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ji . II ■pmnai^ai

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.

F. V. HAYDEN, U. S. GEOLOGIST.

VNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES, ..^-^^^r* *

MISCELLANEOUS PTTBLICATIOTTS, No. 8.

\0^ *A

FUR-BEARING ANIMALS:

A MONOGRAPH

North American Mdstelidj;,

IN WHICH AN ACCOUNT OP

THE WOLVERENE, THE MARTENS OR SABLES, THE ERHINE, THE MINK

AND VARIOUS OTHER KINDS OF WEASELS, SEVERAL SPECIES OF

SKUNKS, THE BADGER, THE LAND AND SEA OTTERS, AND

NUMEROUS EXOTIC ALLIES OF THESE ANIMALS,

18 CONTKinUTKD TO THB

HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICAN MAMMALS.

ELLIOTT COUES,

CAPTAIN InD assistant SUUdEON UNITED STATES AKMT,
SECRKTART ANU NATURALIST OF THB BUBVET.

ILLUSTRATED WITH SIXTY FIGURES ON TWENTY PLATES.

WASHINGTON:

aOVBENMBNT PEINTINO OFFIOB.

1877.

»■> i ^ > '

ite*' eoo o'

O (1 1 id

' e * n rt ft

* *" . t .

1 o * a p '

PREFATORY NOTH

U. S. Geological and Geographical

Survey of the Territories,
Washington, B. C, July n, 1877.

This treatise on Fur-bearing Animals of North America, pre-
pared by Dr. Elliott Coues, Assistant Surgeon United States
Army, at present on duty 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
Survey as soon as it can be prepared for the press, it is proposed
to treat the Mammals of North America, living and extinct, in
the same comprehensive and thorough manner in which the
single family of the Mmtelidce 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 will be condensed as far as
may be deemed compatible with itsdistinctively scientific 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 have also had weight with me in de-
ciding to publish this Monograph of the Mustelida in advance
of the general "History", and as a separate volume. This
family of Mammals is one of special interest and importance,
from an economic point of 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-
portant branch of our national industries.

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

III

5GT%

mmm

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

a desirable contribution to the literature of the general subject.
The Mustelid(v, like most other families of North American
Mammals, have not been systematically revised for many years,,
daring which much new material, hitherto unused, has become
available for the purposes of science; while the steady and
rapid progress of scientific inquiry has rendered it necessary t»
reopen and discuss many questions in a new light. The same
principles and methods of study which the author has suc-
cessfully applied to the elucidation of the Rodentia of North
America have been brought to bear upon the investigation of
the Miiatelidiv.

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 as 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's^
art, when it is remembered that photography gives no lines,
to be followed by the graver. 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 Gironlar '
relating to the proposed " History ", which was addressed by
Dr. Coues to the 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 Surgeon General of the Army.

F. V. HAYDEN,
United States Qeologiat.

* The several figures on the electrotype plate VI were kindly loaned by Mr^
£. A. Samnele, of Boston, from the Massachusetts Agrioalturol Report for 1861.
The figures on plate XII were drawn on wood by Mr. S. W. Keen, of Waelw
ingtoD, from photographs furnished by Mr. H. W. Parker, of the Agricultural
College, Amherst, Mass.

' [Reprinted.]

WAR DEPARTMENT,
SURGEON GENBKAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, March 31, 1877.

CIRCULAR ORDERS, )
No. 1. S

The attention of the Medical Officers of the Army is partioa*
larly invited to the following communication addressed to them
by Assistant Surgeon Elliott Ooues, U. S. Army.

It is hoped that their assistance and co-operation will be
cheerfully given for the reasons stated and in the manner indi>
cated by Dr. CouES.

Bt order of the Surgeon General:

C. H. CRANE,

Assistant Surgeon General^ U. 8. Army,

Office ok U. S. Geoix)Oical and Geookaphical Survey,

Waahington, D. C, Maroh 13, 1&77.
To THE Medical Officers of the Army :

Medical Officers of the Army, and others who may be interested in the
matter, are respectfally and earnestly invited to cooperate with the under-
8i);ned in the preparation of a worl; entitled "History of North American Mam-
malt," to be published by the Government.

It is now twenty years since the last general work apon the Qaadrnpeds
of this country appeared. The progress of our knowledge during this period
renders the demand for a new treatise imperative. It is proposed to make
the forthcoming "History" a standard 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 scope includes^
1. The Classification of North American Mammals according to the latest
and most approved views of leading therologists, including diagnoses of
the orders, families, genera and species.
H. The most acceptable Nomenclature of each species and variety, with ex-
tensive Synonymy.

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

much anatomical detail, especially respecting the skull and teeth. •

4. The Geographical Distribution of the species — an important matter, con-

cerning which much remains to be learned.

5. The "Life-histories" of the species, or an account, as full and complete

as it can be made, of their habits. This is also a matter reqniriug niucti
further study.

6. The Bibliography of the subject.

V ■

NORTH AMERICAN MU8TELID.E.

While tbu strictly aciuntilic cbarncter of the work will bo iiiiiintained, tho
" life-historieH," being of general interest, will be divested us fur as pussiblo
of tecbuicalitit-H, and treated with u free bund, in popular style. The author
has long been engaged in gathering material for this work, already fur ad~
vaucetl, and hopes to publish at no distant day. His resources and facilitieH
for the preparation of the defcriptive and other technical portions of tho
treatite have been ample ; but he has still, in common with other naturalists,
much to learn respecting the Geographical Distribution and Habits of North
American Mammals. To these points, therefore, special attention is invited,
with the expectation that much important and valuable information may
be secured with the assistance of Medical and other Orticers of tho Army,
many of whom enjoy unusual facilities for ac(iuiring a knowledge of this
subject, and whose individual experiences, in many casen, represent a fund
of information not yet on sciontitic record, but which, it is hoped, may now
be made fully available.

The Geographical Distribution of animals can be thoroughly worked out
only by means of observations made at very many different places. To thi*
end it is desirable that lists should be prepared of the various species fount!
in any given locality, noting their relative abundance or scarcity, times of
appearance and disappearance, nature of their customary resorts, and other
pertinent particulars. A sutlioient 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 Otiicers, usually includes information of this kind, which, by the permia~
sion of the Surgeon General, is made available for the present purpose.

As a rule, the habits of largvr "game" animals, such as are ordinarily ob-
jects of the chase for pleasure or protit, and of all those which sustain obvion*
economic relations with man, as furnishing food or furs, or as committing
depredations upon crops or live stock, are the best known ; yet there ia
nino'ii to be learned even respecting these. The habits of many of the imatler,
insigniticaut or obscure species are almost entirely unknown. Full and ac-
curate information respecting tho habits of the numerous species of Plares,
Squirrels, Shrews, Moles, Mice, Rats, Bats, Weasels, Gophers, &e., is par-
ticularly desired. The Bats offer a peculiarly inviting and little explored
field of research. Among points to which attention may be directed, in any
case, are the following :

Date and duration of the rut. -Period of gestation. — Usual time of repro-
duction. — Number of yonng produced. — Duration of lactation. — Care of thei
young, by one or both parents. — State of monogamy or polygamy. — Time*
of disappearance and re-appearance of such animals as are migratory, and
of such as hybernate. — Completeness or interruption of torpidity. — Time*
of changing pelage, of acquiring, shedding and renewing horns. — Habit*
connected with theae processes. — Habits peculiar to the breeding and rut-
ting seasons. — Construction of nests, burrows, or other artiiicial retreats. —
Natural resorts at different seiisons. — Nature of food at various seasons ;
mode of procnriug it; laying-up of supplies; <|uantity required. — VariouA
cries, of what indicative.— 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 witU

(/ :i

CIRCULAR.

man ; how injiiriotiM or beneficial, to what extent, used for what pnrposoH,
yielding what products of value.

Other pointa will doubtless suggest theiiiHolveH to the observer. Anatom-
ical noteH of careful «liHHOCtionN of soft parts, particularly of the difjestivo
and reproductive organs, are valuable. Anecdotal records of personal ex-
periences possess at least the interest which attaches to originality, and are
very acceptable. Persous are frequently deterred from commuoicating their
observations for fear that what they have to otf^r may not be wanted. This
is generally a mistake. In the tirst place, duplication of data serves the
important purpohe of corroborating and coiitirmiiig the accuracy of reports
furnished, and in all cases of seasonal phenomena, which of course vary
with latitude, the same observations may be prolitably repeated at different
stations. Secondly, persons wlio write books are generally supposed to
know more than they really do.

Specimens of common and well-known animals, especially if bulky, are
of course less desirable than those of rare and obscure species ; but speci-
mens of any species securer! beyond the ordinary geographical range, or
illustrating unusual conditions, such as albiuism, melanism, or malforma-
tions, or representing euibryonio stages of growth, are always in demand.
Small dry parcels may be conveniently mailed direct to the undersigned;
large packages should be sent in accordance with Circular Orders, No. 2,
War Department, Surgeon General's.OfHce, April 13, 1875, (copy herewith [*]),
or by express, if the Quartermivster's I Jepartmont cannot furnish trauspor-

11 WA.i4 DKIPARTMICNT',

Surgeon General's Office,

' H'lishiiigton, Jpril l,\, 1875.

CIRCULAR ORDERS,

No. 2.

The following General Order from the Adjutant (jroneral's OHice is pub-
lished for the information of Medical Otlicers :

(JrENEKAL OKDEHH 1

No. -19. )

WAR DEPAUTMENT,

Adjucant Gknbkai.'k OKncK.

Wanhingtvn, April 6, IfiT.I.

The Quarteriuaiitur'8 Departiuent is iiiithoriKed to traii!iport to the Medical Musiniin at
Wasliinjit'jn such objects as may bo turned over to its otticers for that iiurpuse at any
military post or station by the otticers of the Medical Department.

By 0K1>EK OF THE SECKETAHY Ol' WaII :

E. D. TOWNSEXP,

Adjutant Qeiural.

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

By okder ok the Sukgeon Geneimi. :

C. H. CRANE,

AHuhlant Surgeon (Jenerttl U. H, Army.

VIII

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^t:.

tation. SpeoimenB, after examinatioa by the ODdenigued for the parpoae*
of the work in hand, will be depoaited, ia the name of the donor, in the
Amy Medical Mnaenm, or in the National Masanm.

Printed instraotions for collecting and preeerving specimens will be fnr<
nlahed on application to the Smithsonian Institution. Medical Of cers
reeeiviag this Circular are requested to bring it to the notice of others who
may be interested in the matter, and are cordially invited to open corre-
•pondence with the writer upon the subject.

It is proper to add, that, for all information or specimens furnished, full
oredit will be given in every instance, both in the text of the treatise in
which such material is utilized, and in the records and publications of the
Moaeum in which it is finally deposited; and that the author will regard
cooperation in this work as a personal favor, to be fully appreciated and
gratefully acknowledged.

ELLIOTT C0UE8,
Aatktant Surgton, U. S. Army.

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
The Family MUSTELIDiE.

Oeneral oonsiderationn— Systematic position and relations of the Mtu-
<e{id<e— Division into subfamilies— Schedule of the North American
genera— Their difi'erential characters — Diagnoses of the North
American subfamilies — The anal glands of MuBtelime—The fossil
North American species of Mustelina — Derivation and significa-
tion of names applied to Muatelida

CHAPTER II.

Subfamily MUSTELINE: The Wolverene.

The genus G«/o— Generic characters — Gulo Iu«cii«, the Wolverene — Syn-
onsrmy — Habitat — Specific characters — Description of external
characters — Measurements— Anal glands — Description of the skuU
and teeth — Measurements of skulls, European and American—
Nomenclature of the species — Relation of the European and Ameri-
can animal— General history, geographical distribution, and habits
of the species — Its distribution in the Old World

CHAPTER III.
MUSTELINE— Continued: The Martens.

The genus JtfM«(eIa — Genenc characters, &c. — Analysis of North
American species — Mustela pennanti, the Pekan or Pennant's Mar-
ten—Synonymy—Habitat—Specific characters — Description of
external characters — Dimensions — Skull and vertebrae— General
history, habits, and geographical distribution — Interpolated mat-
ter relating to exotic species of Muntela — M. martea — Synonymy —
Description of its skull and teeth— if. /atna— Synonymy — Notes
on its characters — M. zihellina — Synonymy — Measurements of
skulls of the three species — Comparative diagnoses of M. martM,
americaiia, and foina — Mustela americana, the American Sable or
Marten — Synonymy — Description and discussion of the spe-
cies — Table of measu'-'-ments — Geographical variation in the
skull— General histui d habits of the species

HBP

is.

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.C.

CHAPTEU IV.
MUSTELINE.:— Conthuied: The Weasels.

Tho genus I'nlnrhix — Gouorio chiirat'torH niid reumrka — DiviHion of tlio
genua into suhyoneiii— AnalyMiM of tho North Aniuricim Hpeoios —
Tho HubtfenuH Galc—J'utoriun vuhjarU, the Coinnioii WeaHol — Syu-
ouyuiy— Habitat— 8pecitic oharactera — Qcneral characters anil re-
hitionshipH of the specieH— (leo^iiiphical diHtributioii — Habits —
J'utoriua trniinca, tho Stoat or Erniiue— Synonymy — Habitat — Spe-
citio characters— DiscuHsion of spocitio cliaravters luitl relation-
ships — Table of mt>a«urenients— Note on the skull and teeth —
Description of external oharactorH — Conditions of the change of
color — General history and habits of the species — Its distribution
In tho Old World — PutoriuH huijivuuda, the Long-tailed Weasel —
Synonymy — Habitat — Specific characters — Description — Measure-
ments — General account of the species — I'litorins hraHiliensia fre-
na1u», the Hi idled Weasel — Synonymy — Habitat — Specillc oharuc-
tera — General account of tho species

^ CHAPTEU V.
MUSTELIN.E— Continued: The American Ferret.

The subgenus Vifnomyonar, — Snbgeneric charack«irs — Putoriua ( C'»/m«>»m,V(>-
nax) nigripvn, the American or lilack-lboted Ferret — Synonymy —
Specific characters — Habitat — General account of the species — Ad-
i>KNi>UM: On the species of the subgenus I'uloriuH — /'. /wliUiii^,
the Polecat or Fitch — Synonyjny — Uesciiption — I'. J'atidtiH vur.
fnro, the Ferret — Synonymy — Remarks — Ferrot breeding and
handling — I'.J'dtitliix var. (V<r,^m<iinii, tiie Siberian Polecat — Synon- .
ymy — Uenuuks — /'. Mdimaticut, the Spotted I'olicat — Synonymy
and remarks 117

CUAPTEK VI.

t f ^. . i

MUSTELIN.E— Ccnitiniu'd: The :^Iink.

The subgenus Ai(frt.'o/a— Subgenoriir uhart.'..ters and rennirks — I'utoriuii
v'uon, the American Mink— Synonymy— Habitat — Spetiillc char-
■ acters — Desoripti«)n of external characters — Measurements — Vari-
ation in external characters — Variation in the skull — Comparison,
with tho European Mink — Notice of allie«l Old World species, /'.
/Htreo/(iand I', nibirirun — General history and habits of the Mink —
"Minkeries"

lod

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS. 3||

. CHAl'TEU VIL

SiiMFAMiLY MEPHITIN/K: The Skunks.

Qenorul consideration!) — Crnnial niul duutal chumctorH — The iinul itr-
iimturo — Division of tlio sulit'ainily into tjencnv — Noto t)n fossil
North Anioricun simcios— TUo ^enus McphitiH — Afephitim mi'phitiai,
the Common Skunk — Synonymy — llabitut— Spoellic oliitrikuters —
Description of «t\terniil ohiirnvters — Description of Mic skull und
tuoth — Vnriiition in the skdll with sp«<ciul ruferunoe to gooi^ruphi-
cal distribution — Anatomy ai\d physiology of tho anal glands an I
]>roperties of the secretion — (feograt)hical distribution antl haitits
of the Sknnk— History of tho species — Ai»I)I';ni>1!M : On hydn>pho-
bia from Skunk-bite, the so-callud " r;ibioH mephitica " 1H7

. CHAPTKR VIII.
^rKPIHTIN.E— Continued: Skunks. ■

The genus .l/»7>/ii/i>, continued — Mnphilix macrura, t\w T^ong-tailed Mex-
ican Skunk — Synonyiiiy — Habitat — Specific characters — Descrip-
tion — Tlu^ subgenus Spiloiialt!— Mvphitin {S,<iloyal() piitoiiuH, tho
Iiittle Striped Skunk — Synonymy — Habitat — Specific cliaracters —
Description of external characters — Description of the skull and
teetli — History of tho species — Tho genus CinnpatuM — Conepatim
mapunio, the White-backed Skunk— Synonymy— Habitat — Speci-
fic characters — Description of external characters — Descripticm of
the skull aiul teeth — Description of the anal ghuuls — (ieographi-
cn' distribution ami habits

2'Mi

CIIAPTKK IX.
SunFAMiLY MELIN^K: The IUdgeks.

The genus Tturidm — Oeneric characters and coinparisim with Melea—
Tnxului tninrianiii, tho American Kadger — Symuiymy — Habi-
tat — Specific characters — Description of external characters — De-
scription of the skull and teeth — (ieographieal variation in the
skull — History of the American Madger — Its geographical distri-
butiim — Haluts— 7(jri(/m rtme/icdaa ?><r/ttwdicr», the Mexican IJad-
giT — Synonymy — Habitat— Subspocilio character — Qeiuiral re-
marks— Ai>i>K..Ni>rM : Description of the perinieal glandti of the
European liadger, .Vrks vulijaiia 2C1

XII ^ NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiG.

CHAPTER X.
Subfamily LUTEINS : The Otters.

General considerations — The genas Lutra — Generic characters and
remarks— The North American Otter, Lutra canadens'u—Syaon-
ymy — Habitat — Specific characters— Description of external char-
acters—Description of the skull and teeth— Variation in the
skull— History of the species — Geographical distribution— Habits
of Otters — Extinct species of North American Otter 293

CHAPTER XI.

Subfamily ENHYDRIN^: Sea Otter.

General considerations- The genas EnhydrU — Generic oharaotera —
Enhydria lutria, 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

!i'

I,.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PLATE I.— GUU) LTJ8CU8.

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

II. — MUSTKLA PENNANT!.

Skull from above, below, and in proBle. {Xatuml site.)

III.— MUSTELA MARTR8.

Skull from above, below, and in profile. (Xatural size.)

IV.— MUSTRLA POINA.

Skull from above, below, and in profile. (Nalaral size.)

v.— MuSTELA AMERICANA.

Skull from above, below, and in profile. (Xatuml aixe.)

VI.— PUTORIUS ERMINEA and P. VUX.GARI8.

Figs. 1, 3, .<>, 6, P. erminm, heads and tails. Figs. 2, 4, P. vul-
garis, head and tail. (Natural size.)

VII.— PUTORIUS NIORIPBS.

Skull from above, below, and in profile. (Xatural size. )

VIII.— PUTORIUS F(KTIDU8.

Skull from above, below, and in profile, (yatiiral size.)

IX.— PUTORIUS VI80N.

Skull from above, below, and in profile, (yatural size.)
X.— Mephitis mephitica.

Skull of ordinary characters from above, below, and in pro-
file. (Natural size.)

XI.-Mephitis mephitica.

Skull oflarge size from above, below, and in profile. (Natu-
ral size.)

XII. —Mephitis (Spilogale) putorius.

Two skins, to show the peculiar markings. (Muvh reduced.)
XIII.— Mephitis (Spii-ogale) putorius.

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

size.)

XIII

^■e

ilM

i -

XIV

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

li!

PLATE XIV.— Mkphitis (Simlocjale) i'utohhts.

Small young sktfll from above, below, and ia prjfi'e. (Nat-
ural size.)

XV. — CONKl'ATUS MAl'UIUTO.

Skull from above, below, aad ia profile. {Natttral size.)

XVI.— Taxidka amkricana.

SkuU from above, below, and in protile. (Reduced.)

XVII. — LiTRA CANAI>KX!SIS. . •

Skull from above, below, and in profile. (Natural nise.}

XVIII. — Ll TRA VULGARIS.

Skull from above, below, and in profile. (Salural size.)

XIX.— EnIIVDRIS LUTRI8.

Skull from above and below. (Reduced.)

XX,— Enhydris i.utris.

Skull in profile. (Reduced.) Palate and t:etb. (Natural sue.)

J. (Nat-

zc.)

re.)
re.)

ralaize.)

.H-ji-ui.j..ij ^!0»«apwwi

mmmm

n I

HISTORY

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDJl.

CnAPTEE I.

The Family MUSTELID^.

General considerations — Systematic position and relations of tho Mustelidce —
Division into subfamilies — Sclieduleof tho North American genera — Their
ditf«n'ential characters — Diagnoses of the North W^mcrican subfamilies —
Tlio anal glauds of MnstcVnw — The fossil North American species of
MustdhHv — Derivation and signilication of names applied to MtiateUda.

TniS is a large, iuiportaut, and well-defiued family of Car-
nivorous Mammals, embracing the Weasels aud Martens, as
its typical representatives, tbe Skunks, Badgers, Otters, and a
few other less familiar animals.

Representatives of the family exist in most portions of the
globe, excepting the Australiim region, home of tho Marsupials
and Monotremes. The group reaches its highest development
in the JiTortheru Hemisphere, or Arctogaja, 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 Putorius, including the true Weasels, has the most
extensive geographical 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 they respectively belong.

The economic importance of the family may be estimated
from the very high commercial value which fashion has set
IM 1

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

f i '

! i

upon the fur of several of the species, such as the Erinitie, Sable,
Nutria, and Sea Otter ; and various other pelts, ouly less valu-
able than these, are furnished by lueinbors of this fon^ily.
These animals sustain other relations toward man, by no means
to be overlooked. The serious obstacles whicii 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 such 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 MusteUAw is an important and wide-spread branch
of human industry.* The scientitic interest with which the
zoologist, as simply such, may regard this family of animals
yields to those practical considerations of e very-day life which
render the history of the Mustelklw so important.

The definition of the family is strict. The zoological char-
acters by which 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 the group. The
systematic position of the family in the Carnivorous series seems
to be alsj 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 nimible
Weasels with the great, heavy-bodied, and comparatively sloth-
ful Bears, the closest aflBnities of the Musteline series are with
the Ursine; the next nearest are with the Canine; and the
family Mustclidcv may properly stand between the Canidcv on

* During the century, 1769-18G8, the Hudsou'B Bay Company sold at auc-
tion in Loudon, besides many milUon other pelts, the following of Mustelidw : —
1,240,511 sables, 074,027 otters, 68,694 wolverenes, 1,507,240 minks, 218,653
skunks, 275,302 badgers, 5,349 sea otters. In 1868 alone, the company sold
(among many thousand others) 106,354 sables, 73,473 miuks, 14,966 otters,
6,298 skunks, 1,104 wolverenes, 1,551 badgers, 123 sea otters ; besides which
there were also sold in Loudon, in the autumu of the same year, about 4,500
sables, 22,000 otters, &,e. Auother 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. — (Drostk-HOlsiioff, Der Zoologhche
Garten, 1869, p. 317.)

POSITION AND RELATIONSHIPS OF MUSTELID.E. 3

the oue band and the Urshhc oa the other. In order to give a
clear idea of the poaition and relationships of the Mustelkhc, the
following characters* of the higher groups of Mammals under
which the family comes are given : —

Maininals having a brain with tho corohral hoinisithores oonuectoil by a
more or less weU-developed corpua callosiim and a reduced
anterior coimniasiire. Vnjrina a single tube, bu*; sonietinios
with a partial septum. Young retained within the womb till
of considerable size and nearly perfect development, and deriv-
ing its nourishment from tho mother through tho intervention
of a " placenta" (developed from tho allantois) till birth. Scro-
tum never in front of penis. . . (Subclass) Iflonodelpllia*

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 tho vertical of the hippocampal suture,
developing in front a well-defined recurved rostrum.

(Super-order) EDUCABILIA.

Posterior members and pelvis well developed (in antithesis with tho
Cetaceans and Sirenians). Proximal segments of both fore
and hind limbs (upper arm and thigh) more or less enclosed in
tl.o general integument of the trunk (in antithesis with tho
order Primates). Clavicles rudimentary or wanting. Scaphoid
and lunar bones of the wrist consolidated iuto one (scapho-
lunar) carpal. Digits clawed (not hoofed). Teeth of three
I kinds, all enamelled; incisors ^][i| (exceptionally fewer); ca-
nines specialized and robust ; one or more molars in each jaw
usTially sectorial. Brain without calcarine sulcus. Placenta
deciduato, zonary. (;=The Caruivora or "beasts of prey" of
ordinary language.) (Order) Fkr^.

Body elevated and adapted for progression on laud by approximately
equal development, freedom, and mobility of foro 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 tho ends (ex-
cepting the hind feet of Enhydra) ; inner digits of fore feet nob
produced beyond the rest ; inner digits of hind feet seldom
thus produced, but often reduced or atrophied. (All these ex-
pressions in antithesis to the rinnipedia, or suborder of the

Seals.) (Suborder) FissiPEDiA.

•^ mtoHm mm

% NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

: Skull with the paroccipital process not closely appliud to the audi-
tory bulla; the mastoid process promiueut and projeotiug out-
wards or dowuwards behind the external auditory meatus; ex-
ternal auditory meatus diversiform. Intestinal canal with no
Ciecuni. Prostate gland not salient, being coutaiiied in the
thickened walls of the urethra. Skull with the carotid canal
distinct, and more or less in advance of the foramen lacerum
posticum ; condyloid foramen alone distinct from the foramen
lacerum posticum; glenoid foramen generally well defined. Os
penis very large. Cowpor's glands not developed.

(Super-family) Akctoidea.

True molars of upper jaw one (M- ^ : rarely— in MelUvorino!—^);
last premolar of upper jaw sectorial (rarely — in Enhydrince —
with blunt tubercles) (Family) Muatelidw.

DIVISION OF THE MUSTELIDiE INTO SUBFAMILIES.

Having thus, by a process of gradual elimioation 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 — 3veu 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 to eight. According to my present
understanding 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.— MUSTELID.E.

Sub-families.

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

ANALYSIS OF SUBFAMILIES OF MUSTELIDiE.

ICTOIDEA.

1. Last molnr of upper jaw (M \) transverse, (with the inner letljje in-

tlatcd at its inuor angh) ;) sectorial tooth with a single inner cnsp.

n. M ^ ; fi rst trno niolnr (sectorial) of lower jaw foUowed by a second
(tubercular) one. Toes short, regularly arched, and with the last
phalanges bent up, withdrawing the claws into sheaths. (Gray.)
[Martens and Weasels.] Mustelin.k.

h. M J ; first true molar (sectorial) of lower jaw only developed. Toes
straight, with the last phalanges and claws extended ; the latter
non-retractile. (^rayO [Extra-limital.] .... Meixivouina:.

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

longitudinally. — M-^-. Toes straight, with the last phalanges and
cliiws extended; the latter non-retractile. (Gray.) [Badgers.]

Memx;»:.

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

occipital process. (Flower.) I'alate moderately cmargiuated.
I. Last molar of upper jaw (M ] ) transverse; (with the inner ledge nar-
rowed inwards): sectorial tooth with two inner cusps. [Extra-lim-
ital.] IIeuctidin-k.

C . Auditory bulla inllatod, undivided, with the anterior inferior extremity

pointed and commonly united to the prolonged hamular process of
the pterygoid. (Flower.) Palato moderately emarginated.
1. Last molar of upper jaw (M \) transverse ; (with the inner ledge com-
pressed.) [Extra-limital.] Zohillin.k.

D. Auditory bulla little inflated, transversely constricted behind the

meatus auditorins extornua and thence inwards ; in front flattened
forwards; periotic region expanded outwards and backwards. Pal-
ate deeply emarginated.
1. Last molar of upper jaw (M ?) quadrangular, wide, but with an ex-
tended outer incisorial ledge. [Skunks.] .... Mephitinje.
II. Skull with the cerebral portion swollen backwards and outwards;
and with tho 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 -| X 2) : sectorial tooth (PM 4)

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

Ll-'TKIJI^.

B. Teeth very aberrant, 32 (M ^, PM g-, C j, 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.]

.; ■ ^... - ,■■. Enhydrinje.

Of the foregoing eight subfamilies, three, namely, the Melli-
vorince, HelictidinfVf and Zorilliiuc, 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 MephitinWy

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTEIJU.!:.

or Skunks, are not found in the Old WorM, where they are
represented by the African ZorilHiia'; they occur in South as
well as North America. The MeJinw, or Badgers, are common
to North and Middle America and the Eastern Hemisphere,
but do not occur in South America. Tlie Sea Otter, sole repre-
sentative of the Enhydrincv, inhabits both coasts of the North
Pacific. The LxUrinw^ or ordinary Otters, are of general dis-
tribution in both hemispheres. The MnstcUna\ or true Weasels,
Martens, &c., are of very general distribution, as already indi-
cated; such is especially the case with the typical genus Pato-
tills. The genera Mustela and Oulo chiefly inhabit the higher
latitudes; Galictis is peculiar to South America.

