the
existence of such a propeimity, and my own observation, as far
as it goes, would tend ti confirm that refutation of the com-

I»l

108

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

monly received notion. The first gripe is given on the head,
the tooth in ordinary cases piercing the brain, which it is the
Weasel's first act of Epicurism to eat clean from the skall.
The carcase is then hidden near its haunt, to be resorted to
when required, and part of it often remains until it is nearly
putrid.

" The Weasel pursues its prey with facility into small holes,
and amongst the close and tangled herbage of coppices, thick-
ets and hedge-rows. It follows the Mole and the Field Mouse
in their runs; it threads the mazes formed in the wheat-
rick by the colonies of Mice which infest it, and its long fiexi-
ble body, its extraordinary length of neck, the closeness of its
fur, and its extreme agility and quickness of movement, com-
bine to adapt it to such habits, in which it is also much aided
by its power of hunting by scent — a quality which it partakes
in equal degree with the Stoat. In r.ursuing a rat or a mouse,
therefore, it not only follows it us L^ug as it remains within
sight, but continues the chase after it has disappeared, with
the head raised a little above the ground, following the exact
track recently taken by its destined prey. Should it lose the
scent, it returns to the point where it was lost, and quarters
the ground with great diligence till it has recovered it ; and
thus, by dint of perseverance, will ultimately hunt down a
swifter and even a stronger animal than itself. But this is not
all. In the pertinacity of its pursuit, it will readily take the
water, and swim with great ease after its prey.

" It is, however, sometimes itself the prey of hawks, but the
following fact shows that violence and rapine, even when ac-
companied by superior strength, are not alwn v^> <i match for the
ingenuity of an inferior enemy. As a gentit ■• . ii of the name
of Pinder, then residing at Bloxworth in Dors ,i ..ire, was rid-
ing over his grounds, he saw, at a short distance irom him, a
kite pounce on some object on the ground, and rise with it in
its talons. In a few minutes, however, the kite began to show
signs of great uneasiness, rising rapidly in the air, or as quickly
falling, and wheeling irregularly round, whilst it was evidently
endeavoring to force some obnoxious thing from it with its feet.
After a short but sharp contest, the kite fell suddenly to the
earth, not far from where Mr. Pinder was intently watching the
manoeuvre. He instantly rode up to the spot, when a Weasel
ran away from the kite, apparently unhurt, leaving the bird
dead, with a hole eaten through the skin under the wing and
the large blood-vessels of the part torn through. . . .

SYNONYMY OF PUTOBIUS ERMINEA.

109

<> The Temale Weasel .... brings forth fonr, or more fre-
quently Ave young, and is said to have two or three litters in a
year. The nest is composed of dry leaves and herbage, and is
warm and dry, being usually placed in a hole in a bank, in a
dry ditch, or in a hollow tree. She will defend her young with
the utmost desperation against any assailant, and sacrifice her
own life rather than desert them ; and even when tbe nest is
torn up by a dog, rushing out with great fury, and fastening
upon his nose or lips."

The signification of the name ' Weasel -, or, as it is also some-
times written, ^WeesePy is obscure. Webster states that he
does not know the meaning, but observes that the German
^wiese^ is a meadow. Yon Martens, as quoted on p. 26, dis-
cusses the subject in its philological bearings. The name
'WeaseP in strictness should pertain to the present species, as
distinguished from its various larger allies, as the Stoats and Fer-
rets ; but it has come to have rather a generic application to the
various species of the same immediate group.

The iStoat or Ermine.

Pntorlaii (Gale) erinfnea.

Plate VI, Figb. 1, 3, 5, 8, 7.

(a. Oeneral r^ereneet.)

Mus pontlcus, queid hodle Toeait HermeUm, Ayrie, "De Anim. Sabter. 16U, 33".

Mustela Candida, h'hwene^f. " Theriotroph. 1603, lie ".

MusteU caidiiA la extrea* MUdA alsrlMis, .IMrov. "Quad. Digit 1645, 310, fig ".

Mttsteia alpln* csHdid*, Wagn. " Hist Nat Helvet 1660, 180' .

MuslelA Candida «. animal Emlnenni reoeatiorna, Bay, " Syn. Quad. 1693, 198 ".

MuBtcIa alba, Rzacz. " PoIod. 1731, 335 ".

Mnstela caudie aplce atro, Linn. Fn. Saeo. lat ed. 1746, 3, na 90.

Mustela Candida t. ermlacam, Linn. Syat Nat eds. 6tb, 7.tli, 1748, 5, no. 6.

Mr tela araelliaa, KUin, "Qaad. 1751, 63 ".

Mnstela alvea aarikas aafastU, caadc aplce algro, HiU, " Hiat Anim. 1758,548 ".

Mutela hlcBie allM, lestale aapra ratlia lafra alba, caadie aviee aigro, Bri$§. Quad.

1756,348.
Mnstela ermlaea, Unn. Maa. Adolpb. Frid. lat ed. 1754, 5 ; S. N. i. lOtti ed. 1758, 46, na 9 ;
Fn. Sueo. Sd ed. 1761, 6, na 17; Syat Kat 13tb ed. i. 1766, 68, na 10.— flout. Katunrl.
Hist. iii. 1761, 906, pL 14, £5.— A G. OmA. Reise, iL 1770, pL S3 (erminmmmajut).—
Mm. Zool. Dan. Prod. 1776, 3, na U.—Brxl. Syst An. 1777, 474, na 13.—8chreb. S&ug.
iU. 1778, ^96, pi. 137, A, B.—Zimtn. Geogr. Oesoh. IL 1780, 308, na 305.— &m. S. N. i. 1788,

98, no. 10.— florm. Obs. ZottL 45.- £«ciU(. Katnrg. ;. , Wt.—Turt. S. N. L 1806, 61.—

Pall. Zoog. B..A. L 1831, 90, no. 31 {ermitteum),—JDetm. Mamm. i. 1890, 180, na 977 ; Kouv.
Diet, xix, 376; Enoy. M«tb. pL 83, f. 9, 3.—Fr. Ouv. Diet Soi. Nat xxiz, 1893,950—
Ii. Geo/. Diet CbMs.x. 919. -J>M. Man. 1837, 146.— Kcoft. Syn. 1890, 999.— i'fem. Br.
Ad. 1898, 13.— .Ten. Br. Vert 1835^ 13.— BeU, Br. Quad. 1837, 148 ) 9d ed. 1874, 191, flg.-
Selyt-L. Fn. Belg. 1843, 10.— Oray, List Mamm. Br. Mas. 1843, 6i.-8Miu, Syn.

Mamm. L 1844, 349.— AeAreiwJfc. Beise AmnrL , W.—Oi«b. Sttug. 1855, 781.— 0«rr. Cat

Bones Br. Mas. 1869, 03.—9HU, Zo(d. Oart iii. 1869, 938— tfray, P. Z. S. 1865, HI i Cat.
Cam. Br. Mas. 1869. 88.

110

NORTH AlfERICAN MUSTELIDJ!:.

MMstklS e^HlBMl a. mi T*, b. IjrKen*, am. S. N. i. 176S, 98, noa. lOo, lOfr.

Tlverr* eralnra, /STAkw, "^a. Zodl. L I8OO, 49«, pi. 99.

PHtorlM eralHM, Orif, An. Klngd. V. 18-27, 123, no. 345.— Oi««n, Br. Fosa. Hamm. , 116,

f. 40, 41, 48 (sknll).— Brand;. Wlrb. Eur. K. E. Rusal. ,94.

FatorlHS eralasil, Keyi.<t Blat. Wirb. Ear. 1840, 6»,n«K 185. —Bto*. 'Wtrb.Dbat80hl.18S7,

S29.—Jaekel, Zool. Ghtrt. xiv. 1874, 459 (albim).
Araiellnas, Oem. Quad. 1551, 852.
HePaelidlS, Seluff: Lappon. 1673, 343.

Heraeli»eHHB« Oharht. Exerolt 1677, 20.— /oimL Theatr. 1755, 153.
HemlHe, OharUv. Konv. France, ili. 1744, 134.— Brim. Quad. 1756, 243, no. 2.— Bu/. Hiat.

Kat viL 240 ; Diet Anim. iL aO.—Fr«nek.
Hemelln, Hail. Vierf. Tliiere, 1757, 455.— A O. Qm. Reiae. 11. 192, pi. 23, ill. 370.— Patt. Reiae,

1771, 129.-Jfart. ButT. Vierf. iv. 196, pi. 67.— JfiiW. .Naturayat. i. 1773, 274, pi. 14, f.5.—

Bun. Kamtavh. 1774, IK.-MarUMi, Zool. Oart. xi. 1«70, p. 878 (philological).
H«raijra*Wezel, HoutU Nat Hist Dieren, iL 1761, 206, pi. 14. f. 5.— Beiyic
BraelllBO, Seatag. Anim. Quad. ii. pi. 74, fig. from Buffon.— Ztolian.
SIMt, Erakltifr, i>«nn. Brit Z^oSL — ,84.— Engliih.
BOMlet (summer), Fi-eneh.—\nU%o, AmelllM, jrpanifft.— AmclllBO, itotian.— Lekatt,

Swedish.— Qronostf, Poligh.-GnrutmM, Ruttian.

{b. Ameriean rtifereneet.)

a. erminea. <

HlUteU erninea, Font. PbiL Traiia. Ixii. 1772, 373.— Ifarton, Fn. Amer. 1825, 62.— Oodman,
Am. N. H. L 1831, 193.— TAomps. N. H. Verm. 1853, 31.— fliiU, Canad. Kat and OeoL yL
1861, 295.

Mustela ermlOM var. amerimna, Qray, P. Z. S. 1865, 111; Cat Cam. Br. Mna. 1869, 89.

PatoriUS ermtnea, Aui. it Baeh. Q. N. A. iL 1851,56, pL59.— r Wood. Sitgr. Rep. 1853,44
(Indian Territory).— AU. Bull M. C. Z. L 1870, 167 (critical).— 2tiUinj;«, Canad. Kat and
OeoL iL 1857, 455 (biographical).— AUen, Pr. Boat Soo. K. H. xiiL 1869, 183.

PutorlUB noTeboraeensls, De Kay, Rep. K. Y. Survey, 1840, 18; K. Y. ZooL iL 1842, 36, pL 12,
f 2 (winter) and pL 14, f. 2 (aammer).- fmfmww, Rep. Quad. Maaa. 1840, 45.— Bd. M.
K. A. 1857, 166, pi. 36, f. 3 (skull).- f «nn. Tr. HL State Agrio. Soo. 1853-4, 578.-Bo««,
Canad. Kat and GeoL tL 1861, 441.— J/emm. Arch, t Katurg. 1861, 220.- Ferz. K. A.
Sftug. 1862, U.—Gapin, Tr. Kov. Scot lust iL 1870, 15, SO.— Sam. Ann. Rep.lMaaa.
Agric. fur 1861, 1862, 156, pL 1, f. 1.— Amet, BulL Minn. Acad. Kat ScL 1874, 69.

0. eicognani.)

MHBtela (Putorlag) erailnea, Bieh. F. B. A. L 1839, 46.

Mustela erninea. Thompi. K. H. Vermont, 1853, 31.

Mustela cIcogBaal, ^. Charleaw. Mag. ii. 1838, 37; Fn. Ithl. 183^ auk M. boeeamda.—

Wiegm. Arch. 1839, 423.— Oray, Cat Mamm. Br. Mna. 195.
PntorlUS elcasil«al,Bd. M. K. 4. 1857, 161.— Aieftloy, P. R. R. Rep. xiL pt iL 1859, 92.— 0^>m,

Tr. Kov. Soot Inst iL 1870^ 13, 50.— ifoin. Ann. Rep. Maaa. Agrie. fbr 1861, 1862, pL 1, f. 6.
Miutela richanlsoal, Bp. Charleaw. Mag. ii. 1838, 38 (baaed on Richardaon).— Ofay, P. Z. S.

1865, 118: Cat Carn. Br. Mas. 1860, 90.
PutOPlM rlUMmlSOBt, JUak. Zo«L Beeohey'a Voy. 1839, 10*.— Bd. M. K. A. 1857, 164.— <7roy.

Cat. Mamm. Br. Mna. 195.- <8am. Rep. Maaa. Agrio. for 1861, 1868, 158, pL 1, f. 3, 5, 7.— Bow,

Canad. Kat MdtJeoL vL 1861, 441.-<H{ptn, Tr. Kov. Scot Inat i: ^370, 1959.- (?) SUv. U.

a GeoL Sorv. T«t. 1870, 461 (Wyoming).- AflMt, BnU. Minn. Aoad. Kat Soi. 1874, 69.
MB»t»la tmni And. <e Bodt J. A. K. S. P. vUi. pt iL 1843, 288.- Be Kay, K. Y. Z. L 1849, 35 —

ira0i. Wiegai. Aitth. 1843, Bd. iL 38.
M«atel» (Sale) ftaea, SMtu, Syn. Mamm. L 1844, 348.
PatiOriM rBBCttfl, Avd. a Bach. Q. K. A. ilL 1853, 834, pi. 148.
PBtMffl* «Clin» J ttd. <£ Baeh. q. K. A. ilL 189;<, 184, pL 1 10.— Kftm. Tr. nilnois State Agrio.

Soa fbr 1853-4, 1855, 578 (Illinois).
PBt«ri«a 1i«bM« Bd. M. K. A. 1857. 173 (KamtMhatka and SIbeiria).
PatorlNB tmlBca far. kaael, Gray, P. Z. S. 186S, 111 ; Cat earn. Br. Mna. 1869, 89.

Hab. — ^Arotogiea : Earope, Asia, and America, uortb to the limit of exist-

i.l

CHABACTERS OF PUTORIOUS ERMINEA.

Ill

ence of Mrreatrial Mammalfl. In Americb, sonth to very nearly the soathern
border of the United States, bat no speoimeus seen from the Qulf States,
New Mexico, Arizona, or Soathern California. The range meets that of P.
hrasilieHgia, which conducts the gen is into South America.

Specific characters. — Length of head and body 8-11, of tener 9-10 inches ;
of tail-vertebr»B 2-5 inches, averaging 3^-4, only exceptionably passing the
first-named limits. Tail at all seasons brnshy, conspicuously black-tipped
for i-i, generally about f, its total length. In summer, dull mahogany-
brown above, pale sulphury-yellow below ; in winter, in most regions pure
white all over except the black end of the tail, tinged in places with sul-
phury-yellow. Caudal vertebriB 17 or 18 (Garrard).

Discmsion of specific characters and relationships.

lu entering upon the sabject of the Ermines, the following
prmnonendaj which will be attempted to be proven in the
course of the article, will assist to an appreciation of the
points of the discussion : —

1. The Ermines of Europe, Asia, and America are specifi-
cally identical.

2. None of the supposed characters which have been relied
upon to separate them have any existence in nature except as
peculiarities of individual specimens examined.

3. The American Ermines are of two forms according to size
alone, which in the extremes stand widely apart, but which
grade insensibly into each other.

4. Within certain limits (to be hereafter defined), length of
the whole animal, length of tail, both absolutely and relatively
to that of body, and length of the black portion, either abso-
lutely or relatively to that of the tail, are utterly fallacious as
a means of specific diagnosis.

5. No question of coloration, of stoutness of body, of shape
of ear, of furriness of feet, of character of pelage, and the like,
can enter into the question, since such details are proven fortui-
tous circumstances of sex, age, season, locality, or merely hormal
individual variability.

I have before me a considerable suite of specimens of the
Ermine, taken at various seasons in Great Britain, France,
Germany, Sweden, Siberia, and Kamtschatka, together with
an immense colliaction from all portions of North America
inhabited by the animal. I may therefore set forth my conclu-
sions without hesitation. The Ermine is the same animal in
Europe, Asia, and America. Bespccting the various trivial and
insignificant distinctions which Gray and others have sought
to establish, upon obviously insufficient material and inadequate

112

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

investigation, it may be stated anequivocally that they fail as
bases of specific or even varietal separation. Not that the
alleged trifling dilferenoes do not exist ; I can find them all and
others besides : bat they occur equally in the specimens from
all countries, are not in the least correlated with any supposed
geographical limits, and are, in short, an expression merely of
the normal individual variability of the animal. As perfect
duplicates as I ever examined came from Alaska and Northern
Europe respectively: in all those nice points of pelage, shades
of color, &c., which the practiced eye recognizes, they are
more exactly alike than, for example, several specimens from
England and France are among themselves. Every point which
has been seized upon to separate an American from the Old
World animal is nullified by sufficient series of specimens.

In seeking either resemblances or differences in the nicer
minor points, we must not look at the animals as limited by
certain continental areas, nor in any way by longitude : experi-
ence proves that this would be useless. A creature of thoroughly
and conspicuously circumpolar distribution, extending probably
as near the pole as any land Mammal, it is modified, when
changed at all, by latitude, as expressed in the climate to which
it is subjected, state of its food-supply, &c. These points are
thoroughly understood in the commercial world by those whose
wits are sharpened by their pecuniary interests; and it is
surprising that some naturalists have failed to appreciate them.

The existence in North America of the true Ermine being
established, there yet remains the question whether there be
not also in this country other species of the same type, for we
must not hastily assume that, because we have the true Er-
mine, all our other Stoats must be identical with it.

Throwing out of consideration the quite different P. longi-
eattda^ three species have of late years been currently recog-
nized. These are the P. nov^oracenm of De Kay, P. richarA'
soni of Bonaparte (= agilis Aud. and Bach.), and P. oieognani
of Bonaparte {=fu8ous A. and B.). Of the first-named it may
be said, simply, that it is based upon the ordinary United States
animal, of dimensions exactly corresponding to an average
English specimen, for instance, and not otherwise different.
This may be accepted as a convenient standard of comparison
for the ordinary United States animal, identical with that from
corresponding latitudes in the Old World. The P. richardsoni
of Bonaparte was originally a mere presumptive attempt to

CHARACTERS OF PUTORIUS ERMINEA.

113

separate the Eriuine of America, being based upon P. erminea
of liicbardsoD, who does not bint at any supposed distinction
from the Old World animal, and whose description and
measurements indicate identity with ordinary P. erminea. Later,
the name was adopted by Prof. Baird for specimens from Massa-
chusetts and northward, considerably smaller than the average
(8 inches), but with proportions of body and tail much as usual.
P. agilia of Audubon and Bach man is obviously the same as
Baird's richardsoni. Specimens from Massachusetts and north-
ward, of about the same size, but shorter tail, were separated
by Baird as P. cicognani. He compares richardsoni with oicog-
nani as follows : — " This species is readily distinguished from
P. cicognani by the longer tail, the vertebrie alone of which are
half the length of the body." Measurements of the tail-vertebra)
of P. cicognani given range from 2.25 to 3.00.

As a matter of fact, I find the tails to present all the several
dimensions given by Baird, together with other intermediate
dimensions, constituting an unbroken series from the shortest
to the longest ; and with additional dimensions which connect
them as closely with the largest exami^lcs of " novehoracensis ".
It will be observed from Baird's tables that the difference
among the various examples of ^^ cicognani ^^ (2.25 to 3.00 =
0.75) is about the same as that supposed to distinguish rich-
ardsoni (3.00 as against 4.00). In regard to total size, the same
minute gradations are before me, from specimens scarcely 8
inches long to others over 10. The points of relative lengths
of the black tip, amount of white on the upper lip, &c., are
wholly matters of individual variability, to be thrown out of the
discussion. It may be said in brief that the American Ermines
are inseparably connected by the most minute intergradations
from the smallest and shortest-tailed to the opposite extreme.

This fact ascertained, however, should not blind us to the
equally notable fact of the existence of such differences. All
the points laid down by Baird are substantiated. * There are
the larger and smaller Weasels, living side by side, in New
York and Massachusetts, for instance — the one scarcely 8 inches
long, with the tail-vertebrae under 3, and the other 11 inches,
with the tail over 5. And I find the same thing to hold through-
out the country to the Arctic Ocean. The P. hand of Baird, a
type of which is before me, is merely one of these smaller
Ermines from Arctic regions. The author indeed says it

is about the size of the P. cicognani, " which it otherwise greatl v
8 m

114

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

resembles and represents". The point I make is, that it is im-
possible to draw any dividing line between the extremes.
Whatever character, or whatever set of characters, we assume
as deflnitive,is instantly negatived by sufflcientmaterial. There
is no dividing line. The differences may be relegated to the cate-
gory of individual variability in size ; and as such they possess
for the zoologist quite as much interest as if they were " specific
characters". To facilitate the recognition and handling of this
range of variation, I have above thrown the synonyms in two
batches, assorting them as far as practicable ; though it must
always be remembered that the name refers, in most cases, not
to either extreme, but to various intermediates, so that exact
location of the names is in the nature of the case impossible.
The smaller Stoat may be recognized, by those who desire to
give it a name, as P. crminea var. cicognani.

So far from there being anything remarkable or exceptional
in this, it seems that a similar case occurs in Europe. Though
I am not cognizant of any species based upon this distinction
in size, the specimens before me indicate the same range of
variation. Thus, one from France, in winter pelage, and there-
fore full-grown, is quite as small as typical cicognani; for all
I can discover, it is as nearly identical with a small Massachu-
setts skin as if the two had been born in the same litter.*

Those engaged in investigating the points at issue here
should not fail to consult, further, Mr. Allen's paper upon the
subject above quoted. It will be found an admirable historical'
summary of the case, an acute analysis of imaginary distinc-
tions, and a logical conclusion. With the exception of the case
of P. hmgicauda, which Mr. Allen had not seen, his views are
substantially the same as those I have since been led to adopt
from my own studies, though I would lay a little more stress
upon the actually existing differences than he was inclined to
do when arguing solely against that absence of specific distinc-
tion in which I wholly agree with him. I wish to here bring
out the differences as strongly as he did the resemblances. Since
the point at issue is entirely a matter of dimensions, relative
and absolute,the following table of measurements is presented
without comment as a fair resume of the whole question : —

* " Earam inter Americes aninialia <iuoqn» meminit Charleeoix hist, de la
Nonv. France vol. iii. p. 134. Statnra ibi paulo minore sunt. Sic at in Daon-
rioe densieibiniis sylvis occurrent spithamam vix excedentes." — (Paixas, Zoog.
LoasO'JsiaHca i. 1811,9-2.)

MEASUREMENTS OP PUTORHJS ERMINEA.

115

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116

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

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yote on the skull and teeth.

Skull and teeth. — A deccriptioD of tbe cranium and dentition
of ibis typical species will answer well for that of the subgenus
Oale (see p. 09). The skull, though strong, is smooth in its gen-
eral superficies, lacking almost entirely the sagittal ridge and
roughness of muscular attachment which characterize the crania
of the larger forms, like fuetidus and rison for instance. The
forehead is turgid and convex in profile ; the muzzle very short,
swollen, and nearly vertically truncate. The zygomata are very
slender, regularly arched throughout; the anterior root is a
thin flaring plate, perforated by a large foramen anteorbitale.
The cranium proper is peculiarly cylindrical rather than ovoidal;
tbe postorbital constriction is abrupt, though slight. Supra-
orbital processes are moderately developed. The palatal emar-
gination is slight; the pterygoids send out a spur to embrace
the adjacent foramen, and terminate roundly, without a hama-
lar process, so conspicuous in the larger Putorii and in Muatela,
or with only a slight one. The bullai auditorio) are very large,
llattisb, parallel rather than divergent, and not in the least
produced into a tubular meatus; on the contrary, the orifice of
the meatus shows from below as an emargination. The glen-
oid fossie have so prominent a hinder edge thr.t they seem to
present forward rather than downward.

The teeth scarcely furnish occasion for remark, as they pre-
sent no peculiarities. In a specimen before me, the' middle
upper premolar of the right side has failed to develop. This
is rather a large tooth to thus abort. Among the incisors
(much as elsewhere in this subfamily), various irregularities are
observable in different specimens, owing to the crowded state
of these small teeth. (For cranial and dental peculiarities as
compared with longieauda, see beyond.)

Description of tJie external characters.

A general description of this animal, herewith given, neces-
sarily^ embraces many points shared with its congeners. It may
be taken in amplification of the generic characters already
given, and serve as a standard of comparison for other species,
in the several accounts of which a repetition of non-essential
specific characters is by this means avoided.

In general form, the Stoat typifies a group of carnivorous
Mammals aptly called ' vermiform ', in consideration of the ex-
treme length, tenuity and mobility of the trunk, and shortness

/ /

CHARACTERS OP PUT0RIU8 ERMINKA.

117

of the limbs. Tbis olongution is specially observable iu tbe
neck, the head being set exceptionally far in front of the shoul-
ders. The trunk is nearly cylindricp.1 : it scarcely bulges in
tbe region of tbe abdominal viscera slopes a little over the
haunches, rises slightly about the shoulder muscles, is a little
contracted behind those; the neck is but little less in calibre
than the chest. The greatest circumference of body is little
more than half its length.

The head is shorter than the neck ; it is notably depressed,
especially flattened on the coronal area and under tbe throat ;
it is broad across the ears, whence it tapers with convex lateral
outline along the zygomatic region, thence contracting more
rapidly to tbe snout. The bulging of the sides of tbe head is
in great measure due to the bulk of the temporal and masset-
eric muscles, which form swollen masses meeting on the median
vertical line. This also contributes to the flattening of the
frontal outline. The width of the head across the ears is about
two-thirds its length. The eyes are rather small, situated mid-
way between the nose and ears; they glitter with changing
hues, and contribute, with the low forehead and protruding
canine teeth, to a peculiarly sinister and ferocious physiognomy.
The ample gape of the mouth, thin-lipped, reaches to below the
eyes. The nasal pad at the extremity of the muzzle, is entirely
and definitely naked; it is obscurely marked with a median
furrow. • Tbe nostrils are small, circular, with a lateral projec-
tion below. The ears are conspicuous, rising high above the
short surrounding fur ; they are rounded in contour, about as
wide across as high above the notch. Most of the auricle is
flat and closely furred both sides. The rim completes about
three-fifths of the contour. There is a conspicuous lobule
reaching half-way up the border behind. The concavity of tbe
vestibule is slight, naked, but hidden by a close-pressed pencil
of long, upright hairs from the base of tbe auricle in front, ex-
tending nearly to tbe top of the ear. Tbe back of the ear is
on the occipital cross- line.

Tbe whiskers are few but long, tbe longest reaching far be-
yond the head. A few shorter, very slender bristles spring
over tbe eye and on the malar region.

The short forelimb is stout, and not fairly separated from the
body much above the elbow. The forearm tapers rapidly to tbe
wrist, causing tbe feet to appear slender in comparison, though
they are really relatively stouter than in many unguiculate

[

11.1

118

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELlDiE.

animals. From the wrist the feet are little shorter than the
forearm ; they are broad and depressed. The 3d-4th digits are
subeqaal and longest; the 2d-5th are subequal and shorter to
the extent that their claws scarcely or not reach the base of
the claws of the longer digits. The thumb is much shorter still.
All the digits are alike clawed. The claws are moderately
developed as to length, stoutness, and curvature ; though not
properly retractile, they remain sharp, and serviceable for climb-
ing, though probably not effective weapons on the chase. The
back of the hand is always full furred, the hairs reaching about
to the ends of the claws; the terminal and marginal hairs have
a peculiar stiff bristly character, different from that of the gen-
eral pelage. But the furring of the feet, no less than the general
character of the pelage, is very largely dependent in quantity
and quality upon season and latitude. In the most boreal
specimens, in winter, the whole foot is densely hairy, like that
of a Polar Hare or Ptarmigan ; no trace of palmar tubercles is
seen. In southern and summer examples, the foot-pads are
usually distinctly visible ; and this is their character : there are
ten rounded balls on Ve foot ; one at the end of each digit (5),
four on the palm ne at the wrist (10). The latter is far

back, and nearly mc^iau, commonly overhung with fur. There
is one at the base of respectively the 1st, 2d, and 5th digits ;
and another larger, like two bulbs in one, at the bases of the
3d and 4th digits. The four strictly plantar pads are close
together, without intervening hairy spaces; that on the wrist,
like those on the ends of the digits, are isolated.

The hind limbs repeat the characters of the fore, in their
stoutness, taper, and little discrimination of the upper portion
from the trunk. The resemblance extends to the feet, which
are almost duplicates of the hands in size, shape, and in rela-
tive lengths of the digits. The same conditions of furring
occur; the tuberculation is likewise the same, except that a
tubercle corresponding to the tenth one ab »ve enumerated is
not found. But the length of the foot from heel to end of toes
is about half as much again as that of the fore foot.

The tail is of moderate length. In proportion to the length
of head and body, it is rarely if ever so short as in P. vulgaris^
or so long as in P. Unt^cauda. The vertebral portion, not includ-
ing that which runs into the body to join the sacrum, will
probably average between f and ^ the length of the body and
head; with the hairs, the proportion is about ^f. This num-

1 1

C!IAP.ACTfiRS OF PUTORIUS ERMINEA.

119

bur U cyliudrioal, with some eulargement of the brunUy black
tii>, and well furred throughout. The terminal pencil of hairs,
an iuuh and a half or two inches in length, commonly repre-
sents about half the length of the vertebral portion, and more
than half the length of the part that is black. Uut no other
portion of animars frame is so variable as this.

Of the general character of the pelage of this prixed " fur-
bearing" animal, it would be useless to speak otherwise than us
a zoiilogist. Those differences which tue whims of imperious
fashion render all-important in the co* imercial world have no
further interest for us than inasmuch as they indicate the
variable conditions resulting from season, climate, or particular
locality. Nevertheless, these points are evident to the prac-
tised eye when not altogether obscured by the furrier's art.
The rule is increase in softness, fineness, and density with
increase of latitude, and during the winter in all latitudes.
During summer and to the southward, the fur is stiffer, thinner,
and of the particular harsh gloss which comes from admixture
with longer bristly hairs — something different from the smooth
soft sheen of the opposite condition. In specimens from the
same regions, there is also observed a difference according to
freshness or worn condition of the coat, according to vigor of
the animal, and doubtless other causes.

In its summer dress, the Stoat is a good example of a " bicolor''
pattern of coloration. The upper parts are continuously and
uniformly of one color, the under of another, with strict line of
demarcation of the two. The color above ranges, according to
locality, season, or still more fortuitous circumst^Lces (as, for
example, age of the particular coat and health of the individ-
ual), from a rather light dull " yellowish " brown, to a rich dark
mahogany brown, not very different from that of a Muskrat or
Mink. The tail, excepting the black brush, agrees in color.
The shade is nearly uniform, though an intensified dorsal area
may oftea or usually be traced. Below, the animal is white,
almost invariably tiilged with sulphury-yellow — often of a
decidedly strong shade of t}"';^ color. Exceptional specimens
aside, we may say, in round ter J9S, the animal is sulphury-yellow
below — not white, as in P. vu{; v. ^ nor salmon nor buffy, as in
P. longieauda or P. frenata. The chin, throat, and insides of
the legs are usually excepted from this sulphury discoloration,
being quite purely white. The tail is invariably black-tippet*,
to the extent and in the manner already sufficiently indicated.

120

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

Now, as to the details of coloration, especially the line of
demarcation of the two bod3'-coIors, we must remember, in the
beginning, th^.^ we here have an animal which, under ordinary
conditions, turns entirely while once every year, and resumes
its bicoloration as often ; that consequently we must expect to
find skins showing every possible step of the transition ; and
that, moreover, various odd little matters of coloration arecer*
tain to appear in different oases. Taken in its perfected sum-
mer dress in average latitudes, the animal ordinarily shows a
line of demarcation, beginning at the snout, involving the edge
of the upper lip, running thence straight along the side of the
head and neck to the shoulder ; there dipping down the fore
edge of the limb to the paw, returning on the opposite border
of the limb, running thence nearly straight to the hind leg,
dipping down the outside of this also, returning to the
perinioum, there meeting its fellow. The tail all around and
upper surfaces of the paws are like the back. A slight lower-
ing of this line would leave the end of the muzzle and the
whole upper lip dark, as is frequently the case, showing how
absurd are any distinctions based on ''araonnt of white on the
upper lip". The line also frequently encroaches upon the belly,
narrowing the sulphury band. But, as might be anticipated,
the chief deviations from this complete summer dress are in
the other direction — lessening of dark area. The commonest
point here is whiteness of the paws, the dark spurs stopping at
the wrist and ankle. Another common state is whiteness of
the anal region and under surface of the tail. Frequently
light patches reach irregularly up the sides of the head, par-
ticularly about the ears. These points may be witnessed in
midsummer, and appear to be purely fortuitous — that is, not
traces of the regular change.

Coming now to this matter of the change, we find it under
several aspects. I am not now speaking of the mode of change,
but of the appearances presented at different stages. A fre-
quent state of incipient change leaves much of the snout, ears,
legs, and tail, sulpbury-white, with considerable elevation of
the general line of demarcation. This progresses until thfre
D^ay be a narrow median dorsal stripe along the whole length
of the animal. In this kind of change, the fur of the dark
parts is often found without the slightest admixture of white,
the hairs being, uniformly as dark as in summer, to the very

CONDITIONS OP THE CHANGE OP COLOR.

121

not

roots. In other cases, however, with little or no restriction of
the general dark area, this insensibly lightens by progressive
whitening of the hairs from the roots outward, at first appear-
ing merely paler brown, then white with brown streakiness of
uniform character all over. The animal finally becomes pure
white except the end of the tail. But this white is generally
tinged in places, particularly on the belly and hind quarters,
with sulphur-yellow.

Conditions of the change of color.

Much has been said of the mode in which this great change
is ett'ected, not only in the case of the Ermine, but of the Arctic
Fox, Northern Hare, Hudson's Bay Lemming, and other animals.
As I have not personally witnessed the transition, I can only
display the evidence afibrded in the writings of others. Some
contend that the change is rapid and abrupt, resulting in a few
hours, simply from lowering of temperature to a certain point.
Others argue that the change is gradually accomplished ; and
of those favoring the latter view, some maintain that the brown
coat is shed and a wliito one grown, while others hold that the
extinction of pigment is gradually effected without a renewal of
the pelage.

We will first review the evidence adduced by the author
of Bell's Quadrupeds (p. 150, seq.): — " The winter change of
color which this species so universally assumes in northern
climates .... is effected, as I believe, not by a loss of the
summer coat, a 1 the substitution of a new one for the winter,
but by the actual change of color of the existing fur. It is
perhaps not easy to offer a satisfactory theory for this phenom-
enon, but we may perhaps conclude that it arises from a similar
cause to that which produces the gray hair of senility in man,
and some other animals ; of this instances have occurred in
which the whole hair has become white in the course of a few
hours, from excessive grief, anxiety or fear ; and the access of
very sudden and severe cold has been known to produce, almost
as speedily, the winter change, in animals of those species
which are prone to it. The transition from one state of the
coat to the other does not take place through any gradation of
shade in the general hue, but by patches here and there of the
winter colour intermixed with that of summer, giving a pied cov-
ering to the animal It appears to be established that

what ever may be the change which takes place in the structure

122

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

I ;,

of the hair, upon which the alteration of colour immediately
depends, the transition froLi the summer to the winter colours
is primarily occasioned by actual change of temperature, and
not by the mere advance of the season." The author quotes
in support of his views, and as tending to confirm them, the
observations of Mr. John Hogg (Loudon's Mag. vol. v.), and
details an experiment upon a Lemming which turned white by
a few hours' exposure to severe cold.

As a supporter of the view that the change results from
renewal of the coat may be cited the eminent naturalist Mr.
Blyth, who communicates his conclusions to Mr. Bell in these
terms (op. eit. 153) : — ^'Authors are wrong in what they have
advanced respecting the mode in which this animal changes
its color, at least in autumn; for in a specimen which I lately
examined, which was killed during its autumnal change, it was
clearly perceivable that the white hairs were all new, not the
brown changed in colour."

Once again we have the minute and detailed observations of
Audubon and Bachman, made from March 6 to 23, upon an
animal they kept in confinement, and which was observed dur-
ing this period to nearly complete the change from white to the
summer colors. These authors agree with Mr. Blyth : — " We
have arrived at the conclusion, that the animal sheds its coat
twice a year, i. e., at the periods when these semi-annual
changes take place. In autumn, the summer Lair gradually
and almost imperceptibly drops out, and is succeeded by a
fresh coat of hair, which in the course of two or three weeks
becomes pure white ; while in the spring the animal undergoes
its change from white to brown in consequence of sheddiug its
winter coat, the new hairs then coming out brown."

This conflicting testimony, which might be largely added to
if this were desirable, is perhaps not so difficult to harmonize
as it appears at first sight ; nor is it in the least required to
impugn the credibility of the witnesses of observed facts. I
should state in the beginning, however, that it seems to me to be
like straining a point to find any analogy between this periodi-
cally recurring change in a healthy animal and the tardy senile
change coincident with flagging of the vital energies, or with
the sudden pathological metamorphosis due to violent mental
emotions of a kind to which, ferce naturw are not ordinarily ex-
posed. This poiut aside, I would readily agree with Mr. Bell
that subjection to sudden severe cold may materially hasten

CONDITIONS OP THE CHANGE OP COLOR.

123

the

the change. But it is to be remembered in this connection
that the difference in temperature is necessarily coordinated
more or less perfectly with the progress of the seasons, so that
it becomes in effect merely a varying element in the periodical
phenomena. The question practically narrows to this : Is the
change coincident with renewal of the coat, or is it independ-
ent of this, or may it occur in both ways ? Specimens before
mei prove the last statement. Some among them, notably those
taken in spring, show the long woolly white coat of winter in
most places, and in others present patches — generally a streak
along the back — of shorter, coarser, thinner hair, evidently of
the new spring coat, wholly dark brown. Other specimens,
notably autumnal ones, demonstrate the turuing to white of ex-
isting hairs, these being white at the roots for a varying distance,
and tipped with brown. These are simple facts not open to
question. We may safely conclude that if the requisite tem-
perature be experienced at the periods of renewal of the coat,
the new hairs will come out of the opiK)site color ; if not, they
will appear of the same color, and afterward change ; that is,
the change may or may not be coincident' with shedding.
That it ordinarily is not so coincident seems shown by the
greater number of specimens in which we observe white hairs
brown-tipped. As Mr. Bell contends, temperature is the im-
mediate controlling agent. This is amply proven in the fact
that the northern animals always change ; that in those from
iotermediate latitudes the change is incomplete, while those
from farther south do not change at all.

The good purpose subserved in the animal's economy — in
other words, the design or final cause of this remarkable alter-
ation, is evident in the screening of the creature from ob-
servation by assimilation of its color to that of the predomi-
nating feature of its surroundings. It is shielded not only from
its enemies, but from its prey as well. Another important
effect of the whiteness of its coat has been noted. Mr. Bell
has clearly stated the case : — ^< It is too well known to require
more than an allusion, that although the darker colours absorb
heat to a greater degree than lighter ones, so that dark-coloured
clothing is much warmer than light-coloured, when the wearer
is exposed to the sun's rays — the radiation of heat is also
never greater from dark than from light-coloured surfaces, and
consequently the animal heat from icithin is more completely
retained by a white than by a dark covering ; the temperature

124

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

therefore of an aDimal having white fnr, would continue more
equable than that of one clothed in darker colours, although the
latter would enjoy a greater degree of warmth whilst exposed
to the sun's influence. Thus the mere presence of a degree of
cold, sui&cient to prove hurtful if not fatal to the animal, is
itself the immediate cause of such a change in its condition as
shaH at once negative its injurious influence."

The latitudes in which the ?ha.:)ge occurs in this country in-
elude the northern tier of States, and the entire region north-
ward. In this area, the change is regular, complete, and uni-
versal. Complete change is also usually effected — but not
always — nearly to the southern limits of dispersion in mount-
ainous regions. White winter specimens are the rule in MaS'
sachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania ; and I have seen
others, pure white, from Illinois, Wyoming Territory, and Cal-
ifornia (Fort Crook). For the Southern States, from which I
have no white examples, I will quote Audubon and Bachman : —
" We received specimens from Virginia obtained in January, in
which the colours of the back had undergone no change, and
remained brown ; and from the upper and middle districts of
South Carolina, killed at the same period, when no change had
taken place ; and it was stated that this, the only species of
Weasel found there, remained brown through the whole year.
. . . Those from the valleys of the Virginia mountains have
broad stripes of brown on the back, and specimens from Abbe-
ville and Lexington, South Carolina, have not undergone the
slightest change." It may be presumed that in the debatable
ground some individuals may change and others not, and that,
again, character of successive seasons may make a difference
in this respect.

General history and habits of the species.

For the meaning of the name of this animal, we may refer
again to Bell : — " The derivation of the word Stoat is very prob-
ably, as Skinner has it, from the Belgic 'Stout', bold; and the
name is so pronounced in Cambridgeshire and in some other
parts of England to the present time. Gwillim, in his * Dis-
play of Heraldrie ', gives the following etymology of Ermine : —
'This is a little beast, lesse than a Squirrell, that hath his
being in the woods of the land of Armenia, whereof hee taketh
his name.' " The latter word is sometimes written in English
♦ermin' or 'ermelin'; and the same term occurs in several

HISTORY AND HABITS OP. THE ERMINE.

125

other languages, as in the French 'hermine', the Italian 'ar-
mellino', the Spanish ' armino', Portuguese 'armiuho', Dutch
<herine!yn', German, Danish, and Swedish ^hermelin', and
Armoric *erniinicq'.* Barbarous nations of the northern por-
tions of the globe would appear to have each their own name
for an animal well known to them as an object of the chase
and of profit; names of very various signification, according
to the diffiBrent points which attracted their attention. Thus,
Pallas enumerates nearly fifty names, most of which have no
evident connection with each other. The technical appellation
of the animal is derived from putor, a bad smell. Foetoriua,
proposed as a substitute for Putorius by Keyserliug and
Blasius, has the same signification. The name is highly appro-
priate ; for the stench emitted by the animals, of both sexes,
is horribly offensive at times, as whan under the influence of
fear, anger, or the sexual passion; it is only less penetrating
and more fugitive than that of the Skunk itself. It may be
emitted at pleasure, as in case of the Skunk, and is scarcely
perceptible, except at certain periods, when the animal is at
rest. The source of the odor is a peculiar fluid contained in
special glands situated about the anus, opening upon two con-
ical papilliB, one on each side of the anus, just within the
verge of the opening. On slightly everting the anus, these
papilla} may be readily perceived ; slight pressure will cause
them to stand erect, while at the same time the fluid may be
caused to spirt several inches in a fine spray, or even trickle
in a stream about the parts.t

The female Ermine is provided with these glands, the same
as the male. She is much smaller than the opposite sex ; but,
this and her sexual characteristics aside, she is quite identical.
She makes her home in an underground burrow, beneath the
stump of a tree, under a pile of rocks, in a decaying log, or
the hollow of a tree trunk, and brings forth a large litter.
The number at ti birth is, however, very variable ; four or five
may be an average number. They have been found newly
born from March to June, according to latitude, but are ordi-
narily produced in April or May. In northern latitudes, the
litter may be born while the fnmale is still in her white pelage,
as in the case mentioned b^ Pal!as ; he found two young of a
white mother, early in May, in the hollow of a tree. The

* Compare ospor.ially vuu Martens, anie&, p. 2S.
t Compare anted, p. I'ii.

12G

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELI1)-E.

cavity was separated into several compartments, arranged
witb some care. One of these contained a heap of fresh mice
and shrews, another a quantity of the rejected skins, feet, and
tails of these animals. The nest was extremely foal. The cry
of the young is represented by Pallas to be like that of a
newly-born kitten. At the age of ten or twelve days, the little
animals were ashy above and white beneath. The mother,
courageous in defence of her offspring, could scarcely be driven
away, and followed the captor of her brood for a long time.
The same author details the methods of capturing Ermine in
Siberia — by me^.ns of a noose set at the entrance of their
burrows, of spring-traps (at least so I understand by decipulis
compressoriis ine«' "Us), and of a bent stick with slip-knot, set
off with a thread crossing their pathway, and placed before a
hollow made in the snow where the bait is put. The skins,
used for vestments, were sent, he says, chiefly to China, Turkey,
and parts of Europe, being little used in Bussia, where the
tails, the principal ornaments, were reserved by law as the ex-
clusive perquisite of royalty {privilegic Majeatatis reservaio)).
The body was withdrawn from the skin through a single incision
across the posteriors; and it is added that not even those
tribes '' who eat all sorts of nasty things " will consume the
flesh, so thoroughly impregnated is it with the fetor. The
weight of a male is stated to be from i\ve to eight ounces,
more or less ; of the female, scarcely four.

Mr. Hogg's observations on the British Stoats, in Loudon's
Magazine, v., 718 et seq., as already mentioned, relate chiefly
to the changes of pelage as affected by temperature rather
than season ; but further remarks, bearing upon some of the
habits of the animal, will be found interesting: — '^ Whilst walk-
ing along a footpath in a field, one day in the last week of
December, 1831, I observed a Stoat, or a Weasel, coming in
the same path towards me. I immediately stood still, and, as
he approached, I found that he carried his nose in the same
relative bearing to the ground, and was in the act of running
the scent of some bird, or other small animal, exactly after the
manner of a dog *on scent', and in chase after game. His
whole attention bein^ to the ground, with his head down, he
did not see me until close to me, when, suddenly catching
sight of me, he turned a little aside, stopped short, looked up,
and then scampered back along the path, with his tail erected
into somewhat of a carve, from the black end of which I was

HISTORY AND HABITS OP THE ERMINE.

127

arranged
'esh mice
feet, and

The cry
hat of a
the little

mother,
)e driven
mg time.
Irmine in
of their

deeipuli8
knot, set

before a
^e skins,
, Turkey,
here the
s the es-
'servat(B).
i incision
en those
ume the
ttr. The

ounces,

jQudon's
) chiefly
3 rather
of the
st walk-
w^eek of
ruing in
and, as
le same
running
/fter the
le. His
own, he
latching
ked up,
erected
h I was

able to distinguish him from a Weasel, and, bounding into a
hedge near the path, he there concealed himself; whence he
would probably go forth again, when he perceived that all was
safe, and would perhaps follow up the scent from which I
had disturbed him. I was thus an eyewitness to the fact of a
Stoat being able to pursue its prey on scent, and I have little
doubt that nature has given the sense of smelling, in a similar
degree, to the Weasel and Polecat; which will therefore
readily account for their being go destructive to game, and
chiefly for their instinct in finding the nests of partridges and
pheasants during the breeding season.

"... A Stoat does sometimes take to swimming. Walk-
ing on a fine evening in the spring, a few years ago, by the
banks of the Wear, between Schincliffe Bridge and Old Dur-
ham, I noticed an animal swimming in the water; and, making
haate to the place, which was just below the same bank
whereon I was walking, I saw that it was a Sto»t; it then swam
gently across the river, which is there both tieep and of con-
siderable width, to the opposite bank, where, owing to the
thick brushwood, I lost sight of it. In the act of swimming,
it lifted its head and neck well out of water, like a dog ; and
so diifered from a water rat, which nsually keeps its head
close along the surface." That the Stoat readily takes to the
vater, and swims well, has, however, been long known. Pallas
makes this statement : " habitat .... uecnon circa aquas,
in quibns e iam prsedam non illibenter quosrit, optime natans",
and siraila* testimony is afforded by the writings of various
authors, i^vudubon, however, says nearly the reverse: — "The
Ermine avoids water, and if forcibly thrown into it, swims
awkwardly like a cat." But this should be taken with qualifi-
cation, like the same author's further statement, that the ani-
mal "does not, like the Fisher and Pine Marten, pursue its
prey on trees, and seems never to ascond them from choice,
but from dire necessity, when closely pursued by its impla-
cable enemy, the dog." The Ermine indeed is neither so
aquatic as its congener, the Mink, nor so much at home on
trees as the Martens ; but it has too frequently been observed
in such situations to admit the doubt that it both swims and
climbs with ease ant ./ithout reluctance.

The always pleasing pen of Mr. Wm. Macgillivray has fur-
nished us with the following general account of the habits of
the Stoat as observed in Great Britain : — " It appears that in

128

NOBTU AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

England geuorall.v the Ermine is less common than the ^y ea-
sel; but in Scotland, even to the south of the Frith of Forth, it
is certainly of more frequent occurrence than that species; and
for one Weasel I have seen at least five or six Ermines. It
frequents stviny places and thickets, among which it finds a
secure retreat, as its agility enables it to outstrip even a dog
in a short race, and the slimnoss of its body allows it to enter
a very small aperture. Patches of furze, in particular, afford
it perfect security, and it sometimes takes possession of a
rabbit's burrow. It preys on game and other birds, from the
grouse and ptarmigan dowuwards, sometimes attacks poultry
or sucks their eggs, and is a determined enemy to rats and
moles. Young rabbits And hares frequently become victims to
its rapacity, and even full-grown individuals are sometimes
destroyed by it. Although in general it does not appear to
hunt by scent, yet it has been seen to trace its prey like a dpg,
following its track with certainty. Its motions are elegant,
and its appearance extremely animated. It moves by leaping
or bounding, and is capable of running with great speed,
although it seldom trusts itself beyond the immediate vicinity
of cover. Under the excitement of pursuit, however, its cour-
age is surprising, for it will attack, seize by the throat and
cling to a grouse, hare or other animal, strong enough to carry
it off; and it does not hesitate on occasion to betake itself to
the water. Sometimes, when met with in a thicket or stony
l)lace, it will stand and gaze upon thi) intruder, as if conscious
of security ; and, although its boldness has been exaggerated
in the popular stories which have made their way into books
of natural history, it cannot be denied that, in proportion to
its size, it is at least as courageous as the tiger or the lion."

With a mind preoccupied in contemplation of the exploits of
the chase of great Carnivora — those grand exhibitions of pred-
atory instincts on the part of some of the strongest beasts,
one is apt to overlook, or at least to underestimate, the compara-
tive prowess of some lesser animals. Doubtless, the entomolo-
gist would give instances of equal courage and perseverance
in pursuit of prey, of vastly greater comparative strength and
skill in its capture, and superior destructiveness. Probably
the great mass of insect-eating animals — an immense and
varied host^— are in no whit behind in this respect. And in
noting the instincts and predacious habits of the Weasels and
Stoats, we observe that, to grant them only equal courage and

HI8T0BT AND HABITS OF THE ERMINE.

129

equal comparative prowess, we must nevertheless accede to
them a wider and more searching range of active operations
against a greater variety of objects, more persevering and
more enduring powers of chase, and a higher grade of pure
destructiveness, taking more life than is necessary for immedi-
ate wants. The great cats are mainly restricted each to partic-
ular sources of food supply, which they secure by particular
modes of attack; and, their hunger satisfied, they quietly
await another call of nature. Not so, however, with the Wea-
sels. No animal or bird, below a certain maximum of strength,
or other means of self-defence, is safe from their ruthless and
relentless pursuit. The enemy assails them not only upon the
ground, but under it, and on trees, and in the water. Swift
and sure-footed, he makes open chase and runs down his prey ;
keen of scent, he tracks them, and makes the fatal spring
upon them unawares ; lithe and of extraordinary slenderness
of body, he follows the smaller through the intricacies of their
hidden abodes, and kills them in their homes. And if he does
not kill for the simple love of taking life, in gratification of
superlative bloodthirstiness, he at any rate kills instinctively
more than he can possibly require for his support. I know not
where to find a parallel among the larger Carnivora. Tet once
more, which one of the larger animals ^ /ill defend itself or its
young at such enormous odds f A glance at the physiognomy
of the Weasels would suffice to betray their character. Tho
teeth are almost of the highest known raptorial character; ha
jaws are worked by enormous masses of muscles covering all
the side of the skull. The forehead is low, and the nose is
sharp; the eyes are small, penetrating, cunnr^g, and glitter
with an angry green light. There is something peculiar, more-
over, in the way that this fierce face surmounts a body extraor-
di'>arily wiry, lithe, and muscular. It ends a remarkably long
and slender neck in such way that it may be held at right
a gle with the axis of the latter. When the creature is glan-
ci.ig around, with the neck stretched up, and flat triangular
head bent forward, swaying from one side to the other, we
catch the likeness in a moment — it is the image of a serpent.

In further illustration of the character of the Stoat, I con-
tinue with an extract from Audubon, which represents nearly
all that has appeared to the point in this country : —

" Graceful in form, rapid in his movements, and of untiring
industry, he is withal a brave and fearless little fellow; con-

,i.|

130

NOBTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

Hcioas of secarity within the windings of his retreat among the
logs, or heap of stones, "lie permits ns to approach him within
a few feet, then suddenlj'' withdraws his head ; wc remain still
for a moment, and he once more returns to his post of observa-
tion, watching curiously our every motion ; seeming willing to
claim association so long as we abstain from becoming hia per-
secutor.

" Yet with all these external attractions, this little Weasel
is fierce and bloodthirsty, possessing an intuitive propensity
to destroy every animal and bird within its reach, some of
which, such as the American rabbit, the ruffed grouse and
domestic fowl, are ten times its own size. It is a notorious
and hated depredator of the poultry house, and we have
known forty weH-grown fowls to have been killed in one
night by a single Ermine. Satiated with the blood of proba-
bly a single fowl, the rest, like the flock slaughtered by the
wolf in the sheepfold, were destroyed in obedience to a law of
nature, an instinctive propensity to kill. We have traced the
footsteps of tbis bloodsucking little animal on the snow, pur-
suing the trail of the American rabbit, and although it could
not overtake its prey by superior speed, yet the timid hare
soon took refuge in the hollow of a tree, or in a hole dug by
the Marmot, or Skunk. Thither it was pursued by the Ermine
and destroyed, the skin and other remains at the mouth of the
burrow bearing evidence of the fact. We observed an Ermine,
after having captured a hare of the above species, first behead
it and then drag the body some twenty yards over the fresh
fallen snow, beneath which it was concealed, and the snow
lightly pressed down over it ; the little prowler displaying
thereby a habit of which we became aware for the first time
on that occasion. To avoid a dog that was iu close pursuit, it
mounted a tree and laid itself flat on a limb about twenty feet
from the ground, from which it was finally shot. We have
ascertained by successful experiments, repeated more than a
hundred times, that the Ermine can be employed, in the man-
ner of the Ferret of Europe, in driving our American rabbit
from the burrow into which it has retreated. In one instance
the Ermine employed had been captured only a few days be-
fore, and its canine teeth were filed in order to prevent its
destroying the rabbit ; a cord was placed around its neck to
secure its return. It pursued the hare through all the wind-
ings of its burrow, and forced it to the month, where it could

HISTORY AND HABITfl OF THE ERMINE.

131

be taken in a net, or by the band. In winter, after a snow
storm, the ruffed grouRe has a habit of plunging into the loose
8U0W, where it remains at times for one or two days. In this
passive state the Ermine sometimes detects and destroys it.

"Notwithstanding all these mischievous and destructive
habits, it is doubtful whether the Ermine is not rather a bene-
factor than an enemy to the farmer, ridding his granaries and
fields of many depredators on the product of his labour, that
would devour ten times the value of the poultry and eggs
which, at long and uncertain intervals, it occasionally destroys.
A mJMsion appears to have been assigned it by Providence to
lessen the rapidly multiplying number of mice of various spe-
cies arid the smaller rodentia.

"The White-footed Mouse is destructive to the grains in the
wheat fields and in the stacks, as well as the nurseries of fruit-
trees. Le Conte's Pine Mouse is injurious to the Irish and
sweet potatoe crops, causing more to rot by nibbling holes in
them than it consumes, and Wilson's Meadow-mouse lessens
our annual product of hay by feeding on the grasses, and by its
long and tortuous galleries among tLeir roots.

" Whenever an Ermine has taken up its residence, the mice
in its vicinity for half a mile around have been found rapidly
to diminish in number. Their active little enemy is able to
force its thin vermiform body into the burrows, it follows them
to the end of their galleries, and destroys whole families. We
have on several occasions, after a light snow, followed the trail
of this Weasel through fields and meadows, and witnessed the
Immense destruction which it occasioned in a single night. It
enters every hole under stumps, logs, stone heaps and fences,
and evidences of its bloody deeds are seen in the mutilated re-
mains of the mice scattered on the snow. The little Ghipping
or Ground Squirrel, Tamias Lysteri [sc. striatus] takes up its
residence in the vicinity of the grain fields and is known to carry
o£f in its cheek pouches vast quantities of wheat and buckwheat,
to serve as winter stores. The Ermine instinctively discovers
these snug'retreats, an^ in the space of a few minutes destroys
a whole family of these beautiful little Tamice; without even
resting awhile until it has consumed its now abundant food, its
appetite craving for more blood, as if impelled by an irresistible
destiny, it proceeds in search of other objects on which it may
glut its insatiable vampire-like thirst. The Norway rat and the
Common Ilouse Mouse takepossession of our barns,wheat stacks,

132

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

and granaries, and destroy vast quantities of grain. In some in-
stances the farmer is relaotantly compelled to pay even more
than a titbe in contributions towards the support of these pests.
Let however an Ermine find its way into these barns and gran-
aries, and there take up its winter residence, and the havoc
which is made among the rats and mice will soon be observa-
ble. The Ermine pursues them to their farthest retreats, and
in a few weeks the premises are entirely free from their depre-
dations. We once placed e. half domesticated Ermine in an out-
house infested with rats, shutting up the holes on the outside
to prevent their escape. The little animal soon commenced his
work of deHtruction. The squeaking of the rata was heard
throughout the day. In the evening, it came out licking its
mouth, and seemed like a hound after a long chase, much fa-
tigued. A board of the floor was raised to enable us to ascer-
tain the result of our experiment, and an immense number of
rata were observed, which, although they had been killed in
different parts of the building, had been dragged together, form-
ing a compact heap.

" The Ermine is then of immense benefit to the farmer. We
are of the opinion that it has been over-hated and too indis-
criminately persecuted. If detected in the poultry house, there
is some excuse for destroying it, as, like the dog that has once
been caught in the sheepfold, it may return to commit further
depredations; but when it has taken up its residence under stone
heaps and fences, in his fields, or his barn, the farmer would
consult his interest by suffering it to remain, as by thus invit-
ing it to .. home, it will probably destroy more formidable ene-
mies, relieve him from many petty annoyances, and save him
many a bushel of grain."

The same author, alluding to the Weasel's want of shyness,
and its ready capture in any kind of trap, continues with a
matter that may next interest us — its relative abundance in
different localities : — " This species does not appear to be very
abundant anywhere. We have seldom found more than two or
three on any farm in the Northern or Ea^ern States. We have
ascertained that the immense number of tracks often seen in the
snow in particular localities were made by a single animal, as
by capturing one, no signs of other individuals were afterwards
seen. We have observed it most abundant in stony regions ;
in Dutchess and Ontario counties in New York, on the hills of
Connecticut and Vermont, and at the foot of the AUeghanies

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE ERMINE.

133

iu Pennsylvania and Virginia. It is solitary in its habits, as
we have seldom seen a pair together except in the rutting season.
A family of yonng, however, are apt to remain in the same
locality antil antumn. In winter they separate, and we are
inclined to think that they do not hnnt in couples or in packs
like the wolf, bnt that, like the bat and the mink, each indi-
vidnal pursues its prey without copartnership, and hunts for
its own beneflt." In Massachusetts, according to Allen, it is
comparatively common. I myself saw none in Labrador during
my summer visit ; bnt it must be quite abundant, to judge firom
the number of skins I saw in possession of the natives at various
places. According to Richardson, " Ermine-skins formed part
of the Canada exports in the time of Gharlevoix ; bnt they have
so sunk in value, that they are said not to repay the Hudson's
Bay Company the expense of collecting them, and very few are
brought to the country from that quarter.'' Nevertheless, it
would appear that the Ermine is much more abundant in British
America generally than it is in the United States. Over three-
fourths of the large miscellaneous collection of skins we have
examined in trie preparation of this article came from this conn-
try and from Alaska. The writer last mentioned speaks of It
as "common'', and adds that it often domesticates itself in the
houses of the fur traders, where it may be heard the live-long
night pursuing the white-footed mouse. Up to a certain limit of
latitude it would appear to increase in numbers to the north-
ward. The abundance of an Ermine, either the present or suc-
ceeding species, on the Missouri is attested by the regalia of
ceremony of some of the Indian tribes — picturesque costumes
decorated with the tails, in rude imitation of royal fashion.

Like a majority of thoroughly predacious animals, the Ermine
is somewhat nocturnal ; that is to say, it is active and success-
ful in the dark. Nevertheless, it is too often abroad in the day-
time, either in sport or on the chase, to warrant our reckoning
it among the truly nocturnal Carnivores. In the choice and
construction of its retreats we see little evidence of burrowing
instincts, or, indeed, of any considerable fossorial capacity. It
retreats beneath stone heaps, under logs and stnmps, in hol-
lows of trees, and also in true underground burrows, though
these, it should be observed, are usually those made by Bodents
or other burrowers whom it has driven off or destroyed. Nev-
ertheless, there is evidence that the animal sometimes digs.
Thus Captain Lyon, as rendered by Bichardson, states, that he

134

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

: I'll :-!

■^M'

Nil

obroTved a curious kind of burrow made by Ermines in the snow,
<< which was pushed up in the same manner as the tracks of
moles through the earth in England. These passages run in a
serpentine direction, and near the hole or dwelling place the
circles are multiplied, as if to render the approach more intri-
cate." Audubon has a passage of similar e£fect :— " We have
frequently observed where it had made long galleries in the
deep snov for twenty or thirty yards, and thus in going from
one burrow to another, instead of travelling over the surface, it
had constructed for itself a kind of tunnel beneath."

Accounts of different writers indicate a great variation in the
number of young produced at a birth — from two to twelve. We
may safely assume that these are unusual extremes, the aver-
age litter being five or six. As in case of the Mink, the rutting
season is early; in the United States, during a part of Febru-
ary and Maruh. Young have been noted, toward the southern
extreme of the range of the species, before the end of March ;
but most are produced in May or late in April. Without defi-
nite information respecting the period of gestation, we may sur-
mise this to be about six or seven weeks. Information is also
wanting of the length of time that the young nurse or require
to have food brought them by the parents.

On the distribution of the Ermine in the Old World.*

" Georgi (toe. cit. [i. e., Geogr. Phys. Besch. iii. 6], p. 1539)
indicates, with regard to the distribution of the Ermine in
Eussia, the southern temperate, and the cold regions almost
to the Arctic Ocean. He mentions, as special localities, the
Polish-Russian aud Dnieper governments, Gurland, Livonia,
and Ingermannland, also Finland, the governments on the
Volga and its tributaries, and also the governments of Arch-
angel, Wiburg, Wologda, Perm, those of the southeast to
Bucharia; Siberia from the Ural to the Jenisei, Daurla, the
Lena River, Kamtschatka, and finally the Kurile and Aleu-
tian Islands; and calls attention to its abundance in Siberia.
Pallas (Zoogr. R.-A. i. p. 92) gives the Ermine as inhabit-
ing not only the whole of Europe, and Asia to India, but
also asserts it^ extension into America, remarking, however,
its absence from the Kurile and Aleutian Islands. Accord-
ing to Wosnessenski's observations, communicated to me

* Translated from Braudt's article already quoted with reference to Gulo
Imciu.

OLD WORLD DISTRIBUTION OP THE ERMINE.

135

personally, and oontrarj to the opinion of Pallas, Ermines are
met with on the Aleutians and Behring Islands, where they
are hunting the Mice and Shrew-mice marching after the food-
provisions of man. The same author also speaks of their fre-
quent occurrence in Kamtschatka and on the coasts of the sea of
Ochotsk. Von Saritsche w (Beise, i. p. 92) observed Ermines
on the middle course of the Indigirka, and von Wrangel
(Beise, ii. p. 238) near Werchojansk, in latitude 67°, longitude
33°; Gebler (Katun. Gebirge, p. 85) mentions their existence in
West Siberia; Eversmann in the governments of Kasan and
Orenburg; Lehmanu (Reise, Zool. App. by Brandt, p. 3U2)
names, besides Orenburg, the couutry of tb* Bashkirs and
Fort Spask; Hohenacker (Bull. Nat. Hist. Moskon, 1837,2, p.
137) enumerates them among the Mammals of the countries of
the Caucasus; Nordmann mentions their appearance in Bes-
sarabia, EkaterinosFaw, and Asia Minor (Demidoff, Yoy. iii.
p. 17); and Ozernay (BuU.Nat. H. Moskou, 1851, p.274)iQ the
governments of Gharkow and Ekaterinoslaw. Kessler calls
them frequent inhabitants of all the four go^ernmenls of the Dis-
triatofKiew. Briucken (Mem. p. 47) and Eichwald (Skizze,
p. 237) number them among the animals of Lithuania. Their ap-
pearance in Curland is mentioned in the Description of the
Province of Curlaad by v. Derschau and v. Keyserling (p.
130), and also by Lichtenstein (Bull. Nat. H. Mosc. 1829, p.
289). According to a communication from Fischer, Ermines
are met with in Livonia only in certain localities and a very few
places (Naturg. v. Livland, p. 144). Their fi^equent appearance
near St. Petersburg I am able to attest by many years' experience.
In Finland, they are mentioned by SadeJiu (Fauna Fenn. p. 10,
and tho Forteckning ofver Siillskapets p. Fauna Fenn. Sam-
lingar, p. 7). OseretsHiowski indicates them also on the coast
of Lapland. Schcenk (Beise, i. pp. 66, 9!) reports them on tbrj
Pinega Biver and in the District of Mesea. From the latter
regum, a specimen was received by the Academical Museum
through the kindness of Mr. Bystrow, inspector of schools (see
uiy report in the Scientific Bull, of the Acad, of Sciences of St.
Petersburg, v. x). In the government of Wologda there are
said Ut be c^leeted annually from 5,000 to 10,000 skins ( v. B ae r
Beitr. vii. p. 251). Suj<^w (Pallas, Tra v. iii. p. 87) numbered
them among the inhabitants of the lower Obi, and this was
lately confirmed by Ermann (Reise, i. p. 562). The Ural expe-
dition brought back with them a male specimen killed on June

136

NORTH AMEIilCAN MUSTELIDiE.

iJ 'i

7, 1847, on the Wischera, in latitade 62^. The summer coat
of this individual agreed substantially with that of other
Ermines killed at the same season in other regions. The tail
of the above mentioned animal shows a white ring before its
black end, very likely only an individual pecuUarity. The balls
of the feet and the joints of the toe& were distinctly visible.
Von Hoffmann informed me that the Ermines follow the
Lemmings to the ^^ retic Sea.

The many Ermines killed near St. Petersburg are always
brown in summer bat white in winter, which, Pallas says, is
also the caso with those living nea the Caspian Sea (Zoogr. i.
p. 93). In my memo r on the periodical change of pelage of
animals of the Weasel kind (Bull. Sc. GI. Phys. Mat. v. ix. n. 12,
Melanges Biolog. i. p. 185), I mentioned the capture of au Er-
mine in the brown or summer pelage, in the month of Novem-
ber, on the island of Oesel, and doubted then the likelihood of
such an occurrence. The following communication, however,
from Dr.Moritz,of Tiflis, respecting Mttstela vulgaris^ permits
me to believe that many individuals do not change when the
winter is mild. The northern limits of the animal's distribu-
tion in the Bussiau possessions are the shores of the Arctic
Ocean ; the southern limits include the whole region south of
the Caucasus; the western, Poland; and the eastern, Kamt-
achatka and East Siberia. Concerning the value of the fur, and
the yearly proceeds, see v. Baer, Beitr. viii. p. 183.

The Long^-tailed Weasel.

i: %\

ir I

Patorlns Isnvlcanda.

? Mnstela longicauda, Bp. Charlesw. Mag. K. H. 183R, 38 (based on long-taUed variety of P.

erminea ttora Carlton Honae, iZic/i. F. B. A. i. 1689, 47, In text).— fi'ray, List Mamm.

Br. Mus. 195.
fPatorius longicauda, Rioh. Zool. Beechey's Voy. 1839, lO', (in text; same as foTegolag).
PutorlUH iOBgicania, Baird, M. N. A. 1857, 169 (Nebraska, Montana).— /SueUe;/, P. R. R.

Rep. xii. pt.it. 1859, pp. 93, 114 (Milk River).— ITayd. Trans. Am. Philos. Soo. xii.

1863, 142.— (?) Jtow, Canad. Nat. and Greol. vi. 1861, 441.— Coum iC Farrow, ZooL Expl

W. 100 Merid. 1875, 591 (Colorado and New Mexico).
PutorlBR cuibcrtsonl, Bd. M88. Mns. Smiths, (labels of nos. 4330, 4325).
HemcllB des olwren Missouri, Maxim. Verz. N.- A Sttag. 1863, 46, pL " 8", f. 8 (penis-bone).

Hab. — Region of the Upper Miasoari and its tributaries ; Minnesota, Da-
kota, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming; also Colorado. Utah, New Mexico,
Arizona. North apparently to Carlton House ; west probably to the Paciilo.

Specific characters. — Size of P. erminea ; tail absolutely and relatively
longer, with hairs f to ^ the head and body. Below tawny or bnflfy, with a
salmon (not sulphury) tinge abruptly defined against whit9 of cheeks and

DESCRIPTION OF PUTORIDS LONGICAUDA.

137

chin. Black on end of tail almost rednoed to the terminal pencil alone,
scarcely i the whole length. Color entirely white in winter. Male, total
length of head and body, 10.50 ; tail-yertebre 6.75 ; tail with hairs 8.50. Fe-
male, total length of head and body, 8.50 ; tail vertebrso, 5.75 ; tail with
hairs, 6.75.

Description. •

The size is entirely within the range of that of P. erminea,
and there is little to note in this respect, excepting the greater
length of the tail ; the general build, however, appears stonter
than is usual in P. erminea, the muzzle blunter. The tail is
remarkably long — not that it is entirely beyond the maximum of
that of erminea^ but that when shortest it is about at such
maximum, and that its normal F;verage is beyond the average
of that of P. erminea. The twr animals being of substantially
the same size of body, the tail is relatively longer — including
the hairs it is three-fourths to four-fifths the length of the body
and bead. The black on the tail is normally restricted to the
minimum — or even beyond this — of ordinary erminea; it occu-
pies scarcely anything more than the terminal pencil alone,
extending less than half an inch on the vertebrae. The upper
parts are much as in erminea, but there is a peculiar olivaceous
cast, owing to admixture of some green in the brown — not that
any green shows as such, but it gives a particular tone to the
parts. Below, and on both sets of paws, the color is a rich and
beautiful buffy -yellow mixed with salmon color, ^uite different
from the clear sulphury of P. erminsa. This color is abruptly
displayed against the pure white of the chin and cheeks. The
female is considerably smaller than the male, as usual in this
genus, but is not otherwise different. (This particular specimen
is much lighter than her mate, but such distinction will not
hold.) The following measurements were carefully taken in the
flesh :—

'From a pair in the Cones collection, killed in August, 1874, in North-
wftjtem Montana.

138

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

M
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•»ooj ejo J

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elei

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1^

QENEB^L ACCOUNT OP PUT0RIU8 LONGICAUDA. 139

General account of the species.

The subject of the present article differs notably in the above
particulars from the common type of Ermine. It is probably
the same as the hngicauda of Bonaparte, though it must be
observed that we have no assurance of this. It is the longicauda
of Baird. In case Bonaparte's animal should prove not the
same, the present must be called P. culbertsoni Baird, MSS.

After dwelling at the length I have upon the variability in
the length of tail of P. erminea^ and on the extent of the
black pencil in that species, it may seem inconsistent to intro-
duce such features in a specific diagnosis. But it will be
observed that the character of the member is something over
and above that shown by P. erminea in any of its interminable
variety, and that I use it in combination with another pe*
culiarity, the color of the under parts. Taken together, these
seem perfectly distinctive ; at any rate, I find the same features
preserved throughout a considerable series of specimens, with-
out the slightest intergradatiou with P. erminea. The speci-
mens are distinguishable at a glance. While I make no doubt
that this animal is an offshoot from P. erminea^ yet the differ-
entiation is complete, and no intermediate specimens are
known ; while, for that matter, it is doubtless true that all of
the species have come from an original stock. This particular
offshoot is a step toward those members of the genus which
extend into tropical America. This is evident in the coloration
of the belly, very little increased intensity of which would
assimilate it to the rusty and orange-brown shades prevailing
further south.

Besides the types of my description, I have examined a
dozen or more additional specimens — those recorded by Baird
in his work, and others since received at the Smithsonian.
None show any gradation with P. erminea. In Fo. 4325, from
old Port Union, "Nebraska" (now Montana), the tail-vertebrse
(the tail has not been skinned) measure 6.50 inches, with the
hairs about 8.00. No. 4320, from Port Laramie, Wyoming,
taken in December, 1859, is pure white ; the black tip under
1.50 long ; the vertebrae (unskinned) are about 6.00 ; the speci-
men in its winter dress is readily recognized by these features
as pertaining to P. longicauda. Another specimen is in winter
dress from Fort Clarko. There are several from Utah. A
skin, too defective for satisfactory identification, but probably

140

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDJS.

belonging here, is in the collection from Puget's Sound — a
locality which, if substantiated, would considerably extend
the known range of the species. It is the individual which
formed the basis of P. "richardaoni" in Dr. Snckley's report
above cited.