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

Subclasa MonodclpUia,

Super-order EducahiUa.
Order Ferw,

Suborder Fissipedia,

Suj)er-family Arctoidea, «

Family Mustelidw.

Subfamily Mustdince.

Geuera Gulo. (The Wolvoroue.)
Mustela. (The Martens.)
Putoritia.
Subfamily Mephitinai.
Genera Mephitis.
Sjniogale.
Conejmlus,
Subfamily Melina: (The liadgers.)

Genus Taxidea.
Subfamily Lutrina. (The Otters.)

Genus Lutra.
Subfamily £n%driw«!. (The Sea Otter.)
• ' Genus Enhydra.

(The Weasels.)
(The Skunks.)

ANALYSIS OF GENKKA OF MUSTELID;!-:

SCnEDITLE or DIFFERENTIAL CHARACTERS OF THE NORTH

AMERICAN GENERA.

VariouH characters hij which the siih/amlliefi anil genera are differentiated are ex-
hibited in the foUnwing Hv)iednle:—

MuHtolldiD.

Duntal fdrnnila: I.

3-3

3-3'

I..1

3-3

3-3'

I..;

8-3

3-3'

Pin.

I;;

3-3

3-3-

3-3

•8-2'

1-1

i-i-

1-1
l-i'
1-1
1-1'
1-1

8-a- 18 *"■

l-l

1-1'

l-l

l-l-

4-4

4-4'
3-3
3-3-

Pm. rrT„ M,

Pm.
14

,=34.

c. :-

C. T

Pm.

M. zr,

1-1

3-3=

1-1

a-3-

1^8

16
ic'

36.

3S.

i-i_ia_

1-116
3-2-18

•normally j^, som. times ^i

j^=32oi 34 ,

Pm. 3:33.

3-3
3-3'

PM. and M. normnl— angular, trenchnnt< or acute

abuorinni— roiindetl, blunt, tuberculoun ,

liaok upper M. qiiadrati', tranaverae, niucli wider than long

about as wide aalong

trianKuInr, tho liypotbenuso poRtero-extt^rior

irri'giilnrl.voval;'all corners rounded off...

Back upper Pm. strictly sectorial, linear, with small anterior interior

cnsp

I triangular, o'winj; tosize of the in-
ner ledge.

reaenibling the back upper M

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

* minute, crowded out of line

3-3, tho anterior one comparatively well develoixjd

or 3-2; whou 3-3, the anterior very minute ,

Lower 1. 3-3, the usual carnivorous formula

2-3, the inner pair lacking

Lower sectorial without obvious inner tubercle of middle lobe

with slight but evident inner tubercle

with str(»ngly developed inner tubercle

nostrum of skull so short that root of zygcmia is nearly or quite op-
posite fore end of nasal bones

moderately produced : root of zygoma more nearly

. opposite hind end of nasals

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

lateral outline

widened backward, with quite straight lateral outlines.,
much widi'iied backwards and swollen outward, with very

convex lateral outlines

Frontal region very short, broad, flat on top

longtlieued, narrowed, very convex transversely

Bony palate ending o)>po8ite back upper molars

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

of pterygoids

produced far back ot the molars— half-way or more ♦"

ends of pterygoids

Postorbital processes moderate, slight or obsolete

strong, transverse, acute

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

8 NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

Schedule of diffetrntial eh(tr((ctcra of the .Voc/Zi .tmcncaii grnera — CoutiuiUHl.

Aliiatttliilin.

i S

Antporliitiil foi'iiincii botiniloil by 8totit procoHs, pn>si>iit.iiij» nioro or

loBH vtM'ticdUy

Aporturoof iniros in two pliiiioH, iipproiichinntlio vortical ttutlliori-

zoiitnl

ono pliiiio, or Hourly so, moro or loss obliquo. . .
Auditory biillm at iimxiniiini of iiitlatiiiii, with sliortost niul loiist

tubular uioiitus

iiiuoli iiitlikloti, with inoilurntu coustrictiou into

tbo tubulnr nu^ittus

littlo iiittatod, n)U(^b oonstriclod across tho moiitiis

Mastoids littlo tlovolopod, outwartl or l)aukward

nioro dovolo|iod, outward

luucli dovelopod, downward

I*orlotic ro^ion ouiitractud, brin^iuK parocoipitala oloso to auditory

bulliu '..

oxpandotl, ronioviun paroucipltals from biillii>, and

horizontal

oxpandod, ronntving paroucipltals from bullio, .-ory

oldiiino

Qlonoid fossae shallow, open, without antorior lotlgo, nrosontiiiK nioro

forwnrtl than ilownward, novor locking oouirylos. ..

motloratoly dt>op and closo, with antorior lod^o pro-

sontiug downward-furwai'd, never locking con-

dy li>8

very doop and closo, with stront; anterior and pos-
terior ledftes, sometbnes locking condyles

Coronoid proooss of ,jaw in protllo conical, erect, apex forward of

condylo

obtusely falcate, sloning, apex

uverlianKUiK condyle

Lower border of jaw stralKhtisb from symphysis to posterior rtngle

usually aaeeudiii); posteriorly, in

straiKbt or concave lino

Toes scarcely or not webbed, with ordinary ratio of louKths

fully webbed, with onlinary ratio of lengths

those of tlio liind feet elonKatod, with extraordi-
nary ratio of lengtlis

Fore claws lone, stout, littlo curved, biKbly fossorlal

nioderato or short, curved and acute, not fossorial

Body very stout; si/.o very largo; tail bushy, short i appearance

s(uuewhat t>oar' like

rather slender or extremely so ; size medium and email ; tall

long, tereto

stout i size medium and small ; tail long, very bushy

stout, much dopressed; sizo medium ; tail short, distichous...
stout, cylindrical ; sizo large ; tail long, conical, closo-liaircd. .

Habits ohieHy terrestrial

terrestrial and highly arboreal

strictly torrestriar and more or less fossorial

aquatic (tluviatile, lacustrine, or maritime)

aiiuatio (marine)

i !* "

- Is i

■ill. I

' r. ,^

X X

Such a table a8 this might be indefinitely continued, but the
foregoing analysis of leading ditForontial characters sufllces for
present purposes.

DIAGNOSES OF NORTH AMERICAN SUBFAMILIES.

Wo may iiiuilly sum uiul amplify the (litioreiitial characters
of tlio forogoing tablu, with others, in tlie foUowing expressions,
tUagnostie of the live subfamilies here adopted : —

DIAGNOSES OF TUE FIVE NOUTII AMERICAN SUIIFAMILIES.

1. ^lusTELiN.!']. — Teeth of ordinary Carnivorous pattern, 3S
or 34 in number, accordiuy; to varying number of premolars,
whether *^^ (Qulo, Mustcla) or y^;j(ZV/or/««); the number unequal
in the two Jaws, !,^or J-|J; incisors constantly f^) canines Y.\, iisiu
all ^r"stclid(v; and molars *'', as in all Mustelidw excepting Mel-
liroiina: Molar of upper jaw much \\iderthan long; its long
axis transverse to the axis of the dental scries, longitudinally
constricted across the middle. Posterior upper i>reniolar (the
large "sectorial" tooth) narrow and linear, with a small dis-
tinct spur projecting inward from its antorointerior corner,
liostral 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
developed. Anteorbital foramen small, oval or subcircular,
presenting upward forward {Gulo) or more or less downward
forward {Mustcla, Putorius). Posterior uares 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 bullic much intlated, with moderate constriction of the
tubular meatus.t Little or no expansion of periotic region
behind the buUiB, with which the paroccipitals appear in contact.
jNCastoids little developed, presenting outward or backward.
Glenoid fossie shallow, the anterior ledge slight ; condyles never
locked. Coronoid proces:: of mandible erect, conical in profile,
the posterior outline with forward upward obliquity {MusteUij
rutoriusy — more nearly vertical in Oulo), the apox in advance
of the condyle. Feet with ordinary development and ratio of

* It iH curious to obnurvo that an a<]|uatio Hpocios of I'tttoriua (/'. t'i'Mon,tho
Mink) tonils to approach the aquatic Ottorn {Liitrinw aud Unhydrinw) lu tho
rehitivo ahortiioas of rostriiii, iti loss obliquo trunuation, tlatnooaoa top, t&.o,

tllcro agaiu tho aiiuatic Pitloriun riaon approacheu tho other aquutiu
Hpeciu8 of (litVorutit subfainilioH iu tho uouiparativu IliitiicHa of the buHie.

1 «; I , ?■

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^E.

iii

HI.

digits ; digits incompletely oi' 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 maximnm to the minimum 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. MEPHiTiNiG. — Teeth of ordinary Carnivorous patteru, 34
or 32 in number, according to varying number of premolars,
whether ^ {McpMiis and Sjnlof/ale) or indifferently ^ or —
{Conepattts); 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. Kostral part of
skull moderately produced, and otherwise much as in the last
(aperture of nares very oblique in Conepatus); cerebral portion
as in Miistelinic. 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 {Mepliitis, Spilogale)
or a little back of them, but not half-way to ends of pterygoids,
(Conepatus). Auditory bullae 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
bullre. 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 Enliydra). Feet with ordinary development and ratio
of digits; digits not webbed. Form stout; tail very bushy;
pelage long; 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 charactors here given are drawn entirely from the American genus
Taxidea, and will require modilication in order to their applicability to the
subfamily at large.

•11

DIAGNOSES OF NORTH AMERICAN SUBFAMILIES. 11

number (in the North American genus); Pm. gj ; the number
unequal in the two jaws, J|; incisors, canines, and mohars as in
the last. Molar of upper jaw triangular, the long side postero-
exterior. Posterior upper premolar substai'tially as in Mephitince.
Rostral portion of skull as in the foregoinnr- 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 Mustelime. Auditory bullae very highly
inflated, with little constriction across the short tubular portion.
Periotic region much as in Mtistelinfc, the paroccipitals close to
the enormous buUoe. Mastoids moderately developed, outward.
Glenoid fossa very deep, with prominent anterior as well as
posterior walls, at length locking in the condyle. Ooronoid
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. Perinseal glands mod-
erately developed. A peculiar subcaudal pouch.

4. LuTRiN-^. — Teeth of ordinary Carnivorous pattern, 36 in
number; Pm. ^; the number equal in the two jaws, 1^; incisors,
canines, and molars as before. Molar of upper jaw quadrate.
Back upper premolar substantially as in Mephitimc and Melimc.
Kostral i)art 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, tlio 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 Mustelincc.
Bony palate produced far back of molars. Auditory bulla? very
flat. Periotic region expanded, removing the paroccipitals from
the bullsB, 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 rat'
of digits, which are fully webbed. Claws variable, sometime
rudimentary or wanting. Body stout, but elongate and cylin-

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

:;■

'in

drical; tail long, conical, tapering, sometimes dilated, close-
Laired; mnzzle very obtuse. Highly aquatic in habits. Pelage
^vhole-col' 1.

5. Eni iiiNiE. — Teeth very aberrant in general pattern, the
molars rua premolars without trenchant edges or acute angles,
but tuberculous, 32 in number, and of equal number in both
jaws, brought about by incisors —^ and premolars g"^, the ca-
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. Anteorbital foramen very
large, triangular, presenting downward and forward; the bridge
over it very slender. Posterior nares as in Liitrinw. Palate
produced far back of molars ; iuterpterygoid space very wide,
the emargination rather wider than deep. Auditory bulhne,
periotic region, mastoids, and glenoids as in Lutrimv. Coronoid
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
Liitrina'. Highly aquatic and marine.

ON THE ODORIFEROUS ANAL GLANDS OF THE MUSTELIDiE.

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 Mustelidce 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. Quite 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 Mustelidw (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

* Recherchos pour servir d, I'histoire aiiatoiniqiiedes glaudos odorautea dea
matuniif^res. Par M.-J. Chatiu. <^Annale8 des Sciences Naturellea, 5" sdr,,
tome xix, pp. 1-135, plaucbes i-ix, 1874.

ANAL GLANDS IN MUSTELID^.

the matter relating to them. Here I introduce M. Chatin's de-
scriptious of the parts as they appear in Mustela foina, for the
same type of structure obtains throughout the subfamily Mtis-
telinw. I also bring in the author s resume of the several mod-
ifications of structure found in the family at large, with extracts
from his proposed classifloation of the family, as based prima-
rily upon theso 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 Mustelinw, 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
unibilicated papilla, through the narrow orifice of which the
milky-whitish secretion of the anal gland exudes. Within the
perimeum 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 G 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
Carnivores. 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 raoniliform, and in-
close a granular substance. In the middle of the gland is a
small receptacle ior the product of secretion, which is voided
through a sho^c duct opening on the e<lge 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 the inoditications of the structure of the organs in Skunks and Badg-
ers, see subfamilies Mephitinw and Melinw.

Ihi

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^E.

m.[

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 sexual relation, as it is undeniably a means
whereby the sexes may discover and be attracted toward each
other.

2. — Resume of the several types of structure 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 Katels, there are decided mod-
ifications of this plan. In the last two named, the true anal
glands alone exist, and these are quite diiferent from those of
t\\^ Mustelincc. Instead of a thin and simple muscular envel-
ope of the gland, we find a thick fleshy tunic, foimed 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 Mustelincv, 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 iis to flow as little as possible
upon the rectal mucous membrane ; consequently the opening
is large and uiK)n the summit of an umbilicated papilla, around
which rests a cutaneous fold, which in a measure directs the
discharge.

ANAL GLANDS OF MUSTELID.E.

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 subcandal
pouch, which is generally described as appertaining to the
anus; but its 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 the^e cases, is sparsely
hairy. Thus the Badger is a special case iu its own family,
where it distantly represents, in this respect, the Viverridce,
These last have, in addition to anal glands, a secretory appa-
ratus for special products, though even here species of Uerpestis
hfi.ve anal glands like those of various Mmtelidw.

3. — Resume of M, Chathi's views of the Glassifimtion 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 Eatel. It is surprising that types so distinct as these
should have been suffered to remain thus far in an association
as intimate as it is uu philosophical, and it is easily seeu how
Milne-Edwards was enabled to form" three families out of the
components of so miscellaneous an assemblage as that of the
Mustelidw. In the conflguration of the limbs, as well as in their
entirely peculiar habits, the Otters may represent one family
{Liitrida')', then come the true Mustelidw, emhmciug Miistela,
Pulorlus, &c. ; and, finally, the family Melidw, consisting of
Mephitis (with Conepatns, &c.), Metes {Taxidea, &c.), and Melli-
vora.

" Now, these three divisions correspond with as many modi-
fications of the perinatal secretory apparatus : the two former,
Lutridw 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 Melidce, the Badgers on the one hand and the Skunks
and Eatels on the other form two quite distinct sections. In
these latter genera are likewise found a single pair of anal
,.dands, but these are quite different from those of the Mmtelida'.
The receptacle has a remarkable capacity ; the follicular mass,
instead of spreading over it, occupies buLa small portion of its

11, ; ,!:

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 subcaudal ])ouch surrounded by a race-
mose gland, which produces a peculiar liquid.

"This brief summary of the leading modifications of the
perinatal glands of Mustelulw suffices to show that several dif-
ferent types are included in that group "*

ON THE EXTINCT MUSTELINE OP NORTH AMERICA.

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

1. Mastela mnstellna, {Cope).

Aelurodon mustellnua, Cope, Palicont. Bull. no. 1 4, July 25, 1873, 1.
Martes musteUnUB, Cope, Ann. Ilt^p. V. S. Gool. Surv. for 1873, 1874. 590.
Mustela parvUoba, Cope (change of name on reference of the species to Mustela).

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 cusi). Margin
of jaw strongly everted below masseteric fossa.

"Measurements.

" Length of three last molars 0. 018

" Leugth of sectorial inolara '. 010

" Width of sectorial molars (greatest) 005

" Height of posterior cusp (greatest) 005

" This species was about as large as the domestic cat, and
less than one-third that of Aelurodon feroXj Leidy." {Quoted
from the second reference above cited.)

3. Muatela iiamblniia, (Cope).

Martes nambiana, Oope, Froo. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1674, 147.

"fFutorlus namblanus", Cope. -, .! ^^ ■

From the Santa F^ (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-rooted j the second and third are without

* But M. Chatin, regarding the family iu the {)erspective 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 Mitstelidw, as
defined in the present work, are a homogeneous and natural assemblage of
genera, of the grade usually held to represent family value.

EXTINCT MUSTELIN/E OF NORTH AMERICA. 17

posterior coronal lobe, but exhibit small basal lobes, both an-
terior and posterior. The anterior of the second is rather
elevated, and the entire crown is directed obliquely forwards.
Canine compressed. Mental foramina below the second and

third premolars.

" Measurements.

"Leugth of three premolars 006

" Elevation of anterior lobe of sectorial 002

' ' Depth of ramus at anterior lobe of sectorial 003

^' This species is of smaller size than the M. mustelinuSf Cope,
and the sectorial tooth less elevated and trenchant." — {Oriy,
descr.)

't. Oalera macrodon, Cope.

(Salero macrodon. Cope, Proo. PhlU. Aoad. Kat. Scl. 1869, 155 (se« also \3S\.—Leidy,
Extinct Mamni. Dak. Nebr. 1669, 369, pi. xsx. f. 1, 2, 3.

Post-pliocene deposits in Charles County, 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 [sc. 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 i)remolars 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 the latter
below near the apex of the coronoid process, and not extend-
ing anterior to the line of the posterior margin of the tuber-
cular molar. Bamus narrow at first premolar.

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

" Ditto tojpoaterior 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 firbt premolar 7. 5

" Ditto ramus at posterior margin sectorial 8. 25

" Widtb^ramus at posterior margin symphysis 4. 5

NORTH AMERICAN MU8TELID.E.

" This species appears to have been perhaps rather larger
than the Galera barbata (Gray) of Brazil, and of a rather
more slender muzzle. As compared with that species, it ex-
hibits many peculiarities. The third premolar is smaller, and
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. macro don.

"The discovery of this species adds another link to the evi-
dence in favor of the extension of neotropical types* over the
nearctic region during the post-pliocene epoch. Of thirty con-
tinental North 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] unknown, and eleven are represented by members of the
same family or genus now living in South America." — {Quoted
from the original article.) *

i '1^

4t Galera perdicida, Cope.

Hemiacis perdlclda« Cope, Proc. Acad. Xat. Sci. Pbila. 1869, 3 (named, not described).
Galera perdlclda, Cope, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. 18fi9, 177, 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 Lutriue group of the
Mustelidfe, apparently allied to Mephitis and Lutra. [The
generic name given, however, is that of one of the Mustelince.]
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 characterizes
the genus as distinct from the two mentioned [Lutra and Mephi-
tis]. The posterior lobe is without the marfeed 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 genu8 Galera, Gray, i8 here regarded as distinct from Galictis Bell
(GriBonia Gray), as it possesses an internal tubercle on the inferior secto-
rial, which is wanting in the latter." — (i,oc. cit.)

EXTINCT ML'STELIN.E OF NORTH AMERICA 19

inner aiul enter, are strongly developed, and with tbe anterior,
(jnite a8 in Mephitis.

•'The jaw pertained to an adult individual of 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 surrounded by a well marked cingulum. The
length of the crown of the molar is greater in proportion to the
length [?J than in the skunk. The axis of thecoronoid process
is as in it, at right angles to that ot the ramus. The latter is
straighter on the inferior border than in the skunk, and exhibits
a marked difference in the angle being nearly on the same line,
and not raised above it, as in the species of American skunks
and others, figured by Baird.

" ileasiireMents,

Lines.

" From angle to outer incisive al veolns 15. 6

" Depth ftt coronoid W.

" From base condyle to tnbercnlar molar 5.

" Length of sectorial molar 3. (5

" Width of sectorial molar 1.2

" Height from basal shoulder 2.

" Depth ramus at tubercular 2. 7

"Depth ramus at Pm. 2 3.1

"Length of crown of canine 3.

"There are two mental foramina in the specimen, one below
the third, the other below the first premolar. Tbe 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 Oalera. As figured, the jaw of G.
perdicida differs from that of Mephitince and LutrincB, as usually
presented, in the straightness of the inferior border, agreeing in
this respect with Mustelinie. It closely resembles, among recent
forms, the genus Putoriusy from which, however, the character
of the sectorial lower molar, with its strong acute inner tubercle
of the middle lobe, as in Mephitis (and Lutra\ 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 'f the general shape is the same; there
are two mental foramina exactly as described and figured ; and

11 '■

■I I

'li

illi!

, ill

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDit.

I fail touote, in the figure or dcscriptiou, any decided diflereuces
iu dentition from Spiloyale. In fine, it may be questioned
whether " Galera perdicida " is even specifically distinct from
Spilogale putoriua. The fossil was found, it will be remembered,
amongst remains of numerous species not distinguishable from
recent ones.*

ON THE DERIVATION AND SIGNIFICATION OF THE NAMES
APPLIED TO THE JIUSTELIDiE.

To treat of this interesting topic 1 cannot, perhaps, do better
than give a version of Dr. E. von Martens's article, Ueber
IMernamenjj 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 is required for an
understanding of the etymology and philological bearing of
the names used in various languages to designate the species
of Muatelidce. 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 Gulo
comes simply by translation into Latin of the Scandinavian
and Bussian names, which refer to the voracity of the animal.

Dachs [Melea vulgaris]. — For this remarkable animal, no
Greek name can be determined with certainty, although it is
stated by late investigators, as Fiedler and Lindeumeyer, to ex-
ist in Greece ; for it is at least a hazardous interpretation to
identify the species with the rp6/o^^ " 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 : aufflatw cutis distentu ietus hominum et morsus
eanum arcent ; 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 addreHsed to Professor Cope
a note on the subject, stating my views ; and in reply I learned that Professor
Cope " had for some time saspected " that the animal was a MejfMtia.

t " Ueber Thiernamen." Von E. von Martens in Berlin. In : Der Zoolo-
gische Garten ; the portions relating to the Muatelidce, here translated, being
ttt pp. 251-256 and pp. 275-281 of Jahrg. (or vol.) xi (1870).

ETYMOLOGY OF NAMES OF MUSTELID.E.

E NAME«

nfter 0!iri«t) writes melo, genitive melotm ; and, in the vicinity
of Bologna, according to the statement of Diez, the Badger ia
still called melogna. Elsew .ere, however, this word is obsolete,
being replaced in the living Enropoaa languages by various
others, entirely different.

The German word (lachn 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 adepn tax-
oninus, Badger's fat, and taxm, 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 das, as the
word still runs in Dutch, is found in the German vocabulary of
the ninth century ; the nun Hildegard, in the twelfth, wrote
dahsifi ; Albertus Magnus, in the thirteenth, daxus. The form
taxm 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, taxu8 of Csesar and Virgil {Taxiis hraccata Linn.),
agreeably to which the initial t straightway becomes fixed in
the Romanic names of the Miimal, in the Italian, tasso ; in the
Spanish, tejon (and tesajo, smoked meat) ; the Portuguese
texugo ; while the Old French had its taisson, of which only
taniere (from taisniere), 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 dachs,
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 taJcsha
(Greek zkxrwy), 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 B, as the French blai-
reaii, the English badger, the Danij^h hrok,* and the Russian
borsnk ; but it is not certain that these are all ety mologically re-
lated. Blaireau^^ in Middle- Age Latin blerellus, is interpreted by
Diez as the diminutive of the mediaeval Latin bladarius, a grain-
merchant (Romanic biado, late French ble, grain) ; and in support
of this it is argued that the English name of the animal, badger,
signifies also a dealer in grain. Such connection requires us to

" " Brock '' is also foiiud as an English provincialism. — Tr.

t Which is corrupted, in America, into Braro, Brairo, and Prarow.— Tk.

NOKTIl AMERICAN MUSTELID.i:.

i !

I 'i;

invent the certainly erroneous explanation tli!»t the animal lays
up a sstore of provisions in its domicile, as if it drove a trade in
grain. Dielenbach's derivation from the Celtic, originally Cym-
ric, word bimrr, gray, seems to me to bo nearer the mark ; it
would theu be " the little gray beast "; and it is corroborative
of this that the animal is called, in Picardy, </>i«ard; in Sweden
and Denmark, //>vV>7M<7 or f)fW>///«(7, that is to say, OrnuUng, "a
gray or grizzly beast". But the proper Cel^^ic name of the ani-
mal is broc; in the Gaelic, Irish, and Bretonic remarkably like
the Danish brok, and somewhat similar to borsuk, which prevails
in Poland, Eussia, and Siberia ; there this name for the Badger
is current among the Bashkirs, Kirghiz, and Buchares, and is
rendered horz by the Magyars; so we may consider it a primitive
Turanian word, the more so since the South Sclavonic uses an-
other term, in Cuvu'iohi, jozavec or janbez ; in Bohemia, gezivee.
The Wallachian, jezure or esure, which has been incorrectly con-
sidered as from the Latin esor, eater, is probably related.

iii4

ViELFRASS [Oiilo luscvs], — According to the latest investi-
gations, the Glutton inhabited Middle Europe nearly to the
Alps, in the period of the Lake-dwellers {P/uhlbauteu, literally
pile-buildings), together with the Reindeer; 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
Helmstiidt 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 under Augustus H,
who died in 1733. These can only have been stray s[)eciuiens,
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 Europa^a, 1532), as Lithuanian and Moscovitic,
and through Bishop Olaus Magnus, of Upsala, 1562, 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 Russia, jar/"
or jerv of the former, and rossomaha 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

if I
iiii;

ETYMOLOGY OF NAMES OF MUSTELID.E.

the voracity of the aniiual, and point back to the well-known
account of Ohms, as the German Vicl/rass, the Latin OulOj the
French Olouton, the Kni^iish Glutton. It has often been as-
serted that the (Jerman VielJ'ra,s/i, in the sense of glutton, is a
misunderstanding, it being derived from the Swedish word
fi('(U, Norwegian /jail, rock or clilf; but this I cannot credit,
first, be(;ause the secontl sylhible is not accounted for on such
supposition {fjall—ydri is remote, and the animal is nowhere
so called, but simply jaV/'); secondly, because both the Swed-
ish Olaus Magnus and the Norwegian Bishop Pontoppidau
give its voracity special prominence, and from this trait derive
the name jerf (<;ier/;, "gierig", greedy f), translated Gulo aud
Vielfniss. Another Norwegian clergyman, H. Strom, gives, iu-
deed, the designation Fieldfrass, besides jcrf, to the animal,
which is of rare occurrence in his locality, but with the explicit
remark that Fiehlfrms was, beyond doubt, derived from the
German word Vicl/rass. This is thus exactly contrary to the
usual German acceptation; and, in fact, "Felsenfrass-' would
be a singular appellation.

ZoBEL [Mufitela zibellina]. — The name appears as early as the
latter half of the Middle Ages, under many variations, as the
modern Latin, sahelns, zibellina ; Gernmn, zebvl (as early as the
ninth century, according to Graff), zobel ; Proven9al, sebeli ;
English and old French, sable ; Swedish, sabel ; Russian, sobol ;
Finnish, soboli — in every case meaning a northern peltry. In
the East, we find atiother variation, samur, in the Crimea aud
Armenia, and thence to Servia aud Wallachia. The name is
probably of Turanian origin.

Mabdek [Mustela marten, M. foina], — This word now occurs
in Germanic aud Bomanic languages, in both either with or
without the second K, as the Spanish and Portuguese marta,
in the former as a feminine noun, and likewise the French la
marie, though in some dialects la martre, the Provencal mart,
Italian martora and martorella ; the English martin [or, ofteuer,
marten — Tr.] appears to be an easy way of raying martern, still
in use in some localities; Dutch wwrfer, Swedish mard, Danish
maar. Seeking for the earliest form of the word, we first find
martes 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; aud Martial often introduced forcJgn

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

words into his Latin. In Anglo-Saxon, it only appears as
meardh; whilst, on the other hand, in Germany, we find martarus
used by Hildegard and Albertus 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, meaning a person tortured, from
martyrium, torture, whence the verb first arose. The resem-
blance in sound may have occasioned the second R 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 fuina; Spanish
and Italian the same, Portuguese /wm/m, French la fouine; in
some dialects with a in place of w, as in certain Italian locali
ties faina, in Provence faguino, fahino, Old French fayne;
Catalonian fagina, Belgic faweina, in the Canton of Grau-
bUndten further modified into Jierna. The obsolete German
names of certain pelts, Fehe, Feh-icamme, 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 [ M u stela foina\ is the Martarus or Martes fagorum of
Albertus Magnus and afterward of Ray, whilst the Pine-
marten [M. 'inartes] is distinguished as M. abietum, "Marten
of the firs". The precise distinction between fouine, foina =
Stone-marten, and martCy martes = Pine-marten, moreover, may
have been first set forth by Bufibn and Linujeus, and have
obtained rather among zoologists than among the people at
large; the more valuable Pine-marten ["Edel-marder", liter-
ally "noble marten"! took the commonest name, leaving the
less popular one for the other rarer species. From th\» fouine,

>\h

ETYMOLOGY OF NAMES OF MUSTELID^:.

the French have formed the verb foubier, to pry into or ram-
mage about.*

The Celtic, Sclavonic, and Finnish names are entirely differ-
ent, as are the Cymric bela,\ the Eussian, Polish, Bohemian,
and Orainish Tcuna, Finnish and Laplandish niita; with which
the Magyaric nyest or nest accords.

Iltis [Putoriiis fcctidus].— The German name is found under
many variations, according to localities, particularly in North
Germany, as iltniti, eltiSy Danish ilder, Swedish iller; further-
more, with k, ilk J ulk, according to Bechstein in Thuringia even
Ram-unk, which is the well known name of a reptile [toad];
and again with 6, elb-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, ilUbenzus of Albertus Magnus
(thirteenth century), is little unfavorable to this etymology. The
Dutch bunsing stands entirely alone. The Romanic languages
name the species simply from its bad smell, as the Italian puszola^
French putois, mediteval Latin ptitorins, the pusnais of French
animal-fable, which is the same as pitnaise, a bed-bug. The
second portion of the English name, pole-cat, is of obvious
meaning; agreeably to which we find in Diefenbach (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.|
Another English name, fitclier, Jitchet [or Jitch — Tr.], 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 ticor, 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 Linnreus 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 *, furo
of Isidor of Sevilla (seventh century), whence the present Por-

* " Diirchsuchen, durchstobern " ; so tlofineil by the uriter, bnto'f-iir au-
thority defines fouiner to slink off, to ia«»ak: away ; lEv^d only in trivial
style. But either meaning is sufficiently charaoteristio of the animals. — Tk.

t Obviously related to the modern French btlettc—see beyond. — Tu.

I The whole English word, poh-cnt, is by some simply rendered "I'olish-
cat", as if the animal were originally from Poland. In America, the word
has been very commonly transferred to the .Skunks, M»phUii : Catesby's pol-
cat is such, and Kalm's fiskatta is translated j#o/e-t»t<. — Tk.

NORTH AMEPTCAN MUh/

UJE.

tuguese /umo, and tho Spanish /«w>on, transferred by the Span-
ish colonists to the South American Galictis vittata, and the
North American Miistela huro Fr. Cuv., and ^iiretus of the Em-
peror Frederick II, considered as French L Albertus Magnus,
with which the present French furet, English ferret, Celtic
fared and fearaid, GerniRii 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 /Mr, 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 /erf 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.*

4l\

■;!r

WiESEL [Putorius vtdgaris]. — This word is found in most of
the Germanic languages: Swedish wessla; English iceesel or
weasel; Dutch icezel. It may be traced back to late mediaeval
German and Anglo-Saxon. The Swabian verb icuseln, to skip
about ("sicA rasch bea-efien^) 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 daihs,
the same word recurs in Spanish, but without the diminutive
termination, as veso. It is found in mediaeval Latin of the
twelfth century, and was by the Romanic colonists bestowed
upon an American Musteline animal {Putorim vison, the repre-
sentative of the European Mink). The ordinary French term
for the Weasel, bektte, is diminutive of the old French bele,
from the Celtic and the present Welch hela, a marten, and also
occurs under a different modification in North Italy, which
was certainly once inhabited by Celts. It may all the more
readily have been preserved in French, since it may be con-
sidered related to belle, 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
doninha, little lady; the Spanish comadreja, god-mother; the

' * According to RoUeston ( Journ. Anat. aud Pfays. i. 1867, p. 47 aeq.) the Cat
aud 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
yaX^ of the ancients, who, furthermore, called Mustela martea yaTif/ iiypia, and
designated Vherra genetta as rapniama ya/.i], — Tit.

ETYMOLOGY OF NAMES OF MUSTELID.E.

andereigerra * of the iubabitauts of Biscay, meauiug the same
as the Portuguese word just given; the late Greek >tjfi<piTa,
v.ip'jz'^a, a bride; the Bavarian Schonthierlein, "pretty little
creature"; the English fairy (Diez). The Sclavonic tongues
have an entirely peculiar series of names: laska, lasika, lastiza,
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 ixri^, r«^-^'?) ^.nd mnstela.

Pliny uses mnstela in different places for native and exotic
Mtistelidce, 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 mus, and to
mean "a mouser"; for I cannot agree with Sundevall in recog-
nizing in the second syllable the Greek *)j>a, a hunt; since *
does not become t in Latin. According to Risso, the Weasel
is called moustelle to this very day iu Xice, and in Lorraine,
according to Diez, moteile; 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 iu general. So it was also with
the Greek ya/Jr/ (Batrachomyomachia, 9) or ^a/.^ (Arist. Hist.
An. 2, 1, and his not very well written book 9, chap. 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. Thps mnstela is primarily our Weasel [Putorius
imlgaris]^ though occasionally other species receive the same
name, as, for example, an African one, in Herodotus, 4, 192.
More difficult to explain is the second Greek name, ^ txrt?, 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 Mr'.tese dog
{'■'■ Malteser Hiindchens'^), like a Weasel, white underneath, and
fond of honey. This latter circumstance caused Cetti to sep-

* Precisely the same as the Latin tniilkrcHla. — Tii.

M 'I

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

\\i\

iP"'

arate his boceamehi ("honcj-mouth" — as we should say, "hav-
ing a sweet tooth "), which is, however, a species scarcely dis-
tinguishable from P. vulyaris {ef. Zool. Gart. 1867, p. 68). Au-
bert and Wimmer, on the other hand, argue for Miistela foina,
as this animal is common in Greece, where it is still called
ixrU; the latter jiosition 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
Muatela 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 [Putorins erminea]. — Though this name soundii;
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 Heermunchen and Harmchen, 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 harmelhi, of the twelfth century,,
simply the diminutive. The name went with the peltries into
foreign lauds, becoming the Italian armelUno, the Spanish
armino, the French [and English] ermine — originally, with Al-
bertus Magnus, who had many French forms of names, erm'ini-
«m, — and came back to the German as Hermelin, with ^ foreign
accent, on the last syllable. The she-fox Ermeleyn, in the Fable of
"Reinecke Fuchs" ["The Beasts at Court"], obviously derived
her name from this animal. In Lithuanian, we find szarmii or
8zarmonys?i^ 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 szirtlis is the German herz. The inter-
pretation of Hermelin as the "Armenian Mouse" is thus vir-
tually refuted. The Swedes call the animal ross-kat and le-Mt,
the latter probably shortened from Lemmiwjskatze, since the
creature is destructive to Lemmings. In North France, we find
for the Ermine the name roselet, obviously indicating its red-
dish coloi', and with this corresponds the fabulous name Riissel,
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.

I
1

■■'■!■

ETYMOLOGY OF NAMES OF MUSTELID.E.

NoRZ [Putorius hUreola].— Thin animal is at ouce proclaimed
to be East European by its name; for the word, first used in
Germany by the Saxon mineralogist Agrieola, in 1546, is Scla-
vonic; the Kussian is norka, the South Russian nortschil', 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, mcink, which is the source of the mink or miiix 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 difl&cult, for the names of
the animal in various European languages are enough alike to
be compared, yet sufficiently dissimilar to be questioned as the
same word; the initial particularly differs in a suspicious
manner: otter, Ultra, evudpiq. 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 udus, Greek uSwp).
With this agrees perfectly the Lithuanian udra, the Curlandic
and Livonian nderis, 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 « {udwp, water — ^Hcasser^ as is not, how-
ever, the case with the name of the animal.

In Greek, we find, as the name of the Otter, hoSpn;, Herod. 2,
72, and 4, 109, ivu8p\i;, Arist. Hist. An. 1, 1, and 8, 5, or ho8poq^
Aelian Hist. An. 11, 37, nearly always mentioned in connection
with the Beaver; also the forms, agreeing better with the San-
skrit, 83/>of, lidpa, 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 lutra, 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 aucient sacred writings of the Per-
siauH. The people who used it were a branch of the Asiatic Aryans.— Tr.

b:i

i'i F

I !

ii i:

> I 111

NORTH AMERICAxV MUSTELID.E.

manic in respect to the consonants. This Intra obtains in

modern Romanic ages with littk; variation ; French, la

lout re; Italian

in soMje Itali;

itive fif), an

[cf. oHza, o«i ,,

luiria or loirUt.

ortugaese, lontra / Asturian, londra ;
.ects, lodra, ludria (preserving the prim-
.a (which bears lightly upon the name unze
ounce] among the cats [Felidie] ; Provencal,
The >i in many of these names may simply be
a matter of easy pronunciation. Curiously enough, we find
in Norway, far removed from Romanic influence, a name of the
Otter of similar sound, slenter.

The Spaniard says nutria. This may be an arbitrary corrup-
tion of Ultra; but when we recall the Greek huSpt^, and consider
that many Spanish names of animals are nearer the Greek
than the Latin (for example, (jolondrinasix-^'^^''' [* swallow],
and galapago in the first two syllables =;f?A((ii/ij [a turtle]),
it seems very likely that nutria is derived from svoUpt^'', and it
may be seriously questioned whether the latter is actually com-
pounded of h and Idwp, not rather that the v represents the I in
Intra, and that the s is simply a prefix, as in iXaxv^ = the San-
skrit lag hus=:the Latin levis. Initial I and n are sometimes in-
terchangeable, as for instance in the Greek Urpov and virpov,
the Latin lamellassthe Proven5al namela (Ourtius, 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 o in Sclavonic, the I in Latin, and
the rough aspirate in Greek.

The German word otter, 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. Albertus
Magnus furthermore converted lutra into the masculine form.
Inter, In the Middle Ages, finally, there arose the Latin
word hitrix, 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
nudria, I believe that it has nothing to do with otter, though

ETYMOLOGY OF NAMES OF MUSTELIDiE.

the two are often coufounded by persons not learned in natural
history, or considered of similar signification. It is an old
word, appearing in the Latin of Cicero as natrix (Qu. Acad. 2,
28); in the Gothic of Ultilas as nadrs, masculine moreover,
Ev. Luc. 3, 7, where the Greek text has lyidva, 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 >^<(*), in the sense of coiling
("wwic/tnitrew"); 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 Icama has probably given name to the
largest tributary of the Volga. In many, particularly Asiatic,
languages, our animal is called by some equivalent of " water-
dog" or "river-dog"; as in the Dekan paniciitta; in the Ca-
naries (and also in the East Indies), nir-nai; Malayan, andjing-
ayer ; whilst the xui/s? r.oTdix'jn of Aelian, 14, 21, appear to have
been Otters.

; i I
iiiii!

CHATTER II.

!JI'fi<i

li isi4

llwW

ill

'iVV

V.:\i

Subfamily MUSTELIN.E: The Wolverene.

The geiins Guh — Generic characters— Gn/o luscua, the Wolverene — Syn-
onymy — Habitat — Specific characters — 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
Muatelincc with detail sufficing for present purposes, I may
at once proceed to consider the genera composing the group.
These are : Oulo; Oalictis; Mustela; Putorim. The second of
these is not represented in North America. Putoriua is sus-
ceptible of division into several subgenera. These genera will
be treated in successive chapters, the present being devoted to
the genus Otilo.

The Genus GULO. (Store, 1780.)

< Mustela, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. lOtb ed. 1758, anil of many authors.

< Vrsus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. lOtb ed. 1758, and of gome authors.

< Heles, PaU. Spio. Zool. xlv. 1780 ; also of Boddoert, 1784.

=6ul0i Storr,* Prod. Meth. Mamm. 1780, and of late authors generally. (From Klein.)

< Taxus, Tiedem. Zool. 1. 1803.

* 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-
Gene; al, U. S. Army, at Washington ("On the 'Prodromus Method! Mam-
malium ' of Storr". By TLaodore Gill. Extracted from the Bulletin of the
Philosophical Society of Washington, October, 1874. Philadelphia : Collins,
printer, 1876. 8vo. pamph., 1 p. 1., pp. i-xiii). The full title, as quoted by
Gill, is as follows : —

Prodromv.s Methodi Mammamvm. I Rectore Vnirersitatis maguifi-

THE GENUS GULO.

J>'»- TTj

Geneiuc CHARACTEU8.— Z)e«<<(l formula : i. '{^^ ; c. ~r]
m. ^ J =7,-^ = 38 (as in irmtela). Sectoilaltooth of lower jaw (anterior true
M.) without an internal cuap (usually evident in 3/«s/e?fl). Anteorbltal fora-
men presenting obliquely upward as well as forward, canal-like, and open-
ing over interspace between last and penultimate premolars. Skull little
constricted at the middle ; rostral portion relatively shorter, stouter, and
more obliquely truncated anteriorly than in Mustda. General apper outline
of the skull in profile more arched. Mastoids and auditory tubes more pro-
duced, the whole periotic region decidedly more prominent. Zygomatio
arch very high behind, at first ascending vertically, then giving oflf 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.

Fertebral formula : c.7 ; d. 15 ; ?. 5 ; «. 3 ; cd. 1.5 or 16. (Gerrard.)
Size much above the average for this family, and nearly at a maximum
{lialictia alone, of this subfamily, is said to be larger). Form very stout,
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 glands moderately developed. Progression incompletely plan-
grade. Habits chiefiy terrestrial.

Notwithstanding the remarkably peculiar outward aspect of
GhJo in comparison with its allies, it is very closely related to
the Martens in structure, forbidding more than generic distinc-
tion from Mustela. The dental formula is the same. In addi-
tion to the cranial characters above given, it may be stated
that the skull 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, O. Iu8cu8.

The generic name is the Latin gulo, 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 signification.
^' Gulo " 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 Mephitis mephitiva— the light bands, con-
verging over the rump, being similar to the stronger white stripes which
mark the Skunk.

3 M

I'i

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

The Wolverene.

Onlo luiicu*.

Plats I.

m I

III

(1. Old World rtjfereneeii.)

GulO, anci'/uorum.— "Cf(!«n. Quad. Vivip. 1551, 633, flg.— 0(. Ifo^. Hitt. Gent. Sept. 15SS,
Va.—Aldrov. Quad. Dig. 1045, m.—Seheff. Lappon. 1673, 339.— OAaWtt, Exerclt. 1077,
15.-j;;aez. Hist. Nat. Polon. 1791, 318.— Linn. S. X. 9d-5th eda. 1740-7, AA.— Klein,
Quad. 1751, B3, pi. i.—HUl, Hist. An. 1753, 546, pi. Vl.—Jonit. Theatr. 1755, 131, pi.
57."

MustcU ruro'fuscii, medio dorM nlgro, L. Fn. Suec. lat ed. 1746, 9, no. 6; S. K. 6th-7th
edit. 1748, 5, DO. 1 Kram. Elenob. Vef{. et Anim. 1756, 311.

Mustel* gUlO, L. Fn. Saeo. 3d od. 1761, 5, no. 14; S. N. i. 10th ed. 1753, 45, no. 3; S. N. i.

13tb ed. 1766, 67, no. h.—Ounn. Act. Midros. ill. 191, pi. 3, f. S.— JETouM. Natura. ii

169, pi. 14, f. i—MM. Zool. Dan. Prod, 1776, 3, no. Xi.—Erxl Syst. An. 1777, 477, no.
li.—FaJb. Fn. Grwnl. 17»0, 31, no. 19.

I'rsHS gUlo, Sehreh. Siing. ill. 1778, 535, pis. 144 (Act. Holm. 1773) and 144* (Buff.).— Zimm.
Oeog. Oescta. ii. 17d0, 376, no. 168.-Om. S. X. i. 1788, 104, no. %.—Shaw, O. '£. i. 1800,
460, pi. 104.— Tur(. S. N. i. 1806, 64.— Cuv. "Tabl. fil6m. — , 113. "—'J'. Cuv. Diet.
Sci. Nat. xix.7D, f— ,"

Heles gUlO, PaU. Spic. Zool. xiv, 1780, iiS. pi. 3; Z. R. A. i, 1831, 73, no. Vi.—Bodd. Blench.
An. i. 1784, 81, no. 5.

T«XH8 gUlOi Tiedem, Zool. i. 1808, 377.

OulO borealls, "A'tl««. Ilium. Fig. till Sknud. Fn."— "Kcfz. Fn. Suec. 1800, S.V"— Our. It. A.
1. 1817, —.—^Yar|n. Suppl. Schreb. ii. 1841, ^M.—Keyg. •« Bias. Wirb. Eur. lH4i),
r,6.—lichim. Syn. Mamm. 1844, Mt.—Bla*. Wirb. Deutscbl. 1837, 309, iigs. Ill), Vid
(sknll).— £ran(i(, Bemerk. Wirb. N. K. Kussl. 185-, W.—Qray, P. Z. S. 1865, 130.

Golo siblrlcus, PaM. "Sp. Zool. xiv. t. 3".— (Oray.)

Onlo arctleus, Dttm. Mamm. i. 183U, 174.— £m«. Mam. 1837, Ui.— Fitch. Syn. 1829, 131.—
Oieb. Siiug. 1855, ^^.—Fit^inger, Naturg. Saug. 1. 1861, 341, f. 70.

dnlo TUlgarlit, OHff. An. Klngd. v. 1837, 117, no. 331.— J7. Smith, Nat. Lib. xv. 1843, 908.

Onlo leucaras, "Htd9nhorg".—(Qray.)

BossonskS, Ruttian.—" Nitremb. Hist.Nat. 1635, \6d.—Rouom(Kk,BeU. Trav.i. 1763, 331.—
Rotomaeh, Ryttoh. Orenb. Topog. i. 1773, 337.— Aotomai, SUlUr, Besohr. Kamt. 1774,
118. "

TeelvrMt, " Tsbr. Seize oaar China, 1704, 31.— .ffoutt. Nat Hist. Dier. ii. 1761, 189, pi. 14,
f. i."— Dutch.

Tlclfrasti, £I«tn, op. et loo. cU.—J. 0. Om. Reise Siblr. ill. 1751, 493 MiilUr, Natura. i.

1773, 365, pi. 14, f. 4 (ex. Hoatt.).— Fon Marteixt, Zool. Qart. xi. 1870, 353 (philologi-
cal).— Oerman.

TlelfrM, HaUen, Naturg. Tblere, 1757, 549.

fiOHloi, Bomare, Diet. d'Hist. Nat. ii. 1768, 343.

fllOMlOB. Bomare, torn. cU. 333.-Buf. HUt. Nat. xiii. 1765, 378 ; Snppl. iii, 340, pi. 48. -
French.

eintlOB, Ptnn. Syn. Qnad. 1771, 190.—Engli«h.

itrt,3ldn,¥iltru,A'onoegian,

JM, Jtrj, Flltrws, 8wedith,—Gen^rg, Act. Stuokh. 1773, 333, pi. 7, 8.

Wtttk, LapUmdert.

(B. Anuriean r<iftrenee».)

€o»tl unulo Mfflnls «merlcuu8, JETInn, Quad. 1751, 74.

linos fk'rtiJhHdsoBis, £r{«f. Qnad. 1736, 963, no. 3. ' •

'I
Si-'

SYNONYMY OF OULO LUSCUH.

Vrsus InsCHS, L, 8. N. i. nsS, 47, no. 9j 1766, 71, DO. 4 (based on Briston and Edwards).—
Erxl. Synt. Anlm. 1777, 167, no. i.—Schrtb. Saug. Hi. 177ei, ^39.—Zimm. Oeogr. OcMh.
ii. 1780, 376, no. 169.— Om. 8. X. 1. 1788, 103,uo. 4.—fthav; O. Z. 1. 1800, 469, pi. 103,
lower flfc- (kfter Edward*).— rurt. 8. N. 1. 1H06. 64.

\n\h iTRCri, Fabric. Fn. Qrwnl. 1780, 94, No. 14.

M«l«li Inwui, Bodd. Elenob. An. i. 1784, 80.

OhIo Ihicm, /. Sab. Franklin's Jonrn. 1893, 6S0.— J?. Sab. Siippl. Parry's Ut Voy. 1894,
p. clxxilv— Ificfc. App. Parry's 9d Voy. 1893, 91)9 — .Bic/i. F. H.A. 1. 1899, il.— Finch.
8yn. 1899, 154.— Oodm. Am. N. H. I. 1831. 11^5, pi.—, lower &g.-Roii$, Exp. IKIS. 8.—
H. SmUh, Nat. Lib. xt. 1849, 908.— D« Kay, N. Y. Zoi)!. i. 1849, 97, pi. 19, f. i.—Oraj/,
List Mamm. Br. Miis. 1843, 68.— Aud. <fi Baeh. Quad. X. A. i. 1840, 903, pi. 96.—
Thompi. N. H. Vorninnt, 1853, 30.— Baird. Stansbury's Report, 1859, 311 (Great Salt
Lake, Utah) ; M. K. A. 1857, XSl.—Bittingi, Canad. Kat. and Oeol. 1. 1857, 941.— Aom,
op. oit. Ti. 1861, 30, 441.— Maxim. Arch. Xaturg. 1861,-! Verz. N.-Aui. SUug. 1869, 35.—
Otrr. Cat Bones Br. Mim. 1869, 96 (Includes Imth).— OouM, Am. Kat. I. 1867, 359 —
Dall, Ari. Nat. Iv. 1870, 991 (Tnkon).— AU<h, Bull. M. C. Z. 1. 1870, 177 (Massarhu-
setts).— ir«rr. IT. S. Geol. Surv. Terr. 1879, 669 ( WyominK).— AU<n, Ball. Essex. Inst,
vi. 1874, 54 (Montgomery, Colorado).- iV<;iii«, apud Couti, Birds K. W. 1874, 994,
in text (Clear Creek County, Colorado).- Coum <t Tarrow. ZoJil. Expl. W. 100
Merld. v. 1875, 61 (Wahsatoh Mountains and localities in Utah).

Ouio «rcllCUH, var. A., Dettn. Mamm. i. 1890, 174, no. 967.— flaW. Fu. Amer. 1895, 60.

flulo wolverene, Oriff. An. Kingd. v. 1897, 117, no. 339.

i'Krnijon. La Bontan, Voy. 1703, BX.—Sarraiin," Mim. Acad. Sci. Paris, 1713, p. 19.— J7u-
mare, Diet. d'Hist. Xat. i. 1768, 493.— B-<ncA Canadiani. {Sot of F. Ouvier, Suppl.
Buff.) (Also, Carkajou, Karkajoti. Compare Cree Indian names.)

l^arc^JOU or QueeqUChMCb, Dobbt, Hudson Bay, 1744, 40.

Quickhatch or Wolf erenc, Edw. Birds, ii. pi. l03.—EUii, Hudson's Bay, i. 1750, 40, pi. 4.
{Quickthatch and Qinquihatvh are also found. Compare Cree Indian names.)

WolTcrene, Penn. Syn. Quad. 1771, 195, no. 4U, pi. 90, f. 9; Hist. Quad. ii. 1781, 8, pi. fl;

Arct. Zool. i. 1784, 66, no. il.—Heam*, .Tourn. , 313.— Church, Cob. Quad. ii. 1805,

pi. — . (Also, jyoloerenne, Wolveren, Wolverin, Wulveriufi, Wolveyinj.)—Volveren«,
Lest. Man. 1827, 142 (In text).

Orinte amerlcaBlsrhe nalbfUcha, Hall. KaturK. Thiore, 1757, 518.

Wolfbeer, Houtt. Katuur. Hist. Dieren, ii. ii'.-Wol/iibar, Milll. Naturs.l. 1773, 985.

Ours de la baye de Hudson, Brits, op. et toe. eit.

Okcecoobawgew, Okeecoohawgces, One Indianii. (Obvious derivation uf Quiokhatck, if
not also of Carcajou.) •

Hab. — Arctogaa. In America, tbe whole of the British Proriuces and
Alaska, south in the United States to New England and New York, and still
further in the Rocky Mountains, to at least 39^.

Specific chauactkrs. — Sub-plantigrade, thick-set, shaggy, bushy-tailed,
with thick legs and low ears ; blackitih, 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-vertebra3 6-9 inches.

Description of external charactersA

Tbe form of this aDimal iudicates great strength, without
correspondiug activity. The body is heavy and almost clumsy,
supported upon thick-set and rather low legs ; the walk is in-
completely plantigrade. The back is high-arched, the general

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

• • ♦.

, . • . • • t

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

figure (Iroopiug both before and behind, both tail and head being
carried low. The general appearance is strikingly that of a
Bear cub, with the addition of a bushy tail, though there is
somewhat of the elongation which characterizes the Muatelidw.
The head is broad and much rounded on every side, with rather
short and pointed muzzle, wide apart eyes, and low ears,
alt.getber not very dissimilar from that of Mmtela pennanti.
Tho jaws, however, are rather Canine in appearance. The
muffle 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
of 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 stiflfer
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 much 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-vertebrte 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, b.it 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 to a dingy brownish-white, beginning behind
the shoulders, running along the sides, and turning up to meet
its fellow on the ru jip and base of the tail, circumscribing a
dark dorsal area. There is a light-colored grayish area on the
front and sides of the head. On the throat, and between the
fore legs, there isia pat^h,/)r fi\ie^f> ^re several irregular spots j

DESCRIPTION OF GULO LUSCUS. m

of light color, as in Mvstcla. The legs, feet, most of the tail,
and under parts generally, are quite blackish. The claws are
whitish, strong, sharp, much curved, and about an inch long.

"The color of tl'o fur varies much according to the season
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. In
such the hoary markings of the head would be of greater extent,
and descend, most probably, to the shoulders." — (Ross, I. c.)

Meaeurcmiuta of seren specimens of GULO IX'SCUS,

356
1092
1093
1057
16tH

Locality.

Port Simpaoii, H. B. T
Yakon Kiver, Alaska .

Peel's River (Dec.) ...

Mackenzie's River

Montana, U.S

From tip of nose Tailto
to— end of—

S I a

5 ' H

60 5.
10 5.
00 5.
70 3.
75 4.
80 C.

00:6.

50().
lOJS.
15j«.
•jl,6.
10 S.

26. 50,
31. 00
29. 25
29. 00
27.00
34. bO;
36.00

— I-

r.4o

r.60

?.60
).25
iOO,

r». 00'
8.90

12.40
13.60
13.10
15. 00
13.00

Lcnctli
oi-

50
5.10

13.00:4.40
14.00!

7.10
(i. 75
li. 70
6.50

o g

a
H
'A

2. 00

Fresh.

...do.

Dry.

'*Krora Ross. Longest iiairsof body 4.00; of tail 7.50; upper canines 0.90; lower 0.75.
t From Baird.

Anal glands.

The anal glands of this animal are stated to be of about the size
of a walnut; 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 sliuU and teeth. (See Plate I.) ,.

The massiveness of the skull of Gitlo, in 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
upper outline in profile. From the highest point, just behind
the orbits, the skull ..' ^nes rapidly downward behind; and the
frontal declivity is also iu.'';h greater than in Mustela. There

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^E.

Ill

III

ill

liiii' iil!

1:1 J I

is much more of a troutal concavity, and the plane of the nasal
orifice is extremely oblique. These features of the profile rather
suggest a Feline than a Musteline skrull, although, of course, the
resemblance is still far from complete. There is a strong char-
acter in the zygoma : in 2[ustela 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 appea. 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 bullne, the same being only moderate in
Mustela, and merely indicated in the smaller Weasels. The pal-
ate is very broad 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
emargination is moderate, broadly U-shaped. The bullae audi-
torice 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 bullre. The pterygoids are very stout
at base, but soon become laminar, and terminate in long, slen-
der, hamular processes. Even in young skulls, the lambdoidal
crests are as strong and flaring as in the oldest of Mtistela, and
terminate in the very prominent mastoids. The occipital sur-
face is considerably excavated beneath these crests; the mediau
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-
•equence of the breadth and depression of the skall behind,
neither the ovate nor the somewhat cylindrical, as obtains in
Mustela and Putorius, but rather trapezoidal, somewhat as in
Taxidea. The body of the under jaw is shaped exactly as in

SKULL AND TEETH OP GULO LUSCUS.

Mnstela, though it is more massive, but the coronoid is differ-
ent. Its back' border rises straight and perpendicularly, the
anterior border curving strongly backward to meet it in a
rounded obtuse apex. In Muatela, the borders gradually ap-
proximate to each other and meet more acutely. M. pennanti
alone is much like Otilo in this respect.