Since writing the foregoing, I have examined the skull of
this species in comparison with that of P. erminea, and I find
remarkable distinctions. Ooordinately with the shorter and
broader head, the skull shows differences of shape as well
marked as those subsisting between M. inartes and foina. An
example of P. noveboracenais measures 1.90 by 0.95; a female
specimen of longicauda 1.80 by 1.03, th^ resulting difference
in contour being obvious. The cranial portion proper of P.
longicauda is much more expanded and ovate, the width there
(0.90) being half the total length, while the same measurement
of P. noveboracenais (0.80) is much less— only about half the
length of the skull exclusive of the rostral portion. The skull
of P. longicauda is notably more constricted behind the orbits.
The zygomata are much more obliquely offset ftom the skull.
The anteorbital foramina are narrowly oval and very oblique.
There is a remarkable inward obliquity of the last upper
molar, different from anything I have seen in P. erminem. I
have not seen a male skull ; it will be found larger by about a
fourth of an inch in length. We may tabulate the cranial
characters of the two species as follows : —

P. erminea. — Zygomatic width of sknll one-half its length. Cranial width
much less than half the total length. Width of skull at point of greatest
oonstrictioa half the zygomatic width. Anteorbital foramina large, suboir-
cnlar. Set of back upper premolar nearly vertical.

P. longicauda. — Zygomatic width of skull about three-fifths its length. Cra-
nial width half the total length. Width of skull at point of greatest con-
striction about two-fifths the zygomatic width. Anteorbital foramina small,
very obliquely oval. Set of back upper premolar obliquely inward.

I think that after all the relationships of this species are
closest with P.frenattia, notwithstanding the absence of the
facial markings peculiar to the latter. It shares with P. frenatus
the rusty-reddish or salmon-colored under parts, well contrast-
ing with the clear sulphury-yellow of P. erminea. Moreover,
southern examples, such as those from New Mexico, show a
decided approach to P. frenatua in darkening of the color of
the heau. This is sometimes so decided, that .^ere white spots
present in these cases, the specimens would unhesitatingly be
referred to P. frenatua; and we know that in Central Ameri-

//•

OENEBAL ACCOUNT OP PUTOR.TUS LONQICAUDA. 141

cau and Mexican skins the facial markings of P. frenatm are
not seldom extinguished.

The Long-tailed Stoat is the characteristic form of the genus
throughout the region of the Missouri and itd tributaries.
While I am not assured that it inhabits this country to the
exclusion of P. erminea^ I may state that I never met with the
latter in any of my travels, and that I have not seen specimens
from fairly within this region, though some from its confines
are before me. It is the Weasel of the Bocky Mountains too,
for a corresponding extent, and, as above indicated, very prob-
ably reaches to the Pacific. Mr. Bidgway informs me that he
found a specimen, whjch he satisfactorily identifies from mem-
ory of its creamy-yellow under parts, in the Wahsatch Mount-
ains, near iSalt Lake City, Utah. I have also seen the species
in the mountains of Colorado.

I found the animal to be quite numerously represented in
Northern Montana, on the boundless prairies of the Upper
Missouri and Miik River, living in burrows underground along
with the Gophers (Spermophilus richardaoni), Badgers, and Kit
Foxes. In these treeless domains, it occupies as its home the
deserted burrows of the Gophers. I once surprised a family
of five or six in such a retreat ; I could hear tbem spitting
angrily below, but did not succeed in my endeavor to dislodge
them. This was late in July ; the young were well grown at
this period. Later in the season, at Chief Mountain Lake, one
of the headwaters of the Saskatchewan, on the eastern base
of the Bocky Mountains, latitude 49°, several specimens were
secured. Here the species was living on wooded ground;
indeed, one of my specimens was caught up a small tree, and
killed with a stick. It climbed and leaped among the branches
with ease and agility, much like a Squirrel. Skins were in de-
mand by the men of our party for the manufacture of tobacco-
pouches ; they made very pretty ones, and many were killed
for this purpose.

The specimen mentioned above from the Wahsatch Mount*
aius was found dead by Mr. Bidgway in the nest of a Buteo
swaimoni. This shows that the animal, despite its ferocity
and activity, may I'all a victim to the rapacity of the larger
Hawks. The individual had its neck torn, and was already
partly eaten by the two strong and voracious young Buzzards
which occupied the nest. The nest contained also the remains

142

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

of a Chipmunk, and of a filack-headed Grosbeak {Ooniaphea
melanocephala).

When irritated, this species diffuses a foetid odor quite as
strong as that of the Mink.

The Bridled ITeasel.

Pntorlna (Gnle) brnslIleiiBla frcnstna.

a, bratilientia (Sewast.)*

MustrlA brasniensii, <8^ioa»f. Mem. Acad. St. Petersb. iv. 1813,356, pi. 4.— IKmA. Syii.1839,
m.—Burm. Abb. Nat. Oes. Halle, ii. 1854, W.—Oerr. Cat Bones Br. Mas. 1863, 94.—
Gray, Ann. MaR. N. H. xlv. 1874, 374.

Mustela (Putorlus) brmlllensl!), D'Orhig. Voy. AiD«r. M6ri4. — , pL 13, f. 3 (skull).

MUfitCill (flale) bnulllenslR, Sehim, Syn. Mamm. L 1844, 346.

Muslela (Neogale) brMniensIs var. brasiilaaa, Oray, P.Z.S. 1665,115 (type ot NeogaU);
Cat. Cam. Br. Mas. 1869, 93.

h. cequatorialU Couea. '

Mustela anreoventrlK, Gray, P. Z. S. 1864,5.5, pi. 8 (Quito; very yoong) (not M. auriventer
Hodg».).—Qray, T./i.S. 1865,115 (Ecuador and Kew Grenada; adult); Cat Cam. Br.
Mim. 1869, 93.

Pulorlus braslllensia var. leqnatorlalls, Cmua (merely as a snbstitate for Gray's preoc-
cupied name).

f Musteia maerura, Taez. P. Z. S. 1874, nil, pi. 48 (Central Pera).

f .Mnstela afflnis. Gray, Ann. Mafj^. N. H. xiv. 1874, 375 (Kew Granada).

c. frenaius (Licht.).

Mustela frenata, lAeht, Darstellnng . . . Siiug. 1837-34, pL 53 (Mexico).— Aud. tC Back.

J. A. N. S. P. viiL pt ii. 1843, 391.— Omj/, ZoSl.Yoy. Salphur, 1844,31, pL 9 (bead).—

Tomei, P. Z. S. 1861,387 (Guatemala).— &my, List M. Br. Mas. 1843, 65.— titerrard, ctat.

Bones Br. Mas. 1863, 94.
.Mustela (Gale) fk«nata, Wagn. Sappl. Scbreb. Sfiag. ii 1841, 234.
Pttlorius frenatus Bach. J. A. N. S. P. viii. 288.— Aud. <t Baeh. Q. N. A. ii 1851, 71. pi. 60

(Texas to Mon<«rey and soutbward).— £d. M. N. A. 1857, 173, pi. 19, fig. 5a; Mex.B.

Snrv. ii. pt ii (859 ; Mammals, 19, pi. 17. figs. 1 and 9, a-e.—Oouet, Am. Nat. i. 1867, 353.
MUHtela xanthfigf nyg, Gray, Ann. Mag. N. H. xL 1843, 118; Zool. Yoy. Salph. 1844, 31, pi. 9 ;

iiit.toPaU. Zoog. 92); List M. Br. Mas. 1843,66; P. Z. S. 1865,115; Cat Cam. Br.

Mas. 1869,93; Ann. Mag. K. H xiv. 1874, 375.— 6«rr. Cat Bones Br. Mas. 1863, 94.

Pntorlus xanlhOKenyM, Bd. B. N. A. 1857, 176, p). 19, f. 3 a (California).- J\r«w&. P. R. R. Rep.
yi. 1857, 42 (San Francisco).

Putorius mexlcanns, Berlandier, MSS. ic. ined. 4 (Tamnnlipas and Mata'noras).
' I'omadreja' of tbe Mexicans.

(Compare Mmtela javonica Seba, Thes. i. pi. 48, fig. 4 — if. leucogeni* Sohins, Syn. !. 344 ; not
Japanese.— Cf. Pall. Zoog. K.-A. i. 1811, 93, footnote.)

Hab. — Soathern Texas to California. Up the Pacific side to San Francisco,
Fort Crook, and probably Astoria, Oregon. Gonth to Guatemala. Var.
aqnatorialia, thence to Ecuador. Yar. hraailienais, Brazil.

Specific chakactbrs.— Size and proportions of P. erminea; top of bead
notably different in color (darker) from the back, and blotched with white ;
chia white; other under parts more or less strongly tinged with tawny-yel-
low or orang 3-brown ; tail tipped with black. No seasonal change of pelage.

GENERAL ACCOUNT OF P. BRA8ILIEN8IS FRENATUS. 1 43

Oenernl account of the species.

In respects of size and form, this species scarcely differs from
P. erminea. Tbe pelage appears to be coarser, tbinner, and
more glossy than it usually is in the P. erminea^ evidently as a
consequence of the more southern habitat of the animal. The
palms, soles, and ears are rather more scantily haired. There
are no indications that the animal turns white in winter.

Tbe pattern of coloration is as usual in this genus, with the
addition of the peculiar head-markings, to be presently de-
scribed. Tbe upper parts are of a mahogany-brown, as in the
summer coat of other Stoats, but difi'er in tbe shade much as
polished mahogany differs from that wood in the ro'^f;h, being
darker and richer in tint. This color deepens insensibly into
blackish on the head. Tbe darkest examples before us, from
Guatemala, are almost chocolate-brown, and quite black on
tbe bead. This intensity of coloration is quite coincident with
decrease of latitude; and the northernmost examples, from
California, are much paler — of a lighter and more yellowish-
brown than the average of P. erminea. There is a similar paral-
lelism in tbe color of the under parts. Aside from the chin
and throatf which usually remain quite purely white, tbe under
parts range from a tawny-yellow to a rich orange-brown. In
running through tLe series from California to Guatemala, I have
seen nothing quite like this in any of the northern Stoats, in
which any yellowish of the under parts which may exist is sul-
])bury; the only approach to it being a salmon shade on P.
Jongicauda. In the orange-bellied Guatemalan skins, moreover,
tbe line of demarcation from the white of tbe throat is quite
abrupt ; in others, tbe transition is by insensible degrees. The
light color of the under parts runs down both fore and hind
limbs to the feet; but the tops of the feet are indifferently ool«
ored like tbe belly or like the back ; at any r^te, I find specimens
varying in this respect, without finding any clue to a rule which
might determine this condition. Tbe tail is like tbe back all
around ; it blackens insensibly at tbe tip, for a shorter distance
than is usual in northern Stoats ; tbe defined black only occu-
pying, on an average, about an inch of the end in addition to
tbe terminal pencil of hairs, which is about another inch
longer.

1 i

144 NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELII J.

Measurements of two apteiwuiu of Pittorius brasiuen8I.s frrkatus.

9393

Looallty.

MaMmorus, Mex
...do

Fn>ui tip of noM to—

1.00
0.60

1.7.5
1.90

■J
I

S.95 11.00
3. 90 8. 95

Tail to end
of-

6.75
4.75

8.00
5.30

LeDKth
of—

■4

•1

1.90
1.10

1.80
1.60

AIo.
Ale.

The facial white markings of this species deserve special
cousideration. Upon the most cursory examination, one may
satisfy himself of their irregalar, indeterminate character, and
would expect to find them, as they really are, variable to the
last degree. They are similar in this respect to the white on
the chin and about th;> lips and along the belly of the Mink,
or on the chest of the Marten, and of a part with the variation
above mentioned in the color of the paws of the present spe*
cies. They appear to be, in fact, simply an exaggeration and
permanent retention of certain white markings that occur in
P. erminea (uuassociated with beginnings or remains of the
winter dress). lu several JBuropean examples of P. erminea,
I find a little white coronal or two white supraciliary or auricular
spots, uud a wholly variable extent of white upon the cheeks.
The usual pattern in P./renatus is this : a triangular or quad-
rate white frontal spot just between the eyes, and a broad
oblique white stripe on each side of the head. In addition,
there may or may not be an occipital white spot between the
ears. The frontal spot is usually isolated from ^ 3 white
stript^s, but may fuse with them, completing ^he " lie". It
is sometimes reduced to a mere nasal stripe, \viul. 'yrrespond-
ing reduction of the preauricular markings. In a specimen
from Fort Crook, California, which I refer to this species,
there are only a few white hairs on the muzzle, and a slight
patch at the base of the ear. But the malar stripe, on the
variations of which P. xanthogenys chiefly rests, is still more
unstable in character ; for its width and the outline it forms
with the black of the cheeks are wholly indetermicate.

I am inclined to think that this animal has become fairly
differentiated from an original stock which comprised P. er*
minea, although traces of a former connection may still subsist
on the confines of its present habitat. The Fort Orook speci-

CHARACTERH OP P. BRAnilIENSISJ PRENATUS.

145

^RXATUS.

n/Kth

f—

•4

"ZS

R«

•o

1.80

Alo.

1.60

Alo.

e special
oue may
iCter, and
ie to the
white OQ
he Mink,
variation
sent spe-
tion and
occur in
3 of the
ermineaj
luricular
) cheeks,
or quad-
a broad
iddition,
veen the
3 white
lie". It
espond-
)eclmen
species,

I slight
on the

II more
t forms

e fairly

I P. er-

subsist

speci-

men above mentioned imperfectly represents the species. It
18, morover, asstvciated in that locality with an animal which
turns perfectly white in winter, and is in other respects insep-
arable from northern Ermines. Thus, No. 2839, from Fort
Crook {Feilner)j is pure white underneath, has the head like
the back in color, and both of the usual undressed mahogany-
drown ; yet it shows the white frontal npot and has a decided
trace of the malar stripe. It is accompanied by No. 3872, pure
white all over. Still, the white markings of No. 2839 may be
remains of a seasonal change, or merely like the similar ap-
pearances that some specimens of the European P. erminea
present. I refer these two specimens to P. ermineaj but in-
clude the other from Fort Crook, No. 3830, in the beginning of
the brasiliensia series. I reft r to this Bpecies, with some hesita-
tion, a very young Stoat from Astoria, Oregon (No. 3520, June
IS), 1858, J. Wayne). Although the head is not darker than
the back, and no head-stripes are apparent, the belly shows
strongly the characteristic fawn color of frenatus.

There remains the discussion of the relationships of the
South American forms. Although I have not specimens from
Brazil or Ecuador, the sufficient descriptions of authors enable
me to speak with confidence respecting them. Thero is evi-
dently but one series of linked forms. We have already seen
that frenata begins in CJpper California, as xanthogenysy
which is merely the northernmost palest form, between which
and true frenata (City of Mexico, &c.) there is no difference
requiring recognition by name. In Guatemala, frenata already
assumes the rich coloration that culminates further south In
brdsiliensis. Oray, indeed, who usually subdivides altogether
too much, does not attempt to separate frenata and hrasiliensis
except varietally. P. wquatorialis (as I call what Gray named
M. aureoventris, a, term preoccupied to all intents and purposes
by auriventer of Hodgson) was origmally described from a
very young animal (" length 6 inches, tail 4J" — the adult is after-
ward described us length 12, tail 8), without facial markings,
but the adult has the auricular blotch, though the frontal spot
appears to be extinguished. It is described as very darkly
and richly colored, the under parts and ear-spot " golden-yel-
low "j the coloration of the plate is almost precisely that of
Guatemalan specimens before me. But that the facial mark-
ings may be completely extinguished, as a matter of individ-
ual variation, is shown by a specimen before me from Costa
10 M

ilDi

ii'

Si: I

146

NORTH AMERICAN MUHTELID.E.

Bioa. 7^ is very dark and richly colored, with the merest trace
of white markiDgs behind one eye — not both.

I find nothing in the ascribed characters of Mtutela maorura
Taczanowski forbidding its reference to the Middle American
series ; nor is there anything in Dr. Oray's brief and uusatis*
factory account of M. ajffinia incompatible with the characters of
the present species in their now ascertained range of variation.

There is nothing peculiar in the relationships of the various
forms as here advanced. It is paralleled in the oases of other
Mammals and many Birds, and, in fact, might have been pre-
dicated.

We are in posseosiou of no spi)cial information apon the hab-
its of the Bridled Weasel, which, however, may be presumed
to differ little, if at all, from those of its allies. Dr. Newberry
represents it a8 abundant about San Francisco.

CHAPTER V.

MUSTELIN^E—Contiimed: The Amebicau Ferret.

The sabgenns CifHomyonax — Subgenerlo oharsotera— Puloriu* {Cynomyomu)
nitjripet, the Auerioan or Blaok-footed Ferret — Hynonyiny — Spooiflo ohor-
actorj — Habitat — General aocount of tlie speoiea — Addknuum : On the
specieB of the HiibgenuH I'utoriHS—l'. fir^tldut, the Polecat or Fitch — Syn-
onymy — Deaoription — P. fietidiu var. furo, the Ferret — Synonymy — Re-
marks — Ferret bree<ling and handling — P. fntiduB var. evemnanni, the
Siberian Polecat — Synonymy— Kemarka — /'. aarmaticua, the Spotted Pole-
oat — Synonymy and remarks.

I HAVE bceu obliged to establish a new subgenus for the
reception of the singular Putoriua nigripet of Audubon and
Bachman, which curiously combines some features of both Oale
and Putorius proper, with others peculiar to itself. As indi-
cated by the name of American or Black-footed " Ferret", it is
the strict analogue in this country of the European Ferret, or
Polecat, with which it agrees so closely in some respects that I
was at flrst inclined to refer it to the subgenus Putoriua itself.
But further examination has satisfied me that the sum of its
peculiarities ranks as high, at least, as that characterizing
other ad mitted subgenera of Putoriua. I ha ve already concisei/
contrasted its characters with those of other sections of the
genus (p. 99), and shall devote this chapter to further consid-
eration of the remarkable animal.

The Subgenus CYNOMYONAX. (GouES, 1877.)

The dental formula of this subgenus is the same as that of
the genus Putorius at large (pm. |~).

The details of the dentition agree most closely with those of
subgenus Putoriua, though peculiar in one respect. The back
lower molar is a mere cylindrical stump, with hemispherical
crown, too small and weak to develop the little cusps seen plainly
in P.foetidus and P. viaon. The inferior incisors, in the speci-
men examined, are so crowded that the 'middle one on each
side sets entirely back of the line of the rest, exactly as in a
specimen of P.foetidua before me. The dou^elure of the upper
jaw might be described in terms identical with those applicable

147

148

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

to P.fvetiduSf though the back molar seems to be rather weak.
P. foetidm and C. nigripea both differ from L. vison in the char-
acter of the upper sectorial tooth, which in vison develops, as
elsewhere described, an antero-exterior process, wholly wanting
in the other subgenera.

The skull of Cynomyonax differs notably from that of Oale,
and agrees with those of Putorius proper and Lutreola in its
size, relative massiveness, and development of ridges and de-
pressions. It is nevertheless at once distinguished by the
extreme degree of constriction behind the orbits, where the
width of the cranium is much less than that of the rostrum.
(In L. vison, the constriction is moderate; in P. fcetidus, there is
scarcely any.) Coincidently with this narrowing of the skull
near the middle, tho postorbital processes are better developed
than they are in either of the two genera last named, and the
postmolar production of the palate is extremely narrow. The
interpterygoid emargiuation is comparatively shallow as well
as narrow, not nearly reaching half-way to the molars; the
palate ends (in the specimen examined — it may not in others)
transversely instead of with strongly concave or even acute
emargiuation. The pterygoids, as in Gale, do not develop
decided hamular processes (conspicuous in P.foetidus and L.
vison). The bullae auditoriae, as in both Gale and P. fcetidus (they
are notably flatter in L. vison), have considerable inflation, with
scarcely a tubular prolongation and nick at end. In brief,
the skull combines the size, massiveness, and roughness of
Putorius proper and Lutreola, with other characters rather of
Gale, and some peculiarities of its own.

In external details, Cynomyonax is similarly Interrelated to
Gale and Putorius proper, though nearer the former {Lutreola
being more specialized in adaptation to aquatic habits than
either of the other subgenera). Though of such large size,
<Jynomyonac7 retains the attenuate body, long neck, very short
legs, slim tail, large orbicular ears, and close-set pelage of a
true Stoat. On the other hand, the pattern of coloration, ex-
cepting the black-tipped ta>il, is different, and more like that of
tbe Ferrets in some respects, while it is entirely peculiar in
others.

It is interesting to observe that this sinrle American ana-
logue of a special Old World group occurs in the western portion
of the country, furnishing' another among many instances of
the closer relationships oi the Western than of the Eastern fauna
with that of the other hemisphere.

with

U. 8. Geological Survey.

MusteUdsB. PLATE VH.

futorliis nlirrlpeit. (Nat. size.)

ACCOUNT OF THE AMERICAN FERRET.

149

American or Blackorooted Ferret.

Piitorlas (Cynomyonax) nlsrlpes.

Plate VII.

Putorlns nlKrlpes, Atid. & Bach.* Q. N. A. li, 1651, 297, pi. 03 (Lower Platte Rivor).— iJd.
M. N. A. 1857, 1-jO (from the foregoing).— Ocaj/, P. Z. S. 186.5, 110 ; Cat. Cam. Br. Miis.
1869, 88 (its validity queried).— Obwea, Am. Sportsman Nov. 20, 1874 (call for speci-
mens). —J.me«, Bai;. Minn. Acad. 1874, 69 (prosump lively attributed to Alinnesota) .

Hab. — Region of the Platte Riv'er, aud other portions of the central
plateau. Has been foand in Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, and
Colorado; north to Milk River, Montana.

Specific characters. — Above pale brownish, mixed with a few blackish-
tipped hairs, especially on the lower back ; below nearly white ; hairs every-
where white at the roots; general color-aspect brownish-white; a broad
stripe across forehead, the feet and the end of the tail, black. Length 19
inches ; tail-vertebne 4, with hairs 5i ; fore leg 4. Skull 2.60 long ; rather
under 0.50 broad at point of greatest constriction (zygomatic width un-
known).

General account of the species.

Until very recently, nothing was known of this remarkable
animal beyond what was given by Audubon. The original of
his figure, if ever preserved, does not appear to have been ex-
amined by other naturalists. Doubt has been cast upon the
existence of such an animal,! and the describer has even been

* Digest of the original description. — Dentition strictly as in Puioriiis (teeth
34). Form elongate ; forehead arched and broad ; muzzle short; ears short,
broad at base, triangular, closely furry both sides ; feet covered with uair
on both surfaces. Tail narrowly cylindrical. Pelage finer than that of the
Mink or Pine Marten, and even shorter (relatively) than that of the Er-
mine ; the outer hairs few, short, and coarse. All the pelage white at the
roots ; the bases of the longer hairs with a yellowish tinge, their ends broadly
reddish-brown ; soft under fur white, with a yellowish tinge, giving the
animal on the back a yellowish-brown appearance, in some parts approach-
ing to rufous ; on the sides and rump, the color is a little lighter, gradually
fading into yellowish-white. Nose, ears, sides of head, throat, under surface
of neck, belly, and under surface of tail white ; a shade of browpish on the
chest between the fore legs. A broad black patch on the forehead, enclosing
the eyes and reaching near the tip of the nose ; legs to near the shoulders
and hips brownish-black ; end of tail black for about two inches.

Type procured by Mr. Alexander Culbertson on the lower waters of the
Platte. Stated to inhabit the wooded parts of the country to the Rocky
Mountains, and to be perhaps found beyond that range, though not observed
by any travellers from Lewis aud Clarke to the present day. Habits said to
resemble those of the Ferret of Europe. " It feeds on birds, small reptiles
and [other] animals, eggs and various insects, and is a bold and cunning foe
to the rabbits, hares, grouse and other game of our western regions.'

t Dr. J. E. Gray, for instance, with characteristic sagacity, (luoried it
amidst a number of jiurely nominal species he admitted without (question.

I- K'

150

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

II!:!

|l''

suspected of inventing it to embelliRli his work. I have, there-
fore, the greater pleasure in being able to present a full account
of the species.

The first specimen known after the type was a fragment of a
skin which for some years lay unrecognized in the National
Museum at Washington. According to my present recollec-
tion, the object being not at hand, it consists of a squarish
piece of the skin of the lower back, with the tail attached.

A second specimen (No. 11932) lately reached the same mu-
seum, but unfortunately in very defective state of preservation.
It was procured from some point on the Flatte Eiver, and pre-
sented by Mr. J. W. Munyon, or Munyou. The skull was
smashed to r^eces. I was only enabled to determine that the
animal had ■ irty-four teeth, and was therefore Puiorius, not
Mustela^ and hat its relationships appeared to be with the
European P.^ Mdus group.*

Being so short of the necessary material when I began to
study this group, I caused an advertisement of my wants, with
a description of the species, to be inserted in several of the
sporting newspapers, and extensively copied by papers of the
region inhabited by the species. This had the gratifying re-
sult that in a short ti "^he required specimens were received
at the Smithsonian lu^u. :ution ; and my thanks are due to
several gentlemen who kindly interested themselves in the
matter.

The third specimen (counting the above-mentioned scrap of
skin as one) was brought to Washington by Dr. F.- V. Hayden,
Director of the United States Geological Survey. This one
was taken by Dr. Law, in the valley of the Cache La Poudre
Kiver, near the northern border of Colorado. It was iu better
condition than Mr. Munyon's, but still defective, having Ic^
part of the tail and most of the head, which had been shattered
by a rifle-ball. The length of this individual was about eighteen
inches to the root of the tail. Dr. Haydrn informed me that it
had been shot at the mouth of a prairie-dog hole, of which it
had taken possession, and that its stomach contained remains
of one of these quadrupeds. He also spoke to me of another
individual, kept for some time in confinement at Greeley, Colo-

*The wbitishness about the mouth and ears of F fcetidiia, contrasting with
dark parte, gives some''- h:*r i)?. appearance of a stripe across the face, which
is perfected in C. ,,"■«*' *;/t«, io w.Ui^h ihe face-marliiugs recall those of the
Orison, Galictis vUiaaa.

ACCOUNT OF THE AMERICAN FERRET.

151

, with

rado, which had also been secured in a prairie-dog towo ; and
represented the species as being not at all rare, though very
difficult to obtain, cwing to the facilities for its retreat into the
safe recesses of the burrows of the Marmots.

Shortly afterward a fourth specimen came to hand from Fort
Wallace, Kansas, where the animal is said to be cal^jd the
"prairie-dog hunter", from the habits indicated in the preced-
ing paragraph. This individual, sent by Mr. L. H. Kerrick,
fairly well mounted, was the first I had seen with the head and
tail complete and in good preservaaon.

Another specimen, from Wyoming or the contiguous portion
of Colorado, was sent to Prof. Baird by my friend, Capt. James
Gilliss, of the Army, then stationed at Cheyenne Depot, Wyo-
ming. This one I think I have not seen.

Still another specimen, important as extending the known
geographical distribution of the species, was very recently re-
ceived at the Smithsonian Institution, from Mr. C. Cavileer, of
Pembina, Dakota. This was procured on Milk Kiver, Mon-
tana.

I am informed by Prof. Baird that two living specimens were
sent from some part of the West to New York, one of which
died en route^ and was probably thrown away ; of the ultimate
disposition of the latter I do not know.

Mrs. M. A. Maxwell, a well-known naturalist and taxidermist,
of Boulder, Colorado, who made a remarkably fine Centennial
exhibit of the animals of Colorado at the late International
Exposition, at Philadelphia, procured two or three specimens
in the vicinity of Denver. They were taken on the prairie
land in dog- towns. These specimens, very nicely prepared, I
had the pleasure of inspecting when Mrs. Maxwell's collection
was on exhibition in Washington, during the winter of 1876-77.
One of them bad been "drowned out" of a prairie-dog hole,
and kept for somo time in captivity. It became, I am informed,
quite tame, ^iough it was furious when first captured.

The skull from which the foregoing cranial and dental charac-
ters were drawn up was sent from Nebraska by the late Mr. W.
F. Parker, formerly editor of the "American Sportsman", in
which one of my advertisements was inserted. I do not know
whether or not it was accompanied by a skin. It is No. 14530
of the National Museum.

No. 11932 shows the characteristic black facial stripe, black
^ "^t, and black end of the tail. The general light brownish-

162

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^E.

::i\i

white color ai I character of the pelage are peculiar. The coat
is very short uuil close, the individual hairs appearing scarcely
longer than those of a Stoat ; there is nothing of the length ot
pelage of either Mink, Polecat, or Marten. The fur is every-
where, even on the darkest part of the back, white at the roots,
and on the under parts it is entirely white, excepting a faint
brownish discoloration. There is a stronger tinge of pale brown
on the back, and a certain dorsal area shows blackish- brown
tips of the hairs, not strongly pronounced enough, however, to
materially alter the general cast of the parts. The tail has
nothing of the bushy character seen in a Mink or Polecat, be-
ing cylindrical, close-haired, scarcely enlarged at the terminal
brush, and relatively as slender as that of a Stoat. As far as
can be judged, this specimen agrees closely with the dimensions
assigned by Audubon.

Dr. Hayden's specimen in better order, corresponds closely
in coloration with that just described: it is dingy whitish all
over, with a slight brownish cast on the upper parts, and a
dorsal area of sparse dark brown streakiness. All four paws
are quite black ; on the fore legs, these black stockings run up
to the shoulder all around the limb, except on the outer sur-
face, where a pale line extends down from the body. On the
hind limbs, the black is more restricted, soon fading into smoky-
brown below the knee. A line along the soles is whitish. There
is a curious blackish stripe through the umbilicus. The feet
are remarkable for the great length of the numerous bristles on
the toes, projecting far beyond and almost hiding the claws; the
palms and soles are densely furry. The specimen et^uals a very
large Mink in size.

The Kansas specimen affords some additional characters, es-
pecially relating to the general shape. The body seems pro-
portionally as slender and the neck as long as in an Ermine.
The tail-vertebrae are only about five inches long, decidedly less
than one-third of the length of the head and body, which is
apparently some eighteen or nineteen inches, but is perhaps
stretched. The circumference of the body is about seven inches.
The slender tail has no enlarged terminal brush. The physi-
ognomy and general aspect is rather that of an overgrown Wea-
sel than of a Mink or Ferret. The ears ars very prominent,
perhaps even more so than those of a Stoat, and are not per-
fectly orbicular, having an obtuse point at the highest part of
the border; they measure, in their present state, 1.10 above

^■^

EXTRALIMITAL SPECIES OF PUT0RIU8.

153

the

notch, 0.70 above head. The longest whiskers (black) reach
to the back of the ear; others grow ou the chin, the cheeks
back of the angle of the mouth, and on the forehead. The
brownish-black mask is well contrasted with nearly white sur-
ronndings, except on the forehead, where the dingy brownish
of the upper parts extends to it. The ears are mostly white,
with a dark touch at the lower front border. The dingy brown-
ish of the upper parts is a little stronger than in either of the
two other specimens here described. The blackish tip of the
tail is about one and a half inches long.

I made no written memoranda of my examination of Mrs.
Maxwell's specimens, but remember that they presented nothing
requiring special comment, being fairly illustrative of the char-
acters here detailed.

Audubon's figure is unmistakable, and gives a very fair idea
of this interesting animal. As remarked by Prof. Baird, it
is siiigular that so conspicuous a species should have so long
eluded the observation of the many explorers who have trav-
ersed the region it inhabits, and where, apparently, it is by no
means rare. Its retiring habits, and the nature of its resorts,
doubtless tend to screen it. In the summer of 1876, 1 conducted
a natural history party through the region supposed to be its
centre of abundance, where Dr. Hayden's and Captain Gilliss's
specimens were secured ; but I failed to obtain a sight of it,
though I was in the midst of prairie-dog towns, and continu-
ally on the watch for this particular animal. The geographical
distribution above assigned will probably require to be consid-
erably enlarged.

ADDENDUM TO CHAPTER V.

On the species of the extralimital nubgetms PuTORius.

In further illustration of the genus Putorms, I wish to introduce a notice
of the extralimital species of the subgenus PiitoHua, which, as already said,
includes the Fitches, Ferrets or Polecats.*

No representatives of this particular group are indigenous to America, but
the Ferret is extensively bred, in confinement or semi-domestication, for the
purpose of hunting rats, rabbits, &c.

*■ The untechnical reader must not confound the proper use of the term
" polecat" for the Ferret group, with its frequent application in this coun-
try to the Skunks (MephUiiKe).

154

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^E.

The Subgenus PUTORIUS.

For the characters of this group see anteA, p. 99. The nonpareil note on
p. 74 is equally applicable to the synonymy of the following extralimital
species of the subgeuuH.

1. Pntorlu* tmtMum.— Polecat or Fiteh.
Plate VIII.

MUMlrlR putortu t, L. S. K. i. lOth ed. r. J8, 46, no. 5 ; S. N. ^j. 1766, 67, no. t—Sehrfb. Saiig. iii.

1778, 48;;, >l. 131.— (/m. 8. N. 1. 1788, Ol.—Heehst. Naturg. 1. 479.— J'«M. Zoor. R -A. 1. 1811,

87.— 7)i'«m. Mamiti. i. 1820, 177, no. sni.-Fr. Cuv. Mamm. il. Zi.—Flem. Br. An. 18iJ8,

li.—Jen. Br. Vert. 1835, 1 l.—Bdl, Br. Quad. 1837, 15ti, llg.; ad ed. 1874, iOX—SflytL. Fn.

Bulg. 1843, 'J.—niainr. Compt. Kend. xiv. 1842, 210He(i. pU. -.—Schim, Syn. 1844, 339.—

(ixt'b. Odont. 33; Sang. 1855, 779.
Tlverra putorlUN, Shaw, Oen. Zoiil. i. 1800, 415.
FieturlUM puloriUN, Key$. <t Bias. Werb. Eiir. i. 1840, 6u, no. U3.—1ila4. Wirb. Deutsohl. 1857,

ri% t. Ii5.~0halin, Ann. Sci. Nat. 5th ser. xix. 1874, 98 (anatomioal).
MwM»r(BHi»," Klein.'
PutorlUN fOBlldUS, Gray, LiatMamm. Br. Mus. 1843, 64; P. Z. S. 1865, 109; Cat. Cam. Br.

Mu8. 1869, 87.— Oez-r. Cat. Bones Br. Mua. 1862, 92.
PutorluN Torus, Br.— Brandt, Beni. Wirb. Nord. £nr. Russl. M.
PutorluH communis " Ouv.K A."—{aray.) *

Futorlus typuft, "F. Ouv."—{Grau.)
PutorlUN vulgaris, Orif. Cuv. R. A. v. 1827, 120, no. 339 (no. p. 121, no. 344).— lYt;. Naturg.

Siiug.i. 1861, 338,1'. 68.

PutOls, Btif. Hist. Nat vii. , 199, pi. 123.

Polecat, Fitch, FItoliet, Fitchew, Foumart, Fulmart or Fullmart, EnglUh.—Penn. Brit.

Zool. i. 89, pi. 6.
litis, Oertnan, cf. v. Martent, Zoul. Gart. xi. 1870, 275 ^philological).
WiCba, MadraE, Selyi-L. l. e.

Form stout ; ears short and rounded ; tail rather bushy, cylindrio-tapering,
about oue-third the head and body ; fur very long and loose on most parts
of the body (the well-known "fitch" of commerce), yellowish-brown, over-
laid with glossy blackish brown, the tail, legs, and chest mostly blackish ;
head dark, the ears, a space in front of them, lips and chin, usually white.
Varies interminably in proportion of the yellowish and blackish. Length
about 16 inches ; tail 5^ ; bead 2| ; ears i. The name Polecat is probably
a contraction of Polish cat. Foumart, &c., are merely Foul Mart, in distinc-
tion from the Mustelas, or " Sweet " Marts, the odor in this species being much
more disgusting. The animal inhabits Europe.

la. Var. furo.— Tft« Ferret.
Mustela furo, L. S. N. i. 1766, 68, no. S.—Schreb. Saug. iii. 1778, — , pi. 133.— G»n. S. N. i. 1788,
m.—Desm. Mamm. i. 1820, 178, no. 273.— ./en. Br. Vert. 1835, U.—Fiich. Syn. 1829, 219.—
Bell, Br. Quad. 1837, 161, ig.—Schim, Syn. 1844, 340.— Fr. Ouv. Mamm. ii. 'ii.—Oieb.
Odont. 33, pi. 12, f. 8 ; Siiug. 1855, 780.
Tlverra furo, Sha^v, Gen. Zoiil. i. 1800, 418.

Fcetorlns furo, Ohatin, Ann. Sci. Kat. 5tb ser. xix. 1874, 98 (anatomical).
Mustela pntorius var., Flem. Br. An. :.828, 14.
Putorius vulgaris var. Hiro, Griff. Cuv. R. A. v. 1827, 120, no. 339 a.
Putoriiis fffilldus vars. furo, SUbfuro, Gray, P. Z. S. 1865, 110; Cat Carn. Br. Mus. 1869, 87.

Ferret, Entfligh.—Penn. Brit Zoiil. i , 91.

Furet, Purel Putolre, French.— Buff. Hist Nat. vii. , 209, pi. 26.

Fre«4, Frettel, Frettchen, German.— Bleu. Wirb Dentschl. 1857, 225.

This is the well-known tame Ferret, now only recognized in a state of do-
mestication. It is smaller aud slenderer than the Fitch, yellowish-white or
white, with pinkeyes. This is an oxcellout example of a "variety", prop-
erly so called, in distinction from a geographical race. The root of all the

U. 8. Ooologlcal Survey.

MnstelidflB. PLA1E VUI.

Piitorius feettdnr. (Nat. size.)

iii! 1

''' ^m

f M

;

BRBEDINO AND HANDLING OF FEHKETH.

155

various vernacular uaiium (there arr' iiiiiny otliurit tbaii tbuHv abovt* Kiven)
Boems to be the Latin /ur, a thief. I'bere may alHO, ati ban been suggiwteil,
be a relationabiii witli the Latin rinrra, by which name the preHont, anioDK
other apeclen, iMiemH to have been kuuwit to the anciontH.

The reiiiiug of Ferretn Heems to \w ii m^ ving iiidiiHtry in this country,
though still not practiced to the ext<;nt it > iu Kurope. The foHowing
article, entitleil '' Ferrot Breeding and Handling. ', by Mr, F. Mather, appeared
in the "American Sportctn.iin " (newspaper) of November 28, 1874 : —

"I have had several iii<iuirieH of late from readers of the Spokthman con-
cerning the breeding;, maniigeni'^nt and hunting of ferrets, together with
invitations to writ** ; up. It appears somewhat singular that nu one has
done this before, iit least I do not remember to have seen anything on the
subjet i in any American paper, and this fact canses me to comply with the
request mort* reac.ily than I should have done had others with more experi-
ence volunt) t^rtMl to publish it.

" Practical details having been asked for, we will consider them as they
are in our day, and not stop to trace their origin nor where first used. We
have two varieties, the brown or ' fitch-ferret,' and the white one. The
latter is probably an albino, as its eyes are pink ; but it breeds true to color
every time, possibly a ' sport,' as the florists say, that has been perpetuated.
The white ones seem to be in most favor for some unknown reason, judging
from the inquiries that I have received. I keep both kinds, and have them
mixed, and don't see any difference in hunting qualities, and can only account
for the preference on the ground that the white ones are thought to bo the
prettiest pets. Having no strong local attachments, they require to be con-
stantly confined, although instances have been known where they were at
liberty and did not go away ; still, as they are Just as good for chickens as
for rats and rabbits, it is best not to trust them too far. Two or three ani-
mals may be kept in a common shoe-box with slats or wire-cloth fronts, a
box for a nest in one corner, and a drawer containing coal-ashes or earth in
another. This should be emptied often and renewed ; they will make all
their muss here and will then keep clean and healthy. A cellar is not a
good place for them — too damp and cold ; a yard or wood-shed is better. I
have a ferret-yard made for the purpose, built of hemlock boards ; it u six-
teen feet long by six wide; the sides are four feet high, the boards running up
and down to prevent climbing ; it is also tloored to prevent digging. I have
in this at present eighteen ferrets, but could accommodate fifty, as tiiey only
foul one corner. A tin spout conveys milk into the feeding-pan, and meat
is thrown over. Their nest is a box with a cover ; it is full of straw, and a
hole in one side is the door. One-half will be covered this winter to keep
the snow off.

" They will shiver in the summer, and it is not good to keep them in too
warm a place if they are expected to hunt in the snow ; but a small box of
straw where they can huddle up together and so keep warm is sufficient. I
saw three ferrets last summer in a small box that was sheet-ironed inside
(the owner thought that they could gnaw like rats), where the poor things
had lived for a month in their filth. It was horrible enough to breed a pes-
tilence ; in fact it did breed one for the ferrets. I told the owner so, but he
thought not. Mr. Bergh should have seen that !

" They will keep very clean if they have a chance, but will drag food into
their nests and store it if they have too much at any time. This can be

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156

NORTH AMERICAN MUST£LIDi£.

i!-' 'H

partiaHy guarded against, in the case of bonus and large pieces, by making
the entrance aa small as posHible. We feed skimmed milk, beef-ueads, and
other meats ; salt meat is said to prcMluce scurvy. Milk fattens a ferret very
rapidly, and they are apt to get too fat on this diet.

" My menagerie is run upon economical princ'^des, and it is a hard specimen
of either animal or V4!getablo that <loes not ilnd a consumer. A kingfisher
hovering over the ponds is apt to tumble in ; be is then skinned, and if the
fish are not hungry it goes to the ferrets. A fat woodchuck goes in — there's
provision for several days. A hen-hawk " towering in his pride of place"
over n>y young fowl, often finds a lusting repose in the ferret-yard ; while
the refuse of fretth fish is also eagerly devoured. Chicken heads often afford
an occasional variety. I have a pair of mink who will eat as much in one
day as two ferrets would in three ; they will devour the entire carcass of a
muskrat in twenty-four hours.

" In handling a ferret take it with the hand around the ribs, and if it
struggles let its fore lego go through the fingers ; they do not like to be held
below the ribs. Do not handle young ferrets until nearly grown ; do not
handle m female about to have a litter. Their period of gestation is about
forty-five days I think, — can't speak positively on this point, — it may be a
few days more or less ; they usually hare a litter of from five to ten in May
or June. I have heard of their having two litters in one season, but it has
never occurred with me. When abojt to have young, put each female in a
box by herself, and don't lot tha young run with the old male until they can
use their teeth to defend themselves. I prefer to say male and female,
though some call them dog-ferret and bitch ; and last winter a man in Buf-
falo said, ' In the hold country we calls 'em a 'ob and a gill.'

" In handling wild ferrets put on a pair of leather gloves and pick them
up, rub their heads and pat them, and in a few days you can take your bare
hand. Now a word about ' trained ' ferrets. That is all humbug. A fer-
ret that is tame and well handled will go into a hole and go to the bottom
of it, and come out if it finds nothing; hunting '-i their nature, and a little
fasting stimulates them wonderfully. Those kept for rats are generally
worked with dogs ; and althongh I have often run the rats out of my bam
with them, it is especially for rabbit hunting that I keep them. They aro
of no use for the largj white rabbit, but I used to find that the little gray
fellow that abounds in the vicinity of Honeoye Falls bad a very unsocial
way of sitting in his hole under ground and declining to come out and have
fun, but since I have used ferrets he has changed his habits. With the
sneaking method of netting the rabbit at the mouth of the hole when driven
out with a ferret I have no kind of sympathy, but as ' Molly Cotton ' clears
the hole with a ten-foot bound after passing a ferret, and keeps going
faster if possible, often into a thicket, it is sport to stop her. Some prefer a
very small ferret, as they use them without a muzzle and they cannot hold
a rabbit as rt large one does ; but I prefer a good stout fellow, and if he is
disposed to kill a rabbit (their dispositions vary) I muzzle him. A muzzle*
is made of a small piece of leather shaped like a letter T, a little wider at
the bottom however ; a string is put in each end of the top and one in each
lower corner, the leather is put under his chin and the top piece tied
aronnd his nose ; the other two strings are tied liehind his ears. Some have
the lips pierced, and after healing they are tied shut. I have never tried
this, nor breaking the teeth, which latter practice is brutal. The ferret can

PUTORIUS F^ETIDUS, VAU. — P. SARMATICUS.

157

be carried in a bag, with drawn string, strung over the Bhonhlcr, or in n
tightly-buttoned coat pocket. Ah the animal enjoys its short liberty when
hunting and, however tame it may be, does not wane to go into the bag
again while you move on ; it is always best to let it get ten feet or more
from the hole before yon attempt to pick it up or it may dodge back and
refuse to come out. In this cose tie a rabbit on a stick and put it down and
the ferret will follow out.

*' If the leather muzzle .don't work, or gets lost, you can improvise one
with a string by making a loop that will not get larger oi smaller, and put
it over his nose and then tie behind his ears, taking care to iiave the knot
under his throat and the last tie on top of his head.

" In England I believe they use small bells on their rat-ferrets to tell their

whereabouts. In conclusion I would say, if you use ferrets for rats don't

trust a strange do^ with them, and if for rabbits don't stand in front of the

hole."

1^. Tar. evermmmnnt.- Siberian I'oleent.

MiiHlela pntoriHsf , Lieht. Eversm. Roise, 23 ; ref. to Pallat, i. Zook. 89, note, bnt not ifutUln

tibiriea Pall. ibid. p. 90.
llHfile!« pulo?IU8 var. everHmannl, Fischer, Syu. 1(^). 319.
MuAlela evrntmanill. Lp$ii. Man. 1837, U4, no. ■Jn9.—Schim. .'^yn. 1844, 339.
PttlorlHit rvrrNHanal, (tray, V. Z. S. 1865, 109; Cat. Cam. Br. .Mas. 1869, 87.
MuMrla pulorlUS Blyth, "J. A. 8. n. xi. 381."-(arai/.)
.VuMelr. putoriUH thlbrlanlUH, Bodgs. "J. A. S. B. xxiii, 1849, 446.' — (f?rr.y.)

This is the Asiatic Polecat, which appears to have been first noted by
Pallas, in text of p. 89 of the Zoographia, from Siberia. This is to be care-
fully distinguished from the Mmtela aibirica of Pallas, p. 90, a very different
animal, elsewhere noticed in the present work. It is apparently but little if
any ditterent from P. feetidiu, to which Blasius assigns it.without query. Cer-
tain cranial differences adduced by Gray may require confirmation. I have
seen no specimens of the supposed species.

3. Patoriati mmnnmticn»,—SpiiUed Polecat.
MHfttela Mrnalira, Pall. Itin. i. 1771. 453 ; Spic. Zool. 1790, xiv. 79, pi. 4, f. 1 ; Zoog. R.A. i.

1831, 89.— £rxl. Syst. Anim. 1777, 460, no. 6.—Sehreb. SHttg. Hi. 1778, 490, pi. 133 (from

Gttldenstiidt).-Ztmm. Oeogr. Oeiell. ii. 1780, 305, no. 3^1.— (7m. S. N. i. 1788, 07, no. 1.1. -

Trirt. S. N. i. 1800, W.—Bitm. Mamm. i. 1830, 178, no. 304 ; Konv. Diet. zix. 371 ; Ency.

M^tb. pi. 89, f. A.—Fr. Ouv. Diot Sci. Nat xxiz. 1833, 353, no. 9.—/*. <ieoff. Diet. Claat. x.

813 FUeh. Syn. 18S9, 330.— Lcm. Man. 1837, Ui.-Sehint, Syn. 1844, 340.— Oi«6. S&ug.

1855, 780.
Tiverra Mrattic*, Shaw, Gen. ZoAI. i. 1800, 430 ("Sannatla Weeael ").
PctorlHH MraatlCUB, Key*. itBtcM.Wirb. Enr. 1840, 68, no. \Ai.—Blat, Wirb. Denta. 1857, 396.
PHtorlHK »arMatlens, Onff. Cnv. K. A. t. 1837, 131, no. 3«3 — Omy, List Mamm. Br. Mvu.

1843, 64; P. Z. S. 1865, 110; Cat. Cam. Br. Mna. 1861), 88.
UHKtcIa pf rrttHRiia, Otild. N. Comm. Petrop. xiv. 1769, 441, pL 10 (pereguriTut is alw found).
MHRtcIa priFCiRCta, Kxaeiytuki, Hiat Nat Pol. 1736, 338.
Voracla, Gem. Quad. 1551, 768.

PeregiM** PewwlMka, Przewlwtka, Panelasta, Pall. Itin. <. e.
TlgerlltK Geflerkte !ltl«, Qerman.
Naraatler, .IliUt. Natnra. SappL 1776, 33.
Peroianni, Buf. Hist Nat. xv.
PvtolR 4t Pologae, Out*. R. A. i. 148.
Marte k ttimturt, Lett. i. &

This remarkably distinct species is black, on the upper parts brown spotted
with yellow, the ears and a frontal baud white. It inhabits Eastern Europe,
Poland, and Russia.

CHAPTER VI.

I'i

11 ,

5i!

II?

iiU

MUSTELIN.E— Continued: The Mink.

Thn Biibgenns Lutreola — Siibgenerio cbaractera and remarks — Putoriua rinon,
the Aiiiericaii Mink — Synonytuy — Habitat — Specitlc characters — Descrip-
tion of external characters — Measurements — Variation in external char-
acters — Variation in the skull — Comparison with the European Mink —
Notice of allied Old World species, /'. lutreola and /'. aibirUiu — General
history and habit« of the Mink — " Miukeries".

WE come now to consider a particular modification of the
genas Putorim^ in adaptation to an aquatic mode of life.
Both the foregoing subdivisions of the genus comprehend ter*
restrial and more ot less arboreal species ; the present one, Lu-
treola^ consists of opecies which are scarcely less aquatic than
the Otters themseives; and the consequent modifications, both
in cranical and external characters, are decided.

The Subgenus LUTREOLA. (Waqneb.)

The leading iieculiarities of this section have been already
pointed out (p. 100), and contrasted with those of Qale^ Cynomy-
omur, and Putorius proper.

The skull of the Mfhk bears out the general points of " build '^
which distinguish Putorim at large from Mustela — such as the
short, turgid, truncate rostrum, comparatively shallow inter-
pterygoid emargination, position of anteorbital foramen, &c. A3
might be expected from consideration of the habits of the ani-
mal, a resemblance to the cranium of an Otter is better marked
in this than in other sections of the genus, the bulIaB auditorite,
in particular, being notably flattened, and the whole upper out-
line of the skull being straightened. In its own genus, the
resemblances of the skull are with that of PutoriuM proper and
of CynomyonaXj rather than with that of Oale. In addition to
the absolutely much greater size in LutveolOj the massivenes^
of the skull, with the strong flaring sagittal and lambdoidal
crests defining temiwral fossiv, contrasts strongly with the
smooth condition of the parts in Qale. In L. vison, there is, iu

156

CHARACTERS OF SUBGENUS LUTREOLA.

159

addition to the comparative flatness of the anditory bnllii', some
constriction and outward prolongation of the meatus, which is
not seen in Gale or Cynomyonax, and scarcely indicated in Pu-
torius proper. The frontal outline is nearly straight, and but
little sloping (much as in Lutra). The pterygoids develop
strong hamular processes, also seen in Putorius proper, but
which are weak or wanting in Oale. There is much constric-
tion of the skull near the middle, and the postorbital processes
are well developed.

The dentelure of Lutreola is probably the strongest to be
found in the genus Putorius at large, and there is reason to sup-
pose that it reaches a maximum in the large North American
species of this subgenus. In L. vison,* the teeth, aside from the
lesser number of premolars, are singularly like those of Mustela
marten, as a matter of superficial resemblance ; and the supe-
riority m size and strength over those of Putorius proper, or of
Cynomyonax (not to mention Gale), is very evident on compari-
son. In the American, if not in other species of Lutreola, the
following points may he specially noted : —

The back upper molar is of relatively large size, conspicu-
ously exceeding that of Putorius foetidus or Cynomyonax nigripes
in relative as well as absolute bulk. The inner moiety is much
larger than the outer ;f its free border is nearly circular ; it is
divided from the outer by a strong constriction ; the outer is
somewhat trefoil-shai)ed. The inner moiety presents a raised
rim and a central tubercle ; the outer has a corresponding
tubercle, but the border is divided into two prominences, mak-
ing three in all on this half of the tooth. The posterior upp^r
premolar (sectorial tooth) shows certain characters not shared by
any American species of the genus H large. There is devel-
oped, at the aut^Toexternal corner ci' the tooth, a decided pro-
cess or spur, only less in size than the ordinary Autero-internal
one ; and the projection of this gives to the outer border of the
tooth a decidedly concave outline.| This process, together with
the internal one, gives the fore end of the tooth a V-like re-

*I have not been able to examine the teettt of any O'd World HpecicH of
this anbgenns.

t This is not the case either with P. fntiius or C. nigriptt, bnt is Hcarcely a
Hnbgeneric character, for it is said not to oeour in the European npecios of
Lutreola,

t Tliere is a trace of this process in P./atidus and C. Higripe«, but it is not
safficlently develoiied to render the outer liotder of the tooth concuve, nor
to make a V-rei-ntrance at the fore end.

160

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

entrance, into which the antecedent premolar is set. Moreover,
the autero-internal process, instead of being a mere heel or spur
standing o£f from the tooth, as in the other subgenera here
compared, develops into a strong, conical, acute cusp, some-
times with two points. The back lower molar, contrary to what
might have been expected, is absolutely not larger than that of
P.foeti(hi8j* and therefore smaller relatively to the general de-
velopment of the teeth. The anterior lower molar (sectorial
tooth) develops on the inner side a slight but unmistakable
supplementary tubercle, like that so evident in Mttstelttf but
smaller ; the other species of Putorius which I have examined
have no trace of this lobe, or a mere rudiment. And, in gen-
eral, it may be said of the molars and premolars of Lutreola,
that their various cusps are better developed than in most, if
not all, other sections of Putorius.

The details of external form of Lutreola are so fully given
beyond in the description of L. vison that they may be here
omitted. There ia but one species known to inhabit North
America, very closely related to the Mink of Europe. The al-
leged differences between the two are presented further on, in
concluding a discussion of their affinities.

The American Iflink. *

Pntorlas (I.atreolii) vison.

Plate IX.
MttSteU rlKon, nris$. Qnad. 1756, 946, no, 6 (from Canadian specimenl same as described by

Butfun and Pennant).— Sehreb. Sttng. liL 1778, 463, pi. 137 b.—Otn. S. K. L 1788, »i.—Turt.

S. N. i. 1806, 58.— Out). R. A. i. 1817, 150.— flaW. Fn. Amer. 1835, e3.—Les». Man. 1837,

U9.— Maxim. Reise, i. 1839, 313.— Bteinv. Ost^ogr. Mustela, pL 13 (teeth).— Uiompt.

K. H. Verm. 1853, 31.
MU8t«l« (Miines) Tison, Detm. Mamm. i. 1830, 183.— On/. Cay. R. A. v. 1837, 134.
Muslel* (Putorius) VlSOn, Rich. F. B.-A. i. 1839, 48, no. 16.
Mustela (LutreolM) tIsob, Wagn. SnppL Schreb. ii. 1841, 341.
Lain ViSOn, Shaio, Oen. Zofil. i. 1800, 448 (based on the Viton of Baffon).
Putorius VlSOD, Oapp. Zool. Joum. v. 1830, 90il.—Emmotu, Rep. Quad. Mass. 1840, 43.— i)e K.

N. V. Z. i. 1843, 37, pi. 11, f. 1 (animal), pi. 8, f. 3, A, D (skull).— Aud. <£ Baeh. Q. N. A. i.

1849, 350, pi. n.~Eenn. Tr. lU. State Agric. Soc. for 1851-4, 1855, yjB.—BeeiUy, Geol.

Cape May, 1857, 137.— Bnird. M. N. A. 1857, 177, pL 37, f. 3, 3 (skulls).— y«w6. P. R. B.

Rep. vi. 1857. 43.— Coop. <£ SueU.TH. H. W. T. 1860, 93: lU.-BUlingt, Canad. Nat. and

Geol. ii. 185V, 448.— Bom, op. eit vi. 1861, 99.— Maxim. Vers. Am. Sfiug. 1869, 53.—

Sam. Am. Kep. Mass. Agrio. for 1861, 1863, 157, pi. 1, f. B.—aHpin, Tr. N. Scotia Inst

ii. 1870, 13, 59.— AfliM, Bull. Minn. Acad. Kat. Sci. 1874, 69.— Oouet <t rarrow.ZooI.

Ezpl. W. 100 Merid. t. 1875, «0.-A{{«n, Bull. U. S. Geol. Sor. vol. ii. no. 4, 1876, 336

(skull).
Mustela lutreola, For*i. Phil. Trans. Izii. 1773, 371— <Sf<ib. Frank. Journ. 1833, 653.— l^SfcA.

Syn. 1689, 391 (partly).— Oodm. Am. Nat. Hist. i. 1831, 306.— Jff^aH, Canad. Nat. &

Geol. vi. 1861, 395.

* As elsewhere stated, in Cynomyoiiaj: this tooth is singularly minute.

U. S. Geological Sarvey.

MnsteUda. PLATE IX.

on, in

Pntortas tIssb. (Nat. «ise.)

• «

CHAHACTEB8 OF PUTORIUS VISON.

161

Pitorim lltrMlM, l"Ouv."\ ^Om.Dnll. M. C. Z. i. 1809, 179 (oritloallk il. 1870, 100 (Flor-

III*).— ilUm, Pr^lkMt Soo. N. H. xlil. 1860, IKI.
ratorlMB latrMlM var. viMHt AUtn, Ball. Bu. Iniit vl. 1874, 94, 99, 09.
NmMcIs (LMlrMlA) lalrcola mir. •■eriraiia, Sehim, Syn. Munm. 1. 1844, .147.
¥lMl iNlrcolRt Oray, LUt Msmm. fir. Man. 1843, 04 (p«rtly) Qerr. Cat. Bones Br. Mai.

1803. 03 (iwrtly).
MvMcIa nUHMleRRlSf Krxl. Syitt An. i. 1777, 4.'i.'S (mixed witli aynonymy of Another HpecIeK,

hut clearly referable here from the description, which can only apply to thr Mink.

Hee Bd. M. X. A. text on p. 151).
MnMrla raaMMIIl mr. vliioil, nndl Elxnch. An. i. 17H4, 8n (niter nnlTon).
Mnlrla wIiIrKMR, .Barton, Am. Phil. Tr. vi. D'OO, 70 (no dcMir. ; 8t. Louiii, Mo.).
XllSleia nidi. Tart. H. N. i. 1H06, .Ifl —Ord, Giithr. QeoK. 3il Am. ed. il. \Sl\ 3UI, 308.
MHHlrU InlreocephaU. Ilml. Fn. Amcr. 189.5, r>:i.

TIMI lnireoeeM«l>l> Oran, P. /. 8. I80.\ 1 16 ; Cat. Cam. Br. Mnn. IRHO, 04.
t MmilclM rufa, U. SmUh, J.m\. Xat. Lil>. xiii. lM4'i, It^O.
PalorlHB nlfrtseeas, Au4.4 Bach. (j. N. A. iil. H.VI. iOI. pi. I9i (not in orig. tiA.).—Baird, M.

V. A. lt<.%7, MO.—(Htpin. Tr. N. Hootia loHt. il. 1870. 13, 6C.
Milk, Umith't Virginia, 1634.-A'aim, Itiu. Hi. 33.
MlRk, I'oaaoa .Viik, AaeriniB Mink, Authon and others.
MIIX, LflioMm, Carol 1700, 131.— Briekett, Nat Hist. North Car. 1737, 118.— Pmn. Arct. Zoiil.

17h4, 87, no. 35.
m*J, Sagn^Thiodat, Hist. Canad. 1630, 748 (ed. of 1860, iil. 680).
PBNtcrMM, IM HotUan, Voy. i. 1703, 81. Also of French Oanadinni.
VIMI, Bi^f. Hist An. xiii. 1705, 304, pi. 43 (baaod on specimen in Mas. Aabry, as weiw the

descrs. of Briss. &. Penn.).— Bomarf, Diet iv. 1708, 015.— i>«»n. Hist Quad. 1781, no.

30.'« ; Arot Zoiil. i. 17<*4, 78, no. 90.
ViMlie, Seata^ia, An. Qnad. iv. 1775, pi. 155, f. 9 (from Bnffon).
Aaerlcaa tImm, Oray, P. Z. S. 1865, lie.
Leuer Oiler, Pmn. Hist Quad. 1781, 338.— For«(. Phil. Trans. Izii. 1779, 371.

JtrkMk, Heame, Jonm. , 370.

Skakwmfeew or A||ackMhew, Oree Indtam (= " Jacka$h"}.
MoMiUla-krook Mink, Aud. it Back. I •.
llUle RiMk Mink, Bd. I. e.
MonnUIn Mink of Hunter*.

Habitat. — North America, at large. North to the Arctic cor at, bnt not
abundant north of Fort Resolntion.

Specific characterh. — Larger and atonter than the Stoata ; eara ahorter ;
tail uniformly bushy, nearly c^ in Muntela; feet aemipalmate; color dark
cliestnut-brown ; tail, and usually a dorsal area, blackish ; chin white, the
edges of the upper lip rarely also white, the throat, breast, and belly often
with irregular white patches. Length 15-18 inches ; tail-vertebriB 6-8.

Description of external characters.*

This animal, with the essential characters of dentition, &c.,
of Putorius, differs notably from the typical Stoats and Weasels
{Oale) in its larger size and much stouter form, in which re-
8i)ects it approaches the true Martens. It shares with these
the uniformly enlarged, bushy, and somewhat tapering tail, in-
stead of » slenderly terete tail with enlarged bushy tip, as in
the Stoats. The tail-vertebrse are one-half (more or less) as

* From unmeroua specimens in the Smithsonian Institntion from all parts
of North America.
11 M

162

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

long as the head aud body ; the terminal pencil is only as long
as the hairs of the tail in general. Unlike the Martens, the
Miuk has small low ears, smaller than those of the Weasels.
The ears are scarcely longer than the adjacent f^r, though they
overtop it a little, as the far lies flat; they are rounded, and
well furred both sides. The general shape of the head — long,
low, flat, subtriangular — is as in other Putorii. The small eye
centres over the angle of the mouth, half-way between the nose
and ear. The whiskers are in four or flve series, the longest
reaching opposite the occiput ; they are stiff and strong ; other
bristles grow over and behind the eyes, on the cheeks, and on
the middle of the chin ; similar bristles are usually seen upon
the wrists and ankles. The extremity of the snoiit is protub*
erant and defluitely naked. The feet are broad ; the hinder
have a slightly oblique set ; the fore have ten balls, the Mind nioe,
as in other Putorii (flve digital pads at the ends of the digits,
flve palmar, and four plantar). The palmar and plantar pads
are not separated by hairy spaces (except the hindmost outer
palmar one), there being only a crease between them. Ordi-
narily, the pads are conspicuously naked, but in northern and
some winter skins they must be searched for amidst the over-
growing hair. This is a purely fortuitous circumstance. The
palms and soles are always furry around the pads. On the
top of the feet, the hairs reach to or rather beyond the ends of
the nails. The digits are all webbed at bases for a considerable
distance, especially the middle ones. The third and fourth fln-
gers are snbequfd and longest ; the second and flfth not so
neiH'ly equal, and both much shorter ; the first is quite short.
The toes of the bind feet have almost the same relative propor-
tions. The pelage consists of a dense, soft, matted under fur,
mixed with long, stiff, lustrous hairs, on all parts of the body
and tail. The gloss is greatest on the upper parts; on the tail
the bristly hairs predominate. Northern specimens have the
finest and most glistening pelage, though the long hairs are the
stoutest; in southern specimens there is less difference be-
tween the under and over fur, and the whole pelage is coarser
And harsher.

In color, the Mink ranges from a light dull yellowish-brown,
not very different from that of a Marten, or of some styles of
the European P. fceUdm^ to a rich blackish chocolate-brown.
These extremes (which will be presently considered) aside, the
animal is ordinarily of a rich dark brown, scarcely or not paler

DESCRIPTION OF PUT0BIU8 YISON.

163

below than on the general npper parte ; bat a doraal area is
usually the darkest, and the tail is quite blackish. A strong
mark of the species is the white chin ; this is rarely absent, but
still ite indeterminate character is shown in the fact that ite
extent and posterior contour are wholly irregular. As generally
found, it occupies the whole under jaw about as far back as the
angle of the mouth. It is sometimes prolonged as an irregular
streak down the throat ; sometimes it is indicated only by a
few specks, or it may be altogether absent. This wh^te seldom
invades the upper lip ; that it sometimes, however, does so is
attested by the specimens before me, one of the ditlerences
claimed from the European P. lutreola being thus obviously
negutived. Besides the white on the chin, there are often,
perhaps usually, other white patches on the under parts, par-
ticularly on the chest, between the fore legs, and on the lower
belly between the hind legs. These markings are wholly inde-
terminate in extent and contour. To reconnt their vagaries
would be futile. In very rare instances, the tail is tipped with
white.

164

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

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§iis

EXTERNAL VARIATION IN PUTORIU8 VISON.

165

Variation in external characten.

In the extensive series of Minks l)efore uie, two extremes of
size and color are apparent. One of these, represented by a few
Hkins from \Va8hin((tou Territory and the Upper MisMouri, is
rather larger than any others I have s«3eu — some 18 or 2U inciios
long, exclusive of the tail. (But the ordinary dark Mink hiis
been found over 20 inches in length.) They are remarkably
light-colored, pale dull yellowish-brown all over, the tail but
little darker, with the usual white marks on the ohl^ and else-
where underneath. Such specimens are noted by Prof. Baird,
p. 170, in text. Although by no means to be overlooked in any
formal account of the species, the fact that this style shades
insensibly into the ordinary state shows that it is merely one
phase of individual variation, which need not bo recognized
by name. The other extreme has been described and figured
as Putoriuft nigreaoens by Audubon and Bachman,* as above.

*In order to set forth fully tbe oharaoters claimed for tliin sappoeod
species, the foUowiDg digest of the original description is civen : —

Smaller than I'. vi$on; teeth in the under Jaw larger than the correHpond-
ing teeth in the upper Jaw; feet less deeply pulmated than in /*. riaon;
ears broader and longer ; fur soiter and more glossy. Color dark browuish-
blttck.

In form, in dentition, and in the shape of the feet, thisspecies beant a ntrong
resemblance to a stout Weasel ; the head is broad and deprcHsed, and Hhorter
und blunter than that of P. viaon. Ears large, oval, and slightly acutts cov-
ered on both surfaces with fur ; legs rather short and stout ; feet huiuII and less
webbed than in P. r'uon. The callosities under the toes are more pr»uiiueut
than in that species, and the palms scarcely half as long. Toes covered
with short hairs almost concealing the nails, and the hairs between the toen
leaving only the tubercles visible. Fur blaokish-brown from the roots to
the tips; whiskers and ears blackish-brown ; a white chin-pntoh (not shown
in the figures); under surface of body a shade lighter and redder than the
book; tail biackish-brown, blackening on the end. Length of head and
bo'ly 11 inches; tail-vertebrie 6, with hairs? ; soles 2);; ear i.

Mountain Mink of hunters. From Pennsylvania, New York, New Eng-
land, and Canada, and supposed to be more northerly than P. rigoii.

"We have bad abundant opportunities of comparing maay specimens
[with P. vison]. We have seen some with their teeth mu^^h worn, and
females which from tbe appearance of the teats had evidently sucklsd their
young. They were all of the size and colour of the specimen above described,
and we can no longer doubt that the latter is a distinct species from P. viaon.
The comparison in fact is n(}t required to be made between these species,

but between the present species and P. lutreola of Europe We had

no opportunity of placing this little species by the side of the European.
We are inoliued to believe, however, that distiaotive marks will be found

166

NORTH AMEBICAN MUSTEUDiE.

It coDsiste in i;he combination of small size and dark colors.
The Hiiecimens representing it are a foot or little more in length,
and of a rich blackish chocolate-brown ; the white on the chin
and elsewhere is found as usual. It has been claimed that this
cannot be merely a young " Mink**, on the ground that it has
been focnd breeding. Hunters and trappers practically recog-
nize as distinct a *' Mountain Mink " of this character, the dif-
ferences which resuic in the enhanced value of the pelt appealing
to them strongly. But, in any event, the specimens before me
establish one fust, namely, that it id impossible to draw any
dividing line between ^^ P. nigrescem'" and the common Mink.
They melt into each other insensibly. The question is nar-
rowed to whether the supposed species is a reasonably marked
variety, or whether it is merely a fortuitous state under which
the Miuk may anywhere present itself. The latter is my
present view. It is certain that young Minks are darker than
the old ones, and that the animal incre(»ses in stature for some
time after it is '^mature'', i.e., in possession of reproductive
powers. The fiu;t that the small blackish individuals are found
breeding is therefore by no means conclusive. Nor is the
supposed " nigrescens " characteristic of any particular faunal
area.

In this connection, the remarks of Mr. B. B. Boss in the paper
above cited have much practical pertinence, and his opinion,
based upon long experience, is entitled to weight. Speaking
of the ordinary Mink, he remarks : — "The color of its pelt varies
greatly. In winter its shades range from a dark chestnut to a
rich brownish black. The tint of all the body is uniform,
except that the belly is sensibly lighter, and that there is a
series of white blotches, running with greater or smaller breaks
from the end of the chin to some distance below the forelegs,
and again contiuued with more regularity from the middle of
the Ix'Ily to the anus. In some skins these markings are of
small extent, but I have never seen them entirely wanting.
There are commonly spots under either one or both of the
forelegs, but not invariably. I have remarked that the color-
ation of this animal, as well as of the Otter and Beaver, grows

in the small roanded feet and abort taniu of oar present epeoies, in its
longer and rather more pointed ears, its shorter head and longer lower
incisors, together with a more general resemblance to oar common weasel
(P. ermiuea) in summer dress."

CRANIAL VARIATION IN PUTORIUS VI80N.

167

lighter as it advances in years, and that the white blotches or
spotA are of greater size and distinctness in the old than in the
yonng. The fur of a yonng Mink (under three years) when
killed in season is very handsome ; its color is often an almost
pure black. The skin is thin and pliable, approaching nearly
to the papery consictency of that of the Martin. When aged,
the hide is thick and the color more rusty. The summer peliige
is short, but tolerably close, and is of a reddish brown color,
and the tail, though still possessing black hairs, shows dis-
tinctly the under-fur of a decidedly rusty hue. Its feet are
rather pointed and not large. Its legs are short but muscular,
and its track in the snow is easily distinguished from that of
the Martin, whose longer and well-covered paws do not sink so
deeply. Indeed, when the snow is at all deep and soft, the
Mink makes a regular furrow, similar to that made by an Otter

under like circumstances, though of course smaller

I am strongly inclined to the opinion that there is only one
species of Mink on this continent, and consider it highly prob-
able that the P. Nigrescentes of And. & Bach, are merely
common Minks under three years of age. I have seen humbers
of skins here of exactly the same color, size, and furring as
those described under that head in Prof. Baird's work on North
American Mammals, which were simply young P. visones. This
gentleman also states that the American species of Mink never
has the edge of the nppev lip white. I have never seen the
whole of that part so colored, but in one specimen now on my
tabic there is a white spot beneath the nostrils."

To the above account of the variations in pelage must be
added another source of change in specimens, namely, the
fading by long exposure to the light. Some mounted Individ*
uals which have been in the Smithsonian museum for about
twenty years are now bleached to a dingy white nearly all
over.

The time that the Mink requires to attain full stature is seen
from the foregoing. As usual in this genus, the female aver-
ages considerably smaller than the male.

Variation in the skull of the Minh

Having already given tht^ principal characters of the skull
in treating of the subgenus Lutreola^ it only remains to note
the variation presented by th? present species.

I f 3

i I'

'i m

:i * I

ii I

168

NOBTH AMEB7CAN MUSTEUDiB.