Eeviewing general cranial characters from the small Oale to
the large Oulo, 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 buUse 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 Miiatelttj 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 crescentic 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 ^ne, rather than lies in continuation of the same axis. The
foremost preniolar is relatively smaller and more crowded than
the same in Mmtela ; it rests directly against the canine, to
the inner side of the general axis of dentition. It woald 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 obliqaity. Of
the six upper incisors, the lateral pair are, as nsaal, maeh
larger (wider and deeper, though little, if any, longer) than the
rest. They are usually found much abraded by rabbing

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

I'll

a^iiust the under canines. The other incisors are all alike,
smaller and evenly set ; all show indication of trilobation, with
a large middle and minute lateral lobes, best seen from behind,
where, at the point where the teeth flatten toward the tips,
ridges divaricate, the termination of these ridges forming the
lateral lobes. The inferior incisors are irregularly set, the mid-
dle one on each side being crowded back ont of the general
plane. The outermost pair are broader than the rest, and seem
longer, viewed from the front, since more 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 lower 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 the back edge of the main cusp, as in Mustela pennanti,
martes, 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. martes, and which also exists in less degree in M. pennanti,
americana, and foina. These differences of the two back under
premolars and front under molar are, perhaps, the strongest
dental peculiarities of Gulo as compared with Mustela. Be-
sides this, the two main cusps of the anterior lower premolar
are subequal iu size and elevation instead of very unequal, as
in Mustela, 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 OF GULO LUSCUS.

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

ileasurements of slculh, European and American.

Total len^tb from apes of intermaxillary- to occipital protuberance.

Greatest -width (zygomatic) ".

Distance between orbits

K asal bones, length

Upper incisors from front to hinder margin of palate

Upper molars and premolars, length taken together

Lower molars and premolars, length taken together

Lower jaw, length to back of condyle

Lower jaw, height of coronoid above condyle

Greatest width of palate

Least width of skull

Intermastoid width

Interparoccipltal width

Foramen magnum, width

AVidth across supraorbital protuberance

5.50
3.35
1.40

3.80
L65
1.95
3.65
1.70
1.80
1.30
3.00
1.95
0.70
1.75

II. la
3.55
1.45
1.00
3.85
1.65
1.95
3.70
1.65
1.80
1.35
3.20
3.05
0.75
1.75

6.00
3.75
1.50

1.00

a 10

1.75
2.10
4.00
1.85
1.95
1.55
3.50
a. 35
0.80
1.83

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

This animal has received a great variety of names, both tech-
uical^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 less
modification, while in all cases the book-names of the species
appear to be derived from the vernacular. Thus, " quickhatch "
of the English residents of British America is obviously an
Anglicism of the Cree 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 wolverene may be ;
none of its various spellings furnish a clue, beyond the obvious
tco\f^ which is however of wholly uncertain applicability here.
Oulo, glutton, 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 Linnseus as the specific name of the European ani-
mal, which he placed in the genus Mustela, This author sepa-
rated the American as VrsKS luscus — an absurd name indeed.

1 '1

m'Um

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

" Luscus " signifies blind of one eye, mope-eyed ; as is said to
have been the unfortunate 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 luscus. Linnoeus was frequently capri-
cious, and sometimes facetious, in bestowing names; while
some of those he gave were wholly inappropriate. Thus the
Paradisea apoda ("footless"), the common bird of Paradise,
was so called for no other reason than 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 habits 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 set 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
nest in order, should luscus be ignored on these considerations.
The foregoing synonymatic lists show that this species has
not escaped subdivisiod into nominal ones, and that varieties
have been generally recognized. But the dose 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 Ursm gulo. Des-
marest allowed varietal distinction from the animal be called
6. arcticus. Guvier endorsed the specific validity which earlier
writers had generally admitted ; this error Griffith perpetuated,
and, calling one Oulo vulgaris^ 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 " Oulo 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 OF THE WOLVERENE.

lid to

)orted
Hans

b Lin-
capri-
while

18 the

radise,

ported

moved

ia tax-

to the

8 fabu-

idition.

rticular

on of a

ding to

owever,

J, under

prece-

)r, or is

ftc term

Id come

jrations.

cies has

jrarleties

larity of
some of

scientific

as of the

lat " this
0. Des-
)e called
ih earlier
letaated,
trodaced
} did not
as works.

ay, I have
Ding syn-
Id quota-
ist not be

understood 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. martea and M. americana. But th'S
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. " Piles Guloni esse trique-
tros notavit Baster (Act. Harlemens. vol. xv.) sed hoc an in
Americano ? nostra ti pili teretes ", he says, on p. 75 of the
" Zoographia ".

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE SPECIES.

The written history of the Glutton or Wolverene dates from
an early period in the sixteenth century, when the animal is
mentioned with little interval of time by several writers in much
the same extravagant terms. The first appearance of the ani-
mal in literature is said by von Martens to have been in 1532,
at the hands of Michow, a physician of Cracow, in the work De
Sarmatia Aaiana et Europaa. Olaus Magnus (1562), to whom
is commonly attributed the earliest mention, thongh he thus
appears to have been anticipated, gives a most extraordinary
account, made 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 not escape the
notice of subsequent compilers, and that they lost nothing of
their flavor at the hands of the versatile and vivacious Baffon.
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 the marvellous, the current fables
took strong root and grew apace, flourishing like all " ill weeds",
and choking sober accounts. Coming down to ns through such
a long line of illastrious godfathers, they were treated with the
respect generally accorded to long years, and furnished the

liiiii

I.'

l:'

'I inn I''

IHiiii il!

!!lJ i-vi!:!

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELlDiE.

Staple of professedly educational text-books. Probably no
youth's early conceptions of the Glutton were uncolored with
romance ; the general picture impressed upon the susceptible
mind of that period being that of a ravenous monster of insa-
tiate voracity, matchless 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 fountain-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 lioman 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 Wolverene squeezing
itself between two trees, with a most anxious expression ef
countenance, the fore part of the body being pressed thin, while
the hinder is still distended, and the large pile of manure already
deposited being rapidly augmented wit ^ further supplies. Still
in the track of the marvellous, we rea^.! how the Glutton, too
clumsy and tardy of foot to overtake large Ruminants, betakes
itself to the trees beneath which they may pass, and there
crouches in wait for its victim ; it drops like a shot upon the
unsuspecting Elk, Moose, Beindeer, and, fastening 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 AND HABITS OP THE WOLVERENE.

(Voy. Amer. i, 201) speaks of the "carcajou or quincajou, a
kind of cat", evidently, however, having the Cougar {Felis oon-
color) in view, as appears from the rest of his remarks. Such
habit of lying in wait for their prey is common to the Cougar,
Lynx, and other large Cats. Not to prolong this portion of the
subject, I may state briefly, that the animal whose characteris-
tics will be fully exposed in the course of this article is simply aa
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 climb trees like most of its allies. It lives
in dens or burrows, and does not hibernate. It feeds 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 methods 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 American form, until early in the eight-
eenth century. La Hontan 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 fabulous
accounts of the Glutton ; but it is evident that his remarks
neither apply, nor were intended to apply, to the Wolverene.
Catesby speaks of an animal "like a small bear" which exists
in the Arctic porto is of America ; this reference is among the
earlier ones to the Wolverene, those which confound it with
other species being excluded.* We have other definite accounts
of the Wolverene, near the middle of the eighteenth century,

* The Wolverene has been confused not only \rith the Lynx and Coagar
in early times, bnt also qaite recently with the American Badger, Taxidea
amerkana. Thus F. Cuvier (Suppl.Baffon,i, 1831,267) treats at length of
" Le carcajou, ou Blaireaa Amdricain ", his whole article being based upon
the Badger, to which he misconceives the name Carcajoa to belong. Paol
Gervais also speaks of the " CarJcajou ou Blaireaa d'Am^rique " (Proc. Verb.
Soo. Philom. Paris, 1842, 30).

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

as those of Klein, Ellis, Dobbs, Edwards, and BrissoD. Ursus
lu80U9 of LinnsBUs arose la a way already narrated, and the
species 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-^8) 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, aud tho 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." Bichardson 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 universal 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 purpose." Bichardson discredits the accounts which had

HISTORY AND HABITS OP THE WOLVERENE.

come down from Baffon of the destructiou of Beavers by the
Wolverene. *' It must be only in summer, " he says, *' when
those industrious animals are at work on land, 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 iu 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
pulling, 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, iu order to get at some
provisions which had been deposited in this cache. 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 his principal coutributioa 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 frag-
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 auonyiqous writer, doabtless Geaeral D. S. Stanley (" D. S. S., Fort
Sally, Dakota"; American Naturalist, ii, 1868, p. 215), notes the depredations
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 iu wait for him, and often cuts short his career."

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

manx use the far as they do that of the Wolf, for fringiug 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 far-bearing species of this country. The following
methods of its capture are taken from Gibson : — *

<'The wolverine is a dangerous foe to many animals larger
than itself, and by the professional hunter it is looked upon as
an ugly and dangerous customer. There are several methods
of trapping this horrid creature, and in many localities suc-
cessful 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.
Several 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 used to good purpose. ... In all cases 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
task.^t

The Wolverene is an animal of circumpolar distribution in
both hemispheres. In North America, it exists in all suitable
country north of the United States to the Arctic Goast, 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 American Trapper, [etc.] p. 800. New York. 16mo. 1876.

t A statement at variance with the experience of others, as detailed on a
following page, from which it would appear that the wary oreatnre is par-
tioolarly diflScnlt to entrap.

HISTOHY AND HABITS OF THE WOLVERENE.

farther south iu the West. lu Massachusetts, accordiuff to Mr.
AUeu, it still lingered a few years since, in that portion where
the Canadian, as distinguished from the Alleghanian, fauna is
represented. But the Massachusetts reports are all probably
traceable to a Hoosac Mountain record 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 Jeffersou
(1827) Gounties. 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 Bocky 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 {I. c.) of the
occurrence of the species on the western border of Canada and
near the mouth of the Ked 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, however, 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 'i2°. 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 Union), frequently mentioned in tlie works of Au-
dnbon, Baird, and others, no longer exists as such, being now a heap of rab-
bish. It is replaced by Fort Buford, commanding the mouth of the Yellow-
stone, at the extreme southwest corner of Dakota, adjoining the southeast
corner of Montana.
4m

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

corresponding latitudes in Galilornia. Of this, I was assured
by hunters whose statements 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 (op. cit). He saw the skin of aa 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 fi*om the region west of the
main chain of the Bockies in Oregon or Washington Territory,
although it is not to be 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-
our ofScers of the Hudson's Bay Company, through the liber-
ality of the Smithsonian Institution, which placed in my hands
all the 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, Ross, and Lockhart have each
recorded their experiences, which together afford the material
for a comple' '^ biography.

The hunter, says Mr. Lockhart, may safely leave an animal
he has killed for one night, but never for a second time, with-
out placing it in a strong cache 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 cAiOhe he
makes he voids his urine or drops his dirt, probably to prevent

HISTORY AND HABITS OP THE WOLVERENE.

assured
ibt, and
1 1 could
and, for
ains the
I by Mr.
taken in
[ timber^
) locality
strongly
entioned.
; a collec-
B vicinity
est of the
Eerritory,
evidence,

er or less
untry. It
izie Eiver
lering the
lountains.
from vari-
the liber-
my hands
lammals of
lerful oun-
and repre-
anters and
ig animals,
have each
le material

an animal

time, with-

t night the

will touch

d, if he can

then make
)e by piece,
y cAohe he

to prevent

Foxes, Martens, or other animals from smelling the hidden meat
and digging it up. Gd,ches 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 iu 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 sufficiently 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. When
they have discovered a line of Marten traps, they will never
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 baits and cache
them. If hungry, they may devour two or three of the Martens
they find captured, the remainder being carried off 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 ic tteal and hide things is one of the strongest
traits of the Wolverene. To 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 iu
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 deeply implanted iu
this animal, that like tame ravens, it does not appear to care
much what it steals so that it can exercise its favorite propen-
sity to commit 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 completely gntted — 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 beast showed who had been the thief. The family
set to work, and by carefully following up- all his paths recov-
ered, with some trifling exceptions, the whole of the lost prop-
erty."

Though very clumsy animals, the Wolverenes manage to cap-

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

tare, at times, such prey as Hares or Grouse, and chey successfully
attack disabled Deer. We have already seea how they destroy
Foxes in their burrows; and they are usually found in excel-
lent condition. 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 or whilst suckling their young. One rea-
son, however, may be that they reproduce late in June and
early in July, when the mosquitoes are so numerous that no
one who can avoid it goes abroad in the woods. The rutting
season is in the latter part of March. The female is ferocious
in the defense of her young, and if disturbed at this time will
not hesitate to attack a man. Indeed, Indians have been heard
to aver that they would sooner encounter a she-bear with her
cubs than a Carcajou under the same circumstances. In Octo-
ber, when the rivers set fast, the Wolverenes reappear in fam-
ilies, 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
color.

lue Wolverene may be captured in wooden traps similar to
those used for Martens, but of course made on a much larger
scale, as the animal's 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 cS^che as much as
possible I the Wolverene is then likely to break in and get
caught. Tb" bait, ordinarily the conspicuous feature of a trap,
must in this instance be concealed, or the animal will either
break 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", writes Mr. Look-
hart, '* I had a line of Marten and Fox traps, and Lynx snares,
e7<- .^Jing 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 c^che the skin till my
retaru ? 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, anfl 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. Returning 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 I 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 muski-
moot. I went clear down to the ground, on this side and on
that, but no Lynx skin was there. The Carcajou had been
before me, and had carried it off along with the carcase ; but
he had 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,
and also set three steel traps. For three weeks I tried my best
to catch 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 more delight than ever in demolishing my Marten
traps and eating the Martens, scattering the poles in every
direction, and cAching what baits or Martens he did not devour
on the spot. As we had no poison in those days, I next set a
gun on the bank of a little lake. The gun was concealed in
some low bushes, but the bait was so placed that the Carciyon
must see it on his way up the bank. 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

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

the bait and stnelled it, but had left it untouched. He had
next palled 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
usual, by tracking my line from one end to the other and de-
molishing my traps, ^ fast as I could set them. I put a large
steel trap in the middle of a' path that branched ofif among
some willows, spreading no bait, but risking the chance that
the animal would ' put his 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
Carcajou on the spot. Examining his footprints I was satisfied
that he had not been caught, and I took up his trail. Proceed-
ing about a mile through the woods I came to a small lake, on
thti banks of which I recognized traces of the trap, which the
beast had 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 forther on,
however, I found a neatly built mound of snow on which the

HI8T0BY AND HABITS OF THE WOLVERENE.

animal had made water and left his dirt ; this I knew was his
•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. Gould it have been the animal's instinctive im-
pulse to hide prey that made him carry my trap so far merely
for the morsel ot 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 : — " lo coming to the foot of Table Hill I crossed
the track of a Wolvering with one of Mr. Gallingham'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. Biit on coming up with him I
discovered how he had managed : for after making an attempt
to fly at me, he took the trap ifi 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 miles."

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 bad set a
gun for a Carcajou which had been on his usual round of dem-
olition of Marten traps. The animal seized tUe 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
-Olaus Magnus set down in his book centuries ago. How much

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

wiser are we in our generatioD ? Is there anything new under
the sun f 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 ? 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 off. 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
Korth 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 carious 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. Not
seeming to take alarm, it proceeded on a few paces, and then
stopped to repeat the performance, when Mr. Lockhart, now
sufficiently 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 occasions, 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 suffer itself to be shot rather

ITS DISTRIBUTION IN THE OLD WORLD.

than relinquish possession, though the hunter had approached
within 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. G. 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 to
be noosed while eating.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE SPECIES IN THE OLD WORLD.

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

According to Georgi {I. s. c. [i. e. Geogr. Phys. Beschr. 1786]
p. 1547), the Glutton is found in the temperate, and particu-
larly in the cold regions of Eussia and Siberia ; that is to say,
from Lithuania and Gurland, where, however, it is rare, to
Finland, Kola, Archangel, Wologda, Perm; and in Siberia,
from the mountains which bound this country (the Altalt, the
Sajan, and Danrian Alps, the Stannovoi, &c.), to the Arctic
Tandras. 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 Livland,
Livonia, 2d edition, p. 141) that the Glutton was already rare
in Livonia, though still common in Russia, Poland, Lithuania,
and Lapland, as well as in Gurland; though in Derschau
and von Keyserling'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 Gatalogue of the Mammals of Gurland,
published in 1829 (Bull. Nat. Hist. Moscon). Kessler 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 Rczaczynski (Auctuar. Hist. Nat. p. 311), two Glut-
tons were killed in Podolia at the beginning of the last
century. It is, therefore, unquestionable thai the Glutton

* Bemerknngeu Uber die Wirbelthiere des Qordlichen enropaiscben Rnss-
lauds, besonders dea nordlicben Ural's. Ein Beitrag zar naheren zoolo-
gisch-geograpbiscboD Kenntniss Nordost-Europa'a.

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

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

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

Ural in general, Lehman n (Brandt in Lehmaun's Beise
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 IJral, 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 (Beise, i. 1, p. 562) states that the Glutton
occurs on the Obi Biver. Schrenck (Beise, i. pp. 10, 66, 97)
reports that it is found in the forests of the District of Mesen,
particularly on the Pinega Biver, 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 iifver 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 Bnssian possessions from Finland and Bussian Lapland (?)
to Kamtschatka, and from the middle Ural and Altai to the
northerly Tundra.

CHAPTER III.

MUSTELINE— Continued : The Martens.

The genus Muaiela — Generic characters, &c.— Analysis of North Amerioan
species — Mmtela pennanti, the Pekan or Pennant's Marten — Synonymy —
Habitat — Specific characters— Description of external characters — Diuien-
sions— Sknll and vertebrte— General history, habits, and geographical dis-
tribution — Interpolated matter relating to e::otic species of Miutela — M.
martes — Synonymy — Description of its skull and teeth — M. foina — Syn-
onymy — ^Notes on its characters — M. zihelUiia — Synonymy — Measurements
of skulls of the three species— Comparative diagnoses of M. martea,
americana, ani foina — Mxstela americaHa, the American Sable or Marten —
Synonymy — Description and discussion of the species — Table of measure-
ments — Geographical variation in the skull — General history and habits
of the species.

IN this chapter are treated the genus Mustela and the two
species by which it is represented in 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, emend.)

< MllstelSt Linn. Syst. Nat. i. lOtb ed. 1738, and of many authors.

< Tiverra, Shaw, 6en. Zool. i. 1800; not of antliors.
<6h10, H. Smith, (fide Gray); not of Storr.
=1inTttii, Authors, attet Bay.

>.PelC»lli«, J. K Oray, Profl. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1865, 107. (type M. pennanti.)

> FolBSt J. E. Oray, Proo. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1865, 107. (Type if. martet var. fagorum.)

> OharronlSt /. E. Oray, Proc. ZooL Soc. 1865, 108. (Type M. Jlavigxiia Bodd.)

1-1 > P™'4_4>

1-1

a-2 ~-

Generic cbahb.— Dental formula : i. ^^3 ; c. {-^rt 5 P™- Jtrf ; n>
j^ = 38 (as in Oulo ; one more premolar,* above and below, on each side,
than in Puioriiia). Sectorial tooth of lower jaw usually with an internal
cusp. Anteorbital foramen presenting vertically or somewhat downward as
well as forward (as in Putorim ; reverse of Crulo) ; canal-like, opening over
interspace between last and penultimate premolars (as in Gulo ; the open-
ing is over the last premolar in P\dor\\i9). Skull much constricted at the
middle, the rostral portion relatively longer, more tapering than in Oulo or

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

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

Ptttoriua, and mach more obliquely truncated than in Putoriuf, less so thaa
in Gulo ; frontal profile more or less concave. Nasal bones narrower in the
middle than at either end. General upper outline of sknll moderately
arched. Production of mastoids and auditory bullie and general prominence
of periotio region intermediate between Gulo and Putoriut. Zygomatic arch
high behind (usaally higher than in front) ; nowhere vertical, nor developing
a posterior convexity. Depth of emarginatiou of palate greater than dis*
tance thence to the molarH. Skull as a whole less massive than in either
Oulo or PutoriM.

Vertebral formula. — According to Gerrard, the vertebrie of M. maries, type
of the genus, is c. 7, d. 16, 1. 6, s. :i, cd. 18 or 19 ; other species of the genus
differ in the number of caudals.

Size medium and large for this subfamily. Form moderately stout ; claws
strong, curved, acute. Tail longer than the bead, bushy, cylindrical or taper-
ing. Soles densely furry, with naked pads. Pelage long and soft, but not
shaggy ; whole-colored, or nearly so, never whitening in winter. Progression
digitigrade. Habits highly arboreal as well as terrestrial ; not aquatic.

This genus forms the liuk between Oulo and PutoriuSj as will
be evident upon comparison of the diagnoses of the three. The
skull, however, is lighter than io either of the two other genera
of Mmtelinee^ with more produced and tapering rostrum ; in
height, relative to length or breadth, it is intermediate. The
species have a somewhat Fox-like or Catlike superficial aspect,
rather than that appearance we usually associate with the name
of " WeaseF, being much stouter-bodied, more copiously haired,
and busiiier-tailed ; one species, indeed, is commonly called
black " fox " or black " cat ". They appear to be more decid-
edly arboreal than the Weasels, spending much of their time in
trees, and are not aquatic, like several of the Weasels proper.
They are agile and graceful in their movements ; and, if not really
more active than the Weasels, their actions seem to possess
a quality of lightness and elasticity di£ferent from the writhing
and insinuative motions of the very slender-bodied, short-legged
Weasels. Although strictly carnivorous, predacious, and de-
structive to many kinds of small Mammals and Birds, they,
appear less 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 the genus is the Latin mustela or mustellaj a
kind of Weasel ; the word being apparently derived from, or
related to, the more general term mus.* Its adjectival deriva-

* This seems to have included, besides Mice, various kinds of small de-
atmotive animals, such as now might be collectively referred to as " vermin".
Thus, mu$ pontieue is supposed to have probably been an Ermine. The word
may be simply a long form of mus, like maxilla or axilla from mala and ala.

THE OENUH MUSTELA.

tive, mii8telinu8, refers primarily to geueral Weasel-like quali-
ties ; secondarily, to the peculiar tawny color of most species
of Weasels in summer, and is transferable to other animals,
just as "foxy*^ signifies the peculinr red of the Oommon Fox.
For an example, familiar to ornithologists, the "tawny" thrush
of Wilson, Turdiia " muatelintis ", may be cited.

This genus 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 pennantif 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 species 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 significance
whatever. The Sable par excellence is the Russian and Asiatic
animal, Muatela zibellina, a variety of the common European
Marten, M. martes, or a closely allied species; but, as all Sables
are Martens, it is perfectly proper to speak of our species, M.
nmericanttf as the American Sable or Marten. Some of its for-
taitous 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 beads of the several species.

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

Analysis of the North American species of Mustela.

Larger : length two feet or more ; tail a foot or more, the rertebree about half
the length of head and body, tapering from base to point. Ears low, wide,
Bemicironlar. Blackish ; lighter on fore upper parts and head ; darkest
below ; no light throat-patch M. pennanH.

Smaller : length nnder two feet ; tail less than a foot long, the vertebrse less
than half the length of the body, uniformly bushy. Ears high, sabtrian-
gular. Brown, &c.; not darker below than above ; usually a large yellow-
ish or tawny throat-patch M. anurieana.

NOBTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.f:.

The Pekan, or Peniinnt*fi Marten.

nvBtela pcnnantl.

;Platb II.

Mmtela peBMBlll, Era. Syst. An. 1777, 470, oo. lO (baHeil on the FUher of Pmnant: for
diMnMion of nam*, In question of priority over eanadenii* Scbrebor, of. Bd. op. it^frik
nt. p. ISl).— Zimm. Oeogr. Oesch. 11. 1760, 310, no. 906.— J. 8ah. Frank. Joam. 1883,
09l.-Gfri/. CaT. R. A. ▼. 18S7, lOS, no. 354.-I>M«. Man. 1837, ISO, no. 405— IVieA. Syn.
Mam. 1889, 817.— Oodm. Am. N. H. 1. 1931, 303.— Bd. M. N. A. 18S7, )49, pi. 36, f. 1.—
y«wb. P. R. R. Rep. tI. mil, 4l.-Ooop. <« SueU. N. H. W. T. 18W, 9i, 114.— Aow,
' Canid. Nat. ▼!. 1861, U.—OUpin, Tr. Not. Soot. Iniit. 11. 1870, 9, M.—AU. Ball. M. C.
Z. 1. 1869, 161 <MaM.)i Ball. Est. Inst. t1. 1874, S4 (Colorado).— AmM, Ball. Minn.
Acad. Nat. Sol. 1874, 69.

Manes pcbbmUI, Oray, P. Z. S. 1863, 107; Cat. Camlv. Br. Mas. 1869, es.

MaatclB CBBBdtBtIt, Sehrth. Sttag. Hi. 1778, 493, pi. 134 (baaed on the Pehm of Bnffon;
not M. eanadeniii of Erxl., wbioh is Putoriut viion).—Zimm. Geog. Gaaob. IL 1780, 309,
no. 807.— Bodd. Elencb. An. 1. 1784, 86.-Om. S. N. i. 1788, ii.—Turt. S. N. 1. 1806, 59
(not aamo name on p. 57, wbich la tbe American Otter).— fuAi, Beltr. 1880, 74.— Dmai.
Mamm. 1. 1880, 183, no. 384 ; Ency. M«th. pi. 80, f. 4 ; Kout. Diet xlx, 379.— ffaW. Fn.
Amer. 1835, W.—Lut. Man. 1837, 149.-ar</. Cav. R. A. ▼. 1837, 184, no. 393.-JV«eA.
8yn. 1839, 816.-J»«k. F. B. A. i. 18S9, 58, no. IH—Rieh. Zodl. Voy. Blosaom, 1639, 10*.—
Fr. Ouv. Diet Sol. Nat. six. 856.- Afartin, P. Z. S. 1833, 97 (anat.).— £miNOM, Sep. Qnad>
Mass. 1840, 3B.—Wagn. Sappl. Sobreb. 11. 1841, 9313.— D* Kay, N. T. Zo8t. 1. 1848, 31,
pi. 13, f. 1 (akolD.-Aud. <t Baeh. Q. N. A. 1. 1849, 307, pi. Al.—DeEay, Fifth Ann.
Rep. Reg. Univ. N. T. 1863, 33, pi. (orig. HfH—Thompt. N. H. Vermont, 1853, 33.—
Kenn. Trans. HI. Bute Agric. Soo. 1853-4, 578 (Illinois,)- Zn««i. Proo. Boat. Soo.
vl. 1858, 418.-6i<be{, Odontog. 36, pi. 19, f. 1 ; Sttag. 1855, Tn.-Alawim. Arch. Natarg.
1861, 839.— £ 'Uingt, Canad. Geol. and Nat. 11. 1837, 116.— Kn<«{and, Proo. Boat Soo. vl.
1859, 418 (skeleton).— JETal?, Canad. Nat. t). 18G1, 999.— Maxim. Vera. N. A. SKng.
1868, 43.

MastelB CBBBdeBsH var. Bibs, Rich. op. eit. 54 ("White Pekan"; albinism).

HBttelB (MBrt«8) CBBBdcBSls. Schim, Syn. Ma.i!ffl. 1. 1844, 334.

MartM CBBBieBSlSi Gray, List Mamm. Br. Mas. 1843, 63.— Oerrard, Cat. Bones Br. Mas.
leca, 91.

TlverrB CBBMCBttS, Shaw, (3en. Zool. i. 1600, 499.

MBatelB ■clBBOrkyBChB, Bodd. Elenob. An. 1784, 88, no. 13 (based on FUher of Pennant) —

Zimm. in Peon. Arkt. Zotfl. 1787, 83.
Tlvern ylacBtor, Shaw, Gen. Zoiil. l. ISOO, 414 (based on FUher of Pennant).
HBttelB BlCTBt Turt. ed. L. S. N. 1. 1806, 60 (= FUher Weaul of Pennant).
MBStelB KOiflUBl, FUeh. Syn. Mamm. 1839, 817.— £«m. Mamm. 1848, 150.
MBltelB plUBtoriB, Lees. Man. 1837, ISO, na 403 ((jaotes pennanti Erxl. with query).
"6«lo CBUilBeBa e( flerrBKlBens, H. Smith."— {J. E. Gray.)
PekBB, OhMim. Noav. France, Hi. 1744, 134.— Bu/. Hist. Nat. xlil, 1765, 304, pi. 48 (biMls of

jr. eafMientU Sohreb.).— Bomm, Diet. d'Hist. Nat. ill. 1768, 401.— P«i»no, Seataglia,

An. ()aad. Iv. 1775, pi. 155, f. 1 (ex Baffon).— Fctan, Pcnn. Syn. Qaad. 1771, 834, no.