Skulls of It. vison ordinarily range firom 2.35 x 1.35 to 2.75
X 1.65,* bat the extreme limits of variation are considerably
furtlier apart than these. Mr. J. A. Allen t has tabulated and
discussed the variations according to geographical distribution.
I present bis article in full : —

** Eighteen skulls from the northern parts of the continent,
mainly from Alaska, average 2.66 in length and 1.58 in width,
the extremes being, length, 3.02 and 2.30; width, 1.90 and 1.40.
Thirteen skulls from the highlands of Northeastern New York
average 2.40 in length and 1.34 in width, the extremes being,
length, 2.60 and 2.17. Three skulls from Pennsylvania (un-
doubtedly males) average 2.49 in length and 1.48 in width.
In the northern series, the sex of the skull is given by the
collector, whence it appears that the twelve males have an
average length of 2.81, and the six females an average length
of 2.48, showing a considerable sexual variation in size. Yet
the smallest males (2!i54 and 2.63) fall below the largest female
(2.68), if the skulls are all correctly marked. None of the
other females, however, exceed 2.55, and only three of the
males fall below 2.70. In the New York series, the sex is not
indicat/ed; but, judging from the proportion of the small to
the large skulls, the sexes are about equally represented in
the two series, but in the New York series there is a very
gradual decline firom the largest to the smallest. The northern
series of eighteen is selected from a series of twenty-three ;
the New York series of thirteen from a series of thirty. In
each case only very old skulls were chosen, the immature
specimens in each case being thrown out in order to have a
fair basis for comparison. The immature and middle-aged
specimens greatly predominate in the New York series, owiug,
doubtless, to the species being more closely hunted there than
in the mere unsettled diHtricts of the far north.

*< Taking these two series as a basis for a general compari-
son, there is indicated a considerable decrease iu size from the
north southwai'd, amounting to 0.26 in length and 0.24 in
width, or about one-tenth of the average size of the New York

* A skull of the commoD Ferret, P. foetidua var. furo, before me, is almost
exactly of the former dimensions. Tame Ferrets' skulls I have examined
show i) 'urions depression of the cranial portion — even a concavity of the
upper rofile, which I have not observed in P. /cbMub. A skull of the latter
measures 2.60 X 1.&5.

tBull. U. S. Geol. and Geogr. 8urv. Terr. voL IL no. 4, 1876, pp. 327, 328.

COMPARISON WITH PUTORIUS LUTBEOLA.

169

series. A single specimen, marked < Brookhaven, Miss.', and
another marked 'Tascaloosa, Ala.', however, have a length
respectively of 2.60 and 2.80, the former equaling the largest
New York specimens, nnd the latter nearly equaling the aver-
age size of the males of the northern series, while a single
male aknll from Fort Randall, D. T., 2.90 in length, is the sec-
ond in size of the whole series; one Fort Yukon specimen
only being larger! Other specimens from the Upper Missouri
region, however, are much smaller, as are other specimens
from Prairie Mer Rouge, La., indicating that the specimens
above mentioned are much above the average for their re-
spective localities.

" Meaaiiremenia of thirty-aeren skulls of FutORius vison.

Locality.

Remarks.
1

6530

Fort TukoD, Alaska

i
i

d-
d
d

d
d
d
9

3.03
3.83
3.83
3.15
2.13
8.15
2.68
2.64
3.63
2.68
3.55
2.45
2.33
3.30
3.86
3.10
3.90
2.55
3.90
2.60
3.60
3.40
2.40
2.40
3.32
3.30
3.41
2.40
2.35
3.30
3.40
3.11
3.50
3.50
2.41
3.80
2.60

1.90
1.64
1.63
1.61
1.63
1.51
1.62
L.W
1.58
1.58
1.50
1.45
1.40
1.40
1.63
1.51
1.18
1.46
1.61
1.48
1.38
1.38
1.38
1.31
1.32
1.83
1.31
1.30
1.31
1.18
1.46
1.30
1.48
1.48
1.48
1.61
1.50

Very old.
....do.

— do.
...do.

— do.

...do.

— do.
— do.
— do.

...do.
— do.
...do.
do.

...do.
...do.
— do.

...do.
...do.

Old.

..do.

Old. P. • nigrescent ' J

...do.
— do.

Old.

...do,

...do.

...do.
...do.

...do.
...do.
...do.
...da

...do."

8109
8797
8796

Alaska

......do

8707
8703
8703
8708
8648

Alaska (Kadiak)

8108

Alaska.' .'

6S31

8104
8706
8105
3S84

Nelson Kiver

. f

4309

Fort SiniDSon

8138
4305

......do..": :....

13915

Fort Randall

:ii:<o

Saaex Couutv. New Vork ....

3834

1169
3085
3084

• ■•■■■ Hit •■■■ ■■•••«>•>■■•>*■■ ••••

I.. JtR

3e23

3823

2343

Sarai^ao Lake. New Vork .....

3343
3341

9344

3350
3361

1847

PenuBvl vauia .................

4834

4815

1894

Tnscalooaa, Ala ....... .....

11315

Brookhaven. Miss ....

Comparison with the European Mink.

I have only been able to compere luj series of American
Minks with one European specimen, which, being mounted,
does not permit examination of the teeth. But as we have
seen that the curious difference in the character of the molar

170

NORTH AMERICAN MU8TELIDA.

and last premolar of Mugtela martes and If. americana holds
good, there is reason to presame that the same difference may
constantly obtain in the Minks, as held by Dr. Gray. In this
case, very curioasly, it is the American animal which has the
larger molar, not the Enropeun. This could never have been
predicated by analogy ; it illustrates the constantly recnrring
lesson of the danger of this mode of reasoning; in zoology, and
the necessity of appeal to observed facts in every case. All
the many skulls of American Minks examined (about forty)
show the massive last molar with an inner moiety very much
larger than the outer, as against the opposite which is alleged
of the Old World species. A discrepancy in average size of
the American and European Minks is obvious ; but the differ-
ence is within the range of variation of the former. The white
upper lip, the rule in the European species, is the rare excep-
tion in the American. As far as external differences go, it
would be impossible to separate the two forms speciflcally ;
we could only predicate a geographical race upon the average
superior stature and generally dark upper lip of the American
form. Attending only to these superficial details, Mr. Allen *
came to the justifiable conclusion of the specific identity of the
two animals ; but had his able and pertinent discussion em-
braced consideration of the dental peculiarities, his views would
doubtless have been materially modified. I am unable to en-
dorse his general statement (loc. cit.) respecting the Lutreola
group, that "we have here again but one circumpolar and
widely dispersed species, with possibly two continental or geo-
graphical races which may be more or less easily recognized".
For aside from the question of P. vison, the P. sibiricus (see
foot-note), which Mr. Allen would bring into the same connec-
tion, is an entirely different species, to judge from the single
excellent specimen before me. In justice to this writer, however,
I should not omit to add that since his examination of the skulls
he has presented P. vison as a distinct species.

The comparative diagnosis of P. lutreola and P. vison would
be as follows : —

y. lHtr«>Ia.t — Back upper molar small, quadrate, transverse, the inner
moiety scarcely larger than the outer [.fide Gray]. Averaging smaller;
upper lip normally white.

* Bull. Mus. Oomp. Zool. i. 1H69, pp. 175-177 — an article important as a
contribution tj the present discussion, and as satisfactorily showing that
the external characters supposed to distinguish two species do cot hold.

1 1 introduce short notices of the two Old World species allied to F, riMm,
as further oontribotioni to the liistoiy of the group.

PUTORIUS LUTBEOLA— PUTOBIUS SIBIRICUS.

forty)

P. vUon. — Back opper molar large, with great oonstriotion across the mid-
dle, making an honrglass-shape, the inner moiety of which is nearly twice
as large as. the outer [40 specimens seen]. Averaging larger; upper lip
normally dark.

Pntorlas (Lntreola) Intrtnlm.— European Mink.

TIf erra latreola, L. Fu. Saeo. Sd ed. 1761, S, no. l3.—raU. Spia Zool. xlT. 178U, 46, pL 91, £ a.;

Zoog. R.-A. i. 1831, 80, na 33.
Muiela laircoia, L. S. N. 1. 1766, 66, no. 3 (1iinlmd).-«;Ar«(MT, SKok. iii. 1778, 463, pi. 139—

UpeeK Itin. i. , 176, pi. 13.— Urn. S. N. i. 1788, M, n. 3.— I^rt S. K. i. 1806, 56.— ATUm.

Skand. Fu. 11, lilS.—Le$: Mm. 18», Ul.—FaUk, Act Sue. So. Fenn. IL 1847, iaS.—Oitb.

sang. 1855, 484.
MMRtrIa (Latreola) Intreola, Sekinx, Sjm. Mamm. L 1844, 346.
Latra iHtreola, ffkaw, Q. Z. i. 1800, ii3.—aiog. N. Act Acad. Nat Curio*, xiii. 50i.
PulorlHS lulrcola, Orif. Cot. R. A. v. 1837, 138, na 347.— JBraiidt, Bern. Wirb. Xord. Ear.

Kussl. 1856, 37.- An/ubautt, Ball. Hoc AfTic. Sarthe, xiii; Rev. Mag. ZooL 1863. 77 (see

Brehmer, Arch. Verelna Meoklenb. 1863, SSI; Tanu^oti, Rev. Zool. xt. 3.'>7; HeiuM^

Verb. Ntrf. Vereii.-. Biiinn. i, 1863, 18).
FOBtorlUt lutreola, K. <e U. Wirb. Eur. 1840, 69, n^ 148.— BUM. Wirb. Deutachl. 1817, 334, t •

(der Xorz).— iSftrtwt. Arch. Nat Heoklenb. xVA 1858, 139.— ITraioe, Peterm. Oao^.

Hitth. Itm, 435.
TlMI lutreola, Grau, Liat Mamm. Br. Mna. 1843, 64 (includea botb species) ; P. Z. S. 1865,

117 Cat Cam. Br. 11. . 1869. 94.— Gerr. Cat Bones Br. Has. 1863, 93 (includes both

species).- if. Schmidt, Zool. Oart 1865, 168, flg.
Lalra ■Inor, £rxl. Syst An. i. 1777, 451, no. 3 (mixed witb P. vUon).
Haak, Nnrek, TnhcHrl, Nana, Norz, Nora, Kierz, Nartz, A«(Aor«. ^

KIclae FlMkolter, Haaprotlcr, Oerm.
Norz, MarUnt, ZooL Oart^ xi. 1870, 378 (philological).

The characters of this species are sufficiently indicated in the text above.
Gorrard gives the caudal vertebra) as 17.

Pntorlna (Lutreola?) alblrlcoa.— A'ben'an Mink.

MU9tela8illlrlca,i>aU. Itin. ii.app. 701; Spio. Zool. 1780, xiv. 89, pl.4,<lg.3; Zoog. R.-A. i.
1831, 90, pL r—ErxL Syst 1777, 471, na U.—SekrOt. Siing. iii. 1778, 495, pi. 1.13 B.—
Zimm. Oeogr. Gesch. U. 1780. 306, na 903.— Om. S. N. i. 1788, 98, na la.—Turt S. N. i.
1800, ei.—Leam. Mamm. i. 1890, 177. no. 273 ; Nouv. Diet xiz. 369.— Fr. Ouv. Diet SoL
Nat xxix. 349.- i«. Oeoff. Diet CUss. x. 313.— Oray, List Mamm. Br. Mua 1843, 66.—
a»rr. Cat Bones Br. Hos. 1863, 94.— Oieb. S&ug. 1855, 781.

Tlverra slblrica, Shaw, Gen. Zo6l. i. 1800, 431.

FutortHB siklrica, Oriff. Cuv. R. A. t. 18i7, 139, na 346.

VlMI Biblrlea, Gray, P. Z. a 1865, 117; Cat Carn. Br. Mas. 1869, 94.

(t) " MHBleta italal, Temm. Fn. Jap. 34, pi. 7, f. 3 (na/«i by misprint on plate)."- (Cray.)

Pilols «e SIkirle, Our. R. A. i. 148.

Ckorock, "Sonnini'i Buffon, xxxt. 19."

EllOB, Tartar*.

KuloBBok, Ckorok, Buuiart,

(No. 1451, Mus. Smiths., from the Bremen Museum.) This animal is a Pa-
toriut (teeth 34), and may come near the Minks, as the toes appear to be ex-
tensively semi-palmate and the ears are very short. The general aspect,
however, is that of a Ferret or Polecat, P. ftetidua, like which species, and
liko P. nigripea, it has dark facial markings contrasted with white surround-
ings. The tail is long and bushy, about as it would be in a Marten (Muattla)
of the same size. The color is peculiar — a uniform, clear, rich, fulvous or
tawny brown ("buff" or "fawn" color), scarcely paler below, the tail

172

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

Oeneral history and habits of the Mink,

The history of the American Mink, to which we will confine
our attention, begins at an early date, long before Liunteas con-
ferred precision upon zoological writing by establishing the
binomial nomenclature. Says Sagard-Th^odat, in 1636, refer-
ring to the Hurons : — " lis ont vers les Nentres une autre espece
d'animaux nommez Otay, ressemblant ^ un escurieux grand
comme un petit lapin, d'un poil tres-noir, & si doux, poly &
beau qu'il semble de la panne. lis font grands cas de bes peaux
desquelles ils font des robes & couuertures, o^ il y en entre
bien une soixantaine qu'ils embellissent part tout d, I'entour, des
testes, & des queues de ces animaux qui leur donnent bonne
grace, & rendent riches en leur estime." Early in the seven-
teenth century we find the animal unmistakably indicated under
the name of Mink or Minx.* The derivation of these words — or
rather of this terra, for the two are obviously the same — is from
the original Swedish maenk, applied to the P. lutreola of Eu-
rope. The term otay had long been in use at that time, and
foutereau was an Early French designation, used, for instance,
by La Hontan (1703) for " & sort of small amphibious weasels".
Of the meaning of the term vison^ generally adopted since
Buffon as the specific designation, I have only to remark, on
the authority of von Martens, it;* apparent relatiou with
weasel, through veso. The word jackash, sometimes found, is
obviously a rendering by an English tongue of the Gree name,
which is given by Richardson as Shakwceshew or Atjackaslieic.

*' The Minx ", says Lawson, about the beginning of the last
century, " is an animal much like the English Fillemart or

thronghout the same. Throat aud soles of feet whitish. Forehead, cheeks,
regiou arouud eyes, and naked nasal pad blackish-brown ; end of snout all
aronnd (isolating the dark nose-pad), edge of upper lip, and chin white.
Length apparently about 15 inches; tail-'vertebne 6or 7; hairs at the end
full 3 inches longer.

Pallas says bis animal is peculiar to Farther Siberia, from the Yenisei
River eastward to the sea, to the 60° parallel, but is not found in Kam-
tschatka nor in the Tschuctschi region. Gray attributes it to the Himalayas,
China, Japan, and Formosa, quoting Temminck, as above.

" The identity in form with the Eaglish minx may possibly be more than
fortuitous. Minx was a name of a female puppy, and subsequently signified
a port, wanton girl, doubtless through the same association of ideas that
caused the vnlgar name of a she-dog to become a shameful term of reproach
for a lewd woman. There is something in the forward, prying, and spite-
ful nature of tho animal to render minx applicable.

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE MINK.

173

Polcat. He is long, slender, and every way shaped like him.
His Hannts are chiefly in the Marshes, by the Seaside and Salt-
Waters, where he lives on Fish, Fowl, Mice and Insects. . . .
These are likewise found high up in the liivors, in whose sides they
live ; which is known by the abundants of Fresh- Water Muscles
Shells (such as you have in England) that lie at the Month of
their Holes. This is an Enemy to the Tortoise, whose Holes,
in the Siind, where they hide their Eggs, the Minx finds out,
and scratches up and eats," — with more in the same quaint style.

Button described " Le vison " in I7(>5 from a Canadian speci-
men in M. Aubry's museum, the same ap|>areutly that served
as the basis of Brisson's earlier and Peuuant's subsequent ac-
count. Pennant indeed has also his Minx or Lesser Otter, but
this is simply because he did not recognize that this was the
same as his vison.

Since these earlier authors, the Mink, a very common animal
of this conntry, has been frequently mentioned by writers, and
taken its place in all the systematic works. It has served as
the basis of several nominal species, but these have occasioned
little if any confusion, the zoological characters of the animal
being well marked. The only question, indeed, is as to its re-
lationships with the European P. Intreola. For many years a
specific distinctness was seldom doubted, bnt of late the opin-
ion has tended the other way. The Mink has been placed
alternately in the genera Mvstela and Putoriusj partly owing to
a varying acceptation of these names by authors, partly to a
misconception of its dental characters. It is a true " Weasel ",
with 34 teeth, not a Marten, which has 38. It is of larger size,
stouter form, and bushier tail than an average species of Pu-
toriua^ approaching in these respects to the Martens, Mmtela.
In those points in which it is modified for its eminently aquatic
mode of life, namely, the half-webbing of the toes, short ears,
and the dose-set, bristly, glistening pelage, it makes an ap-
proach toward the Otters. In fact, the specific term lutreolay
*' little otter ", applied to the European form by Linntens, is
highly appropriate. The non-essential modifications which the
animal presents have been unnecessarily made by Dr. G^ay
the basis of a subgenus Visoa.

The peculiar odor which the animals of this genns have in
common attains in this large and vigorous species a surpassing
degree of fetor, though of the same quality. No animal of this
country, except the Skunk, possesses so powerful, penetrating,

174

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTEUD^.

and lasting an efSaviam. Its strength is fally perceived in
taking the animal from a trap, or when the Mink is otherwise
irritated. Ordinarily the scent is not emitted to any noticeable
degree ; it is nnder volantary control, and the fact that the
Mink spends most of its time in the water is another reason
why its proximity, even in numbers, is not commonly perceived
by smell. Both sexes possess the scent-bags ; they lie in the
perinseum, one on each side of the rectam, and open upon a
papilla on either side of the anus, just within the edge of the
external orifice. As usual, the apparatus pertains primarily to
the sexual relations, and, in fact, can have no other office of
consequence, since the effluvium is not powerful enough to
deter pursuit on the part of a determined enemy, as is the case
with the intolerable emanations of the Skunk. Its service
seems to be that of attracting the sexes. It is used with advan-
tage, like the castorenm of Beavers, by trappers, to increase
the efficacy of their bait. It belongs to the class of musky
odors, which, in minute quantities, are not disagreeable to most
persons ; and, indeed, a moderate amount of mink scent is to
me less undesirable than the ineffably rank odor of a he-wolf
for instance. The former is special and peculiar; the latter
seems to convey all that is obscene in the nature of the animal.

The distribution of the Mink in this country is scarcely
limited. In a word, it is found in suitable places throughout
North America. Sir John Richardson found it on Mackenzie's
Biver as far north as 66° ; ** and there is every reason to believe
that it ranges to the mouth of that river, in latitude 69°".
Audubon says that he has seen it <4n every State in the Union",
and remarks its abundance in the saH marshes of the Southern
States. Although he could at thai time only speak at second
hand of its occurrence in regions west of the Rocky Mountains,
I have sufficient evidence in the way of specimens that it is
there equally well represented. Its essentially aquatic nature
leads it to seek, in general, well-watered sections, and it will
never be found far away from water, except it be caught during
the journeys it makes from one stream or pool to another.
Nevertheless, I have fonnd it in great plenty along the water*
courses of some of the driest portions of the interior of the
continent, as in Dakota and Montana.

The very scarcity of water in such regions is one cause of
the apparent abundance of certain aquatic animals in spots, as
around the pools and along the few streams; they become

HISTOBY AND HABITS OF THE MINK.

176

aggregated in a few places rather than generally dispersed over
the coantry, so that their numbers appear greater than they
really are. In the region last mentioned, there was scarcely any
water, running or stagnant, even if enduring fur only a part of
the year, the muddy banks of which were not dotted with num-
berless tracks of Mink, Muskrats, and Meadow Mice. All
around the permanent pools, the entrances to the burrows of
the first named were to be found. The holes were noticed more
or less nearly at water-level, according to the state of evapora-
tion of the water ; they wer generally dug in a rather steep
part of the bank, and from the entrance of the burrow a *' way ^
led far out into the pool.

Whilst encamped for a month or more in the autumn of 1873,
on Mouse River, in Northern Dakota, a friend with me pro-
cured a large number of Minks without difficulty. In addition
to our steel traps, we built numerous deadfalls, and were equally
successful with both means. The Minks were not at all wary
about the traps. Any contrivance by which a small log could
be made to fall against another on touchiog a trigger, the bait
being covered so that the animal could only reach it from the
desired position, sufficed perfectly well. Such a trap may be
built, where there is wood, with a hatchet and pocket-knife in
a few minutes. We set them at intervals for several miles
along the stream, wherever, judging from the number of tracks,
we were most likely to be successful. They were placed as
near as convenient to the water's edge, baited with a duck's
head or breast, and scented with the Mink's odor. In setting
the steel traps, we placed them in the "ways" leading into the
burrows, and iu very shallow parts of the stream, where a little
water rippled over pebbly shingle. It was found best, on the
whole, not to bait the trap itself, but to build a little box of flat
stones, with a narrow entrance, at which the trap was set, the
bait being placed further iu. The Mink of this region seemed
to me rather smaller and darker than average, and they rarely
showed white along the chest or belly.

The tenacity of life of the Mink is something remarkable.
It lives for many hours — in cases I have known for more than a
day and night — under the pressure of a heavy log, sufficient to
hold it like a vice, and when the middle of the body was pressed
perfectly flat. Nay, under one such circumstance which I re-
call, the animal showed good fight on approach. When caught
by a leg in a steel trap, the Mink usually gnaws and tears the

176

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

captivo member, sometimes lacerating it in a manner painfnl
to witness ; but, singular to say, it bites the part beyond the
jaws of the trap. This does not appear to be any intelligent
attempt to free itself, bnt rather an act of the blind fnry ex-
cited by consciousness of capture. Some have averred that it
is an instinctive means of lessening pain, by permitting a How
of blood from the portion of the limb beyond the point of
seizure; but this Hceins to me very problematical. The violence
and persistence of the poor tortured animal's endeavors to
escape are witnessed in the frequent breaking of its teeth
against the iron — this is the rule rather than the exception.
One who has not taken a Mink in a steel trap can scarcely form
an idea of t^e terrible expression the animal's face assumes as
the captor approaches. It has always struck me as the most
nearly diabolical of anything in animal physiognomy. A sullen
stare ft-om the crouched, motionless form gives way to a new
look of surprise and fear, accompanied with the most violent
contortions of the body, with renewed champing of the iron,
till breathless, with heaving flanks, and open mouth dribbling
saliva, the animal settles again, and watches with a look
of concentrated hatred, mingled with impotent rage and fright-
ful despair. The countenance of the Mink, its broad, low head,
shv;rt ears, small eyes, piggish snout, and formidable teeth, is
always expressive of the lower and more brutal passions, all of
which are intensified at such times. As may well be supposed,
the creature must not be incautiously dealt with when in such
a frame of mind.

Th« gun is not often used to procure Mink, not only because
of the injury to the pelt which would ensue, but because its
use is difficult and unsatisfactory. I have never secured one
in this way, though I have more than once fired at them swim-
ming in the water. If on the lookout, as they usually are,
they may dive at the flash, and evade the shot. They immedi-
ately disappear likewise if only wounded ; and even if killed
outright, which is not often the case, they sink, and are not
likely to be recovered. Shots at a Mink on land bnt rarely
offer ; I do not remember to have had bnt a single one, and
then the animal escaped me.

From what has gone before, the prime characteristic of the
Mink in comparison with its congeners may be inferred : I
mean its amphibious mode of life. It is to the water what the
other Weasels are to the land or the Martens to the trees. It

HISTORY AND HADITM OF THE MINK.

177

is as essentially aquatic iu its bnbits as tbc Otter, Beaver, or
Muskrat, and spends perhaps more of its time in the water
than it does on land. In adaptation to tbis mo<le of life, the
pelage bas that peculiar glosi^iness of the longer bristly hairs
iiud felting of the close under fur which best resists the water,
nuicb as in the cases of the other animals just mentioned.
Were not fashion so notoriously capricious, Mink pelts would
maintain a conspicuous place in the fur marts of the world ;
certainly few surpass them in richness of color, gloss, and fine-
ness. Yet they have been found under some circumstances
not to repay cost of transportation, although it should be
added, at times the price they fetch shows them to be better
appreciated. The darkest colored samples are regarded as the
most valuable — such as those coming from the so-called Puto-
riu8 nigretcena. As in other cases, the quality of the fur de-
pends largely upon season, and other varying circurostancos.
Nova Scotian pelts have been regarded with particular favor.
On this subject, the following extract from Dr. Gilpin's article
above quoted is given : — " This fur once valueless has steadily
increased in price, till last winter [ISOd] not seldom five dollars
was paid for a single skin. Our Indians trap but very little
now. The idle boys about the >illage8 take many. The
farmer, indignant at his slaughtered fowl yard, adds a few
more. In ev^ry land and every village, there is a social gi))-
sey who loves sport and hates work ; who fishes, and fowls,
and traps, eats his own trout or po.acbed salmon or moose
meat, taken out of season, and exchanges his little pile of fur
for tea and tobacco at the country store. Many come from
this source. Thus a gathering pile collects and dangles at t^e
country store. The owner packs and sends them to the Hali-
fax market, where of late years it has become the habit for the
fur dealers to tender in writing for them. About six thousand
are annually exported from Nova Scotia proper."

Goincidentally with the aquatic habitat, the food or the
Mink is somewhat modified, in comparison with that of the
land species of the genus. It is probably our only species
which feeds habitually upon reptiles, fish, molluscs, and crusta-
ceans — more particularly upon frogs, fresh-water bivalves,
crawfish, and the like. Nevertheless, it is not confined to
such diet, but shows its relationships with the terrestrial Wea-
sels in a wide range of the same articles of diet as the latter
secure. It is said to prey upon Muskrats — a statement I have
12 M

178

NOKTII AMERICAN MUSTELID.C.

•' *

uo hesitatlou iti believing, though I cannot personally attest it.
A recent writer,* in an article which I would quote were it
written in a style Nuitcil to the present connection, narrates an
incident which may be here briefly related, as showing that
the Mink is a formidable enemy of the Muskrat, though yield-
ing to the latter in weight. Whilst snipe-hunting on a marshy
island below the Kickapoo Rapids of the Illinois Uiver, the
writer noticed an object, which appeared like a ball some six
or eight inches in diameter, rolling toward the water ; and
Hoon ascertained that it was a Mink and a Muskrat clinched
together, and so completely covered with mud as not to have
been at first recognized. At his approach, the Mink released
its hold and made its escape ; but the Muskrat was already
dying of severe wounds in the head and neck, from which the
blood was flowing profusely. The Muskrat had evidently been
captured and overcome in fair fi;;ht by broad daylight, and the
Mink would have devoured its victim had not the hunter inter-
fered. It is also destructive to our native rats and mice — the
Arvicolas, Hesperomys, ^igmoihn, and Xeotoma; it is known to
capture Rabbits, especially the Lepus palustris, its associate in
many marshy or swampy tracts ; while its not infrequent vis-
its to the poultry-yard have gained for it the hearty ill-will of
the farmer. Various marsh-inhabiting birds are enumerated
in the list of its prey, among them the rails and several
smaller species ; and we may jVresume that it does not spare
their eggs. But most birds are removed from its attack ; for the
Mink is not a climber, at least to any extent. In resi)ect to poul-
try, its destructiveness seems to result rather from the regularly
repeated visits of an animal that has located in the vicinity
than the wholesale slaughtering sometimes accomplished by the
Ermine. According to those who have excellent opportunity of
judging, the Mink does not as a rule kill more than it eats.
Still, the opposite case has been recorded. Its modes of hunt-
ing offer nothing peculiar. Like the Weasel and Stoat, it has
been known to pursue its prey by scent.

The Mink often annoys hunters by stealing the game they
have shot before they have an opportunity of bagging it. An
incident related by a recent anonymous writer in " Forest and
Stream" is in point, and furthermore illustrates the wonderful
energy and perseverance sometimes displayed by the Mink in

* M. A. Howell, jr. " The trapper nut the ouly eueniy of .the Muskrat.
< Forest and Stream of Dec. 21, 1876.

HISTORY AVO HABITS OF THE MINK.

179

MccuriDg its food. Speaking of a dudishootin); excursiou,
during which some of the birds that had been killed were not
recovered till next day, the writer goes on to say :— *' The tlrst
spot which claimed attention, was where our *hen mallard'
had ' struck hard pan/ Here was a sight ! feathers and blood
marked the scene of a terrific struggle for what remained of a
duck's life. Here, for at least ten feet io circuit, the snow,
grass and twigs, were whipi)eil into a confused mass, here and
there besprinkled with blood, and quite as often decorated
with feathers ; then there was a trail, leading directly to the
river bank, and out upon the ice ; the trail thence proceeded
up the bank of the river on the ice for about half a mile, when
it disappeared directly in line of a hole in the bank, where we
discovered the bird half buried, head foremost, into a hole
about one-half the size of the bo<ly, frozen stiff. When discov-
ered we worked, not without difficulty, at iXm extrication of the
bird. It required all our force to draw it out, when, as it broke
from its fastenings, two large minks suddenly appeared, and
darted back into their retreat, the last we saw of the varmints
after a half hour of close watching. The ground along the
shore was rough, covered with heavy grass, brush, drift wood,
and many willows. Here the natural obstacles precluded the
possibility of such a trip by land, and the little piece of engi-
neering practiced by this one mink, in capturing and convey-
ing home its prize was truly marvellous. That there was but
one mink, the trail bore direct evidence throughout its entire
length from the scene of the struggle. As we followed the line,
we could easily trace the wide trail of the uallard, as it was
dragged bodily along over the fresh snow, and the deep pene-
tration of its claws into the new ice, spoke volumes of the force
exerted by that small animal in the completion of so severe
an undertaking, and the excessive amount of mink potter ex-
pended in the completion ot a successful foraging expedition.
Here and there throughoat the line of trail were frequent halt-
ing places, where our mink had stopped for a rest. Every
time there appeared numerous tracks around the body of its
victim, as though pleased to inspect its trophy before the next
heat, and then as the distance shortened, the strokes of its tail
at regular intervals of march, marked upon the snow upon either
side of the trail the determined intention of the animal to go
through with its meat before it was too cold to squeeze into a
small space, where the sharp h'ost would soon fix it perma-

180

NORTH AMERICAN MU8TELID.E.

uently. Wbeu drawn out, we found that a couple of < square
meals' had been made from the head, neck and breast, and
enough left for several da.ys to come."

This account of the Mink's theft called forth shortly afterward
in the same paper the following instance of its stealing fish; the
editor, Mr. Charles Hallock, remarking that he had known
Minks to carry off fish weighing no less than twelve pounds: —
"We were spending our vacation in the woods of Maine, tlsh-
ing, and traveling about for a good time in general. One day we
came across an old dam made to flood a piece of lowland. As
this looked like a good place to fish we stopped, seated our-
selres upon the edge of the dam, and cast in our line. The
fish were quite plenty, and as fast as we caught one we threw
it behind us upon the scaffolding. After a dozen or so had
been caught, I thought I would light my pipe, pick up the fish
and put them in the shade, and I started to do so. I accom-
plished the first object, but upon looking for the fish I could
not find a single one. I thought that my chum must have re-
moved them, and was playing a joke upon me, but on mention-
ing it to him he was as much surprised as I was. They could
not have fallen through the cracks, nor leaped over the side
without our knowing it. Where were theyf That was the
question. He returned to fish, and I seated myself upon the
bank to digest the subject. Presently he caught another fish
and threw it upon the boards. Immediately I saw a Mink run
out from a hole near by, snatch the fish and carry it oft". This
explained the mysterious disappearance of the others."

The movements of the Mink on land, though sufficiently
active, lack something of the extraordinary agility displayed
by the more lithe and slender-bodied Weasels, as a conse-
quence of the build of its body ; while, for the same reason, it
does not pursue the smaller animals into their extensive under-
ground retreats, nor so habitually prowl about stone heaps
and similar recesses. It is altogether a more openly aggres-
sive marauder, though not less persistent and courageous in
its attacks. It appears to be more perfectly at home in the
water, where it swims witb exactly the motions of an Otter,
and in fact appears like a small specimen of that kind. It
swims with most of the body submerged — perhaps only the
end of the nose exposed — and progresses under water with per-
fect ease, remaining long without coming to the surface to
breathe. This may be partly the reason of its long survival
under the pressure of a deadfall.

'* MINKERIES."

181

The Mink is uot properly a migratory auimal. In most sec-
tions it remains permanently where it takes up its abode. In
others, however, it may be forced to remove at times, owing to
scarcity or failure of its food-supply, such as may ensue from
the freezing of the waters in northern parts. Under such cir-
cumstances, it may perform extensive journeys overland. Trap-
pers have indeed spoken to me of a *' running'' time with the
Minks, but I cannot satisfy myself that reference .s here had
to' anything more than periods of sexual activity, when the ani-
mals are hunting mates. I do not think that whatever '* migra-
tion" may take place is anything more than casual.

The rutting season begins early — generally in February — and
April is for the most part the mouth of reproduction. Five or
six young are ordinarily produced at a birth. Litters have been
found in the hollow of a log, as well as in the customary bur-
rows.

The Mink has been frequently tamed, and is said to become,
with due care, perfectly gentle and tractable, though liable to
sudden fits of anger, when no one is safe from its teeth. With-
out showing special affection, it seems fond of being caressed,
and may ordinarily be handled with perfect impunity. The
following account of the semi-domestication of Minks on an
extensive scale will be read with interest, not alone for its
novelty, but also because it gives some precise information
respecting the reproduction of the species.

"iUiMfcer/es."

The Mink appears to be the only species ot its genus which
has been systematically reared and trained for ratting iu this
country as the Ferret is in Europe. The relationship of the two
animals at once suggests the feasibility of an experiment, which
has been tried with complete success, as we learn from an in-
teresting article lately published in "Forest and Stream" (Oc-
tober 22, 1874 — apparently taken from " Fancier's Journp.l and
Poultry Exchange" of October 15, 1874). I reproduce the pas-
sage in substance.

Mr. H. Resseque, of Verona, Oneida County, N. Y., has fre-
quently exhibited at fairs two tame female Minks, which he
hands to the by-standers to be caressed and passed from one
to another. The animals were perfectly gentle, submitting to
be handled, but it was noticed that they kept their eyes on their

182

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

keeper, to whom they would frequently extend their paws like
a child wishing to be taken to its parent. Seven years ago,
Mr. Besseque came in possession of a live wild Mink, and through
her progeny his stock has on some occasions amounted to ninety
individuals, besides the numerous specimens disposed of. At
the late Albany County fair, his " minkery " was one of the novel
features.

Mr. Besseque's minkery consists of twelve stalls, each twelve
feet square, of stale soil, and surrounded with a fence and some
special precautions to prevent the escape of the animals. In
each stall is placed a dry-goods' box for the home of the female;
it has two openings for ingress and egress, opposite each other,
besides a door on top to allow of inspection and cleaning. The
animals are fed on sound, fresh meat, as they do not relish
tainted flesh. In summer it is given to them daily, but in cold
weather a large quantity is thrown in at once and allowed to
freeze, the Minks helping themselves at pleasure. In February,
their allowance is shortened, to get them into condition for
breeding. Mr. Besseque claims that this slight degree of fast-
ing makes them more lively and playful, and it is a part of his
plan *o imitate nature as closely as possible — their supply of
food, in the wild state, being restricted at this season.

In the minkery, the sexes are not allowed to run together ex-
cept during the month of March, which is considered the run-
ning season in a state of nature. If allowed together for a
longer period, the male teases and annoys the female. At this
time, the males fight desperately, and if not soon separated one
always gets the mastery. The females come in heat with great
regularity, all being ready for the male within ten days; and the
period of excitement lasts about four days. One male serves
six females. The females reproduce when one year old. The
duration of gestation scarcely varies twelve hours from six
weeks. There is but one litter annually. The litters run from
three to ten in number ; the young are born blind, and remain
so for five weeks. When newly born, they are light-colored,
hairless, and about the size and shape of a little finger. By
the time the eyes are open, they are covered with a beautiful
coat of glossy hair. The young females develop sooner than
the males, attaining their stature in ten months, while the males
are not full-grown until they are a year and a half old. It is
noted that in every litter one or the other sex predominates in
numbers, there being rarely half of them males and the other

"minkeries."

183

half females. If taken in hand when their eyes are first open,
they are readily tamed ; they should not subsequently be al-
lowed to remain with the mother or in each others' society. By
continual petting and handling, they become like domestic rat-
ters, and have all the playfuluess of the young of the feline
tribe. They may be handled, without fear of their sharp teeth,
but they prove extremely mischievous, their scent leading them
to food not intended for them. Their fondness for bathing will
prompt them to enter a tea-kettle or any open vessel ; and when
wotted they will roll and dry themselves in a basket of clothes
fresh from the laundry, or even upon a lady's dress, occasion-
ing much inconvenience.

Minks are not burrowing animals in a state of nature, but
freely avail themselves of the holes of Muskrats and other ver-
min. They cannot climb a smooth surface, but ascend readily
where there is roughness enough for a nail-hold. The grown
male will weigh about two pounds ; the female is heavier than
she looks, averaging between one and a half and one and three-
fourths pounds. These tame Minks make excellent ratters,
hunt vigorously, and soon exterminate the troublesome pests.
Rats will make off on scenting them ; they are so bewildered
in flight that they give no battle, but yield at once; and the
Mink severs the main vessels of the neck so quickly and skil-
fully that an observer would scarcely imagine the deed had
been done.

When wild Minks are confined with the tame ones, the latter
always prove stronger than the former, and come off victorious
in the contests that ensue. They have been observed to beat
off a cat that imprudently invaded the minkery in quest of food.
So completely domesticated are the animals that a person may
enter the inclosure with impunity, and observe the animals
playing about him like kittens.

Mr. Eesseque states that he finds rea<ly sale for his Minks —
in fact, that he cannot supply the demand. His prices are $30
per pair— $20 for a female, $10 for a male, and $25 for an im-
pregnated female. It is to be hoped that this novel branch of
industry will be perpetuated and extended. There are plenty
of Minks in this country, the services of which are available
without diflSculty for the purpose of destroying vermin, and in
the aggregate their good services would have a very decidedly
appreciable result. They have a great advantage over terrier
dogs in being able to enter any ordinary rat-hole and drive their
prey from its hidden resorts.

184

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

From the "Forest and Stream" of July 2, 1874, the followiug
article is extracted in further illustration of this branch of
industry: —

"Messrs. Phillips & "Woodcock, of Gancadea, New York,
commenced two years ago the business of breeding mink for
their fur. A correspondent of the Buffalo Express describes
the 'Minkery' in the following terms: —

"'The "Minkery," designed to accommodate one hundred
minks for breeding, consists first of an enclosu.e about forty feet
square, made by digging » trench one foot deep, laying a plank at
the bottom, and from the outer edge starting the wall, which
consists of boards four feet high, with a board to cap the top,
projecting upward eight or ten inches to prevent their climbing
over. Within this enclosure is a building 14 by 24, supplied by
running water, from which the mink catch living fish, that are
often furnished, with the greatest delight.

"'The building is constructed by an alley three feet wide
around its circumference. Within are two rows of cells four
feet deep and two and a half wide, each having a door venti-
lated at the top and bottom with wire screens, as is also the front
entrance, what the proprietors call the anteroom, four by four
feet, which must be fastened within every time the building is
entered, to prevent the escape of the imprisoned animals. On
entering the main hall, which the minks have access to (when
not rearing their young), they present a very playful group.

"'The person feeding them is often mounted, for their food
and their tenacity of hold is so strong that they may be drawn
about or lifted without releasing their hold npon the food. The
nest of the female is very peculiarly constructed with grass,
leaves, or straw, with a lining of her own fur so firmly com-
pacted together as to be with difficulty torn in pieces. The
aperture leading to the nest is a round opening, just sufficient
to admit the dam, and is provided wich a deflected curtain,
which covers the entrance and effectually secures her against
all invasion when she is within. About the middle of March
the females are separated from the males until the young are
reared. The necessity for this arises from the fact that the
males seem inclined to brood the young almost as much as the
dam, when both are permitted to remain together.

'"The expense of feeding these animals is almost nominal,
being supplied pretty much entirely from the usual offal of a
farm yard, with occasional woodchucks and game in general.

" MINKERIES."

185

Tbey eat this food with equal avidity after decoiupositioD has
taken place, devouring every particle of desb, cartilage, and the
bones. The flesh and bones entire of the woodchuck are con-
sumed often at a single meal. While the expense of keeping
is thus trivial, the profitable yiold of the animal is compara-
tively immense, it oeibg considered a moderate estimate or
claim that the mink with her increase will equal the avails of a
cow.' "

We find in Audubon and Bachman several paragraphs upon
the same subject, which will be transcribed : — " The Mink, when
taken young, becomes very gentle, and forms a strong attach-
ment (?) to those who fondle it in a state of domestication,
liicbardson saw one in the possession of a Canadian woman,
that passed the day in her pocket, looking out occasionally
when its attention was roused by any unusual noise. We had
in our possession a pet of this kind for eighteen months ; it
regularly made a visit to an adjoining fish-pond both morning
and evening, and returned to the house of its own accord, where
it continued during the remainder of the day. It waged war
against the Norway rats which had their domicile in the dam
that formed the fishpond, and it caught the frogs which had
taken possession of its banks. We did not perceive that it
captured many fish, and it never att£\?ked the poultry. It was
on good terms with the dogs and cats, and molested no one
unless its tail or foot was accidentally trod upon, when it inva-
riably revenged itself by snapping at the foot of the offender.
It was rather dull at midday, but very active and playful in the
morning and evening and at night. It never emitted its dis-
agreeable odour except when it had received a sudden and
severe hurt. It was fond of squatting in the chimney corner,
and formed a particular attachment to an armchair in our study.

" The latter end of February or the beginning of March, in
the latitude of Albany, N. Y., is the rutting season of the Mink.
At this period the ground is usually still covered with snow,
but the male is notwithstanding very restless, and his tracks
may every where be traced, along ponds, among the slabs around
sawmills, and along nearly every stream of water. He seems
to keep on foot all day as well as through the whole night.
Having for several days in succession observed a number of
Minks on the ice hurrying up and down a millpoud, where we
had not observed any during the wliole winter, we took a
position near a place which we had seen them pass, in order to

186

NORTH AMERICAN MUStELID^.

procure some of them. We shot six in the coarse of the morn-
ing, and ascertained that they were all larp;e and old males. Ah
we did not find a single female in a week, whilst we obtained
a great number of males, we came to the conclusion that the
females, during this period, remain in their burrows. About
the latter end of April the young are produced. We saw six
young dag from a hole in the bank of a Carolina rice-field ; on
another occasion we found five enclosed in a large nest situated
on a small island in the marshes of Ashley river. In the State
of New York, we saw five taken from a hollow log, and we are
inclined to set down that as the average number of young the
species brings forth at a time."

-■• '•. !(,■, : ■ '■'- -..,

■I

:t. '-x- ■,::>■

•/

CHAPTER VII.

Subfamily MEPHITIN.E : The Skunks.

General considerations — Cranial and dental characters — The anal armature —
Division of the subfamily into genera — Note on fossil North American
species — The genus MephUh — ilephitia mephitica, the Common Skunk —
Synonymy — Habitat — Specific characters — Description of external charac-
ters — Description of the skull and teeth— Variation in the skull with
special reference to geographical distribution — Anatomy and physiology
of the anal glands and properties of the secretion — Geographical distri-
bution and habits of the Skunk — History of the species — Audekd'tm : on
hydrophobia from Skunk-bite, the so-called " rabies mephitica ".

General considerations. -.

A CONCISE diagnosis of this subfamily will be foand on
p. 10, where the characters of the group are contrasted
with those of the other North American subfamilies.

The subfamily is confined to America, its nearest Old World
1 ''presentatives being the African Zorillin(C. It is a small group,
of only two or three genera and perhaps not more than four or
five really good species, among the great number of nominal
ones indicated by authors. More precise knowledge than we
now possess will be required to fix the number of species, espe-
cially in the genus Conepatits. No more than three species are
known to inhabit North America north of Mexico, each one
typical of a different genus or subgenus. There is a Mexican
species of Mephitis proper, apparently perfectly distinct from M.
mephitica. One North American and Mexican species of a sec-
ond allied subgenus, Spilogale, and one or several North, Cen-
tral, and bouth Au'erican species of the very different genus,
ConepattiSj complete the list as far as known.

In entering upon the Mephitinw, we pass to a group quite

188

NORTH AMEBICAN MUSTELIDiE.

different from the Mmtelina in general external appesTance as
well as in structural characters. The closest relationships ot
the Skunks are with the Badgers (subfamily Melince) ; t^e
affinities of these two being so well marked that some authors
have combined them in the same subfamily. The Skunks and
Badgers agree in many points of external conformation ; in fact,
Conepatus mapuritOj one of the Skunks, is almost as much of a
Badger, to all outward appearance. They are terrestrial ani-
mals, of more or less perfected fossorial habits ; the walk is
plantigrade; the fore claws are enlarged, straightened, and
well fitted for digging. The general form is very stout ; the
legs are short, and the body consequently low ; the tail is more
or less bushy, and the whole pelage is loose. The physiognomy
is somewhat hog-like, especially in the Badgers and in ConepaUts,
owing to the production and <jnlargement of the snout. These
animals neither climb trees nor swim in the water ; their gait
is comparatively slow and lumbering ; their retreats are bur-
rows in the ground, dens in rocks or logs, or sometimes the
shelter afforded by out-of-the-way nooks in human habitations.
Some of the species hibernate.

Cranial and dental characters.

There is also a singular cranial character by which the Skunks
And Badgers may be collectively distinguished from any other
l^orth American Mustelidw. The conduit of the posterior nares
is completely separated into right and left passages by a vertical
bony septum, which extends to the hind end of the palate. lu
all the other Mustelidte treated in this work, the posterior nares
are thrown into one channel by total lack, posteriorly, of any
such partition.

Nevertheless, the structural characters of most weight in
classification are abundantly sufficient to mark off Mephitinw
and MelinK as groups differing from each other as much as most
other subfamilies of the Mustelidce do. Reference to the tables
of characters already given (pp. 7, 8) will show this. Here I
may recall some of the leading peculiarities of the Mephitinoi.

The skull of any Skunk may be known at a glance, on com-
parison with that of any other Musteline animal, by the depth
of the emargination between the pterygoids, which is always
much greater than the distance from the end of this emargina-
tion to the molars. The post-molar portion of the bony palate

CRANIAL CHARACTERS OF MEPHITIX.E.

189

in Mephites and Spilogale is ml, or almost so ; that is, the palate
ends nearly or exactly opposite the posterior border of the last
molar. In Conepatusj the palate reaches a little farther back,
but still not nearly half-way to the ends of the pterygoids. In
other North American Mustelidw, the palate usually extends
half-way or more to the extremities of the pterygoids. Tlie
cranium of the M^hitinw is further peculiar in the periotic
region. The auditory buUie themselves are small, and but
moderately inflated at the base, with well-marked constriction
of a tubular meatus;* while the parts lying behind the bulhi^
are unusually expanded, presenting a flattish and more or less
horizontal large surface, which widely separates the paroccip*
ital processes from the bullse.t In Lutrhuc and Enhydrinw, the
paroccipitals are remote from the bullse, but there is no such
inflation of the mastoid region as is witnessed in some of the
Mepkitinw, as in Spilogale, where the swelling of the mastoid
cells results in a convexity of the parts only less than that of
the bullre themselves. The anteorbital foramen is remarkably
small, circular, canal-like, Mid occasionally divided into several
smaller openings. The postorbital processes are small or
obsolete; the postorbital constriction of the skull is compar*
atively slight. The glenoid fossa is shallow, presenting much
forward as well as downward, and never locks the condyle of
the jaw, as so often happens in Melina'. The coronoid process
of the mandible is variable in Mephitina', for while in Mephitis
and Spilogale it is erect and conical, as usual in Mustelida:, in
Conepaim it takes a backward slope, and is obtusely falr^te, as
in Enhydrince.

The teeth of Mephitince are also diagnostic in the combina-
tion of a large quadrate back upper molar with pm. |;3 or ^^ (the
latter formula peculiai' to Conepaim, but not always obtaining,
even in that genus)4

The detailed descriptions of the skull and teeth given beyond
under heads of the several genera of Mephitinac render further
account unnecessary here. I would, however, advert to the
extraordinarily high rate of variability inherent in the crania
of these animals. In other groups, genera might very well be

* In Melina, the inflatioD of the bullse is at a maximum for the family,
tin Melina, and also in MmUlina, the paroccipitals are close to, or in con-
tact with, the bailee.

3-3 '

t Melina, with pm. ^-^, have a perfectly triangular back npper molar;

3-3

Lutrina, with quadrate back upper molar, have pm<

4-4

3-3*

190

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDA.

1 1 J :,,

established upon dififereDces which are here nothing bat fortu-
itous individual variations, or even the progressive changes
with age during the life of the same individual. A Skunk'H
skull is as variable in shape as its pelage is in color. (Oompare
Plate X with XI, or Plate XIII with XIV, and see what ex
traordinary differences skulls of the same species may show.)
The general pattern of coloration, and the colors themselves,
are likewise diagnostic of this subfamily, as all the species are
black and white.

The anal armature.

No general sketch, however cursory, of leading features of
this subfamily should fail to note the point which renders the
Skunks infamous, makes their very name an opprobrious epi-
thet, and almost forbids its use in the ordinary conversation of
the polite. The matter is so notorious that comment may be
confined to the zoological aspects of the case, including a refu-
tation of various absurd notions still current among the vulgar.
Special interest attaches to the subject, since it seems probable
that there is some occult connection between failure of the sup-
ply of the fluid and a state of the system in which the saliva
of the animals is capable of inoculating a disease similar to
hydrophobia.

It was supposed for many- years that the intolerably offensive
fluid was the animal's urine, voided by an ordinary act of mic-
turition, but with malice prepense. Its wide diffusion was
sometimes fancied to be secured by means of the bushy tail,
which, charged with the liquid, served as a mop to flirt it
around. The obvious difficulties in the way of anatomical in-
vestigation long kept the facts in the case concealed.

The fluid is the secretion of certain glands situated in the
perinieum, on each side of the rectum. So far from being pecu-
liar to Skunks, similar glands exist throughout the Mustelidce,
and are, in fact, among the characteristic structures of the fam-
ily. In the Mephitime, however, they reac h the maximum of
development, and their secretion acquires qualities which make
it the most penetrating, diffusible, and intolerable of animal
effluvia. The anatomical structure is fully described beyond ;
here I need only advert to some leading features.

Each gland is a secretory sac enveloped with a muscular tunic,
and furnished with a duct to convey the secretion ; the orifice

OENEBIC SUBDIVISION OF MEPHITIN.i:.

191

of this duct is upon a papilla, which is situated on the side oi
the anus, just within the verge. Coutraction of the muscular
investment compresses the sac, and causes the fluid to spirt
from the anal pore ; the action is precisely that of a syringe
with compressible bulb. The Skunk is as cleanly as any
other animal, and the peculiar action observed at the moment
of the discharge prevents the wetting. of the fur. Forcible
erection of tbe tail is accompanied by a tension of the periuanim,
and an eversion of the anus, most favorable to forcible, unim-
peded, and direct evacuation of the contents of the sac. The
operation is wholly under the voluntary control of the animal,
and seems to be chiefly resorted to in self-defence, although
there is reason to suppose that the evacuation must recur at
intervals simply to avoid over-distension of a continually secret-
ing organ with its own products. Ordinarily, however, the
iSknnk is not more odorous than many other animals ; it may
even be captured, under some circumstances, without provok-
ing an emission ; nor do the horrible possibilities of the stench
always render the flesh of the animal uneatable. In contem-
plating this singular provision of nature for the protection of
an otherwise iuofteusive and almost defenceless creature, wo
cannot but admire the simplicity of the means employed. Some
little further development of glands common to the Slmtelida;
and some inscrutable modification of the operations of the
secretory follicles, which gives a peculiar character to the fluid
elaborated, result in means of self-preservation as singular as
it is efficacious, habitual reliance upon which changes the
economy of the animal and impresses its whole nature.

Division of the subfamily into genera.

There are t wo strongly marked generic types of the Mephitinw,
one of them susceptible of subdivision into two subgenera. In
a former paper,* in which the skulls and teefth of the Mephitinw
were described, I allowed three full genera, following Dr. Gill ;t
but I am now rather inclined to consider Spilogale as only a
subgenus. It certainly differs much less from M^hitis proper
than Conepatm does, and the degree of differentiation seems to
me to accord closely with that subsisting, for example, among
the subdivisions of the genus Putorius.

• Bull. U. S. Geol. & Geogr. Sarv. Terr, "id ser. ao. 1, 18/5, p. 12.
t Arrang. Fam. Mamm. 1672, 66.

192

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

The (liviBious of Mephitimv are expressed iu the follovrinii;
diagnoses: —

A. Tfcth 34; pm. j|-i|. DorRnl outline of hUuII not in one continnoiiB

curve. Lad ut° muzzle truncate vertically, or with little obliquity.
Palate ending opponile Inst luolar (naore or less exactly). (Feriotic
region varying with the subgenera.) Curonoid process of Jaw coni-
cal, erect, its fore and bind borders converging to a vertical apex in
advance of condyle. Angle of mandible nut exflected. Snout not
notably produced nor depressed. NostrilM lateral, ^ail very lon^
and very busby. Soles comparatively narrow, bairy at least in part.
North, Middle, but probably not Sonth American. Genua MEriliTlH.*

a. Skull not depressed, the dorsal outline irregularly convex, highest

over the orbits. Zygomata moderately arched ujtward, highest be-
hind. Postorbital processes usually obsolete. Mastoid processes
flaring strongly outward, much beyond orifice of meatus. Feriotic
region not particularly inflated. Size large. Colors massed in large
areas Suhg. MephitiM.

b. Skull depressed, the dorsal outline approaching straigbtness, particu-

larly over the orbits. Zygomata strongly arched upward, highest in
the middle. Postorbital processes well developed. Mastoid pro-
cesses slight, scarcely produced beyond orifice of meatus. Periotic
region peculiarly inflated by development of mastoid sinnses, the
under surface swollen, and giving a quasi appearance of a second
bulla auditoria behind the real one Subg. SpUogale.i

B. Teeth normally 32; pm. ^"3, sometimes, however, j^aifrtJiu presence of an

additional minute premolar.^ corresponding to the anterior one of Alt-
phUii. Dorsal outline of skull one continnous curve, more or less
regular, from occipital protuberance to ends of premaxillaries, owing
to the great obliquity of truncation of the end of the rostrum, which
brings the profile of nasal orifice into line with that of the forehead ;
skull highest in parietal region. Palate produced decidedly past the
last molars, yet not half-way to ends of pterygoids. Perio Uc region
much as in Mephitis proper, but the mastoids rather as in Spilogale,
projecting more downward than outward. Postorbital processes
usually obsolete. Zygomata slightly arched npward. Coronoid pro-
cess u jaw sloping backward, obtusely falcate, with convex anterior
and concave posterior margin, the apex nearly overtopping condyle.
, Angle of the mandible strongly exflected. Of large size, extremely
stout form, and somewhat Badger-like appearance. Snout strongly
produced, depressed. Nostrils inferior. Tail short and little bushy
(for this subfamily). Soles very broad, entirely naked. Coloration
massed in large areas. South, Middle, and (scarcely) North Ameri-
can Genus Conepatu8.(i

" Etym. — Lat. mephitis, a foul or noxious exhalation.

t Etym. — Greek airiTioc, a spot ; ) a?ii, a kind of Weasel.

t The anterior lower premolar is said to be sometimes wanting.

$ A barbarous word, like many other of J. E. Cray's genera, derived from
Conepatl or Conepate, the name of the animal in the vernacular (probably
Mexican) of countries it inhabits.

MEPIIITEH FRONTATA (fOSSIL.)
Note on/oaail North Amtricun apeeicHo/ MephitiH.

193

IVIephllla fronlalA, Ooum.

NeykllU riroiUtN, Oout». Bull. U. S. Qool. and Ueog. SiirT. Torr. 9d Mr. no. 1, 1873,
7, with woodcut.

From the bone-caves of Penimylvania. Post-pliocene.

Sprcikic ciukactrhs.— Skull oztremuly hi^h in tlio miildle ; thn protilo ot'
the upper oiitliue very rapidly (UmoeudinK in a nearly atrniitht lino from thin
point to the occiput and niiizzlo. Greatest depth of Hkull without Jaw littlu
leHs than half its length. Zygoma highly arched; the lM>ne in front uoui-
preoued vertically instead of laterally.

This species is founded on a skull, No. 3232 of the Sinitli-
Honian Museum, obtained by Prof. Baird in the bone-caves of
Pennsylvania. The animal was a true Mephitin^ closely related
to M. mephitica^ if really difterent. Though the frontal region is
always tumid in Mephitia, there is seen in the recent species
nothing like the protuberance and angulation of the vertex of
M. frontata. The prominence is also decidedly more posterior ; it
is something over and above the general tumidity of the inter-
orbital region of recent Mephitis; the shape is rather as in Oulo,
but even the profile of the latter is here exaggerated. The
prominence appears to be mainly due to enlargement of the
frqptal sinuses, as may be seen in this specimen, in which the
outer tablet of the skull is abraded in places, exposing the
interior. With this general elevation is associated a notably
higher arch of the zygoma, and the malar is slenderer than in
recent species at its anterior portion, where it is curiously nar-
rowed vertically instead of being laminar throughout. None
of these characters obtain in any of the numerous recent skulls
examined, notwithstanding the great variability of the latter.
The animal was of the size of the common species. The skull
in general bulk is intermediate between various specimens of
that of M. mephitica.

Mr. J. A. Allen* takes exception to the specific validity of
the species in the following terms : — •

" Dr. Goues has ventured to describe a * new

species ' {M^rontata)^ based on a fossil skull from one of the
bone-caves of Pennsylvania, as it seems to me, unadvisedly.
The specimen, though that of a very aged individual, is scarcely
larger [....] than the average of specimens from the
Eastern States, its chief difference from the average skull con-

* Bull. U. S. C^ol. and Geog. Surv. Terr. vol. ii, no. 4, 1^76, p. 333.
13 m

194

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiG.

sistiiig in an abnormal tumidity of the frontal region, arising
evidently from disease. It is a feature by no means confined
to the present example, but is merely an extreme enlargement
of the sinuses of the frontal region often seen in specimens of
the existing animal, evidently resulting from disease. In No.
917 (Albany, N. Y.), No. 8099 (Fort Cobb, Ind. T.), No. 1878
(Calcasieu Pass, La.), and No. 1620 (Indianola, Tex.), the same
tendency is strongly marked, which, in some of these speci-
mens, had they attained equal age, must have resulted in a
malformation nearly or quite as great as is seen in the fossil
skull in question.

'' In this connection, I may add that a pretty careful exam-
ination of the fossil remains of Camivora^ collected by Profes-
sor Baird many years since from the bone-caves of Pennsylva-
nia (of ^"i'hich this fossil skull of the Skunk forms a part), has
failed to show any of them to be specifically di£ferent from the
species now or recently living in the same region. Many of
them are remains of individuals of large size, but not exceed-
ing the dimensions of the specimens of the recent animal from
the same or contiguous regions. These remains include, among
others, the following species : — Lynx rufm^ Urocyon virgimamMj
Mmtela pennanti, Mmtela americana^ Putorius vison, Lutra earyi-
densis^ Mephitis mephitiea (other specimens than the ^frontata^
skull), Procyon lotoTj Ursm americanus, et«."

Granting that the probabilities are against the validity of
the species, it may be observed that the disease theory is not
proven, and that no recent specimens of Mephitis have been
found to match this one.

Tlms oipecies, so far as I am aware, is the only fossil Skunk
described as such ; but compare anted,^ p. 18, on the question
of " Oalera " perdicida.

The Genus MEPHITIS. (GuYiER.)

X Tlverra sp., of some early authors.

<Mepllltl8t Ouvier, "Lemons d'Anat i. 1890" (coextenaive with the anbfamily), and of
authora generally.— Baird, M. N. A. 1857, 191. ^

< CklBCtaft, Lett. Nonv. Tab. B. An. 1843. .

> SpilogAle, (Troy, Proa. ZooL Soc 166&, 150. (Type, 8. itUerrupta = M. frntorttw.)

> MephillBt am, Arrang. Fam. Mamui. 1S73, 66 (restricted to snbg. Mephitii as ohar-

actericed in this paper).— Obti««, BolL V. S. G«ol. Snrr. 9d ser. i. 1875 (same re-
striotion).

For characters, see a preceding page (p. 192).
The several North American species of Mephitis proper (as
restricted to exclude Spihgale) indicated by authors are re-

U. 8. Geological Sarvey.

MniteUdflB PLATE X.

! I

M«i^kltla mcphttlca. (Xat. t»izu )

SYNONYMY OF MEPHITIS MEPHITICA.

195

(lucible to one, possibly divisible into two or three geograph-
ical races. There is a second Mexican species, apparently
valid, which will be brought into the present connection to
complete a review of the genus. A fossil species is also de-
scribed in the foregoing pages. Mephitis proper and Spilogale
are both confined, as far as known, to North and Middle
America, Conepatm being the only South American type of
Mephitinee, but also extending through Middle America to the
Mexican border of the United States.

The Common Skunk.

Mephitis mepliltlca.

Plates X, XI.
(a. mepkitiea.)

Tlferra mephltica, Shaw, Mas. Lever. 1793, 173, no. 4, pi. 6; Oen. Zool. i. 1800, 390, pi. 94, mid-
dle fijT.

Meptallls ■ephltlca, Bd. M. N. A. 1857, 195.— Ooop. <£ SuekL N. H. W. T. 1860, 94.—Hai/d.
Trans. Am. Philoa. Soc. xiL ISfi, US.—Samueh, Kinth Ann. Rep. Mass. Agric. for 1861,
1863, 161.-6en-. Cat. Bones Br. Mas. 1863, 97.— A lien. Bull. M.C. Z. i. 1869, 178; ii, 1871, 169
(critical).— A({«n, Pr.Bost. Soc. xiii. 1869, 183.— Qilpin, Proc. and Tr. N. Scotia Inst. ii. 1870,
eO.—Steti. U. S. Geol. Surv. Terr, for 1870, 1871, 461.— Pfflrter, Am. Nat. v. 1871, 346 (anat.
of anal glands, iio.).— Alien, Ball. Kss. Inst. vi. 1874, 46, 54, 59, 63.— Alien, Proc. Boat. Soc.
XTii. 1874, p. 38.— A MM, Ball. Minn. Acad. Nat. Soi. 1874, 69.— (7oue«, BulI.U. S. Gcol. and
Geogr. Sorr. Terr. 3d ser. no. 1, 1875, 8 (sknll and teeth).— OawM <£ Yarrow, Zool. TizvX.
W. 100 Merid. V. 1875, 62.— AOm, BnlL U. S. Geol. Snnr. vol. iL no. 4, 1876, 333 (skall).

MepkltIS Chlnga, Tied. Zool L 1808, 363 (pa.ti'vh-Lieht DarstelL S&ag. 1837-34, pL 45, f. 1 ;
Abh. Akad.Wi8S. Berl. for 1836, 1838,380.- Jfcurim. ReiseN.A.i. 1839, 350; Arch.f.
Natarg. 1861,— ; Vers. N. A. Saag. 1803, 4i.—Wagn. Snppl. Schreb. ii. 1841, 19e.—Schiiu,
Syn. L 1844, 333, no. 13.— Aitd.ttBMih. Q. N. A. L 1849, 317, pi. ii.-Oiebel, Saag. 1855, 766.—
FUzinger, Natarg. Sttag. i. 1861, 315, f. 63.

Mephitis •merlCADM var. K, Dem*. Mamm. i. 1830, 186 ("Musteia", laptu. Inclades all the
American Skanka, vars. A— R); Noav. Diet xxi. 515 (var. 7).— ./. .Sial*. App. Frankl.
Jonrn. 1833, 653.— ffaW. ^n. Am. 1835, m.—Orif. An. Eingd. v. 1827, 137, no. 358 (partly).
Leu. Man. 1837, 151, no. *06.—Godm. Am. Nat. Hist i. 1831, 313, pi. -f. l.—lHmghty'»VAb.
N. H. ii. 1833, 193, pL 17. —Rich. Zool. Beeohey 's Voy. 1839, i.—Emmon», Rep. Quad. Mass.
1840, 49.— 1>« fay, N. Y. Zool. L 1843, 39, pi. 13, f. 1.— TTyman, Pr. Best Soc. 1844, 110
(anat.).— WatT^n, Pr.Bost Soa iiL 1849, 175 (anat).— 2?komp«. K. H. Vermont, 1853,33.—
IToodh. Sitgr. Rep. 1853, 44.— Kenn. Tr. Illinois AgricSoc. for 1853-4, 1855, S76.— Bees-
ley, Geol. Cape May, 1857, ia7.—BiUingt, Canad. Nat and Geol. L 1857, 360.— Soil,
CuumL Nat and GeoL vi 1861, 396.

Mephitis merleaiia var. hntaomlt*, Biek. F. B.-A. i. 1639, 55, na 19.

ChlachK aaerteaBft, Lett. Noav. Tabl. R. A. 1843, 67.

Mephitis ehlaehe, JFVteA. Syn. 1839, 160 (inclades other species ; qaotes Tiedemann primarily).

Mephltlp TMrlMS var. chlBgA, Oray, P. Z. a 1865, 148 ; Cat Cam. Br. Mas. 1869, — .

Ohiiche, Shaw, I. e.—aeof. <t Cm. " Hist Mamm. ii. 1819, — , pL — (Looisiana)."

Mephltle Weesel, Shaw, Mas. Lever.

Onlicsque, Sag.-TMod. Hist CaukL 1636, 748 (ed. of 1866, iU. 660).

EbAd <■ DUhle, ChurUv. N. France, v, 1744, 196.

Poient, Kalm, Voy. , 453.

8kuk, FortU PhlL Trans. IxiL 1773, 374.— P«nn. Arot Zool. L 1784, 85, na 3a.—Htarm, Joum.
,377.

Chile*, Sehinz, (. e.

196

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

Mniifetie d'Am^riqae, Lesa. &c. &c.
Flskatta, SwedUh.
Bete puantr, French.
SliPktbler, German.

(6. mesomelaa.)

Mephitis me)toinrlM,Xi«A«.DarHt. Siiug. 1837-34, pi. 55, f.2; Abb-Ak-Wiss. BerL forl836,ie3?.

^m.— Maxim. Reiae, 1. 1839, 240 ; Arch. Naturg. xxvii. 1861, 818 ; Verz. N. A. Sang. 1862,

36.— &;Attu,Syn. L 1844, 322, uo. 11.— <S(. Hil. ZooI.Voy. V^naa, L 1855, 133, pi. —.—Bd. M.

X. A. 1857, 199 (after Licht.).
Mephitis mesomeles, Oerr. Cat. Bones Br. Mua. 1862, 97.
Mephitis occiiientalis.JBd. M. X. A. 1857, 194.— .Vewb. P. K. R. Rep. vi. 1857, 44.— Coop, db Sw](.

X. H. W. T. 1860, 116.
Mephitis mephltira var. occldcntalls, Merriam, U. S. Geol. Shft. Terr, for 1872, 1873, 662.
Mephitis varlans var. a, Gray, 1'. Z. S, 1865, 148 ; Cat Cam. Br. Mus. 1869, — .

(c, varians.)

Mephitis varians, Gray, Mag. K. H. i. 837, 5Sl.— Gray, List Mamm. Br. Mas. 1841, dS.—Bd. M.

N. A. 18.'>7, 193; Mox. B. Surv. ii. pt 11, 1859, Mamin. 19.— Oerr. Cat. Bones Br. Mus. 1862.

'JT.—Oray, P. Z. S. 1865, 148 j Cat. Cam. Br. Mus. 18(9, — .
Mephitis macroura, And. cC Bach. Q. K. A. iii. 1853, 11, pi. 10/i.—Woodh. Sitgr. Rep. 1853, 44.

(But not of Lichtenstoin.)

H.\B. — Entire temperate North America. North to Hiidaou's Bay and Great
Slave Lake. South into Mexico (Matamoras, Monterey).

Spkcific CHARACi'ERS. — Black or blackish ; a frontal streak, nuchal spot,
and two dorsal stripes white ; tail black, more or less mixed with white or
white-tipped. Tail with hairs not as long as head and body ; the vertebrn>
about half this dimension. Length from nose to root of tail over one foot ;
soles about 2^ inches.

Description of external characters.*

The Skuuk is a stoutly built animal, with a small head, lovr
ears, and short limbs, the trunk thick-set and especially large
behind, the back naturally arched as well as broad ; tail long
and very bushy. The head is pointedly conoidal, with a con-
vex frontal profile and sloping occiput; there is little of the
breadth and depression characteristic of the Weasels, the
regular conoid being nearly expressed. The eye is small, and
nearer the nose than ear. The nasal pad is of considerable size,
and protuberant, definitely naked for a closely circumscribed
area, the outline nearly circular; the face of the muffle is bevelled
a little obliquely downward and backward; the nostrils are
chiefly lateral, but their anterior extremity is visible from the
front. The ears are low, though the pinna is decidedly better
developed than in Conepatus ; the general set of the conch is
rather backward than upward, as its anterior extremity is
inserted little below the highest point of the brim ; the contour

* From a large series of specimens in the Smithsonian Institution from
various portions of North America.

U. S. Oeologiral Snrvey.

MnsteUdsB. PLATE XI.

Hepliltis mepliltien. (Nat. size.)

i^^l

(i^B

^^■^^Bn

EXTERNAL CHARACTERS OP MEPHITIS MEPHITICA. 197

of the free edge Is nearly orbicular, with, however, a slight
obtuse angnlatioD. The feet are not so broad and flat as in
Conepatus, yet they show large plantar and palmar surfaces.
These are usually naked, except for a varying distance behind ;
the soles, in particular, being generally hairy for about a third
way from the heel. The piilms present behind^ just in advance
of the wrist, a padded prominence, more or less completely
divided lengthwise ; in advance of this is a crosswise depres-
sion ; at the bases of the digits is a crescentic padded area,
divided more or less evidently in different specimens into three
or four smaller pads. This division is sometimes very evident,
the lines of impression being deep and sharp ; in other cases,
little more than a general horseshoe-shaped padded area is
recognizable. There is no constancy about this ; and the differ-
ence which has been claimed between Mephitis and Spiloyale
cannot be satisfactorily substantiated. The digits are short —
in fact, they are exceeded in length by the longer ones of the
claws they bear. Of these, the third and fourth are subequal
and longest, the second is little shorter, the fifth reaches hardly
half-way along the fourth, and the first scarcely attains the
base of the second. The middle three claws are very long,
strong, compressed, little curved, acute and fossorial in cliar-
acter; the lateral ones are shorter, stouter for their length, and
more curved. The claws of the hind feet are quite different,
being all short, stout, and obtu^.e, and covered with hairs ; the
middle three are approximatetly equal in length, the fifth is
much shorter, and the first falls short of the base of the second.
The naked part of the sole presents a general broad flat area
behind, succeeded by an irregular depression, and this by the
padding at the bases of the toes, which is imperfectly divided
into three. The terminal balls of the toes almost immediately
succeed, these digits being very short and extensively connected
together.

The tail of the Skunk is remarkably bushy, with long harsh
coarse hairs, almost like a kind of tow. Tlie hairs are loose
and flaccid, their ''set" depending in a great measure upon the
movements or position of the member. In the bushiest-tailed
examples, the hairs fall loosely all around when the tall is ele-
vated, like the plumes of a pompon, as well represented in Audu-
bon's plate of his so-called "wocrMra" {nee LichU). In other
cases, the set of the hairs is more stable. No distichous arrange-
ment is recognizable. There is no fine under fur on the tail.

198

NOBTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiG.

The hairs of the tail which are entirely white (all are usually
white basally) are somewhat differeut io texture from the rest,
being even coarser and looser. They appear at the end of the
tail in a white tuft that seems to have little connection with the
general pelage, and may be early deciduous; or, more curiously,
they grow irregularly in various places along the tail, in some-
what isolated fascicles. These singular little bundles are aUo
likely to exceed the rest in length, measuring sometimes seven
or eight inches in length. Even without taking these into
consideration, the bnshiness of the tail is sometimes so great
that the width when the hairs are extended sideways, rather
exceeds the total length. The strictly terminal hairs of the
tail are ordinarily not so loig a^ some of those along the sides.
Notwithstanding the endless diversity in the extent and de-
tails of the white marking, a certain pattern may be indicated
as one of reasonable constancy. This is essentially a sharp,
narrow, frontal 8trii>e, and a broad nuchal area, from which
last proceed obliquely backward a pair of stripes toward or to
the tail, continued or not upon this member, and whiteness, to
a greater or less extent, of nearly all the hairs of the tail at
base, even when this member is blackest and least bushy. I
have not found the frontal stripe either wholly wanting {Cone-
patna) or enlarged into a spot [Spilogale)', but it varies from a
mere trace to a long streak continuous with the nuchal area,
and, donbt'ess, sometimes fails altogether. This last is usually
a large spot, beginning squarely and broadly on the occiput in
a line between the ears. From the back of it, the two oblique
stripes may immediately diverge, forming a V, or it may con-
tinue for a considerable distance as a single median stripe be-
fore forking into two. The nuchal spot may be again entirely
disconnected with the dorsal stripes (rare), or may be broken
up into a pair of spots; i. e.y the dorsal stripe extended sepa-
rately on to the nape. The dorsal stripes may extend scarcely
any distance beyond the nape; i. e., may be represented by
only a slight prolongation of a pair of nuchal spots. They may
start over the shoulders independently of the white nuchal
area. Ordinarily, they reach, widely divergent, more than half-
way along the back; again, they are more nearly parallel, and
reach to the tail. They may curve toward each other over the
flanks, and even meet there, then completely onclosing an oval
vertebral area ; or msjj be interrupted to resume again. They
may extend along either side of the tail, in such cases ordina-
rily being broken into the curious isolated fascicles of white

EXTERNAL CHARACTERS OF MEPHITIS MEPHITICA. 199

hairs already described, but being sometioies continuous, when
the tail is mostly white. In the blackest tails seen, there is
always more or less white on the bases of the hairs.

The foregoing may indicate the general range of variation
in color. Reference to Audubon's figures of this species and
his supposed ^^macrura^ wiU give a fair idea of two conditions
very nearly extreme. I have never seen an entirely black
Skunk, but in some specimens before me the white is reduced
to such mere traces that I have no doubt it may occasionally'
disappear, as is stated by some. One young specimen has the
entire upper half of the body pure white, as in the strongest
cases of Conepatus^ except a slight emargination from behind,
just at the root of the tail. Fully aware, as I am, of the end-
less variability, even in individuals belonging to the same
litter, I am satisfied that there is nevertheless a tendency,
generally well expressed, to increase of white, in a measure
according to certain geographical areas. An average in this
respect is the rule in the Eastern and Middle States, where we
have a fair frontal stripe and nuchal area sending out obliquely
stripes which do not reach the tail, this being black, only white
at the end or among the roots of the hairs. In Florida and the
South Atlantic and Gulf States generally, the white is at a
minimum, frontal stripe a mere trace, nuchal spot .small or broken
in two, and the stripes almost wanting. Throughout the West,
and in British America even as far east as Hudson's Bay, pro-
longation of the lateral stripes to the tail, or on this member to its
end, is the rule; and the stripes do not usually at once diverge
from the nuchal spot, but more gradually separate from a single
vertebral stripe, into wiiicb the nuchal spot is prolonged. As-
sociated with such a couditiou of the white, we find, almost
invariably, in the western forms, a much bushier tail, its width
across equalling or even exceeding its total length. Such cases
as these, in their minor diversities, have furnished the meso-
melas of Lichtenstein, varians of Gray, occidentalia of Baird,
and ^^macroura^ of Audubon. The figure of the last named
represents an extreme of white, with length and bushiness of
tail, and might readily be mistaken, as it was, for the altogether
different M. maerura of Lichtenstein.

Independently of the size of the tail, we may observe a gen-
eral decrease in stature with latitude. Floridan specimens are
notably smaller than those from Njqw England, some, appar-
ently full-grown, being little larger than Spilogale at its maxi-
mum, about thirteen or fourteen inches long.

Sill .

200 NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

Description of the skull and teeth. {See Plates A', XI.)

Tbe craaium of no animal with which 1 am acquainted
varies more than that of the Skunk, and few exhibit such re-
markable differences, independently of age and sex. Some
specimens are more than a fourth larger than others, and
twice as heavy; and there is a corresponding range of varia-
tion in contour. Compared with au ordinary ratio of osteo-
logical variability, the discrepancies are almost on a par with
those exhibited by the coloration of tiie animal when set over
against the more constant markings of most animals. In the
series of twenty or thirty skulls examined, I find that the
western ones, and especially those from the Pacific coast,
representing occidentalis of Baird, are, as a rule, larger and
heavier than others, more widened and flattened behind, with
stronger and' more flaring sagittal and especially occipital
crests. Bat these extremes shade insensibly into an ordinary
pattern, and I can draw no dividing line. Tables of meas-
urements would show these variations, though they would
scarcely render that realizing sense of the discrepancies that
is gained by laying the two extremes side by side. An average
cranium. No. 3816, from New York, is selected for description,
in the course of which the variations of the whole series will
be brought under review.

The greatest zygomatic width is to the length as I to 1.55,
or slightly less than two-thirds such length. A similar pro-
portion is generally preserved. Viewed from above, the cra-
nium presents a short, tumid, rostral portion, high at the nose,
tapering on either side, but with a protuberance indicating the
course of the canine tooth in the bone, subtruncate in front,
with large subcircular nasal aperture, in this view much fore-
shortened. The rostrum js about a third of the whole length,
if measured frcsu extreme front to anterior root of zj'goma ;
the zygoma, and then the rest of the skull, being respectively
another third. In other skulls, the rostrum is shorter than
this, and less vaulted. The general convexity of the rostrum
continues on to the forehead in the broad, smooth, interorbital
space. Supraorbital i>rocesses are very slight, being only indi-
cated in a little bulging at the front, where the anterior forks
of the sagittal crest come to tbe brim of the orbit. There is
thus scarcely any definition of the orbit from the general tem-
poral fossa. The point of greatest constriction of the skull is

SKULL AND TEETH OP MEPHITIS MEPHITICA.

201

considerably behiDd the supraorbital process, Just about half-
way from end of rostrum to occiput, and opposite tho apex of
the mandibular coronoid, when the jaw is closed, l^ is a
gradual pinchinf^-together of the sides of the cranium for some
distance, rather than an abrupt constriction at a particular
point. It is sometimes unsymmetrical, one side being moro
emarginate than the other; is sometimes scarcely narrower
than the interorbital space, sometimes about three-fourths as
much. Back of this point, the skull widens rapidly to the
hinder root of the zygoma and mastoid; the latter being the
broadest point of the skull proper, separated from the former
by an emargination, in which lies the opeuin^? of the meatus
anditorius, not visible from above. From each mastoid, the
skull narrows in an approximately straight line backward and
upward for a distance, and then ends with a straight-across
contour, more or less emarginate on the median line. This
whole posterior boundary, representing the lamodoidal crest,
is extremely variable, not only according to age, but fortui-
tously. In some skulls — those with the broadest back part and
most flaring occipital crest — there is a deep emarginatiou in
the middle line of the skull, boldly salient angles on either
side of this, and a concave outline thence to the mastoid.
This occipital flange hides all the parts beneath it. For the
rest, the top of the skull shows a sagittal crest (only in very
young skulls a raised tablet), well marked in all but young ex-
amples, forking anteriorly (at or a little in advance of the point
of greatest constriction) to send a curved leg outward to either
supraorbital process. Aside from this crest and the occipital
one, the general cranial surface is vaulted. The zygomatic
arches, viewed above, show the point of widest divergence near
their posterior roots, whence they gradually and regularly con-
verge forward with slight curve.

Viewed in profile, the skull shows its highest point at the
interorbital space, whence it slopes gradually with a general
slight convexity to the muzzle and occipital protuberance.
This highest point is generally a little, sometimes decidedly, in
advance of the middle of the skull. The frontal profile may
acquire a slight concavity, and the opposite one may be
slightly sinuous, owing to irregularity of the sagittal crest.
The muzzle is cut squarely off, with an obliquity of perhaps 30
degrees from the perpendicular. The zygoma shows but a
slight upward arch, and no bevelling or special curve to define

202

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

the portion of the orbit which it represents. It is laminar,
narrowing midway, stoutest near posterior root. The ante-
orbital foramen* is a short perforation of a thin upper plate of
its anterior root; behind, the glenoid fossa presents rather for-
ward than downward. The prominent orifice of the meatus
presents laterally between the root of the zygoma and the
mastoid, which latter is a protuberant but blunt process imme-
diately b.^hind the meatus. Behind this, there is an emargi-
nation, termi:!ated by the prominent downward-projecting par-
occipital; back of this, the semicircular outline, foreshortened,
of the occipital condyle appears.

The back of the skull is a subtriangular face, flat and
perpendicular in general superficies, bounded above by the
overhanging sagiUal crest; either lateral corner being the
prominent paroocipital, between which appear the faces of the
oblique condyles, the upper border of the foramen being trans-
verse with a slight curve.

The skull from below shows a broad, flat, palatal surface for
about two-fifths of its total length. Th^^ oalate ends about
opposite, or a little back of, the posterior i "s. This terminal
shelf, representing the emargination bet>\ w„^ the pterygoids, is
always broad and quite transverse ; but the edge varies greatly
in detail. It is commonly transverse, with a small median,
backwardly-projecting point, producing a double emargination.
It may be simply a broad curve, or it may present a median
nick. The latter case is oftenest observed in specimens from
the West, and constituted a chief character upon which M.
occidentalis rested ; but, with a larger series than Prof. Baird
examined, it is shown to be wholly fortuitous. The general
shape of the palate is triangular; including the teeth, its great*
est width behind is about as much as its length ; anteriorly,
it presents broad but short incisive foramina, scarcely reaching
opposite the molars. The depth of the pterygoid emargina-
tion is considerably less than the length of the palate. The
pterygoids are simply laminar, with strongly hamulate ends.
They are usually parallel, but sometimes converge a little poste-
riorly, making the inclosed space club-shaped. The general sur-
face of the base of the skull behind is quite flat, owing to slight

*A8 a carious bat not very infreqaent anomaly, this foramen is some-
times divided into several separate canals, throagh which branches of the
facial nerve pass ont apart from each other. I have observed the same
thing in Cone^attu,

tvl

SKULL AND TEETH OF MEPHITIS MEPHITICA.

203

iaflatioD of the buUsB. Those are decidedly oouvex only at oae
place, interiorly, elsewhere flat, and outwardly produced to
form a tubular meatus. Traces of separation from surrounding
parts long persist, at least in front. About the bulhu are seen
the following foramina: cue in advance, just inside the glenoid
fossa ; two at the anterior extremity of the bulla ; three along
its inner border ; one more exterior, near the mastoid ; one far
posterior, in the occipital. The basi-sphenoid suture, early
obliterated, is straightly transverse in advance of the middle
of the bullsB. The general basilar area is Hat, narrowing for-
ward, unmarked, or with merely a slight median ridge. The
lK)rder of the foramen magnum represents a deep omargination
of the posterior border of this area, with the condylar protuber-
ance on either side.

All the bones of the skull finally coossify, excepting, of course,
the mandible, and most are joined at a comparatively early age.
The periotic and internasal sutures persist the longest; the
latter after the nasals are consolidated with the maxillaries, and
the former after the basi-spheno-occipital suture is obliterated.
When found separate, the nasals are seen to be regularly con<
cave along their exterior border, truncate anteriorly, with a
produced autero-lateral corner, and received by a pointed pro-
cess in a recess of the frontal. The intermaxillary bone forms
leas than half of the general naso-maxillary suture. The max-
illary extends within a short distance of the supraorbital pro*
tuberance. The malar is rather small, and fuses early with the
rest of the zygomatic arch. The occipital bone is rather late to
coossify; the supraoccipital is then seen to represent most of
the lambdoidal crest, reaching, on either hand, from the median
line half-way to the mastoid process ; thence crossing this crest
to the paroccipltal, whence the suture runs on the floor of the
skull along the border of the periotic by the foramen lacerum
posterius to the basi-sphenoid ; thence straight across the me-
dian line.

The lower jaw in Mephitince is never locked, as far a" known,
in the glenoid by the clasping of the condyle in the embrace of
the fossa, as is the rule, in adult life, in Melea and i^ Taxi-
ilea, and as sometimes occurs in the Otters {Lutrinte). The
ramus of the mandible is stout and nearly straight along the
tooth-bearing portion ; the symphysis is thick, short, abruptly
ascending obliquely forward. Between the ramus proper and
the angle of the jaw, the lower border is decidedly emarginate.

204

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

and the angle itself iR scarcely or not at all exflected (cf. Cone-
patiis). The angle itself is 'btase, and there is a decided neck
in the oatline thence to the condyle. The condyle is horizontal,
transverse, very narrow, and acute internally; on the outer
half, its articular surface looks upward; on the inner half,
backward. The coronoid process rises straight and high, nearly
aniformly tapering to the apex, a perpendicular from which
falls decidedly in advance of the condyle (cf. Conepatua). The
general muscular impression on its outer face is well marked.
It is pointed below, and reaches forward on the ramus to a point
underneath the last lower molar (cf. Conepatm).

As remarked under the head of Gonepatus, the dental formula
of the genera of Mephitinae does not, in point of fact, differ.
The difference is nil as between Mephitis and Spilogale, while'in
Gonepatus a supposed lesser number of teeth is only true in the
very small size of the abortive, deciduous, or, at any rate, not
functionally developed anterior upper premolar. In Mephitis^
also, the tooth may be very small, or even abortive, on one or
both sides of the jaw : it is, however, normally present and
readily recognizable.

Selecting an average skull, of middle age, with fully devel-
oped, yet little-worn, dentition (for in very old skulls the teeth
are so ground down as not to furnish fair characters), we ob-
serve the following points : —

The back upper molar is the largest of the grinders, about as
long as broad, quadrate, with rounded inner corners, and en-
tirely tuberculous. It is completely divided across lengthwise
b^^ a sulcus, on the outer side of which is a narrow portion, much
higher than the broad inner portion, and separated from it not
only by the groove across the face of the tooth, but by a nick
in the hinder border. This elevated outer moiety is oblique on
its face from the general level of the dentition ; it runs to a
point at its fore and hind ends, and has a central, slightly exca-
vated field, with irregular-raised boundary. The flatter inner
moiety of the tooth is chiefly occupied by a large antero-internal
tubercle, separated by a carved sulcus from a posterior raised
margin. The next tooth — back premolar — differs altogether
from the same flesh-tooth in the Mmtelinae. It is relatively
smaller, and has not a prominent isolated antero-internal fang.
On the contrary, it is trianguUr in general outline, the inner
corner of the triangle representing the fang of the Mmtetitue
jast named; this is cuspidate, but this whole inner moiety is

SKULL AND TEETH OF MEPHITIS MEPHITICA.

205

low and *' tuberculous " in comparison with the elevated and
truly sectorial character of the rest of the tooih ; for, viewed in
profile from the outside, the tooth seems wholly sectorial, with
two cusps, an anterior, produced, acute one, and a posterior,
shorter and obtuse, separated from the other by an acute re-
entrance. Taken together, these two external cusps make the
trenchant edge of the tooth. The next premolar is immediately
and very markedly reduced in size ; it is a small, simple, two-
rooted, conical, acute cusp; with a slight posterior "heel" and
well-marked cingulum on the inner side. The next — anterior —
premolar is exactly like the foregoing, but very much smaller
still, and single-rooted ; it sometimes aborts. In very old skulls,
the foregoing descriptions can hardly be verified. The back
molar wears down to a perfectly smooth face, with raised inner
and outer borders; the flesh-tooth loses its edge and inner cusp,
and becomes almost tuberculous throughout; the other pre-
molars become mere stumps. The canines oflfer no points for
remark. Of the upper incisors, the lateral pair is much larger
than the rest, though not longbr. I fail to appreciate any tan-
gible difference in this respect between Conepatus and Mephitis.
The tips of the teeth all fall in the same line; they are even and
regular; the ends are obscurely lobate. These teeth start from
the sockets quite obliquely, but soon turn perpendicularly down-
ward, with an appreciable elbow.

In the lower jaw, the back molar, as usual, is small, simple,
circular, single-rooted, with a ceTitral depression and irregu-
larly raised margin. The next molar is much the largest of the
series, and very notably different from the same tooth in Mus-
telinag. It is fair!y sectorial throughout ; for the back portion,
though lower than the rest, is decidedly of the same character
as the other part. This tooth consists of five cusps : a posterior
pair, side by side, inner and outer, of equal size and similar
shape; a middle pair, side by side, the outer of which is larger
and sharper than the inner ; and a single anterior cusp. The
latter forms, with the exterior middle cusp, the main trenchant
edge of the tooth. The interior middle cusp is a higher devel-
opment of the "heel", more or less prominent on the inner face
of the main cu ^p of the Musteline tooth. The posterior pair of
caspa is the I0.7 tuberculous part of the tooth in Mustelinw.
The first premolar from behind is a simple conical cusp, two-
rooted, with evident heels, both before and behind, and a well-
marked cingulum. The next tooth is similar, but smaller, with

206

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

less of a girdle, and scarcely an anterior heel. The anterior pre-
molar is like the last, bat smaller still, a*jd single-rooted. I
have not seen its abortion. In very old skulls, the two moiars
become ground almost perfectly flat, and the premolars becorne
stubby cones. The lower canines are shorter, relatively stouter,
and more curved than the upper ones } there is usually quite
an elbow at the point of greatest curve. The inferior incisors
are more nearly of a size than is usual in MusteliiuCj and more
regular, t. «., none are crowded out of the general plane ; but
this is a matter of degree only. The outer pair is larger than
the rest ; viewed from the front, they widen from base to tip,
and the apex is emarginate. The next pair sets a little back
from the general plane ; for, though their faces are generally
quite flush with the others, yet their greater thickness causes
them to protrude behind. All the under incisors are approxi-
mately of one length. The cutting edge of the outer pair is
oblique; of the others, horizontal. The cutting edge of the
outer pair is nicked, as already said, and the front faces of the
rest are marked by a sulcus ending in a slight bilobation of their
cutting edges.

Variation in the shull with special reference to geographical distri-
. bution.

Having already called attention to this matter in a general
way, I cannot do better than continue the subject with Mr. J.
A. Allen's tables of measurements and critical comment, which
set forth the subject in more precise detail:* —

" The twenty-nine skulls of this species of which measure-
ments are given below show a wide range of variation in size,
and a decided decrease southward. The localities embrace such
distant points as Galifornia and the Atlantic seaboard on the
one hand, and Maine and Texas on the other ; but, with one or
two exceptions, the specimens from any single locality are un-
satisfactorily few. The specimens range in length from 2.60 to
3.50, and in width from 1.60 to 2.25 1 Yet there is not a speci-
men included in the series that is not so old aa to have all the
cranial sutures obliterated. A portion of the difference is doubt-
less sexual, but the specimens, unfortunately, have not the sex
indicated. Ten of the specimens may be considered as western,
coming mainly from Utah and Galifornia ; ten others are from

* Bull. U. S. 0«ol. and Oeog. Sorv. Terr. vol. ii. no. 4, 1676, pp. 333-334.

CRANIAL VARIATION IN MEPHITIS MEPHITICA.

207

Maine aud Massachusetts, and one from Northeastern New
York ; three are from Pennsylvania ; and of the remaining five,
four are from Texas, and one from Louisiana. The western
series of ten average 3.10 in length and 1.95 in width, ranging
in length from 2.85 to 3.50 and in width from 1.70 to 2.25. The
New England series of ten average 2.88 in length and 1.72 in
width, ranging in length from 2.70 to 3.25 and in width from
1.53 to 1.85. The single New York specimen scarcely varies
from the average of the New England series, while the Penn-
sylvania specimens fall a little below. The five southern speci-
mens average 2.73 in length, or a little below the New England
series, ranging in length from 2.60 to 2.90.*

" It thus appears that the western specimens are decidedly
the lar^^st of all, and that the northern are somewhat larger
than the southern, the specimens compared being of correspond-
ing ages, though of unknown sex, but doubtless comparable in
this respect also.

''The difference in size amounts to above one-fourth the size
of the largest specimen and above one-third the size of the
smallest. Between the western and southern series, the aver-
age difference amounts to one- third of the average size of the
larger series! The western series includes the so-called Me-
phitis occidentalia of Baird, based on California specimens, and
whose chief difference is merely that of larger size ; yet the
four specimens from Ogden, Utah (Coll.Mus. Gomp. Zool.), con-
siderably excelled in size the three from California. The south-
ern series represents the so-called M. variana of Gray and Baird.

"The unsatisfactory character of the several species of North
American Skunks of the mephitica group, and the wide range
of color-variation among individuals from the same locality, I
have previously had occasion to notice, t and a re-examination
of the subject confirms the conclusions then announced, which,
I am happy to find, have recently received the support of Dr.
Cones, who has lately made a study of this group.| As Dr.
Cones has remarked, and as the subjoined measurements show,
few species of animals vary so much in size and in cranial char-
acters as the present, independently even of sex and age. Some

* " The range in \ridth is not fairly indicated, owing to two of the smaller

specimens being imperfect.''
t " See Ball. Mus. Comp. Zool. vol. i. pp. 178-181, Oct. 1869."
t " Bull. U. S. GU90I. and Qeog. Sarv. of the Territories, vol. i. no. 1, pp. 7-15,

1875."

208

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

specimens are not only more than one-foarth larger than others,
but Hhere is a corresponding range of variatiou in contour.
Compared with an ordinary ratio of osteological variability,'
says Dr. Cones, Hhe discrepancies are almost on a par with
those exhibited by the coloration of the animal when set over
against the more constant markings of most animals.'

" Measurenunla of twenty-nine skulls of Mrphitis me ?hitica.

•31

5«

LooaUty.

Bemarks.

8617

Petalnma, Oil

3.30

a 08

3.03
3.85
3.13

aso
a 10

3.98

a IS

2.96

a 35
a 00

2.87
2.85
8.90
2.70
2.87
2.70
2.75
2.78
2.88
8.90
8.87
8.60
2.80
2.60
3.68
2.90
3.68

8.07
8.04
1.70

'i.'87'

3.85

1.90

1.85

8.03

1.78

ifss"

1.75
1.73
1.75
1.70
1.78
1.53

i.'TO
1.78

i'.hs

1.78

'i'eo'

1.90

3371

- -■

8434

Port Townaend. Oroir ....

4195

Fort Crook. Gal

417

Ogden, TTtah

419

..."..do...

Very old. "

416

418

10008

Wvominir Torritorv

)

33S7

Fort Laramie

575

UDton. Me .'

Very old.

580
577

.'.'.'.'..

574

.do

•i.

583

Norwav. Me

■ *

578

......do

569

567

If afloaohnoetto .

568

•

576

3816

Essex Cotm^, New York

2338

Bone-oAvea. PennsvlvAiiift. ........

Fossil; If. frontata Cones.
Imperfeot.

610

Carlisle. Pa

4£33

Chester County, PennsylTania ....

1630

Indianola. Tex". '.

1004

Kaele Pass. Tex. ..

Imperfect

1113

1395

Matamoras, Tex

1878

Caloasieu, La

Imperfect."

Anatomy and physiology of the anal glands a)id properties of

the secretion.

The almost insuperable repugnance which the Skunk natur-
ally excites has always been an obstacle to the investigation of
its peculiar defensive organs. Until quite recently, when M.
Chatin minutely examined the anal glands of Conepatiis tnapu-
ritOf no adequate account of any species had been rendered,
though these parts in M. mephitioa had long since been briefly
noticed. The first, and for a long time the only accurate, record,
was that given by Dr. Jeffries Wyman in the first volume of the
Boston Natural History Society's Proceedings (1844, p. 110).
This indicated, though briefly, the general structure of the
parts which obtains throughout the family, as far as known.

THE ANAL GLANDS OP THE SKUNK.

209

The organ is a true anal gland, without connection with the
genito-urinary system, nor yet of a special character ; being
upon the same plan as othet anal glands throughout Mustelida;,
though more muscular, with more capacious reservoir, and
more abundant secretion. It consists of a strong central cap-
sule, enveloped in muscular tissue, and by the same connected
with a bone of the region, the reservoir of a fluid secreted by
several small glandular bodies by which it is surrounded, and
which is voided by voluntary muscular effort through an ori-
fice on top of a nipple-like eminence, situated on each side of
the anus, just within its verge, partially concealed when not
in use by a fold of integument. The organ is paired with a
fellow on the opposite side. Dr. Wyman's original remarks
may be here transcribed : — " The anal pouches ", he writes
"consist of two glandular sacs of an oval shape, about three
quarters of an inch in diameter, covered with a muscular en
velope, and opening into the rectum, quite near to the anus
by two papilla?. These last, when not protruded, are sur
rounded by a fold of mucous membrane, and very nearly con
cealed by it. The fluid is ejected by the contractions of the
muscular covering. A small band passes from each sac to the
ischium, which rotates these bodies on themselves, and serves
to bring their orifices to the anus. The fluid is a peculiar
secretion like that of the Civet, and not the urine, as is com-
monly thought. The common opinion, that the animal scatters
it with its tail is erroneous. The fluid is limited in quantity ;
and, having been discharged, the animal is harmless until the
sacs are again filled by gradual secretion."

This account was shortly supplemented in the same publica-
tion (vol. iii. p. 175) by a notice from Dr. J. M. Warren, which
adds further particulars, though not strictly of an anatomical
character. The passages are transcribed as part of the history
of the species : —

"Dr. J. M. Warren exhibited, preserved in alcohol, the
glands which secrete the acrid fluid which furnishes a means
of defence to • the American Skunk, Mephitis Americana.
These glands are situated on either side of the intestine, at
the root of the tail, just within the anus, and are about an
inch in diameter. When the animal is pursued, the lower part
of the intestine is prolapsed through the anu j, the tail is ele-
vated over the back, and by the contraction of the muscles of
the anus the acrid fluid is ejected in two streams to the dis-
tance of six or eight feet.
14 m

210

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

" Dr. Warren also exhibited to the Society a living specimen
of Mephitis Americana, which had been deprived of its power
of annoyance by a surgical operation. The animal was first
made partially insensible by enclosing aim in a barrel in which
was placed home chloric ether. As he became stupefied, a
sponge containing the anaesthetic agent was placed over the
nostrils and kept there until entire insensibility was produced.
Dr. Warren then cut down, on the outsidt< of the intestine,
upon the ducts of the glands and divided them, suffering the
glands to remain in situ. The animal recovered, being en-
tirely deprived of his means of annoyance by the adhesive
inflammation following the operation."

Here the matter rested (so far un I am acquainted with the
record) until 1871, when Dr. J. S. Parker published an account
of a dissection in the American Naturalist, as above quoted.
Besides being not quite accurate in effect, though the observer
really recognized the condition of the parts, the account is too
diffuse to justify transcription as a whole ', yet it is particularly
noteworthy as giving the first and probably the only account
to date of the physical properties of the fluid itself : — *' ....
I dipped the point of my scalpel in the yellow fluid, put the
tenth or twentieth of a drop of it on a glass, covered it with
another strip of glass, and placed it under a power of forty
diameters in my microscope. The appearance was peculiar.
It looked like molten gold, or like quicksilver of the finest
golden color. Pressure ou the strips of glass made it flow like
globules of melted gold. By a power of sixty diameters the
same color still appeared, but seemed as if it would by a higher
power resolve itself into globules, with some peculiar mark-
ings To the eye, the peculiar and odoriferous secre-
tion of this animal is of a pale bright or glistening yellow, with
specks floating in it. By the microscope it looks like a clear
fluid, as water with masses of gold in it, and the specks like
bubbles of air, covered with gold, or rather bags of air in
golden sacks. The air I take to be the gas nascent from the
golden fluid. Had I known that my interest in the dissection
would have rendered me so forgetful of the pungent surround-
ings, I would have had chemical reagents to test the substance
so easily obtainable.

^'Another thing was a matter of interest. If I correctly made
out the capsule of fluid, the commonly called < glands ' are the
muscular tunic enveloping and capable of compressing the

THE SCENT OF THE SKUNK.

211

reservoir, and their sole use is to eject the liquid. The teat-
like projections have one large orifice for a distant jet of the
substance, and also a strainer, with numerous holes — like the
holes in the cones in the human kidney — for a near but diffu-
sive jetting of the matter [?]. The substance is secreted by
small glands, dark in color, and of small calibre, connected
with the capsule by narrow ducts."

We gather from these accounts that, as already intimated, the
secretory apparatus of this species is essentially the same as that
of Conepatm, described at length by M. Chatin. It iSj, of course^
no longer necessary to refute the vulgar notions once prevalent,
that the secretion was that of the kidneys, whisked about by
the bushy tail. There remains little to be said on this subject.
The fluid is altogether peculiar and indescribable in odor, pun-
gent, penetrating, and persistent to a degree, perhaps, without
parallel, outside this subfamily, in the animal kingdom, though
probably not more subtilely diffusive than some other analogous
emanations. It has been called '' garlicky", but this is a mild
term. The distance to which the substance, in liquid form, can
be ejected, is, in the nature of the case, difficult to ascertain
with precision, and doubtless varies with the vigor of the ani-
mal and amount of accumulation in the reservoir. But there
is no doubt thaf ihe squirt reaches several (authors say from
four to fourteen) feet, while ^he aura is readily perceptible at
distances to be best expres -ed in fractions of the mile. The
appearance of the animal dii -ing the act of emission is unmis-
takable, as I have observed c n several occasions. The zigzag
course, with mincing stops, by which it leisurely recedes from
a pursuer, is arrested for a moment, when the hinder parts are
raised and the tail elevated over the back, so that the long hairs,
heretofore trailing in one direction, fall in a tuft on all side^,
and the sense of smell immediately indicates what has taken
place. The discharge is ordinarily invisible in the daytime,
but several observers attest a certain phosphorescence, which
renders the fluid luminous by night. This is doubtless true,
though I have net verified it by actual observation. State-
ments to the effect that emission is impossible when the animal
is held suspended by the tail are, in ./he nature of the case,
not likely to be often proven by experiment. Nor have I found
that instantaneous death is always a sure preventive of
escape of effluvium. A Skunk which I shot with my pistol,
held within a foot of its head, the bullet traversing the whole

212

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELTD^E.

body from the forehead to the groin, was too offensive to be
slcinned, though it died without a perceptible struggle, and
had certainly not opened its reservoir up to the moment when
shot. Nevertheless, there is abundant evidence that life may
be taken in such manner that the flesh is eatable, with due care
iu the preparation of the carcase ; and the meat is said to form
a regular part of the food of some savage tribes and semi-
civilized people. I have seen it stated that emission does not
take place when the animal is captured in a deadfall in such
way that the small of the back is broken by the falling weight.
The " staying " qualities of the effluvium are certainly wonder-
ful ; some of the accounts seem incredible, yet they are well
attested. Audubon says that at a place where a Skunk had
been killed in autumn, the scent was still tolerably strong after
t>e snows Lad thawed away the following spring. The same
author adds that the odor is stronger by night and iu damp
weather than under the opposite circumstances ; and, in speak-
ing of tainted clothes, he continues : — '•'■ Washing and exposure
to the atmosphere certainly weaken the scent, but the wearer
of clothes that have been thus infected, should he accidentally
stand near the fire in a close room, may chance to be mortified
by being reminded that he is not altogether free from the con-
sequences of an unpleasant huntin'g excursion." The persist-
ence of the scent in museum specimens depends allogether
upon circumstances. Some specimens, in which the fluid had
apparently not been discharged at death, and in which care had
been taken iu the preparation, come directly into our hands with
little or no scent ; iu others, those probably in which the pelage
had become impregnated, or in which the fluid had escaped
upon surrounding parts, retain their characteristic odor for
many years, whether immersed in alcohol, or dried and buried iu
tobacco-leaves, insect-powder, and other vegetable aromatics.
I have also noticed that the scent may be drawn out of seem-
ingly odorless specimens, after several years' keeping, by plac-
ing them in the sun. But in proof of the possibility of absolute
freedom from scent may be instanced the use, especially of late
years, of Skunk furs as wearing apparel, immunity being gained
by processes similar to those used by furriers iu purifying the
pelts of other Mustelida, as well as of Wolves, Foxes, &c. The
enduring and mortifying consequences of actual contact of the
fluid with the person or the clothing, as well as of its dissemi-
nation in dwellings and outhouses, can hardly be exaggerated.

THE SCENT OF THE SKUNK.

213

but require no further cotumeut, as these matters h<ave fur-
nished staDdlug accouuts siuce the history of the species begau.

It seems, however, that the disgusting qualities of the sub-
stance have been given undue prominence, to neglect of a much
more important and serious matter. The danger to the eye-
sight, should the acrid and pungent fluid actually fall upon the
eyes, should not be forgotten. Dogs are not seldom perma-
nently blinded by the discharge, and there are authentic cases
in which human beings have lost their sight in the same way.
Sir John Uichardson alludes, on the authority of Mr. Graham,
to the cases of <' several " Indians who had lost their eyesight
in consequence of inflammation resulting from this cause.

The efifect upon dogs is described by Audubon and Bach-
man: — " The instant", they say, "a dog has received a discharge
of this kind on his nose and eyes he appears half distracted,
plunging his nose into the earth, rubbing the sides of his face
on the leaves and grass, and rolling iu every direction. "NV'e
have known several dogs, from the eyes of which the swelling
and inflammation caused by it did not disappear for a week."

These authors also speak of the nauseating qualities of the
effluvium. "I have known a dead Skunk", says Sir John,
"thrown over the stockades of a trading post, produce iust; Jt
nausea in several women iu a house with closed doors upwards
of a hundred yards distant." " ^Ve recollect an instance," write
Audubon and Bachman, ^' when sickness of the stomach ami
vomiting were occasioned, in several persons residing in Sara-
toga County, N. Y., in consequeuce of one of this species haviug
been killed under the floor of their residence during the night."

The fluid has been put to medicinal use in the treatment of
asthma. One invalid is said to have been greatly benefit-
ed by the use of a drop three times a day ; but he was soon
obliged to discontinue the use of the remedy, owing to the in-
tolerably offensive cl' •'acter which all his secretions acquired.
The story is told* of a asthmatic clergyman who procured the
glands of a Skunk, which he kept tightly corked in a smelling-
bottle, to be applied to his nose when bis symptoms appeared.
He believed he had discovered a specific for his distressing-
malady, and rejoiced thereat ; but on one occasion he uncorked
his bottle in the pulpit, and drove his congregation out of
church. In both these cases, like many others, it is a question
of individual preference as between the remedy and the disease.
* By Audubun and BachmaD, Quad. N. A. i. '6'i'3.

I m

' 'i

214

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

The supposed conuectiou between tUe suppreision of the iecre-
tion and the possibility of iuoculating hydrophobia is treated
beyond under head of *' rabies mephitica".

There is one point connected with the varying ofifensiveness
of the substance which has received little attention. It is cer-
tain that if its penetration were correspondent with actual
quantity of the substance present, no dissection of the parts
of a vigorous animal would be reasonably practicable. But the
fluid, like other highly odoriferous substances, is perceptible in
degree according to its diffusion in the air by minute division
of particles. This is well illustrated under the annoying and
too frequent circumstance of a Skunk taking up its abode be-
neath dwelling-houses for the winter, which season is passed
in a state of incomplete hibernation in some latitudes. 'At
irregular intervals, the animal arouses, and, to judge from the
efduvium, empties its distended pouches; but the stench,
when thus caused, soon censes, as is not the case when it is
spirted under irritation or in self-defence.

Chloride of lime has been recommended as the most effectual
disinfectant, and there are doubtless other agents which, by
chemically decomposing the substance, deprive it of its offen-
sive properties. The professional "earth treatment", of late
extensively employed in hospital practice, was long anticipated
in this connection, it being a common custom to bury clothes
in ground to rid them of the scent. There is also said to be a
belief among trappers that the odor may be dispelled by pack-
ing the clothes for a few days in fresh hemlock boughs.

The physiological role of this special secretion is obvious.
Its relation to the perpetuation of the species, though over-
shadowed by its exaggeration into a powerfully effective means
of preservation of the individual, is evidently the same as in
other species of Mustelidw, each one of which has its own ema-
nation to bring the sexes together, not only by simply indicat-
ing their whereabouts, but by serving as a positive attraction.
In the case of the Skunk, it would seem that the strong scent
has actually tended to result in a more gregarious mode of life
than is nsual in this family of mammals; and it is certain, at
any rate, that the occupancy by one animal of a permanent
winter abode serves to attract others to the same retreat.
Burrows are sometimes found to contain as many as a dozen
individuak, not members of one family, but various adult
animals drawn together. Ooe other effect of the possession of

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITS OF THE SKUNK.

215

sa3h unique powers is seeu not so much in mode of life as in
the actual disposition of the creature. Its heedless familiarity,
its temerity in pushing into places which other animals in-
stinctively avoid as dangerous, and its indisposition to seek
safety by hasty retreat, are evident results of its confidence in
the extraordinary means of defence with which it is provided.
In speculating upon the development of this anal armature to
a degree which renders it subservient to purposes for which
the glands of other Mustelina:, though of similar character, are
manifestly inadequate, it may not be amiss to recall how de-
fenceless the Skunk would otherwise be in comparison with its
allies. A tardy terrestrial animal of no great strength or spiri t,
lacking the sagacity and prowess of the Wolverene, the scau-
sorial ability of the Martens, the agility, small size, and
tenuity of body of the Weasels, the swimming and diving
powers of the Otters, and even much of the eminent fossorial
capacity of its nearest relations, the Badgers— lacking all these
qualities, which in their several exhibitions conduce to the
safety of the respective species, it is evident that additional
means of self-protection were required ; while the abundance
of the animal in most parts of the country, and its audacity in
the face of danger, show that its confidence in the singular
means of defence it possesses is not misplaced.

GeograpMcal distribution and habits of the Skunk.

Leaving now that portion of the subject which is properly
most prominent in the history of the species of this subfamily,
we may turn to other matters. Skunks are common in most
portions of temperate North America, and very abundant in
some districts. I am not aware that any qualification of the
broad statement of their general distribution in this country is
required ; for the animals seem to be independent of those
matters of physical geography, such as mountain or valley,
woodland or i>rairie, which impose restrictions upon the distri-
bution of many quadrupeds. Skunks, moreover, are obviously
less affected by the settlement of a country than the more
defenceless, wary, and instinctively secretive carnivores, which
are sure to be thinned out and gradually forced away by the
progress of civilization. In some parts of the West, indeed, I
have found Skunks more numerous in the vicinity of the sparse
settlements than they are in regions still primitive; they seem
to be actually attracted to mau's abodes, like some other quad-

216

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.K.

tii;;;

^iii'!-

rnpeds and not a few birds, which are more abundant in
*< clearings" than in the depths of the foresi or in the lonelincHs
of unreclaimed prairie. I was struck with this circumstance
during my recent travels in Colorado, where Skunks were a
never-failing nuisance about the ranches, though I never saw
or smelled one, to my pre8ent recollection, in the uninhabited
mountains of that State. Their entire absence, however, is not
to be predicated ou this score, but simply their relatively lesser
numbers; and I have rarely found Skunks more numerous iu
the West than they were in the entirely unsettled stretches of
country in Montana northwest of Fort Benton, and thence to
the region of the Saskatchewan. Richardson notes their fre-
quency iu this latter portion of the country, and fixes the north-
ern limit of the species at about 56° or 57<^ North latitude. In
the opposite direction, the habitat of the Skunk overlaps that of
the Conepate, reaching into Mexico; but exactly bow far remains
to be ascertained. It is probably replaced, southerly iu Mexico,
by the closely allied though apparently distinct M. macrura of
Lichteustein, treated ou a following page. A recent local writer
on the quadrupeds of oue of our States noted that out of the
large number of Skunks attributed to North America only one,
the present species, was found in his locality, humorously adding
that one, however, was generally considered sufficient. Through-
out British America, and most of the northern tier of States,
New England, the Middle States, and some of the Southern
States, the ^ : }seut is the only spi. ies of the subfamily certainly
known to occur ; in most parts of the West, and some of the
South, it is assoc. ited with the smaller species, Spilogaleputorius;
while the extreme Southwest may rejoice in the possession of
all three of the duited States species.

The Skunk yields a handsome fur, lately become fashionable,
under the euphemism of ''Alaska sable" — for our elegant dames
would surely not deck themselves in obscene Skunk skins if
they were not permitted to call the rose by some other name.
Pelts to the number of a thousand or more have annually passed
through the hands of the Hudson's Bay Company ; and this
kind of "sable" is one of the staples of American furriers,
many thousands being yearly exported to Europe. The black
furs are the most valuable, ranging in price, according to qual-
ity, up to $1 apiece for prime; the "half-stripe" and the white
bring much less. The trapping of the animal seems to be an
easier matter than the subsequent disposition of the prize ; for

HABITS OF THE SKUNK.

217

the Skaok is far from cunniug, aud uo special skill is required
for its capture. A variety of traps are used with success ; the
deadfall is particularly recomuieuded, since, if properly con-
structed, it causes the death of the animal without emission of
the fluid.* Audubon and Bachmau's statement that the fur " is

* GibHOD's " Complete American Trapper ", pp. 1U8, 8(^3, 266.

The following on the subject of trapping Skunks was contributed by C. L.
Whitman, of Weston, Vt., to Forest and Stream of February 17, 187fi:—

" I am often asked by friends and brother trappers how I manage to rid
my fox traps of skunks without being defiled by their odor. For the benefit
of the uninitiated I will state that if there are any skunks living in the
vicinity where fox traps are set they are sure to be taken, and till all are
thus disposed of there is little chance of capturing foxes. When there id
reason to suppose the presence of many skunks, it is best to set the traps
early, in order to get them out of the way at once ; setting in a manner not
to take the fox — that ie, less skillfully. To the fox trapper this animal is a
pest and annoyance, for where tlie trap is made fast — as in dirt trapping is
desirable — he will in a brief time with teeth and claws greatly impair, if
not wholly ruin a good setting-place. Sometimes he frees himself by self-
amputation ; in such case it is good riddance. They seldom get in a second
time, as in their weak aud mutilated couditioc they fall an easy prey to the
fox, who is fond of their llesh ; so much so that he will sometimes gnaw off
the leg by which the akunk is held in the trap, aud carry off his booty to be
eaten at his leisure. Trappers cognizant of the above trait do not fail to
use skunk's flesh for bait. Sometimes he is found asleep after a night of
ceaseless toil to get free, when, if in good position, he may be carefully ap-
proached from the leeward, and by stepping upon his tail, at the same time
dealing a smart blow i,pon the head with a club, he is easily and safely dis-
patched. But this seldom occurs, and the attempt to dispatch him when on
the alert with clubs or stones, is to risk and often receive defilement. Fire--
arms are out of the question, as a good trapper is chary of their use on his
range.

" My favorite method of dealing with them is as follows : With a tough
annealed No. 15 or IG iron wire I form a slip noose about five inches in diam-
eter on one end, and a standing loop of two inches on the other, and a apace
of five inches between. The loop is attached to the smaller end of a light,
stiff pole of eight or ten feet in length. With this firmly grasped in both
hands I slowly and carefully approach, and slip the noose over his head, and
with a quick jerk backwards and upwards lift him as high as the chain of
the trap will allow, and thus hold him until be is strangled. The butt end
of the pole may be brought to the ground and there held by a foot, the hands
moved further in advance for greater ease. When taken by a hind leg I at
once lower the trap to the ground and release the same with one foot pressed
upon the spring ; the pole may then be set in a secure position against a rock
or other support while the trap is being reset. If the jerk upward has not
been adroitly made, the wire may not draw as tight as it ought, in which
case a discharge of the pungent odor wUl usually follow ; but in this per-
pendicular position the discharge descends directly downwards, so that if the
attack has been made from the windward, as it ought, there is no danger.

218

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

seldom used by the hatters, and never we think by the furriers ;
and from the disagreeable task of preparing the skin, it is not
considered an article of commerce" was wide of the mark,
unles"^ it was penned before " Alaska sable " became fashiou-
able.

Like other auimals of the present family — like most carni-
vores, in fact — the Skunk is somewhat nocturnal in habits,
chiefly prowling for food in the dark, though often abroad iu
the daytime. In northern portions of its range, it hibernates
to some extent, but its torpidity is very incomplete ; it appears,
moreover, to be under some necessity of arousing itself, perhaps
for the periodical evacuation of its reservoirs. In the South, it
ranges freely at all seasons. In instances in which the animal
has taken up its abode for the winter about dwelling-houses, its
temporary activity, during warm spells of weather, is not likely
to be overlooked. This propensity to seek retreats iu human
habitations is strikingly at variance with the disposition of other
Musiieline quadrupeds, which instinctively shun man's abodes,
except when, in foraging for tood, the poultry-yard tempts their
appetite and their courage. In travelling iu some portions of
the West, it did seera as if I never could approach a ranch
without being aware of the visit, past or present, of some
prying Skunk ; and the outhouses I entered were almost invari-
ably scented. '^ a Skunk '9 an occasional robber of poultry and
eggs, and is said to be fond of milk. When away from human
habitations, the retreats of the Skunk are underground burrows,
the hollows of decayed logs and stumps, the crevices among
rocks — in short, any natural shelter not away from the ground.
Audubon and Bachman describe the underground burrows
which the Skunk excavates for 'tself as less difficult to dig out
than those of the Fox, generally running near the surface of
flat ground for six or eight feet^ and ending in a chamber lined
with leaves, where may be foun*' during winter from five to
fifteen individuals huddled together. Sometimes, these authors
add, the burrow divides into two or three galleries. The ani-

" The approach ia sometiiuea itisenied at first, but the gradual arching of the
tail gives timely warning, and a careful retreat is necessary for a moment.
The second or third attempt is successful. The animal by that time recovers
from the alarm, and at most will merely sniff the air iu your direction.
With this device I have destroyed many hundred during the past thirty
years, and do not recollect an instance where I bore any of the odur about
uie, except I had inadvertently trod upon dirt that was defiled, and now offer
it for the consideration of brother trappers."

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITS OF THE SKUNK. 219

mals are eviUoutly more gregarious than other Mnstelida', and
the nambers which congregate in one burrovr are not neces-
sarily members of the same family. They are very prolific,
bringing forth in May, it is said, to the number of eight or ten ;
the period of gestation is probably unknown. Their natural
increase is at so high a rate that were they not systematically
persecuted, not only for the value of their furs, but on account
of their peculiar offensiveness, they would become a serious
pest. The reaction of their principal means of self-preservation,
In fact, becomes one of the factors in the problem of their uudue
increase, so nicely are the balances of Nature adjusted.

Skunks are attacked bydogsand othercaninequadrupeds, who
destroy and devour them in spite of their scent; and some of the
larger birds of prey, like the Bubo virginianusj or Great Horned
Owl, have been observed to capture and eat them. Their own food
is of rather an humble nature in comparison with that of other
Mustelidw of corresponding size and streugth; for they have
neither the speed nor the address required to effect the des*;rnc-
tion of many animals which the Martens and Weasels, for
instance, prey upon. They feed largely upon insects, birds'
eggs, such small reptiles us frogs, and small quadrupeds, such
as the various species of mice. Tjey are also said to capture
rabbits in the burrows into whic'a these timorous beasts some-
times take refuge, though they are manifestly incapable of
securing these swift-footed animals in the chase. The depre-
dations committed by the Skunk in the poultry-house have been
already alluded to. I recur to the fact tt> note the way these
awkward animals conduct themselves under such circum-
stances, when their blundering pertinacity and appareuv neglect
of the most obvious precautions agai»jst detection contrast
strongly with the stealth, cunning, aud sagacity of tht Fox,
Mink, or Stoat wlien engaged in similar freebooting. Kven
after discovery, the Skunk seems to forget the propriety of
making off, and generally falls a victim to his lack of wit.

I once tested the si>e<^d of a Skunk in a fair race over open
prairie. The wind was blowing "half a gale" at my back, and
my courage was c<jt>sequently unchallenged. The animal
seemed to be aware of its [Hiwerlessness under these circum-
stances, and, after once or twice vainly discharging its battery, as
I saw by its peculiar motions, though the wind carried off the
effluvium, made oft' at its best pa(#. But I had no difficulty in
keeping up with it at an easy jogtrot, scarcely faster than rapid

220

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

walking, aud, after notiDg its gait auil other actions, I shot it
(lead. The specimen was too offensive to be skinned, however,
as some of the fluid had been blown upon its fur. In the course
of my. various campaigns in the West, I have witnessed not a
few ludicrous scenes, and have known the srartliug cry of
" Skunk !" to throw a camp into as great commotion, to all out-
ward appearance, as that other graver, yet not less sudden,
warning of Indians. But to recount stories of Skunks would be
to go on i'jdefinitely ; like the pelt to the furrier, anecdotes to the
historian are '' staple", and may be read in all the I ooks, such
is the facetiousuess which tiiis subjec* seems to inevitably call
forth.

History of the species.

The Skunk has figured in literature for more than two cen-
turies, as can be said of comparatively few American animals.
The earliest account I have found, one which Eichardson also
said was the first he had met with, is that given by Gabriel
Sagard-Theodat, " Mineur Kecollect de la Prouince de Paris",
in his History of Canada, 1()36. The quaint passage runs as
follows: —

"Les enfans du diable, que les Hurons appelleut Scangaresse,
& le commun des MontagnaisBabougi Manitou, ou Ouiuesque,
est un beste fort puante, de la grandeur d'un chat ou d'un ieune
renjHrd, mais elle a la teste uu peu moins aigne, & la pean cou-
nerte d'un gros poil rude & enfume, et sa grosse queue retrous-
see de mesme, elle s^ cache en Hyuer sous la neige, & ne sort
point qu-au commencement de la Lunedu mois de Mars, laquelle
les Montagnais nomment Ouiniscou pismi, qui signifie la Lune
de la Ouiuesque. Get animal, outre qu'il est de-fort mau-
uaise odeur, est tres-malicieux & d'un laid regard, ils iettent
aussi (a ce qu'on dit) parmy leurs excremens de petits serpens,
longs & deliez, les quels ne viuent neant moius gueres long
temps. I'en pensois apporter uue peau passee, mais un Fran-
cois pasiskger me I'ayant demaudee ie la luy dounay."

From the way in which this passage opens, we may presume
or infer that "eufan du diable" was already a recognized name
among the French, in spoken at least, if not also written, lan-
guage. The "devil's own" beast is also mentioned by various
other early writers, amongst whom Charlevoix may be cited.
It was the "Fiskatta" of Kalm (17 . . ); but the date of the
introduction of the terui " Skunk " 1 have not been able to as-

HISTORY OP MEPHITES MEPHITICA.

221

certain, nor do I know its meaning. A likeness to the word
most suggestive of the animal, and which appears in the Ger-
man StinJcthier, is too obvious to require comment, but the
resemblance may be fortuitous. It may be observed that the
Cree or Knistenaux word is seeoaick, which is quite likely the
origin of the name, as the sound i« not so very different, though
the literal discrepancy is great. The American-English name
"pole-cat" or "pol-cat", by which the Swedish of Kalm is
rendered, and which has long been an appellation of this and
other species of Skunks, is simply a transferring of the Euro-
pean-English name of the Fitch, Putorius foctidus, the worst-
WMlling species of its own continent, to the Western animal,
«Mch has the same enviable notoriety. The terms pol-cat or
polecat and skunk were both used by Lawson about the be-
ginning of the last century. " Polcats or Skunks in Amer-
ica," says he, " are diiierent from those in Europe. They are
thicker and of a great many Colours; not all alike, but each
differing from another in the particular Colour. They smell
like a Fjx but ten times stronger. When a Dog encounters
them, they void upon him, and he will not be sweet again for a
fortnight or more. The Indians love to eat their Flesh, which
has no manner of ill smell, when the Bladder is out." " Skunk"
was formerly used adjectively, as we see in the " Skunk Wee-
sel" of Pennant, which may be deemed exactly equivalent to
the "Mephitic weesel" of Shaw. "Chinche" was a term ap-
plied by early French zoologists to this and other MepMtince,
and in its various forms of chinche or chincha, chinge or chingaj
was lonjr current. The last-named form, indeed, became with
many au. rs, after Tiedemann, the specific name of the spe-
cies in btnominal nomenclature.

The early history of the species in technical nomenclature, as
distinguished from that of the animal in non-scientific accounts,
is much involved. It may be well to state that authors have
gone to opposite exo-emes in treating of Skunks as species.
Some, like Cuvier. " lumped " them all together, whilst others
made every streak or spwt tne basis of a species. We do not
find the presenr >*i)ecies elf nrly and unequivocally indicated by
the founder aad t^arut'^: supporters of the binomial system; on
the contrary, the Linn.-Gmel. accounts, though undoubtedly cov-
eroig this even then well-known species, are so infiltrated with
reference to other species as to be not properly citable in this
connection. Linnseus put the Skunks in his genus Viverra^

■ 'I

222

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

transferring this Plinian name of certain Musteline ani-
mals to those of the Civet-cat group, and in 175S named a
species Viverra putorius. His si)ecies at this date was partly
based on Ealm's Fiskatia, and in so far means the present
animal, but the primary reference is to Catesby's Pole-cat, and
the description rather suits the Spilogale. In 1766, Linnreus
made confusion worse confounded by resting his Viverra puto-
rius not only upon Gatesby and Kalm, as he had done in 1758,
but by citing also Hernandez, Ray, Seba, and Brisson, his
species being consequently a conglomeration of animals not
only specifically but generically distinct from each other, though
the drift of his descriptive text is toward the present species.*
These accounts, and such as hang upon them, are not properly
citable in the present connection. About the end of the last
century, Dr. G. Shaw introduced a species, Viverra mephitica,
which indicates the present animal with sufficient pertinence
and exclusiveness, and furnished a specific name, the first tena-
ble one I know of. In consequence, however, of its literal re-
semblance to the name of the Cuvierian genus Mephitis, the
term slept until revived by Baird in 1857, when, with those to
whom the alteration is not objectionable, the binomial name
Mephiti* ittephitica became current.

Shortly afterward, in 1808, Tiedemann introduced a species,
M. chimga, adapted from the earlier chinche as a specific name.
This was adopted by Lichtenstein in his special memoirs, by
Aubu<k>n and Bachman, and by others. It undoubtedly refers
to the present animal, though vitiated to some extent by in-
applicable ♦'xpressious.

Desmar»-st called all the Skunks Mephitis t Americanu, hav-
ing a long array of varieties, from A to R, his var? R being
the one which more particularly refers to the present species.
In 1829. Fischei rendered the " chinga'' of Tiedemann as chinche,
reverting to the more customary orthography. The same year
Riciiardson introduced a new term, hudfumica. Later, nominal
species multiplied, not that there were not already names

* "Habitat iu America septeutrionali. Colore variat. Irritatus (cum orina
forte) halituui explodit, quo nihil fcetidius; incessn tardus, nee Homines
uec Ferae metuens; ve^tes fa>tore iDqninatff purgantur sepeliendo per diem.
A. Knhn." (p. 65.> Liunwus's next species, J'ivirra zibetha, the Civet-cat of
the Old World, is also tinctured with Sknnk, or some other American animal
not distantly related.

t Written " Mustela " by an obvious slip.

HYDROPHOBIA FROM SKUKK-BITE.

223

enough, bat apparently in the impossibility of sifting and fixing
earlier accoants. M. rarians was proposed by Gray in 1837
for the southwestern variety, afterward called macroura by
Aubndon and Bachman ; and in 1865 Gray had the assurance
to set his term over all the prior ones as the specific designa-
tion, recounting numerous varieties of the species. Mephitis
mesomelaa of Lichtenstein and M. occidentalis of Baird are
names of the western strain of ordinary mephitica.

Other points in the history of Skunks are reviewed under
heads of species to follow.

ADDENDUM TO CHAPTER TIL

ON nVDROPHOBIA FROM SKUNK-BITE, OR THE SO-CALLED

"RABIES MEPHITICA".

The importance of this subject induces me to present such
facts as have come to my knowledge. Though it has long
been known that the bite of the Skunk under certain condi-
tions, like that of various other animals, is capable of inoculat-
ing a disease like hydrophobia, it seems that only lately has
the subject been thoroughly investigated and adequately pre-
sented. This has been done, notably, by two writers, whose
respective accounts are here transcribed in full, without fur-
ther comment.

The points that the Eev. Mr. Hovey makes are these: —
That hydrophobia from Skunk-bite is a different species of
the disease from rabies canina; the term rabies mephitica being
proposed for it. That rabies mephitica is caused by a special
hydrophobic virus generated by Skunks. That "possibly
there may be a causative connection between inactivity of
the anal glands and the generation of malignant virus in the
glands of the mouth". That the bite of Skunks in apparently
normal state of health {i. e., not rabid in the usual sense of
the term) is usually fatal. That " we might go further and
seek a solution of the whole dread mystery of hydrophobia
in the theory that this dread malady originates with the allied
genera of Mephitis^ Putorim, and Mustela, . . . being from
them transferred to the Felid(e and Canida and other families
of animals". He also suggests that the mephitic secretion
might be found to be the natural antidote to the salivary
virus.

224

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

IBM-:

The article attracted considerable attention, from the uov
elty of the views put forth, and the intrinsic importance of
the subject.

Some months afterward Dr. Janeway replied in an elaborate
article, detailing cases and criticising Mr. Hovej's views, com-
ing to the conclusion " that the malady produced by mephitic
virus is simply hydrophobia". Following are the two articles
in question in full : —

[From Amor. Joarc. Sci. and Art, 3(1 ser. vol. vil. no. 41, art. xliv. pp. 477-493, Maj, 1874.)
"EaUes Mephitica; by Kei: Homcv C, Hovey, M. A.

"My subject concorna alike medical science aud natural biatory. For
while proving the exiateuce of a new diaease, some singular facta will be
brought to light about a familiar member of the American Fauna. It is
cruel to add aught to the odium already attached to the common skunk
(Mephitis viephitica Shaw ; M, chinga Tiedemanu). But, clearly, he is as dan-
gerous as he is disagreeable. In a wild state he is by no means the weak,
timid, harmless creature commonly described by naturalists ; although it is
said that, if disarmed of his weapons of offence while young, he may be
safely domesticated.

"A peculiar poison is sometimes contained in the saliva of animals be-
longing to the canine and feline families, the production of which, it baa
been generally supposed, ia limited to them. Other animala, of the aame or
of different species, may be inoculated with this virus ; the result being a
mysterious malady, which men have observed from the days of Homer and
Aristotle, but which has never been either cured or understood. This
frightful disease has been called, from its origin. Babies canina, and from
one of its symptoms, hydrophobia. Probably it is not communicable by any
species but those with which it originates. A few instances have been re-
corded to the contrary ; but they were so imperfectly observed as merely to
stimulate us to further investigation. It is stated by the best medical
writers (e. g., Watson, Gross, and Aitken), as an nndeniable fact, that no
instance is known of hydrophobia having been communicated from one
human being to another, although many patients, in their spasms, have
bitten their attendants. An interesting case, but inconclusive, being the
only one of its kind, is reported by M. Guillery, in which an aged man expe-
rienced spontaneous hydrophobia (Bulletin of Belgian Academy, No. 8,
1871). In such exceptional instances there may have been previous inocula-
tion, unnoticed or forgotten ; for the least particle of this deadly poison
will be efSoient, and yet it is always tardy in its period of incubation.

"The facts now collated will show, it is thought, one of two things,
either that the hydrophobic virus is both generated and communicated by
some of the Mufitelid^t as well as the Felida and Canidoe; or else, that a new
disease has been disoovered, whi'~ l T^nerioally resembles Rahiea canina, while
differing from it spaoifically. My judgment favors the latter opinion, de-
cidedly, fCi reasons to be adduceu ; and accordingly I may name this new
malady, from the animal in whose saliva it is generated, Rabies Mephitica.

HYDROPHOBIA FROM SKUNK-BITE.

225

"The varieties of ilephilia are notorious for the singular battery with
Avhich they are provided by nature. It consists of two anal glands
from which, by the contraction of suh-caudal niuscleH, an ofifnusive fluid
can be discharged in thread-like streams, with such accuracy of aim as to
strike any object wiibin fifteen feet. This secretion is either colorless,
or of a pale yellow hue. It is phosphorescent. Viewed from a safe distance,
its discharge looks like a paif of steam or white smoke. Its odor is far more
persistent than that of musk. If too freely inhaled it causes intense nausea,
f«)llowed by distresHiug gastric cramp. In minute doses it is said to be a
valuable anti-spasmodic. If so, why not experiment with it as a cure for
hydrophobic convulsions? It is not known what the effect wouhl be of
injecting this fluid beneath the skin. Interesting results might be attained
by any one who is willing, in behalf of science, to investigate further in
this inviting path! There certainly seems to be some connection between
it and the disease under consideration; for, in every instance, the rabid
skunk has either exhausted his mephitic battery, or else has lost the projec-
tile force by which it is discharged. Perhaps the secretion is only checked
by the feverish state of the system. Possibly there may be a causative con-
nection between this inactivity of the anal glands and the generation of
malignant virus in the glands of the mouth.

" An adventure, while on a summer tour amid the Rocky Mountains, first
called my attention to the novel class of facts about to be presented. Our
camp was invaded by a nocturnal prowler, which proved to be a large coal-
black skunk. Anxious to secure his fine silky fur unii^ured, I attempted
to kill him with small shot, and failed. He made characteristic retaliation;
and then, rushing at me with ferocity, he seized the muzzle of my gun
between his teeth ! Of course the penalty was instant death. An experienced
hunter then startled us by saying that the bite of this animal is invariably
fatal, and that when in perfect apparent health it is always rabid. He re-
sented our incredulity and conlirmed his statement by several instances of
dogs and men dying in convulsions shortly after being thus bitten.

" On mentioning this adventure to H. R. Payne, M. D., who had been
camping with miners near Cafion City, Col., he said that at night skunks
would come into their tent, making a peculiar crying noise, and threateuing
to attack tbem. His companions, from Texas and elsewhere, bad accounts
to give of fatal results following the bite of this animal.

" Since returning to Kansas City, I have had extensive correspondence with
hunters, taxidermists, surgeons and others, by which mitans the particulars
have been obtained of forty-one cases of rabiea mephitioa, occurring in Vir-
ginia, Michigan, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado and Texsts. All were
fatal except one ; that was the cose of a farmer, named Fletcher, living near
Gainsville, Texas, who was twice bitten by if. maoroara [of And. &. Bdch.=:
M. mephitica var. — £. C], yet recovered and is living still. On further inquiry
it was found that he was aware of his danger, and used prompt preventive
treatment. Another case was alleged to be an exception ; that of a dog which
was severely bitten in a long fight with a skunk, but whose wounds healed
readily and without subseqient disease. It seems, however, that this dog
afterward died with mysterious symptoms like those of hydrophobia in
some of its les^ aggravated forms.

" Instead of burdening this article with a mass of circumstantial details,
15 X

22(]

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDJE

a few CAHOH only will be given bngt fitted to show the peculiiirities of the
n>alady ; and tliose are preferred that are located on the ulinost uninhabited
{ilains of weatern Kanaan, because there the mephitio weasoU would be
least liable to be inoculated with canine virus.

"A veteran hunter, Nathaniel Douglas, was hunting buffiilo, in June, 187'i,
fourteen miles north of Park's Fort. Wiiile asleep he wim bitten on the
thumb by a skunk. Fourteen days afterward singular sensations caused
him to seek medical advice. But it was too late, and after convulsioim
lasting for ten hours he died. This case is reported by an eye-witness, Mr.
E. 8. Love, of WyandotlJ, Kansas, who also gives several »iniilar accountH.

" One of the men employed by H. P. Wilson, Esq., of Hayes City, Kansits,
was bitten by ar' ank at, night, while herding cattle on the plains. About ten
duys afterward he was seized with delirium and fearful con vulsiouH, which fol-
lowed each other until death brought relief. Mr. Wilson also reports other
cases, one of which is very recent. In the summer of 1873, a Swedish girl
was bitten by a skunk while going to a neighbor's house. As the wound
was slight and readily cured, the affair was hardly thought worthy of j;e-
membrance. But on Jan. 24th, 1874, the virus, which had been latent for
five uiunths, asserted its power. She was stMzed with terrible paroxysms.
Large doses of morphine were administered, which ended both her agony
and her life.

" In October, 1871, a. hunter on Walnut Creek, Kansas, was awakened by
having his leil ear bitten by s^me animal. Seizing it with his hand, he found
it to be a skunk, which after a struggle he killed, but not until his hand
WHS painfully punctured and lacerated. He presented himself for treatment
to Dr. J. H. Janeway, army surgeon at Fort Hayes, from whom I have the
facts. The wounds in the Stands were cauterized, much to the man's d'u-
gust, who thought simple dressing sufficient. He refused to have the wound
in the ear touched, and went to Fort Harker to consult Dr. R. C Brewer.
Twelve days afterward the latter reported that his patient had died with
hydrophobic symptoms.

"Another hunter, in the fall of 1872, applied to Dr. Janeway to be treated
for a bite through one of the alsB of the njse. He had been attacked by a
skunk, while in camp on the Smoky River, two nights previous. He had
been imbibing stimulants freely and was highly excited and nervous. A
stick of nitrate of silver was passed through the wound several times. He
was kept under treatment lor two days, when he left to have a ' madstoue '
applied. He afterward went home to his ranch, and died in convulsions
twenty-one days from the time be was inoculated.

I •' I give but one more of the cases reported to me by Dr. Janeway^ In
October, 1871, he was called to see a young man living in a ' dug-out,' a few-
miles from the fort. He had been bitten by a skunk, seventeen days previ-
ous, in the little finger of the left hand. His face was flushed, and he cor.i-
p*ained that his throat seemed to be turning into bone. On hearing the
sound of water poured from a pail into a tin cup, he went into convulsions,
that followed each other with rapidity and violence for sixteen hours, ter-
minating in death. This man's dog had also been bitten, and it was sug-
gested that he bad better be shut up. He chanced at the time to be in the
hog-pen, and he was confined in that enclosure. Ere long he'began to gnaw
furiously at the rails and posts of the pen and to bite the hog«i ; until the by-

UYDROPHOBIA FROM SKUNK-BITE.

227

stnnrlerH, convinced that he was mad, ended the mcodo by shooting; all the
aniinnlH in the pen.

•'It is evidently the opinion of Dr. Janeway that the malady produced by
mepbitic virus is simply hydrophobia. Should he bo correct, tben all that
is established by these facts would be this, viz: that henceforth tlie varie-
ties of Mephitis must bo classed with tliose animals thatspontanuously gen-
erate poison in the glands of Mie month and communicate it by salivary
inoculation. From this, as u starting-point, we mi<rht go further and seek a
solution of the whole mystery of hydrophobia in the theory that this dreud
malady primarily originates with the allied genera of Mephitis, I'litoriua ami
Muntela, widely scattered over the earth :* being from thoiu transferred to
the Felidw and Camdw and other families of animals. And then, if it could
be proved experimentally that the characteristic mephitic secretions con-
tained an antidote for the virus of the saliva, we should have the whole
subject arranged very beautifully !

"I am favored by Dr. M. M. Spearer, surgeon in the 6th U. S. Cavalry,
with notes from his case-book, of four oases in which persons have died
from the bite of the skunk; and he also mentions additional instances
reported to him by other observers. He thinks there is a marked ditfor-
ence between the symptoms of their malady and those of hydrophobia.
I shall refer to his testimony again, but x>anse for a moment to notice his
final conclusions, from which, original and interesting as they are, I must
dissent. He says: 'I regard this virus as being as peculiar to the skunk as
the venom of the rattlesnake is to that creature ; and not an occasional out-
break of disease as the (vstiia veneris of the wolf or the rabies canina,' Singu-
lar as this theory may seem, it is not wholly without support. It is remark-
able that of all the cases thus far reported to mj there is but one instance of
recovery. It is stated in Watson's Physic (vol. i, p. 615) that of one hundred
and fourteen bitten by rabid wolves only sixty-seven died ; and of those bit-
ten by rabid dogs the proportion is still less. But mephitic inoculation i^
snre death. Tlien again it is to be observed that the only peculiarity notice-
able in these biting skunks is the arrest of their eflinviura. They approach
stealthily, while their victims are asleep, and inhict the deadly wound on
some minor member — the thumb, the little finger, the lobe of the ear, one of
the alte of the nose. How different from the fierce assault of a mad dog !
Hew subtle and snake-like ! It may be remarked, also, that dogs are gen-
erally as cautious and adroit in attacking these odious enemies as they are
in seizing venomous snakea. But we must remember, on the other hand,
that thousands of skunks are killed annually, partly as pests and partly for
the fur trade ; and it is incredible that au animal whose ordinary bite is as

* " Since forvarding this article for publication, I have obtained au answer
to my inquiries made in California through my friend, Dr. J. G. Tidball,
respecting the Mephitis zorilla [i. c, M. (Spilogale) putorius — E. C.]. He de-
scribed it as a very pretty animal which usually allows itself to be killed
without resistance. £ut he adds that its bite is highly dangerous, causing
a fatal disease like hydrophobia.

"I regret that he gives no particulars of ac'aal cases ; but his testimony
is interesting, as it brings into coudemnation a species of Mephitis quite dif-
ferent from M, chiitgu."

i28

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

venomons an that of a ru lesnake, bUouUI so seldom rosorl to tbnt mode of
defence, if it be liia.

" The remiltitift diseone reseniblen hydropbobia morn tban it does tbe effect
of o|,bidian venom. But bere, as observed at tbe ontHet, tbu likeness is only
general, while npeciflually there are marked diltHrenceH. TIicha have pnr-
posely been kept in tbe back-ground until now. And in giving a ditferontiiil
diagnosis, I sball avoid repetitious detiiils, and combinu facts gathered from
many sources with the close and accurate observations which Dr. Sbeurer
Los pnt at my dispoHiil.

" 1. The period of incubation is alike in rabies canlna and rahiea mrphilica.
That is, it is indefinite, ranging from ton days to twelve months, with no
opportunity meanwhile for subsoquent inoculation. Hut during the incu-
bative perio«1 of R, mephitica, no perceptible changes take place in tbe con-
stitution as in hydrophobia- In only one instance was there nnnsual nerv-
ousness, and that might have been due to alcohol. In every case whem
there was time for it, the wounds healed over smoothly and permanently,
and in several instances not even a scar was visible. In no cjise was there
recrudescence of the wound, always seen in hydropliobla. Indeed, there
were so few pren nitionsof any kind that, in most instances, the attending
physicians themselves supposed tbe ailment to be simplo and trivial, until
the sudden and fearful convulsions came on to baffle all their skill.

"2. Characteri."* • pustules form in hydrophobia bent-ath the tongno and
near the orifices the snb-maxillary glands. (See Aitkeu, Sci. and Pract.
Med., vol. i, p. (i'>.\.) These were not reported in a single case of B. mephitica.
Dr. Shearer looked for them carefully in all his cases, but did not find them.

"3. The specific action of hydrophobic virus affects the eighth pair of
cranial nerves and their branches, ospeoially the tn-iopbageal branch, the
result being great diiflculty in swallowing ; and the motor nerve of the layx
[larnyx — 8to], causing sighing, catching of the breath, and difficulty in
expelling the frothy mucus accumulated in the throat. These invariable
accompaniments of B. eanina ure usually wanting in B. mephitica; the ex-
ceptions being in the case of the Swedish girl, who complained of pain in
her chest ; and the young man. Dr. Janeway's patient, whose constriction of
the throat was decided, as well as his sensitiveness to water. Dr. Shearer's
patients had no snch trouble. A taxidermist, who has seen four dogs die
from R. mephitica, in Michigan, says they did not seem to have nny fear of
water, or other signs which he had supposed were characteristic of R. eanina.
Ordinary hydrophobia, again, is marked by constant hyperoesthesia of the
skin, so tbat the slightest breath of air will precipitate convnlsions. But,
in B, mephitica, fanning tbe face affords relief, and even cloths dipped in
w^ter and laid on tbe forehead were soothing I

" 4. In hydrophobia the perceptions are intensified, so tbat even the deaf
are said to have their hearing restored ; the pupils are strongly dilated, im-
parting to the eyes a wild, glaring expression ; the spasms are tonic, i. e.,
steady and continnous; the pulse is feeble; and delirium is occasionally
relieved by lucid intervals. But the symptoms are wholly different in R.
mephitica: thefe is oscillation of the pupil; the spasrns are clonic, i. e,,
marked by rapid alternate contraction and relaxation of tbe muscles ; small,
but wiry radial pulse and rapid carotids ; positive loss of perceptiqp and
volition throughout, until delirium ends in persistent unconsciousness,
simultaueoasly with cold perspiration and relaxation of the sphincters.

HYDROPHOBIA FROM SKUNK-BITE.

229

"5. Tho iiiudo of tloiith ia by astbonia in both forms of rabies; but iu R.
caiiiia till) frightful Htrug}(lu8 of nature to ;)ljminate the poinon aro more
prolungod than in H. mephilioa ; and in the latter they'uiay, on ocoaMioii, Ito
still further abriilt;ed by the mho of morphine, which had no nurcotiu etfect
upon the former, oven in the larjfeHt doseH and injected into tht; vhIuh !

"I have thuH endeavored to describe, and also to explain, thuMr< strnnge
and painful phenomena. I must leave the reader to form his own deuiHion.
01. ly hoping; that some oii*^ may be inducud to follow this pioneer work iu a
new path, by further and more able investigations of his own.

" KauMs City, Mo., Feb. '^Uh, 1874,"

[From tlio Now York Medioal Record, rol. x. no. 337, pp. 1:7-1C0, Mar. 13, 1875.]
"On IJydrophohia. — Py John G. Jantwny, M, D., AsHlstant ■'fiirgeon, V. S. A.