159 ; Hist. Qnad. 1781, no. 304 ; Arot. Zool. 1. 1784, 78, no. 88 (apparently tame as the

inimal of Briason and Baffon).— P«hin ot French Canadian. ("Peean " is also foond.)
PekSB-BIBNer, Maxim, l. e.
FiBker, Petm. Syn. Qaad. 1771, 83.1, no. 157; Hist. Qaad. 1781, 328, no. 903; Arot. Zool. 1.

1784, 88, no. 31 (basis of M. ptnnantii, Erxl.).— Fisher, American, Vulgo,
Marte*pMieBr, Deem. op. eit. 184.
PeBBBBt'e MBPtCBt Oodm. op. etloe.eU.
Uttadi, Heame, Joom. — , 378. ( Alao written Weejaek.)
9(«kaiek, OreeIndiane(Xkhards(m)=:Ot»chilik, Ojibwaye {Maxim.) =\F^ack, Fur Tradere^

Woodehoek, Angliei.
TUUckAf CUppevaymnt iSoee). *

• MMk Pbx, Black CM, Yvfgo.

Hab. — ^North America, approximately between 35° and 65°, in wooded
portions of tbe conntry.

DESCBIPTION OF MUSTELA PENNANTI.

Specific CRARACTERH.— Black or blackish, lif^btening by mixture of brown
or gray on the apper fore part anr* head; no conspiouoas light tbroat-
patoh; generally darker below tb; a above; very large and stoat; length
tj or 3 feet ; tuil over a foot long.

Deioription of external characters.*

Form. — With its large size, this animal 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 physiogno' y.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 qrmed 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, isolated
from the rest, far back, on the wrist, near the outer border.
On the hind feet, the arrangement of the naked bulbs is essen-
tially the same, excepting that the hindermost (tenth) one is
wanting. The tail-vertebrse are about half as long as the head

*From varions specimens in the Smithsonian Institation.

t" The physiognomy of the Pckan is very different from that of the Marten.
When the latter is threatened, its features resemble those of an enraged oat,
but the expression of the ^ekan's countenance approaches to that of a dog,
though the apparent obliquity of its eyes gives it a sinister look. The head
has a strong, roundish, compact appearance, and contracts suddenly to form
the nose, which terminates rather acutely. The ears, low and semioiroular,
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 curves in to form the nose, appear more oblique than-
they really are."— (Richardson, I. c.)

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

Ill I

Vji

IL.I.t.||.

and body. The tail is cyliudric-conic, rapidly ta)>eriQg to a
sharp point from the enlarged and bushy base. The general
pelage is much coitrser than that of the true Martens, and
^ooser, if not longer; it consists of the usual undt'r fur, with
long, glossy, bristly hairs intermixed. The pelago is very short
on the head.

Color. — Color is very variable, accordiug to age, season, or
other fortuitous oircumstances ; in general, how«iver, 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
shade, 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-
I)owering 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 buffy) 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 Marten.

Smaller specimens before me lack much of the general black-
ishness above indicated ; still the feet, tail, and at least 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 ( " oary gray, overlaid with the blackish
tips of the hairs. Both llichardson and Audubon note near'
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-vertebne
about 14 inches (12 to 16), the terminal hairs 2 to 4 inches
longer. Nose to eye 2 inches ; to occiput, over curve of bead,
()^ ; ear 1 inch high, about twice as broad ; distance between
tips of ears'? inches ; hind foot 4^ ; fore leg, from elbow,* 6 or
7 inches ; hind leg, from hip, nearly 12. Individuals are said
to range in weight from 8^ to 18 pounds.

SKULL AND VERTEfiR.E OF M. PENNANTL

Skull and vertebra.'.

Cranium. — The skull of this species is instantly distinguished
from that of M. martes by its obviously superior size. The larg-
est ot bix examples before me measures 4.40 in extrnme length
by 2.40 in greatest zygomatic width. The under jr. «r 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 lambdoidal (occipiUl) 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 fk'om above,
whereas in the skull of M. martesj 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 bullie anditoriiB 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 in 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 less
than 4 inches in length by little over 2 in greatest breadth.
One skull, of a very old animal, in 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
luodiflcations. The constriction of the skull back of the supra-
orbital processes also increases with age.

Vcrtebrfp :—c. 7, d. 14, 1. 6, s. 3, cd. 20 or 21 (Oerrard). Knee-
laud {he. suprii cit.) gives the caudals u. 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 Muntelhuv), excepting only
the Wolverene and (Irison. In size, as In some other points of
form, vigor, and ferocity, it approaches the Wolverene, and is
obviously the connecting link between Muatela and Oulo. It
has no immediate representative in the Old World.
5 M

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^G.

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 characters, its written history is less
extensive and less involved than that of animals which have
a circumpoiar distribution in both the Old and New World.
In tracing up this matter, we go back to the works of Bn£fon,
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 Bnffon, 1765, and the
Fisher of Pennant, Syn. Qaad. 1771. Pennant's account of
his Fisher is unmistakable ; but he describes, in addition, the
Pekan of Bnffon, not recognizing in it the same species. These
two accounts furnished for many years the bases of all the sci-
entific binomial names imposed by various authors. The Mus-
tela canadensis of Schreber, 1777, is the Pekan of Bnffon ; the
M. pennantii of Erxleben, 1777, and M. melanorhyncha of Bod-
daert, 1784, are the Fisher of Pennant. This is perfectly plain ;
but a question of priority 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 earlier author quotes the other in
various places. Judging, however, by the printed dates of
publication, as the proper means of arbitration, pennantii of
Erxlelta takes precedence. The question is, aowever, further
complicated by the fact that Erxleben has also a Mustela 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.
visony if Brisson be not quotable as an authority in binominal
nomenclature. As a summary of the subject, therefore, it may
be said that M. canadensis Erxl. goes to the Mink, while M. ca-
nadensis Schreb. and authors sinks to a synonym of M. pennantii
Erxl.

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

The name Fisher, very generally applied to this species by
others as well as authors, is of uncertain origin, but probably

HISTORY AND HABITS OP THE PEKAN.

arose from some miscoDception of its habits, or from confound-
iug them with those of the Mink. The name is entirely inap-
plicable, as the animal is not aquatic, 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
always to 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, had actual knowledge of the ani-
mals they recounted. Thus Bartram, who is quoted by Pen-
nant, state& that " though they are not amphibious, and live on
all kinds of lesser quadrupeds, they are called Fishers". 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.
Godman, a naturalist who has perhaps not always been fully
appreciated, states the 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 upon frogs in the summer season; but I
have been informed that 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 Pine-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 Audubon upon Richardson's state-

* Compare Ptan or Petan, the Asaiuiboine name of the Otter, which may
possibly have become transferred with modification to the present species.

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

ment that the Pekan kills the Porcupine ; bat its accuracy is
attested by Mr. Oilpio in the article above quoted, who states
that Porcupine quills have been found in its stomach.

A modified derivation of the name Fisher is given by De
Kay: — "We are informed by a person who resided many years
near Lak6 Oneida, wh6re the Fisher was then common, that
the name was derived from its 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
the fisher, whose well known tracks were seen in the vicinity.
In Hamilton County it is still [1842] numerous and trouble-
some. The hunters there have assured me that they have
known a fisher to destroy twelve out of thirteen traps in a line
not moi-e than fourteen miles long." The same author vontin-
nes:— "The hunting season for the fisher, in the northern part
of the State, commences about the tenth of October, and lasts
to the middle of May, when the Airs are not so valuable. The
ordinary price is $1.50 per skin; but it is not so fine, nor so
highly valued as that of the sable." According to all ac-
counts, the animals were formerly very abundant in the State
of New York, where, however, they have latterly become re-
stricted to northern mountainous and thinly settled portions.

The bone caves of Pennsylvania, according 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 the 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 attested by Audubon and fiachman. The parallel of 35°
may be near its limit. Mr. Allen recently asce^ tained its pres-
ence in Colorado. West of the Rocky Mountains it was long
ago noted by Lewis and 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 that
State. Dr. Newberry says it is rare in Oregon, but less so in

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE t»EKAN.

Washiugtou Territory. According to Dr. Suckley, it is found
quite plentifully in the thickly wooded districts along 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 ^be
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 1S53,
Mr. Kennicot states it "used frequently to be seen" in Illinois
in the heavy timber along Lake Michigan. In New England,
according to Mr. Allen, it probably still occurs, though rarely,
in the Hoosac ranges. In 18^10, 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 be rare in 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 Uills in Cum-
berland. In British America, Sir John Richardson states that
it is found as far north as Great Slave Lake, latitude 63^ ; 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
'V)rth 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, are produced in a litter. It has been
known to offer desperate resistance in defence of its young, as
on the occasion when the individual figured by Audubon was
procured. This animal, a young one, was kept in confinement
for several days. ^' It was voracious, and verv spiteful, growl-
ing, snarling and spitting 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
better supplied with food than when it ha'l 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 MUSTELID^.

'l^'ii

Ul H

ill

iPii ii

limk

Gharlestou, S. C, some moDths after its capture, continued
sullen and spiteful, hastily swallowing its food nearly whole,
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 some affection at times. When taken very
young, it may become perfectly tume, and as playful as a
kitten ; such was the case with a pair mentioned by Mr. B. B.
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, in close pursuit of a pine
marten, which he also brought with it.' ...

" Whilst residing in 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 in 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.
They 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 into the snow, when the dogs usually seized and killed
him, although not without a hard struggle, as the Fisher was

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE PEKAN.

iutiuitoly more daugerous to their houuiU thau either the gray
or red fox. They usually called this species the Black Fox.

"A servant, on oue 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 taken to so large a
tree that he 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 had 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 an angry cat, and we every moment
expected to see him leap off and fall among the dogs. He was
brought down after several discharges of the gun. He seemed
extremely tenacious of life, and was game to the last, holding
on to the nose of a dog with a dying grasp. This animal proved
to be a male; the body measured twenty-five 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 in a straight
direction, and then took to a tree. . . .

" Species that are decidedly nocturnal in 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 opossum, and all our hares, 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, in which our neighbours were
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 t'.ie snow ; they resemble those of the pine marten, but are

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

Ill

imb

doable their size. To judge by them, the auimal advances by
short leaps in the manner qf a mink."

I will supplement this account with the interesting experi-
ences of Mr. B. B. Boss (as recounted I. s. c.) with this species
in the Mackenzie Bi ver region :— " In this district it is not found
except in the vicinity of Fort Besolution, which may be con-
sidered as its northern limit. In the numerous deltas of the
mouth of Slave Biver 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 Ghippe-
wayan Indians 'Tha cho,' or great martin. Its neck, legs and
feet are stouter in proportion thau those of the martin, and its
claws much stronger. lu color 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 Bivi^re de Argent, one of the channels of the mouth of
Slave Biver, about 15 miles from Fort Besolution. It was fully
as long as a Fulvus fox, much more muscular, and weighed 18
pounds. In the color of its f > . ^ 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 diflBculty. 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 bone 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 careflilly, and set a bait at some distance on each
side. Into this it tumbled. From the size of its footprints my

ii'iiiy

HISTORY AND HABITS OP THE PEKAN.

impression all aloug w<i8 that it was a small wolverene that was
annoying me, and I was surprised to find 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 ou the
nose turned it over, when I completed its death by compressing
the heart with my foot until it ceased to beat. The skin when
stretched for drying was fully as large as a middle sized otter,
and very strong, in this respect resembling that of a wolverene.

t'ln their habits the fishers resemble the martins. Their
food is much the same, but they do not seem to keep so gener-
ally in the woods. They are not so nocturnal in their wander-
ings as the foxes. An old fisher is nearly as great an infliction
to a martin trapper as 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
cue 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 Kaccoon; 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 Keid, 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
IS 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 Baccoon at the feast. A hard chase had ensued, the
Raccoon tacking at fnll 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

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

was resumed, but with dimiuinbed euergy 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^unning 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 Muskrat, the Weasel and House Sat, always ending
in the death of the 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
Baccoon.^'

INTKRPOLATED MATTER RELATING TO THE EXOTIC MUSTEL^E,
MM. MARTES, FOINA, AND ZIBELLINA.

Before entering upon the discussion of the intimate relatiousbips 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.

3ro(«.— Much of the synonymy relatinj; to these exotic species has been rather summa-
rily compiled at second hand, and should be talien with the allowance for " probable error "
jrhich nsnally obtains in such cases.

1. The European Pine IVIarten.

Nnstela martea.

Plati III.

Martn, Antiquorum.—Aldrov. Quad. Digit. 1645, 331.— Charkt. Ezercit. 1677, i^.—Wagn.

Helvet latlO, 161.— <9ibb. Scots. Illust. 1684, ii. 11.— £zac2. Polon. 1721, 9^; 1736, 314.—

Linn. 8. X. i. 9d ed. 1740, 44.— Jontt. Tbeatr. Quad. 1755. pL 64.
Hartes sylf estrls, Oem. Quad. ISSl, 865. fig.— Jontt. Theatr. Quad. 1759, 156.
Martes arb*rea, Sehwenekf. Theriotroph. 1603, 110.
Maries la arborlbasi Agrie. Anim. Subter. 1614, 38.
Martes abletaa, Ray, Syn. Quad. 1693, iOO.—KUin, Quad. 1751, 64.— Fleming, Br. An. 1838,

14.— BeU, Brit. Quad. 1837, 174 ; 3d ed. 1874, 317.— 6err. Cat. Bones. Br. Mas. 1863, 90.—

Oratf, List Mamm. Br. Mus. 1843, 63; P. Z. S. 1865, 104 ; Cat Cam. Br. Mas. 1869, 61.—

FiU. yAtVLTg. SauK. i. 1861, 335, f. 67.
Martes abieiHB van. nartes, ralgarls, aliaica, Gray, P. Z. S. 1865, 104; Cat. Cam. Br.

Mus. 1869, 83 (bat obviously not Muitela altaiea Pall., which is a Putoriua).
Mnstela ftalvo nigricans, gula pallida, Linn. Fn. Suec. 1st ed. 1746; 3, no. 7 ; Syst Nat ed.

6th, 1748, 5, no. 3 —Hill, Hist. An. 175-2: 546, pi. il—Kram. Blench. An. 17.-i6, 311.

EUROPEAN PINE MARTEN, MUSTELA MARTES.

MnnteU marles, BrUii. Quad. 17M, '247, no. 9.—L. Pn. 8u«o. 9d ed. 1761, 6, no. IS ; S. N., lOtb

ed. 1738, 46, DO. 9; 1. 1766, 67, no. 6.— JftUL Zool. Dan. Prod. 1776, 3, no. li.—ErxL Syit.

■ 1777, 439, no. i.—Sohrtb. S<iai{. ill. 1778. 479, pi. VM.—Zimm. OooL Oeaoh. ti, 1760, 303,

no. 107.— Mrm. Oba. Zool. 43.— WUdung. TMOh. 18U0, 94, pi. 3.— Om. S. N. L 1788, 93, no.

S.—B*eh»t. TSfttnrg. Deutichl. I. , 169.— ViieM. M6m. Soc. Nat Mows. i. 1806, 949 (by

bridity with oat).— 7ur(. S. N. i. 1806, iO.—Pall. ZoJig. 1. 1811, ai.—Dtim. Mamm.i.
1890, lei, no. 980 ; Ency. M^th. pi. 81, f. 4.—Fr. Cue. Mamm. 111. Uvr. 69 ; Diet. Sci. Kat.
sxix. 955, Ag. X.-Qeoff. Diet. Ci»M.x.900.-£«M. Mam. 1837, 148.-i^eA. Syn. 1899, 914.—
Jenyni, Brit. Vert. 1833. U.—Sitm.PUt, Arob. Naturg. 1839, 2H,—K*yt. A Bla$. Wlrb.
Ear. i. 1640, m.—S«lyi-L. Fn. Belg. 1849, H.—Blainv. Compt Rend. zlv. 1849, p. 910
aeq. pis.; Oat^ogr. 1849, —.—Bark. N. Act. Leop. xsv. 1843, t60.'-8thiru, Syn. 1844,

35.— Bp. Fn. Ital. iv. t. —.—Oieb. Fn. Vorn-. Siiug. , 56 ; Odout , 33 ; SHag. 1835,

774.— «m««I, Arch. Naturg. xix. 18.53, M.—Brnndt, Bern. Wirb. Nord. Ear. RomI. 93;
Beit. Kennt Siiog. Riisal. 1. 1835, pi. Iv.-Midit. 81b. Siiug. 69, pi. 9, t.—.—Sekr«nek.,

Reiite AmurL , M.—Blai. Wlrb. Dentacbl. 1837, 313, f. 191. 133.— JUekil, Zool. Oart

ziv. 1873.457 (albino).

.MuBtela HirteH var. aklrluH, L. S. x. i. 1766, 67.

TiTem nanet, Shaw, o. z. i. isuo, 4id.

Martes sylTStlea, IfiUi. Skand. Fn. {Uartat itylreiitriti (jesu.).
NasteU VHlgarlS, OHff. Cuv. R. A. v. 18:27, 193, uo. 34».

MaNer, Riding. Abbild. Tblere. 1740, pi. 19.— J/iiK. Samml. ill. , .'lU ; Nature. 1773, 967.—

2Iartent, Zool. Oart xi, 1870, p. 934 (philological).— (rerman.
Martre, CharUr. Nout. France, iii. 1744, n*.—French.
BaaniHarter, Hatter, Natarg. Vierf. Tb. 1737, 451.— Oennnn.
Marie. BrUi. L e. BniT. Hist Nat vil. 186, pi. •a.— Bom. Diet ill. 176^. '.i'.— French.
Marie coaaaae. Cur. R. A. i. 149.

Marler, Houtt Nat Hiat. Dieren. ii. 1761, Vi3.—Belaic.

.Vaar, Pontopp. Daa i. 1763, 610— DanUh.

Marlora« Seatao. An. Quad, ii, pi. 6». (from Batton}.— Italian.

FeldnaNer, J/are. Buff. Vierf. Th. Iv. I5H.

Kielaarier, Oim.

Maria, Jipani^A. i •■

MiN, SwedUh.

Marllll,ti>«nn. Syn. Quad. 1771, 913, no. 154 ; Brit Zool. :)H. tie.

Plae marten, Sweet Marlen, lellow*breasled M»ntn.-En'jlUh.

Deatription of the iikuU atid teeth of M. martea.
■,. (See Plate III.)

The 8kull aud teeth of M. martes may be described ia general terms to
illustrate this part of the stracture of the genus, aud to serve as a standard
of comparison for the other closely related species. The points in which they
specially differ from that of Pntoriua are elsewhere summed. The skull
indicates considerable strength, particularly in the rostral portions, where it
is massive (still it is not so strong reliitively as in either Gtilo or Putorim);
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, bullte
anditoriaR, and zygomatic processes of squamosal and malar are the last to
disappear. The nasals persist separate from each other long after they fuse
with the maxillaries.

The zygomatic width of the skull is more thau 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 le^^s) width as the rostral part. The cerebral
part is rather broader than high. Tbn upper profile of the skull is slightly

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

^
^

1.0

1^ li£ ill 2.2

w ij^ IIIIIk

l.i

1.4 III ,,6

1.25

ji'l
I'

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

convex, sloping more rapidly down behind, with a frontal concavity and
oblique nasal orifice. The roof of the brain-box is convex in every direction ;
a temporal "fossa" being only indicated by the ridges (sagittal and lamb-
doidal), which indiciite the extent of the temporal muscle. The sagittal crest
divaricates anteriorly to run out to each snpraorbital process; in old ani-
mals, it is a thin high ridge ; in the young, a tablet of greater or less width.
The occipital crest rises and flares with age, but is always a thin edge. The
occipital depression below this is well marked ; the condyles are notably
projecting, and connected by a sbarp ridge below the foramen magnum.
The mastoids are not conspicuous. The bulhe are large, elongate, oblique,
convex forward ; a slight constriction across them, and some outward pro-
longation, develops a tubular meatus. Excepting the bnllse, the general
floor of the skull is quite flat. The palate is completely ossified some dis-
tance 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 haniular process. The palatal plates of the intermaxil-
laries, when not fused, are seen to be of very slight extent ; the small incisive
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 auteorbital 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 inferior profile. The
coronoid plate is large, erect, its apex reaching or slightly overlapping the
zygomatic arch. The angle of the jaw is a slight sharp process. The con-
dyle is low, about on the level of the teeth, broad from side to side, but very
narrow in the opposite direction. Its reception in the glenoid fossa is close,
but the articulation does not lock as in Mths or Taxidea.

The single upper molar is completely tubercular, low, flat, with irregular
minor elevations and depressions, much broader transversely than length-
wise, subquadrate in general contour, partly divided by a slight median
constriction (both vertical aud 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 a
raised brim. In typical M. martis, the inner moiety is twice (to speak
roundly) as large aa the outer. In M. anwicana, much as in foina, the
disproportion is obviously less. The outer border of the outer moiety in
martea iz »iniply convex ; in the other forms just mentioned it is more or
les8emargi.;ate. The inner moiety shows one tubercle within the brim^ the
outer has two such.

The next tooth — last premolar — is the largest of all, and sectorial in char-
acter, but 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 last, but repeat its characters in diminishing degree,
minus the antero-internal fang. The remaining anterior premolar is very
small. It is a simple conical cusp, with a slight heel behind, but none be-
fore; it occaeionally aborts. The large canines are not peculiar. The six

EUROPEAN BEECH MARTEN, MUi-T£LA FOINA.

inoisors are closely crowded ; the ontei pair are much larger than the rest ;
these are all alike. The onter are regularly curved, with an enlarged cin-
gulum around the base; the others start obliquely forward from the jaw,
then turn vertically downward with an appreciable angle.

In the lower jaw, of the two molars the hindermost is small, circular, and
completely tuberculous. The next is the largest of the under teeth, chiefly
sectorial in character, but with a depressed, rimmed, tubercular, posterior
moiety. This rim at each of its ends rises into a slight cusp, but the inner
one is merely a slight heel to the central cusp, instead of a prominent point
as in M. foina. The two main cusps of the tooth are much higher, the
hinder one highest, compressed, with cutting edge, forming with each other
the usual V-shape reentrance, continued further down as a closed slit. The
last premolar is a conical cusp augmented posteriorly by a secondary cusp
half as hi^h, 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
oudaiy cusp entirely subsides in a general gentle slope from the snmmit of
the tooth to its base behind, and the front heel is not developed. The first
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, stouter,
and mure curved than the upper. The six incisors are greatly crowded be-
tween the canines, so much so that, through lack of room, one at least some-
times fails to develop, leaving only five, as in more than one specimen before
me. They are smaller than the upper ones, and not so regular, for one ur
a pair— most frequently the middle one — on each side is crowded back out
of the plane of the rest. As in the upper jaw, the onter pair of under inci-
sors are the largest, and have slightly clubbed and bilobate tips.

3. The European Beech marten. '

- ■ •

Uliistela folna.

Plate IV.

Marte!) domestlca, Getn. Quad. 1531, 865, fig.—Aldroe. Qiad. Oigit. ir>4S, JXl.—Jonst.

Theatr. Quad. 1755, 156.
Martes saxallllii, Sehwenckfeld, Tberiotroph. 1603, 110.
Mttftes In saxis, Agric. Anim. Subter. 1614, 38. '

Maries HtgAmni, Ray, Syn. Quad. 1693, 200.— Kem. Br. An. 1828, 14.
Maries saxorum, Klein, Quad. 1751, 64.

Miistela foyna, BrUs. Quad. 1756, 246, no. 7.— PaH. Zoiig. R. A. i. 1811, 86.
MUHteU folna, WhiU, Phil. Trans. Ulv. 1774, VJ6.—Erxl. Syst. An. 1777, i53,no. 5.— Sehreb.

SKu(j. iii. 1778, 494, pi. 129.— Zimm. Geogr. Gesch. ii. 1780, 303, no. 198.— Om. S. N. i.

1788, 95, no. U.—Herm. Obs. Zool. ii.—Wildung. Tasch. filr 1800, —.—Beehat. Naturg.

i. , 755.— D?«w. Mamm. 1. 1820, 182 ; Nouv. Diet. xix. 380 ; Enoy. M6th. pi. 81, f. 1. -

Fr. Out). Diet. Sci. Nat. xiii. 254.—/*. Oeoff. Diet. Class, x. 209.— Ori/f. An. Kiugd.

V. 1887, 193, no. 350.— J«n. Br. Vert. 1835, 11.— Selys-L. ^n. Belg. i. 1842, 9.— Keys, ct

BUM. Wirb. Eur. 1840, 6T.—Sokim, Syn. Mamm. i. 1844, 336.— fitoinv. Compt. Rend.

xiv. 1842, 210 seq. pl».— Witift. Odont. 33, pi. 12, f. 3 ; Sflug. 1855, ^^i.—Henlel, Arch.

Naturg. xix. 1853, n.— Power, Ann. Mag. N. H. 2(1 ser. xx. 1857, 4X0.— Brandt,

Bemerk. Wirb. Eur. N. E. Russl. , 24.-B«a«. Wirb. Deutsehl. 1857, 817, f. 123.—

Jiiekel, Zool. Gart. xiv. 1873, 437 (albino).
Tlverra folna, Shau\ Gen. Zool. i. 1800, 409.

NORTH AMERICAN MU8TELID.E.

MHrtes rotna, Bell, Brit. Quad. 1837, 1G7 : 2d ed. 1874, WS.—Oray, List Mamm. Br. Masv
1M3, 63; P. Z. S. 1865, 108; Cat. Cam. Br. Mus. 1869, 86.— Gerr. Cat. Bones Br. Mus.
1863, yi.

MosteU martes var. folna, L. S. X. i. 17C6, 67.

Ma8t«la|fol8Da, Ohatin, Ana. Soi. Nat. Stb ser. xix. 1874, 97 (anat.).

Foulne, Brist. op. loe. cit.—Bomare, Diet. d'H. N. ii. 1768, 232.— Bu/. Hist. Nat. vii. 161.—
Out). R. A. 1. 149.— JVencft. . ,....,. ..„,

FolBa< Seatag. Qnad. ii. pi. 6S.— Italian.

Htelnmarder, Hall. Xatnrg. Vierf. Th. 1757, 459 —German.

Nteinmarder oder Buchmariier« Meyer, Yorstell. Thiere, pi. 4.— German.

Hauiwarder, Mart Bnff. Vierf. Tb, 147, pi. 61 a.—Schr. Fn. Boic. i. no. 9.— Ger.nan.

Martin, Penn. Syn. Quad. 1771, 215, no. 154 ; Br. Zuiil. 38. (House, Stone, and Beech Mar-
ten, Martem, Marteron, Martlett.)

Fulna, Spanish.

The Beech or Stone Marten, which aeema to ba well established as a species,
may nsaally be distinguished from the Pine Marten by the pure white throat
and some other external features, as well as by some difference in habits.
But stronger characters are found in the skull and teeth. Some differences
in the proportions of the skull are obvious, and sufficient to confer a recog-
nizably different physiognomy ; the rostral part of the skull is much shorter.
The frontal profile above is more sloping ; the zygomatic width is relatively
greater. The zygoma is regularly arched throughout, instead of rising ab-
ruptly behind and then sloping down gradually forward. The anterior root
of the zygoma, owing to the shortness of the muzzle, is nearly half-way
from the supraorbital process to the end of the skull ; it is much further
back in If. martea. The palate is much shorter aud broader for its length.
The back upper molar is very notably less massive ; its inner moiety is but
little larger than the outer : the latter is nicked on the outer border, whereas
in M. martea the inner moiety of the same is neariy cwice as large as the outer,
and the border of the latter is strongly convex. In M.foina, the inner anterior
fang of the last premolar is very small aud oblique ; in M. martea, it is much
larger and projects inward at a right angle. The next premolar is appreciably
smaller than the same tooth in M. martes. These dental peculiarities, taken
from specimens before me, are confirmatory of Blasius' diagnosis. The skulls
are 3.25 or less in total length by about 1.90 in greatest width ; those of if.
martta are 3.50 or more in leugth, with a width scarcely greater than in
M. martea. It seems a slight difference in the tigures, but the 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 the teeth ; that of M. martea is
1.70 in length, with no greater width. As a practical means of appreciating
these differences, let one take the jaw of M. martea, and try to fit it to a
skull of M. foina, or conversely. Cautious and accurate observers, like Dau-
benton and Bell, have recorded vheir doubts of the specific distinctness of
the two forms; but Bell, at least, has found reason to change his opinion,
while the views of many equally good judges are concurrent with thosejhere
adopted.

ASIATIC SABLE, MISTELA ZIBELUNA.

1\)

3. The Asiatic liable.

ainstela slbelllna.

MuSileU SObella, Oesn. Quad. 1551, 869.—Rzacz. Anct. Folon. 173C, 317.

MUHtela zobela, Forer, AUg. Thierb. Gesner, 1609, 347.

Mnstela Zibellln*, Aldrov. Quad. Digit. 1645, 335.— CAarfet. Esercit. 1677, 90.— Ray, Syn.

Qasd. 16U3. 201.— Xtnn. S. X. 2d ed. 1740, 44 ; Ot.n ed. 1748, 5, no. 1.— Klein, Quad. 1751,

64 Jonst. Theatr. Qoad. 1755, 156.— Linn. S. N. lOtb ed. 1758, 46, no. 8; ISth ed.

1766, 68, no. 9.— J. O. Otn. N. C. Petrop. v. 338, pi. 6 Erxl. Syst An. 1777, 467, no.

d.-Schreb. Sang, iii, 1778, 478, pi. 136.-^imm. Geogr. Gescb. ii. 1780, 303, no. 196.—

Pall. Spio. Zool. xiT. 1780, 54, pi. 3, f. 3; Zoog. E. A. i. 180, 83, pi. 6.—Turi. S. S. i.

1806, 59.— 6m. S. N. i. 1788, 96, no. 9.— ifUII. Rnss. Gesch. iii. 495.— Deem. Mamm. i.

1820, 182, no. 383; Noav. Diet. xix. 382; Enoy. H6tb. pi. 83.— JV. Cue. Diet. SoL Nat.

xxix. 1823, 255.— /«. Qeoff. Diet. Class, x. 210.— (?rt/. An. Kingd. y. 1897, 124, no. 351.—

Leu. Man. 1827, 148.— Fi$eh. Syn. 1839, 216.— Btoind. Compt. Rend. xlv. 1848, 210 seq.

plB.—Sehim, Syn. Mam. i. 1844, 336.— Gieb. SSag. 1855, 776.— Brandt, Bemerk. Wirb.

N. E. Knsal. il.—Midd. Sibir. Saug. <;e, pi. i.—Sckreiusk, Reise Amarl. , 27.

Mugtela martes Elbelllna, Brits. Qnad. 1756, 248, no. 9. .

Viverra zlbelllna, Shaw, Gen. Zool. i. 1800, 411.

Martes Zibelllna, Gray, P. Z. S. 1865, 105 {"Muatela" lapgu) ; Cat. Cam. Br. Mns. 1869, 83.

Mart«g zibelltna var. asiatlea, Brandt, Beit. Kennt. SSag. Rassl. 1855, 6, pll. i, ii, and pi.

iii, f. 7, 8, 9 (many "subvarieties" named).
Zobela, .ilj/ric. Anim. Sabter. 16U\ 39.
8ebeillna, Schef, Lappon. 1673, 34a
Zobel, Strahlenb. Eur. n. Asia, 1730, 430 J. O. Om. Reise, i. 1751, Zdl.—Hall. Xaturg. Vierf.

Thiere, 1757, 459.— JftiM. Natura. 1773, 272.— 5«eK. Kamtscht. 1774, 119.— Martens, Zool.

Gart. xi, 1870, 254 (pbilological).
Sabeldler, Houtt. Nat Hist. Dieren, ii. 1761, 9H.—Ihttch.
ZIbeline, Bnflf. Hist Nat xiiL 1765, 309.— Somare, Diet iv. 1768, 650.— French.
Gebelllna, Cevelllna, <S!pa/twh.— Zibellino, Kalian.— Sabbel, Swedish.— ^bol, Polish, Rus-
sian.
Sable, Penn. Syn. Quad. 1771, 217, no. 156 j Hist Qnad. 328, no. 201; Aret. Zool. i. 1784, 79, no.

30. {Saphilinas Pelles, sable skins, is found in Jornandes; Zombolines occurs in

Marco Polo — Webster . )

Lack of specimens of this form uDfortiinately prevents me from bringing
it into the discussion upon any original investigations ; the views of authors
are discussed beyond. I have, however, carefully examined both skins
and skalls of 31. martes, foina, and americana. Such is the variability
of the pelage, that probably no decisive indications can be gathered from
comparisons of the 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 M. martes, foina, and americana respectively, will show in
what the cranial differences consist. The skull of M. foina differs more
from those of both M. martes and M. americana than these latter do from
each other ; but these latter are readily distinguished by their dental
characters.

;:■!':

Ii!f!.v

lls-j

80 NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

Meaiurementa of akiilh of MM. foina, martes, and Americana.

Totallength

Greatest width

Least width (exclusive of muzzle)

Distance between orbits

Upper incisors from front hinder margin
of palate

■Upper molars and premolars, length taken
together

Lower jaw, length, from apex of symphy-
sis to back of condyle ' .'. .

Lower jaw, height angle to top of coro-
noid

Front border of orbit, end of intermax-
illary

Width of muzzle behind canines

Greatest length of zygoma

Greatest width of palate insi le teeth

Width across supraorbital proi^CoobS . . . .

Greatest length (longitudinal) of back
upper molar

Width of cranium proper

M. foina
(Germany).

Inches.
3.25
1.8S
0.80
0.65

1.55

0.95

2.05

0.90

0.95
0.68
1.50
0.85
l.dO

0.23
1.40

M. martes
(Sweden),

M. ameticana
(Alaska).

Inchet.
3.50
1.95
0.80
0.85

1.75

1.10

2.40

1.00

1.10
0.70
1.65
0.90
0.95

Inchet.
3.fi0
1.85
0.70
0.80

1.75

1.10

2.40

1.10

1.10
0.70
1.70
0.89
0.90

0.20
1.40

The indications afforded by the foregoing measurements, together with
some other cranial and dental characters, may be summed in the following
diagnostic paragraphs. It will be seen that most of the cranial points brought
out by Prof. Baird (oj). cit. p. 155) are substantiated, but it must be borne
in mind that they are matters of degree, which may not always hold, except
of averages. The remarkable ditlerence iu the back upper molar, as insisted
upon by Gray, is the principal character upon which to rely between morses

and americatia.

Comparative diagnosen.

M. martes. — Inner moiety of back upper molar one-third longer thau outer
moiety, and altogether about twice as large (coincidently with which the
entire dentelure of martes is stronger than in the other two forms, though
diflferenc38 in particular teeth are not readily expressed) ; outer border of
outer moiety regularly strongly convex. Fang of last upper premolar large,
transverse. Penultimate under molar with a cusp well developed at the
|)ostero-internal base of the main cusp. Sides of muzzle nearly parallel.
■Supraorbital processes midway between greatest constriction of cranium and
anterior root of zygoma ; the constriction moderate. Zygomatic width more
than half total length of skull.

M, americana. — Inner moiety of back upper m'>lar scarcely longer or larger
than the outer [in 25 skulls examined] ; outer border of outer moiety double-
convex, t. e., with an emargination. Fang of last premolar small, oblique.
Penultimate under molar with merely a slight heel at base inside of the main
cusp. Bides of mnzzlo sensibly tapering. Supraorbital processes nearer point
of greatest constriction than anterior root of zygoma ; constriction great.
Zygomatic width about half total length of skull.

M. foina. — Molar and last upper premolar as in americana ; penultimate
lower molar with prominent supplementary cusp as in martes. Sides of muz-
zle sensibly tapering. Supraorbital processes much nearer point of greatest
constriction than anterior root of zygoma ; constrictiou slight. Zygomatic
■width much more than half total length of skull.

SYNONYMY OF MUSTELA AMERICANA.

The American Unfile or Harten.

iWiiNteIn nmerfcnnn.

Plate V.

Mustela martes, Forst. Phil. Trans. Ixii. 1772, 372.— 7. Sab. Frankl. Jonrn. 1893,051.— ffarl.
Fn. Araer. 1885, 67 (qnotes a " Mustela vison var.")— Warden, Hist. IT. 8. v. 1819, G13.—
Kich. F. B. A. i. 1829, 51, no. n.—Gapp. Zoiil. Jonrn. t, 1830, 303.— Godm. Am. N.|H.
i. ie.U, WO.— Emmons, Rep. Qnad. Mass. 1840, 40.— D« K. N. Y. Zool. 1. 1843, 32, pi. 11,
f. 3, pi. 19. f. 2 (skull).— 4 ud. <£ Bach. Q. X. A. iii. 1853, 176, pi. 138.- Iftomp*. N.IH.
Termont, 1653, 3a.—Billingi, Canad. Xat. and Geol. ii. 1857, 463.— AUen, Bnll. M. C.
Z. i. 1870, 161 (critical). -£«nn. Tr. 111. State Agric. Soc. for 1853-54, 1855, 578.— AH.
Bail. Ess. Inst. vl. 1874, 54, 59 (Colorado and Wyoming).- HaiZ, Canad. Nat. and
Geol. vi. 1661, 395.

Mlistela smerlcail*, Turton, ed. L. S. N. i. 18*i6, 60— lid. M. X. A. 1857, 152, pL 36, f. 3 (skull),
pi. 37, f. 1 (sknll).— .Veic6. P. R. R. Rep. vi. If57, il.-Kneel. Proo. Bost. Soc. N. H. vi
1858, 418.— Ooop. <C Suett. N. H. W. T. 18fiO, !I9.— iJo»«, Canad. Xat. vi. 1861, 35.— Gilpin,

Tr. Nov. Scot. Inat. ii. 1870, 10, 69.— Ames, Bull. Minn. Acad. Xat. Sot. 1674, 69

Coue.'i c£ rorrmc, Zool. Expl. W. 100 Merid. v. 1875, 61 (Taos, X. Td.).— Allen, Bull. U. S.
Geol. Surv. vol. il. no. 4, 1876, 328 (skull).

Martm amerlcann, Oray, P. Z. S. 1665, 106; Cat. Cam. Br. Mua. 1869, 84.

Maries americana vara, abietinoldes, baro, et leuropus, Oray, u. cc.

Mnstela zibelllna var. americana, Brandt, Beit Siiag. Russl. 1855, 16, pi. 3, f. 10 (critical).

Mustela Zibeiltna, Oodrn. Am. Nat. Hist. i. 1631,308 (refers to true Sable, but the Amer-
ican speciea described).

.Muslela VUlpina, Ra/. Am. J. Sc. i. 1819, 82 ; Phil. ilag. 1819, 411 ; Isis, 1834, 453 (Upper
Missouri River) (tail whitie at end).— FiVft. Sj'u. 1829, 215. .

Mustela (Hnrtes) vuiplna, /ScAtnz, Syn. Mamm. i. 1644, 337.

MuStelalcuCOpuSjiTuW. Beit. 1820, 74.— Fk^c/i. Syn. 1829,216. • '

Mustela (Martes) leucopus, Schinz, Syn. Mnunu. i. 1844, 337.

MartfS leucopus, Oray, List Mamm. Br. Mus. 1843, 6X—tierr. Cat. Bones Br. Mus. 1863, 91.

MllStela leucopus, Qrif. Cuv. R. A. v. 1827, 126, no. 357.

.Mustcia huro, F. Cuv. Diet Sci. Xat. xxix. 1823, 2,".6; Snppl. Buff. i. 1831, 321.— Jo. Geoff,
Diet. Class. X. 211.— Fwcft. Syn. 1829, 217.

MU8tela (Martes) huro, .Se^inz, Syn. Manim. i. 1844, .337.

Mustela marllnus.Anw*, Bnll. Minn. Acad, Xat. Sci. 1874, 60.

Martin or Marten, Pine Marten, American Sable, of American writers.

Wawpeestau, Wawbeechlns, Wappanvw, Indian (Richardson). .

Description and disctiHsion of the species.*

This animal is about the size of a large House Gat, though
standing much lower on account of 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 bairs is a foot long or less ; the
tail-vertebr{B 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 if.
pennanti. The longer hairs of the tail at and near the end
measure aboat 3 inches. The head is quite broadly triangular,
or rather conical, with the contraction of the muzzle beginning.

* Prepared from nutnerous specimens in the Smithsonian Institution.
6m

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

I :;i:i

;v i^'i

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; their
height above the notch is rather greater than their width at base;
they are closely hairy ou both sides. The longest whiskers
reach to the back of the ears ; there are other bristles over the
eyes, on the cheeks, and chin. The end of the snout is defi-
nitely naked in T-shaped area, as usual in this genus. The
liuibs are short and stout ; the feet appear small in comparison
with the calibre of the legs. The outstretched hind legs reach
more than half- way to the end of the tail. The soles are ordi-
narily densely furred, only the ends of the pale-colored claws
appearing. But in the frequent specimens observed with scant-
haired soles, the tubercles may be distinctly seen, without part-
ing the fur ; they have the ordiuary 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 iuvesting 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 under 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 whiskers are black. The
tail occasionally shows interspersed white hairs, or a white tip.

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

DESCRIPTION OF MUSTELA AMERICANA.

the article of Mr. B. R. Ross, who describes the Marten from
long experience of its variations : —

" The winter fur of this species is full and soft, about an
inch and a half deep, with a number of coiirse black hairs
interspersed. The tail is densely covered with two kinds of
hair, similar to those of the back but coarser. The hairs on
the top are longest, measuring 2^ inches, and giving the end a
very bushy appearance. The fur is in fullcoat 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 gray, darkening tdwards the nose, 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 in some well defined and of

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

m : il;

K?''t'' ■

pi I

an orauge tint, while in others it ia 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 wantiny.

"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 M. 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 diftier-
ences if any, seen in the Zib. [sic, lege sibelWm] 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 on and around the ears still
remains, but the 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 cousideratiou
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 oi special examina-
tion, namely, Gray, Brandt, Baird, and Allen.

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

RELATIONSHIPS OF MU8TELA AMERICANA.

the questiou. It is dow 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. Gray made the separation entirely upon the
character of the posterior upper molar. Dr. Brandt elaborately
detailed external characters of size, proportion, color, and char-
acter of pelage. Baird adduced certain cranial and dental as
well as external features. Allen confined himself to ezternal
points. 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 grotinds 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. Baird, oj). cu. 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 lis 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-vertebife in M.
martes equal one half or more of the length of head and
body, and extend nearly one-third beyond the outstretched

'< J

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

hind legs. This distinction is confirmed, as an average char-
acter, by the specimens before me, thongh, like other matters
of mere degree, it is subject to some uncertainty of determina-
tion. I similarly endorse, on the whole, a lighter, grayer, more
uniform coloration of .V. martes, although in the interminable
variations of M. amcrivana probably no infallible distinctions
can be substantiated. But all these points have 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 atfording good specific characters.
Baird has tabulated most of them, and the specimens I have
examined confirm nearly all the distinctions he has sought to
establish. While he 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 tick 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, americctna there is less median constric-
tion, nearly an equality in size of the two bulbs, and an emar-
giuate instead of simply convex exterior contour of the outer
bulb. There are coordinated dental characters : the last upper
premolar in M. martes has a strong, directly transverse. Inner
fang; t'uv. same in M. amcricana 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
of 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 ilf. 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 cf ilf. amcricana
in comparison with those of M. zibellina, the true "Eussian"
Sable. Gray separate? .j 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 to settle
the issue between M. zibellina and M. americana, whatever
might then become of the ascribed and supposed differences

RELATIONSHIPS OP MUSTELA AMERICANA.

between the former of these and ^1/. martes. 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 bfills 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 considerations, is induced to regard
it rather as a variety of the zihellina than as a distinct species
or as the Pine Marten of Europe. The very close relationships
of the American and Asiatic Sables are unquestionable. Brandt
properly alludes to intermediate specimens he had seen ; Mr.
Ross reaflflrms 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 M. zihellina as a
continental race, as Brandt has done.

In the present state of the case, this may be consideied the
proper reply to the often-asked question, have we the true Sable
in America ? The animal is, to all external appearance, indis-
tinguishable except in some of those slight points of pelage
which, through the whims of fashion, affect 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 comes
clearly within the range of individual variability as a result of
climate, season, age, sex, or other incidents.

'i i

88 NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

Meaauremenh * of thirty-four fresh Mpicimeua of Mustula amekicana.

!1:'

i!i' ..

1017
1018
1019
lOiO
lOSl
10S9
1033
1035
1043
1046
1649
165e
1651

lefM

16S5
1638
1663
1863
1706
1634
1633
1636
1637
1640
1648
M34
1635
1636
1637
1628
1639
1630
1631
1639

Locality.

Ynkon (November)

...do do

do .. (October)

....do ..(December)

, ...do do

....do do

, ...do do

do ..(Marcb) ,

...do do

Peel's River (December)

...do.

do ..

...do ..

. . . do . .

do ..

...do ..

...do ..
do ..

...do ..

...do ..
— do ..

...do ..
. . . . do . .
— do ..

. . . dn . .
— do ..

...do ..

...do..

.(November)

.do

.. . (December).

...(November).

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

..do

. do

. . do

..do

.do

From tip of noae

to—

^ I «'

!l.6ol3.

il.70;3.

11. 40 3.

1.45,3.
!l. 5513.

1. 65 3.
!l.60 3.
|l.70i3.

I. 5()'3.
1.73 3.
11.45 3.

II. 43 3.
11.603.
1 1.40.'.

1. 70 3.

1. 43 3.

1. 65 3.

1. 60 3.

1.60,3.
!l. 60 3.

1.60 3.

1.40 3.
; 1.45 2.
11.60 3.
;i.6.i:i.

1.35 3.

11.60 3.
'l.fi0 3.
jl. 60 3.
11.60 3.
11.60 3.

'1. tin 3.

1.50 3.
{1.40 3.

00 4. 40

00i4.3U|
6013. 80
60'3. 43;
6OI3. 60
90|3. i»5
90';». 95
75|3. 90
65'3. 60
I0|4.05i
60':i. 50'
fO 3. 30|
90 :}. 85
70|3. 45
M 4. 10
503. 55
00,3. 95I
90 3. 85!
90 3. 90;
Oii:i. m|
h5 .1. 73
50 3. 50;
60 A. 60t
80 3. >>0'
10 4. 10|
.-10 3. 80
90 3. 851
30 4. 00
95 3. 95i
75 3. 85!
10 4. OOJ
90 :). 80!
80 3. 85i
70 3. 50;

18.50
18.75
13.60
16.00
16.30
18.23
17.50
19.30
16.60
18.70
16.00
16.70
17. 75
15.50
18.30
16. 30

Tail to
end of—

a
»

7.60
8.301
8.25!
6.30!
7.30
8.35!
8.00'
8.50
7.10'
7.80i
6.50
6.60'
8.00i
6.50
7.85!
7.15!

17. 60i7. 20
18. 30 8. 00!

18. 40 7. 80i
17. 4017. 90!
17. 40 7. 30

16. OOI7. 00'
16.501 7. 25

17. 907. 90!

18. 30:7. 80
17. 00 7, 25

17. I0I7.40,

18. 00'7. 15
17. 00 7. 10
17. 60 7. 75'
17. .50 7. 30
17. 50 7. 60
17. 70 7. 35
15. 80 6. 90'

1 I

10. 00 3.
12.00 3.

Length
of—

9.85

9.80
10.60
11.83
11.00
IS. 00
10.40
11. 4013.

9. 80 3.
10. 50 3.
11.60 3
10. 10|3.

10. 60|3.
10. 19 3.
10. 30 3.
liL 00l3.

11. 30j3.

10. 70I3.

10. 30|3.

9. 90|3.

10. 0013.

11. 1013.

10. 8013.
10. 35 3.

10. 70:3

10. 35^3.
10. 3013.
11. 05l3.
11. 10 3.

10. 70 J.
9. 85,3
9. 80 3.

35' 4. 45

40 4.30
70 3. 59
90 3.63
80 3. 80
104.30
00 4.30
104.40
50 3.6.=)
10 4. 10
65 3.80
80.3.80
30 4. 30
60 3.60 1.33
23 4. 45 1. 63
603.701.40
10 4.20 1.43

00 4.31

10 4.25 1.50

1.40

1.30
1.25
1.20

1.55
1.20
1.60
1.30

■|

a Si

1.50

05 4. 10

10 4. 30
70 3. 70
75 3. 75
05 4. 10
15 4. 10
00 4.10
00 4.00
00 4.00
80,4. 00
00 4. 10
05 4. 20
00 4. 25
00 4.10
653.70

l.35|
1.40
1.25|
1.30i
1.50
1..53
1.60
l.SOl
1.55!
1.5.31
I.43I
1.601
1.55
1.50
1,40!

Fresh.
...do.
...do.
...do.
...do.
...do.
...do.
..do.
..do.
...do.
...do.
...do.
...do.
...do.
...do.
...do.
...do.
..do.
...do.
...do.
...do.
..do.
..do.
...do.
..do.
..do.
...do.
...do.
...do.
...do.
...du.
...do.
...do.
..do.

' A» recorded by the collectors on tbe l.tbels of the spectmens.

y^f

j;;h .

I;!!

The foregoing table of careful fresh measurements satisfac-
torily indicates the average lUmeusious 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
17J. The tail-vertebrte range from little over C to 8^, averaging
near 7 J. With the hairs, this member ranges from 9J to 12
inches, being generally about 11 inches, ijar from about 1{ to
If, generally about 1 ^. Fore toot 2f to 3f , settling near 3. Hind
foot 3§ to nearly 4 J, generally a little over 4. These extremes,
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
OEOGBAPBICAL YARIATx 'N IN THE SKULLS OF M. AMERICANA.

Mr. J. A. AUeu has recently * giveu a table of measuremeut 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. amcricanu. It will be seen that he aban-
dons his former t position, and endorses the distinctive charac-
ters of the dentition of MM. martes, foina, and americana.

The forty -six male skulls of this species, of which measuremeuts are
given below, are mainly from four or five localities differing widely in lati-
tude. A comparison of the average size of a considerable number from each
shows a well-marked decrease in size southward. Four skulls from Peel
River, the largest, and also from the most northerly locality, have an aver-
age length of 3,39, and an average width of 2.0?, the extremes being 3.50 and
3.3.') 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 3.00 in length and 2.15 and 1.73
in width. Five skulls from Fort Good Hope give jiu 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 northern shore of Lake Superior
average 3.14 in length and 1.76 in width, the extremes in length being 2.23
nud 3.02 and in width 1.89 and 1.65. Eight skulls from the vicinity of Um-
bagog Lake, Maine (Coll. Mus. Comp. ZoiJl.), average 2.96 in length and 1.7
in width, the extremes in length being 3.10 and 2.73 and in width 1.H5 and ■
1,50. Five skulls fi'om Northeastern New York average 3.02 in length and
1.61 in width, the extremes being in length 3.10 and 2.92 and in width 1.63
and 1.50. There is thus a gradual descent in the average length from 3.39
to 3.02, and in width from 2.07 to l.Ol. 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 Piup-
riiis vismi; but the above generalizations are based wholly on males, and in
each case on those of practically the same age, only spticimens 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,t I had occasion to notice somewhat in detail the
variations in color our American Martens present, and the difficulty of flnd-

* Bull. IT. 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 lOct. 1869).

t" Mammals of Massachusetts"', Bull. Mus. Comp, Znijl. vol. i, pp. 161-167
(Oct., 1869).

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID-E.

ing »ny features of coloratiou that seemed to indicate more than a single
American species, or that would serve to distinguish this even from the Mar-
tens of the Old World. Dr. J. E. Gray, it is true, had already called atten-
tion to the small size of the last molar iu the American Martens as compared
with the size of the same tooth in the Old World Martens ; but, as his obser-
vation was apparently based on a single American skull, and as I was at
the time strongly impressed with the wide range of individual variation I
had found in allied groups, even in dental characters, and also with the great
frequency of Dr. Gray's characters failing to be distinctive, I was misled
into supp<^Hing all the Martens might belong to a single circumpolar upecies,
with several more or less strongly-marked geographical races. My friend
Dr. Coues some months since 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 distinguish Mmiela foina from Muntela americana, in which the last
molar is alike, or so nearly so that it fails to furnish distinctive diiferences.
The size and general form of the skull in the two are also the same, 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 Mustela foina presents a
character (shared by all the Old World Martens) which serves to distinguish
it from Muatela amerkaiia, namely, the presence of an inner cusp not found
iu the latter. In Muatela Jiavigula, the last molar is relatively snwller than
even in Mustela americana, and of the same form. Mustela martea differs iu
its more massive dentition and in the heavier structure of the skull, but
especially in the large size of the last molar and the very great development
of its inner portion. Hence, while the size apd shape of the last upper molar
serves to distinguish Mustela martes from Mustela americana, it fails as a valid
distinction between Mustela americana and Mustela flavigula and Mustela foina.
As already remarked, however, Mustela americana lacks the inner cusp of the
second lower molar, which is present in the Old World Martens, or at least
possesses it only in a very rudimentary condition. . ,

, > ' ' •,■■> ,1 , , '■

Measurements of forty-six skulls of Mustela americana.

6043
6049

eoes

A04T
6044
6091
6048
6046
9090
7159
7167
7168
7164
7163
6081
6080
6063
6059
3385

Locality.

Ya1{0D River cf

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

'Kenai, Alaska | d"

Fort Good Hope ; dT

do I d"

do I d

do ' d

do d

Peel River d"

do d

do I d

do .1 d

Red River i d

3.55

3.38

3.30

3.37

3,35

3.35

3.15

3.50

3.37

3.35

3.40

3.15
1.85
1.83
1.83
1.85
1.73

1.83
3.03
3.05
1.98
1.93
1.76
1.73
3.03
3.13

t.»4

Remarks.

Imperfect.

Imperfect.
....:. do.

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THK MARTEN.

M€((»u I emenis of forty-six «A«7fs 0/ Mustela americaxa— Continued. '

II
"38

Locality.

4670
4668
4664
4668
4666
4675
4674
4667
4672
4681

1668

1163

3819

3818

2<245

541

550

543

552

553

543

545

544

Lake Superior (north shore) .

.do

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

.do.

d
d

Wasliington Territory

do J

Essex County, New York \ d

do I cT

<lo i d

do I d

Sarauac Lake, New Toi & i d

Umbagog Lake, Maine I d

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

d
d
d
■d
d
d
d

Remarks.

Rather young.

do.

GENERAL HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE SPECIES.

According to the foregoing consideratioos, the history of
this interesting animal, one highly valuable iu an economic
point of view, is to be disentangled from that of the European
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 1806 by Turtou, in an
edition of the Systema datura!; 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 seems,
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 under the impression that the
true Sable existed in America, as well as the Pine Marten,

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

% 1

K t

11.

which he refers to as M. martes. As will be seen by reference
to the list of synonyms, several nominal species have been
established at the expense of the American Sable, upon slight
individaal peculiarities. The earliest of these is the M. viilpina
of M. Raflnesque, which represents the occasional anomaly of
the tail white-tipped, as alluded to by Mr. Ross in the article
already quoted. A similar condition of the feet constitutes
Kuhl's M. leucopiis ; while the M. huro of F. Cuvier is appar-
ently only light-colored individuals. Dr. Gray seeks to estab-
lish these last two varieties, and adds another, M. abietinoides,
based upon dark-colored examples, with the *' throat-spot large
or broken up into small spots". But these pretended species
are not such, nor even as varieties are they entitled to more
than passing allusion, a? .'udicating to what extent some iudi-
vidnals 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 the European Pine Marten and Asiatic
Sable, or to both of these species, v^ry little definite informa-
tion upon its range and habits was recorded for many years.
Pennant, our principal early authority on the animals of the
Xorth American fur countries, and the source of much subse-
quent inspiration on these species, considered it the same as
31. martes, and drew its range accordingly. He states that it
inhabits, in great abundance, the 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 itf
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 15,000 skins in one year (1743)
by the Hudson's Bay Company, and the importation from Can-
ada by the French into Rochelle 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-
firmed by later observations. , /;

Sir John Richardson has the following observations upon th(>
distribution of the Sable in British America : " The Pine-martin
inhabits the woody districts in the northern parts of America,
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, in great numbers, and have

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE MARTEN.

93.

been observed to be particularly abundnnt where the trees have
been killed by flio but are still standing. It is very rare as
Hearne has remarked, in the district lying north of Churchill
Eiver, and east of Great Slave Lake, known by the n&me of
Cbepewyan or Barren Lands. A similar district, on the Asiatic
side of Behring's Straits, twenty-five degrees of longitude io
breadth, and inhabited by the Tchutski, is described by Pen-
nant as equally unfrequented by the Martin, pad for the same
reason, — the want of trees. The limit of its northern range
in America is like that of the woods, 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 the
fineness and dark colours of their fur, appear to inhabit certain
rocky districts. The rocky and mountainous but wood^ 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 thousand skins have long been collected annu-
ally in the fur countriea."