"A writer* in the American Journal of Science and Art, May, 1H74, states
that ' it is evidently the opinion of Dr. Janeway that the malady produced
by themephitic virus is simply hydrophobia. Should he be correct, then
all that is established by these facts would be this, viz.: that henceforth the
varieties mephitis must be classed with those animals that spontaneously
generate poison in the glands of the mouth and oommuuicatu it by salivary
inoculation.'[t] The personal observation of fifteen fatal cases of hydropho-
bia, produced by the bite of rabid animals, skunks, wolves, and hogs.t and
the reliable statements of a number of other cases, has fully coiiKriued me
in the opinion above stated, that the malady produced by mepliitic virus is
simply hydrophobia.

" The following five cases are taken from the fifteen fatal coses that have
fallen under my observation :

"Case I. Brri'; of Skunk. — Was called to visit Win. P., aged nineteen, a
herder, whom I was told by the messenger had been acting strangely ail the
morning. I found him lying on a bed in a s(Hl-honse, dressed, with several
of his companions around him. Face flushed, pulse very rapid, the beat of
skin intense and dry, eyes brilliant and pupils dilated rather more than
natural, extremely restless and frequently catching at his throat ; upon
questioning, replied that his throat was turning into bone. Hud not felt
well for two or three days ; did not know what was the matter with bim.
Upon pouring out some water from a pail ucar by, to administer morphia to
him, he wont suddenly into convulsions.

" Suspecting hydrophobia immediately, as soon as he regained conscious-
ness I learned that he had been bitten by a skunk, just before uay break,
seventeen days before, iu the little finger of the left baud ; that the wouud
was small and soon healed ; that for two days preceding my seeing him bis

• " Kev. Horace C. Hovey, M. A."

t [There is some typographical confusion in the qnotation-marks at the
opening of Dr. Janeway's article ; and Dr. .Tanewii y does not quote Mr.
Hovey'^ literally, leaving it liable to be misunderstood whose opinion is be-
ing quoted. I have slightly altered the text in this place, to reproduce the
quotation literally from the original. — ^£. C]

t " Skunks 10, wolves 3, hogs 2."

230

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID/E.

finder aihI nrm hn«1 fttit niiin1». Upni. oxnuiiiiiiiK tlin tiiiKi^r, nli){1it rMlneHM
wuH (iltM>rvud at tlio pliicu liittuii, toDKUH Hiiglitly fiirrud itiiil H<>iii«wliiit
awoUen, no Ho-oalle:! ' gliarnuterifttic piiNtuluH ' wttre tu be miuii. Thirst iii-
tciiNo niul li«>K){«<l fur water, but the hoiiuiI of ilippiiij; the water from tlie
pnil threw him immediately into Htill more terribh; convulHioiiH, frequent
HigliiuK, Hud catehiuK bin breath. AdminiNter bypoderniiu injectiouH of
morphia without avail. Upon the arrival of oiiloroform, wiiich I had sent
for, itM adminiHtrntion ){ave partial relief for a Hbort time. Hin endeavors
to free hinmelf of the tenacious mucus were terrible, when the iivcaatioug
npsettinftof a pail of water a^ain threw him intoconvulsiouH, opisthotonouH
in character, followed by attomptH at biting; those holdin<{ biin, and wlieu
consuiousneHH waH retrained, aNkiuK pardon for ho doin^. HypeneHthcHia
existed in a very marked degree in this case. Death ca'.uo to his relief in
abont eighteen hours from the time 9f his tirst convulsion.

<* Cahb II. DiTK OF Skunk.— An emigrant from Wisconsin, camped on the
north fork of Uig Creek, about seven miles from Hays, applied to mo in the
fall of 1872 for dressing for bis hand, which bad been bitten between the
thumb and index finger of bis left hand, the night previously, by a skunk.
Cauterized the wound well, and directed him to repeat the cauterization
twice a day. 8aw nothing of him for twelve days, when I was sent for, and
upon arriving at bis camp found bim in convulsions, which were repeated
rapidly. Face iluHbed,eyes brilliant, pupils rather contracted, skin hot and
dry, pulse small and rapid, 120, no so-called ' obaractoristio pustules ' under
the tongue. When not in convulsions, mind clear and fully aware of the
fate that awaited him. From his wife I learned that after the third day of
using the caustic the wound healed and gave him no further trouble ; that
for three days he had been complaining of some fulness in the hea<l, and a
general ' malaise,' neither sick nor well ; that the ounvulsions came on
about seven hours previous to my seeing bim, suddenly, upon attempting to
take a drink from a spring close to their cump; that he would go into con-
vulsions whenever water or tea was ottered him, and that the faintest
breath of air would cause him the greatest anguish, so that she had to put
a blanket up before the door. Death followed in tweuty-one hours after
seizure.

" Case III. Bite of Skunk.— A hunter, in the latter part of October, 1872,
applied to- me to be treated for a bite through the right ala of the nose.
He had been attacked by a skunk while in camp on the Smoky Hill river
two nights previous. Having learned, previous to my seeing bim, that
skunk-bites would produce hydrophobia, he had imbibed freely, and was
decidedly under the influence of liquor when I saw him, evidently nnrvons
about himself, but trying to conceal the fact.

"A stick of nitrate of silver was passed repeatedly through the wound.
Actual cautery was proposed, but he would not consent to its use. After
being nnder treatment two days he left and wenf to Missonri, to have the
mad-stone applied; returning from there, he followed his occupation'.
Twenty-one days after he was bitten he was taken with convulsions, and
died abont an hour after I got to his ranch, nearly thirty hours after the
seizure. From one of his companions I learned that after his return from
Missouri be was cheerful and in apparent health up to the day before bis
seizure, when he complained of paiu in bis nose and face, headache, chilly,

HYDROPHOHIA PROM 8KUNK-BITR

2;ii

Hml f««liiiK tirntlv but hitd no ii|i|>rfhi*nHion riinctTiiiiiK hiiiiHflf. Tim llrnt
R.vmpfoiii, tlio iiioi'iiiiiK tliu iliHotwo «ltiv<tlo|U(«l itHt'lf, wuH » fueling of coii-
Htrieiioii ill tliu tliniat, toK«ttliur with ilryiiuHH, upiHtliotoiioM, wilii duoidfd
iiiaiiiu preoediiiK the HpiMnm.

•' Cask IV. Hitk ok \VfH,K.— A private of Co. F, Sixth Ciivnlry, was bitten
by a wolf one evening, Jnnt after he hail uonie otT poHi, in the lobe of the
left ear, in the early part of Octtolter, 1H7:{. The wound wim freely cauter-
ized with nitrate of Hilver by the Hur){eon of the camp. On the '.28th of the
aame month he applied to me for medicine for headache, which wan );iven
to him. On the 30th he aKiiin applied for ntedicine, Htating that he diii not
feel Hick enough to go on the Hick report. Knowing the nuin'H liiHtory, I
cantiouHly examined him, and questioned him in Huuh a way an not to ex-
cite IiIh fearn. I found that the lobe of the ear that had beenjiitten waH
quite numb to the touch. No other Hymptomii presented theniHelveH promi-
nently. There wan, however, a general malaiw). The day following, the
man was in the ranks for muHter and inspection. Observing him, I saw at
once that something was wrong, and upon reporting his case he was ordered
to his quarters, by the coiiiiiianding ot1l(;er. Fifteen niiiititeH later I was
Hent for to see him, and found him in coiivulsioiis, whush the on'erly in-
formed me came on upon his atttimpts to take a drink of water. He was at
once removed to the hospital. He sutt'ereit from cohl, he tohl iiie, whilst
being conveyed there. Examination revealed alternately contracting and
dilating pupils ; skin very hot ; tem|M)ratnre 102^, 102.5^, lUU", by three
examinations, with the thermometer in the axilla ; pulse 120-12.''^ alternat-
ing in volume before and aft«r a spasm, but constantly rapid. Tongue some-
what swollen and indented by the teeth on the edge; thick, whitish fur ;
no so-called 'characteristic pustules' under the tongue. Thirst intense;
no irritability or sensation in the wound of the ear ; constriction of the
pharynx; increasing violent attempts to relieve himself of ^he thick and
tenacious saliva ; sound produced resembling more the bark of a wolf than
any sound ever heard. Complete inability to swallow any liquid, the at-
tempt ending in acouvulsion. Mental faculties perfect when not in spasm ;
inlly aware that death must end the sceue. Towards the close the convul-
sions were longer and of greater strength, with frequent furious attempts
to bite his attendants, for which he would beg their pardon time and again.
Death took place suddenly in thirty hours.

" Case V. Bite of Dog.— A man, aged about 46, attached to a hay-camp,
applied to me in August, 1873, to dress his hand, which had been terribly
lacerated by a favorite hound that day. He stated that his dog bad been
acting rather strangely for several days, but that up to that time bad
always come to him when called, and had appeared as affectionate as ever ;
that a strange dog had appeared in camp, and that his dog had attacked it
furiously; he attempted to separate them, when his dog turned and bit him
through the hand, his teeth passing completely through from side to side;
that immediately after biting bim he (dog) had run off a short distance and
laid down in a pool of water. Cauterizing the wound freely I directed him
to report at the hospital next morning, when the eschar was removed and
his hand was again cauterized. The following day he called at the hospital
and stated that he had shot bis dog, and was satisfied that be was inad, and
that he waa going that duy to Missouri to have a mad-stone applied, lie

232

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

retnaineil there a week, and tlion returned and rejoined the hny-cnmp. On
the twenty-fourth day after he was bitten, I was sent for to visit him at tho
bay-camp, on the Smoky Hill river, lying in a wagon-bed, and was saluted
with, ' Doctor, that dog has killed me ; I know that I have got the hydro*
phobia, and that I shall die.' His face flushed ; skiu hot ; pulse v )ry rapid
and small, 125; tongue fui'red, brownish, swollen; complained th.at his
throat was turning into bone, and that he could not swallow; if he saw
any liquid, thought he would like to drink a bucketful of water just once.
On attempting to give him some morphia in solution tho convulsions were
ushered in. He had been well up to the morning he sent for me. Tho first
symptom he noticed was the feeling of constriction in his throat, and be
noticed a slight increase of redness in the wounds on his hand, though there
was no pai«. Had seen several cases of hydrophobia, and at the earnest
solicitation of his wife had sent for me. Left hiui powders, of twenty grains
each, hydrate chloral, to be given in moist sugar every three hours, and
promised to see him next morning. I saw him the following morning, and
found him decidedly worse ; convulsions more frequent and stronger ; pulse
smaller and extremely rapid ; tongue more swollen ; no so-called ' charac-
teristic pustules' to be found after caieful search; eyes brilliant, with
rather a contracted pupil ; great difflculty of swallowing, though he whs
able to sup up a little water through some straw from a covered cup; had
considerable sleep from the chloral, but his stomach had rejected the last
dose, and he was unable to take any more ; mental faculties clear, could tell
the approach of a convulsion, and begged his wife and attendants to take
care ; much incrense of the thick tenacious saliva, and greater difficulty in
freeing himself of it. No alteration in appearance of wound. The con-
vulsions became mere frequent, stronger, and longer in duration. Ho in-
sisted upon being chained down to the wagon bed to prevent his injuring
any one. Chloroform was left, with directions as to use. The day follow-
ing I found him barely alive, unconscious, with frequent feeble spasms.
Death ended the terrible scene after thirty-seven hours of sufferings. In
this case there was no marked hypericsthesia of the skin complained of.

" Neither can I agree with the writer of the paper mentioned above, that
mephitic inoculation is sure death. For the result of one case of bite fron\
a rabid skunk, which will be detailed more fully hereafter, the repbrt of
eight others (six hunters and two soldiers) that were bitten, and also from
having in my possession two dogs, one a setter and the other a black-and-
tan, which aave been repeatec ly bitten in encounters with these animals
and have as yet never evinced any symptom of the disease, will not permit
me to concur with him. That more cases, proportionally, may rciiult fatally
from the bite of this animal, than from the bite of rabid dogs or wolves, is
probably, if not actually, the rase ; still, there are obvious reasons for it to
be so. An animal nocturnal in its habits, generally timid, but armed with
a powerful battery to resist any injury or affront ; one that will not attempt
to bite in defence until the secretion provided for it by nature is exhausted,
loses that secretion by the disease. It is a well-authenticated fact that
rabid skunks are entirely free from the odor so characteristic of these ani-
mals, which could not occur if the secretion was not ^rhausfed, and forget-
ting its normal timidity will attack any4)ersou or ar;mal he may come in
contact with, biting the most exposed art of the boay, the aim of the nose,

HYDROPHOBIA FROM SKUNK-BITE.

233

tlie lobe of the ear, the thumb, or one of the fiagers, and passes on. Here
is probably the reason these bites are more fatal than those of other ani-
mals — always in a vascular part not protected by clothing, which prevents
by wiping away the poisonous saliva in the lierce attacks of the mad dog
or wolf, and thus saves the life of the one bitten. At a frontier post* this
was well illustrated. A mad wolf suddenly sprang upon the officer of the
day, who was making his round, and bit him on the arm, through his cloth-
ing; pa.ssing on, he bit a sentinel on post in the wrist, between the sleeve
of his coat and glove, and then sprang upon a woman who was nursing a
child near by, and bit her on the shoulder through a thick woollen shawl.
All the cases were treated the same. Tlie officer and the woman escaped
the dread disease, but the soldier died of hydrophobia. A recent writer t
says m reference to bites of rabid dogs : 'The documents of investigation
furnish indications full of interest in regard to the nune or less innocuous-
ness of bites, accordli g to the different parts of the body upon which they
were inflicted. If we compare the fatal with the harmless bites made upon
the same region, we find that out of thirty-two cases where the face was
bitten, twenty-nine proved fatal, which gives these wounds a mortality of
ninety per cent. Out of seventy-three cases, in which the wounds were
upon the hands, they have been fatal in only forty-six cases, harmless in
twenjy-seven, giving an average mortality of sixty-three per cent. In
comparing wounds of the arms and logs with those of the face and hands,
the ratio is inverted; twenty-eight wounds upon the arms were followed by
only eight fatal terminations, and twenty-four bites upon the lower limbs
gave only seven fatal cases; seventeen remained harmless, showing a mor-
tality of twenty eight to tsventy-nine per cent., and an innocuousness of
seventy to twenty-one per cent., and, lastly, the ratio mortality for wounds
upon the body is shown as follows: Out of nineteen bitten, twelve cases
were fatal and seven bites proved harmless.'

"Tbese facts are confirmatory of those affon'.ed by other statistics, demon-
strating also that rabid wounds upon uncovered or unprotected parts, such
as tiio face and hands, are much more readily contagious thaii those of the
arms and legs, which the teeth of the animal cannot reach without passing
through a portiou of the clothing, which wipes off the virulent moisture
from the teeth. It is true the conseqv ^nces of bites upon the body seem to
conflict with this statement: but we n.i.st remember that generally these
wounds are more severe, and amor theii: some are uncovered parts, such
as the neck and chest, and that, when a man is attacked by a rabid animal
and bitten upon tb^ body, he is also bitten i pon his hands, which are his
material means of defence. Another reason ^.or the apparent large propor-
tion of fatal cases from skunk bite is, that it is only since 1871 that these
cases have been collected, or that the fact of hydropliobia existing in and
following the bites of these animals has been generally known, and only
those cases proving fatal have been reported, the non-fatal cases, from the
trivial character of the wound, not being considered of suflicient importance

to report.

"a case of skl'nk iutb not fatal.

"W., ayoung man, twenty-two yearsold, born in Missouri, commonly known

"" Fo.t Larned, Kansas."

t " H. Bouley, Gtu. Inspector Vet. Schools of France, ttc, etc."

234

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID/E.

l>y the soiibiiqiiet ' Piko County,' driving a, team for a party of oinigrantH for
Colorado, was bitten at night, in the early part of May, 1874, ui»on left cheek,
by a Hkuuk, whilst camped at Park' - Fort,* Kansas. A companion, who was
bitten by the same animal, freely cauterized the wound. Early the next
day he presented himself at the hospital for treatment. Removing the eschar
I cauterized it again freely with caustic, and directed that ho take i^tli grain
of strychnia every three hours during tlio day, with vegetable tonics and full
diet, the wound to be cauterized morning and night, and a poultice to be
applied one hour before retouching to remove the eschar and promote sup-
puration. No characteristic symptoms being produced by the strychnia on
the fourth day, it was increased to y'^th grain dose, given as before. Siip-
l)uration was fairly set np in the wound and continued ; four days after,
strychnia increased to grain ^th, and continued at that for four days without
any symptoms of its toxic effects. The dose was then increased to grain
^th, and continued for six days without the patient being conscious of any
jerkings, though the night nurse and some of the patients stated that he
jerked somewhat more than natural when asleep. Suppuration of the wonnd
continued free under the caustic and poultices: the dose of strychnia was
then increased to grain i, and I watched him very carefully, for the slightest
appearance of the effect of the medicine, for six days. On the last day I
detected some slight involuntary twitching of the muscles of the face, and
reduced the dose. Two days after reducing ho remarked that he guessed' that
he was safe from hydrophobia, as the strychnia had not killed him. The
wonnd was allowed to heal np, which it did rapidly, and a few days after ho
left the hospital, and I saw him three months after perfectly well.

" The above case shows either, first, that the man was not inoculated by
the virus when bitten ; second, a wonderful tolerance for the drug if he was
not so inoculated ; or, third, that acting primarily as a tonic to the nerve
elements it enabled them to resist the invasion of the disease, and together
with the frequent cauterization and free suppuration, to eliminate the poison
from the system. (That the strychnia used was a good article was proved
by the effect of a small dose upon an obnoxious cur of medium size.) I am
inclined to the latter, for that the animal causing the wound was (indoubt-
edly rabid is proved by the fact that the companion who was bitten by the
same animal, in the camp, on the same evening, was reported to have died
from hydrophobia about ten days after being bitten, and shouUl another case
l)resent, would adopt the same treatment and pi^h the drug until its char-
acteristic effects upon the system presented.

" Rabies Mephitica, like Rabies Canina, is evidently epidemical, no cases of
it having been reported previous to 1870 in this region.

" The period of incubation is alike in Rabies Canina and Rabies Mephitica
(so called), that is, it is indefinite, ranging from ten days to niuety days, no
opportunity in the meanwhile being afforded f)r subsequent inoculation of
hydrophobia. Statistics ?jhow that the manifestations of the disease have
been most numerous during the first sixty days, and that after a bite from a
rabid animal the probabilities of escape increase considerably when sixty
days have passed and no symptoms of the disease have shown themselves,
aad that aftei tho niuety days entire immunity is almost certain. Still, I
am aware that cases are repDrted of a longer period of incubation. These

* •' Park's IWt, K. P. R. \V."~

bij

fri

nl
fl
tl

HYDROPHOBIA FROM SKUNK-BITE.

235

are exceptional, and when reportcfl to extend beyond the fourth month it
may be qnestioned whether the patient has not been unconsciously inocii-
Inted by the caresses of a pet dog, suffering from the disease Unsuspected,
from tetanus, or, as Baron Larrey* remarked, when commentating upon Dr.
Fereol's case of hydrophobia with two years and a half incubation : ' For
my part I should be disposed to regard his case not as an example of rabies,
with an incubation of two years and a half, but as one of cerebral hydro-
])hobia or symptomatic of acute delirium, provoked or aggravated by the
coincidence of the bite of a dog presumed to be mad.' In all the cases from
the bite of a skunk the prodroniic stage of the disease was more or less
marked, though none of them amounting to acute melancholy. An indefinite*
feeling of dread and a general malaise — the most prominent symptoms,
together, in most cases, with pain or numbness at the seat of the wound,
were present from one to three days. To most of these unfortunates the
fearfnl result of the trivial wound they had received was unknown, and
unaware of their perilous condition were not incessantly tormented with
sad forebodings or dread. of the onset of the malady.

"2. The characteristic pustules which the writer of Rabies Mephitica lays
stress upon were not found in any of the cases of hydrophobia produced
either by the bite of the skunk, Avolf, or dog. Niemeyert states that 'the
assertions of Marochetti, who claims that during the incubation stage vesi-
cles form beneath the tongue, and that by destroying these vesicles the out-
break of the disease can bo averted, have not been substantiated.'

" 3. That the invariable accompaniments of Rabies Canina were not want-
ing in the cases of R, Mephitica. The specific action of the poison was made
manifest first by the oesophageal branch of the eighth pair, giving rise to
the characteristic symptom of the disease, or to the extreme difficulty of
swallowing, especially of fluids ; then the frequent catching of breath no-
ticed in all cases, showing that the recurrent nerve was also affected ; later
brilliant eye, and the sense of touch becomes painfully excited, hypenesthe-'
flia existing in a marked degree, with the exception of the case reported of
R. Canina, all of which point to some lesion of the central and spinal nerves.
That the brain itself, and espeoially the region of the medulla oblongata
becomes affected by the terrible convulsions and delirium in the more ad-
vanced stage of the malady. Tbi spasms in all the cases were unlike those
of .tetanus, less continuous, remittent, and often intermittent. In none of
the cases produced by the skunk bite was there any loss of i)erception. In
no case that I saw did morphia have any effect in abridging the fearful
struggles; death either ended with convulsions, or exhausted by the terrible
exertions a sudden calm took place, ami, as if nature gave up the conflict,
died without a groan."

* " Loudon M(dical Txmen <nn1 Hazclle, Aug, 8, 1674, p. 159."
t " Nienieyer, Pract. of Med."

::t

1* .

CHAPTER VIII.

ME PHITIN^— Continued: Skunks.

The genns Mephitis, continued — Mephitis macrura, the Long-tailotl Mexican
Sknnk — Synonymy — Habitat — S|»ecific characters — Description — Thesub-
ffenwi Spilogale — Mephitis (Spilogale) putoritis, the Little Striped Skunk —
Synonymy — Habitat — Specidc characters — Description of external char-
acters — Description of the skull aud teeth — History of the species — The
genus Couepatm — Conepatm mapurito, the White-backed Skunk — Synon-
ymy — Habitat — Specific charactei -Description of external characters —
Description of the skull and teeth • Description of tlie anal glands — Geo-
graphical distribution aud habits.

TUB length of the foregoing chapter having rendered a
division of the parts of the work relating to Mephkinw
advisable, I continue directly with an accouut of the other
species of the genus Mephitis, and ef the genus Conepatm.

l<oiig^-tailed Hexicaii 9'\unk.

Mcphitla macrnra.

Mephllls marrourn, itWit. Darst. Siiug. 1827-34, pi. 46, "f.1,2"; Abh. Ak. Wiss. Berl. IRSe
(UM), -in.— Wagner, Suppl. Schreber, ii. 1841, i^.-Sehim, Syu. i. 1844, 3i:». no. 1-2.—
Baird, M. N. A. 1857, 200.— I'oi/ie*, P. Z. S. 1861, 280.— Ocrr. Cat. Bouea Br. Mus. 1802, 07.
[Not miicroura of Aud. &. Bach., nor of Woodhouse.]

Mi-phUiH mcxicaiia, Gray, Maj,'. N. U. i. 1837, 581; P.Z.S. 1865, 149; Cat. Carn. Br. Mna.
IPCit, — . - , •

T Memphitig edulis, Jiirlandier, MSS. ined.* ^

Quid .Uephllisi loiigicaudata. Tomes, P. Z. S. 1861, -.^80 (Guatemala) ?

* The animal referred to by Berlandier is probably this species. " Smaller
than the Polecat. Length of head and body 13 inches; tail 11; black ; a
white frontal line ; auothtu* on the uape, dividing into two lateral ones, after-
ward converging near the root of tlie tail, on which they unite ; tail white-
tipped. Inhabits most of Mexico. I have found it about San Fernand'- de
Bexar, aud iu eastern interior States, where it is improperly called Zotillo.
It may be tamed; is rather nocturnal ; hunts various small animals; is slow
and heavy iu its movements, and bites forcibly. The fluid is highly phos-
phorescent by night. The natives are fond of its flesh; they kill it, taking
cu'e not to irritate it, remove the anal glan Is entire, cut off the head and
feet, singe off the hair, and broil the flesh. I overcame my repugnance on
one occasion and tasted the meat, which I found not disagreeable; it le-
eembled young pork." (Freely translated witl; -.i i; i^ire-'t from the original
MS.S.)

236

DESCRIPTION OF MEPHITIS MACRURA.

237

Hah. — Mexico. (Not known to occur in the United States.)

Specific characters. — Tail very long, tbe vertebne alone nearly as long

at* tlie beaa and body; tail with hairs not nhorter than the head and body.

A broad undivided white dorsal area (as in Conepatns), with lateral stripe

and frontal streak (in the specimen examined).

Description.'*

The apecimeD which I refer withont hesitation to this species
is considerably smaller than M. mephitica, in fact little exceed-
ing Spilogale putoriuH, with a tail (including hairs) longer than
the htad and body, and other characters indicating specific
validity.

I have no doubt that this specimen represents Lichtenstein's
animal, described as above cited, from JNfexico. The M. rittata
of the same author, op. cit. pi. 47 (also Abhaud. Akad. Wiss.
Berlin for 1836,1838, 278; Wagner, Snppl. Sclireb. ii. 1841;
Baird, M. N. A. 1857, 200), from Oaxaca, is based npon certain
slight pecnliarities of color, and does not seem to be specifically
distinguishable. But I have seen no specimens corresponding
with Lichtenstein's descriptions, and consequently do not ven-
ture to commit myself in the matter.

The general physiognomy is that of true Mephitis, the snont
very acutely pointed but not produced, and closely furred to
the small, rounded, deiinitely naked nasal pad. The nostrils are
autero-lateral. The ears are much as in M. mephitica — perhaps
rather smaller. The fore claws seem to be remarkably long,
slender, and cnrved ; the outer readies more than halfway to
the end of the fourth, while the first barely attains the base of
the second. There may be some peculiarity in the tubercula-
tion of the soles, but this cannot well be made out in the dried
specimen. The palms are perfectly naked ; the soles the same,
excepting a little space on the side of the heel. The tail-ver-
tebrae appear just to about e«;nai in length the head and body,
which is . ot the case in any r.tJier species of the family I have
seen. The tail is much less bushy than usual in Mephitis proper,
but seems to have been in this specimen somewhat worn away.

In coloration, this species curiously combines the broad white
dorsal area of Conepatus with lateral dorsal stripes and frontal
streak of Mephitis mephitica. The white dorsal area begins
squarely on the nope and continues uninterrupted to the tail,
but is otily i)ure white anteriorly, being elsewhere of a grayish

* From No. vuo6, Mus. Smiths., Orizaba, Mexico, Bollvri.

238

NORTH AMER AN MUSTELID^E.

HH ;

llw

111 ;

east, and between the sliuulders a small irregular 'black sjiot
appears, leading to the supposition that the white dorsal area
in this species is liable to the same variations that are known
to exist in other speci s. In addition to this general white area,
a slight white lateral stripe starts independently over each
shoulder and is continued for a little distance along the sides —
in this specimen further on one side than on the other. The
frontal streak is short and slight. There is a white area
on the breast between the fore legs, prolonged backward as a
streak — it is probably not constant, but then I have never seen
any white on the under surface of M. mephUica! (compare
expression in LinnsBus's diagnosis of his Viverra viemphitia ot the
10th editioy— "«M6iM« ex albo et nigro variegatus"). The tail
is entirely and intimately mixed black and white — viewed from
below, we see chietly hairs pure white at base and black at end,
from above, mixed white and black-and-white hairs, producing a
grizzled gray cast, and in direct continuation of the dorsal stripe.
(This is exactly as given by Lichtenstein ; Gray's description
gives the tail as black ; the variation is thus seen to be as in
the allied species.)

The dimensions of a dried but fairly wellstuifed specimen
are as follows: Nose to root of tail about 13 inches (Lichten-
stein says 14) ; tail-vertebra} nearly the same, but ratlier less
(13 inches — Licht), the haiiS in this instance under three inches
longer (5 inches — Licht). Fore foot 2 inches, of which the
longest claw is 0.65 ; hind foot 2.25.

This species was supposed (but erroneously as far as known)
to inhabit the United States by Audubon and Bachman and by
Woodhouse, the auimal described by these authors being simply
the common M. mephUica under one of its interminable color-
variations.

The Subgenus SPILOGALE. (Gray.)

The characters of this subgenus having been indicated on a
preceding page (p. 192), we may at once proceed to consider
the single known species.

U. 8. Geological Survey.

MniteUdsB. PLATE XII.

Xeyliltl* (Spilo jrtt > putorias. (ii^ins, xreatl> reduced.)

SYNONYMY OP MEPHITIS PUTORIL'S. 239

The Little Striped iiEiiiiiii.

MephltiN (Siillogale) iiiiluriim. (I<.)

Pl.ATEH XII, XIII. XIV.

VIverra putorlni*, L. S. N. i. lOfh eil. \V>e, iA, no. 3; i. I'fifi, 04, no. i (partly. B.nscd prininilly
upon I'utiiritu amenennus ttrintuii, Cafeol). Car. ii. 1731, (i2, jil. (W Qiuitcs bIho Kiiliii,
Itin, ii, 378. IncluilBS 8yn8. and iltiHcr. of V. meinpliitijiot lOili ml. l)la;;iii(!tlN iinrrcij
Hiilticieiitly with Spihyale; gciKiral beariiiK lutlier upon MephitU mepliitictt).—(iin,
S. N. 1. 178y, H7, no. 4 (partly).

SpllOKUle puJorlus, Oowc«, Bull. U. S. Gcol.nndOeogr. Surv. Terr. 2il 8er. no. 1, 187.'i, p. IJ
(Hkull and ti'xtli).

.MrphitiM Intrrrupln, Jtaf. Ann. Nat. 1>*18, ;5, no. 4 (" Lonisiana ").—I.e»ii. Ma 1. 1H-J7, l.">9, no.

411 (in/. An. Kingd. V. 1827, I'Jil, no.3.')»ic.— /V«c/i. S.\n. Ifilt, 102 - l.icht. Alili. AUnd.

WiMH. litrl, 1p3(. (1W8), 2t'3, pi. 2, C. l.—Schim, Syn. i. 18-14, 32.'), no. Iti. (All ultir Jinji-

NpilOKUlc illtrrriipdl. Gray, P. Z. S. 186.% I.IO; Car. Cam. I?r. Mii.t. iHdil, — .

MophltlM birolor, (Inij/, Maj:. N. fl. 1. 1837, !,S\.—Iiali <K M. X.A. If57, \\)-.—I'nikn; Am. Xat.

Iv. 1870, 37lii Iv. 1871, 7G1 (Iowa, and probably New Vork).— .W/oi, Hull. M. C. Z. 11. 1p7I,

11)9 (Florida, conuuou).--J/t';'c. U. S. Geol. Surv. Turr. 1872, G<i2 (Idaho).
Mephitis zorlllu, LicM. Abh Akad. \Vis8. Berlin, 18;J(J (p\ib. 1838), jil. 2, I'. 2 (not of Liclit.,
• DarHt. pi. 48, f. 2, which is an African species — wlietlicr the Zoi ille of Bull'., xiii. nCi,

302, pi. 41 ; ? ).— Wagn. Suppl. Schreber, ii. 18 11, 1!M», pi. X'ia.—Hchim, Syn. i. 1844, 32;'), no.

\:>.—Aud. 16 lUich. Q. N. A. ill. 1854, 270 (tab. nulla).
Mephlli!* timcrlCUlia mr. R., Desm. Manini. i. 1820, 187 (-- interrupta Baf).
Mephith (|UaterllHCuri!i/ IJ. W. Winans, wcitinK from WillianiHpoi t, Kunn., in a (Kanna.s ?)

newspaper, iiaiiit; unknown, date 18.V.).*

* My endeavors to complete tlie reference, iiiul tliiis j»lii<!e tlie Hyiioiiyiu
properly oil recoril, have been miavailing. Tlie uewsp.iper clip|>ing wliicli
cunie into my possession does not include even the nanic of the paper —
nothinji bnt a date, " 1H59", in MS., which I recognize as that ol Prof. Haird,
who, however, ha* uo recoilectiou*of the c^onrce of the clip. The following
is the article in full, with typography copied as closely as possible : —

•'Mephitis Cluaterlinearis.— Win.— Four-striped Skunk.

"DKNTAL FOKMALA.

34.

22} iuche.s.
4h

"Incisive G-6; Canine 1-1— l-l ; Molar 4-4— u-u:

" From point of iittso to end of tail, vertebrae,

" From heel to top of shoulder,

" Length of hair in end of tail,

" Middle toe nail, |.

" General color, pure black ; a spot of white on either side of the bead be-
tween the eye and ear, another between the eyes, making three on the head.
Four parallel lineaof white about one fourth of an inch in breadth and three-
fourths of'an inch apart, have their origou about the posterior part of the
head, the two upper origin.ally on either side of the oucipnt, while the two
lower have their commencement behind and at the l(*wer part of each ear,
all of which are carried directly backward to the posterior ribs, where the
lower lines terminate and the upper curving downward and forward then
father ascend to the him' part of the shoulder where they descend one inch
to the elbow joint. A tiansverse band of white crosses the fore part of the
hips with an interruption of one inch at the side of the back. A spot of

U, i

240

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIIJ^.

■■II

ff tMrphltiN myollH, Fheh. Syn. lH-29, IGl (hafiednn BMtpmnte, Du Prntr., Louis, il. 07, li;;,

(not iilfnliniililfe, liiif very likely belongiDK liere).
Little ntrlp«d Skunk. Authort.
Moufette Intrrrompur, Li-ii». I. e.
Hllnklhler mil uiilerbrorhrnen Hlniivn, 8ekim, I. e.

Hah. — Unitod St.itos, sonthorly. Carolina, Georgia, Florida. Iowa, Kan-
Has, VVyoniinjif, Mabo, Colorulo. Washin<;ton Territory. Soiithwuitern
StatoH and Territories. Cap« 8t. Lncas. (f N«w York.)

Si'Kciric cii.AHAC'TKKH. — Itlack or blackish, with nninorouH white stripes
auil spots, and tail white-tipped. Small; a foot or less long; tail (with
1 airs) obviously shorter than the body.

Description of external characters.*

This animal ia the sraallest of the American species, as
fully incficated by the measurements given beyond. In form,
it agrees closely with the common species, excepting in the
shortness of the tail, in which there is a decided approach to
Conepatus. The tail-vertebrcB are considerably less than half
as long as the head and body, the tail with its hairs being
obviously less than the length of the head and body, although
this member is full and bushy. The pelage differs from that
of M. mephitica in being notably finer, softer, and closer. In
other respects of external form, the species agrees closely with
M. mephitica — so closely that further details are not required.

white on the upper part ot'eauh thtgli ; one ou either side of the rout of the
tail; and a tuf^j of white hair arises from the tip of tlie tail; nose covered
with short hair which is naked. More or less fur is interspersed with the
long hair to the extremity of the tail differing in respect from the common
American Skunk (Mephitis Chinga); and, also in being less in size and
weight ami having a finer and denser pelage ditferently striped and spotted
and being of a more slendor form. Its habits, so far as they are known,
agree with those of the last named species.

" Its geographical distribution is not yet determined the specimens which
I have cx.aniined were obtained in Kansas and vary in their markings as oth-
ers of the genus. The above specimen was a ni.ile taken on the 16th of Doc,
ISijrt, excessively poor and weighed only one pound three ounces avoirdupois.

"Another male specimen which I examined weighed two pounds; his meas-
urements being rather less than the above; his markings were sinrtliar ex-
cepting they were tiner. The three white spots about the head and the tuft
of white hair in the end of the tail do not appear to be subject to any varia-
tion. The female differs from the male in being smaller. — After a careful in-
vestigation I now venture to introduce this n amnal as bere-to-fore being a
uondescript.

"EDGAR W. WINANS.

" Williamsport, Shawnee Co., K. T."

"From No. 11839, Mus. Smiths. Inst., Fountain, Colorado, C. E. Aiken.

07, Hg.

Tip*)!)

with

IT. 8. Geological Siirvry.

MuttelidsB. PLATE Xni.

Mephitis (HpilovHie) put«rlHS. (Nat. 8iz<;.;

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

^4?

^^4^

.^^

1.0

1 1.1

lii|21 125
£ 14° 12.0

FhotograiJiic

Sdmces

CcxporatiQn

•O^

aa MBT MAIN STMIT

VtfHSTIR,N.Y. MSM

(7t«) •72-4503

>^'°^**' ^

^V"

""^l^^

DESCRIPTION OF MEPHITIS PUTORIUS.

241

In color, this animal is black or blackish, relieved with white,
like the other species. But the number and disposition of the
markings are peculiar, afTordiiig specific characters in spite of
an almost endless diversity in detail of the numerous white
spots and stripes by which it is superficially distinguished from
all its allies. The fantastic harlequin-like coloration is scarcely
duplicated in any two specimens; in fact, the opposite sides of
the same specimen show sometimes an appreciably different
pattern. The markings are difficult of adequate expre.«sion in
words that shall cover all their modifications; and tliose of the
same specimen might easily be described in such different ways
as to convey an impression of distinct species — ivs indeed has -
been done. The following formula, drawn from the most com-
monly observed state of the markings, probably covers most
cases : —

Black. A white spot on forehead between eyes. A white
spot on each cheek in front of ear more or less confluent witU
a white stripe which starts behind the ear. Indefinite white
touches on chin and about angle of mouth. Four parallel equi-
distant white stripes on fore part of body above, beginning op-
posite the ears; the lower, lateral or external pair of tliese end-
ing back of the shoulder, the median pair curving around the
end of the lateral pair, downward and then forward to the fore
leg. A white stripe transversely across the flanks, broken in
two by an interruption on the median line of the back. A pair
of white spots on the middle of the back just in advance of the
last-named stripe. A white spot over each hip. A pair of white
spots at base of tail. A white tuft at end of tail.

The notorious inconstancy of the white markings of Skunks,
even of those in which the pattern is normally simplest, finds
room for exaggeration in the highest degree in this case where
the normal markings are numerous and complicated. In some
cases, owing to interruption of the usual stripes, I have counted
no less than eighteen' separate white marks, exclusive of tail-
tip and the vague chin-spots. The three head-spots a id the
four parallel dorsal stripes on the anterior part of the bo<l> are
the most constant, and may, so far as I have seen, be always
traced, though the median pair of stripes are liable to slight
interruption. The lateral pair are the firmest of all the mark-
ing:j. There is special liability to a break in these stripes where
they begin to curve downward on the side. Complete break
here, tosion of the solitary pair of dorsal spota with the trans*
16 M

242

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

verse flank stripe, and lengthening into a stripe of the hip-^pot,
result in three vertical crescentic stripes succeeding each other
behind the end of the main lateral stripe, that runs from the ear
over the shoulder. Interruption of these transverse crescents
may give a set of numerous spots, without tracetible stripes, on
the hinder half of the body ; indeed, the markings of this part of
the body are wholly indefinite. The lateral spots at the root of
the tail often fuse into one. The tail is ordinarily black with
definite white tip, but may have white hairs mixed with the
black throughout, or be all black or all white. The shoulder-
stripe sometimes sends short spurs around toward the throat
and breast The chin and upper throat may be perfectly black,
or streaked throughout with white. The part of the ear corre-
sponding to the white markings about it is commonly light-
colored; the rest of the ear is black. The naked muflle is
dark-colored. The claws are dull horn-color.

The black of this animal is generally quite pure and glossy
on every part; but sometimes it has a brownish tinge, espe-
cially notible in old museum specimens.

In this connection, the reader will refer, if he is snfBciently
interested to do so, to Plate XII, on which is a wood-engraving
of a photogiaph of two skins, showing the complicated mark-
ings very clearly.

Description of the skull and teeth. :

Numerous specimens before me, labelled " bicolor " and " zo-
rilla^t exhibit surprising variation in size and shape, without,
however, warranting presumption that they are not all of the
same species. Independently of the usual differences accord-
ing to age, there is a remarkable range of variation in the
width and depression of the skull behind and development of
the occipital crest An average specimen is selected for de-
scription, in which the range of variation will be also noted.
Comparative expressioas used have reference to the skull of
Mephitis mephitica.

The skull is smaller than that of mephitica; excepting one
abnormally large example, all are much less in every dimension
than the smallest (adult) skulls of m^hitica which I have seen.
Viewed from above, the muzzle appears more tapering, if not
also relatively shorter; the angle of obliquity of truncation of
the nasal orifice is much the same. Supraorbital processes are
small, bat well defiueili as acute eminences, prolonged from

U. S. Geological Survey.

MnttelidsB. PLATE XIY.

^R^E

ai«pliltto (Bpllovslc) putorlns. (Nat sise.)

CRANIAL CHARACTERS OF MEPHITIS PUFORIUS. 243

wetl-deAiied ridgefi of bone divaricatiiif; from the sagittal croMt.
Tbis crest is a single and acute ridge in adult skulls; in young
ones, it is a tablet of bone, the sides of which separate almost
at once from the occipital protuberance. There is little [MNtt-
orbital constriction of the skulls ; the least width there bein g
little, if any, less than the interorbital width. The lateral
divergence of the zygomata is much as in the last s()ecies; but
their upwanl convexity is usually greater, and the summit of the
arch is at its middle. Behind, the skull is notably widened
and flattened, almost as in Taxidea, the intermast.oid diameter
being relatively much greater than it is in either Conepatm or
Mephitis; in fact, it is not very much less than the interzygo-
matic width, in some cases at least. Nevertheless, the mastoid
processes are themselves less developed than in Mephitis proper,
extending little, if any, beyond the orifice of the meatus, instead
of flaring widely outward. The occipital crest is strongly de-
veloped, and its outline is characteristic in the great convexity
of contour on each side and deep median emargination ; in other
genera, the median emargination is always slight, sometimes
nil; and the lateral outline from the mastoid to the |)oiut where
the sapraoccipital bones leave the general occipital crest is
about straight— if anything, concave.

A notable i>eculiarity appears in the profile view of the skull.
The dorsal outline in Mephitis mephitica is strongly convex, with
a high point about the middle, and this is carried to an extreme
in M.frontata; in the present case, the same outline is nearly
straight from the ends of the nasals to near the occipital pro-
tuberance ; in fact, the skull i& as flat on top as an Otter's, and
flatter than a Badger's. The zygomata are strongly arched
upward, with a regular curve throughout, instead of being
highest behind ; the prominence of the bulla ossea on the floor
of the skull is sufficient to bring this part fairly into view from
the side, as is scarcely the case in M. mephitica; tbis feature is
also due,Mn part, to an abbreviation of the mastoid process,
which is hardly at all produced downward.

On the floor of the skull, the principal feature is the width
behind, which, being simply coordinate with the general lateral
dilatation alreaily noticed, requires no further comment. The
paroccipitals are very small — in fact, mere nibs of bone, hardly
able to bear the term " process". There are also strong points
in connection with the bullse auditori» and periotic region gen-
erally. The buUffi are not only more swollen at the usaal point

244

NORTH AMERICAN MUHTELIIhE.

of f^reatest iiiflntioii, but, behind thorn, the part that reachcH
lietweeii the lateral elements of the occipital bone and the
lateral |>ortioii of the lainbdoidal crest is also turgid, having; a
general smooth convexity instead of an irregular concavity.
The general turgescence is due to the greater development of
the maHtoid sinuses. The bony palate ends in the same rela-
tive position MS in M. mephiticttt and shows the same variation
in the chardcter of the edge of this shelf.

The mandible, th6ugh, of course, proportionally smaller than
in M. mephitica, is identical in shape, contrasting equally well
with the peculiarities of Conepatusj elsewhere mentioned.

The smaller size aside, there is scarcely anything in the
dentition of this species calling, for comment in comparison
with Mephitis. The anterior premolar is well develo[)ed, and,
as far as I can see, the dentition is, in other respects, nearly
identical with that of Mephitin; the upper sectorial tooth (pos-
terior premolar), however, has the cusp of its inner moiety
rather a pointed process of the border itself thi;u a conical
cusp, surmounting this inner part. .

It should be noted that in one specimen, as an abnormality,
the anterior upper premolar has aborted entirely on the right
side, though present on the left ; while the lower jaw of the
same specimen shows an abortive ponterior premolar on the
left side. But, in general, in MephitinWy abortion or other
irregularities of dentition are less frequent than in the Muate-
Untv^ where the smaller teeth are more crowded.

Ristory of the species. >

In the case of an animal whose markings are so variable as
those of the Striped Skunk, recognition of the species in jiature
becomes a matter requiring some judgment and exi)erience;
and it is not in the least remarkable that compilers of- vague
and often conflicting descriptions, or of inaccurate figures
badly drawn from stuffed specimens, or even prepared from
poor descriptions, should have made inextricable confusion. lu
an attempt to trace the written history of Mephitis putoriusy it is
probably not possible to identify all the names which have been
imposed npon it, nor even to fix the date of its first ap|)earanoe
in literature. It is certain, however, that the a ..imal was known
to the earlier writers ; its characters being clearly traceable in
some of the descriptions of the last century, long before the
period when Rafinesque and Gray respectively bestowed those

UISTOKY OF THE LITTLE STRIPED SKUNK.

245

tiAtneoi which have become mont extensively current. Koferring
to the above Hynonymatio list as a renuint' of the views enter-
tained concerning the record of tlie species, some points of
special pertinence to M.putoriuH may be here noticed.

Le Zorille of Buffon (Hist. Nat. xiii. 1763, pp. 28<.), 302, pi. 41)
is a starting-point of a number of compilations, as at the hands
of Erxleben, Gmelin, Shaw, and others; it does not reappear
in Linnicns, who carried his grudge against his French rival so
far as to ignore him in the "8ystema Naturn;*', thereby hurting
only the book. It is described from South America, and is to be
carefully distinguished from an African species, of an entirely
different group, also called Zorilla, Descriptions of a Vimrra
or Mephitis zorilla agree substantially in points of small size
and much variegation with white; and thus, perhaps without
exception, bear hard upon the present 8|>ecies, if tliey may not
actually represent it. In many cases, however, the accounts are
complicated or negatived by introduction among the synonyms
of some names which apparently appertain to ConepatuHj or to
Mephitis pro[ier. Whether or not we agree with Prof. Lichten-
stein that Buffon's Zorille was this species, various indications
of Viverra zorilla which flow from it cannot be satisfactorily
and exclusively located here, and are to be passed over. They
are, in effect, as they stand upon the pages, compounds which
have no actual existence in nature.

The Polcat of Gatesby, as above quoted, described with five
narrow white lines, is a species which authors have found it
difficult to locate, as the Common Skunic, M. mephitioay the only
one supposed to inhabit Carolina, presents no such character.
But since the discovery of the existence, in this portion of the
United States, of a Spilogak^ which is the only species having
several white lines, the pertinence of Catesby's reference here
is evident. Catesby is primarily the basis of Viverra putoriwtj
the only species of Skunk in the 12th edition of Liunu^us; and
Linnreus's diagnosis '^ V. fusca litieis quatuor dorsalibus albis
parallelis^^ is exactly and exclusively pertinent to the present
species, which is, moreover, the only animal that presents this
character. The four white stripes upon the anterior half of
the body are its strong and constant character. It is true that
the remainder of Linnnsus's account does not agree well, but
neither does it agree with any Skunk known to me (*^subtus
ex albo et nigro variegatus^^ &c.) ; and he also cites some refer-
ences that probably belong elsewhere. In adopting the name

246

NORTH AMERICAN MUflTELIDiE.

S. i)utoriu» from LinniBiis, as I recently did {I. ». o.)t I reated
uiioii the exclusive pertiueuce of his diaguoais, aud his quota-
tion of Catesby.

The Mephitin interrupta of RaflneMqno may or may not have
been **a pure figment of his imagination". It probably, how-
ever, had some basis, and if his account does not wholly agree
with specimens of Spilogale putorius examined, it will be re-
membered that even his elastic imagination would be put to
the stretch to describe a spotted and stri|)ed Skunk in terms
too exaggerated to be met by the reality which this species
offers. We may accept his name as undoubtedly belonging
here, and in fact we should adopt it, as a more definite appella-
tion than zorillat were it not anticipated by Linnteus, as just
shown.

Among earlier accounts, the best description I have seen is
that presented by Shaw, page 380, vol. i. of the General Zool-
ogy, under head of ^ var." of his Striated Weesel. Shaw refers
to some miscellaneous plates of animals published a short time
jtreviously by Mr. Catton, among which is a representation of
an animal " having only four white bands on the back, and the
tail almcdt entirely white ; a patch of white appears below each
ear, and a small triangular white spot on the forehead. In the
description accompanying the plate the animal is said to have
measured twelve inches from nose to tail, and to have been
brought from Bengal." The probably erroneous locality aside,
the whole account is perfectly, and indeed exclusively, pertinent
to Spilogale putorius.

In Du Pratz's Louisiana, there is a description of a " bSte
puante", which certainly conforms to no known species, but
which was probably meant to be this one, to judge from the
locality and the ascribed size. It is the basis of Mephitis myotis
Fischer, {. c.

In 1837, Dr. J. £. Gray bestowed upon this species the name
of M.bioolor, by which it has been generally known of late years.
About the same time, Lichteustein adopted the name of ill.
zorilUif after Buffon, in which he was followed by Wagner and
Audubon. Lichtenstein's earlier M. zorilUtj of the Darstellun-
gen neuer Saugethiere, u. s. w., is the entirely different African
animal.

The only description I have seen in which /our white lines are
prominently indicated since those of LinnaBus and Shaw is an
account given in 1859, when a certain Mephitis quaterlinearis

HABITS OF THE LITTLE STRIPED SKUNK.

247

was formally named and described in a Kansas (f) newspaper, as
above quoted. It is singular that upward of a century inter-
vened between tbese two curiously concordant accounts. Mr.
Winans's description is accurate in tbe minutest particulars ;
it was evidently taken from a specimen exactly like sumu of
those now before me.

Geographical distribution and habit».

The geographical distribution of this species is much more
extensive than has been generally supposed. Thus, Prof. B.iird,
in 1857, gave its habitat as merely "Southern Texas and Cali-
fornia ", and the indications of most authors are of a western
and southwestern animal. But there is no doubt now of its
inhabiting the greater part of the Southern States, and of the
United States west of the Mississippi. I have examined speci*
mens from Georgia and Florida, in which last State Mr. Allen
considers it common, from various portions of the West, and
from Gape St. Lucas. Mr. H. W. Parker, in his notes in the
American Naturalist, as above quoted, records the species from
Iowa, where at least fifty pelts were obtained one season, near
Des Moines, and as probably occurring in the State of New
York: — "There is reason to believe that the species may be
found even in central New York. Dr. S. J. Parker, of Ithaca,
N. Y., has twice seen by the roadside, in that region, a small,
many-striped skunk, very different from the common one/'

Respecting the habits of the species, I have no information to
offer. It is not to be presumed that it differs materially from
the common species in this regard. Mr. Maynard has stated
that in Florida the animals are domesticated and used like cats,
the scent-glands being removed at an early age ; they become
quite tame and efficient in destroying the mice (Heaperomys)
that infest the houses.

The different species of Skunks, in fact, seem to be suscep-
tible of ready semi-domestication, in which state they are, like
the Fitch or Ferret, useful in destroying vermin, if they do not
also make agreeable pets. Writers speak of the removal of the
anal glands in early life, to the better adaptation of the ani-
mals to human society, and such would appear to be an emi-
nently judicious procedure. For, though Skunks may habitu-
ally spare their favors when'accustomed co the presence of man,
yet I should think that their companionship would give rise to

248

MOBTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiC.

IB >

a certain senso of insecurity, utilavorable to peace of mind.
To <le|>enU U|k)U the good will of ito irritable and bo formidable
a iKMiHt, wlioHe temper may be ruftlud in a moment, in hazard^
ottA — like the enjoyment of a cigar in a powder-magazine.

The Genua CONEPATUS. (Gray.)

:< Tlrrrni »p., «■■• *p., of Mm* auttaor&

< MrMnit of niiMit aiitliora.

< MarpaHam »niy. CharlMW. Mar- N. B. i. IKH, 981.

- {'•»r9»tWi,fira)i. <.'harlMW. M«r. N. H. I. IKiT, Vl.

- ThlMHHii, LiehUtutHn, Abb. Akad. Ikirl. for leM, 1838.

The very well-marked obaraoters of this genus have already
been given (p. 102). The peculiarities of the skull and teeth are
corrchited with certain modifloations of external contour, which
give the animal a somewhat Badger-like aspect, though there is
no mistaking it for anything but a Skunk. It is the only known
representative of the subfamily in Sjuth America.

I have not been able to examine any specimens of this genus
from other than Unite<l States and Mexican localities, represent-
ing in strictness the Mephitis {Thiosmus) maioleuouM of Lichteu-
stein and late American writers, the leuoonotus of Lichtenstein,
and the M. tMHuta of Bennett. The synonymatic list given
beyond must be regarded as somewhat tentative or presump-
tive, indicating that I see nothing in the deaoriptions of authors
forbidding the 8upix>sition that the seemingly interminable list
of nominal sfiecies really refers to more than a single good one.
In adopting a name for the ^^Gonepatl", I simply take the oldest
one I find. Should there prove to be more than one species of
this genus included in the synonyms given, my article is to be
held to refer solely to that one which occurs in Mexico and the
southwestern portion of the United States, and upon which the
descriptive matter herewith given is exclusively based.

Nowhere, perhaps, in the literature of mammalogy have
greater confusion and uncertainty prevailed than in that por-
tion which relates to the Skunks, and the history of the Cone-
patl is certainly not less hopelessly involved than that of other
Skunks. Views of authors have oscillated between such ex-
tremes as those held by Guvier and his imitators, for whom a
Skunk was a Skunk, and those of other persons for whom an
inch of tail or a speck of color was a good specific character.
Into the tedious discussion of the names cited below I do not
propose to enter, but shall content myself with giving a faithful
description of the United States animal.

U. 8. Oeologioal Survey.

MniteUdaB. PLATE XV.

CoB«|Mtna ntaparlt*. (Mat ■!■«.)

SYNONYMY OP CONEPATUS MAPURITO.

249

Gray's barbarous term for this genus, ConepatuSy is obvionsly
the same as the old Mexican Conepatl. Of its meaning I am
not certain ; but it probably refers to the burrowing of the atii-
mal ; for, it may be observed, nepantla in theNahaatl language
signified a subterranean dwelling.* Gray's other generic name,
MarputiuSy is Wmilarly related to Mapurito. This word raay.be
compared with Mephitis itself through such forms as Mafuti-
liqui, French Moufette^ &c.

The l¥hite«ibacked Skunk.

Conepatns mapurito.

Plate XV. . '

Tlverni patorlUH, Hutu, "Act. Holm, xxxii. 1769, 68" {non Linn.).

Tlverra mapurito, Qm. S. N. i. 17e8, es, no. is (ex Mutis).— £Aaw, G. Z. i. 1800, 39-2.-2^rt S.

K. i. 1806, 53.

Gulo mapurito, Humb. "Reo. Oba Zool , i. 350".

MepbitiM mapurito. Lets. Man. 1837. 151, no. im.—Fi*eh. Syn. 1829, \6\.—8ehint, Sjn. i. 1844,

318, no. l.-XicAt. Abb. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, 1836 (1838), S70 (THo»m%u).—T»ehwH, Fd.

Pera. 1844-46, 113.— Otefrel, Saug. 1855, 764.
ConepatUK mapurito, Couet, Bnll. U. S. Geol. and Geogr. Surv. Terr. 2d ser. no. 1, 1875, 14

(skull and teeth).
t Tlverra mepliitis, Om. S. N. i. 1788, , — ("Ohinche, Buff., xiii. pi. 39").— fl^rton, S. N.

i. 1806, 53.
Tiverra conepatl, Om. S. X. i. 1788, 88, no. 12 (Conepatl, Hern., Mex. 333).
HeptaitlN coRepall, Fueh. Syn. 1829, 160.
? Mephitis cliileiisiH, "Oeo/.Cat Mas." (Moufette du Chili Buff. H. N. SoppL rii. 333, pi.

57).— Pr. Ow». "Diet Sc. Nat. xiii, 18—, 136".-" Onff. Anim. Kingd. ii , — , t -."—

Leal. Man. 1837, 152, no. Afm.—FUeh. Syn. 1829, 160.— X>icA(. Abb. Ak. Wias. Berlin, 1836

(1838), 272(r*»o««M4*).— SeAifw, Syn. L 1844, 319, no. 4.— "Oray, P. Z. S. 1848, , — . ' —

OUb. Sfiug. 1855, 765.
r Marputius chlleBSis, Gray, "Mag. N. H. i. 1837".
f ConepatUS "ehinensls", Oerr. Cat. Bones Br. Mus. 1862, 97 (by typog. err. for ehiletuit).

t Gulo qaitensls, Humb. " Beo. Obs. Zool L , 346 [or] 347 " {Atok, Zorra, Olontm de Quito).

t Mephitis quiten8i8,£e««. Man. 1837, 153, no. 410.— iYteA. Syn. 1829, 161.— £<«At Abb. Akad.

Wiss. Berlin, 1836 (1838), 373 (Thxoimu»).—Sehim, Syn. i. 1844, 319, no. 4.
tOulOSUffocans, "JU. Verb. BerL Akad. WisMmsch. 1811, 109 {Taguari, Azara, i. 311. of

French trausl.— OAincAe, Feuittie, Journ. Obs. Phys. 1714, 372)" (Brazil and Paraguay).
f Mephitis BUffocans,2:>uiA(.Dar8t. Sang. 1837-34, pi. 48,f.l; Abh. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, 1836

(1838),p.— (TAto«mu«).— SeAinz, Syn.i.l844, 320, uo.5(TAio»>ntM).— Oieb.SSug. 1855,763.

f IMephltls feulllel, ^ " ZooL de la Bonite, , — , pL 3, f. 1-3 " {Sehim).

f Vonepatus humboltitil et var., Gray, Mag. N. H. i. 1837, 581; List Mamm. Br. Mus. 1843,

6a.—0errard, Cat Bones Br. Mus. 1863, 97.
? Mephitis humbolitil, Blainv. "Osteog. Mustela, pi. 13, f.— (teeth)".
t Mephitis patagoniea, Lieht. Abb. Akad. Wiss. Berl. 1836(1838), 3*5 {Thiotmu$) {" Yaguari,

Maika, Falk. Patag. 128").— S^itur, Syn. i. 1844. 330, no. 6 (Thxo$mus).—" Burm. La

Plata, ii , 409."-CfMb. S&ug. 1855, 763.

? Mustela (Lyncodon) patagoilca, D' Orb. " Voy. Ain6r. M6rid."

t. Mephitis amazontca, Lieht Abb. Ak. Wiss. Ber;. 1836 (1838), 275 (TA{o»mti*).—iSE(;A<»U!, Syn.

i. 1844, 331, no. l.—Tehudi, Fd. Pern, 1844-46, 113.
tConepatus amazonlca, Oray, List Br. Mus. 1843, 69.
f Mephitis molinie, Litht. Abb. Akad. Wiss. lierl. 1836(1838), 373 (rAtonniM) {"Ohinehe,

Molina, Hist. Nat. Chili. 340 ') (Chili).— JI^Ainz, Syn. 1844, 331, no. 8.

* Fide Pruf. 6. Barrueta, of San Luis PotoBi, Mexico, to whom I appliea pur-
Bouully for this iuforuiation.

250

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

fMephlllHKnmlllie, £ieke. Abh. Ak. Wiaa. Borl. 1636(1838) ("illuttr«((em«rimn7r'iii ir<i(/H-

tUiqui, GnmilU, Orinoco, iL 376 ").—8ehing, Syn. 1. 1844, 331, no. 10.
McMKIh ■etioleaai, £{«%(. Darat Mat. 1837-34, , pi. 44, £3; Abb. Akad. Wisa. B«rL 1836

(1K)8), 371, pi. 1, f. 1 {Thiotmwt) (Chioo, Mexico).— ITt^n. Sappl. Schreb. ii. 1841, 103,

pi. 131 A..—SeMtu, Syn. i. 1844, 319, no. 3.— ilud. <t Baek. Q. N. A. li. 1851, 18, pL 53.—

Ota. Siiug. lau, 764.— Baird, M. N. A. 1857, 1U3 (aabg. 7Ato«mu«).— roniM, P. Z. S. 1861,

380 (Guatemala).— JIfiUiim. Arch. f. Katurg. xivii, 1861, 313.
Tklotms aesoleHca, Leu. Noav. Tabl. R. A. 1843, 66.

ThIOSHM HMOlcaeos, Ohatin, Ann. Sci. Xat. 5th aer. xiz. 1674, 100, pi. 6, f. 50-63 (anat).
Me»hltlS ICHCOBOts, Lieht Darat Skng. 1837-34, , pL 44, f. 1 ; Abh. Akad. Wisa. Berl. 1836

(ie3e),'S71 (rAuwmu*) (AWarado, Mexico).— .SeAtKZ, Syn. i. 1844, 319, na 3.— <K«&. Sang.

1855, lii.—Baird, M. N. A. 1857, 900.— Tonwn, P. Z. 8. 1861, 380 (Onatemala).
Hepkltts lenconotii latcraeilM, Dt Senut, B. M. z. i860, 6.
MephltlH B»8Uta, Bennett, P. Z. S. i. 1833, 39 (Ciaifornia).— Gray, Mag. K. H. i. 1837, -.-

Frater, Zo6l. Typ. na 4, pi, — .
Mar»«tlH8 DMUtM, Oray, Mag. K. H. L 1837, 581.
ThlWBiUS BMUta, Leu. Kouv. TabL R. A. 1843, 66.
ConepatBH Bftsntn, van. BMVtii, humboldtii, clilleBsis et lIchteBStelBtl, Gray, P. Z. S.

1865, 145, i46, 147; Cat Carn. Br. Mna. 1869, — .
tt" Mephlllg CMtBaeUB, D'Orbig. Voy. Am6r. M«rid. 31, pi. 13, 13, f. 3."-" Giebel, Odontoj;.

35, pi 13, f 1."—Gieb. Sftiig. 18.55, 765 (Sonthorn South America).
t"Mt)phltl8 niKSta, Wofrn. Sappl. Sobreb. ii. 1841, 193" (ChiU).— r«(A. Arch. Naturg. 1843,

348; Fn. Peru. 1844-46, 114 (Peru).-
t Mephitis westcrmaBBl, Beinh. Yid. Selak. Forh. 1856, 370.

? Mephitis BBierlcaBa, van. D f , E, F, 6, H, I, M.f « Q, £««m. Marom. L 1830, 186-187.'
t Mephitis BBierleaBB, van. •, At , h, bi, b, o, p, s, Oriff. An. Kingd. ▼. 1837, 137, na 358.
TMBlkel, FatNgOBlBB Malkel, Gray, I. «.

Hab. — Southwestora border of the TJoited States aud soathward tLroagh
Mexico and Ceutral and Sontb America.

Specific characters. — Black or blackish, with a white dorsal area sotne-
tiuies divided by a black vertebral stripe, rarely broken into several por-
tions ; tail white, or black and white.

Description of external characters.*

This species differs materially from the North American and
Mexican Mephitis proper, in many iK>ints of external anatomy,
as well as the more essential straetural peculiarities upon
which the genus Conepatus primarily rests. These secondary
generic characters are the same, as far as known, in all the
several slight varieties of the (probably) single species which
represents the genus. The general conflguration of the body
and limbs is much the same as in Mephitis; but the physiog-
nomy is wholly peculiar, while the short scrubby tail, almost
rudimentary ears, and a particular arrangement of the sole-
l)ads, are all highly characteristic.

The Conepate is the largest of the Skunks, some specimens
attaining a length of about two feet, exclusive of the tail; but an
ordinary dimension is about a foot and a half from the nose to

* f'rom specimens from Texas and Mexico, with uninterrupted white
dorsal area aud white tail.

DESCRIPTION OP C0NEPATU8 MAPURITO.

251

the root of the tail. The head is more leogthened and nar-
rowly conical than in Mephitis. The facial aspect is highly
characteristic in the prodactioo and attenuation of the snout
and lowuess of the ears. The long snout is broad and de-
pressed ou top, obliquely truncated in front, with a backward
bevelling, so to speak, which brings the nostrils antero-infe-
rior — they are not at all visible from above. The muzzle is
almost a little rStromsS, and recalls that of a Pig rather than
of a Weasel or Badger. It is furthermore peculiar in being
entirely bald and callous on top for nearly an inch, this naked
part narrowing to a point behind. Underneath, the nasal pad
is closely and definitely circumscribed by the line of fur which
closely approaches the nostrils. There is no sign, on the front
of the snout, of the usual vertical groove, nor of such a division
of the hairy part thence to the middle line of the lips. The
organ looks as if it were fitted for rummaging among fallen
leaves, or even for ** rooting" in the ground. The whole muzzle
is beset with sparse short bristles, apparently growing irregularly
in no determinate direction ; the longest moustaches scarcely
reach to the eyes. There are similar bristles over the eyes and
on the cheeks and chin. The proper pelage of the cheeks and
snout is scanty, and it growis upward and forward from the lips.

The external ears are so slightly developed that they have
been described aa wanting. The pinna is a mere low orbicular
rim completing about two-thirds of a circle, lower than the
surrounding fur. The entrance of the ear remains i,roadly
open. The eye is considerably nearer to the ear than to the
end of the snout. The mouth is wholly far inferior, with short
gape ; it is nearly an inch from the end of the lips to the ex-
tremity of the snout.

The short and rather close-haired (for this group) tail is quite
different from the long, full, busby member in Mephitis and
Spilogale — in fact, it is only superior in these respects to the
stumpy tail of Tetxidea. It is difScult to estimate its relative
length accurately, owing to the character of the base ; but the
vertebrsB are certainly less than half the length of the head
and body, and with the hairs the whole member is only about
half such dimension, more or less. The terminal pencil of hairs
is from only about two to four ?■ ^"'^i inches in length, in dif-
ferent specimens; the width of the hairs in the middle, pressed
flat sideways, is from six to ten inches. The tail, especially
wheu white, or the white portion of it when black and white,

252

KORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

. -•

frequently presents a worn scrubby appearance, as if abraded ;
and the white tip, when occurring in connection with bhick,
may seem as if imperfectly connected with the remaining por-
tion. There is something very peculiar in the character of the
white hairs of the tail of this or other Skunks; it is very
coarse, stiff, 3'et weak and brittle, almost like Antelope hair, to
which it has been aptly compared ; it seems as if partially de-
vitalized, and readily falls or breaks off. The same character
is observable in the white portion of those hairs which are
black at the end. In general shape, the tail is rather depressed,
or slightly distichous, than uniformly cylindrical or bushy.

The soles of the fore feet are perfectly naked from the wrist-
joint, but overhung along the sides with a fringe of long hairs.
The tuberculation is not well marked ; but at the bases of the
digits, in advance of a general broad bare area, two incom-
pletely divided pads are observable. The fore claws are very
large, long, strong, compressed, little curved, not excavated
underneath, and eminently fossorial. The middle three claws
are of approximately the same size, though they are a little
graded in length from fourth to second; the lifth is notably
smaller, reaching to the middle of the fourth ; the ttrst is much
shorter and more curved, reaching little beyond the base of the
second. The terminal bulbs of all the toes are large.

The soles of the hind feet, like the palms, are perfectly
naked from the heel in all the specimens examined, fringed
along the side with long hairs. The tuberculation of the soles
is better marked than that of the palms, and somewhat pecu-
liar, but not to the extent which Dr. Gray's remarks would
indicate. The general broad flat area of the posterior part is
divided by a transverse sulcus of variable depth and distinct-
ness from the bulbous part at the base of the toes. This latter
is not a continuous pad, as indicated by Dr. Gray — not always
at any rate ; even in the dried specimens before me it is dis-
tinctly divided into three bulbs, much as in Mephitis — one at
the bases of the three middle toes, and another at the base of
each lateral toe. The claws are very much smaller than those
of the fore feet^ short, stout at base, moderately curved, obtuse,
excavated beneath. The third and fourth are subequal and
longest, the second is little shorter, the fifth much shorter, and
the first shorter still.

The pelage is very coarse and harsh throughout. The pecu-
liarity of the white hairs of the tail has beeu already indicated.

DESCRIPTION OF CONEPATUS MAPIIRITO.

253

In coloration, this animal presents greater variations than
those of ^Vipp/itfM mephitieaj in which the differences are mainly
in the extent or restriction of the two normal white stripes.
The pattern is essentially a white dorsal area, which may in<
dude all or most of the tail. The white, in all the specimens I
have seen, begins fairly on the sinciput, in advance of the ears,
instead of on the nape, as in M. mephitica. This may be the
only point of detail that is constant. The white begins squarely
in a transverse line, or in a curve, or in a point; it is broad and
uninterrupted to the end of the tail, or fails to reach the tail
(which then usually only has a white brush at the end), or
is divided by a median vertebral stripe of varying width, or,
finally, may be interrupted in its continuity.

Viewing tlie wholly indeterminate character of th\s wL o area,
and comparing it with corresponding variations in Mephitis
mephitieaj it is easy to account for the extraordinary confusion
which prevuub in the accounts of this group, by authors who
sought to establish species upon the character of the markings.
These masses of black and white distracted the attention of
all the early authors from the essential generic and speciflo
characters; in fact, it is only about forty years since the true
points of distinction were perceived at all, and even subse-
quently species continued to be made upon a wrong under-
standing. Some repugnance to handling and closely exam-
ining the noisome beasts may not have been entirely inoper-
ative in perpetuating error and confusion ; and certainly the
group as a whole is not among those best represented in muse-
ums, owing to the obviously disagreeable task it becomes to
capture and prepare the animals. Once again, the perfect
ease with which a fair description will answer to Conepatus and
Mephitis has had its weight in provoking and perpetuating
confusion.

Let me illustrate this last point with the following example
of fair diagnosis based upon color : —

" Black ; back with two broad white stripes meeting on the
head ; tail end white."

This is a perfectly applicable and exact description of both
Mephitis mephitica and Conepatus mapurito when the latter has
the dorsal area divided. Again : —

** Black : back with a single broad white stripe ; tail black
and white."

254

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

Tbis is entirely pertinent to both Mephitis macrura and Cone-
patus mapurito when the latter has the dorsal area undivided.
I do not know where to look for the parallel to this curious well-
spring of error.

Even after the full rec^ognition by Lichtenstein and Gray of
the different genera of Skunks, many nominal species endnred,
uiion the basis of coloration alone. In the case of Coi^epattm^
these have all latterly been reduced to varieties by Dr. Gray,
because, as he very truly says, '* the differences in the colora-
tion appear to pass into one another". This is a step in the
right direction, but, as it appears to mo, does not go quite far
enough. The ascribed differences are not of the character to
which recognition by name is usually granted ; they are appar-
ently not characteristic of particular geographical areas ; nor
are they accompanied, for all that appears, by any other char-
acters. I see no alternative to regarding them as wholly within
the normal range of individual variability of the species.

Nor are the ascribed differences, when sifted of genera1itit.s
and cleared of mere verbal discrepancies, anything remarkable.
I can make nothing more of them than this : the white dorsal
area may be entire, or divided by a line of black of varying
length or ^vidth (giving the "two" stripes of authors); it may ,
stop short of the tail, or go to its end, or may be broken up in
its continuity. This is the whole sum of the various accounts
I have seen.

In compiling the foregoing extensive synonymy of ConepatuSf
I have not been unmindful of Dr. Gray^s judicious caution : —
** When we have the iM>wer to compare the living animal and
the skeleton of each [of his nominal varieties], we may discover
that some of them are distinct species, having a peculiar geo-
graphical range." This is improbable, yet quite possible ; and
its prudence impresses me especially, as I have not inspected
specimens from South America. But I would urge these points
in defence of the synonymy I have prepared: that all the
supposed species whose names I have cited rest upon no other
basis than that variability which is proven to be merely indi-
vidual, and that, therefore, they are ipso facto synonymous;
that should the synonymy be ever shown to embrace more
than one species, an attempt to distribute it among two or
more species, and to fls upon the pro[)er name for each, would
be well-nigh futile, so inextricably blended has it become;
that should a second species of Conepatus be hereafter estab-

SKULL AND TEETH OF CONEPATUS MAPURITO. 255

lished, it should properly receive a new name upon the new
basis, as the best means of avoiding further confusion.

It may not be amiss to add, that all the recognized South*
American references are to Conepatm alone, Mephitis proper
being not known to occur on that continent. This is a simplifi-
cation of matters which does not hold for Central America and
Mexico, where the two genera are found together. Neverthe-
less, the supposed absence of Mephitis proper from South
America rests upon negative evidence.

Description of the skull and teeth.

In the following description, reference is had to the same
parts of M. mephiticaj to which all expressions of comparison
apply. The account is based mainly upon No. ^\ Mus. Smiths.
Inst., from Texas, but several other specimens are examined at
the same time.