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. E. Boss, and as attested
by specimens I have examined. Mr. Ross states that it is found
throughout the Mackenzie Eiver 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 i onresents it as not uncommon in Oregon ; and
Dr. George Suckl >y procured specimens in Washington Terri-
tory. Mr. J. ^. /• i m found the animal in Wyoming and Colo-
rado, and CO > . lert? it as common iu 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 unwooded portions of Dakota and Mon-
tana, which I have explored with special reference to the dii"'
tribution of the Mammals and Birds. It is represented as com-
mon in CF^nada, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Labrador. In
Kew England, according to Dr. Emmons, writing in 1840, it

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

! ih

was uot infrequent in the pine and beech forests of Massachu-
setts, and Mr. Allen states that it is still occasionally seen in
the mountains of Berkshire County. It inhabits the mountain-
ous regions of New York and some parts of Pennsylvania ; but
in tracing its extreme southern limit in the Atlantic States, we
see that it has uot been found so far south as the Pekan has. I
find no indication of its occurrence in Maryland or Virginia.
The southern limit, which has been set at about 40<^ north, is
probably correct for this longitude, though in the mountainous
regions of the West it may require to be somewhat extended.
General 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
smaller animals, with the advance of civil zation into its woody
resorts. In unpeopled districts, even the vast numbers that
are annually destroyed for the pelts seems to affect their abund-
ance less materially than the settlement of tho 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. Eespecting 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 extends 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
uot posts, or into which our hunters have not penetrated. . . .
When they aie at their lowest ebb in point of numbers, they
will scarcely bite at all [at 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 stakes or brush in which the bait is placed upon
a trigger, with a short upright stick supporting a log of wood;
the animal is shut oflf from the bait in any but the 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,

B!u I'i

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE MARTEN.

squirrel, piece of fisb, or bird's head. One of the greatest ob-
stacles that the Sable huuter has to contend with in many
localities is the persistent destruction of his traps by the Wol-
verene and Pekan, both of which display great cunning and
perseverance in following up his line to eat the bait, and even
the Sables themselves which may bo captured. The exploits
of these animals in this respect may be seen from the accounts
elsewhere given. I have accounts from Hudson's Bay trappers
ot a Sable road fifty miles long, containing 150 traps, every one
of which was destroyed throughout the whole line twice — once
by a Wolf, once by the Wolverene. When thirty miles of
this same road wa3 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 during 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 x^ersistent and uninterrupted destruc-
tion to which the Sable is subjected, it does not appear to
diminish materially in numbers in unsettled parts of the
country. The periodical disappearances noted by Mr. Ross
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 ofteuer the hollow of a tree; 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 iu 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 supi)ly in the recesses of the forest.
Active, industrious, cunning, and predaceous withal, it finds

NORTH AMERICAN Ml'STELID^.

ample siibsisteuce in tlie weaker Rodents, Insectivora, and birds
and their eggs. It hunts on the 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, qaite
at home in the leafy intricacies of tree tops, it pursues Squirrels,
and goes birds'-nesting with success. It is said to 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. ;.','.,v' '•:,■;-<■ ;- .:„-■„;■'.*:...;■.■■• 'w:-:- ■-•.

The Sable has some of the 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 Foulimart, or " Foul Marten ", a name of the Polecat.
With a general presence more pleasing than that of the spe-
cies of Putorius, 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 the Eabbit and
Squirrel form less of its prey than the smaller Bodents and
Insectivores. In confinement, the 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. i '^

•:w4- ' /^»if •/

liiiili!

CHAPTER IV.

MUSTELINiE— Continued : The Weasels.

The genus PutoriiiH — Generic characters and remarks — Division of the genus
into sabgenera — Analysis of the North American species — The subgenus
Gale — Putmius vulgaris, the Common Weasel — Synonymy— Habitat— Spe-
cific characters — General characters and relationships of the species — Geo-
graphical distribution — Habits — Putoriua erminea, the Stoat or Ermine^
Synonymy — Habitat — Specilic characters — Discussion of specific charac-
ters and relationships — Table of measurements — Note on the skull and
teeth — Description of external cluiracters — Conditions of the change of
color — General history and habits of the species — Its distribution in the
Old World — Ptitorius longlmuda. the Long-tailed Weasel — Synonymy —
Habitat— Specific characters — Description — Measurements — General ac-
count of the speciep — Putoriut braaiUetms frenaius, the Bridled Weasel —
Synonymy — Habitat — Specific characters — General account of the species.

CONTINUING with the subfamily Miistelince, but passing
from the genus Miistela, we reach the next genus, Pnto-
m», which contains the true Weasels or Stoats (subgenus
Gale), the Ferrets and Polecats (suligenus Putorius proper),
the American Ferret (subgenus Cynomyonax)^ and 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. (CuviER.)

< MnsteU, or Msrtes, of some anthers.

X Viverra «p., I<u(ra «p- of some authors.

= Putorius, Ouviw, Rdgne Anim. i. 1817, and of authors generally.

■= FflBtoriUS, Keyi. d BVm. Wirbelth. Eur. 1840.

> Gymnopus, Oray, Cat. Mamm. Br. Mns. 1842.

> Lutreola, " Wagner ", Gray, P. Z. S. 1865, 117. (Type Mxutela lutreola L .)

> Gale, "Wagner", Oray, P. Z. S. 1865, 118.

> Neogale, Oray, P. Z. S. 1865, 114. (Type P. braeiliengit.)

> Vlson, G^ray, P. Z. S. 1865, 115. (Type P. wiwn.)

-3 .

Pm.

Gknbric characters. — Dental formula: I. ^ __
M. i^ =1| =34 (one premolar above and below less than in Gu Jo and Mm-
tela). Sectorial tooth of lower jaw (anterior true molar) without an inter-
7 m 97

NORTH AX.ERICAN MUSTELID/E.

mi i

nal cusp. Aatoorbital foramen preMenting downward-forward (as in .Vjjs-
tela; revertto of (hih), a mere oriticu, not canal-like, and opening over the
last premolar (the opening more anterior in Giilo and Mualvia), Skull as a
rule* little contracted at tbe middle ; the rostral portion extremely short,
stout, turgid, scarcely tapering, and much more vertically truncated than in
Giilo or Mustrla; frontal protilo convex, and usually more nearly horizontal
than in Galo or Mu»tela. Nasal bones widening forward from an acute base.
General outline of skull in profile scarcely arched — sometimes (luite straight
and horizontal in most of its length. Production of mastoids and auditory
buUie and general promlneuco of pcriotic region at a minimum ; the bulhi>
flatter than in Mimtela or Gnlo, and scarcely so constricted across as to pro-
duce a tubular meatus. Zygomatic arch usually not higher behind than iu
front, nowhere vertical nor 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 Mmtela, though smaller.
Size medium and very small (including the smallest species of the whole
family). Bo<ly cylindrical, slender, ofteu extremely so; legs verj' short;
tail long, terete, uniformly bushy or very slendes 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 iu
wiutor 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 species, probably of subgeneric value.
From Gulo or Mustela it is at once distinguished by the diiier-
ent dental formula. 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 difterence in the char-
acter of the auditory bullai, more readily perceived on compar-
ison than described; the bulhe are^ usually less inflated — some-
times quite flat, as in P. vison ; andf even when, as iu some
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 skull of Fn-
tortus is decidedly heavier for its size than that of Mustela, in
this respect more like that of Oulo, though it is comparatively
much flattened and other svise dissimilar from the latter.

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

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

ANALY&iS OF THE GENUS PUTORIUS.

{puteo, to stink), aa one of its synonyras, F<etorius, is from
fietor^ /<eteo, of the same siguitication. The rehitiou of the
Eng\i»h putri<1, fetid, &c., is obvious.

The extensive genus Putorius is divisible into several well-
marked sections, doubtless of aubgeneric value. Three such
groups exist in North America. These may be analyzed as
follows, in connection with a fourth group, Putorius proper,
introduced to further elucidate the position and relations of a
new subgenus I propose for the reception of the Putorius ni-
yrii)es.

Dirisioii of the geiiitH iuto mthgriiera.

1. tfAi.K. * — The, StoafH or ICrmhien, and Weaseh, — Skull smooth, without
woll-devoloped Hagittal cro.st. Frontal profile strongly convex and decli-
vous. Pterygoids with small haninlar processes, or none. Bulhe anditoritr
nicked at end by orifice of the meatus. Skull moderately abruptly con-
stricted near the middle; postorbital processes slight. Species of snuill and
smallest size, with very slender, cylindrical, " vermiform " body, very loug
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 li.ige, higlr, and orbicular. Palmar pads all
separate. Toes scarcely wobbed. Habits terrestrial, and somewhat arbo-
real ; not a<iuatic. Of general distribution in both hemispheres.

'i. CvNOMVONAXt (nob., subg. nov.).—Aiiivrir<in Ferret. — Skull developing
sagittal crest. Frontal profile scarcely or not convex, strongly declivous.
Pterygoids with slight Immular process. Bulla" auditoriie nicked by orifice
of meatus. Sectorial tooth of upper jaw with its outer border nearly straight,
developing no decided antero-oxtcrnal process, and the antero-internal pro-
cess merely a slight spur. Skull abruptly and strongly constricted iu ad-
vance of the middle, with strongly developed postorbital processes. Last
molar of under 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 suborbicular ears, slenderly terete black-
tipped tail, and close short pelage of Gale. Coloration not distinctively
bicolor ; legs darker than body ; peculiar facial marking. Toes not serai-
palmate. Palmar pads discrete. Habits terrestrial. No seasonal change of
colors. One species known, peculiar to North America.

3. Putorius I (proper). — The Ferrets or Polecats. — Skull finally develop-
ing sagittal crest, and roughened muscular impressions. Frontal profile

*£tym. — The Greek ya'/.i'/, a weasel.

\Etym. — Greek kvuv, dog, five, mouse, uva^ (or fivof), king. — The genns
Vynomys {kvuv, five) is that of the so-called " prairie-dogs", among which the
species lives, and upon which it largely subsists. — Cynomyonax, "king of
the prairie-dogs ".

\ Etym. — See above.

':i I I

1^' ::

100

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDVE.

convex, strougly doclivoua. Pterygoids developing large hi 'nnlar processes.
Bullu) auditoriiD nicked by oriQce of ineatHH. Hkiill scarcely constricted near
the middle, where, if anything, it is broader than rostrum ; postorbital pro-
cesses poorly developed. Sectorial tootli of upper jaw as in Ciinomnonax.
Back molar of lower jaw of ordinary size, circular, developing irregularities
of the crown. Animals rather large, comparatively stout-bo<lied, less length-
ened, with rather bushy, tapering tail, and low, orbicular ears; pcluge
long and loose, instead of close-set, variegated above, or there not notably
darker than below ; do not turn white in winter. Palmar pads separate.
Toes not semipahnatc. Terrestrial in habits. The species confined to the
Old World,

4, LuTRKOLA*. — The Minks, — Skull of adult developing sagittal crest and
muscular impressions. Frontal outliue nearly straight and scarcely declivous.
Pterygoids with strong hamular procoss. BuUte auditoriiu notably less
inllated than in the foregoing, prolonged into a somewhat tubular meatus,
not nicked at orifice. Constriction of skull and development of postorbital
processes intermediate in degree between I'utorius proper and Vijnomyonax.
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-iutorior cusp (present in all Miintelinw) a rather
open V, into which the antecedent premolar fits, the antero-internal process
developing to a conical cusp. Back lower molar as in I'uturius proper.
Animals of large to largest size in the genus, stout-bodied, rather long and
very busby tail, cylindrico-tapering ; pelage moderately loose, but thick,
to resist water, very bristly and lustrous, dark-colored, unicolor or only
varied with irregular white patches on under parts ; no seasonal changes of
pelage. Ears very low. Feet semipnlmate, 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 distinguished
from their congeners of Europe, while another is specifically
identical with an animal which ranges through Central into South
America. The second and fourth each contain a single North
American species, as far 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 Putorius at large may be
determined by the following analysis of subgeneric and specific
characters: — , ,,

* Etym.—" Lutreola ", " Little Otter "—diminutive form of the Latin lutra,
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. 29.

ANALYSIS OP N. A. SPECIES OP PUTORIUS.

101

AnnlyxiH of Xorth Jmrricdn xpeiien nf I'litoriiig.

A. (Giile.) Of HumlloHt m/.o (len>;tli of Imail and body midor 12 inches), most

slender and attenuate body, and lonj^est nock. ICars conspiciiouH,
orbicular. Tail (jloTidtirly terete, witli tlio tip usually (rarely in
viilij((fin) black. Toes cleft. Palmar pads separate. Coloration
bicolor, in distinct upper and under areas, latter not darker than
former, feet not black; or, entirely white, excoptinjj black tip of
tail. (Weasels, Stoats or Erniincs.)
(I, Head not darker than rest of upper parts, nor variegated witli stroaki*
or spots.
a'. Tail pointed at end, scarcely or not black-tipped, 2 inchet* or less
in length, including hairs; belly white or scarcely tinged with

sulphury 1, P. vl'uiakis.

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

including hairs.

a". Belly pure sulphury-yellow; tail-vertebne 2-5 inches long, the

black tip not confined to the terminal pencil. . . 2. P. kuminka.

?>". Belly tawny, satlVon or salnion-yoUow ; tail (>-7 inches long, the

black tip reduced to terminal pencil. . . . :}. P. i-onoicaud.v.

h. Head darker than rest of ui ^.ar parts, with light stripes or spots; belly

as in h" 4. P. ijrasilikxsis fiu'.xatus.

B. {Cynomiionax.) Much larger; length of head and body over It inches;

body scarcely stouter, and equally close-haired, and tail very
short, slenderly terete, black-tipped. Ears conspicuous, orbic-
ular. Toes cleft. Palmar pads separate. Coloration not bicolor
in distinct areas. (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. NIGKIPES.

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

low. Toes semipalmate. Palmar i^ads 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. (WAGNER.)

This subgenus, which lucludes the Weasels proper and the
Stoats or Ermines, comprises a large majority of the species of
Putorius, 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, under 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

NORTU AMERICAN MUSTELID/E.

I fl

The IVeaMel.

Piitoriiis (Onle) Tiilgrnris.

Plate VI, Fios. 2, 4. •
(«. Old World reforeneet.)

Mustela, Vitriorum {"Oem. Quad. 1551, 851, f. —.—Sc/iiwnriltA Tlieriotroph. 1603, 116.—

Ohai-M. Exercit. 1677, iO.—Rzncz. Polou. 1721, 235").
Mustela vulijaris, Aldfov. Qnad. Digit. 1645, -im.-Sm. Scot. Illust. ii. Ifiell, W.—Kay, Syn.

16!»3, 195— i. ,S. N. eii*. 2(l-5tli, 1740-47, H.—Kb'ln, Quad. 1751, &i.—Jomt. Thoatr. 1755,

152, pi. 04.— B)-M«. Quad. 1756, 241, no. l.—Ei'xl. Syst. Auiin. 1777, 471, uo. 12 (syiion.

iiiHcb mixed with that of other species).- .S'eftrWi. Siiug. lii. 1778.— Om. S. N. i. 1788, 99.—

Jifchst. Xttturg. 1. , 612.— Ihirt. S. N. i. 1806, 61.— Dc«m. Marani. i. 1820, 179, no. 275;

Nouv. Diet. xix. 372; KQcy. Meth. pi. 84,f. l.—Fr. Our. Diet Sci. Xat. xxix.1823, 251, no.

7.— /». Oeof. Diet. Class. x.SKJ.- tcM. Man. 1827,146.— Fwo/i. Syn. 1829, 2'i3.—Fl<'m.lir.

An. 1828, 13— J(!«. IJr. Vert. 1835, 12.— B. H, Br. (,>nad. 1837, Ml ; 2d ed. 1874, 182, f. — .—

Seljfs-L. ¥u. Belg. 1842, 10.— Griiy, List Mainiu. Br. Mus. 1843, Gb.-Oirh. Siiug. 1855,

lS2.—FiU. Natiirg. Siiiis. i. 1861, 335, f. 69.— rrcrr. Cat. Br. Mas. 1862, 'Si.—Farwick, Zool.

<iart. xiv. 1873, 17 (alhino).
Muslela vultturlst a. «i><itlvii, P. nivalis, Om. S. K. i, 1788, 99, nos. 11 a, 11 b.
VIverra vulgaris, Shmr, G. Z. i, 1800, 4iO, pi. 98, upper tig.
Mustela (liale) viilKaris, ScAiHz.Syu.M.imm.i. 1844,344. -0;ai/.P. Z.S. 1865, 113; Cat. Carn.

Br. Mus. 1869, 90.
Putorlus vulgarlii. Griff. An. Kinjid. v. 1827, 121, no. 344 (but not same name on p. 120, no.

•Xid).—Hrandt. Wirb. Eur. N. E. Russl. , 26.

FflBtorliis vulKariN. Keys, dr Jilai. Wirb. Eur. 1840, 69, no. 14~.— Bins. Wirb. Deutschl. 1857,

'iZl.-Jiickel, Zool. Gart. xiv. 1873, 459 (albino).
MllsteiA llivall!*, Linn. Fn. Suec. 2d ed. 1701, 7, no. 18; S. N. i. 1766, 69, no. 11.— Miill. Zool.

Prod. 1776, 3, no. 15.—Frxl. Syst. An. 1777, 476, no. U.—Schreb. Siiup. iii. 1778, pi. 138.—

Jl,ll. Kon. Vet. Akad. StncVh. vi. 1785, 212, no. 9, pi. l.—Lese. Man. 1827, 146.
Mustfia Kale, I'nU. Zoo;;. K.-A. i. 1831, 94, no. 32.
BtMtQ, liries. op. e,^ loc. eit.—liuf. Uiat. Nat. vii. 225, pi. 29, f. l.—J5omn/c, Diet. 1. 1768,

2G-i.— French.— Marcot, Marrolle, French.
roilimoil Weescl, Venn. Syu. (Jiiad. 1771, 212, no. J51 ; IJrit. Zool. 1. , 95, pi. 7, 1". It.— Shaw,

op. loc. cif.— Weasel or MecSf I, Knglish.
Srheeiiwlescl, Miill. Natnrs. i. 17;o,276 (= Jf. nivalis).
WIesel, Kleine WIeael, German (il. r. Martens, Zool. Gart. xi. 1870, p. 276, philological).—

We/el, JM(iie.—\«isv\, Laskatt, /^hhi*;!.— Sneemuus, Danish (white).— Snbmus,

Swedish (white).- BalluUula, //aitan.— I'oiuadreja, Spanish.

(ft. American references.)

.Muslela nivalis, Font. Phil. Tr. Ixii. 1772, 373.

Mustela vulgaris, iTf/c!. Fn. Amer. i. 1825, ai.— Maxim. Keisc, ii. If 41, QS.-Thomps. N. 11.

Verm. 1853, •M.—Uall, Canad. Nat. and Geol. vi. 1861, 295.
Mustela (Piiloriiis) vulgaris, Kick. F. B.-A. 1. 1839, 45.
Pulorius vulgaris, Emm. Hep. Quad. Mass. 1840, 44.— J^;;.Pr. Bost.Soc. xiii. 1869, 183; Bull.

M. C. Z. i. 1870, 167.
Miistela (Uale) vulKaris raramerlcana. Gray, P. Z. S. 1865, 113; Cat. Cam. Br. Mus. 1869, 91.
MllStela pusllla, De K. N. Y. Zoiil. i. 1842, 34, pi. 14, f. l.—Jleesley, Geol. Cape May, 1857, 137.
PutorlUS |)U8lllU8, Aud. cfi Uach. Q. N. A. ii. 1851, 100, pi. 64.— M. M. N. A. 1857, 159.-Suckl.

N. H. W. T. 1860, 92.— *(!»». Kep. Mass. Agric. for 1861 (1862), 154, pi. 1, f. 2, 4.— Maxim.

Arch. Naturg. 1861, —; Verz. N. Am. Siiug. 1862, 49.— ifo»», Canad. Nat. and Geol. vi,

1861, m.—Mcrriam, Uep. U. S. Geol. Siirv. Terr. 1872, 661 (Idaho).- ^ww*. Bull. Minn.

Acad. Nat. Scl. 1874, 69.
Pntorlus •' f Icognani ", iJav ZoiJl. Beechey's Voy. 1839, 10* (err.).
Common Weesel, Penn. Hist. (^uad. 1781, no. 193; Arct. Zoiil. i. 1784, 75, no. 2.5.

Hab. — In America, tbo northern portions of tiic United States and north-
ward. Enrope and Asia, northerly.

CHARACTERS OF PUTORIUS VULGARIS.

103

Si'KCiFiC ciiAUACTEHS. — Very small; lougthof hoadund body (5 or 8 iuohes;
of tail-vertebrm 2 inches or less ; tail-vertebne about one-fourth or less of
the head and body; tail slender, cylindrical, pointed at tip, which is con-
color or not obviously black ; under parts white, rarely, if ever, tinned with
sulphury; coloration otherwise as in P. erminea. Caudal vertebnu 15
(Gerrard).

General characters and relationships of the species.

To describe the general body-colors of this animal would be
to repeat, in substance, most of what is beyond said 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 the mahogany-brown upper parts, in the details
of the line of demarcation with the white of the under parts,
and in the color of the feet, which appear to be 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. 0401, from the Yukon
{Kennicott) ; while in Xo. 3310, from Oregon ( Wayne), the tip
is quite blackish. The tail-vertebnu rauge 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 )f to '^. According to Gerrard,
there are fewer (15) caudal vertebrie than in P. erminea.

Accounts of authors are surprisingly at variance in assigning
dimensions to tliis 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 for tail-vertebrio ; Audubon, 8 ; Bachman gave
7 inclios, the tail-vertebne 2. Baird gives ; the tail from 0.83
to 1.00; the head, 1.4.1; fore foot, 0.58; hind foot, 0.02. The

104

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

i^ I

MP %

f:^

smaller dimensious seem to be nearer the average. The skin
from the Yukoo, above mentioued, probably well stretched,
measures 7.50; tail-vertebne, 1.25; hind foot, 1.10. The Ore-
gon specimen was apparently about 7 inches ; the tail 2. Two
skins from British America (4411, Fort Resolution, Kennicott,
and 4231, Moose Factory, Brexler) are notably smaller and
shorter-tailed than any others I have seen. They are about 6
inches long, the tail-vertebrii,' 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 specimeuvs as these
last before us (strictly representing P. pnsUlus of Audubon and
Bachman), there raightbe little difliculty 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 differences inter se
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 Yukon speci-
men and No. 2290, from Leeds, England, I find that I have in-
contestably 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. vulgaris on our continent may be considered estab-
lished. So that the question practically narrows to 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,!
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 IJ, the tail 2. The female is usually an inch, if not more,
smaller than the male.

tThis furnishes a case parallel with that of Hesperomyti "boylii" and Ff.
" ansterus". There is a strong local inllueuce exerted upon various animals
iu this region.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF P. VULGARIS.

105

American "species" of the vulgaris type, namely, vulgaris as
attested by the Yukon specimen ; '•'■pusillus ", 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 specimens instead of characterizing species.
And in determining our species and races, it is quite sufiicient
to note the minor variation^" 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, the following
summary is presented : —

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

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

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

Geographical 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 know^n of
the American range of the animal. Mr. J. A. Allen states that
it turns 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 hold for the northern
mountainous portions of the State. 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 WeavSel 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-
nted in British America and Alaska. Audubon's examples
were from the Oatskills and Long Island; and this author
alludes to others from Lake Superior. The Bed River and

ik n

\i^.

106

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

Ul)i)tr 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.

Our 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 all the rapacity characteristic of the tribe.
Audubon repeats this, in substance, with the inference that,
owing to its small size, it would not be mischievous in the
poultry-house, and would scarcely venture Lv attack a full-
grown Norway Eat.

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
animal) 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 hunger, boldly attack the stock of the poultry
yard, or occasionally inak< free with a young rabbit or sleep-
ing partridge ; but that its usual prey is of a much more igao-
ble charactei 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 WEASEL.

107

all appreciate the amoani of their depredationa ; and surely
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
lias 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 common snake together
in a large cage, in which the former had the opportunity of
retiring into a small box in which it was 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
iujuriug it, and evidently without any instinctive desire to feed
upon it; and at length, afcer they had remained two or three
hours together, in the latter part of which they appeared
almost indifferent to each other's presence, I took the poor
snake away and killed it.

" Far different was this Weasel's conduct when a Mouse was
introduced into the cage; it instantly issued from its little box,
and, in 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 sei/.os 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 ]\rouse has been the victim. The power which the Weasel
lias of bending the head at right angles with the long and
flexible, though powerful neck, gives it great 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 propensity, and my own observation, as far
as it goes, would tend to confirm that refutation of the com-

§'• 'I'

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 skull.
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 flexi-
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 Sto!it. In pursuing a rat or a mouse,
therefore, it not only follows it as long as it remains within
sight, but continues the chase after it has disappeared, with
the bead raised a little above the ground, following the exact
track recently taken by its destined prey. Should it lose ihe
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 streng* h, are not always a match for the
ingenuity of an inferior enemj. As a gentleman of the name
of Pinder, then residing at Bloxworth in Dorsetshire, was rid-
ing over his grounds, he saw, at a short distance frc u 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 bloodvessels of the part torn through. ...

SYNONYMY OF PUTORIUS ERMINEA.

109

" The female Weasel .... brings forth four, or more fre-
quently five youug, 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 the 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, ^WeeseV, is obscure. Webster states that he
does not know the meaning, but observes that the German
hciese^ is a meadow. Von Martens, as quoted on p. 26, dis-
cusses the subject in its philological bearings. The name
'Weasel' 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 fiitoat oi* Ei'iiiiiic.

Pntorliift (Oale) ermlnea.

Platk VI, Figs. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7.

(a. General references.)

Mus poiitlrus, quem hodle vocant nermelmn, Agric. "De Auim. Subter. 1614, 33".

MUitteIn rnndlda, Sehiveackf. " Theriotroph. 1603, 118 ".

.Uustela Candida In extrema caud& niKrIcans, J.{(2(oti. "Quad. Digit 1645, 310, fig ".

Mustela alpina Candida, Wagn. " Hist Nat. Helvet 16d0, 180' .

Mustela Candida «. animal Ermlneum recenUorum, Ray, " Syn. Qnad. 1693, 198 ".

Mustela alba, itzacz. " PoIod. nai, 235 ".

Mustlela caudK aplce atro, Linn. Fn. Sueo. Ist ed. 1746, 3, uo, 90.

Mustela Candida «. ermlneum, Linn. Syst. Nut. eds. 6tli, 7th, 1748, 5, no. 6.

Mustela armelllna, Klein, "Quad. 1751, 63 ".

Mustela nivea auribus augustls, caudie aplce nigro, 27(2<, " Hist Anim 1752, 548 ".

.Mustela hieme alba, testate supra rutlla Infra alba, caudie aplce nlgru. Bris$. Qaad.

1756,243.
Mustela ermlnea, Linn. Mas. Adolph. Frid. Ist ed. 1754, 5 ; S. X. i. lOtli ed. 1758, 46, no. ;
Fq. Suec. 2d ed. 1761, 6, na 17 ; Syst. Nat. 12tli ed. i. 1766, 68, no. 10.— ffottt. Katnurl.
Hist. iii. 1761, 206, pi. 14, f. 5.— 5. O. Gmel. Reise, ii. 1770, pi. 23 {ermitieum majut).—
iliill. Zool. Dan. Prod. 1776, 3, no. U.-Erxl. Syst An. 1777, 474, no. 13.— Sehreb. Siiug.
iii. 1778, 496, pi. 137, A, B.—Zimm. Oeogr. Gescb. ii. 1780, 308, no. 205.— &m. S. N. i. 1768,

98, no. 10.— Herm. Obs. Zool. 45.— Beehtt. Naturg. i. , 797.— Turt. S. N. i. 1806, 61.—

J'all. Zoog, B.-A. 1. 1831 , 90, no. 31 {ermineum).—De»m. Mamm. i. 1820, 180, no. 277 ; Nonv.

Diet, xix, 37«| Encj-. M6th. pi. 83, f. 2, 3.—Fr. Ow«. Diet Sci. Nat xiix, 1823,250.—

Is. (/eo/. Diet Class. X. 212.— ie»«. Man. 1827, HS.—Fiseh. Syn. 1829, 222.— J'ieMi. Br.

. An. 1828, 13.— J'en. Br. Vert 1835, 13.— BeH, Br. Qaad. 1837, 148 ; 2d ed. 1874, 191, flg.—

Srlys-L. Fn. Belg. 1843, IQ.—Gray, List Mamm. Br. Mus. 1843, 65 Sekim, Syn.

Mamm. i. 1844, di'i.-Schrenek. Reise Amnrl. , 4Q.—0ieb. Saug. 1855, 781.— Gerr. Cat.

Bones Br. Mus. 1863, 93.—0rUl, Zool. Gart iii. 1862, 238.— Oray, P. Z. S. 1865, 111; Cat.
Carn. Br. Mus. 1869. 88.

rf i'

110

NORTH AMERICAN J^USTELIDiE.