Viewed from above, the rostrum is notahij,' tapering— decid-
edly more so than in M. mephitica, though the calibre at the
base of the zygomata is even greater. The nasal aperture is
much less foreshortened in this view. Supraorbital processes
are barely, or not at all, recognizable; the prongs of the sagittal
crest are faintly indicated or entirely inappreciable. The point
of greatest constriction of the skull (about midway between
muzzle and occiput) is well marked and abrupt ; the skull im-
mediately swelling behind it, forming a decided projection into
the temporal fossa, hardly or not seen in M. mephitica. The
cranial dome is rather biglier and fuller. The zygomatic arches
are comparatively shorter, more divergent, and more regularly
curved. In profile, the differences are more striking. The
highest part of the skull is back over the cranial dome, not at
the iuterorbital space; the slope is but slight thence to the
occipital protuberance, but is long and regular from the same
spot to the incisor teeth ; for so great is the obliquity of the
nasal orifice that the end of the muzzle comes into this general
curve, instead of rising, with slight obliquity, from the teeth
to then bend abruptly backward at an angle. None of tne
specimens, unluckily, are young enough to show the nasal
sutures ; but I have no doubt that these bones, if not also the
neighboring part of the maxillaries and intermaxillaries, will
be found to afford good characters. The anteorbital foramen
(as in other species, sometimes subdivided into several separate
canals) is farther forward and higher up, piercing a thicker

256

NORTH AMERICAN MU8TELID.E.

zygomatic root, and couseqnently being rather a tube than a
bole. The zygomatic bones are slenderer and less laminar than
^n Mephitis. The arch, as a whole, is shorter and more an-
terior ; in skulls of the same length laid together, the back
roots of the arch in Conepatua fall in advance of the other when
the muzzles are together. Viewed from behind, the occipital
surface is much higher and narrower; thus the distance from
the bottom of the foramen magnum to the occipital protuber-
ance is greater than the interparoccipital width ; in MepkitiSj
it is, if anything, less. Beneath, the palate is seen to end some
distance back of a line drawu across behind the molars ; the
pterygoids and contained interspace are correspondingly shorter
than in M^hitiSf in which the palate ends more nearly opposite
the back molars. The edge of the palatal shelf is simply trans-
verse in some specimens, while in others it shows a little median
process backward, and we may presume that in other cases it
is nicked, for all this variation is now well known to occur in
both Mephitis and Spilogale.

The lower jaw gives excellent characters. The angle of the
mandible is strongly exflected and the emargiuation between
this and the condyle is slight. The coronoid process rises with
considerable backward obliquity, with a very convex anterior
border, and concave posterior one, carrying the a^iex of the
bone backward to a point nearly or directly over the condyle.

A peculiarity of the dentition of Conepatus has been unduly
exaggerated by some authors, who assign a different dental
formula (pm. ^, as against pm. ^ in Mephitis). But the sup-
posed wanting anterior premolar is often present ; though it is
always minute, probably never functionally developed, and
deciduous or abortive on one or both sides. I see this small
tooth plainly in two skulls before me, but do not find it in a
third ; in which last there is instead an unusual diastema be-
tween the canine and the nearest premolar. This point dis-
posed of, nothing in the dentition of Conepatus calls for special
remark. The detailed account given under the head of Mephitis
mqphitica is here equally applicable.

Vertebrre: 0. 7; D. 16; L. 5j S. 3; Cd. 18 (Gerrard).

Description of the anal glands.

The anal armature of this species has been investigated by M.
Ghatin, who has published a thorough description, illustrated
with excellent figures, in the Annates des Sciences NatureHes^ as

ANAL GLANDS OF C0NEPATU8 MAPUBITO.

257

above quoted. Although the specimen bad been preserved ia
alcohol for several years, it was still extremely offensive, and
the preservative fluid was tainted with the same fetor. M.
Chatin's account is substantially as follows: — The anus presents
55iniu behind the root of the penis, iti a large irregularly
elliptical depression, crossed by numerous grooves; the sur-
rounding integument forms a sort of flap folded about the anus
and excretory pores of the glands. These appear as openings
pierced in the centre of two thick, prominent, umbilicated
papillie, situated on er>'^h side of the anus, about O""" from the
middle line. Moderate pressure suffices to bring up to these
orifices the dirty brown fetid liquid which has made Skunks
famous. Keuioval of the cutaneous fold which partially covers
these nipples shows that they are situated in a kind of recess
rising about 5"^^ above the floor of this small pouch; the
calibre of the pore which opens at the summit is sufficient to
admit a probe about a millimetre in diameter. Dissection of
the perinieum brings to view the whole secretory apparatus, the
size of which is so considerable that it is surprising Cuvier
had nothing to say on the subject in his chapter upon anal
glands and those of neighboring parts. Stannius and Siebold
were also silent, while Owen confined himself to mere mention
of the anal glands of the Skunks.

The glandular mass is nearly trapezoidal; it begins 33'"™
from the prostate, on a level with the origin of the corpora caver-
nosa, the roots of which thus extend upon the posterior or pro-
static portion of the gland ; superiorly it lies in relation with
the urethra, which passes over it. It is enveloped in a thick
muscular tunic, the origin of which may be readily determined.
It is well known that the ischio-cavernous muscle (ischio-penial
of German authors) passes obliquely downward and inward to
the root of the corpus cavernosum, where it ends in tendinous
or muscular fibres. <' But sometimes", says Leyh, "there are
found below this muscle some isolated muscular fibres which
appear to have no function." They may be so regarded in
domestic animals ; but, in the present case, nature furnishes
another instance of her economy in giving them no inconsider-
able part to play. These same fascicles form a large part, but
not the whole, of the muscular envelope of the gland; the bulbo-
cavernous muscle is equally concerned in the formation of the
tunic ; nor can we entirely separate from it the prostatic muscles
which are blended with it, and which cover the apper portion
17 m

258

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.1-:.

E ii

i|:

of the urethra in those animals that, like the present species
and ihe Dog, have no Cowper's glands. The muscular coat,
about 3"*'" thick, is comi^sed of two layers readily distin-
guished by the direction of their fibres ; those of the superlicial
layer being transverse, that is to say, perpendicular to the
median or antero-i)osterior axis of the gland, while the Hbres
of the deep layer run in the opposite direction, parallel with the
same axis.

Below these muscular layers, that is to say, within the general
muscular envelope, is found the follicular or glandular portion
proper of the organ ; it is not regularly distributed around the
central reservoir, as in most Camirora, but occupies only a
limited portion of the surface of this receptacle. The follicles
are rather large, and of a reddish-brown color; their numerous
well-developed culs-de-sac measure on an average 0""".55 in
diameter, and are variously rounded, ovoidal, club-shaped, &c.

The reservoir, which is of great size, is covered with a thick
whitish tunic composed of dense laminated tissue and elastic
fibres, the presence of which is readily determined by means of
acetic acid. In the si)ecimen examiued,^the receptacle was
empty, containing only a few dirty brown pellicles, which
showed under the microscope nothing but laminated fibres and
fine granules. Toward the anterior extremity of this cavity is
found the opening of a duct, through which the fluid secreted
is conducted to the lateral anal pore, as may be easily ascer-
tained by passing a probe. The surface of the reservoir, marked
with numerous folds and furrows, resembles to some extent that
of Herpestes fasoiatM».

It is an established fact, then, that the fetid humor which
was long supposed to be urine is the secretion of true anal
glands. It is to be regretted that ihe anatomy of the various
species of Mephitis is not better known, for it would be interest-
ing to compare them in the detai's of this structure. Much is
still required to complete their history, and it is to be hoped
that the missing links may be soon supplied.

Qeographical distribution and habits.

The general extra-limital dispersion of the species southward
has been already indicated. Lichtenstein's M. mesoleuca was
procured by Deppe, in 1825, near Chico, Mexico ; his leucotiota
was from the Bio Alvarado, Mexico. Bennett's M. nasuta came

HAHITS OF THE WHITE-HACKED SKUNK.

26^

from " California '\ Audubon and Baclnnan denoribe the ani>
iiial from Texas. Tlie only spejiimen Baird had seen in 1857
was also from this State (Llano Kstacado), beyond which I am
not aware that the animal has been actually observed north of
the Mexican border. I obtained no evidence of its presence in
New Mexico, Arizona, or Southern California during my resi-
dences in those regions, and the species may be confined, in the
United States, to the valley of the Lower Rio Grande, like vari-
ous other quadrupeds and birds.

From Audnboirs account, it is to be inferred that the animal-
is not rare in portions of Texas, where the specimen which is
figured in his work was procured by his son, John Woodhouse.
His notice of its habits is as follows : —

*'The Mephitis meHoleuea is found on the brown, broomy,
sedgy plains, as well as in the woods, and the cultivated dis-
tricts of Texas and Mexico. Its food consists in part of grubs,
beetles, and other inse(;ts, and occasionally a small quadruped
or bird, the eggs of birds, and in fact everything that this
carnivorous but timid animal can appropriate to its Sustenance.

" The retreats of this Skunk are hollows in the roots of trees
or fallen trunks, cavities under rocks, &c. ; and it is like the
northern species, easily caught when seen, (if any one has the
resolution to venture on the experiment,) as it will not endeavour
to escape unless it be very near its hiding place, in which case
it will avoid its pursuer by retreating into its burrow, and there
remaining for some time motionless, if not annoyed by a dog, or
by digging after it.

"The stomach of the specimen from which our drr.wing was
made, contained a number of worms, in some degree resembling
the tape-worm at times found in the human subject. Not-
withstanding this circumstance, the individual appeared to be
healthy and was fat. The rainy season having set in (cr at
least the weather being invariably stormy for some time) after
it was killed, it became necessary to dry its skin in a chimney.
When first taken, the white streak along the back was as pure
aad free from any stain or tinge of darkness or soiled color as
new fallen snow. The two glands containing the fetid matter,
discharged from time to time by the animal for its defence,
somewhat resembled in appearance a soft egg.

"This species apparently takes the place of the common
American skunk {Mephitis chinga), in the vicinity of the ranchos
and plantations of the Mexicans, and it is quite as destructive

260

NOBTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

to poultry, eggs, &c., as its northern relative. We have not
ascertained anything aboat its season of breeding, or the time
the female goes with yonng ; we have no donbt, however, that
in these oharaoteristios it resembles the other and olosely-allied
Biieoies.

« The long and beantifnl tail of the BIcank makes it oonspic-
nons among the thickets or in the musquit [mezquite] bushes of
Texas, and it most f^qnently keeps this part elevated, so that
in the high grass or weeds it is first seen by the hunter who
may be looking for the animal in such places."

CHAPTER IX.

Subfamily MELIN-^: Tue Badgers.

The genua Taxidea — Qenorio obaraotorH un«1 oompariHori with .)fe1e» — Taxidea
americuna, the Auierloun Badger— Syiioiiyniy— Habitat — Spucitio clmrac-
ten — DeHoription of external obarncterH — DoHuription of the skull antl
teeth — Qoographical variatioa in the skull — History of the Ainitrioan
Badger— lUi geographical distribution — HahitM— Taxidea amerifana var.
herUtHdieri, the Mezicau Badger— Synonymy — Habitat— Subspecitlo char-
acters — General remarks. — Adukndum : Description of the i>«rinii>al glands
of the European Badger, ilele» nilgarh.

ANIMALS of this subfamily inhabit Europe, Asia, and
America. There are /bur well-marked genera, though
the species are so few : the European Meles^ the Asiatic My-^
daus and AretonyXy and the American Taxidea^ long time con-
founded with Hfeles.

I have already (p. 10) given the characters by which the
North American representative of the Melina is distinguished
firom our other subfamilies. The expressions used, however,
are rather diagnostic of the particular genus Taxidea than of
the subfamily Melino} at large, the virions members of which
differ snfBciently to require greater latitude of definition. It
being not to my present purpose to consider the Melitwe fur-
ther, than as represented by the American genus, we may' at
once take up the latter.

The Genus TAXIDEA. (Watebh.)

X Vnm, pt, of Sohreber.

< MeleSi TaxBSi of anthors referring to the Korth American Badger,
s TaxMea, Waterhoute, Proo. ZoJil. Soo. Lond. vi. 1836, 194 ; Trans. Zoftl. Soc. Lond. ii. pt. ▼.
1841, 343 Bttird, Mamm. K. A. 1897, 901, and of late aattaors generally.

3-3 1-1
M' "• 1-1'

Generic characters.— i>«ntoljformu7a: i.
34.* Back upper molar a right-angled triangle, with hypothenuse postero-

*Prof. Baird (M. N. A., 201), after correctly at&ting the dental formula,
makes the total "32" instead of 34, by an obvious slip of the pen. He
further states, " In young specimens there is an additional premolar, (first,)

261

!|'

ill

262

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

exterual. Back upper premolar similar in sixe ami Bbape (thouirli the emi-
iienc«H of tbe crown very different), but the bypothenuse postero-iuterual.
Back under premolar witb two tubercles. Anterior under molar compara-
tively small, not dilated bebind, mostly opposing tbe back upper premolar
(instead of tbe upper molar as in Melen). Cerebral jiortion of skull de-
pressud-uuneiform, very wide across tbe daring occipital crest ; tbe inter-
mustoid diameter nearly equalling tbe iuter-zygomatic ; sides of tbe brain-
case straightened and strongly convergent anteriorly. Bony i)alate reach-

whicb soon disappears ; this will add 1-1 premolar to tbe lower jaw, making
34 in all." But such additional under premolar of tbe early dentition
(which I have not seen, though I have examined skulls with the teeth
scarcely cut) would make 36 in all, not " 34", tbe latter being tbe correct
total of tbe adult formula.

Audubon and Bachman state (Quad. N. Am. i. 301) that " the present spe-
cies has one tooth less than tbe latter [Meles vulgaris'] on each side in the
lower jaw", which is certainly not the case, as the dental formula is the
same iu the two genera. Quoting Waterhouse, Trans. Zool. Soc. ii. pt. v, p.
343, these authors continue : — "' The subgeneric name, Taxidea, may be ap-
plied to the American Badger, and such species as may be hereafter dis-

covered with incisors^; caninas j^^ ;

false molars

2-2
3-2'

molars g

I have not Waterbouse's article at hand to verify tbe quotation ; if his words
and figures are correctly quoted, Waterhouse did not give the right formula,
for his total is only 32, instead of 34 ; besides which be reckoned the upper
sectorial tooth as a molar, instead of a premolar, as it is. Making this
change, but retaining his original numbers, Watei'house's formula becomes
pm. ^g, m. g^g- But there are five grinding teeth on each side of the lower
jaw of Taxkha. I have never seen an American Badger's skull with teeth
otherwise than as given iu the text above.

A peculiarity in dentition of Melea vulgaris, which may account for dis-
crepant statements of tbe dental formula, has been pointed out by Professors
Moseley and Lankester ( Journ. Anat. and Phys. iii. 1868, 79) : — " Mr Flower,
in bis recent admirable paper on tbe Dentition of Marsupials, has laid some
stress on the fact that, iu several diphyodont mammalia, some of tbe anterior
maxillary teeth never have any predecessors, as in the case of tbe second an-
terior maxillary teeth of tbe dog, and the corresponding lateral mandibular
teeth, and in the hog also. We are led to believe, from the examination of
a line series of Badgers' skulls iu the university museum, that this animal
furnishes an wlditional example. In three skulls, possessing tbe permanent
dentition, we found a small peg-like tooth implanted in tbe jaw immediately
behind the caniniform maxillary, and somewhat internally to the general
line of tbe teeth, and obviously corresponding to the small anterior lateral
tooth (pra>molar) of the lower series abutting against the large caniniform.
W-j found no trace of this tooth in a young skull with tbe perfect deci('".ous
dentition, nor in De Blainvilio's figure of. the same. It is described neither
by Owen nor De Blainville, and is evidently easily lost, since it has dropped
out of one skull, leaving only its alveolus as evidence of its former pres-
ence ; and in two other skulls no traces of it were to be seen at all. The
addition of this tooth makes the dentition of the Badger the same as that
of the Glutton."

^^5

MoiteUdn. PLATE XYI.

'I'NxldcH amerlcnuM. (Uvducua.)

THE GENUS TAXIDEA — T. AMERICANA.

263

ing half-way to ends of pteiygoids. BiiHib anditoria' at a maximum of
iuflation, impinging behind upon paroccipitals. Condyles of jaw often
locked in the glenoid. Coronoid of jaw erect, pointed, its posterior edge
aiigulated by the meeting of two straightish lines. (For further cranial char-
acters see page 369.)

Body extremely stont, squat, and clums' , owing to great depression ; tail
short, broad, flattened ; pelage loose ; coloration ditfiise ; fore claws ex-
tremely large, highly adapted for digging. Habits thoroughly terrestrial
and fossorial.

Taxidea is confined to North and Middle America. " This
genus," as Prof. Baird* has remarked, " is so strikingly differ-
ent from Meles as to render it a matter of astonishment that
the typical species were ever combined." It is represented by
a single species, divisible into two geographical races.

The American Badger.

Taxidea amerlcaua.

Plate XVI.

trSMS taxus, Schreb. "SaiiR. iii. 1778, 520, f. 142 li. (After Buffou.)"

Meles taxus var. amerlcanus, Bodd. Blench. Anim. i. 1784, 136. '

Meles americanus, Zimm. Penn. Arktiache Zool. i. 1787, 74. (Qaotes Boddaert.)

* Mamm. N. Am. p. 201. From direct comparison of skulls, which I have
not made, this author has concisely set forth many leading points of dissim-
ilarity. I quote his article, with some abridgment:—

" The most striking peculiarity of Taxidea consists in the great expanse of
the occipital region, the width of the occiput being [nearly or about] ecjaal
to that of the skull, measured between the outer surfaces of the zygomatic
arches. Thus the general shape is that of a depressed wedge, widest behind
and truncated anteriorly, instead of being very much widest across the
zygomatic arches, as in Meles, . . . The occipital crests are well developed
in Taxidea, the sagittal very moderate. The auditory bulhe are very large
and convex. The processes of the glenoid cavity are not so well developed
as in Meles, though occasionally sufficiently developed to lock the condyles
of the lower jaw. The corouoid process has its apex pointed instead of
rounded or truncated ; its posterior margic is formed by two lines, the lower
rising nearly perpendicularly a little in udViince of the condyle, the other
rather longer than the first, making a very obtuse angle with it. The difler-
ences in the character of the teeth are equally striking, though their number
is the same. The penultimate or sectorial upper molar [last premolar] is
very large and triangular ; fully e<iual in size to the last molar, instead of
being much smaller ; it has likewise a large tubercle ou the inner lobe,
scarcely observable in Meles. The last molar is also triangular, (nearly right-
angled,) somewhat resembling half of the quadrilateral tooth of Meles. In the
lower jaw the last premolar is larger than in Meles, and nas two tubercles.
The penultimate molar is smaller and not dilated behind. The portion of its
crown which is applied agaiusD the upper sectorial malar [premolar] is larger
than that in contact with the last upper molar, instead of being smaller, as
in Meles."

i 1

i I

264

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

•P

11'

■a.
!i

Taxlie* ■■cri«M«. Baird, M. K. A. 1857, 203, pi. 39, f. U.—Xewb. P. R. K. Rep. vi. 1857, 45
(haWta).— Coop. N. H. W. T. 1860, n.—SuckUy, ibid. 9i.—Suckley t£ Gibbi, ibid. 117.—
Hayi. Trans. Am. Pbiloa. Soc. xii. 1862, 134 (Upper MiBSoari country).— Omj/, P. Z. S.
1865, 141 ; Cat. Cam. Br. Mus. 1309, —.—Ooop. Am. Nat. ii. 1868, 539 (Montana).— S(eu.
V. S.6eol. Snrr. Terr, for 1870, 1871, 461.— Allen, Pr. Boat. Soo. N. H. xiii. 1869 (pablished
February, 1870), 183 (Iowa, still numerons) ; Bull. Ess. Inst vi. 1874, 46 (Kansas), 54
(Colorado), 59 (Wyoming), 63 (Utah) ; Pr.Bost. Soo. xvii. 1874, 38.— AmM, Bull. Minn.
Acad.Kat Sci. 1874, 69 (Minnesota).- Coue« di Yarrow, Zoiil. Expl. W. lOOMerid. ▼.
1875, 63.— AUen, Bull. TT. S. Oeol. and Geogr. Snrv. Terr. vol. ii. no. 4, 1875, XIO (skull).

Unns labnriorlns, <hn. S. N. i. 1788, 102, n. r—Kerr, S. N. i. 1792, Ifft.—Shaw, G. Z. i. 1800,
469, pi. 106 Turt. S. K. i. 1806, 63.

Meles labnuiorlm, M^jer, "Zool. Arcb. U. 1796, 45."— J". .S'c' App. FranklinisJoum. 182.3, 649
(compared with European).- ITaW. Fn. Amer. 1825, oT.— Griff. An. Kingd. v. 1827, 116
("labradoriea"}.—Lest Man. 1. 1827,141, no. 372 {"labradorica").—Fiseh. 8yn. 1829,
151.— iNcA. F. B. A. i. 1829, 37, no. 12, pi. 2.— Gtodw. Am. Nat. Hist. i. 1«31, 119.— Rich.
Zool. Beecbey '8 Voy. 1839, 4.— Wagn. Suppl. Sohreb. ii. 1841, 182.— Z)e Kay, N. Y. Zool. i .
1842, 27.— «*in«, Syn. i. 1844, 315 {"labradonis").—Sud. <t Baeh. Q. N. A. i. 1849, 360,
pi. n.—Bd. Stansbury's Kop. 1853, 311.— fenn. Tr. Illinois Agric. Soc. for 1853-4,
1855, 578.— (?i«6s{, Siing. 1855, 761 ("labrodorius").— f oil, Canad. Nat. and Geol. vi.
1861, 294 {"labradorieiu").— Maxim. Arob. Katurg. 1661, — ; Yerz. Siiug. 1862, 33.

Tmxos labraiorlcus. Say, Long's Exp. i. 1823, 261, 369.

Taxlira labrMlorlB, B. Smith, Nat. Lib. xiii. 1842, 210.— Gray, List Mamm. Br. Mus. 1843,
70.— Bnird, M. N. A. 1857, 745 (expl. of pls.).-Oerr. Cat. Bones Br. Mus. 1862, 99.

?TasMe« labradorla, Waterh. P. Z. S. vi. 1838, 154; Tr. Z. S. ii. 1841, 343, pi. 59 (may be tbe
other subspecies).

Meles Jcffrnonll, Harl. Fn. Amer. 1825, 309 (based on Lewis and Clarke).

Anerlran Batiger, Penn. Syn. Quad. 1771, 202, no. 143; Hist. Quad. ii. 1781, 15, no. 998 b.—
Erzl. Syst. i. 1777, 164 (in text).— And of authors generally.

CoHBioa Baiger, Penn. Arct Zool. i. 1784, 71, no. 23 (in part; Includes the European).

Blalreaa i'lmerlque, "F. Ouv. Hist. Nat. Mamm."

Blalreaa 4n Labrador, Let$. L o.

AHerlkaalscbe Dachs, Sekinz, I e. (Daeht, of. Martens, Zool. Gart xi. 1870, 251, philological).

Braro, Lewi» it Clarice, Trav. Allen's ed. ii. 1814, 177; Kees'sed. 4to, 471 ; Kees's ed. 8vo, iii.
40 (also called "badger" j)a«8tm in this work; rendered " blaireau " in the MoYiokar
ed. ii. 349; basis of ilelea jeffersonii, Harlan).

Prarow, " Gass's Journ. p. 34."—{Itiehard»on.)

Br.iiiro or LacyotI, Gray, List Mamm. Br. Mus. 1843, 70.

BralbO or LaCfOtl, Gerr. I e.

Carc^lOH, Bwf. "Hist. Nat. Suppl. iii. 342, pi. 49" (cf. Desm., Mamm. i. 1820, 173; Enoy. pi.
38, f. 2).

Carci^oa ou Blairean am^rlcaln, F. Ouv. Suppl. Buff, i, 1831, 267.

CarluUoa ou Blaireaa i'laerlque, Gervait, Proc. Yerb. Soo. Philom. Paris, 1842, 30.

Brat ro et Blflenr, French Canadians.

Bfannaspachie-HecAkmhew, MistonuMk, Awawteekieoo, Cree Indiant (Richardson).

Hab. — United States, from Wisconsiu, Iowa, and Texas westward. Brit-
ish America, east to Hudson's Bay at least, ncrth to 58°. Replaced near the
Mexican border by var. herlandiei'i, which extends into Mexico. Formerly
farther east (Michigan, Indiana, Illinois). " Ohio, near Toledo, about 20-
years since ; now extinct " (£dw. Orton, in epiat^).

Specific characters. — Top of head darker than other upper parts, with
a median white stripe ; sides of head below the eyes, and its under surface,
white, with a dark patch before the ear ; limbs blackish ; body-coloration
above a grizzle of blackish with white, gray, or tawny, or all of these ; be-
low uniform whitish, shaded or not with gray or tawny. Length about 24
inches to root of tail ; tail 6 ; head 5^ ; longest fore claw 1^.

DESCRIPTION OF TAXIDEA AMERICANA.

Description of external characters.*

265

Form stout, thick-set, indicative of great strength and little
agility ; body broad depressed ; head flattened, couoidal ; tail
and limbs short; feet broad and flat; fore claws enormous,
h ighly fossorial Pelage of oody and tail long, loose, shuggy,
and of coarse texture ; shorter and closer on the head and feet.
Coloration blended, diffuse, grizzly above ; below, uniform ; on
the head definitely marked in certain areas.

The head is nearly one-fifth of the total length exclusive of
the tail ; it is couoidal, but depressed very broad across the
temples and cheeks, contracting gradually to the prominent
snout. It is covered with short, close, coarse hair, only length-
ening about the ears. The muzzle is completely furry, except-
ing the nasal pad itself; this is completely anterior, with a
downward-backward obliquity ; there is a median vertical fur-
row ; the nostrils, not at all visible from above or laterally, are
pyriform, lengthening slitwise at the lower outer corner. The
naked pad is black ; below it, the upper lip is completely furred
across, and the fur elsewhere extends to the very edges of the
rather thin lips. The rictus is ample ; the canines are visible
in life. The eye is remarkably small, and rnther high up, a lit-
tle back of the angle of the mouth. The vibrissa) are sparse
and short, the longest scarcely or not attaining the eye ; here
and there other bristles grow about the eyes and on the chin.
The ears are low, rounded, and very broad, with remarkably
large external meatus, partly defended by long loose hairs
growing in front, completely hairy outside and for some dis-
tance inside around the border ; but most of the concavity of
the conch is naked, with some sparse isolated tufts.

The fore limbs are short, stout, and the fore feet very large,
broad, and flat, bearing immense claws. The digits are much
abbreviated and consolidated, appearing from above almost
entirely grown together, from below as five closely appressed
oval pads. They are shorter than the claws they respectively
bear ; the 2d-5th, are subequal and longer than the 1st or 5th,
which are mere claw-bearing bulbs. The back of the hand is
hairy to claws, the bases of which are overhung by the longer
anterior hairs ; the palm shows the following disposition : a
crescent of five large closely apposed liaked digital bulbs, sep-
arated by a profound excavation from a single large irregu-

* From nnmerous specimens it the Smithsonian Museum.

i :

' :''

266

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiG.

larly shaped palmar pad, either entirely naked or partly over-
grown with coarse hair extending crosswise from the inner
border over more or less of its extent ; this main pad divided
by a decided transverse groove from a much smaller postero-
exterior one, which is entirely hairy, or partly so, or perfectly
naked, in different cases. The claws are all compressed,
arched, with rounded ridge and sharp edge underneath, origi-
nally acute but generally blunted with use. The three middle
ones are suhequal in length, much longer than either of the
lateral ones, and project still further, owing to the shortness of
the lateral digits ; they aie also stouter than the others. The
lateral claws are subequal to each other, and they reach half-
ivay (more or less) to the ends of the middle ones ; they are
more compressed and not so strong, the inner one especially
being thin, sharp, and falcate. As usual in such cases of spe-
cial developments of parts, the rate of variation in size, both
absolute and relative, is high, not permitting more strict state-
ments than the above. Either one of the three larger middle
claws may exceed the other two in size, and, of the lateral ones,
either may surpass the other. The inner claw, however, appa-
rently preserves its decidedly thin and falcate condition.

Thu hind feet are much like the fore, on the whole, with, how-
ever, a decided reduction in size, and especially in the develop-
ment of the claws. The foot is about four times as long as
broad, of nearly equal width throughout, hairy above and
completely so below, more than half-way from the heel to the
ends of the toes. Much as in the fore foot, the digits under-
neath present a crescent of five bald pads, of which the lateral
ones, and especially the outer one, are somewhat disconnected ;
with a deeply excavated inte .1, these pads are succeeded by
a single large bald callosity, heart-shaped in general contour,
incompletely divided by several radiating impressions into
four, sometimep. five parts. These grooves are not constant,*
nor are the resulting partitions always of the same size and
shape. The relative lengths of the digits, and of the claws
they bear, are essentially the same as in the fore foot ; but all
the claws are very much smaller, and the lateral ones scarcely
or not attain the base of the 2d and 4th redpectively. These
hind claws, however, as compared with the fore, differ remark-
ably in construction, though of much the same shape ; they
are less compressed, and, instead of being sharp-edged along the
median line below, they are deeply excavated underneath —

DESCRIPTION OF TAXIDEA AMERICANA.

267

sometimes so deeply as to be merely a i!Mn shell of horn, the
edges of which only unite at the base ot the claw.

The short, broad, flattened tail has no sharp distinction from
the body at its base, but the body tapers toward it somewhat
as in the Porcupine. It is densely covered, in a somewhat dis-
tichous manner, with long coarse hair like that of the body ;
the end is obtusely rounded.

The perinatal region shows, immediately beneath the root of
the tail, a large transverse fissure leading into the peculiar sub-
caudal x)ouch of the Melince, and, in advance of this, a large
hemispherical protuberance, more or less naked, or covered
with a few sparse hairs, and imperfectly divided by a median
raph^ into lateral oval masses. (The anatomy of the peculiar
organs of these parts, as illustrated in the European Melea
taxus, is given beyond.)

The Badger varies greatly in color, as a fortuitous matter of
age, season, or condition of pelage, aside from certain geo-
graphical differences, to be shown in the sequel. The varia-
tion, however, is mainly in the relative amounts of the black-
ish tawny-gray and white which produce the general grizzle,
the pattern of coloration being well preserved, especially as to
the markings of the head. T>'<^ top of the head is dark brown
or blackish, generally increasing in intensity and purity from
the nape to the snout, since it is commonly more or less
blended with gray or hoary encroaching from behind. This
dark area is divided lengthwise by a sharp white or whitish
median stripe, which runs from the snout, or from just back of
the snout to the nape, where it is gradually lost in the grizzle
of that part. I have never known this stripe to be entirely
wanting; but it varies much in extent, both laterally and
longitudinally. The sides of the extreme muzzle are dark,
like the top of the head ; from about opposite the canines, the
sides of the head and che ears are white, continuous with the
white of the chin and throat, but interrupted by a large (gen-
erally crescentic) dusky patch in front of the ear. Another
dark patch usually shows, though less conspicuously behind
the ear. The whole body and tail above are an intimately
blended mixture of blackish with white, hoary gray, and
tawny, or pale dull fulvous (dilute helvolus). The individual
hairs are for the greater part of their length of one of the
lighter colors above mentioned, then black or blackish for a
distance, and finally tipped with hoary gray or whitish. This

268

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiC.

pale ending of the hairs seems constant, even when there is
most tawny in the body of the fars. Owing to the lei^^'h and
coarseness of the pelage, the animal usually presents, when
prepared for the museum, a patchy or streaky appearance, the
completely blended grizzle being interrupted by the slightest
disturbance of the set of the hairs. Beneath, the animal is
uniformly as above, minus the black or blackish. The feet are
dark brown or blackish ; the claws are generally light-colored,
especially those of the fore feet.

In examining a large suite of specimens from various locali-
ties in the United States west of the Mississippi, I find decided
expression of a variation dependent upon climatic influences.
Specimens from the comparatively fertile aod well-watered
regions upon the eastern border of the great central plateau
are identical in tone with others from the Pacific slopes, and
both much more heavily colored than those from the arid
intermediate region. In the former, the fulvous or tawny tinge
predominates among the lighter colors, mixed with a large
amount of nearly pure black. As remarked by Prof. Baird,
the resemblance of these specimens to the Woodchuck {Are-
tomys monax) is striking. In all the specimens from the inte-
rior dry region, and especially from the Upper Missouri, where
the animal is extremely common, there is little if any of the
fulvous. At a distance, the animal appears nearly white ; the
general color is white, soiled with a faint tawny or dirty yel-
lowish-tinged and mixed with but little blackish, the dark
part of the individual hairs being less extensive than even the
terminal hoary portion, and the area where the black occurs at
all being restricted. In these cases, also, the general grizzle
encroaches most on the head, and the frontal white stripe
reaches farthest along the nape. Under these conditions, the
animal very closely resembles in coloration the brindled gray
Wolves of the same geographical area.

It is almost needless to add that the gradation between the
extremes above noted is unbroken and insensible.
- None of the specimens now under consideration show the
slightest trace of a vertebral white stripe beyond the nape.
Those exhibiting this peculiarity are treated under the next
head.

Without alcoholic specimens, or measurements taken in the
flesh, I cannot give the dimensions with desirable precision, as
all the dried skins before me are more or less distorted. The

SKULL AND TEETH OF TAXIDEA AMERICANA.

269

range of variation in size, though considerable, is nothing un-
usual. To the figures above given may be added : Noso to eye
about 2^ inches ; to ear about 5 ; fore foot from the posterior
callosity, and including claws, 3^ ; hind foot from heel, includ-
ing claws, 4. Lowest hairs of the back 3 or 4 inches ; of the
tail, 2 or 3. Height of the ear above the bottom of the meatus

Penis bone 4 inches long, clubbed at one end, compressed,
and with shallow sulcus in the continuity; the other end bent
nearly at right angle, abruptly and irregularly flatteued and
grooved.

It is surprising that thii. animal should ever have been con-
founded with the Meles tax^us of Europe, since the decided
structural characters upon which the genus Taxidea rests are
coordinated with readily appreciable superficial distinctions.
In the European Badger, the snout is much larger, more pro-
tuberant, more extensively naked, and difiTerently shaped, be-
ing not very dissimilar to that of a hog in miniature. It is def-
initely naked on top for some distance, as well as in ft*ont for
a space below the nostrils ; these occupy but a small part of
its subcircnlar front. The fore claws are much smaller and
weaker. There are some differences in the details of the pads
upon the palms and soles. The general body-color above is
not dissimilar ; but the under parts are •black like the limbs,
this color extending on the chin, where our species is white.
The head is otherwise white, with a broad black stripe begin-
ning on each side opposite the canines, running Dack, embrac-
ing the eye and ear, and losing itself on the side of the nape.
The edge of the ear is white in this otherwise uninteiTupted
black bar. In the dried specimen before me, the naked part
of the snout appears to have been flesh-colored, and the claws
are dark.

Description of the skull and teeth.

I have no skull of Melss in hand for direct comparison, but
this is less to be regretted in view of the numerous striking
differences which any accurate and detailed description will
show, even without use of strictly antithetical expressions.
(See also anted,^ p. 263, note.)

A striking peculiarity of the adult skull is perceived in a
view from above, in the great width behind, the distance across
the terminations of the occipital crest being equal to (a little
more or less than) the iuter-zygomatic width ; the 'lateral out-

270

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

line in general i» therefore wedge-Hhapeil. The rostral part of
the skull (all that in advance of the x^'goinatic arches) is aboat
one-third, or rather less, of the total length. The sides of the
rostrum are approximately parallel in old skulls, owing in a
measure to the swollen tract of rooting of the canines, in young
specimens somewhat tapering; ihe nasal extremity is abruptly
narrower than the rest; the obliquity of bevelling of the nasal
aperture is about 45<^. In old skulls, the nasal and maxillary
sutures are obliterated; in young ones, the nasal bones are
seen to be narrow, with approximately parallel edges for the
anterior half of their length, where they begin to narrow, and
extend as slender acute processes very far back — to opposite
the middle of the orbits. Their suture with the superior max-
illaries is very brief; for the intermaxillaries reach far up, and
for nearly all the rest of their extent they are received betwixt
long, pointed processes of the frontal. Similarly, the superior
maxillary ruiM up in a recess of the frontal to a point opposite
the ends of the nasals. This deep wedging of lateral processes
of the frontal between processes of the nasals and maxillaries
forms a complete letter W, better marked than in any other
North American genera of the family, though they all, excepting
Lutra and Enhydris, show an approach to the same character.
The anteorbital foramen is large and rather triangular than cir-
cular. The orbits aye much better defined than in MmUUnce
and Mephitina: — not that supraorbital processes are stronger
than usual, but because the zygoma sends up a spur to mark
the orbital brim below — much as in the others. The approxi-
mation of these two (zygomatic and supraorbital) processes
completes about two- thirds of a circle. The point of greatest
constriction of the skull is a little back of the supraorbital pro-
cesses, at a point about midway in the whole length of the
skull ; except in some very old skulls, the constriction is little,
if any, greater than that of the interorbital space. The top of
the skull is marked with an average sagittal crest, whence
forks curve outward to the supraorbital processes. In young
specimens, there is little or no trace of these ridges. The occip-
ital crests appear more flaring than they really are, owing to
the general breadth of the skull behind ; they are in fadt only
moderately developed in the oldest specimens, excepting at
their lateral extremities. From a moderate median emargina-
tion, the crests proceed on either hand with a moderate con-
vexity, which suddenly increases at the bend around to the

SKULL AND TEETH OF TAXIDEA AMEKICANA.

271

mastoid. The cranial dome considered alone has little infla-
tion; the lateral outlines run nearly straight from the point of
greatest constriction to the back root of the zygoma. This
wedge shape contrasts with the greater inflation of the cranial
dome in most otiier Mustelidtv^ notably Lutra and Knhydris.

The back of the skull has a general triangular shape, with
perpendicular flat face and irregular strong muscular impres-
sions. The paroccipital processes are rather short, wide, and
blunt; they descend to the level of the lower border of the
foramen magnum, which latter is low and broad across. The
condyles are short and very broad, their articular surfaces
being prolonged toward the paroccipitals.

In profile, the skull shows a single general declivity from
near the occiput to the end of the' nasals, thence an abrupt
bend down to the teeth. This general curve is sometimes a
little sinuous, owing to slight depression just behind the orbits,
and elevation over them. The posterior outline is truncate,
with the occipital crest curving into full view below. The
zygomata are very little arched indeed — almost straight ; they
are stoutly laminar, with a strong superior orbital process an-
teriorly, and remarkably developed borders of the deep glenoid
fossa. Such development of the glenoid, in connection with
its peculiar shape (the front border overlaps on the outer half,
the hinder on the inner half), is sufScient to ordinarily lock
the jaw in old age. But this peculiarity is not so strongly pro-
nounced as it is said to be in Meles. The same thing occasion-
ally occurs in old Otter skulls. The orifice of the meatus an-
ditorius lies wholly between the border of the glenoid and the
well-developed mastoid process.

The floor of the skull, aside from its mere shape, resembles
that of the Mmtelimv in the two prominent features of far back-
ward extension of the bony palate and great inflation of the
bullae. In the skulls, with moderately inflated bullie, the palate
ends nearly opposite the last molars ; in the Otters, with the
same extent of palate that Taxidea shows, the bullae are quite
flat. The palate reaches considerably more than half-way from
the incisors to the foramen magnnm ; about half-way from the
molars to the end of the pterygoids the palate is quite plane ;
the incisive foramina are verj short and broadly oval. The
palate ends behind with a simple concave edge, or nearly
straight transverse one, indifferently nicked on the median line
or with a little median process. The i,lvelolar borders are ap-

272

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDili

proximately parallel — more nearly so thau usual in this family.
The spread of the zygomata is rather more thau three-fifths
the total length of the skull ; the outward curvature is greatest
behind. The great width of the skull behind leaves a very
broad basilar space, notwithstanding the size of the buUiu.
This space narrows but little as it advances between the ptery-
goids, and is nearly tlat throughout. A curious character is
seen in the division of the posterior nares into two by a ver-
tical bony septum running to the very edge of the palate, and
thence projecting into view. Skunks and Land Otters have
such a septum, but it is not complete to the end of the bony
palate. In the Sea Otter, it is represented by a lamina depend-
ing from the roof of the nares, but not reaching the palate for
about an inch from the end of the latter. In the Martens,
Weasels, and Wolverene {Mustelinw), there is nothing whatever
of the kind. The pterygoids are simply' laminar, with some
little irregularity outside, as usual; they are moderately hamu-
late. The (comparatively) immense inflation of the large bullae
occupies nearly all the extent of the periotio bones ; the swell-
ing is immediate all along the interior border; outwardly it
subsides in a moderately tubular meatus, and behind it is re-
placed by a concavity around the foramen.

The mandible is massive; the ramus lower and thicker before
than behind; the symphysis long, strong, and early completed;
the coronoid low and of peculiar shape. Its apex is obtuse; its
front border nearly straight, but its hinder border divided at
an abrupt angle into a lower perpendicular par% and an upper
strongly oblique portion. The lower border of the ramus is a
gentle curve along the symphyseal portion, thence a straight
lin»> to a considerable angle abreast of the last molar, thence
straight again to the proper angle of the jaw, which is small
and not at all exflected. In young animals, the same border is
more nearly a continuous slight curve from symphysis to the
end. The condyle is very broadly transverse ; its articular sur-
face is extensive, with a peculiar twist to correspond with the
above described formation of the glenoid fossa.

A young animal should be examined with reference to the
teeth, as the characters of the molars become much obscured
by wear. The back upper molar is neither narrowly transverse
as in the Martens and Weasels, nor quadrate as in the Skunks
and Otters, bat triangular; and in size and shape it is not very
dissimilar to the last premolar. Details aside, it is a right-an-

SKILL AND TEHTH OF TAXIDEA AMEKICANA.

273

glud triangle of uuarly equal buHe aud per{)eii(liciilar, tbe rigbt
angle being auterointernul, tbc longuMt side poateroexteroal.
Wbuu entirely unworn, it HbowH six or eigbt irregularly dia-
(losed tubercleH, all aniall, tbe general surface being quite Hat,
and tbere being no notable diviMJon, by huIcus or otberwise,
into different portions, sucb as tbe crown of tbis tooUi presents
in n)ost MitHtelida: Tbe lowest part of tbe tootb is a small cir-
calar area posteriorly. Tbis toutb roots by a long fang exte-
riorly, but is otberwise simply set in an irregular sballow
depression. Tbe last premolar is liUewise api)roximately an
equilateral rigbtangled triangle ; but in tbis case tbe rigbt
angle is auteroexterior, tbe bypotbenuse postero-interior. It is
well divided into an outer and inner moiety. Tbe former is
produced into a large main cusp, witb prominent becl on its
front base, aud a smaller posterior cusp. Tbc low inner moiety
sbows two perfectly distinct conical cusps; one anterior, tbe
larger, witb a cingulum around its base, and a smaller posterior
elevation directly from tbe border of tbe tootb. Tbe middlo
premolar is a simple conical cusp witb a sligbt beel posteriorly ;
it is two-rooted. Tbe front premolar is like tbe last named,
but still smaller. I bave never seen, in tbe adult dentition,
tbe small first premolar whicb is said to occur *' in young ani-
mals", nor do I observe any trace of sucb tootb in a young
specimen wbich was just sbedding wben killed. In tbis one,
tbe first aud last permanent premolars bave just displaced the
earlier oues, but tbe middle railk-premolar is still present, with
tbe future one visible below it, about to push it away. Tbe
presence of four upper premolars can, therefore, only charac-
terize the milk dentition.*

The upper canines offer no special points. Of the incisors,
the outer is very much larger than tbe rest; indeed, it is hardly
more exceeded by tbe lower canine than the latter is by the
upper canine, and its superficial resemblance to a canine is
striking. The other incisors are of tbe same size, regular, with
dilated trilobate ends.

The back lower molar, as elsewhere in tbe family, is small,
circular, with a border a little higher before and behind than
at the sides. It abuts against the depressed back part of the

* The Binall anterior upper premolar is tbe most variable tooth iu MuateUda;.
It persists in tbe Lutra, Enhydris, Gulo, Mnsiela, and usually for a time in
Conepaiua; it is absent in the adult dentition of Taxidea, MephitU, Spilogale,

Ptttoritis.

18 m

il^, ir

;iill

274

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

upper molar. The next molar is large ami more complicated
than usual. It presents, in front, a large cusp, which, with the
outer one of a pair of median cusps, constitutes the trenchant
edge of the tooth ; the inner cusp of the median pair is little
smaller than the other. The lower back part of this tooth, or
its tuberculous portion, which abuts against the back upper
molar, is seen, when entirely unworn, to present four cusps,
three transversely abreast, whereof the middle one is the
largest, and a posterior one. These all wear down level in the
course of time, and indeed very old skulls show this whole
tooth almost flat. The next tooth — last premolar — is a strong
conical cusp, -with a secondary cusp half-way up its back
border, and well- developed posterior heel ; the anterior border
is straight. The remaining premolars, successively decreasing
in size, are like the last, but without the secondary cusp. The
lower canines are not peculiar. The lower incisors are smaller
than the upper; the exterior pair are little larger than the
rest, and obscurely trilobate. The next pair reach backward
further than the rest, but all are flush on the front face ; the
four inner teeth are slightly bilobate.

OeograpMcal variation in the sTcuIl.

Like other species of the present family, the Badger has
been discussed in this regard by Mr. J. A. Allen.* His results
are here transcribed : —

"The subjoined measurements of eleveu skulls of this species
(embracing all at present available) show also a well-marked
southward decrease in size. A fuller series would be more
satisfactory, but would doubtless only confirm what is here in-
dicated. Six of the specimens are from rather northern locali-
ties and five from rather southern localities, the region repre-
sented extending from the Upper Missouri southward to the
Lower Klo Grande. The specimens composing the two series
are of very nearly corresponding ages. The northern series
(four from different points on the Upper Missouri, one from
Iowa, and one from Oregon) average 5.00 iu length and 3.18 in
width, the extremes being, in length, 5.^2 and 4.92 (4.75 if we
include one rather young example), the width ranging from
3.50 to 2.97. The southern series (including two or three from
the vicinity of Matamoras, Mexico, and one each from New

* Bull. U. S. Geol. and Gt'oj;r. Snrv. vol. ii. no. 4, pp. 330, 331.

HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN BADGER.

275

Mexico and Ccilifornia) averagaa 4.62 in leiigtU a:iJ 2.92 in
wiiUb, the extremes being, in length, 4.75 and 4.50, and iu
width, 3.07 and 2.80.

"The skulls, and especially the molar teeth, in the American
Badgers, vary considerably in different individuals, as long
since pointed out by Professor Baird.* Sout!»orn specimens
differ from northern ones not only in being smai'cr, but some-
what in color, so that the T. herlandieri of Professor Baird maj'
perhaps be entitled to subspeciflc rank (T. americana subsp.
berlandicri), though the material at hand indicates that the
two forms will be found to thoroughly intergrade. The ^.hief
differences in coloration consist in the more reddish-gray tint
of the southern form, with a decided tendency to a continuous
light dorsal stripe, instead of this stripe being restricted to the

head.

"MeaHiiremeHta of eleven nJculla of Taxidea americana.

o .

s ^

11505
ll7ii<
2U8

8078

12908

3033

3707
13U0

<4t35

Locality.

Upper ilissonri ,
do.
do.

Quisqnaton, Iowa

Fort Kandall. Dak

Upper Des Chutes, Greg .

Fort Crook, Cal

Now Mexico

M.atanioras, Mexico

Texas

.a
a

5.39
5.12
4.75
5.06
4.^5

4.ga

4.60
4.50
4.75
4.66
4.57

3.50
3.13
3.07

a25
3.97
3.07
3. HO
3.94
9.65
3.94

Ijeniarks.

Rather yjiing.
Imperfect.

Rather ^oung ; herlandieri.
bcrlandteri.

do.

do."

History of the American Badger.

The early history of the American Badger is curiously in-
volved, not only with that of the European species, but with
several entirely different animals. The celebrated traveller,
Ealm,f speaks of the occurrence of the common Badger in
Pennsylvania, where, he adds, it is called "ground hog''. But
this is a common appellation of the Woodchuck, Arctomys mo-
na<Cj to which, doubtless, Kaim's note is to be considered to
apply. In 1756, Brisson| describes a ^^Meles alha^ fro\n New
York ; but this, it seems, proved to bo an albino liaccoon, Pro-
cyon lotor. "Buffon," (says Sir Johnnichardson,§) "in the body
of his great work, doubts whether the Badger be an iiiliabitant
of the American continent," .... "bnt altcrwanl.s, in the first

•" U. S. and Mex. B lund. Siuvey, Zotil. p. il.'.'
t Rhine Auim. p. 'i')5.

tTiav. i.p. Ir^'J.
\^ F. B.-A. i. p. W.

276

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

additiou to bis article on tko Glutton, described the skin of a
true Badger, which be received, it is said, from Labrador, under
the misapplied name of Carcajou." We find the same confusion
with a vernacular name of the Oulo Imcm or Wolverene to con-
tinue for many years among French naturalists; thus, in 1842,
Gervais still speaks of the ^^Garkajou, ou Blaireau d'Am^rique".
I am not able, at the time of present writing, to consult Buffon's
work. His figure, given in the supplement of the Histoire Na-
turelle ("pi. 49"), is stated to have been afterward given by
Schreber, in 1778, as plate 142 B of the " Siiugthiere ". Schre-
ber's work is not just now accessible to me. He is cited for a
name, ^^Ursus faj7M«", as applicable to the American Badger,
though quoted as considering our species as distinct from the
European.

Pennant, one of the more accurate and reliable among the
early writers, is sadly at fault in the present case. After treat-
ing of an "American Badger" in his earlier worL^, ue afterward,
in the Arctic Zoology, as above quoted, united it with the Eu-
ropean Mel'tis, and, besides thus confounding it with a totally
different species, he perpetuates several errors. Thus he quotes
Kalm (see last paragraph) for its supposed occurrence in Penn-
sylvania, and speaks of its being " sometimes found white in
America", evidently having Brisson's albino liaccoon in view.

Boddaert, in 1784, seems to have been the first to bestow a
technical appellation upon our animal, calling it Meles taxm var.
americanus. Zimmermann, citing Boddaert, adopted the name
Meles americanus in his German translation of Pennant's Arctic
Zoology. This name has priority over all others that have come
to my knowledge, though it was suffered to rest almosr unno-
ticed until very recently, when, in 1857, it was formally ** iopted
by Prof. Baird, whose example has been generally iollowod '>y
subsequent writers.

Linnteus (1766) makes no mention whatever of an American
species of Badger. Supposing him to have had any knowledge
of the animal from Buffon, bis unworthy jealousy of the great
French naturalist would have led him to studiously ignore the
fact, in gratification of his absurd and puerile whim.

The name lahradoria^ or lahradoritta, by which our Badger
has been usually known, was imposed by Gmelin in 1788. His
Vrsus lahradorius is based primarily upon Schreber's plate
142 B. Other citations given by him are, the "American Bad-
ger" of Pennant, Quad. no. 143, and the " Carcajou" of Buffon,

HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN BADGER.

277

Suppl. pi. 40. The habitat is given as " Labrador to Hudson's
Bay". But there is grave reason to doubt that BuflFon's animal,
which furnished the material for his and Schreber's plate, came
from Labrador, as implied in Gmelin's name. This point was
brought up by Richardson, who, quoting Buffou's words " qu'il
venoit du pays des Esquimaux", adds, "but in fact it may
have been brought actually from the banks of the Saskatche-
wan by some of the Canadian fur hunters. " In this uncer-
tainty, it is fortunate that Graelin's name, most probably ob-
jectionable on the score of geographical inapplicability, is also
anticipated in point of date. Gmelm's diagnosis is also incor-
rect, for it seems that his phrase " palmis tetradjiotylis" arose
in the circumstance that Buffon's specimen bad accidentally
lost one of its fore toes.

Early in the present century, the Badger attracted the atten-
tion of Lewis and Clarke, being then as now extremely abundant
in the regions traversed by these intrepid explorers. Under
the curious name of "braro", the animal is fully described by
them in the narrative of their journey, published under the
editorship of Paul Allen in 1814, for the first time, and in many
subsequent editions. This word " braro" is obviously a corrupt
rendering of the French " blaireau ", like " brairo ", by which
name the animal was known to the Canadian voyageurs; the
orthography is corrected :n the McVickar edition. It is curious
to trace the further typographical mangling of this word,
originally written wrong by the travellers, being phonetically
rendered according to the sound which caught their ears. It
is spelled "brarow" or "prarow" in the Journal of Gass, one
of their comp<>nions; and "braibo" is found in Gerrard's work
above cited.* The animal described by Lewis and Clarke fur-
nished Harlan, in 1825, with the basis of a nominal species,
Meles jeffersonii, considered distinct from M. labradoria, which
is also given by this author.

In 1823, Thomas Say treated of this species, under the name
of Taxus lahradoricus ; and the same year Mr. Sabine gave us
a detailed and the first satisfactory account of the actual dlfier-
ences in external characters between the American and Euro-
pean Badgers. His comparison was transcribed by Sir John
Richardson, in the Fauna Boreale-Araericana, 1829. The latter

•The old Mexican name of the Houthoru BiidKer, said to be rendered "Tla-
coyotl" by Fernandez, has suflered as 1 ft:lly, l;ein:^ rendered " Laeyotl" and
" Flucoyole" by some late writers.

Mil

'i,U'

J '

278

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

autbor's article reinaius o«lay one of the best, on tbe whole,

that has appeared, covering as it does the then known ground,

with a history, description, account of habits and geographical

distribution, a synonymy, and a very chrir?<*tmstic plate, drawn

by Landseer. Sir John, however, noted none of the characters

by which our animal is generically distinguished from the Earo-

pean Meles, the establishment of a genus Taxidea being left to

Waterhouse, 1838.

An index to the generiil later history of this species is afforded

by the synonymatic list given on a preceding page (p. 2G3) ; it is

unnecessary to recite the various authors who have contributed

to our knowledge of the subject. Audubon and Bachman's

article, however, is specially noteworthy as illustrating the

habits of the animal in confinement. Portions of it are quoted

beyond. Baird's notice of tho species enters^very fully into

the technicalities of the case. J. A. Allen hsis discussed the

variability of the skull, with special reference to geographical

distribution.

Geographical distrihution.

I am not aware that the Badger has ever been traced north-
ward beyond the limit of its distribution long ago assigned by
Bichardson, namely, latitude 58° north. " The Meles lahradoria ",
says this author, " frequents the sandy plains or prairies which
skirt the Rocky Mountains as far north as the banks of the Peace
Eiver, and sources of the River of the Mountains, in latitude
58°." The doubts respecting its extension in British America
to the Atlantic Ocean have already been expressed. Mr. Don-
ald Gunn, in some inedited MSS. which have come into my
possession, temporarily, through the Smithsonian Institution,
speaks of the animal in the following terms : — " The Badger,
called by the Indians *Weenask', inhabits all the woody dis-
tricts south and west of Iludsoii's Bay. It hybernates during
the long winters, entering its retreat early in October and
remaining under ground until the middle of May. It is not
often met with on the shores of the Bay, but is found at a dis-
tance of thirty to fifty miles. It does not appear to inhabit the
woody districts east of Lake Winipeg, but is found in open
places to the westward of that lake, and is occasionally met
with along the river of the same name." It is well known to
abound in the region of the Saskatchewan, and the British
territory in general lying immediately north of Dakota and
Montana Territories.

GEOGRA.PIIICAL DISTRIBUTION OP THE BADGER. 279

Audubou aud Bachman, writing in 1851, state that they
were not able to trace the Badger within a less distance from
the Atlantic than the neighborhood of Fort Union (which
stood at the southeastern corner of the Territory of Montana
as at present bounded). But there is abundant evidence that
the species formerly occurred far east of the Mississippi ; and
even now its range extends to that river. One of the States
along the Mississippi has in fact acquired a cant name from
this animal, being known by the soubriquet of the " Badger
State ". In 1858, Prof. Baird gives the habitat as " Iowa and
Wisconsin to the Pacific coast, and from Arkansas to 49^ N.
lat. (To 58"^ N. lat. Rich.)" The animal formerly extended
eastward in the United States to Ohio at least. A letter ad-
dressed by Mr. Edward Orton, not long since, informs me of
its occurrence near Toledo in that State, about twenty years
previously, and of its extinction there. Mr. Robert Kennicott,
in 1853-54, has the species among the mammals of Illinois;
while in Iowa, writes Mi-. xUlen in 1869, "the species is
probably nearly as numerous as formerly." The eastward
range in the United States to Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Mich-
igan, Iowa, aud Minnesota, as well as the oblique trend in
BilMsh America to Hudson's Bay, thus makes the distribution
of the animal more or less closely coincident with that of some
of the Spermophiles; these animals, with the Badger and Kit
Fox, being highly characteristic species of the central treeless
region of the United States, where they occur in countless
multitudes.

To the southward, the range of the typical Badger cannot
be precisely given, for the reason that there the characters of
the animal melt insensibly into those of the Mexican subspe-
cies berlandieri. The change becomes marked in Texas, New
Mexico, Arizona, aud Southern and Lower California. I have
personally traced the typical form into Colorado, and it is said
by Drs. Cones and Yarrow to be very common throughout
Western Utah and Eastern Nevada, but less abundant in New
Mexico and Arizona. To the extraordinary abundance of the
animal in the Upper Missouri country I shall again refer in
speaking of its habits. Dr. J. S. Newberry has indicated its
abundance in Eastern California, Utah, aud Oregou. Mr.
George Gibbs says that the Badger, called by tbe Yakima In-
dians Weehthla, was not seen by him west of the Cascade
Mountains of Washington Territory, though very common on

'Vi'

280

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

the drj' barreu plains on the Yakima River, and also on the
timberless mountains between the Yakima and the Columbia.
In certain sections of that Territory, as for instance the Sim-
coe Valley, the species is represented by Dr. SucKley as so
abundant that riding becomes dangerous from the number of
the burrows. The writer last mentioned adds a paragraph on
the general east and west distribution of the species, as fol-
lows : —

" Found sparingly in the eastern portion of Minnesota ; be-
ing more abundant near the Missouri. From thence, after
entering Nebraska [i. e., the present Territories of Dakota and
Montana], it extends almost all the way to the dividing ridge of
the Cascade Mountains, near the Pacific coast. Farther west
it does not go, at least north of the Columbia. I have seen it
in the St. Mary's Valley, at the western base of the main
chain of the Rocky mountains, and as far south in Oregon as
the vicinity of Fort Bois6 on the Snake or Lewis river. They
are most abundant (north of Utah) in the vicinity of Powder
river, Oregon, and the YakimR, one of the northern tributa-
ries of the Columbia."

HahiU.

The Badger is one of the most secret animals of this country —
one whose habits and whose whole nature tend to screen it from
observation so thoroughly that much of our knowledge is a re-
salt of reasonable inference rather than a matter of actual expe-
rience, while some of the most important points respecting its
economy remain to be ascertained with precision. As will have
been gathered from what has preceded, it lives altogether in
holes in the ground, for the excavation of which its whole struct-
ure is adapted. Other animals are as decidedly fossorial as
the Badger, and like it live underground, but the Badger, un-
like its usual associates, the Prairie-dogs {Cynomys) and other
Spermophiles, does not continually appear in view ; rather, it
leads a life almost as completely subterranean as that of the
Gophers {Oeomys audThomomys), or even of the Mole itself. In
the colder latitudes, moreover, it hibernates during a consid-
erable portion of the year. I have travelled for days and weeks
in regions where Badgers abounded, and where their innumer-
able burrows offered the principal obstacle to progress on horse-
back or by wheeled conveyance, yet the number of Badgers I
have actually seen alive, in a state of nature, might be told off

HABITS OF THE HADGFR.

281

on the fingers of either hand. Most of the individuals I have
laid eyes on were in sight but a few moments, as they hurried
into the nearest hole. On one occasion, however, a Badger,
crouching at the mouth of its burrow in fancied security, allowed
me to approach and kill it with a shot ; but I should add that
this imprudent individual was but half-grown, and probably
had never seen a man before.

I have found Badgers in countless numbers nearly through-
out the region of the Upper Missouri Kiver and its tributaries.
I do not see how they could well be more numerous anywhere.
In some favorite stretches of sandy, sterile soil, their burrows
are everywhere^ together with those of Kit Foxes, Prairie-dogs,
and Spermophiles,*and, as already said, these holes are a source
of annoyance and even danger to the traveller. In ordinary jour-
neying, one has to keep constant lookout lest his horse suddenly
goes down under him, with a fore leg deep in a Badger-hole;
and part of the training of the western horse is to make him
look out for and avoid these pitfalls. In the Buffalo country
particularly. Badgers live in extraordinary numbers, attracted
and retained by the surety of abundant food-supply; and there
are places where the chase of the Buffalo on horseback is abso-
lutely impracticable, except at a risk to life or limb which few
are willing to run.

The burrows of the Badger are known from those of the
Prairie-dog and other Spermophiles by their greater dimensions ;
besides, they differ from the former in never being built up
around the entrance into the regular mound or circular buttress
which usually surmounts the well-kept domicile of the Cynomys.
From the holes of Kit Foxes and Coyotds, they are not dis-
tinguishable with any certainty ; in fact, it is probable that these
animals frequently or almost habitually occupy deserted bur-
rows of the Badger, remodelled, if need be, to suit their con-
venience. But it must not be supposed that all of the innumer-
able Badger-diggings are the residences of these animals. The
Badger, too slow of foot to capture the nimble Rodents which
form its principal food, perpetually seeks them in their own
retreats ; and it is the work of a few minutes for this vigorous
miner to so far enlarge their burrows that it can enter and reach
the deepest recesses. In places where the Badgers and Spermo-
philes most abound, the continual excavation of the soil by
these animals fairly undermines and honeycombs the ground.
The Badgers, though not migratory, are sometimes attracted

282

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

or focussed as it were, from a largo area ia some particalar spot
which tcuiporarily offers special attraction in the way of a food-
supply. Thus, I have in mind a place on the Mouse River,
Dakota, where there had been not long before a grand battue
of Buffalo by the Indians, and where the number of Badger-
holes, then deserted, exceeded anything I had before seen or
have since witnessed.

The abundance of the Badgers might be expected, in view of
the fact that they have very few enemies. The animals are
stout and determined enough to stand off Wolves and Foxes ;
they seldom venture far from their secure retreats ; and in fact
I know of no indigenous mammal which habitually preys upon
or otherwise destroys them. A Badger ensconced in its hole
would be a formidable antagonist which few animals would care
to molest. Their immunity from danger, partly the result of
their physical prowess, partly secured by the practically impreg-
nable nature of their resorts, together w\|th the abunuuuce of
food and the ease with which it is secured, tends to the firm per-
petuation and continual increase of the species in all unsettled
portions of the country. Man is the principal enemy of the
Badger, destroying thousands annually for his convenience or
luxury.

Besides the Spermophiles, Arvicolas, and other small quadru-
peds which furnish its staple diet, the Badger is said to prey
upon a variety of humbler animals, even insects and snails, and
to eat birds' eggs. As to the last named, there is a large sup-
ply on the western prairies, where many kinds of small birds,
in great multitudes, nest upon the ground. Mr. W. H. Gibson
refers to an especial fondness of the Badger for the stores of
wild bees ; the honey, wax, and grubs being alike devoured.*
Audubon has figured the Badger with a Shore Lark (Eremo-
phila alpestris) in its grasp. Mr. J. A. Ailen speaks of finding

* I am not sare, however, that the actual reference is not to the European
Badger, whose apivoroua habit has long been known. " Buffou states that it
digs np wasps' nests for the sake of the honey ; — a fact which has received
an interesting confirmation from the observation of a correspondent of Lou-
don's Magazine of Natural History, who seems, however, to attribute the
destruction of these nests to the fondness of the Badger for the larva: of the
wasp, as he says that the combs were found scattered about, but none were
left that contained the maggots. This predilection of the Badger for honey
offers a striking aialogy to several others of the group, particularly to its
Oriental relation the Ratel, MelUvora Capensis, which is known to live
principally upon it."— (Bkll's Jiritish Quadrupeds, ed. of 1837, pp. 123-4.)

HABITS OF THE BADGER.

283

the bones and wool of lambs iu its burrows, though the animal
is not generally regarded as injurious by the farmers.

The Badger has been called a " timid '' animal. So it is, in
the sense that it avoids rather than confrunu impending danger ;
but this is simply the instinctive prudence and discretion of a
creature which prefers the absolute immunity of its subterra-
nean resorts to the chances of unequal combat in which it is at
disadvantage. Certainly', no lack of courage, determination,
and physical endurance is seen when the creature, captured or
cut off from its retreat, is brought to bay. Its pluck is then
as conspicuous as its really formidable strength. The cruel
sport of "Badger-baiting" is sometimes indulged in the West ;
and if the animal be given a barrel or similar retreat in which
it is secure from attack in the rear, it may prove more than a
match for a strong dog. Indeed, the fighting qualities of the
Badger, and stubborn resistance it offers at whatever unfair
odds, have supplied our language with a word of peculiar sig-
nificance : to " badger'' is to beset on all sides and harass and
worry. The stout, thick-set, and depressed shape of the animal
is greatly in its favor, combining with the long loose hair to
prevent a dog from reaching vulnerable parts, and to embarrass
it in attempting to take hold ; the snap of the jaws inflicts a
serious wound ; and, finally, the tenacity >f life is at a high
rate.

A sketch of this animal, from the pen of Dr. J. S. Newberry,
gives corroborative evidence of the Badger's powers of self-
defence; I transcribe the passages at some length, as they
afford other items in the natural history of the species: —

" In traversing the arid surfaces of the sage plains of eastern
California, Utah, and Oregon, there is, perhaps, no one thing
which the traveller may be more sure of seeing every day of
his journey than the burrow of a badger ; and, after cursing the
country, and the folly which led him to cross these barren, hot,
and dusty surfaces, there is nothing he will more certainly do,
whether on foot or mounted, than tumble into one of these
same badger holes, and yet the chances are more than equal
that ho never sees u living badger on which to revenge him-
self; for the badger is a shy and timid animal, and the country
he inhabits is so open, it rarely happens that he is surprised at
a distance from his burrow. During our march of several
hundred miles through the country inhabited by the badger
this did occur, however, on one or two occasions, and gave rise

hiiil '

'It' ■'

284

I ORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID/E

to some liullcroua scenes. The badger, though far from formi-
dable, is too well provided with teeth to be handled without
.gloves ; and knowing that his only safety when attacked is in
plunging to the bottom of his burrow, his pig-headed pertinacity
in endeavoring to reach it is such, that an unarmed man finds
it difficult to stop him.

" Mr. Anderson, who gave me most efficient aid in collecting,
came one day suddenly upon a badger at some distance from
his hole; of course he made for it with all possible speed, which,
it should bo said, is not so great but that a man could easily
overtake one. Mr. Anderson at first endeavored to trample
him under his horse's feet, but, though he ran over him several
times, the badger avoided the hoofs and received no itijury.
As we had not then obtained a specimen, he was particularly
anxious to secure this one, so he drove his horse before him, and
brought him to bay. He then jumped off, hoping, by means of
kicks and his sheath-knife, to dispatch him ; but the badger,
instead of retreating, came at him open-mouthed, and with
such a show of ferocity that he was fain to let him pass, trust-
ing to find a club to kill him with ; but in that region clubs do
not *grow on every bush,' for most of the bushes are sage
bushes, and before he found any sort of stick the badger hr.d
reached his hole. Two days after I became indebted to him
for a fine specimen, which a long rifleshot had dropped at the
entrance of his burrow. Another, while leisurely following an
old trail, apparently on a journey, was overtaken and killed
by some of our soldiers. Seeing, perhaps the hopelessness of
the attempt, he made no effort to escape, but a vigorous defence,
and was only dispatched with some difficulty."

Sir John Bichardson narrates an incident which further illus-
trates the prowess of this stubborn, sullen customer. " The
strength of its fore-feet and claws is so great," says he, '< that
one which had insinuated only its head and shoulders into a
hole, resisted the utmost endeavors of two stout young men
who endeavored to drag it out by the hind legs and tail, until
one of them fired the contents of his fowling-piece into its
body." This is quite a match for the stories told of the Arma-
dillo itself. " Early in the spring, however," the author con-
tinues, '' when they first begin to stir abroad, they may easily
be caught by pouring water into their holes ; for the ground
being frozen at that perio:!, the water does not escape through

HABITS OF THE UADOER.

285

the Baiiil, but soon tilU the hole, and its tenant is obliged to
come out."

The author of the <' Complete American Trapper " um refers
to this method of taking Badgers, and adds others : — ''Although
his general appearance would not indicate it, he is a sly and
cunning animal and not easily captured in a trap of any kind.
He has been known to set at defiance all the traps that were
set for him, and to devour the baits without suffering from his
audacity. He will sometimes overturn a trap and spring it
from the under side, befor<) attempting to remove the bait.
Although not quite as crafty as the fox, it is necessary to use
much of the same caution in trapping the badger, as a bare
trap seldom wins more than a look of contempt from the wary
animal. The usual mode of catching the creature is to set the
trap, size No. 3 [the so-called fox-trap, with springs at each
end], at the mouth of its burrow, carefully covering it with
loose earth and securing it by a chain to a stake. Any of the
methods used in trapping the fox will be found to work ad-
mirably. The dead-fall or garrote will also do good service.
Bait with a rat, mouse, or with whatever else the animal is
specially fond, and scent with oil of anise or musk. In early
spring, while the ground is still hard, badgers are easily cap-
tured by flooding."

The reproduction of the si)ecies does not appear to be fully
known. I have no personal information on this score, beyond
the fact that I once secured a still ungrown animal in Colorado
during the latter part of August. The writer last quoted says
that the nest is made in the burrow (as indeed is unquestion-
able), and that the young are three or four in number. Kich-
ardson, referring to the hibernation of the Badger in British
America from November to April, states that, like Bears, the
animals do not seem to lose much flesh during the winter, for
they are observed to be very fat when they come abroad in the
spring; and adds that, as they pair at once, they soon become
lean. The periods of gestation and lactation are probably un-
known.

The habits and manners of the Badger iu confinement, to
which we will next turn attention, have been attentively studied
by Audubon and Bachman, who have given an interesting ac-
count, here transcribed iu full : —

"During our stay at Fort Union, on the Upper Missouri River,
in the summer of 1843, we purchased a living Badger from a

"a ! •' ,

286

NORTH AMERICAN MITSTKMD.E.

squaw, who had brought it from Home distanco to the fort for
sale; it having botMi cautrht by another .squaw at a phicc nearly
two hundred and flfty inileM away, among the Crow Indians.
It was (irst phiced in our common room, but was found to be
80 very mischievous, pulling about and tearing to iiieces every
artiulo within its reach, trying to dig up the stones of the hearth,
^:c., that we had it removed into an adjoining apartment. It
was regularly fed morning and evening on raw meat, either
the flesh of animals procured by our hunters, or small birds shot
during our researches through the adjacent country. It dranic
a good deal of water, and was rather cleanly in its habits. In
the course of a few days it nmnaged to dig a hole under the
hearth and fireplace nearly largo and deep enough to conceal
its body, and we were obliged to drag it out by main force when-
ever we wished to examine it. It was provoked at the near
approach of any one, and growled continuously at all intruders.
It was not, however, very vicious, and would suffer one or two
of our companions to handle and play with it at times.

''At that period this Badger w- ibout five months old, and
was nearly as large as a full gro^ >odchuck or ground-hog,

{Arctomys monai.) Its fur was ot the usual colour of summer
pelage, and it was quite a pretty looking animal. We concluded
to bring it to New York alive, if possible, and succeeded in doing
so after much trouble, it having nearly made its escai>e more
than once. On one occasion, when our boat was made fast to
the shore for the night, an»l we were about to make our 'camp,'
the Badger gnawed his way out of the box in which he was con-
fined, and began to range over the batteau ; we rose as speedily
as possible, and striking a light, commenced a chase after it
with the aid of one of the hands, and caught it by casting a buf-
falo robe over it. The cage next day was wired, and bits of tin
put in places where the wooden bars had been gnawed through,
so that the animal could not again easily get out of its prison.
After having become accustomed to the box, the Badger became
quite playful and took exercise by rolling himself rapidly from
one end to the other, and then back again with a reversed move-
ment, continuing this amusement sometimes for an hour or two.

"On arriving at our residence in New York, we had a largo
box, tinned on the idside, let into the ground about two feet and
a half and filled to the same depth with earth. The Badger
was put into it, and in a few minutes made a hole, in which he
seemed quite at home, and where he passed most of his time

HABITS OP THE nADOER.

2S7

(luriiij;; the winter, although ho always oaine out to take his food
nrnl water, and did not appear at all sluggish or inclined to
hibernate even when the weather was so cold as to make it
necessary to pour hot water into the pan that was placed within
his cage, to enable him to drink, as cold water would have
frozen immediately*, and in fact the pan generally hiid a stratum
of ice on the bottom which the hot water dissolved when poured
in at feeding-time.

" Our ]Ja<1ger was fed regularly, and soon grew very .'at ; Its
coat changed completely, became woolly and a buff-irown
color, and the fur by the month of February had become in-
deed the most ett'ectual protection against cold that can well
be imagined.

" We had an opportunity in Charleston of observing almost
daily for a fortnight, the habits of a Badger in a menagerie ;
he was rather gentle, and would suffer himself to bo played
with and fondled by his keeper, but did not appear as well
pleased with strangers; he occasionally growled at us, and
would not suiter us to examine him without the presence and
aid of his keeper.

" In running, his fore feet crossed each other, and his body
nearly touched the ground. The heel did not press on the
ground like that of the bear, but was only slightly elevated
above it. He resembled the Maryland marmot in running,
and progressed with about the same speed. We have i>ever
seen any animal that could exceed him in digging. He would
fall to work with his strong feet and long nails, and in a min-
ute bury himself in the earth, and would very soon advance to
the end of a chain ten feet in length. In digging, the hind, as
well as the fore feet, were at work, the latter for the purpose of
excavating, and the former, (like paddles,) for expelling the
earth out of the hole, and nothing seemed to delight him more
than burrowing in the ground ; he seemed never to become
weary of this kind of amusement ; and when he had advanced
to the length of his chain he would return :.nd commence
a fresh gallery near the mouth of the first iiole ; thus he
would be occupied for hours, and it was necessn-^ to drag him
away by main force. He lived on good terms with the rac-
coon, gray fox, prairie wolf, and a dozen other species of
animals. He was said to be active and playful at night, but
he seemed rather dull during the day, usually lying rolled up
like a ball, with his head under his body for hours at a time.

288

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDi£.

"The fiadger did not refuse bread, but preferred meat,
making two meals during the day, and eating about half a
pound at each.

" We occasionally saw him assuming rather an interesting
attitude, raising the fore part of his body from the earth,
drawing his feet along hi^ sides, sitting up in the man ner of
the marmot, and turning his head in all directions to make
observations."

The assuming of this attitude may have been a result of
confinement, as I have not observed it when I have seen the
animal in a state of nature, nor does it appear to have been
noticed by others. The Badger, above all our other animals,
is notable for its flatness ; even when running it looks broad
and flat, and the belly seems to sweep the ground during its
rather slow, heavy, and awkward progress. Seen when
crouching in fancied security or hoping to escape observa-
tion (and it will sometimes remtiin long motionless in this
posture, permitting near approach), the animal might easily
be mistaken for a stone or clod of earth ; the very hairs lie
flat, as if "parted in the middle", and form a fringe along
either side, projecting, as one writer has remarked, like the
shell of a turtle or the eaves of a house. The peculiar pattern
of coloration is then displayed to best advantage. Under
anger or irritation, the animal bristles up its hair, and appears
much larger than it really is.

The flesh of the Biidger, like that of the Skunk, is eatable,
and doubtless often eaten by savage tribes, though not to be
recommended to a cultivated palate. The specimens I have
skinned, even the young one before mentioned in this article,
emitted during the process such rank and foul odor as to be
simply disgnating. The Badger yields a valuable and at times
fashionable fur, used for robes, and for muffs, tippets, and
trimmings. Thousands of shaving-brushes are said to be an-
nually made from the long hairs, which are also extensively
used in the manufacture of artists' materials, one of which is
a " badger-blender ". In 1873, the London sales cf Badger
skins by the Hudson's Bay Company were 2,700, at prices
varying from one to seven shillings, averaging 1«. Qd. The lead-
ing American journal of the fur trade in 1876 quoted Badger
skins at $L for prime, 50 cents for " seconds", and 10 cents for
" thirds ". The colors of the Badger pelt, though not striking,
are pleasing, being an intimate and harmonious blending of
gray, tawny, black, and white, the colors ringed in alternation

TAXIDEA AMERICANA BERLANDIERI.

289

gray, tawny, black, aud white, the colors ringed in alternation
on individual haira. The gray predominates, the general
*' tone " or effect being a grizzled gray, which has given rise
to the well known ad«)ge, " as gray as a Badger".

The Mexican Badg^er.

Taxlden amerlcana berlandlerl.

MelM iKbndoria, Bennett, p. Z. S. 1833, 43 (" California ". Yertnbral Rtripe oontinnonB).-

Rich. Zool. Beectany'a Voy. 1839, p. 9*.
f TaxtdM iMbnUlorU, Waterh. P. Z. S. 1838, 154.
Taxliea berlanileri, Baird, M. N. A. 1857, 205, pi. 39, f. l.-Bd. Mex. B. Snrv. ii. pt. ii. 1S59,

Mainm. 91.
Taxlim amerleaaa var. eaUfonlea, Oray, P. Z. S. 1865, 141 (from Bennett); C«t Carn. Br.

Mus, 1861», p. — .
Taxldra aaierleaua var. berlandierl, amy, P. Z. S. 1865, 141 (from Baird) ; Cat. Cam. Br.

Mi»8. ie69, p. — .
Taxidea amerlcana «u6«p. berlandlerl, Alien, Boll. U. S. Geol. aud 6eog. Snrv. Terr. vol.

ii. no. 4, 1876, 331.
Meles tIaeojoM, Bert. MSS. ined.
Tialcoyoti, Nahuatl.
TIacoyoll, "Femandez."
TIacoyote, Hex. VtOg.
Texon or !({,''<«■, Mex. (of. Taxui, Tasno, Taisson).

Hab. — Southwestern border of the United States and soathward. Llano
Estacado, Texas, Pope; Canton. Bur({wyu, N. M.,/rtDtn; Cape St. Lucas,
Xantm. "Interior and Eastern States of Mexico, especially Nuevo Leone
aud Tamaulipas. — {Herlandier, MSS.)

SuBSFRCiFic CHARACTEKS. — Similar to T. amerioana, bat with a white
dorsal stripe, sometimes interrupted, from nose to tail.

Genera remarks.

The extreme manifestation of this form of Taxidea which I
have seen is exemplified in a specimen in the Smithsonian
Museum, collected at Cape St. Lucas by Mr. John Xautus.
Here the white frontal stripe is remarkably broad, nearly
equalling in width the dark part of the head, and it continues
uninterrupted thence to the tail as a sharp white vertebral
line. This is a conspicuous character, and, were it constant,
there would need be no hesitation in recognizing a second
species, even in default of correlated difference from T. ameri-
oana. But it is not constant; on the contrary, other speci-
mens show various degrees of interruption of the white dorsal
line. Thus, the one from Texas noticed by Prof. Baird in the
works above cited shows a prolongation of the white frontal

19 M

290

NORTH AMERICAN MITSTELID.E.

line past the nape to a point opposit€> the shoulders, its iut4?r-
r ption there for aboat three inches, and its reappearance for
about four inches at the middle of the back. I fail la appre-
ciate any other decided pecaliarities of this form, though it
may average rather smaller, and somewhat more heavily col-
ored, owing to its southern habitat. Certain cranial charac-
ters noted by Prof. Baird, according to the material then in
hand, are negatived in the later examination I have made of
much larger series of specimens.

This is clearly the animal referred to by Bennett, as above,
as a Californian variety, with darker ground-color, and a white
line showing in several places along the back, or continuous to
the tail. In the CTiiited States it has only been noticed, to my
.knowledge, in the localities already indicated; but there ia no
doubt that this form, more or less decidedly pronounced, ranges
over the intermediate ground. I find it noticed at considerable
length, with an unmistakable description, under the name of
Meles tlacoyoU, in Dr. Berlandier's manuscripts, whare it is con-
sidered to be the Tlacoyotl of Hernandez. The fore claws are
described as "blackish"; otherwise the account agrees exactly
with the specimens before me named berlandieri by Baird. Dr.
Berlandier was evidently familiar with the animal, which he
represents as common in Northeastern Mexico, and gives sev-
eral biographical notices — nothing, however, to indicate any
ditferences of moment in its habits as compared with those of
T. americana. The following aro'his measurements of a female
in the flesh : — Nose to end of tail 24 inches ; head 5 ; tail 5^ ;
whole fore leg 6; hind leg 5^; stature at shoulders 7.

ADDENDUM TO CHAPTER IX.

Description of theperinaial glands of the European Badger, Meles vulgaris.

The American Badjier has not, so far as I am aware, been examined ana-
tomically with reference to the pecniiar organs of the perinteum and neigh-
boring parts. These, however, hare been studied in the European species
by M. Cbatin, whose results may be here reprod:iced in substance, in default
of information respecting our own species, ae it is improbable that any mate-
rial difference in these respects subsists between the two. It does not appear
that the Meles vulgaris itself bad been sufficiently studied prior to M. Cha-
tin's investigations. The Badger is found to be peculiar * in the presence
not only of anal glands of an ordinary character, but also of anoth'^r, per-

* Bat is the anatomy of Mydaus and Arctonyx known T

PERINiEAL GLANDS OF MELES VULGARIS.

291

fectly distinct gland, the secretion of which is emptied into a pocket back of
the anas, jast beneath the root of the tail.

1. Anal glands, — The parts present, near the termination of the rectnm, as
apiiendages at its sides, two oval slightly recurved masses, 20""» long and
about half as broad in the middle. Uimn the slightest pressure, a liquid
gushes from the two excretory pores, which open at the sides of the anus at
the bottom of well-marked recesses. This substance is very viscid, of a rosy-
yellow color, and extremely fetid ; it is almost entirely soluble in sulphuric
ether, and contains numerous fatty particles and epithelial remains. The
two glands are embedded in adipose tissue, and entirely covered with a
muscular tunic arising from the anal muscles, especially the retractor. The
secretory portion is of tlie same general character as in allied species ; the
tissue enveloping the cnls-de-sac is principally of laminated fibres, strength-
ened, however, by elastic ones ; the diameter of the culs-de-sac is from 0.04 to
O.OHinm. On longitudinal section of the gland, the centre is seen to be occu-
pied by a large reservoir lined with a delicate brownish membrane, much
as f . other Carnivores. The product of secretion is turned by a small open-
ing into a rather narrow duct, leading to the external orifice already indi-
cated.

2. Glands of the subcaudal pouch. — In the Badger, as in the Porcin and
domesticated Carnivores, the rectnm is attached to the sacrum and first coc-
cygeal bones by a strong muscular band, which, in the present species, leaves
the rectum at a point 25""" from the insertion of the anal glands, at an
angle of about 60° from the axis of the iptestiue, and proceeds to its inser-
tion upon the sacro-coccygeal bones. At a point in front of the insertion of
this muscle is found a deeply bilobate mass, apparently formed of two sepa-
rate glands, each of oval shape, and apposed along a fiat internal face, the
exterior surface being convex and lobate ; but the organ is really single, as
it has but one receptacle for the product of all the follicular portion of the
apparatus. This is a new glandular organ peculiar to the coccygeal region.
Each moiety measi ires 24'"™ in depth with an average breadth of 11"""; for
the rest, they are embedded in abundant adipose tissue, and the surface is
whitish and papillate. The secretory portion is about 2""" thick ; it is com-
posed of follicles, each comprising a large number of cnls-de-sac, of an aver-
age diameter of O.Ofi"""*, lined with polyhedral epithelial cells. The product
of secretion is received in an extremely large central sac, the surface of which
is furnished throughout with numerous short, stiff, brownish hairs. This sac
is distended with a yellowish fetid substance mixed with numerous hairs,
like the viverrenm of the Civet. This central reservoir may be regarded as
the beginning of the pocket which opens beneath the tail ; it communicates
freely, and, in fact, is part of one and the same cavity.

In the female, it is observed that the end of the genital organs and the rec-
tum form, by their union, a kind of cloacal vestibule, in front of which is
the clitoris, with the urethra immediately below. Beneath this sexual por-
tion of the vestibule is the orifice by which the rectum opens externally,
after receiving at its sides the excretory ducts of the acal glands. Finally,
back of these parts, is a broad transverse depression, — the subcaudal pouch ;
it measures ^S™"* across. The anal glands are IS™"* long and about 9"""
broad ; they are club-shaped, and quite similar to those of the male. To the
subcandal poach there is also attached a secretory apparatus like that
already desorlbei, but smaller; its internal struoture is the same.

' I

3 ft

292

NORTH AMEBICAN MUSTKLID^.

Briefly, then, the Badg^er^ posseases perinseal glands, remarkably peonliar
not only in their formation, but in their general relationB, since the true anal
glands are supplemented with another special glandular mass. This latter
is not situated between thd genitalia and the anus, as in Firerra, but between
the tail and the anus, so that it is liehiud the latter and not in front of it,
like the soent-bags of the Civets. We cannot, however, deny their analogy,
as seen in the central cavity, clothed with hairs, and the bilobation of the
gland ; but they differ in situation, in the nature of the product, and to a
certain extent in histological structure, thus warraiiting, from the present
standpoint, recognition of two quite distinct types.

CHAPTER X.

Subfamily LUTEINS: The Otters.

General oonsiderationa — ^The genua Lutra — Generic characters and remarks—
The North American Otter, Lutra oanodeAsio— Synonymy — Habitat —
Specific characters— Description of external characters — Description of
the skull and teeth — Variation in the skull — History of the species — Geo-
graphical distribution — Habits of Otters — Extinct species of North Amer-
ican Otter.

IN the Otters, we eDcoanter a fourth decided modification of
the family characters in adaptation to a highly aquatic
mode of life. Among tho true MmtelinoB^ indeed, we found
some aquatic species, like the Mink, Putorius vison; but in none
of the foregoing subfamilies is the structure modified to any
great extent with reference to natatorial abilities. The short,
broad, fully webbed feet of the Otters, the cylindrical body, the
stout tapering tail, and very turgid blunt muzzle result in an
unmistakable physiognomy, as characteristic of the LutHnm as
are the more important structural modifications of the skull
and teeth.

The LutriruB have been defined as Mastelida with the number
of teeth equal in both j.. /s. This expression, however, is
equally applicable to the Unhydrince, or Sea Otter, in which,
very curiously, lack of one pair of under incisors brings about
the same adjustment of total teeth of the two jaws, though the
grinders are unequal in number.

The LutrituB as here limited to the exclusion of Enhydris may
be recognized as the only Mustelida in which the number of
grinding teeth (molars and premolars together) is the same in

both jaws, the formula being pm. ^^', w. ^ = j^. The total
of the teeth is j| = 36. The upper molar is large and quadrate
in shape.

After throwing out the very different geuns Enhydria as type
of a separate subfamily, the Lutrinee stili include a number of
well-marked genera. Of these, Lutra is the principal genus,

293

!'l|i

294

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

with the {greater namber of species and most general distribu-
tion, ocunrring in both hemispheres. Nearly allied genera, by
some considered only as subgenera, are based chiefly upon
modifications of the claws, which, in some of the Old World
Otters, are small, rndimentary, or even wanting, as in Lep-
tonyx and Aonyx. Tbe most remarkable genus is the South
American Pterura or Pteronura, peculiar in the lateral dilata-
tion of the tail.

Lutra itself is the only North American genus of the sub-
family, onr species having been unnecessarily, if not unwarrant-
ably, distinguished by generic name from the European type of
Zutra.

The Genus LUTRA. (Linn.)

G><:nkric characters.— Dentol formula: i.

m. 2-2 — iff — 36.

8-S .
3=3'

1-1 .

1^'

pm.

s-i

Teeth of ordinary carnivnroas pattern. Molar of upper
jaw large.qnadrate. Baok apper premolar with a large internal shelf, mak«
ing the contour of the whole erown triangular. Skull much deiiressed and
flattened on top, the dorsal ontline more or less nearly straight and hori-
zontal ; rostmm extremely short, bringing the fore ends of the nasals nearly
opposite the anterior root of the zygoma, tbe sides of the rostrum erect, tbe
top flat. Cerebral portion of the skoU swollen backward, with strongly con-
vex lateral ontline. Postorbital processes variable (well developed in some
species, as in the North American, wanting in others). Anteorbital foramen
very large, bounded above by a slender bridge of bone. Posterior nares
thrown into one conduit.* Palate extending far baok of molars. Ptery-
goids strongly bamulate. Body st'out, hot lengthened and cylindrical;
muzzle very obtuse; ears very small. Feet short, broad, naked, or partly
hairy on the palm and sole, the digits full-webbed. Tail long, tapering, cylin-
drico- depressed, but without special lateral dilatation. Claws, though small,
well formed. Pelage without striking color-contrasts.

Many of the foregoing expressions are applicable to the sub-
family at large, as well as to the present genus. Particular
points of Lutra proper are the presence of perfect claws, in
comparison with their absence or rndimentary condition in
some other genera, and the lack of special dilatation of the tail.

The uniformity of coloration and the great individual varia-
bility in size throughout this genus render the determination
of the species difficult. The poi^its which I have found most
available in specific diagnosis, when cranial and dental charac-
ters fail, are, the size and shape of the nose-pad and the con-

* In some species, there is an incomplete septum extending further back
than in MiuteUnm, but never, so far as I know, to the very end of the bony
palate, as in MephitiHW and MtUHte.

li^.

U. S. Geological Survey.

MnsteUdn. PLATE XVn.

liUtra canndenslH. (Nat. site.)

SYNONYMY OP LUTBA CANADENSIS.

295

dition of farriuess or nakedness of the soles, together with the
special tuberculation of the latter. The various American
species may readily be determined by attending to these par-
ticulars.

There is but a single well-determined North American species
of this genus. This is so distinct from the European, with
which it was long confonnded, that 1 am tempted tfl place it in
a ditt'erent subgenus, grounded on various cranial peculiarities
that might be enumerated, and only refrain from so doing
in my ignorance of what intermediate forms of crania other
species may present to connect the extremes seen in L. vulgaris
and L. canadensis. Other American species agree closely with
L. canadensis in cranial characters ; and it is not improbable
that the species of this hemisphere may all be subgenerically
different from those of the Old World. I shall, however, con-
sider them as simply Lutra,

Besides L. canadensis^ moreover, there is a perfectly distinct
Mexican species, Lutra calif ornica of Gray (not of Baird), which
is said, and I believe correctly, to extend into the United
States along the Paci&c side. I think it will be found, as
already supposed by some, to be very extensively di-opersed
along the western shores of North, Middle and South America.
It appears to be as distinct from the L. brasiliensis as it is from
L. canadensis, and I have no doubt will ultimately be estab-
lished as a second good species of Otter of the (Juited States,
though under a name long prior t) that imposed by Gray. Buc
as I have seen only Mexican skins of this animal, I cannot now
introduce it to our fauna. The point is discussed beyoud.

The IVorth American Otter.

I<atra canadensis.

Plats XVIL

MutelS MBSdeBSiB, Tur >n, S. N. i. ie06, 37 (not MuMtela eatuidentit, id. ibid. 59, which
is M. pennanti, the Pekan. Not of Sohreber nor of Erxleben nor of anthora).

Latni canadensis, "F. Ouv. Diet. Sc. Nat. xxvii, 1823, 24st.— /«. Oeoff. Diet. Class, ix. 530."—
J. Sab. App. Franlti. Joaro. 1823, eSt.—Leu. Man. 1827, IM, no. ili.—OHff. An. Kingd.
r. ie3(, i30, na 36i.— Finch. Syn. 1839, 225.— JZicA. F. B- A. i. 1829, 57, no. 20.—I!mmont,
"Rep. Quad. Mase. 183m, 35"; Rep. Quad. Mass. 1840,46.— ilicA. Zuol. Voy. Beechey,
1839, 4.— Maxim. Reise N. Am. i. 1839, 211 ; Arch. Natnrg. 1881, 236; Verz. N. A. Sfing.
1862, 60, pi. 8, r. 6 (oa penis).— i>« Kay, N. T. Z08L i. 1842, 39, pi. 3, f. 1, pL 33. £
1, 2, 3 (skull).— £in«(«y, Am. Joiim. SoL xliii. 1842, —.—Sehitu, Syn. 1. 1844, 349,
no. 5.— Aud. <e Baek. Q. N. A. ii. 1851, 2, pL Sl.—Woodk. Sitgreaves's Rep. 1853,
44.— JTmn. Tr. Illinois Axrio. Soo. for 185»-4, 1655, 578.-0t«6«I, Siiug. 1855, 789.—
Beetley, Geol. Cape May, 1857, 137.— £(t M. N. A. 1^7. 184, pi. 38. f. a. b, e, d, «.—
BUlingt, Cauad. Nat. and GeoL L 1857, 228.- ^amiMU, Ninth w\Dp. Rep. MabS. Agric.

ifiiii

296

KORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

for 19(11, lf>«», leo.— 17<ty<f. Tr. Am«r. Phil. Soe. xii. 18(i3, \4X-ITaU, Canad. Nitt.

aiid OeoL ri. 1861. 9U7.-Am«, CmimI. Nat and Oeol. vL 18A1, 35.— AariMton, Canatl.

Nat. and 0«ol. yill. IM3. . f. —.—Otrr. Cat Di>nes Hr. Mu*. 18(13. \Ol.—AlUn, Pr.

Boat Soo. xili. 1860. 183.— Bu«. M. C. Z. i. lH69, 178; it. 1871, 169 (Florida) —0«ptn,

Pmo. and Tr. N. Sootia Innt it. 1870, 60.— All. Hull. Km, Timt tI. 1874, 46, 63 (Kaunna

and nub).— Amm, Bull. Minn. Acad. Nat. Hci. 1874, m—Oottei tt Yarrow, Zoiil. Expl.

W. 100 Merld. v. 1873, «3.— Allen, BulL U. & Oeol. and OeoK. Surv. Terr. vol. IL no. 4,

1876,331 (skull).
Intra CMSteaiU var., Aud. d Bach. Q. N. A. lii. 1853, 07, pi. 1*23 (figure of Oray's typo of

Lataxina nollU).
UtAX MIAdeMlR, (hay, P. Z. S. 186.S, 133 ; Cat Cam. Br. Mn*. 1860, — .
Lain Tllgsrls var. tmnuttnli, Wagn. SuppL Sobreber, ii. 1841, 336.
MuHtelM hndiOBlca, "Laapide".
Latra hndMRlM, F. Cur. Snppl. Bnflbn, i. 1831, 104.
fLHtragraelllH, Oken, Lfhrb. Naturg. Tb. ilL Abtb. II. 1810, e86("StaatenIand,IuBel an

Anierika bwi New- York").
Intra bnsllleiHiN, Detm. Mamm. i. 1890, 188 (in part).— ffaW. Fn. Amer. 1833, 71 (In part).—

aodm. Am. N. H. L 1831, S9j, pi. — , f. 3 (in part).— TAomp*. N. H. Vermont, 1833, 33.
Latra iHtaxIa*, F. Ouv. "Diet So. Nat xxvil. 1833, 34-.!"; 8uppl. Butfou, i. 1831, 30:i.— "/t.

Oeof. Diet ClnHR. ix.5-X."—0Hff. An. Kiiigd. v. 1837. 131, no. 364.— £«»«. Mfln. 1837, 154,

no. 416—F(M!A.Syn. 1839,396, na 4.— De fay, N. Y. Zo6l. L 1843, il.—aehinz, Syn. i.

1844. .150.
Utax laiMXiBM, Gray, Ann. Mag. N. U. 1. 1837, 1 10.

Lataxina molila. Qray, List Mamm. Br. Muh. 1843, 70 (type flgnred by Aud. Si, Bach. I. e.),
Lutra aaiericaaa, Wyman, Pr. Boat Soo. ii. 1847, 949 (on artionlatiou of mandible).
Latra ealiforalea, Bd. M. N. A. 1R57, ISl.—Kewb. P. R. R. Rep. vi. 1857, 43.— Coop. <t Suek. K.

H. W. T. 1860, Ui. (Probably not of Gray.)
latra iMtrpctor, Bamtt. Canad. Nat and Oeol. viii. 1863, 147, f. — (Lake Superior).
loatre da Caaada, Bw/. " Hiat Nat ziii. , 333, 336, pi. 44 (4tu ed.) ; ed. Pillot. xv. p.

80".— Fr.CuD.lc.
Loatre de la Carollae, F. Ouv. I. e.

Loatre d'Aai^rlqae, Cuv. (in part ; nnitea tbe Brazilian apecies).
CommoB Otter, P«nnan(, Arot Zoiil. i. 1784, 86, no. 34 (lu part; unites tbe European).
Laad Otter, Warden, United States, i. 1819, 906.
AaierleaB Otter, Qodman, I e., Baird, I c , and of authors.
Canada Otter, Sabine, Rich. I. e., Aud. <C Baeh. I e., and of authors.
(Otter, see Marten; ZnoL Oart xi. 1870, 379; philological.)
Meekeek, Or«eIndian$.

Hab. — ^Nortb America at large, being rather sparingly diatribnted over
moat of tbu waters of tbe contineut. Said to obciir iu Ceutral America
(Costa Rica, v. Frantziua).

Specific charactkrs.* — Orbits well deflned by prominent conical post-
orbital processes, the distancH between the tips of which is one-half or more
of the intermastoid width of the skull. Inner depressed moiety of posterior
upper premolar as large and nearly as long as the main outer moiety ; gen-
eral dentition strong. Naked nasal pad large (npward of an inch long or
broad in full-grown individuals), extending back above the nostrils in a
/^-shaped outline, reaching below the nostrils with a straight transverse
border, which sometimes sends a slight spur part way down tbe median line
of the lip. Palms hairy between the digits, isolating the individual bald
digital bulbs, and having an isolated patch or carpal peninsula of hair
posteriorly. Soles hairy between the digits, isolating the individual digital
buros, much encroached upon by hair from behind, and ha\ing three or four
peculiar small circular elevated callosities arranged around the posterior

* Drawn up with special reference to antithesis with L. vulgaris of Europe.

EXTERNAL CHARACTEHS OF LUTRA CAXDADENSIS. 297

iMmlor of the main bald plnntar anrface. (Form, stature, and coloration not
diagnostic) Finally attaining a total length of four feet or more; liver-
brown, with purplish gloss, paler on the under surface of the head, throat,
and breast.

J)e»cription of external characters.*

This Otter shares the well-known form common to most
speuies of the genus — the massive columnar body, without con-
striction of neck, small globose head, small eyes and ears, long
taper tail, short stout limbs, and broad webbed feet, with dose-
set glossy fur and abundant woolly under-fur. Externally, the
special torm of the nose-pad and the state of furring of the
palms and soles are the chief, if not the sole, characters dis-
tinguishing the species from several of its congeners.

The nose-pad is remarkably well developed — almost as much
so as in Enhydris — perfectly bald, and in adult life tessellated
by subdivision into very numerous small flat-topped papilla).
In general shape, it is an equilateral penta-
gon, with one side inferior, horizontal, and
straight across, the next side on either hand
irregular, owing to the shape of the nasal
apertures, the two remaining sides coming
together obliquely above to a median acute
angle, high above a line drawn across the
tops of the nostrils. It somewhat resembles ^^^.^^^ otz. canademi,.
the ace of spades.t The lower horizontal Kat. aize.

border is below a line drawn across the bottom of the nos-
trils; it sometimes sends down a small naked spur vertically
towards the tip, sometimes not ; either of the borders not oc-
cupied. by the nostrils may be a little convex or a little con-
cave, or sigmoidal. (In Lutra vulgaris, the nose-pad is very
small, and entirely confined between the nostrils. In a com-
mon species of Mexico, said also to inhabit California, and in
I'uct to extend from Chili to Kamtschatka, the nose-pad is con-
siderably more developed than in L. vulgaris, yet much less so
than in canadensis; the upper outline is deeply double-concave,
like WW, and the lower outline, which does not reach below the
nostrils, is concave, like ^. In the Saricovienne, Liitra brasilien-

* From various specimens iu the National Museum from did'ueeut portions
of North America.

tThe figure, copied from Baird, is perhaps rather too near an ace-of-clnbs
shape; according to the dried specimens from which I drew my text, the
top of the figure should be more pointed, and the lines thence rather less
carved.

. 1

298

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiG.

«t«, with whioh oufh used to be nonfountled, the no8e-pad iHde-
scribed as divided by a liue of hair coming down from above.)

The upper border of the iioHtrils i» in L. canadensin repre-
sented by a protoineut overhanging bnlb. The whiMkers are
short, stout, stiff bristles, arranged in numerous series ; others
equally long and stiff grow from the sides of the chin near the
angle of the mouth, and in front of the ears; others again
spring over the eyes, and at the point of the chin. The eyes
are small, far forward, nearer to the muzzle than to the ear. The
ears are comparatively minute, with a thin, obtusely pointed
conch, about as long as the surrounded fur, though they project
somewhat, since the hairs lie flat; the entrance of the meatus
is completely occluded with far.

The tail is about h|i]f as long (more or less) as the head and
body ; regularly tapering from base to tip, elliptical in trans-
verse section.

The short fore limb is succeeded by a stout wrist and broad
flat hand. The fingers are very short, and when divaricated
tncir tips describe nearly a semicircle around the centre of the
palm. The toes are almost completely webbed by membranes
reaching out to about the middle of the conspicuous digital
bulbs — the median digit is a little freer than the rest, the lateral
ones most completely united. The hand is entirely hairy above;
below, the bulbs of the digits are perfectly bald, but the con-
necting membranes are more or less completely hairy, separat-
ing t; ; naked bulbs from -ach other and from the main palmar
surface. After this hairy membranous surface comes the single
large pal aar pad, naked for the most part, but having poste-
riorly a scant patch of hair, either isolated or connected by a
hairy isthmus with the fur upon the wrist. In life, this main
pad has no decided subdivision, though it sometimes shows cer-
tain lines of impression which in the dried state may be exag-
gerated into partitions. All the bald parts of the palm and the
digital bulbs are tessellated with minute papillae.

The soles, in general, resemble the palms in the webbing of
the toes by a hairy membrane, and encroachment from behind
of hairs upon the main plantar pad ; but the shape of the bind
foot is quite different. The 1th digit is much elongated, the
3d a little shorter, the 2d and 1st rapidly much graduated, with
the 5th intermediate between the 3d and 2d. The terminal
bulbs of the toes are naked and papillate, and completely iso-
lated, by the hairiness of the interveuing membraue, b >th from

EXTERNAL CHARACTERS OF LUTRA CANADENSIS. 299

eacb other and from the main phmtar pad. Thin lant is per-
fectly naked and papillate for a broadly croncentio space, there
being a central farry projection from behind. But the most
remarkable feature, peculiar to thiH species, as far as is known,
18 the presence of three or four small, definite, circular, elevated
papilla;, arranp^ed along the iiosterior border of the naked space.
I do not understand these singular structures, the appearance
of which almost forces the presumption that they are the excre-
tory pores of glandular organs beneath the integument.

The claws are similar on both fore and bind feet. They are
short, stout, compressed, much arched, rapidly contracted from
the thick base to an acute point. Those in front are rather
larger, sharper, and more arched than the hinder one's.

The fur of the Otter is of great beauty, very thick, close,
short, and shining, an f xaggeration, in correspondence with the
completely aquatic habits of the animal, of that of the Mink or
Muskrat. The longer hairs are stout and glistening; the very
copious under fur is lanuginous and lustreless. The sheen is
only visible in its perfection whf n the pelt is viewed with the
lay of the hairs; from the other direction the color is plain. As
in most other species, the color is a rich dark liver-brown, or
deep chestnut-brown above, more or less blackish or with a
purplish gloss ; paler below, especially anteriorly, on the under
parts and sides of the head, the throat, and breast This pale-
ness is very variable, from a slight lightening of the general
tone to a pale dull brownish or grayish, or even muddy white.
The change is insensible, and there are no special markings
anywhere. The roots of the hairs, even on the darkest parts
of the pelage, are quite light brown, or often even dingy white,
but the fur is so close that this does not appreciably affect the
tone of the surface. The top of the tail is ordinarily the darkest
part of the animal. The whiskers are partly colorless, partly
brown. The nasal pad, palms, and soles are dark-colored.

Beneath the root of the tail are two glandular eminences.

Few animals vary more in stature than the Otter. Some
individuals are, in round terms, twice as large and heavy as
others apparently equally mature, and, at any rate, capable of
reproduction. An average total length of full-grown individu-
als is 4 to 4^ feet ; some specimens, howeviBr, touching 5 feet,
while others fall short of the first-named dimension. The spe-
cies appears to grow several years after puberty. Nose to
root of tail 3 feet; tail 1 J feet; nose to eye If to 2 inches; nose

■'Ij .i.

300

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

ilia

to ear 3^ to i iucbes; ear less than an inch high, and aboat as
broad; fore foot from wrist 3J inches; hind foot 4 inches; girth
of body about 1^ feet; stature a foot or less; weigh i: ordinarily
20 to 25 pounds. I have recogtiized no particular sexual dif-
ferences, though the female may, as usual in this family, aver-
age smaller than the male.

Comparison with allied species. (See plates XVII, XVIII.)

The dift'erences between the present species and L. vulgaris
of Europe are decided and unmistakable, in fact much stronger
than those usually subsisting in this intricate group, where
recognition of species is rendered difficult by similarity in form
and color. Some of the characters of L. vulgaris have been
already noted. It is a much smaller animal ; the nasal pad is
reduced to a small bald spot strictly cuntlned betwixt the nos-
trils ; and there is no hair on the soles or palms. The cranial
characters are still stronger. A great many details of differ-
ence that might be adduced may be summed in the statement
that the skull of L. vulgaris is less massive, narrower for its
length, and with weaker dentition. The prominent peculiari-
ties are these: There are no decided postorbital processes
defining the orbit above. The postorbital constriction is
great, the skull being at this point less than one-fourth as
broad ; it is across the mastoids, instead of nearly one-third
such measurement, as in L. canadensis. The zygomatic width
is contained one and four-fifth times in the total length, instead
of only about one and two-fifths, as in L. canadensis. The ros-
trum is decidedly more produced and narrower, and the nasal
bones are of a correspondingly different shape. The inner
spur of the posterior upper premolar in L. vulgaris is a semi-
circle, only about half as long as the tooth ; in L. canaden-
sis, the same part of this tooth is developed along the whole
inner border of the main moiety. There are other minor den-
tal peculiarities. (Compiire Plates XVII and XVIII.)

A skull of the Mexican Otter above mentioned as entirely
distinct from L, canadensis, and which is probably the species
named L. californica by Gray (but certainly not the one so
called by Baird), is of the same general character as that of
L. canadensis, in fact presents no very strong points of differ-
ence. The inner part of the back upper premolar, however, is
rather triangular than quadrate, lacking the bulge of the pos-
terior part, conspicuous in L. canadensis, which causes the part

U. S. Geological Survey.

Mustelidse. PLATE XVIII.

tu'

I" u

■M

E.ntrM valffarlSj (Nitt. xize,)

COMPARISONS OF OTTERS.

301

to be closely apposed to the sncceediug molar, whereas in this'
Mexican example there is a decided angular interval at the
same place. The point is difficult of expression on paper, but
is readily perceived when the specimens are laid together.
The whole skull is rather broad and massive.

The same characters of skull and teeth are witnessed in a
large series of Otters' skulls before me from the coast of Alaska
and some of the adjacent islands. The skulls, unfortunately,
are unaccompanied by skins; but they lead me to suspect that
they may be those of an animal the same as the Mexican
species. This would accord with the ascribed range of the
species (from Chili to Kamtschatka); but the point cannot bo
determined until skins are examined from this region, as the
i»kulls alone do not furnish grounds for separation. The Mex-
ican animal is entirely distinct, as already noted, in the smaller
and differently shaped nose-pad, perfectly naked palms and
soles, and absence of the peculiar callosities seen on the latter
in L. canadensis. If the ascribed range of this Otter prove to
hold, we have, in K^orth America, a second perfectly good
species, the characters and supposed synonymy of which are
presented in the accompanying foot-note.*

*" Lutra feUna, Molina, Hist Nat. Chili."

"Intra Chilensis, Bennett, Proc. Zoiil. S. ii 1832, p. \."—Tgchudi, Fn. Pern. 1844-46, 113.

"Lutra platensis, Waterh. Zoiil. Voy. Beagle, i. ^i.-D'Orbig. Voy. Am6r. M6rid."

Lutra caUfornica, Gray, Mag. Nat. Uist. i. 1835, 580, nee Baird.

Nutria feUna, Gray, P. Z. S. 1865, las.

Description (No. 9425, Mas. Smiths. Inst. ^ , Jan. 15, 1869, Santa EB);enia,
Tehuantepec, F. Sumichraat). — Of abont the size and with much the general
appearance of L. canadensis. Tail verj' long, at least f the head and body.
Feet notp')ly small. Nose-pad contracted, broader than deep, not deeper
than the • gth of noHtril, the lower border lightly concave, the upper
border strou^iy doubly concave, with a central pointed projection upward,
and similar acute produced lateral upper corners. Soles and palms naked,
the palmar pad divided into a posterior circular part and a larger anterior
portion, the latter subdivided by several lines of impresHum. Soles without
peculiar circular callostticfl, with several well-marked subdivisions by lines
of impression. Color abjve a lighter and more cbooolate-brown than in L.
canadensis; below, decidedly paler and grayer brown than usual in L. cana-
densis, becoming drngy whitirti aiiTieriorly. Estimated length H fieet to root
of tail; tail about 1* tew; nose to ear perhaps 3^ inches; fore foot, measured
from beginning of tih' nikked part, only 2^ inches ; hind foot about the same.
Additional specimen!! trtMn the sam*' locality, with others from Orizaba and
Ceucrui Guatemala, appear to be identical. A skin from Buenos Ayres is
ii*K materially different, though the upper outline of the nose- pad is less de-
cidedly double-concave above; the size is less, the coloration lighter, and of
a peculiar yellowish-brown on the under parts; tbe whole pelage is remark-
ably harsh and hispid.

*.*',

302

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDJE.

Description of the ahull and teeth. (See Plate XVII.)

The lateral view of the skull shows its most charautei-istio
shape ill its general depression, the flatnesson top, and the short-
ness of the blant muzzle. In the adult, the dorsal profile, from
occiput to end of nasals, approximates to a straight line ; in
younger examples, the frontal outline is also about straight, but
the cranial portion iirches a little, and then curves down to the
occiput. The proOle of the nasal orifice is sinuous, convex
above, concave below. The rostrum id only about one-fifth of
the totsil length of the skull. The anteorbital foramen is widely
open, obliquely elliptical in shape, and only bridged over by a
slender process of the root of the zygoma ; its obliquity of posi-
tion is so great that, viewed from above, it presents within the
orbit instead of before it. The orbit is small, subcircnlar, and
well defined, not only by an acute malar process of the zygoma,
but by a very prominent supraorbital process, these two to-
gether completing more than two-thirds of the circumference
of a circle. The z.sgoma is not very strong; it is moderately
arclwd iipwarcl, wif 'a quite an abrupt rise near the middle, rather
thaii a regular general curve. The glenoid appears rather far
foruiiird on its posterior root. The orificu of the meatus audi-
torius is small, .ind high up in a deep recess between the glenoid
aad mastoid ; die latter is notably large and prominent.

Viewed trorn above, tl:e skull displays the great brevity and
oibtuseuess of the rostrum already mentioned. This seems to
be doe, in a moasure at least, to the anterior position of the
orbits, and the forward encroachment of the broad flat anterior
roots of the zygoma; other topographical points are less dif-
ferent from an ordinary Musteline type. The sides of the ros-
trum are about parallel, its width is fully equal to its length.
Just in front of the orbital brim, at its upper corner, is seen a
Kwll-marked depression. The interorbital area is a broad ele-
vaited tablet, perfectly smooth and fiat, bounded behind by the
forks of the sagittal cixvst, proceeding in curved lines from the
termination of the sagittal crest to the supraorbital processes.
All the surface of the skull behind these is roughened by
muscular impressions. Supraorbital processes are much more
largely developed than usual, acute, directly transverse. The
skull is uery narrow just behind these, the point of greate.st
constriction being def idedly in advance of the middle of the
skull. From this point backward, the skull bulges considerably.

SKULL OF LUTRl CANADENSIS.

303

with a general ovoidal contour. The occipital crest is moder-
ately developed ; the line of contour it represents is emarginate
on the middle line, then strongly convex on each side, thence
about straight to its termination at the mastoids. There is
rarely, if ever, even in the oldest skulls, a decided sagittal crest,
the median Hue being in fact rather a groove, at least behind ;
in front, however, there is a slight raised line. In young
animals, there are several parallel grooves and strise along the
median line.

The occipital face of the skull is in general flat, with various
muscular irri^gularities, curviug around laterally to the mastoid
region. It is bounded above by the occipital crest, tlie general
contour of which, in this view, resembles the dorsal profile of
a military chapeau. The condyles are large, and the region
around the foramen magnum is prominent; it descends far below
the level of the slight obtuse paroccipitals, the apices of which
fall on the level of a line drawn from the mastoid to the middle
of the foramen magnum. The articular surfaces of the con-
dyles are obliquely oval, with no outward prolongation, but, on
the contrary, an extension toward the median line till they
nearly meet each other beneath the foramen magnum. This
aperture, in general outline, is transversely elliptical, broader
than deep, with a strong emargination posteriorly.

The zygomatic width of the skull, best viewed from below,
is seen to be not much lesi^than three-fourths the total length
(2.90 X 4.2U inches for example) ; the intermastoid width is
about three-fifths the length. The zygomata are widest apart
behind, thence approximately moderately in a nearly straight
line. The alveolar borders of the palate are about parallel
anteriorly, and, though divergent behind, this is mostly due to
the size of the back teeth themselves, the general palatal mar-
gins inside the teeth being parallel. The palate extends far
back of the last molars (not so far, however, as in Taxidea)^
ending about half-way to the ends of the pterygoids. The
incisive foramina, very short and broadly oval, are directly be-
tween the canines. The emargination between the pterygoids
is broad, and ends with a rounded outline (with a median process
or median emargination indifferently); these bones are laminar,
smooth inside, thickened with various muscular ridges outside,
end in long hamular processes. The glenoid fossa is deep; it
develops a broad overlapping shelf at its inner back corner,
and a similar but slighter one at the outer anterior corner,

iiiiJ

., ,, J

i-*l

^^If

304

NOBTR AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

together freqaently sufficient, in old individaals, to lock the
jaw. The posterior nares are ouly separated by a vertical
ineilian septum for a short distance ; they d^bonch together at
the edge of the bony palate as a single orifice, as in Mitatelidce
generally, but not as in Ttueidea {q. v.). The buUee ossese are
flattish, about as in Mephitinaif strongly contrasting in this re-
spect with MmtelincB and Melitue, They are most vaulted at
the antero-interual angle ; exteriorly they are produced into a
long slender tubular meatus. The basilar space betwixt these
periotic bones is very broad, with its sides little convergent
anteriorly. The foramen lacerum posterius sometimes appeacs
as several distinct circular foramina through which the cranial
nerves respectively emerge separately, a state I have not noticed
elsewhere in the family, though it may occur ; it is analogous
to the division of the anteorbital foramen frequently seen in
the Skunks. This state of the lacerate fissure is usually un-
symmetrical; that is, it is not alike on both sides of the same
skull.

The bones of the skull are early confluent in Lutra. Thus
even the nasal sutures, usually among the most persistent in
Mustelidce^ are obliterated at an age when the skull is still thin
and papery. In a very young specimen in which the bones are
still mostly distinct, I observe the following disposition of the
sntures: The nasals are received behind in a shallow semi-
circular recess of the frontal; th^r sides are approximately
parallel; the intermaxillary and maxillary form each about
half of the rest of the nasal boundary. The maxillary ends
about opposite the middle of the orbit ; there is but a beginning
of wedging of a process of the frontal between the nasal and
superior maxillary (cf. Taxidea). The coronal suture is ex-
extremely irregular ; it lies altogether back of a line drawn
across the apices of the coronoid processes when the jaw is in
mtu. Nearly all the dome of the cranium is parietal, the
squamosal forming only a low irregular border along the side,
not a fourth of an inch above the root of the zygoma, though it
occupies much surface beneath the skull. Owing to the width
of the glenoid, it is entirely separate from the sphenoid. The
occipital crest is also chiefly parietal, as the lambdoidal suture
passes acroi^ it to ge^^ the back aspect of the skull at a point
nearer to the median line than to the mastoid. The latter is a
sizable element, wedged between the parietal and squamosal
above, periotic below and in front, and a small piece of the

SKULL OF LUTRA CANADENSIS.

305

occipital behind; it is already partly coDlluent with the periotic.
The basilar suture is distinct, directly transverse, near the an-
terior end of the ballte. Similarly, the sphenovomerine suture
is open ; it appears back of the end of the palate. The ptery-
goids are already lost iu the sphenoid, but the pterygo palatal
suture is evident, opposite the spheno-vomerine. The contour
of the palatine bones may be traced all around, though their
palatal plates are fused with each other. The maxillo-palatine
suture is opposite tbe anterior portion of the last premolar. The
palatal plate extends far backward, as already twice indicated
iu noticing other points, and its orbital portion curves over into
the temporal fossa, though it forms but an insignificant portion
of the orbit proper, being only prolonged by a slight process
fairly into the orbit. The orbito-spht'oid r'^mains instruct-
ively distinct from all surroundings, bounded above and in
front by the frontal, behind and partly below by the alisphe-
noid, for the rest below by the palatal. The lachrymal is
similarly distinct, except anteriorly. The malar is seen to form
most of the zygomatic arch ; though the pointed process of the
squamosal overlies it nearly half-way, its bevelled posterior
extremity reaches almost to the glenoid fossa ; its anterior ex-
tremity runs along on top the maxillary to the lachrymal, form-
ing an upper layer of the bridge over the anteorbital foramen.
The palatal plates of the intcrmaxillaries extend iu a Y past
the canines to a point on the median line opposite the second
premolar; the incisive foramina are not pierced entirely in these
bones, their posterior periphery being completed by a nick in the
corresponding border of the palatal plate of the superior
maxillary.

Returning to the adult skulls for examination of the mandi-
ble, we find that this bone Las a stout thick ramus, with long
slanting symphysis, an irregular continuous curve from incisors
to angle, with a slight emargination just in advance of the
latter, and a rather low broad obtuse coronoid, the front border
of which is nearly straight and vertical, the posterior border
curving forward with quite an elbow to the apex. The condyle
is wide across, but narrow iu the other direction; it slants
oblique both to the horizontal and vertical plane, its inner end
being both higher and further back than the other. There is
a deep notch between the condyle and angle of the jaw, which
last is not exflected. The muscular imprecision ou thv outside
of the jaw is, as usual, well marked; it cuds below in a rounded
outline beneath the last molar.
20 m

306

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^E.

For the deutitiuu, a youn^ subject is preferably selected, in
which the teeth are fully formed but entirely unworn. The
back upper molar is quadrate in general contour, as in Mephi-
iinw (cf. Melina', Muatclince)^ but rather lozenge-shaped, the inner
posterior and outer anterior corners being less than a right
angle, while the opposite ones are obtuse. All the corners are
rounded oif. The tooth is, if anything, a little smaller than the
next one. Its %ce presents an exterior, narrow, longitudinal,
raised portion, in the closed jaw wholly external to the anterior
lower inv^.ar. The exterior moiety is divided across by a sulcus ;
its inner border is deeper and more trenchant than the outer ;
its front part is also deeper than its back part. The rest of the
face of the tooth is depressed, and presents a general slight
excavation, with a very prominent acute tubercle antero-inte-
riorly, and a general raised border ; this portion is applied against
the similar depressed back part of the anterior lower molar.
The back upper premolar is essentially triangular in contour,
but with a bulge of the postero internal border, which nearly
gives it a trapezoidal shape. It consists of the outer deep por-
tion, made up of a single very prominent acute cusp, connected
by a trenchant edge with a smaller posterior cusp, which ends
the tooth behind, and of au inner low portion presenting a
general slightly ercavated surface nuarked with a slight central
prominence and bounded by a well-developed sharp edge. The
great development of this inner moiety along the wliole of the
tooth is the strongest dental char.acter of the species in com-
parison with L. vulgaris. Tlic cuspidate part of the anterior
lower molar abuts agaisst this portion. The next upper pre-
molar is a stout two-rooted conical cusp, with a cingulum and
well-developed heel fore and aft, and, in addition, a postero-
internal depressed part, against which the apex of the posterior
lower premolar is apposed. The next premolar is altogether
similar, but smaller. The anterior premolar is single-rooted,
very small, and in peculiar position, altogether internal to the
canine, with which it is in close apposition ; both of the ante-
rior premolars, in fact, are in close relation with the car.ine ; the
first one being thrown entirely to one side of the general dental
axis. This small tooth Lot seldom aborts on one side ; but I
have not happened to find it absent altogether. The upper
canines are not peculiar ; they are perhaps shorter and stouter
for their length than usiual in this family. The lateral pair of
incisors moderately surpass the rest in size ; the others are on

CRANIAL VARIATION IN LUTRA CANDENSIS.

307

a par with eacb other ; the ends of all are obtusely rouuded,
without obvious lobatiou.

The back lower molar is small aud circular, as usual ; it shows
no special points. The front lower molar consists of an anterior
tricuspidate half and posterior depressed portion. The three
cusps are very prominent, subequal in size, forming a triangle,
with one angle anterior and median, the two others posterior
and lateral ; the postero-internal cusp is rather smaller than the
two others, the ridge connecting which forms the trenchant
edge of the tooth. The back part of the tooth is a simple de-
pression, with raised periphery, which, at its outer part, is twice
nicked, with slight marginal cusps as a consequence. The pos-
terior premolar is a stout conical cusp, well heeled fore and
aft, with a secondary cusp half-way up its back border, as in
Taxidea. The next premolar is smaller, but similar, except in
lacking the secondary cusp. The front premolar is again simi-
lar, but smaller still, and without an anterior heel, being closely
apposed to the. canine. The latter is short, very stout, and
much carved. The inferior incisors are much crowded and very
irregular, even more so than in Mustelinai, offering an interesting
approach to the condition >vhich culminates in Unhydria in the
disappearance of one pair. The outer pair are moderately larger
than the rest ; the next pair — the middle tooth on each side —
set almost entirely back of the general incisor plane ; they are
quite deep, though little of their face appears in front. The
middle pair are narrow, and closely approximated. The ends
of the outer pair are lobate ; of the others, not appreciably so.

Variations in the sltdl of the Otter.

As in other cases, I present under this head Mr. J. A. Allen's
measurements and comments, extracted from the paper above
cited in the synonymy : —

*' Specimens of this species from northern and southern lociili*
ties do not differ materially in size ; skulls from Newfoundland,
Maine, Lake Superior, Washington, and Georgia agreeing very
closely in dimensions. In a series of eighteen (mainly from
northern localities), nine attain or exceed a length of 4.25, and
three reach 4.50, while two only fall as low as 4.00. Seven speci-
mens from the vicinity of Lake Umbagog, Maine, (in Mus.
Comp. Zool.) average 4.28 in lengtL and 2.93 in width ; two of
these reach 4.50 in length and two fall slightly below 4.00 (3.96
and 3.97). Two specimens from Washington, D. C, have a

808

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

length respectivt.y of 4.45 and 4.50; one specimen from Saint
Simon's Island, Georgia, is nearly as large (4. '52), while a Fort
Cobb specimen has a length of 4.22. These four are the only
ones from very southerly points. Four other specimens, from
as many localities, range from 4.05 to 4.15; while three speci-
mens from Newfoundland range from 4.03 to 4.25. While these
specimens are too few to Avarrant positive conclusions as to
geographical variations, they 8e«'in to point to a great constancy
of size throughout a wide range of latitude.*'

MeaaiirenuntH of eiyhteen Hkulh of LiTiu c.\N'.\I)Kxsi8.

Locality.

4.90
4.03
4.15
4. 35
4.40
4.27
4.50
3.97
3.96
4.50
4.15
4.95
4.05
4.06
4.39
4.50
4.45
4.33

Width. .

SOI

XowfoiiDdlAod

9.75

498

9.53

500

2.57

490

d.»

3.00

555

UmbagoK Lake, Maino

3.00

556

9.85

557

S.0O

559

<1.

9.70

558

9.70

489

<i„ ;:..::

3.00

4446

Lake Sunciior

9.85

11839

Fort Berthold, Dak

2.82

2247
13671

Saranac Lake, N. Y

Majfleld, Wis

2.57

9.83

8097

Kort Uobb, IncL Ter

2.87

Washington, D. C

3.U5

433

3143

Saint Simon's Island, Georgia

9.75

History of the siiccies.

The existence of a true Otter in North America was known
to the earliest systematic writers. Thus, Buffon described an
Otter from Canada, noting its larger size in comparison witl
the European species, and a difference in the color of the fur.
But an the authors of the last century persisted in confounding
it with either the European L. vulgaris, or with the South Amer-
ican Carigueibeju, Sarigovion, or Saricovienne, both totally
distinct. Pennant had also a certain " Slender Otter" of North
America, which became a Lutra gracilis* of authors, and may

" la eatabliahiog, in 1816, the genus Fuaa for the Sea Otter, afterward
called Enhydra by Fleming, Oken has two Hpecies (Lehrb. Natnrg. 1816,
p. 986): one of these, which he calls Puaa orientalw, is Enhydra marina o(
authors ; in the other, L. gracilis, we see the old " Slender Otter " of Pen-
nant, Lwira gracilis Shaw, referred by Fischer with a query to his genus
Enydris {=^Erih!jdraF\em.). Pennant's beast came from " Statenland "; Oiicu
says "Staatenland, Insel an Amerika hit Xew-Tork". If he means by this
what is known now as Statcn Islnnd, New York, it would make his animnl
to be Lntra canadensis , perhaps, however, his geography was at fault.

illSTORY OF THE AMERICAN OTTER.

309

or may not have been the present species. The error of con*
founding tlie species with that of Europe wa.s refuted before
the kistorj' of our species had been disentangled from that of
the Brazilian Otter, with which ours was confounded by ^ari-
OU8 French, and even American, writers, until a comparatively
late period.

The first binomial name I have found tor this species is the
Mustela canadensis of Turton. p. 57.* This name, which ap-
pears to have been overlooked, I consider undoubtedly based
upon the North American species; it consequently anticipates
the name Lutra canadensis bestowed in 1823 by Sabine, who is
usually quoted as the authority fur our spec ies. In the same
year, Fr. Cuvier is said to have separated the Canada Otter from
that of South America, and to have also described as distinct a
second North American species, under the name of Lutra la-
taxina, which became current with several writers. A Lataxina
mollis was described by J. B. Gray in 1843, and his type-speci-
men was afterward figured bj* Audubon and Bachmau as a
variety of L. canadennis. But it is certain that neither of these
names indicates anything dill'crent from the common North
Amercan species. Of a certain ^-Mustela hudsonica Laccpede",
quoted by some authors as pertaining to our Otter, I know
nothing.

Prof. Wyman, in an article on the articulation of the jaw,
above cited, named our species Lutra americana in 1847.

'^ lu quotiug Habine as the authority for the name "vanadenaia", previous
compilers of the synouymy of this species appear to have altogether over-
looked the much earlier "Muatela canadensis" of Turton's English vorsiou of
the Syatema Natura, p. 57. As Turton gives uo references, I am uucertjiin
whether or not be is the originator of the name, as the animal was known
before his time ; but this is the earliest vise of the name in binomial nomen-
clature that I have fonnil. Turton, like Pennant anil others of his prede-
cessors, refers to the American Otter in connection with the European
species; but this "Maatela canadensis'' of his (p. .">7) is additional to his
other notice of Mustda lutra as an inhabitant of Euroi>c, Asia, and America.
The diagnosis is merely "black; fur smooth; tail long, taper; inhabits
North America", which would do very well for the true Mustela canadensis or $
M. ])ennanti (Pekan, Fisher); but it is as pertinent as many of his diagnoses,
and further fixed by its coming under his section "A. Hind feet palmate.
Otters", as opposed to his "B. Feet cleft. Weasels". Under head of the
latter, he has, on page 59, another '^Mustela canadensis ", which is the animal
80 named by Schreber, the Pekan. Turton's double employ of the same
name for two entirt'ly different animals it to be carefully noted to prevent
confusion of quotations. ^^MnsteJa lanadens'u, Turton, p. 57" is Luira cana-
densis. "Mustela canadennis, Turton, p. .')9" is Mnufcla canndensis.

' ;i ! !

^^m

310

NORTH AMERICAN MU8TEL11XK.

Two lately iutroduced uames require special uotico : these
are Lutra cali/ornica Baird {nev Gray) and Lutra destructor
Baruston. The specimen which Prof. Baird referred incor-
rectly to L. cali/ornica of Gray, taken by Dr. Newberry in the
Cascade Mountains of Oregon, is now before me. The palms
and soles are rather less hairy than is usual in L. eanadenmf
still they are decidedly furred between the digits of both feet ;
the soles show the curious callosities diagnostic of L, canaden-
sis, and the characteristic large nasal pad of L. canadensis is
well exhibited. Other Otters from the same region show as
fully furred feet as any from the Eastern States, and the pecu-
liarities of the one from the Cascade Mountains can only be
regarded as those of an individual, within the normal range
of variation of L. canadensiSf to which it must unquestionably
be referred. Prof. Baird indeed separated it with much evi-
dent hesitation, and mainly because it was supposed (though
erroneously) to represent a species already instituted by an-
other author (cf. op. cit. p. 188). The true californica of Gray
is elsewhere discussed.

The Lutra destructor is represented in the National Museum
by specimens received from Mr. Barnston as typical examples of
his supposed species. They are rather smaller than usual, and
perhaps not full-grown, even though already in breeding condi-
tion ; but they possess all the essential specific characters of
L. canadensis, to which I have not the slightest hesitation in
referring them. L. canadensis is so strongly marked a species
in certain respects, already fully detailed, that there is no diffi-
culty in recognizing it, notwithstanding its great variability in
non-essential particulars. The skin and skull of L. destructor
exhibit nothing beyond the normal range of variation of L.
canadensis.

Geographical distribution.

The Otter is generally distributed over North America, ap-
parently nowhere in 'great abundance, yet absolutely wanting in
few, if any, localities adapted to its habits. Being a shy and
rather solitary animal, it is among those that decrease rapidly in
numbers with the settling of a country ; but its very wildness,
together with its wariness and sagacity, stand"! between it and
total extirpation, even in populous districts; while the nature
of its haunts further conduces to its persistence. Writing
about twenty-five years ago, Mr. Audubon speaks of the Otter
as being no longer found abundantly. in many parts of the

DISTRIMUTION OF THE AMERICAN OTTER.

311

country where it wuh formerly nuinerouH, and m Laving been
uoarly extirpated in the Atlantic States cast of ^laryland.
Such statement, however, seems stronger than the facts
would warrant ; for Mr. Allen speak:, ?*' the animal as still
*'not rare" in Massachusetts as late as 18(i!), he having
known of some half dozen specimens which wore taken near
Springfield during the ten preceding years. The " Eastern
Shore "of Maryland api)ears to have always been a favorite
locality with the Otter; Audubon specially mentions this
region, and specimens are still taken there or in other spots
along the Potomac, not far from Washington City. The last
one I saw from this region was brought freshly killed to the
Smithsonian Institution in 1871. Northerly the Otter extends,
according to ilichardson, nearly to the Arctic Ocean, along the
Mackenzie and other rivers; and it also inhabits the northern-
most system of lakes. In the times of the author just men*
tioned, some seven or eight thousand pelts* were annually ex-
ported frou) British America to England, and the trade does
not appear to have decreased to this day, for I find among the
quotations of sales of Otters within two or three years by tl e
Hudson's Bay Company, in London, over eleven thousand set
down for 1873. If the skulls, unaccompanied by skins, which
I have examined from Alaska, are really of this species, the
Otter is abundant in that new portion of United States ter-
ritory. According to Messrs. Gibbs and Suckley, writing in
1859, the Otter, called by the Yakima Indians nookshi, in-
creased in abundance in Oregon and Washington with the
decline of the fur trade, and were numerous in the waters of
the Cascade Range. Dr. J. S. Newberry (1857) attests the
presence of the Otter " on all parts of the Pacific coast, both
on the sea shore and in the inland streams and lakes. In the
Cascade Mountains, where neither otter nor beaver had been
much hunted, and where both were abundant, we found the
beaver in the streams, but the otter in great abundance in the
mountaia lakes where the streams take their rise. There they
subsist on the western brooktrouts and p. Coregonus with a

' This statement, however, it Hhonld ba observed, is widely discrepant
from some otiiers, unless only some special lines of importation are here re-
ferred to by the anthor. According to Bell, there were imported into Eng-
land, of the skins of the North American Otter, 713,115 in 1830, 494,067 in
1831, 222,493 in 1832, though only 23,889 in 1833. "After September 1, 1833,
the dnty was reduced from id. each to 1». per hundred, since which I believe
the importation has gradually ii creased."— (/iri/is/j QnadrupeHs, 1837, p. 13fi.)

312

NORTH AMPEICAN MUSTELID^E

crayfish, Astacus Klamathensis . . . lu Klamath lakes the
otter is quite common .... their food is a large sucker
{Catastomus occidentalis) and a species of Oila, both rather slug-
gish fish and such as would be easily caught " — unlike the very
active Salmonid(D just mentioned. At the time to which the
writer refers, the pelts were much more in demand than those
of the Beaver, $2.50 being paid in goods by the Hudson's Bay
Company at Vancouver, while Beaver brought only one-fifth
as much.

In the muddy waters of the Missouri Basin, not overstocked
with fish, the Otter seems to exist but sparingly. Audubon only
•'observed traces" of their presence in his journey up to the
Yellowstone. Hayden includes the species among the animals
observed in the Upper Missouri country, where, however, it does
not appear to have come under Mr. Allen's observation. North
of this area, in the region of the Red ]liver and other streams,
thence westward to the Eocky Mountains, I ascertained the
general, though probably not abundant, occurrence of the spe-
cies. Mr. Allen found the Otter to be, in Iowa, "common on
the Kaccoon Elvers, and generjilly more or less so throughout
the State''; — "occasional along the streams" of Kansas; — and
" more or less frequent in Salt Lake Valley, and in the adjoining,'
mountains ". Drs. Coues and Yarrow give the species as founu
sparingly in various portions of the Southwestern Territories.
My recent exploration of portions of Colorado did not reveal the
presence of the Otter, but I do not on this account deny its ex-
istence, perhaps in abundance, in the numerous mountain lakes
and streams of that State, which harbor countless Beavers,
and seem in every way suited to the requirements of the Otter.*

In Audubon's time, the Otter was "still abundant in the riv-
ers a»id reserve dams' of the rice fields of Carolina", and was
"not rare in Georgia, Louisiana and Texas". According to
Mr. Allen, it is still "abundant" in Florida, where it is little
huwted, its fur being, in this southern region, of comparatively
little value. But the southern limits of viie distribution of the
species remain to be dete/mined. A Mexican Otter is certaitily
of a diflferent species from ours, whether or not the latter also
exists in that country; and I am not aware of any uuquest-( u-
able citation of true canadensis as Mexican. I am therefore
much surprised at Dr. von Frantzius's re >ent citation of this spe-

*Since this paragraph waspenued.I liavo soon a specimen in Mrs. Max-
well's collection, from the vicuiity of Bonldor, Colorado.

HABITS OF OTTERS.

ai3

cies from Costa Rica,* which is considerably beyoud the usuully
recognized range of true canadensis, the actual occurrence of
which so far south may possibly be still open to question.
With this single exception, I do not know of, at least I do not
recall at present writing, any special indication of the presence
of L. canadensis proper south of the United States, though in a
general way it has been often accredited with a range coexten-
sive with the continent of Nortk America, and has even been
ascribed, with a query, to South America.

JIah its of Otters.

Although I have observed the "seal" of the Otter and its
curious " slides" in various parts of our country during the years
I have been a student of our animals, I cannot trul^' aver that
I have ever laid ejes upon a living individual ; and to speak
of its habits, I must give information at second hand. Pre-
suming upon the reader's knowledge of the thoroughly aquatic
and highly piscivorous nature of the animal, I turn to the vari-
ous histories at our disposal in further elucidation of its habits.

According to Richardson, one of the earliest authors giving
accounts of the species with precision, "the Canada Otter re-
sembles the European species in its habits and food. In the
winter season, it frequents rapids and falls, to have the advant-
age of open water; and when its usual haunts are frozen over,
it will travel to a great distance through the snow, in search
of a rapid that has resisted the severity of the weather. If
seen, and pursued by hunters on these journies, it will throw
itself forward on its belly, and '^lid6 through the snow for sev-
eral yards, leaving a deep furrow behind it. This movement is
repeated with so much rapic ^y, that even a swift runner on
snow-shoes has much trouble in overtaking it. It also doubles
on its track with much cunning, and Jives under tlie snow to
elude its pursuers. When closely pressed, it will turn and de-
fend itself with great obstinacy. In the spring of 182G, at Great
Bear Lake, the Otters frequently robbed our nets, which were
set under the ice, at the distance of a few yards from a piece of
open water. They generally carried off the heads of the fish,
and left the bodies sticking in the net.

"The Canada Otter has one litter annually about the middle
of April of from one to three young."

"Arcli. fiir Natur;,'. \m, p. 'i^'J.

I i

h i

314

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

In the ^Middle aud Soutbern States, Audubon says they are
about one month earlier*

The slidingof the Otter, which Sir John describes, is not alone
resorted to in the endeavor to avoid pursuit; and again, it is
something more than simply an easy way of slipping down a
wet sloping bank into the water. It seems to be a favorite
amusement of this creature, "just for fun". Godman speaks
of the diversion in the following terms:— "Their favorite sport
is sliding, and for this purpose in winter the highest ridge of
suow is selected, to the top of which the Otters scramble, where,
lying on the belly with the fore-feet bent backwards, they give
themselves an impulse with their hind legs and swiftly glide
head-foremost down the declivity, sometimes for the distance
of twenty yards. This sport they continue apparently with the
keenest enjoyment until fatigue or hunger induces thorn to
desist."

Statements of similar import are made by various writers,
and accord with Audubon's personal observations, as rendered
by him in the following language : —

" The otters ascend the bank at a place suitable for their
diversion, and sometimes where it is very steep, so that they
are o'.^liged to make quite an effort to gain the top ; they slide
down in rapid succession where there are many at a sliding
place. On one occasion we were resting ourself on the bank
of Canoe Creek, a small stream near Henderson, which empties
into the Ohio, when a pair of Otters made their appearance,
and not observing our proximity, began to enjoy their sliding
pastime. They glided down the soap-like muddy surface of
the slide with the rapidity of an arrow from a bow, [t] and we
counted each one making twenty-two slides before we dis-
turbed their sportive occupation.

"This habit of the Otter of sliding down from elevated
places to the borders of streams, is not confined to cold coun-
tries, or to slides on the snow or ice, but is pursued in the
Southern States, where the earth is seldom covered with snow,
or the waters frozeu over. Along the reserve-dams of the rice
fields of Carolina and Georgia, these slides are very common.

"* Accordiug to Bell, tho European Otter goes with young nine weeka, ami
prodnces three to five young ones in March or April (Ikit. Quad. 1837, I'M).
The period of gestation of our species, if dift'erent, probably remains to be
ascertained,
. t [A statement certainly too figurative for literal acceptation.]

HABITS OF OTTERS.

315

From the fact that this occurs in most cases tluriug winter,
about the period of the rutting season, we are inclined to the
belief that this propensity may be traced to those instincts
which lead the sexes to their periodical associations.''

The food of the Otter, and the manner in which it is pro-
cured, are noted by the same author in the following terms : —

"The Otter is a very expert swimmer, and can overtake
almost any fish, and as it is a voracious animal, it doubtless
destroys a great number of fresh water fishes annually. We
are not aware of its having a preference for any particular
species, although it is highly probable that it has. About
twenty-five years ago we went early one autumnal morning to
study the habits of the Otter at Gordon and Spring's Ferry,
on the Cooper River, six miles above Charleston [S. C], where
they were represented as being quite abundant. They came
down with the receding tide in groups or families of five or six
together. In the space of two hours we counted forty-six.
They soon separated, ascended the different creeks in the salt
marshes, and engaged in capturing mullets {Mugil). In most
cases they came to the bank with a fish in their mouth, des-
patching it in a minute, and then hastened back again after
more prey. They returned up the river to their more secure
retreats with the rising tide. In the small lakes and ponds of
the interior of Carolina, there is found a favourite fish with the
Otter, called the fresh- water trout {Grystes salmoides).

•'Although the food of the Otter in general is fish, yet when
hard pressed by hunger it will not reject animal food of any
kind. Those we had in confinement, when no fish could be
procured were fed on beef, which they always preferred boiled.
During the last winter we ascertained that the skeleton and
feathers of a wild duck were taken from an Otter's nest on the
banks of a rice field reserve-dam. It was conjectured that the
duck had either been killed or wounded by the hunters, and
was in this state seized by the Otter, ....

"On throwing some live fishes into a small pond in the
Zoological Gardens in London, where an Otter [presumably,
however, of another species] was kept alive, it immediately
plunged off the bank after them, and soon securing one, rose
to the surface holding its prize in its teeth, and ascending the
bank, rapidly ate it by large mouthfuls, and dived into the
water again for another. This it repeated until it had caught
and eaten all the fish which had been thrown into the water for

316

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiF..

its use. When thus engaged iu devouring the luckless fishes
the Otter bit through them, crushing the bones, which we could
hear snapping under the pressure of its powerful jaws."

The nest of the European Otter is said to be formed of grass
and other herbage, and to be usually placed in some hole of a
river's bank, protected either by the overhanging bank or by
the projecting roots of some tree. Its fossorial ability, and the
general intelligence it displays iu the construction of its re-
treats, have been greatly exaggerated by some writers, to judge
by the more temperate language used by the distinguished
author of the History of British Quadrupeds. "We read of its
excavating a very artificial habitation," says Bell, " burrowing
under ground to a coufe 'erable distance; making the aperture
of its retreat always un r water, and working upwards, form-
ing here and there a Ic e, or dry resting-place, till it reaches
the surface of the grouna at the extremity of its burrow, and
making there a breathing-hole, always in the middle of a bush
or thicket. [*] This statement is wholly incorrect. The Ottei
avails itself of any convenient excavation, particularly of the
hollows beneath the overhanging roots of trees which grow oil
the banks of rivers, or any othf ^ "ecure and concealed hole
near its fishing-haunt; though in e cases ft fixes its retreat
at some distance from the water, and when driven by a scanty
supply of fish, it has been known to resort far inland, to the
neighbourhood of the farm-yard, and attack lambs, suckiug
l)igs, and poultry, — thus assuming for a time the habits of its
more terrestrial congeners." I am not aware that such extrav-
agant statements have been made, with any authority at least,
respecting the American Otter; and indeed one has only to
regard the general configuration of the animal, and particu-
larly the shape of the fore limbs and condition of the claws, to
become convinced that the mining operations of the animal
are necessarily limited. It does not appear that the under-
ground retreats of the Otter are constructed with the skill and
ingenuity of even those of the Muskrat. A retreat examined
by Audubon has been thus described by this author : —

" One morning we observed that some of these animals re-
sorted to the neighbourhood of the root of a large tree which

* [The autlioi- iciuaiks tlio siniilai ity of such an account with that giveu
by Mr. George Bcuuett iu describiufj i,.( < . its of the Ontithofhynvhiis of
Australia, though the former is louni in book-: v. lishod loug prior to the
discovery of the latter aniuial.]

Pf^

HABITS OF OTTERS.

317

stood ou the side of the pond opposite to us, and with its over-
hanging branches shaded the water. , After a fatiguing walk
through the tangled cane-brake and thick underwood which
bordered the sides of this lonely place, we reached the opposite
side of the p'>"^.d near the large tree, and moved cautiously
through the u'tul and water to its roots: but the hearing or
sight of the Otters was attracted to us, and we saw several of
them hastily make oft" at our approach. On sounding the tree
with the butt of our gun, we discovered that it was hollow, and
then having placed a large stick in a slanting position against
the tiunk, we succeeded in reaching the lowest bough, and
thence climbed up to a broken branch from which an aperture
into the upper jiart of the hollow enabled us to examine the
interior. At the bottom there was quite a large space or cham-
ber to which the Otters retired, but whether for security or to
sleep we could not decide. Next morning we returned to the
spot, accompanied by one of our neighbours, and having ap-
proacjhed and stopped up the entrance under water as noise-
lessly as possible, we cut a hole in the side of the tree four or
five feet from the ground, and as soon as it was large enough
to admit our heads, we peeped in and discovered three Otters
ou a sort of bed composed of the Inner bark of trees and other
soft substances, suck as water grasses. We continued cutting
the hole we had made, larger, and when suflaciently widened,
took some green saplings, split them at the but-end, and man-
aged to fix the head of each animal firmly to the ground by
l)assing one of tliese split pieces over his neck, and then press-
ing the stick forcibly downwards. Our companion then crept
into the hollow, and soon killed the otters, with which we
returned home."

Their structure being identical, the American and European
Otters cannot differ in their general movements and attitudes.
In speaking of the conformKvi<^ii of the latter species. Bell
remarks that evidently every f.^nhty consistent with the preser-
vation of its structural relations with the rest of the group is
given to the Otter for the pursuit and capture of its proper
food. " It swims and dives with great readiness and with pecu-
liar ea83 and eleg nee of movement; and although its action
on land is far from being awkward and diflicult, yet it is cer-
tainly in the water that the beautiful adaptation of its structure
to its habits is most strikingly exhibited. It swims in nearly
a horizontal itot«itK , and dives instantaneously after the fish

M:i

318

NORTH A HUICAN MUSTELlDvE.

tbat may glide beneath it, ur pursues it under water, changing
its course as the fish dartd in various directions to escape from
it, and when the prey is secured, brings it on shore to its retreat
to feed."

Yielding a pelt of great beauty and value, from the exqui-
site softness and rich warm color of the fur, as well as from
the size of the animal, the American Otter is systematically
pursued by professional trappers. I have already given some
figures showing the thousands annually destroyed, aud will
condense from Mr. Gibson's work, already olten quoted, the ac-
count of the various methods employed — for every trapper has
his own notions and ways of doing things, and in the pursuit
of so valuable and so wary a creature as the Otter there is
room for large and varied experience. The animal seems to be
taken in this country usually, if not invariably, with the steel
trap, a special size aud make of which, with two springs, goes
by the name of " Otter trap". Searching for a " slide ", or place
where the animal habitually crawls from the water up the
bank, the hunter sets the trap on the spot, a few inches under
water. No baijt is here required ; and devices are used in se-
curing the tiap bj'^ which the animal may be led into deep
water when caught, or lifted upward, the design in either case
being to prevent the animal's escape by gnawing off the im-
imsoned limb. The t.ap may also be placed at the top of the
slide, two or three feet back of the slope, in a place hollowed
to receive it, and covered with snow. Under such circum
stances, care is taken not to handle the trap with the bare
hands. It is scented with various animal odors, aud, to fur
ther insure success, a " way " is made to the trap by means of
parallel logs. The trap is sometimes simply set in the beaten
track made in the snow, carefully hidden ; or at the entrance
of the burrow ; or at the base of a slanting log with one end
under waicr, the Otter being attracted by bait or odor placed
beyond on the other end; or a rock which projects over a
stream is utilized in the same way. In all these methods, the
utmost care is necessary to obliterate traces of the trapper's
presence, as the sight and smell of the Otter are acute, and his
wariness, caution, and sagacity at a very high rate. " In win-
ter when the ponds and rivers are frozen over the otters make
holes through the ?ce at which they come up to devour their
prey. Where the water is a foot deep beneath any of these
holes the trap may be set in the bottom, the chain being se-

HABITS OP OTTERS.

319

cured to a heavy stone. When the otter endeavors to emerge
from the hole he will press his foot on the trap and thus be
caught. If the water is deep enough beneath the hole the
trap may be baited with a small fish attached to the pan, and
then carefully lowered with its chain and stone to the bottom.
For this purpose the Newhouse, Xo, 3, is best adapted, as the
otter is in this case caught by the head." Audubon speaks of
the latter method as one very commonly emi»loyed in Carolina.
His figure of the Otter represents the animal as caught by the
fore foot in a trap, baited with a fish on the pan, placed on a
slanting log just out of the water. But traps baited on the pan
are not set by experts in this mode of trapping. Audubon
has also drawn his animal as coming down the log from the
npper end, which the animal could not have reached without
passing over the trap in the other direction. Though drawn,
furthermore, "to represent the pain and terror felt by the
creature when its foot is caught by the sharp saw-like teeth of
the trap", the Otter is nevertheless holding its foot quietly in
the trap, and resting very composedly upon the log, as if it
feared to displace the trap. In reality, however, an Otter so
caught would be off the log and into the water, trap and all, in
a fraction of a second after the jaws snapped. In writing the
text to this fancy sketch, moreover, Audubon appears to have
forgotten that the trap had no " sharp saw-like teeth '": it is
correctly drawn with straight-edged jaws, as usually* manufac-
tured.

For commercial purposes, the skin of the Otter is removed
by a cross-slit down the hind legs, and withdrawn whole, with-
out splitting along the belly, the tail, however, being slit its
whole length along the under side. The skin is stretched with
the hair inside, the tail alone being spread out flat.

The hunting of the Otter for sport does not appear to be
practiced in this country, at least to any extent, and the gun
is only incidentally and rarely used for its destruction. The
mode of hunting the European animal has been graphically
described by Bell, to whom I return for this portion of the
subject: —

"Otter-hunting, formerly one of the most interesting and
exciting amusements of which the English sportsman could
boast, has of late years [1837] dwindled into the mere chase of
extirpation. It was in other days pursued with much of the
pomp and circumstance of regular sport : the Dogs were chosen

320

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

1) .

for their perseverance and resolution ; ' good Otter-hounds,'
says an old sportsman, . . . ' will come chaunting and trail-
ing along by tlie river side, and will beat every tree-root, every
osier-bed, and every tuft (»f bulrushes : — n.iy, soaietimes they
will take the water, and beat it like a Spaniel.' The huntsman
and others of the party carried Otter spears, to strike the Otter
when driven within their reach; horsemen and footmen joined
in the chase; and the whole company formed a cavalcjide of no
inconsiderable extent and importance. These scenes are now
no longer witnessed, or but rarely, in England ; btit in Wales
the chase of the Otter is still kept up with some spirit, in cer-
tain romantic districts of that romantic country ... In beat-
ing for an Otter, it is necessary to mark the character and
direction of his ' seal,' or footmark in the mud or soil, af< well
as the recent or older appearance of his ' spraints,' or dung.
These signs of his having been either remotely or more recently
on the spot will aftbrd a tolerably certain indication whether
the animal be still in the neighbourhood, or whether a further
search must be made for later marks of his presence. When
the Otter is found, the scene becomes exceedingly animated.
He instantly takes the water, and dives, remaining a long time
underneath it, and rising at a considerable distance from the
[»lace at which he dived. Then t.he anxious watch that is kept
of Ills rising to ' vent,' the steady purpose with which the dogs
follow antl bait him as he swims, the attempts of the cunning
beast to drown his assailants, by diving whilst they have fast-
ened on him, the baying of the hounds, the cries of the hunters,
and the fierce and dogged resolution with which the poor hope-
less quarry holds his pursuers at bay, inflicting severe, some-
times fatal wounds, and holding on with unflinching pertinacity
even to the last, — must altogether form a scene as animated
and exciting as the veriest epicure in hunting could desire.
The return from such a day's sport as this in the county of
Carmarthen is thus described by a correspondent of the Sport-
ing Magazine: — 'Sitting near the window, I beheld approach-
ing the bridge a cavalcade, and found it was Squire Lloyd of
Glansevm, escorted by the gentlemen of the neighbourhood,
returning from Otter-hunting. The gentlemen in the front rank
were mounted ; ;tnd next the horsemen were three men neatly
dressed in scarlet roats and white trousers, with long spears,
on which were sus[»ended three huge Otters. Now the hunts-
man appeared with his well disciplined hoands; and then fol-

HABITS OP OTTERS.

321

lowed tha cart, with nets, spears, and other paraphernalia, and
an old ballad-singer appeared in the rear, who sung the praises
of the high-bred hounds and their worthy master.' "

The general intelligence of the Otter is of a high order, and
his docility is such that he may not only be thoroughly tamed,
but taught to work for his master. Audubon speaks of four
American Otters which a gentleman had tamed so completely
that they never failed to come like dogs when whistled for,
crawling slowly with apparent humility toward their master ;
and also gives his own experience in domesticaiing several
Otters, which became so tame that they would romp with him
in his study. These, he says, were taken when quite young,
and became as gentle as poppies in two or three days ; they
preferred milk and boiled corn-meal, refusing fish or meat till
they were several months old. On this subject I shall once
more quote the attractive page of Bell, and conclude this
lengthy compilation with some quaint and interesting para-
graphs respecting the use of the Otter as food ; the actual refer-
ence being, it will be understood, to the European species : —

" That the Otter may not only be readily and easily tamed and
domesticated, but taught to catch and bring home fish for its
master, is a fact which is so well known, and has been so often
proved, that it is surprising it should not have been more fre-
quently acted upon. From Albertus Magnus down to the iate
excellent Bishop Heber, instances have been continually nar-
rated, some of which have gone no further than the domestica-
tion of pet Otters, while in others the animal has been rendered
a useful purveyor of fish for the family table. Amongst other
writers who have attested similar facts, honest Izaak Walton
says, * I pray, sir, save me one [young Otter], and I'll try if I can
make her tame, as I know an ingenious gentleman in Leicester-
shire, Mr. Nicholas Seagrave, has done; who hath not only made
her tame, but to catch fish, and do many other things of much
pleasure.' Albertus Magnus, Aldrovandus, Gesner, and others,
had asserted it ; yet Bnffon, losing for once his accustomed
credality, and running to an opposite extreme, refuses to be-
lieve in the susceptibility of the Otter to be bronght to a state
of domesticity. The former of these writers states that, in
Sweden, Otters were kept in the houses of the great for the ex-
press purpose of ca- jhing fish, which they would do at a signal
from the cook, and bring home their provender to be dressed
for dinner. Numerous instances have been recorded in later
21 M

322

NORTH AMEBICAN MUBTELID^.

times, by Daniel, Bewick, Shaw, and others ; in one of which
an Otter had been known to take eight or ten salmon in a day :
and the following passage in the journal of Bishop Heber con-
firms some previous statements, that one of the Asiatic species,
probably Lutra nair, (Fr. Guv.) may be rendered similarly use-
ful : — ' We passed, to my surprise, a rcw of no less than nine
or ten large and very beautiful Otters, tethered with straw
collars and long strings to bamboo stakes on the banks (of the
Malta Golly). Some were swimming about at the full extent of
their strings, or lying half in and half out of the water; others
were rolling themselves in the sun on the sandy bank, uttering
a shrill whistling noise, as if in play. I was told that most of
the fishermen in this neighbourhood kept one or more of these
animals, who were almost as tame as Dogs, and of great use
in fishing; sometimes driving the shoals into the nets, some-
times bringing out the large fish with their teeth. I was much
pleased and interested with the sight. It has always been a
fancy of mine that the poor creatures whom we waste and per-
secute to death, for no cause but the gratification of our cruelty,
might by reasonable treatment be made the sources of abun-
ant amusement and advantage to us.' This interesting account
justifies the conclusion drawn by the good prelate from the
scene that so much delighted him, thnt ' the simple Hindoo
shows here a better taste and jcidument than half the Otter
hunting and Badger baiting gentry ol' England.' With such
instances as these before us, there seems to b*' no reason why
this animal, so tractabi** and doi^tilu as it is proved to be, should
not be very generally domesticated for the purposes of si)ort,
or employed by fisUcrmeu as a means of assisting them in their
calling.

" The method which has been recommended to train them for
this purpose is as follows : — They should be procured as young
as possible, and they are at first fed with small fish and water.
Then bread and milk is to he alternated with the fish, and tliH
proportion of the former gradually inore<ised till th<\v ttni Ifd
to live entirely on bread and milk. They aiv then lauglit to
fetch and carry, exactly as Dogs are trained to the ti<iuie trick ;
and when they are brought to do this with ease and Uouility, a
leather fish stuffed with wool is em ployed for. the purpose. They
are aiterwards exercised with a dead fish, and chastised if they
disobey or attempt to tear it ; and finally, they are sent into the
water after living ones. In this way, although the process is

EXTINCT MOBTH AMERICAN OTTER.

323

somewhat tedioas, it is believed that the Otter may be certainly
domesticated, and rendered subaervient to our use

*^ The habits of the Otter, and its rank fishy taste, have pro*
cured for it the distinctiou of being permitted by the Church
of Home to be eaten on maigre days. The quiet humour f good
old Izaak Walton could not rest without a sly hit at this fact: —

" Piaoator. I pray, honest huntsman, let me ask you a pleasant
question : do you hunt a beast, or a fish 1

*^Hunt Sir, it is not in my powci to resolve you; yet I leave
it to be resolved by th< College of CarthiiHians, v. ho have made
vows never to eat flesh. But I have heard the question hat^
been debated among many i^ivm clerks, and they seeiu to differ
about it ; yet most agree that her tail is Jiah, and if her body
be fish too, then I may say that a fish will walk upon land (for
an Otter does so), sometimes five or six or ten miles in a night.

"Now, were we to adopt the reference recommended by
honest Izaak, the description of this animal would have fallen
within the province of my good friend Mr. Yarrell rather than
mine; for, says Pennant, 'in the kitchen of the Carthusian
Convent near Dijon, we saw one preparing for the dinner of the
religious of that rigid order, who, by their rules, are prohibited
during their whole lives the eating of flesh.' "

Extinct species of North American Otter.

-!^i

liulta piacinaria, Leidy.

Lutrs? , Leidy, Contrib. Extinct Vert Fn. of the Western Terr. (4to Rep. U. S. OcoL

Sarv. vol. 1) 1873, p. SOO.
Lutra plsclnarlii, id. ibid. p. 31C, pi. xzxi. f. 4 (tibia, { nat '•it\ from IJah.).

Based on a tibia submitted to Dr. Leidy's insfiectioii by the
Smithsonian Institution, procured by ClarHure King on Sinker
Creek, Idaho, in association with remaius of Uquut exoeUm and
Mastodon mirificm.

"The tibia pertains ix) a carnivore, and resembles that of an
otter more than that of any other animal with which I have
had an opportunity of comparing it. Its differences, ez<'epting
size, are trifling. The tubercle for insertion of the qna«lricepii
extensor is less prominent, so as to give the head of the bono
proportionally less thickness in relation with its breadth. Thn
ridge for the attachment of the interosseous meoibrane at the
lower part of the bone is more prominent and sharper. The

s^.

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

^vT

1.0 ^1^ 1^

If Sf Itt 12.0

Photographic

^Sciences

Corporalion

^^'

•'^

33 VraST MAIN STMIT

\MnSTIII,N.Y. I4SM

(716)I73-4S03

^:^
^ ^

324 NOBTH AMEBIOAN MUSTELID^.

di(|jtal end in front jast above the articolation is flatter, and
the groove for the flexor tendons behind is deeper. •

Lines.

"Length of the bone internally .-, > 59

"Width of the head 15

"Thickness at the inneroondyle. lOJ

" Width of the distal end between the most prominent

points 11

« Thickness at the inner malleole 8"

OHAPTEK XI.

Subfamily ENHYDRIN^: Sea Otter.

General considerationH — ^The genns Enhifdrit — Generic chsraCven — Enkydrit
lutrii, the Sea Otter — Synonymy — Habitat — Specifio characters— Desorip-
tion of externa) characters — DeAcription of the Hkiill and teeth — History
of the species— "The Sea Otter and its hunting "—The habits of the Sea
Otter.

LASTLY, we come to consider a particular modiflcation of
the Musteline type of structure, which may be regarded as
an exaggeration of various features characterizing the Lutrinait
with the superposition of others not elsewhere found in the
family. With the general aspect of an or(?.inary Otter, the
Unhydrino} present a special modification of the limbs, more
particularly of the hind limbs, which are developed into flipper*
like organs, not very dissimilar to those of some Seals. There is
also a special condition of the pelage. The cranium, in gen-
eral, is like that of the LuirinWy but the teeth are unlike any-
thing else seen in the family Mtistelid(e. One pair of incisors
is wanting, which makes the dental formula unique. Moreover,
the whole deutelure is modified in adaptation to a piscivorous
regimen. The sectorial teeth are defuuctioualized as such; if
the teeth of ordinary carnivorous quadrupeds be likened to
fresh-chipped, sharp and angular bits of rock, those of the
Unhydrinte are comparable to water- worn pebbles.

The EnhydrincB are represented, as far as known, by a single
genns and species, inhabiting the coasts and islands of the
North Pacific. It is the only thoroughly marine species of the
family ; it furnishes one of the most valuable of all pelts in a
commercial point of view, and its chase is an important indus-
try.

The Genus ENHYDRIS. (Fleming.)

< MHRtela sp. Linnmu, Syat Nat 1758-66.

< Phoea sp. PoUa*, Zoof{. R.- A. 1831.

< Lulra sp. of variouH anttaors.

-■ Pass, 0km, Lehrb. Natnrg. 1816. (Not of Scnpoli.)

m, lakrira,* Fleming, Pbilos. ZoSl. 1833. (Also written EnhydrU, Enydrit.)

m. Latai, Glogef, N. Act Nat Cur. 1897. (Not of Uray.)

* Etjim, — See antei, p. 29, for discussion of the philological bearings of this
word.

385

326

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

Generic ciiakactbrs. — Dental formula: t. '— ? ; c. |^

ptA,

3-3
3-3

_ 'j = { JJ =32.* Grinding teoth very peculiar in ahape, without treucli
ant~ edges or acute angles, all being bluntly tuberculouH on the crown, and
rounded off in contour. Molar of upper jaw irregularly oval. Last upper
premolar not dissimilar in shape, and but little smaller ; others abruptly
less in size. Anterior under molar much the largest of the lower teeth ;
posterior premolar and posterior molar next in size. Skull generally as in
Luirinw, in straight upper outline, very short rostrum, truncate in front
and flat on t«'>p, backward production of pakte, size and shape of ante-
orbital foramen, &o., but much broader for its length ; thus, the interptery-
goid emargination is, if anything, broatler than deep. Sagittal and occipital
crests and mastoid processes very salient. Glenoid not locking condyle.
Coronoid of mandible sloping backward with convex fore and straight or
slightly concave posterior border, its bluntly rounded ajtex in the vortical
line over condyle.

General external aspect of Lutrinai, but limbs modified. Fore legs short,
with small paws ; digits webbed ; palms naked. Hind feet with elongated
digits, flipper-like, webbed, and furry both sides; claws small, hidden in
the fur. Habits aquatic ; habitat marine.

The oliaractor of the genus is so fully exhibited in the fol-
lowing account of the only species that further remark is not
required in this connection.

The S(ea Otter.

, EnhydrJii Intris.

Plates XIX, XX.

lltrs aarllt, SteOer, N. C. Petrop. ii. 1751, 367, pi. X.—Erxl Syst Anim. 1777, 445 (deaorip-
tioD pertinent, but synonymy mixed with tliat of another species).— AiAreb. Slug. ill.
ITTe, 465^ pi. 138 (Steller).— /{mm. Geog. Oesch. il. 17S0, 313, no. ill.— Shaw, 0«n. Zoiil.
i. 1800, 444, pi. 101.— DMm. Mamm. i. 1830, U9, no. 391 ; " Nonv. Diet, zviii, 816 ; Enoy.
M«th. pi. 79, f. 3."— Harlan, Fn. Amer. 1895, •m.—L.oger, K. Act Xat. Cur. xiii. pt it.
1897, 510 (proposes Catos as a better name tlian Ptua), 875 teq.,- "Isis, ii. 1891, 133 uq.;
Ftmss. Bull. XT. 136«e9."— 6o(tm. Am. N. H. i. 1831, 3S& pL — , f. i.—Wagn. Areh. f.
Natnrg. ii. 1836, 381.

SltM \»ie] aarlaa, H. W. Elliott, Ame- . Sportsman, Sept. 19 and 19, 1874 (biofraphyi
under pseudonym of "Alaska").

iMtm (BKhyini) aarlia, Rich. F. B.A. i. 183», 59, no. 31 ; ZoSI. Beeohey's Toy. 1839, 5.

Bihyini narlia, FUm. PliUos. Zoel. ii. 1893 l»l.—Oriff. An. Kingd. t. 1837, 133, no. 369.-
Martin, P. Z. S. iv. 1836, 59 (osteology).— Aud. <6 BaeK Q. N. A. iii. 1853, 170, pi. 137.-
tiewb. P. R. R. Rep. vi. 1857, AX—Bd. M. N. A. 1857, 189.— Obop. cC Sxuk. K. H. Wash.
Terr. 1860, 115.— AiU., Alaslca and its Res. 1870, 489 (habito).— A W. EUiott, Condition
01 Aflkirs in Alaska, 8to ed. chap. v. 1875, pp. 54-63 (history, habits, the ohaae, eco-
nomic and commercial relations).

* It is said that the ymng Sea Otter has *• fEIgi like all other Muttelidie.
The middle pair of mcisors are those that are wanting in the adult. Prof.
Baird (M. N. A. 1857, 189), overlooking the peculiarity of the incisor formula
of the adult, but correctly noting the one less premolar than in Lutriua:,
gives a wrong total of 34 teeth in all, instead of 32.

U. 8. Geolofjical Survey.

MttsteUdsB. PLATE XIX.

EntajrdrlB lutrl«. (Kpduceil.)

i '

v *

h ■

r 'I

> .

^':

I \

tit

i.;-;

SYNONYMY OP ENHYDRIS LUTRIS.

327

iNyfrls n«rln«, Lieht Dantcll. SSng. 1S97, H pla. M, M.—Erman, Relae, , — , pL 11,

l9.— "Wngn. nelebrte Anzeigon. I. , 553; Snppl. SolirAbor, il. 1811, 974."

Bahytirlfi ■•riHa, Hehim, Hya. 1844, 3i1.—GUb*l. tWiiff. 1853, 7U4.— (i«reat«, Joum. de Zool.
iv. 1875, pp. 90a-9M (oatooloffy).

UUX n^rla*. Lm*. Xonv. Tubl. K. A. 1849, 71.

Mttitlelll lutrlH, L. H. N. i. 1758, 4.V no. 1 (es Act Petrop. 1749, 907); 17(M, 66, no. l.-8ehrtb.
SttiiK- iii. 1777, pi. 198 (name on plate).— On». S. N. i. 1788, 99, no, 1 (nxol. var. B, which
= brarilieinUh—Turt. S. X. I. 1806, 57.

PdOM iHlriN, Paa. Zoos. R.-A. i. 1831, 100, no. 34.

LlltM lutlii, Let*. Man. 18-27, 155, no. 419.— fV. Oue. "Oiot. Sci. "Sat. xxvii. 945 "t SnppI,
Buif. L 1831, 904.-/*. Oeof. " Dick Claaa. is. 518 ". -PUek. Syn. 1890, 99T, no. 7.

Bllhjrtfrlii iNtrln, ffray, P. Z. S. 1865. 136, pi. 7 ; Cat Cam. Br. Mas. 1860, — .

Klhydn latrta, Dt Kay, K. Y. Zottl. 1849, 41.— Orat^, Cat. Mamm. Br. Mas. 1843, 79.— (7«rr.
Cat. Bones Br. Mus. 1869, 109.

Phm orlenlAllH, Oktn. Lehrb. Natarg. Th. UL Abth. 11. 1816, p. 986.

LatM Mellerl, !>«•«. Man. 1897, 1.16, no. 493.

BayirU Btellf rl, FUeh. Syn. 1899, 999.

TLalni cneills Shaw, O. Z. i. 180O, 447 (based on "SUndtr OtUr" of Pennant, Quad. il. 85.,
Korth Amerioa, Staten Land).

f iHtrm VrMllis («mo Pum}, Ok^n, Lebrb. KatnrK. Tli. iii. Abth. ii. 1806, 986.

tEaHrh grMllls, PUeh. Syn. 189d, 99» ((torn Shaw, L c).

Meeroller, BUUer, " Hamb. Mag. xL 460, with flx."— Jfiitt. Naturs. L 1773,959.

Bceolter, Hallm, "Natnrg. rlerf. Th. 1757, 567 ".

SMblker Oder 8ec«t(er, "SUUer, Kamtach. 17 /4, 97 ".

SMklher, MiUL " Samml. ilL , 944 ".

lAntsekMtkiselie Bicker, id. "iML 389".

BM Otter, Pmn. Syn. Qnad. 1771, 941, na 175 (in part) ; Hist Quad. 1781, — ^ no. 930t Arot.
Zoiil. 1. 1784, 88, no. 36.— Cbot, " Third Voy. 18T4, IL 995, pi. 43 ; Maarss's Voy. 1790, pp. 941 ,
U60."— 2/t(m« <t MemiM, PhlL Trans. 1796, 385.— «eammon, Am. Nat iv. 1870. OS (de-
tailed biography); "Overiand Monthly", It. 85 (biography); Marine Mamm. 1874,
*ohap. vi. pp. 169-175, woodoatfi, pL xxiL lower flg. (biography, etc.).

8e« Beftver, Krateh. " Hist Kamts. (Orieve's transl.), 1764, 131."

iaatsckatukol Bokr or B«kr ■•rsk*! Aiwtten.

laiko, AKq.

EalM, Stetter, I. «., dray, L e.

utor ■•riB, Krateh. " Hist Ktmtsoh. , 444 ".

iMUttt ie aer, Oook, "Third Toy. (Frraoh trusl.), pL 43."

Loatre ■srlae, Detm. I e., Fr. Cue. t &

loatre «ii laMtckatkn, Oeofr. "Collect Mas. d'RUt Nat"; Xenon, L e.

loatre aarlMe AlCte klMeke,"Di«t8«.NatfasaTiLpL19,f.9 '.— I>««m.{.«.

Var. L. ■aria* wllk » wklte kcM, HorL op. sO. 7^

Lo atre ie Bteller, Leu. L e.

BarleoTleaae, Buf. " Snppl. tL 4to, 887 " (in part).

Hab.— The North Paoifio. On the American Hide, south to Lower Califor-
Dia.

Spbcific characters.— Hind feet broad, like a Seal's flippers, the soles
fnrry ; fore feet sniall, like a Cat's paws, the palkns naked; tail terete, obtuse,
about i the length of head and body. Form massive. Color dark lirer*
brown, bleaching on the head, everywhere silvered with hoary ends of the
longer hairs. Length over all about 4 feet- of which the tail is a foot or less ;
hind foot about 6 inches- long by 4 broad. Qirth about 2^ feet.

Description of external charactert.*

In general superficial aspects, the Sea Otter is not unlike a
Seal — a resemblance increased by the flipper-like hind feet. The

* From No. 9457, Mus. Smiths. Inst., Alaska, Dr. Minor.

32H

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

body is a swoUeu cjliiider, abrapt bebiiid, tapering before to a
small globose head without notable constriction of neck ; the
limbs are short ; the t<iil is Hhort, terete-tipering, obtuse ; there
is a remarkable disparity in size and shape between the fore
and hind feet, not seen in any other species of Mmtelidce. In
life, the skin is remarkably loose and "rolling''; theiielt of an
individual four feet long readily stretches to six feet ; and when
the animal is lifted np by the skin, a foot or so of "slack"
gathers. The pelage is notable for the preponderance of the
woolly under fur, the longer stiffer hairs being very scanty. It
is of the samid general character all over the body ; but on the
head, feet, and tail consists chiedy of a finer fur, with little or
110 admixture of bristly hairs. The only naked parts are the
mu£Qe and palms.

The naked niuftle, an inch broad, and deeper than this, is
lozenge-shaped, with acute sui)erior and inferior angles, obtuse
lateral angles, straight or slightly sinuous upper sides, the
lower sides somewhat irregular for most of their length, owing
to the nostrils ; these ot)en quite broadly upon the surface. The
face of the nasal pad is minutely papillate, and divided part
way by a vertical line of impression. The eyes, of moderate
size, are high up, forming a nearly equilateral triangle with
the apex of the muzzle. The ears are situated remarkably low
down — far below the eyes, and in fact little above the level of
the commissure of the mouth ; they are very small, flat, obtusely
pointed, sparsely and very shortly pilous outside, only partially
furry inside. The whiskers are few, short, extremely stout and
stiff, directed downward for the most part ; there are a few
other bristles over the eyes, but none are noted on the chin or
cheeks.

The fore feet are remarkably small, giving the limb an appear-
ance which suggests amputation at the wrist ; the digits are
very short and much consolidated; the very small, short, and
much arched claws are almost entirely hidden in the fur. The
general contour of the foot is circular in front. The palm is
naked, and minutely granular, with small roughened tubercles.
The baldness reaches up to the wrist on the outer side in a nar-
row space. The hind feet, on the contrary, are notable for their
expansion and flattening into strong effective oar^. The gen-
eral shape is trapezoidal — the longest side exterioi-, the side
represented by the ends of the digits next longest ; the inner
border shorter, while the angle represents the fourth and much

U. 8. Geological Survey.

MuitelidsB. PLATE XX.

EnbydrlR liitrls. (Upper tig. reduced. Lower flg. nat. size.)

DESCRIPTION OF ENHYDRI8 LUTBI8.

329

the shortest side. The digits are eatirely webbed by membranes
■tretohiag from tip to tip of all the toes. When widespread,
the ends of the toes describe a slight curve, the inner one beint; a
little shorter than the next, the rest regularly graduated. The
claws are short, stout, arched, and rather obtuse, hidden in the
dense fur, which completely invests the foot above and below.
The tail is short, stout, and terete, with a slight taper through-
out, at the end rather abruptly contracting to an obtuse tip.

The coloration varies greatly with age and season. When
the animal is in good state, like the specimen now under par-
ticular consideration, it is deep liver-brown, about the same
above and below, everywhere silvered or "firosted" with the
hoary tips of the longer stiff hairs. These colorless hairs are
rather more numerous below than above, giving a lighter t.one
to the under parts, the body of which, however, is of much the
same color as the back. There are fewer or none such light-
tipped hairs on the tail and limbs, which consequently appear
of a more uniform liver-brown. On the fore part, just in advance
of the shoulders, the color lightens rather abruptly into a gray-
ish or light muddy brown, and the bleaching increases on the
head, which is of a brownish-white. The whiskers are color-
less ; the muffle black ; the claws dark.

Among the numerous specimens examined, including some
not " in condition", great variation is exhibited in the extent to
which the ground color is overlaid with the hoary. The longer
hairs are sometimes so numerous and so extensively bleached
that the animal appears mo^itly grizzly, completely bleached
upon the neck and head. The light hairs, instead of being
purely hoary, are frequently of a yellowish tint, as if soiled.
The variations in the ground color are chiefly due to presence
or absence of a ^'red" shade, which, in the best specimens, pro-
duces the rich liver-browu hue or chocolate-shaded color, and
the absence of which leaves the brown of a plain dark charac-
ter. There is often a noticeable blackish area between the
fore-legs.*

The variability of this species in size, though great, is only
on a par with that of its allies. The dimensions may be gath-
ered from the measurements already given ; but, though these
are incomplete, they are not here supplemented with others,

* The tendency to special particoloration on the throat and breast is strong
In MMtelida. It is fViUy carried out in Gulo, Miutela, PntoriuB vison, &o.,
and even indicated here in EnhydrU,

f I

t h

380

NORTH AMESICAN MUSTELID^.

since such as oonld be given from the driM skins before me
would be only approximate. The ear is about an inch long,
measured from the notch in front, and about two-thirds as wide.

Young (a very young individual, under two feet long, also
collected by Dr. Minor in the Aleutian Islands). — Tlie coat is
comparatively much longer than that of the adult, loose,
rather harsh, and of a peculiar tluiYy character, with kinky
fibre. The naked mufUe is much as in the adult, but quite
smooth ; the ears are entirely hidden in the abundant wool of
the parts ; the hind tieet scarcely show their proper shape ; the
tail is dubbed, rather thicker at the abrupt end than at the
base ; a decided constriction of the neck appears in the speci-
men as mounted. The feet are quite blackish ; otherwise the
animal is dull grayish-brown, everywhere strongly frosted
with hoary, lighter, and more uniformly brownish-white on the
head and neck, bleaching to dingy white underneath the head
and before th<d shoulders.

To sum the salient external pecnliaritios of this species in
comparison with Lutra^ it is only necessary to mention the
more massive form, the much shorter, more uniformly terete
and obtuse tail, and wholly peculiar structure of the feet. To
exhibit the characters of the species in the clearest light, I add
to the foregoing technical description the following account
from Meares's Voyage (1790), showing how the appearance of
the animal wonld strike an unscientific observer : —

** The Sea Otter is tarnished with a formif lable set of teeth ;
its fore paws are like those of the Biver < )tter, but of much
larger sise, and greater strength ; its hind feet are skirted with
a membrane, on which, as on the fore feet, there grows a thick
and coarse hair. The fur varies in beauty according to the age
of the animal. The young cubs, of a few months old, are
covered with a long, coarse, white hair, which protects the fine
down that lies beneath it. The natives often pluck off this
coarse hair, when the lower ftir appears like velvet, of a beau-
tiful brown colour. As they increase in size, the long hair falls
off, and the fur becomes blackish, but still remains short. When
the animal is full grown, it becomes of a jet [fj black, and in<
creases in beauty; the fur then thickens, and is thinly sprinkled
with white hairs. When they are past the age of perfection, and
verge towards old age, their skin [fnrj changes into a dark
brown, dingy colour, and of course diminishes in value. The
skins of those killed in the winter are of a more beautiful

SKULL AND TEETH OF ENHYDRIf) LUTB18.

831

black, And in every reapeot more perfect than those which are
taker in the summer and aatnmn. The male Otter is beyond
all oomparison the more beautiful than the female and is dis-
tinguished by the sniierior Jetty colour, as well as velvety
appearance of his skin ; whereaN the head, throat and belly of
the female, are not only oovere<l with fur that is white, but
which is also of a very coarse teiture. The skins in the highest
estimation are those which have the belly and throat plentifully
interspersed with a kind of brilliant silver hairs, while the
body is covered with a thick black fur of extreme fineness, and
a silky gloss."

Among other earlier descriptions, that of Dr. Pallas, mod-
estly styled <*ad complementum Stellerianffi", in delicate com*
pliment to the previous traveller, may be cited in illustration
of some of the more infrequent variations. Pallas speaks of a
■peoimen fh)m Kodiak, which was yellowish-white, shaded on
the back with gray (e flavegcentialba, medio dorao grgaea nebula
enumhrato). The old animal, he says, is glossy black, with
somewhat reddish under fnr, and often over five feet long; the
young are rather dark grayish.

Deeeription of the ekull and teeth.* (See Plates XIX, XX.)

With a general resemblance to that of LtttrOf the skull of the
Sea Otter differs not only in its superior size, but in its masslve-
ness, depth, breadth behind, truncation anteriorly, and several
details which will appear in the sequel. There is a general
condition which would suggest, in common parlance, such terms
as "huge", '< bulky", ** misshapen", and a superficial likeness to
the sknlls of some of the Pinn^tediOf with which the Sea Otter
is intimately associated in its mode of life.

As evidenced by the sutures in some tery young skulls before
me. the disposition of the several bones is mnch as in Lutra,
but there are some peculiarities. The malar bone is, as it were,
shifted bodily backward; it reaches to the glenoid fossa, and,
in fact, just misses a share in the articulation of thci lower Jaw,
while in front it stops altogether short of the bridge over the
anteorbital foramen, which is thus circumscrilied only by a very
slender rod from the maxillary. The intermaxillary bones are
so short and deep as to be almost vertical; their apices merely

*The oeteology of this speolea has been specially stadied by Martens (PiZ.
8. 1836, 59) and Gervais ( Journ. de Zool. iv. 1875, 300-206). Oerrard gives the
vertebral formnla as C. 7 ; D. 14 ; L. 6 ; S. 3 ; Cd. 18.

!il I

332

NOBTH AMERICAN MUBTELID^.

meet the extremity of the nasals. More than a third of the in-
cisive foramen k maxillary, not intermaxillary. The orbito-
sphenoid recedes deeply in its surroundings. Other points will
appear in a topographical account of the skull.

Viewed from above, the cranium differs from that of Lutra in
greater mflation of the cerebral walls, especially anteriorly,
where the encroachment upon the temporal fcsste is decided.
Supraorbital proceEies are not so well developed (about as in
a Badger or Marten; the development in Lutra is exceptional).
The nasal orifice is greatly foreshortened in this view, owing
to the abrupt truncation of the mandible. It is difficult to say
how long the rostrum is, owing to the configuration of the parts,
but it may be estimated at about one-sixth of the total length
of the skull. Owing to its verticality, the anteorbital foramen
is scarcely seen in this view (it comes into sight inside the orbit
io Lutra). In old specimens, there is a strong sagittal crest
wanting in Lutra} in young ones, an irregular elevated tablet.
The top of the rostrum and adjoining interorbital space is a
smooth, flat tablet, as in Lutra. The occipital contour is much
as described in Lutra.

Id profile, the skull shows the same flatness on top as is seen
in Lutraj with the additional feature of an almost vertical an-
terior truncation from the ends of the nasals, at little more than
a right angle, and almost straight down to the incisors. Such
contour is highly characteristic, and reminds one of the same
part in a Walrus. Owing to the slight supraorbital process and
little marked malar protuberance, the orbit is not well defined;
not ' 9 well as it is in the other subfamilies, excepting Mephitinai.
The zygomatic arch rises abruptly behind. Its upper border
is then about straight and horizontal to the orbit ; its lower
border is a strong regular curve throughout. Other mattera to
be noted in the ;irofile view are much as in Lutra.

From below: The zygomatic width' is about three-fourths the
lengtli; the intermastoid diameter but slightly less. The palate
reaches back of the molars about half-way to the ends of the
pterygoids. The emargination between these bones is extremely
wide and shallow. Perhaps here only in the family, the depth
of the emargination is no greater, or less than, its width. The
recess is sometimes almost semicircular, though the sides are
usually more nearly parallel, and the end transverse. In detail,
the shelf of the palate is altogether irregular. The walls of the
glenoid fosste are rarely, if ever, so much developed as to lock

SKULL AND TEETH OF ENHYDRI8 LUTRIS.

333

the jaw. I have uot witnessed such case. The back wall, in-
stead of overlapping strongly at its oater angle, is regularly
produced into a border all along. The inflation of the bnllse is
about as in Lutra. The posterior foramen lacerum is a large
circular hole. The articular surfaces of the condyles differ from
those of Lutra in not being produced toward each other; they
are simply oval. The great foramen is irregularly circular
rather than transversely elliptical, having a strong median supe-
rior as well as inferior emargination. In the under jaw, the
symphysis is shorter and apparently less solid than usual. I
find the nnion incomplete in some middle-aged specimens. The
ramus of the under jaw is deep and thick, and has a decided
twist, scarcely or not recognizable in other genera, by which the
lower part is exflected posteriorly. The coronoid is very broad
to the rounded end ; the hind border rises straight and a little
obliquely backward, so as to overhang the condyle; the front
border is strongly, somewhat irregularly, curved. The muscu-
lar impression on the outside of the coronoid is deep and exten-
sive, reaching below to the very edge of the jaw, and forward
to a point below the last molar.

The dentition of Enhydris is peculiar in several respects. As
in LutrincB, but not as in any other subfamily of MunteMte, there
is the same number of teeth in both jaws (16) ; but this equality
is brought about in a curious way, loss of the upper anterior
premolar being rectified, so far as preserving equality of teeth
in the two jawu is concerned, by lack of one pair of inferior
incieors. Thus there are four fewer teeth than in Lutrina (||
instead of |f ). This is the only instance in the family of less
than six incisors below, or of an unequal number of incisors in
the two jaws. In the presence of an equal number of premolars
above and below, Enhydris agrees with all the other North Amer-
ican genera excepting i^ttra (^) and normal Conepatui (^); in
the presence of three premolars above and below, it agrees with
all but Lutra^ Conepatus, Ifiwtoto, and Gulo (the two last having
^); in the presence of three premolars below, it agrees with all
excepting Muatela and Oulo,

In the physical character of the teeth, as well as in the dental
formula, Enhydris is peculiar in its family. All the grinders are
of a singularly massive, tubercular, almost bulbous character,
with no trenchant edges, ac^te cusps, or even angular edges.
This is in evident adaptation to the piscivorous regimen(of the
animal. The teeth of even the youngest specimens^bave an

334

NORTH AMEBICAN MUSTELID^.

appearance of being greatly worn, as is not, however, the case.
In fact, there is less difference with age here than elsewhere in
the family. The back apper molar is the largest tooth of all,
being as wide as, and much longer.thau, the sectorial tooth. It
is irregularly oval in shape, its long axis oblique ; its face is
studded with obtuse tubercles in a manner scarcely admitting
of detailed^description. The back upper premolar is squarish,
with rounded-off angles, and presents outwardly a pair of large
obtuse tubercles, whereof the anterior o.ie is the larger, sepa-
rated by a groove from an interior lower portion of the tooth
occupied by a single large, blunt, conical tubercle. The next
premolar is a blunt cone with a heel behind. The anterior pre-
molar is entirely similar, but much smaller, and crowded inward
from the general axis of dentition. It has but one fang; the
tooth behind it is two-rooted ; the sectorial tooth roots by three
fangs, two external, one internal; the upper molar is set in
three irregular shallow sockets. The back lower mular is trans-
versely elliptical rather than circular; its face is smooth and
flattened, with a crosswise central depression. The anterior
lower molar is completely and bluntly tuberculous, showing only
traces cf its likeness to the same tooth elsewhere in the family
in a slightly elevated, tri-tuberculous, anterior part, and a flat-
tish, depressed hind part The back lower premolar is an irreg-
ular, low. blunt cone, with a oiouandary eminence part way up
its inner aspect. The other premolars are successively smaller
and simpler. The front preuiulur and back molar are single-
rooted; the anterior molar has four roots; the next tooth three;
the next two. The canines, both above and below, are rathi^r
flmall, comparatively; the latter is not much curved. Of iho
superior incisors, the lateral pair are moderately hirger thtiu the
rest, and taper somewhat toward the end from au el jow near
the base. The others are smaller, especially narrow, and some-
what cic'o sbaiied; none are obviously Iub.*te. Of the inferior
incisors, it is seen to be the median p^iir that are missing, for
the next pair (here the middle |»air) have tiio back wani set, which
usually distinguishes them in other genfra. These incisors are
all strongly clubbed at their extremities, which lure irregularly
nicked.

History of the gpecien.

The history of this sitecies may be considered to have begun
in the midJ!le of the last century. One of the earliest ac-

HISTOBY OF THE SEA OTTEK.

335

counts, if not the first one of any scientific pretensions, was
that of the celebrated navigator Steller, who described the
animal, in 175 L, under the name of Lutra maHnq^ a term not
yet wholly obsolete, though untenable under the rules of nomen-
clature. This may have been the first introduction of the spe-
cies to the notice of civilized, or at least of scientific, men,
though the animal had, of course, long been known to the na-
tives of the countries along the shores of which it was found.
It was known to the Bussinns as the Sea or Kamtschatkan
Beaver (Bobr morskoi and Kamtschatskoi Bobr), and to the
Kamtschatkans themselves as the Kalan; while other barbar-
ous nations had their own eq ui valeut terms, or several such, to
indicate ditterent ages or states of pelage. Notwithstanding
the accuracy of Steller's account, which is quoted and somu-
times consulted to tbe present day, and in spite of the unmer-
ous striking peculiarities which the animal offers upon the
most casual inspection, the compilers of various systematic
treatises soon suffered under a confusion of ideas, and perpe-
trated blunders that were not for many years eradicated.
LinnsBus confounded it with the Saricovienne or Brazilian Ot-
ter, Lutra brasiUensU; and the same mistake was even made
by several much more accomplished therologists, like Brisson
and Pennant. It would be presumed that its remarkable fea-
tures would have prevented this; instead, however, we find
that the singular construction of the hind feet, general aspect,
and mode of life have caused it to be classed among t!i<5
Seals — Pallas indeed, an eminent naturalist and observing
traveller, calls it a Fhoca ; and in the latest publication upon
the subject, Capt. G. M. Scammon's Marine Mammals (1874), it
is located again in the midst of Pinnipedia. It is, of tNiursf ,
unnecessary to seriously discuss a procedure which, like tliiK,
is indefensible upon any but the most superficial and unMcieu-
tific considerations, drawn from the aquatic habits of tlie ani-
mal, and the modifications required for this end. Ita relation-
ships with the Pinnipeds are entirely those of analogy.

Linnaeius was right, according to the terms of classification
of his day, in placing it in the genus Mustela, a group nearly
equivalent to the family Mu»telid€B as now understood. Over-
looking or ignoring Steller's name cf Itutra tnarina^ which,
Uieagh binomial in the letter, was merely a Littin translation
of a vernacular term, and not binomial upon any i^stem, ho
called the species Mustela lutriSf a name the siiecitto portion of

336

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

which must stand, even thoagh, as already intimated, it in-
cludes an altogether different animal, Lutra brasilien»i9; for
the Stelleritvi name marina was not used by any binomial
writer until after Linnteus had applied lutris. Steller's more
obviously appropriate designation of marina was, nevertheless,
adopted by Erxleben, Schreber, Desmarest, and other distin-
guished naturalists of various countries, and became generally
current. In consequence, doubtless, of the very marked char-
acters which the species affords, only two or three nominal
species have been based upon it. The first of these, instituted
by Oken, the famous anatomist and naturalist, is, in fact,
scarcely a nominal species in the usual acceptation of the
term, being merely, like the Mustela lutris of Linnseus, a re-
naming of the well-known animal, without intention of sep-
arating from it a second species. Oken called it Pusa orieti-
taliSj in 1816,* in the work above cited, apparently inventing
both the generic and specific term, in this application at least.
R.-P. Lesson is responsible for another. synonym, having, in
1827, renamed the species Lutra steUeri, a compliment to the
distinguished navigator who gave us the early account, but one
which the rules of nomenclature forbid us to adopt, however
we might incline to such course. Lesson appears to have fan-
cied that the Kamtschatkan Otter, Lutra or Mustela lutris of
authors, and Lutra marina of Erxleben, was a true Land Otter,
different from Steller's animal, and, in fact, such wa,s partly the
case. We have yet to consider a very problematical animal,
the Slender Otter of Pennant, which became the Lutra gracilis
of Shaw, the Enydris gnwilis of Fischer, and is mentioned
under Fusa by Oken, said to be fi*om Staaten-Land, Nord-
Amerika. It is impossible to determine what this is, owing to
the iipperfection of the description, but it was probably based
upon a Sea Otter ; Pennant himself appears to have given it
up, as it does not figure in his later work, "Arctic Zodlogy ".
Oken speaks of <* Staaten-Land, bei New-York^f evidently hav-
ing what is now known as Staten Island in view ; but it is
safer to presume upon a geographical error here than to refer
the animal to Lutra canadensis^ which, as is well known, is the
only Otter of the Eastern United States, where the Sea Otter
certainly vloes not occur.
These specific names are the only ones I have come upon in

* De Blainville gives the date of the name as 1614, bat I have not been
Itble to trace it back of 1816.

HISTORY OF THE SEA OTTER.

337

searching the literature of the species ; but we have still to
consider the several designations resulting from their combina-
tion with various generic designations, some of which are old,
and belong to other groups, while others were newly invented
for this particular species. The former are, in the order of
their successive use, Lutra, JUusielay and Phoca, after Steller,
Linnteus, and Pallas respectively ; these need not detain us. It
was three quarters of a century, nearly, from its original intro-
duction to the system, before the strongly marked characters
of the species were made typical of a new genus — Pusa of Oken,
already mentioned, being the first-named of this sort. Pnea
had, however, already been used by another vriter in connection
with a genus of Seals now commonly known as Ualicl' ^nt»,
but in such a peculiar way as to raise one of those tech. cal
questions of synonymy which authors interpret differently, in
absence of fixed rule. Scopoli based his Pusa upon a figure of
Salomon MUlIer'o, recognizable with certainty as Halichceru8,ar\d
gave characters utterly irreconcilable with those of this animal.
This is the whole case. Now it may be argued that there being
no such animal whatever as Scopoli says his Pusa was, his
name drops out of the system, and Pusa of Oken, virtually an
entirely new term, is tenable for something else, namely, for
the Sea Otter. On the other hand, Scopoli's quotations show
exactly what he meant, in spite of his inept diagnosis ; his name
Pksu therefore holds, and cannot be subsequently used by Oken
in a different connection. This is the view I take in this and
all similar cases, when a name can be identified by any means
whatsoever, intrinsic or circumstantial, no matter ho;7 wide of
the mark the ascribed characters may be. And even if it be not
the first tenable name of a genus — in other words, if it be only
a synonym of a prior name— it cannot be used again as a tenable
name for a different genus. This name Piisa thus disposed of,
another to be similarly treated is Latax of Gloger. Though
applied by some authors, particularly J. E. Gray {more suo, with
little regard for the obvious requirements of the case), to species
of Lutra proper, Latax was nevertheless based by its founder
upon the Sea Otter, Lutra marina, in the xiiith vol. (1827) of
the N. Act. Nat. Curios, p. 511 (reprinted in the Isis for 1829,
and in F6russac's Bulletin). This well-identified name* is, how-

* It is, however, doubtful whether Lattuc can be considered as established
at all ; for Gloger, treating of the Sea Otter under the name Lutra iHarina,
simply takes occasion to crithcise the fitness of Oken's term Pusa, and to
suggest that Latax might be a more apt designation.
22 M

338

NORTH AMERICAN .VIUSTELID^.

ever, an iiuquestiouable synonym of Enhydra of Fleming, insti-
tuted in 1822, in tbat author's " Philosophy of Zoiilogy \ and
which, under its various forms of i7N/k^^n«. EnydriSf and Enhydra^
has been most generally employed of late years.

Besides the technical accounts of very nnmerons authors
who never saw the animal alive, there are many other notices
of more general interest, in unscientific works, giving informa-
tion upon its habits and manners, and various figures, more or
less true to life, are extant. The famous navigator Cook
treats of the Sea Otter, and gives a fair representation. The
description from Meares's Voyage, accurate, though nntechnical,
is frequently quoted. Meuzies's article in the Philosophical
Transactions for 179G may be noted in this connection. Pen-
nant, as usual, has an extended biographical notice. Probably
the first anatomical article of any note is Martins's, upon the
osteology of the species ; that of M. Gervais is specially im-
portant. In late times, detached notices of its habits have
multiplied, from the pens of a number of naturalists who have
visited the northwest coast, and largely contributed to a com-
plete history. Gapt. Scammou's several articles above quoted,
all to much the same effect, are specially noteworthy, though
certain points n ay require to be scrutinized and checked by tho
observations of others. The author last mentioned also repro-
duces the figure by Wolf, which accompanied Dr. J. E. Gray's
paper on the Mustelidtc^ in Zoological Society's Proceedings for
1SG5; this is probably the most life-liko representation of the
species extant. J. W. Audubon's plate, published in the work
of his father abti Dr. Bachman, is aflni^hed drawingof unmistak-
able character, probably the best one generally accessible to
American students. Neither Sir John Bichardson nor Audu-
bon had met with the species alive, and their biographies, the
principal ones which until lately had appeared in works upon
American Mammals, are necessarily at second hand. The only
Americali biographies, indeed, at all approaching completeness
are those of Mr. Elliott and Capt. Scammon, already cited.

"TAe Sea-Otter and Its Hunting.^*
[By H. W. Elliott.]

" The sea-otter, like the fur-seal, is another illustration of an
animal long known and highly prized in the commercial world,

* Having do original infortnation to ofl'er respecting the commercial bii-
tory, the chase, or the habits of the Sea Otter, I extract an accoant which
there is reason to believe to be the most complete, accnrcte, and reliable at

((

THE SEA-OTTER AND ITS HUNTING.

339

yet respecting the habits a^'; life of which nothing definite has
been ascertained or published. The reason for tbis is obvious,
for, save the natives who hunt them, no one properly qualified
has ever had an opportunity of ".eving the seaottcr so as to
study it in a state of nature, for, of all the shy, sensitive beasts,
upon the capture of which man sets any value, this creature is
the iDost keenly on the alert and difficult to obtain ; and, like
the fur-seal in this Territory, it possesses the enhancing value
of being principally confined to our country. A truthful ac-
count of the strange, vigilant life of the sea-otter, and of the
hardships and perils encountered by its hunters, would surpass
in novelty and interest the most attractive work of fiction.

"When the Russian traders opened up the Aleutian Islands,
they found the natives commonly wearing sea-otter cloaks,
which they parted with at first for a trifle, not placing any
especial value on the animal, as they did the hair-seal and the
sea-lion, the hair and skin of which were vastly more palatable
and serviceable to them ; but the offers of the greedy traders
soon set the natives after them. During the first few years the
numbers of these animals taken all along the Aleutian Chain,
and down the whole northwest coast as far as Oregon, were

our service. The following matter constitutes Chap. V, pp. 54-6*i, of Mr.
Henry W. Elliott's '' Report on the Condition of Atl'airs in the Territory of
Alaska", 8 vo, Washington, Government Printing Ot)ice, 1875. Mr. Elliott
has proven a trustworthy observer and zealous naturalist, and had excellent
opportunities of studying the whole snitjeet during bis long residence in
Alaska as special agent of the Treasury Department, charged with the Gov-
erament interests in the i: ur Seal Fisbenes.

A quotation from Sir John Richardson (Fn. Bor.-Ani. p. 59), touching the
early aspects of the Sea Otter business, will not be here out of place : —

" The fur of the Sea Otter being very handsome, 'vas much esteemed by
'the Chinese, and, until the market at Canton was overstocked, prime skins
brought extraordinarily high prices. The trade for a considerable period
was in the hands of the Russians, who soon after the discovery of the north-
west coast of America, by Beering [sic] and Tschirikow, sent mercantile
expeditions hither. Captain Cook's third voyage drew the attention of
English speculators to that quarter, and vessels were freighted both by
private adventurers and the India Company, for the purpose of collecting
furs and conveying them to Canton. Pennant, alluding to this traffic, says,
' What a profitable trade (with China) might not a colony carry on, were it
possible to penetrate to that part of America by means of rivers and lakes.'
The event that Pennant wished for soon took place. Sir Alexander Mac-
kenzie having traversed the continent of America, and gained the coast of
the Pacific, his partners in trade followed up his success, by establishing fur
posts in New Caledonia, and a direct commerce with China; but the influx
of furs into that market soon reduced their price."

340

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

very great, and compared with what are now captured seem
perfectly fabulous; for instance, when the Prybilov Islands were
flrst discovered, two sailors, Lukannon and Kaiekov, killed at
8t. Paul's Island, in the first year of occupation, ^re thoutanH^
the next year they got less than a thousand, and in six years
after not a single scaotter appeared, and none have appeared
sinct^. When Shellikov's party first visited Cook's Inlet, they
secured three thousand; during the second year, two thousand ;
in the third, only eight hundred; the season following they
obtained six hundred; and finally, in 1812, less than a hundred,
and since then not a tenth of that number. The first visit made
by the Russians to the Gulf of Yahkntat, in 1794, two thousand
sea-otters were taken, but they diminished so rapidly that in
1799 less than three hundred were taken. In 1798 a large party
of Russians and Aleuts captured in Sitka Sound and neighbor-
hood twelve hundred skins, besides those for which they traded
with the natives there, fully as many more; and in the spring
of 1800 a few American and English vessels came into Sitka
Sound, anchored off the small Russian settlement there, and
traded with the natives for over two thousand skins, getting
the trade of the Indians by giving fire-arms and powder, ball,
&c., which the Russians did not dare to do, living then, as they
were, in the country. In one of the early years of the Russian
American Company, 1804, Barauov went to the Okotsk from
Alaska with fifteen thousand sea-otter skins, that were worth
as much then as they are now, viz, fully $1,000,000.

" The result of this warfare upon the sea-otters, with ton
hunters then where there is one to-day, was not long delayed.
Everywhere throughout the whole coast-line frequented by
them the diminution set in, and it became difficult to get to.
places where a thousand have been as easily obtained as twenty-
five or thirty. A Russian chronicler says: 'The numbers of
several kinds of animals are growing very much less in the
present as compared with past times ; for instance the Company
here (Ounalashka) regularly killed more than a thousand sea-
otters annually ; now (1835) from seventy to a hundred and
fifty are taken; and there was a time, in 1836, when the returns
from the whole Ounalashka district (the Aleutian Islands) were
only fifteen alcim!

" It is also a fact coincident with this diminution of sea-
otters, that the population of the Aleutian Islands fell off almost
in the same proportion. The Russians regarded the lives of

((

THE SEA-OTTER AND ITS HUNTING.

341

these people as they did those of dogs, and treated them accord-
ingly ; they took, auder Baranov and his subordinates, hunting-
parties of five hundred to a thousand picked Aleuts, eleven or
twelve hundred miles to the eastward of their homes, in skin-
baidars and bidarkies, or kyacks, traversing one of the wildest
and roughest of coasts, and used them not only for the severe
drudgery of otter-hunting, but to fight the Koloshians and
other savages all the way up and down the coast ; this soon
destroyed them, and few ever got back alive.

" When the Territory cam'' in our possession, the Russians
were taking between four and five hundred sea-otters from the
Aleutian Islands and south of the peninsula of Alaska, with
perhaps a hundred and fifty more from Keuai, Yuhkutat, and
the Sitkan district ; the Hudson's Bay Company and other trad-
ers getting about two hundred more from the coast of Queen
Charlotte's and Vancouver's Islands, and off Gray's Harbor,
Washington Territory.

" Now, during the last season, 1873, instead of less than seven
hundred skins, as obtained by the Russians, our traders secured
not much less than foxir thousand skins. This immense differ-
ence is not due to the fact of there being a proportionate
increase of sea-otters, but to the organization of hunting-par-
ties in the same spirit and fashion, as in the early days above
mentioned. The keen competition of our traders will ruin the
business in a comparatively short time if some action is not
taken by the Government ; and to the credit of these traders
let it be said, that while they cannot desist, for if they do others
will step in and profit at their expense, yet they are anxious
that some prohibition should be laid upon the business. This
can be easily done, and in such manner as to perpetuate the sea-
otter, not only for themselves, but for the natives, who are
dependent upon its hunting for a living which makes them
superior to savages.

" Over two-thirds of all the soaotters taken in Alaska are
secured in two small areas of water, little rocky islets and reefs
around the island of Saanach and the Chernobours, which
proves that these animals, in spite of the incessant hunting all
the year round on this ground, seem to have some particular
preference for it to the practical exclusion of nearly all the rest
of the coast in the Territory. This may be due to its better
adaptation as a breeding-ground. It is also noteworthy that
all the sea-otters taken below the Straits of Fuca are shot by

342

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

the Indians and white hunters oflf the beach in the surf at Gray's
Harbor, a stretch of less than twenty miles ; here some fifty to
a hundred are taken every year, while not half that number
can be obtained from all the rest of the Washington and Oregon
coast-line ; there is nothing in the external appearance of this
reach to cause its selection by the sea-otterp, except perhaps
that it may be a little less rocky.

"As matters are nov conducted by the hunting-parties, the
sea-otters at Saanach and the Ohernobonrs do not have a day's
rest during the whole year. Parties relieve each other in succes-
sion, and a continuous warfare is maintained. This persistence
is stimulated by the traders, and is rendered still more deadly
to the sca-ottcr by the use of rifles of the best make, which, in
the hands of the young and ambitions natives, in spite of the
warnings of the old men, must result in the extermination of
these animals, as no authority exists in the land to prevent it.
These same old men, in order to successfully compete with their
rivals, have to drop their bone-spears and arrows, and take up
fire-arms in self-defense. So the bad work goes on rapidly,
though a majority of the natives and the traders deprecate it.
AVith a view to check this evil atid to perpetuate the life of the
sea-otter in the Territory, I offer the following suggestions to
the Department :

" 1st. Prohibit the use of fire-arms of any description in the
hunting of the sea-otter in the Territory of Alaska.

** 2d. Make it unlawful for any party or parties to hunt this
animal during the months of June, July, and August, fixing a
suitable penalty, fine, or punishment.

" The first proposition gives the sea-otter a chance to live ;
and, with the second, may possibly promote an increase in the
number of this valuable animal.

" The enforcement by the Government of this prohibition
will not be difiicult, as it is desired by a great majority of the
natives and all the traders having any real interest in the per-
petuation of the business. A good deputy attached to the
customs, whose salary and expenses might be more than paid
by a trifling tax on each otter-skin, say $1, could, if provided
with a sound whale-boat, make his headquarters at Saanach
and Belcovski and carry the law into effect. The trade of the
Kodiak district centers at the village of that name, and the
presence of the collector or his deputy will exert authority, and
cause the old native hunters and many of the younger who

HABITS OF THE SEA OTTER.

343

have reflectiou to comply with his demands. The collector
then being provided with the small revenue-steamer spoken of
in my chapter upon the duty of the Government toward the
Territory, can insure compliance with Mie instructions given
him, and punish violations.

"This proposed action on the part of the Government is
urgent and humane, for upon the successful hunting of the
sea-otter some five thousand christianized natives are entirely
dependent for the means to live iu a condition superior to bar-
barism.

" The hnhita of the nea-oUer. {Enhydra marfna.)

" I have had a number of interesting interviews with several
very intelligent traders, and an English hunter who had spent
an entire winter on Saanach Island, shooting sea-otters, and
enduring, wbile there, bitter privation and haiilship; and
chiefly from their accounts, aided by my own observation, 1
submit the following ■

^^Saanaoh Island, Islets, and Reefs, is the great sea-otter
ground of this country. The island itself is small, with a coast-
line circuit of about eighteen miles. Spots of sand-beacli are
found here and there, but the ninjor portion of it is compos?d
of enormous water-worn bowlders piled up by the surf. Tbe
interior is low and rolling, with a ridge rising into three hills,
the middle one some 800 feet in height. There is no timber
on it, but abundant grass, moss, &c., with a score of little
fresh-water lakes, in which multitudes of ducks and geese are
found every spring and fall. The natives do not live upon the
island, because the making of fires and scattering of food-
refuse alarms the otters, driving them off to sea ; so that it is
only camped upon, and fires are never built unless the wind is
from the southward, for no sea-otters are ever found to be
north of the island. The snffering.s to which the native hunt-
ers subject themselves every winter on this island, going for
many weeks without fires, even for cooking, with the ther-
mometer down to zero, in a northerly gale of- wiijid, is better
imagined than described.

" To the southward and westward, and stretching directly out
to sea, some five to eight miles from Saanach Island, is a suc-
cession of small islets, bare, most of them, at low water, but
with numerous reefs and rocky shoals, beds of kelp, &c. This
is the great sea-otter ground of Alaska, together with the

344

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.f:.

Cberoobour Islets, to the eustward aboat tbirty luiles, wbicb
are similar to it. Tbe sea-otter rarely landa upon tbe main
islaad, but it is found just out of water on the reef-rocks and
islets above mentioned, in certain seasons, and at a little dis-
tance at sea during calm and pleasant weather. Tbe adult
sea'Otter is an animal that will measure from three and a half
to four feet at most, from nose to tip of tail, which is short and
stumpy. The general contour of the body is closely like that
of the beaver, with the skin lying in loose folds, so that wlien
taken hold of in lifting the body out from the water, it is as
slack and draws up like the hide on the nape of a young dog.
This skin, which is taken from the body with but one cut made
in it at the posteriors, is turned inside out, and air-dried, and
stretched, so that it then gives the erroneous impression of an
animal at least six feet in length, with girth and shape of u
weasel or mink. There is no sexual dissimilarity in color or
size, and both manifest the same intense shyness and aversion
to man, coupled with the, greatest solicitude for their young,
which they bring into existence at all seasons of the year, for
tbe natives get young pups every month in the year. As the
natives have never caught the mothers bringing forth their off-
spring on the rocks, they are disposed to believe that the birth
takes place on kelp-beds, in pleasant or not over :ough weather.
The female has a single pup, born about fifteen inches in length,
and provided during the first month or two with a coat of coarse,
brownish, grizzled fur, bead and nape grizzled, grayish, rufous
white, with the roots of the hair growing darker toward the
skin. The feet, as in the adult, are very short, webbed, with
nails like a dog, fore-paws exceedingly feeble and small, all
covered with a short, fine, dark, bister-brown hair or fur. From
this poor condition of fur they improve as they grow older,
shading darker, finer, thicker, and softer, and by the time they
are two years of age they are * prime,' though the animal is
not fuil-grown until its fourth or fifth year. The white nose
and mustache of the pup are not changed in the adult. The
whiskers are white, short, and fine. The female has two teats,
resembling those of a cat, placed between the hind limbs on
the abdomen, and no signs of more ; the pup sucks a year at
least, and longer if its mother has no uCher; the mother
lies upon her back in the water or upon the rocks, as the case
may be, and when she is surprised, she protects her young by
clasping it in her fore-paws and turning her back to the danger

HABITS OF THE SEA OTTER.

345

they shed their fur Jast as the hair of man grows auil falls out;
the reason is evideut, for they must be ready for the water at
all times.

''The sea otter mother sleeps in the water on her back, with
her yonng clasped between her fore-paws. The pup cannot live
without its mother, though ft'eqnent attempts have been made
by the natives to raise them, as they often capture them alive,
but, like some other 8{)ecies of wild animals, it seems to be so
deeply imbued with fear of man that it invariably dies from
self-imposed starvation.

'' Their food, as might be inferred from the flat molars of
dentition, is almost entirely composed of clams, muscles, and
sea-urchins, of which they are very fond, and which they break
by striking the shells together, held in each fore-paw, sucking
ont the contents as they are fractured by these efforts ; they
also undoubtedly eat crabs, and the juicy tender fronds of kelp
or sea-weed, and fish.

*' They are not polygamous, and more than an individual is
seldom seen at a time when out at sea. The flesh is very un-
palatable, highly charged with a rank smell and flavor.

it They are playful, it would seem, for I am assured by several
old hunters that they have watched the sea-otter for half an
hour as it lay upon its back in the water and- tossed a piece of
sea- weed up in the air from paw to paw, apparently taking groat
delight in catching it before it could fall into the water. It will
also play with its young for hours.

'* The quick hearing and acute smell possessed by the sea-
otter are not equaled by any other creat>ures in the Territory.
They will take alarm and leave from the effects of a small fire,
lonr or five miles to the windward of them ; and the footstep
of man must be washed by many tides before its trace ceases
to alarm the animal and drive it from landing there should it
approach for that purpose.

« There are four principal methods of capturing the sea-otter,
viz, by 8urf-shootingf by spearing-aurroundSj by clubbing, and by
nets.

« The surf-shooting is the common method, but has only been
in TOgde among the natives a short time. The yonng men have
nearly all been supplied with rifies, with which they patrol the
shores of the island and inlets, and whenever a sea-otter's head
is seen in the surf, a thousand yards ont even, they fire, the
great distance and the noise of the surf preventing the sea-

I'll

346

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

otter from taking alarm until it is hit ; and in nine times out
of ten, when it is hit, in the head, which is all that is exposed,
the shot is fatal, and the hunter waits until the surf brings his
quarry in, if it is too rough for him to venture out in his
'bidarkie.' This shooting is kept up now the whole year
round.

"The spearing- surround is the orthodox native system of cap-
ture, Had reflects the highest credit upon them as bold, haroy
watermen. A party of fifteen or twenty bidarkies, with two
men in each, as a rule, all under the control of a chief elected
by common consent, start out in pleasant weather, or when it
is nOb too rough, and spread themselves out in a long line,
slowly paddling over the waters where sea-otters are most
usually found. When any one of them discovers an otter,
asleep, most likely, in the water, he makes a quiet signal, and
there is not a word spoken or a paddle splashed while they are
on the hunt. He darts toward the animal, but generally the
alarm is taken by the sensitive object, which instantly dives
before the Aleut can get near enough to throw his spear. The
hunter, however, keeps right on, and stops his canoe directly
over the spot where the otter disappeared. The others, tak-
ing note of the position, all deploy and scatter in a circle of
half a mile wide around the mark of departure thus made, and
patiently wait for the re-appearance of the otter, which must
take place within fifteen or thirty minutes, for breath ; and as
soon as this happens the nearest one to it darts forward. in tho
same manner as his predecessor, when all hands shout and
throw their spears, to make the animal dive again as quickly
as possible, thus giving it scarcely an instant to recover itself.
A sentry is placed over its second diving-wake as before, and
tha circle is drawn anew ; land the surprise is often repeated,
sometimes for two or three hours, until the sea-otter, from
interrupted respiration, becomes so filled with air or gases
that be cannot sink, and becomes at ouce an easy victim.

" The coolness with which these Aleuts will go far out to
sea in their cockle-shell kyacks, and risk the approach of
gales that are as apt to be against them as not, with a mere
handful of food and less water, is remarkable. They are cer-
tainly as hardy a set of hunters, patient and energetic, as can
be found in the world.

" The clubbing is only done in the winter-season, and then
at infrequent intervals, which occur when tremendous gales of

HABITS OF THE SEA OTTER.

347

wind from the northward, sweeping down over Saanach, have
about blown themselves out. The natives, the very boldest of
them, set out from Saanach, and skud down on the tail of the
gale to the far outlying rocks, just sticking out above surf-
wash, where they creep up from the leeward to the sea-otters
found there at such times, with their heads stuck into the beds
of kelp to avoid the wind. The noise of the galr is greater
than that made by the stealthy movements of the hunters,
who, armed each with a short, heavy wooden club, dispatch
the animals, one after another, without alarming the whole
body, and in this way two Aleuts, brothers, were known to
have slain seventy-eight in less than an hour and a half.

" There is no driving these animals out upon land. They
are fierce and courageous, and when surprised by a man be-
tween themselves and the water, they will make for the sea,
straight, without any regard tor the hunter, their progress, by
a succession of short leaps, being very rapid for a small dis-
tance. The greatest care is taken by the sea-otter hunters on
Saanack. They have lived in the dead of a severe winter six
weeks at a time without kindling a fire, and with certain
winds they never light one. They do not smoke, nor do they
scatter or empty food-refuse on the beaches. Of all this I am
assured by one who is perhaps the first white eye-witness of
this winter-hunting, as he lived on the island through that of
1872-'73, and could not be induced to repeat it.

'' The hunting by use of nets culls up the strange dissimilar-
ity existing now, as it has in all time past, between the prac-
tice of the Atka and Attou Aleuts and that of those of Ouua-
lashka and the eastward, as given above. These people cap-
ture the sea-otter in nets, from 10 to 18 feet long and G to U)
feet wide, with coarse meshes made nowadays of t\Tine, but
formerly of sinew.

*' On the kelp-beds these nets are spread out, and the na-
tives withdraw and watch. The otters come to sleep or rest
on those places, and get entangled in the meshes of the nets,
seeming to make little or no eflfort to escape, paralyzed as it
were by fear, and fall in this way easily into the hands of the
trappers, who tell me that they have caught as many as six at
one time in one of these small nets, and frequently get three.
They also watch for surf-holes or caves in the bluft's, and,
when one is found to which a sea-otter is in the habit of re-

348

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

sorting, they set this net by spreading it over thfe entrance,
and usually capture the animal.

" No injury whatever is done to these frail nets by the sea-
otters, strong animals as they are ; only stray sea-lions destroy
them. The Atka people have never been known to hunt sea-
otters without nets, while the people of Onnalashka and the
eastward have never been known to use them. Ti e bait-water
and kelp seem to act as a disinfectant to the net, so that the
smell of it does not repel or alarm the shy animal.'^

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Novels.

Slaves of the Ring, By F. W. Robinson, author of *' Second-

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Broken Toys. By Anna C. Steele, author of " So Runs the

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The Widow Lerouge. By Emile Gaboriau, author of "The

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The Mystery of Orcival. By Emile Gaboriau, author of" The

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Other Pe^nle's Money. From the French of Emile Gaboriau,

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Within an inch of His Life. From the French of Emile

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File No. 113. By Emile Gaboriau, author of " The Clique of

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" One of the most exciting and thoroughly absorbing of the cleverly constructed ito-

lies frpm the pen of Emile Gaboriau is entitled • File No 118,' "• Gazettt,

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ESTES AND LAURIATS PUBLICATIONS.
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Woven of Many Threads . By C. V. Hamilton, author of

" Ropes of Sand," " Crown from the Spear." 1vol. 8vo. Cloth, $1.25 ; Paper, 50 cts.

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Rop

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Broken Chains . Translated by Frances A. Shaw, from the

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Good Luck. By the author of •* Broken Cliains.*'

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Something To Do. i vol. 8vo. Cloth, $1.25; Paper, 75 cts.

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Not Easiiy Jealous. 1 vol. 8vo. Price, Cloth, $1.25; Paper,

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Joceiyn's l^istake . By Mrs. J. K. Spendir, author of "Her

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The Lost Despatch . Translated from the German of Fried-

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be read by all without fear or hesitation. " — ilT. T. Globe.

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ESTES & LAURIAT'S PUBLICATIONS.
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Counterparts. By the author of *« Charles Auchester" and

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Rumor. By the author of « Counterparts," ** Charles Auchester,"

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Maud or Nina — Like Cures Like. By G. J. Whyte-Melvili.e,

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The Foe in the Household. By Caroline Chesebro'. i vol.

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Checkmate. By J. S. Le Fanu, author of ** A Lost Name,"

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101

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