I;i

Mustela ermlnea n. mtl\a, h. hyberna, Qm. S. N. i. 1786, OS, nos. 10 a, lOb.

VIverra ermlnea, Shaw, Uen. Zoiil. i. 1800, 426, pi. 90.

PutoriUH ermlnea, Onf. An. Kliiuil v. 1827, 123, no. :UX—Owen, Br. Fobs. Mamm. , 116,

f. 40, 41, 42 (skull).— Bca/idi. Wirb. Kur. N. K. KushI. , 24.

FCBtorlus ermlnea, Kfj/n. <C Blag. Wirb. Kur. 1H40, OO, no. 185 Bias. Wirb. Doutschl. 1857,

^2S.— jacket, Zool. Oart. xiv. 1874, 450 (albino).
ArmellnuH, Oesn. Quad. l.^Sl, 852.
Hcrmvlinus, Schejf. Lappou. 1673, 343.

HermellaenuH, OhatM. Exercit l(i77, 30.— /o)i«<. Thoatr. 1755, l.'JS.
Hermlne, Oharlev. Nouv. France, ili. 1744, 134.— Bjim. Quad. 1756, 243, no. H.—Buf. Hist.

Nat. vii. 240 ; Diet. Antra. iL iiO.— French.
Hermelln, Hell. Vierf. Tliioto, 1757, 453.— A', (i. dm. Roiso, ii. 192, pi. 23, iii. 370.— /'««. Relse,

1771, 129.— JMcf. Huff. Vierf. iv. lOB, pi. 67.— .Vui/., Natursyst. i. 1773, 274, pi. 14, f. 5.—

Stell. Kaintscli. 1774, Ii5.-Maiteng, Zool. Gart. xi. 1870, p. 278 (philological).
Hermyn-Wczel, HotUt. Nat. Hist. Dieren, ii. 1761, 206, pt. 14, f. 5.—Belgic,
Ermellino, Scatag. Anim. Quad. ii. pi. 74, H(f. from Buffou.— /fa?i«/i.

Stoat, Ermine, Venn. Brit. Zoiil. , Si.—KiiglM.

Roselet (summer), i'/vuc/i.- Armlilu, Armelinu, 5/>r(ui8ft.— Armellino, Italian.— lekatt,

Swedish.— UrotMntay, Polwh flornostal, Itusnian.

(b. American references.)
a. erminca.

Mustela ermlnea, Forst. Phil. Trans. Ixii. 1772, Vi'i.—lLirlan, Fn. Amer. 182.5, fa.—Oodmnn,
Am. X. U. L 1831, \m.—Thompa. X. IX. Verm. 185;t, 31.— £f«H, Canad. Nat. and Geol. vi.
1861, 295.

.MuHtcIa erminca mr. amcrlrana, Qray, V. Z. S. 1865, ill j Oat. ("am. Br. Mus. 1869, 89.

PutoriUH ermlnea, A»d. dt Bach. Q.N. A. ii. 1851,56, pl.59.— ? Wood. Sitgr. Rep. 1853,44
(Indian Territory).— Aii. Bull. M. C. Z. i. 1870, 167 (critical).— iJi7rt«flr«, Canad. Nat. and
Geol. ii. 18.57, 45,'i (biographical).- AMt'H, Pr. Bost. Soo. N. H. xiii. 1869, 183.

PutorlUS noveboracensls, De Kay, Rep. N. Y. Survey, 1840, 18; N. Y. Zool. ii. 1842, 36, pi. 12,
f. 2 (winter) and pi. 14, f. 2 (summer).— £/n.mo/w. Rep. Quad. Mase. 1840,45. — Bd.'M.
N. A. 1857, 166, pi. 36, f. 3 (skull).— £■<;«»». Tr. 111. State Agric. Soc. 1853-4, .578.— itoox,
Canad. Nat. and Geol. vi. 1861, 441.— Maxim. Ardi. f. Naturj;. 1861, iiO.— Verz. N. A.

SiiuK. 1862, 44 Gitpin, Tr. Nov. Scot. Inst. ii. 1870, 1.5, 5\).—Sam. Ann. Rep.»Ma88.

Agrio. tor 1861, 1862, 156, pi. 1, f. 1.— Amc», Bull. Minn. Acad. Nat. Sci. 1874, 69.

(6. eicoona7ii.)

Mustcia (I'utorlus) ermlnea, Tft'cA. F. B. A. i. 1829, 46.

Mustela ermlnea, Thomps. N. IT. Vermouth 1853, 31.

Mutitela cirognani, Bp. Charlesw. Mag. ii. 1838, 37; Fn. Ital. 1838, sub. M. buccamtla.—

Wiegm. Arch. 1839, 4-23.— Gray, Cat. Mamm. Br. Mus. 195.
PutoriU!^ l-tCOgnaul,£(/. M. N. A. 1857, IfH.—SuckU'y, P. R. R. Rep. xii. pt. ii. 1859, 9i.— Gilpin,

Tr. Nov. Scot. Inst. ii. 1870, 13, 59.— Sciwi. Aun. Rep. :Ma8s. Agric. for 1861, 1862, pi. 1, f. 6.
Mustela richardsoni, Bp. Charlesw. Mag. ii. 1838, 38 (based on Richardson).- G/a^/, P. Z. S.

1865, 112: Cat. Cam. Br. Mus. 1869, 90.
PutorlUN richardsoni, liich. Zool. Beechey's Voy. 1839, 10*.— Bd. M. N. A. 1857, Idi.— Gray,

Cat. Mamm. Br. Mus. 195.— Sam. Rep. Mass. Agric. for 1861, 1862, 155, pi. 1, f. 3, 5, l.—Rosn,

Canad. Nat. and Geol. vi. 1861 ,441.— Gilpin, Tr. Nov. Scot. Inst. ii. 1870, 1559.— ( 1) Stev. U.

S. Geol. Surv. Terr. 1870, 461 (Wyoming).— A»ne«, Bull. Minn. Acad. Nat. Sci. 1874, 69.
Mustela fusca, Aud. di Bach. J. A. N. S. P. viii. pt. ii. 1842, 288.— /)e Kay, N. Y. Z. i. 1842, 35 —

TTaf/n. Wiegm. Arch. 1843, Bd. ii. 32. . /v. ., . >• <

.Mustela (tlale) fusca, Schinz, Syn. Mamm. i. 1844, 343. .:''*"

Putorlus fUSCUiS, Aud. <£• Baeh. Q. N. A. iii. 1853, 234, pi. 148.
Putorlus agills, Aud. a- Back. Q. N. A. iii. 1853, 184, pi. 140.— £e»n. Tr. Illinois State Agric.

Soc. for 1853-4, 1855, 578 (Illinois).
Putorius kanei, Bd. M. N. A. 1857. 172 (Kamtschatka aud Siberia).
Putorlus ermlnea var. kanel, Gray, P. Z. S. 1865, in : Cat. Cam. Br. Mus. 1869, 89.

Hab. — ArctogHiii : Europe, Asia, aad America, north to the limit of exist-

CHARACTERS OF PUTORIOUS ERMINEA.

ence of torreHtrial Maininala. In America, south to very nearly the soutberu
border of the United Htateti, but no opeoiiuens seen from the Gulf States,
New Mexico, Arizona, or Southern -California. Tiie range meets that of P.
hraailienxin, which conducts the genus into South America.

Spkcii'ic characters. — Length of head and body 8-11, of tener U-IO inches ;
of tail-vertebrai 2-5 inches, averaging 3J-4, only exceptionably passing the
tirst-named limits. Tail ut all seasons brushy, conspicuously black-tipped
for i-jf, generally about if, its total length. In suuuner, dull mahogauy-
browu 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 vertebrio 17 or 18 {Gerrard).

Discussion of specific characters and relationships.

In entering upon the subject of the Ermines, the following
pricmonenda, 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 speciti-
cally identical.

2. None of the supposed characters which have been relied
upon to separate them have any exi.stence 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 bo hereafter defined), length of
the whole animal, length of tail, both absolutely and relatively
to that of body, aiid 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 normal
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 collection 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. Kespecting the various trivial and
insignificant distinctions which Gray and others have sought
to establish, upon obviously insufficient material and inadequate

112

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

»■:%

H"-' !?■''

¥W

investigation, it may be stated unequivocally that they fail as
bases of speciflc or even varietal separation. Not that the
alleged trifling difterences do not exist ; I can find them all and
others besides : but 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 sufticient series of specimens.

In seeking either resemblances or diflFerences 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, wheu
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-
eauda, three species have of late years been currently recog-
nized. These are the P. noveboracemis of De Kay, P. richard-
goni of Bonaparte (= agilis Aud. and Bach.), and P. cieognani
of Bonaparte (==f uncus 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

scpanito the Ermine of America, being based npon P. erminea
of Kichardson, who does not hint at any supposed distinction
from the Old Workl 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.
]'. iujUis of Audubon and Bachmau 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 1*. cieognani. He compares richardsoni with cicog-
nani as follows: — "This species is readily distinguished from
r. cieognani by the longer tail, the vertebnc alone of which are
lialf the length of the body." Measurements of the tail-vertebrjo
of P. cieognani 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 examples of " novehoraccnsis ''.
It will be observed from Baird's tables that the difference
among the various examples of ^^ cieognani ^^ (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 xVmerican 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-vertebra) 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. kanei 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. cieognani, " which it otherwise greatly
8 m

114

NORTH AMERICAN MITSTELID.E.

resenibles and represents''. The point I make is, tbat it is im-
possible to draw any dividing lino between tlie extremes.
Whatever character, or whatever set of characters, wo assume
as definitive, is instantly negatived by sutllcient material. 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 " speciffc
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. cftninea var. vicognauL

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 tins 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. longicauda, which Mr. Allen had not seen, his views are
substantially the same as those 1 have since been led to adopt
from my own studies, though I would lay a little more stress
upon the actually existing differences thaa he was inclined to
do when arguing solely figainst 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 : —

* " Earum inter Auierices auiiualia quoqiiu lueuiiiiit Charlevoix hist, de la
Nouv. France vol. iii. p. 134. Statnra ibi paiilo minoro sunt. Sic et in Dauu-
riJB densissimis sylvis occurreut sititliainam vix excedentcs." — (Paixas, Zoog.
lionso-Jsiatka i.lSll, 92.)

MKASUREMENTS OP PlITORII'H ERMINEA.

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116

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

I^^ote on the skull and teeth.

Skull and teeth. — A description of the craDiuin and dentition
of this typical si^ecies will answer well for that of tbe subgenus
Oale (see p. 99). 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 fvctidus and xlson 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 tiariug plate, perforated by a large foramen anteorbitale.
The cranium proper is peculiarly cylindrical rather than ovoidal;
the 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 hamu-
lar process, so conspicuous in the larger Putorii and in Mustela,
or with only a slight one. The bulhe auditoriic are very large,
llattisli, i)arallel 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 emarginatiou. The glen-
oid fossie have so i)rouiiuent a hinder edge that 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 longicauda, see beyond.)

Description of the 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 OF PUTORIUS ERMINEA.

117

of the limbs. This elongation is specially observable in the
neck, the head being set exceptionally far in front of the shoul-
ders. The trunk is nearly cylindrical; it scarcely bulges iu
the region of the abdominal viscera, slopes a little over the
haunches, rises slightly about the shoulder muscles, is a little
contracted behind these; 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 the throat ;
it is broad across the ears, whence it tapers with convex lateral
outline along the zygomatic region, thence contracting more
rapidly to the snout. The bulging of the sides of the 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 smalV, 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 miizzle, is entirely
and definitely naked; it is obscurely marked with a median
furrow. The 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 the
vestibule is slight, naked, but hidden by a close-pressed pencil
•^f long, upright hairs from the base of the auricle in front, ex-
tending nearly to the top of the ear. The back of the ear is
on the occipital cross- line.

Tlie whiskers are few but long, the longest reaching far be-
yond the head. A few shorter, very slender bristles spring
over the 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 the
wrist, causing the feet to appear slender in comparison, though
tbey are really relatively stouter than in many unguiculate

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118

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^E.

animals. From the wrist the feet are little sliorter than the
.forearm ; they are broad and depressed. The 3d-4th digits are
sabequal 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 wiiole 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 the foot ; one at the end of each digit (5),
four on the palm (9), one at the wrist (10). The latter is far
back, and nearly median, commonly overhung with fur. There
is one at the har*^ of respectively the 1st, 2d, and 5th digits ;
and another largei , 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 Sfime, except that a
tubercle corresiwnding to the tenth one above 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. longieauda. The vertebral portion, not includ-
ing that which runs into the body to join the sacrum, will
probably average between § and l the length of the body and
head; with the hairs, the proportion is about }j-'j. This num-

iiiV'

CHARACTERS OF PUTORIUS ERMINEA.

119

ber is cyliudrical, with some etilar<?emeQt of the brushy black
tip, and well furred throughout. The terminal pencil of hairs,
an inch 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. But no other
portion of animal's frame is so variable as this.

Of the general character of the pelage of this prized " fur-
bearing" animal, it would be useless to speak otherwise than as
a zoologist. Those differences which the whims of imperious
fashion render all-important in the commercial 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 w'th
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 circumstances (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 sh.ade is nearly uniform, though an intensified dorsal area
may often or usually be traced. Below, the animal is white,
almost invariably tinged with sulphury-yellow — often of a
decidedly strong shade of this color. Exceptional specimens
aside, we may say, iu round terms, the animal is sulphury-yellow
below — not white, as in P. vulfiaris, nor salmon nor buffy, as in
r. longicauda or I*, frenata. The chin, throat, and insides of
the legs are usually excepted from this sulphury discoloration,
being quite puiely white. The tail is invariably black-tipped
to the extent and in the manner rj ready sufllciently indicated.

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NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID/E.

Now, as to the details of coloration, especially the lino of
demarcation of the two body-colors, we must remember, in the
beginning, that we here h;!\', an animal which, under ordinary
conditions, turns entirely ,s i-ie once every year, and resumes
its bicolomtiou a- o*:'ien • that consequently we must expect to
find sk:)s slvowic^ i:\ .ry possible step of the transition ; and
that, moreover, v.alwus odd little matters of coloration are cer-
tain to appear in ditferent cases. Taken in its perfected sum-
mer dress in average latitudes, the animal ordinarily shows a
lino of demarcation, 1> inning at the snout, involving the edge
of the upper lip, runni..^ 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
periuiijum, 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 " amount 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, sulphury-white, with considerable elevation of
the general line of demarcation. This progresses until there
may 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 OF THE CHANGE OF COLOR.

121

roots. In other cases, however, with little or no restriction of
the general dark area, this insensibly lightens bj' 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 effected , 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 aftbrded 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 white one grown, while others hold that the
extinction of pigment is gradually ettected 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, and 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 otter 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 i>roduce, 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

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122

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

of the hair, upon which the alteration of colour imiucdiately
depends, the transition from 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 Ilogg (Loudon's ]\rag. 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. cit. 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 28, 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 liair 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 difiicult 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 tardj' 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 /oyc natunv are not ordinarily ex-
posed. This point aside, I would readily agree with Mr. Bell
that ^subjection to sudden severe cold may materially hasten

CONDITIONS OP THE CFIANGE OP COLOR.

123

M (I

the cliauge. 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 f Specimens before
me prove the last statement. Some among them, notably those
taken in spring, show the long W00II3' 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 turning 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 opposite 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 n'ot 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 age^t. This is amply proven in the fact
that the northern animals always change ; that in those from
intermediate 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 re(iuire
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 heat is also
never greater from dark than from light-coloui . surfaces, and
consequently the animal heat from within is more completely
retained by a white than by a dark covering ; the temperature

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NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

; !

therefore of an nninml having white fur, 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, sufficient to prove hurtful if not fatal to the animal, is
itself the immediate cause of such a change in its condition as
shall at once negative its injurious influence."
The latitudes in which the change occurs in this country in-
'•' le the northern tier of States, and the entire region north-
.d. In this area, the change is regular, complete, and uni-
rsal. 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 Ileraldrie ', 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 HAUITS OF THE ERMINE.

125

other languages, as in the French 'hermine', the Italian ' ar-
mellino', the Spanish 'arinino', Portuguese 'anniuho', Dutch
'hermelyu', German, Danish, and Swedish * hormelin ', and
Armoric ' erminicq '.* 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 proQt; names of very various signification, according
to the different 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. Fwtorius,
proposed as a substitute for Putorius by Keyserling and
Blasius, has the same signification. The name is highly appro-
priate; for the stench emitted by the animals, of both sexes,
is horribly off'ensive at times, as when 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
papilhii 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.f

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 a 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 i)roduced in April or May. In northern latitudes, the
litter may be born while the female is still in her white pelage,
as in the case mentioned by Pallas ; he found two young of a
white mother, early in May, in the hollow of a tree. The

•Compare ospocially vou Martens, antea, p. 28.

t Compare aH<c«, p. 12. , .v . ?

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NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^E.

cavitj' was separated into several compartments, arranged
with 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 foul. The cry
of the yonng is represented by Pallas to be like that of a
newly-born kitten. At the age often or twelve days, the little
animals were ashj- above and white beneath. The mother,
courageous in defence o 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 means of a noose set at the entrance of their
burrows, of spring-traps (at least so I understand by dccipulis
compressoriiH incscatiH), and of a bent stick with slip-kuot, set
off with a thread crossing their patnway, and placed before a
hollow made in the snow where the bait is put. The skinsj
used for vestments, were sent, he says, chiefly to China, Turkey,
and parts of Europe, being little used in Eussia, where the
tails, the principal ornaments, were reserved by law as the ex-
clusive perquisite of royalty {privilegio Mojestatis reservaUc).
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 five 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 scq., 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 tteld, 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 being 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 OF THE ERMINE.

127

l|l

able to distinguish him Iroin a Weasel, and, bounding; into a
hedge near the path, he there concealed himself; whence ho
would probably j?o forth again, when he perceive«l that all was
safe, and would perhaps follow up the scent from which I
had disturbed him. 1 was thus an eyewitness to the fact of a
Stoat being able to pursue its prey on .s ent, 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 so destructive to game, and
chietly for their instinct in tinding 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 Schinclitto IJridge and Old Dur-
ham, I noticed an animal swimming in the water; and, making
haste to the place, which was just below the same bank
whereon I was walking, I saw that it was a Stoat; it then swam
gently across the river, which is there both deep 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 Avater, like a dog; and
so differed from a water rat, which usually keeps its head
close along the surface." That the Stoat readily takes to the
water, and swims well, has, however, been long known. Tallas
makes this statement : " habitat .... uecnon circa aquas,
in quibus etiam praidam dou illibenter quajrit, optime natans",
and similar testimony is afforded by the writings of various
authors. Audubon, 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 jMarten, pursue its
prey on trees, and seems never to ascend them from choice,
but from dire necessitj", when closely pursued by its impla-
cable enemj', 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 and without 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

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128

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID/E.

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England guncrally tho Erniino is less coiniuuu than the Wea-
sel; but in Scotland, even to the south of the Frith of Forth, it
is certainly of more frecjuent occurrence than that species; and
for one Weasel I have seen at least five or six Ermines. It
frequents stony 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 slimness of its body allows it to enter
a very small aperture. I'atches 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 sind ptarmigan downwards, 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 dog,
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
place, it will stand and gaze upon the 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, tho 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

11^

HISTORY AND HAHITS OF THE ERMINE.

129

pqnnl comparative i)rowe88, wo must novortheless accede to
them a wider and more searching range of active operations
against a greater variety of objects, uiore persevering and
more enduring powers of chase, and a higher grade of pure
destructiveneas, taking more life than is necessary for immedi-
ate wants. Tlie great cats are mainly restricted each to partic-
nhir sources of food supply, whi(!li they se(!ure by i)arttcular
modes of attack ; and, their hunger satislied, they (juietly
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, be tracks them, and makes the fatal spring
ui)on them unawares ; lithe aiul 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 Carnivom. Yet once
more, which one of the larger animals will defend itself or its
young at such enormous odds ? A glance at the physiognomy
of the Weasels w«uld suffice to betray their character. The
teeth are almost of the highest known raptorial character ; the
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, cunning, and glitter
with an angry green light. There is something peculiar, more-
over, in the way that this fierce face surmounts a body extraor-
dinarily wiry, lithe, and muscular. It ends a remarkably long
and slender neck in such way that it may be held at right
aifgle with the axis of the latter. When the creature is glan-
cing around, with the neck stretched np, 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 ; cou-

'fi.

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130

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELl^^.

'V 4'

scious of security within the windings of his retreat among the
logs, or heap of stones, he permits us to approach lim within
a few feet, then suddenly withdraws his head ; we 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 his per-
secutor.

" Yet with all these external attractions, this little Weasel
is tierce and bloodthirsty, possessing an intuitive propensity
to destroy every animal and bird within its reach, some of
which, such as the American rabbit, the rutted 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 well-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 this 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 obierved 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 ibr the first time
on that occasion. To avoid a dog that was in 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 ^
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 onl> a few days be-
fore, and its cauiue teeth were filed in order to preve Jt 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 mouth, where it could

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE ERMINE.

131

be taken in a net, or by the band. In winter, after a snow
storm, the ruffed grouse has a habit of plunging into the loose
snow, where it remains at times for o!ie or two days. In this
passive state the Ermine sometimt's detects ami destroys it.

"Notwithstanding all these mischievons 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 mission appears to have been assigned it by Providence to
lessen the rapidly multiplying number of mice of various spe-
cies and 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 ti:an 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 their 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
inimeuse destruction which it occasioned in a single night. It
enters overy 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 Chipping
or Ground Squirrel, Tamiaa Lysteri [sc. striatus] takes up its
residence in the vicinity of the grain fields and is known to carry
off in its cheek pouches vast quantities of wheat and buckwheat,
to serve as winter stores. The Ermine instinctively discovers
these snug retreats, and in the space of a few minutes destroys
a whole family of these beautiful little Tamiw; 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 House Mouse take possession of our barus,wheat stacks,

I'l

132

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDJE.

I m

and granaries, and destroy vast quantities of grain. In some in-
stances the farmer is reluctantly compelled to pay even more
than a tithe 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 ouQe placed a 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 destruction. The squeaking of the rats 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
rats were observed, which, although they had been killed in
diftereut parts of the ^"Mlding, 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 a 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 Eastern 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 rogtous ;
in Dutchess and Ontario counties in New York, on the hills of
Connecticut and Vermont, and at the foot of the Alleghanies

HISTCitY AND HABITS OF THE ERMINE.

133

iu tenusylvania and Virginia. It is solitary in its habits, as
we have seldc m seeu a pair together except in the rutting season.
Afa>u*^j' of young, hovc, er, are apt to remain in the same
locality until autumn. In winter they separate, and we are
inclined to think that f.ioy do not hnnt in couples or in packs
like the wolf, but that, like the bat and the mink, each indi-
vidual pursues its prey without copartnership, and hunts for
its own benefit." In Massachusetts, according to Allen, it is
comparatively common. I myself saw none in Labrador during
my summer visit ; but it must be quite abundant, to judge from
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 Charlevoix ; but 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 the preparation of this article came from this coun-
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 stumps, 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 ani^xial sometimes digs.
Thus Captaiu Lyon, as rendered by Richardson, states, that be

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NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

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observed a curious kind of burrow made by ErmiDes 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 effect : — " We have
frequently observed where it had made long galleries in the
deep snow 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 i>roduced 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 March. 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 {loc. 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 and Dnieper governments, Curland, 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 Jeuisei, Dauria, the
Lena Biver, 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 its extension into America, remarking, however,
its absence from the Kurile and Aleutian Islands. Accord-
ing to Wosnessenski's observations, communicated to me

* Translated from Brandt's article already quoted with reference to Galo
luacu8.

OLD WORLD DISTRIBUTION OF THE ERMINE.

13*5

personally, and contrary 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-
(juent occurrence in Kamtschatka and on the coasts of the sea of
Ochotsk. Von Saritschew (Beise,i. p. 92) observed Ermines
on the middle course of t\e Indigirka, and von Wrangel
(Reise, 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. 302)
names, besides Orenburg, the country of the Bashkirs and
Fort Spask; Hohenacker (Bull. Nat. Hist. Moskou, 1837,2, p.
137) enumerates them among the Mammals of the couutries of
the Caucasus; Nordmann mentions their appearance in Bes-
sarabia, Ekaterinoslaw, and Asia Minor (Demidoff, Voy. iii.
p. 17); and Ozernay (Bull. Nat. H. Moskou, 1851, p. 274) in the
governments of Charkow and Ekaterinoslaw. Kessler calls
them frequent inhabitants of all the four governments of the Dis-
triutofKiew. Brine ken (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 Curland by v. Derschau and v. Keyserling (p.
130), and also by Lichteustein (Bull. Nat. H. Mosc. 1829, p.
289). According to a communication from Fischer, Ermines
are met wich in Livonia only in certain localities and a very few
places (Naturg. v. Li viand, p. 144). Their frequent appearance
near St. Petersburg I am able toattest by many years'experience.
In Finland, they ate mentioned by Sadelin (Fauna Fenn. p. 10,
and the Forteckning iifver Siillskapets p. Fauna Fenn. Sam-
lingar, p. 7). Oseretskowski indicates them also on the coast
of Lapland. Schrenk (Reise, i. pp. 66, 97) reports them on the
Pinega River and in the District of Mesen. From the latter
region, 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 to be collected annually from 5,000 to 10,000 skins (v. B ae r
Beitr. vii. p. 251). Sujew (Pallas, Trav. 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

no a

•«

136

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

7, 1847, on the Wischera, in latitude 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 peculiarity. The balls
of the feet and the joints of the toes were distinctly visible.
Von Hoffmann informed me that the Ermines follow the
Lemmings to the Arctic Sea.

The many Ermines killed near St. Petersburg are always
brown in summer but white in winter, which, Pallas says, is
also the case with those living near the Caspian Sea (Zoogr. i.
p. 93). In my memoir on the periodical change of pelage of
animals of the Weasel kind (Bull. Sc. CI. Phys. Mat. v. ix. n. 12,
Melanges Biolog. i. p. 185), I mentioned the capture of an 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 D r . M o r i t z , of Tiflis, respecting Mustela 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 Russian 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-
schatka and East Siberia. Concerning the value of the fur, and
the yearly proceeds, see v. Baer, Beitr. viii, p. 183.

The Long^-tailed IVeasel.

Patorlns longlcaada.

? Hustela longicauda, Bp. Charlesw. Mag. K. H. 1838, 38 (based on long-tailed variety of P.

enninea from Carlton Honse, iiicA. F. B. A. i. 1829, 47, in text).— Gray, Liat Mamm.

Br. Mus. 195.
TPutorlus longlcauda. Rich. Zool. Beeohey's Voy. 1839, 10*, (in text; same as foregoing).
Futorius longicauda, Baird, M. If. A. 1857, 169 (Nebraska, Montana) — Suekley, P. K. R.

Rep. xii. pt. ii. 1859, pp. 93, 114 (Milk River).— ffaj/d. T.'ins. Am. Philos. Soc. xii.

1863, 143.— (?) Bogg, Canad. Kat. and Gool. vi. 1861, iil.—CoMg tt Yarrow, Zool. Expl.

W. 100 Merid. 1875, 591 (Colorado and New Mexico).
PutoriUS culbertsoni, Bd. MSS. Mus. Smiths, (labels of nos. 4330, 432.5).
HermeUii des Oberen Missouri, Maxim. Verz. N.- A. Sang. 1862, 46, pi. " 8", f. 8 (penis-bone).

Hab. — Region of the Upper Missouri and its tributaries ; Minnesota, Da-
kota, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming; also Colorado, Utah, New Mexico,
Arizona. North apparently to Carlton House ; west probably to the Pacific.

Specific characters. — Size of P. erminea ; tail absolutely and relatively
longer, with hairs i to |^ the head and body. Below tawny or buffy, with a
salmon (not sulphury) tinge abruptly defined against whit^ of cheeks and

r t u o » t-

DESCRIPTION OF PUTORIUS LONGICAUDA.

137

chin. Black on end of tail .almost redncod to the terminal pencil alone,
scarcely J the whole length. Color entirely white in winter. Male, total
length of head and body, 10.50 ; tail-vertebrae 6.75 ; tail with hairs 8.50. Fe-
male, total length of head and body, 8.50 ; tail vertebrte, 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 stouter
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 average is beyond the average
of that of P. erminea. The two 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 head. 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 le^^s 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, quite diflferent
from the clear sulphury of P. erminea. 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-
western Montana.

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138

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

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GENERAL ACCOUNT OF PUTORIUS LONGICAUDA. 139

General account of the species.

The subject of the present article diflfers notably in the above
particulars from the common type of Ermine. It is probably
the same as the longicauda 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. crminea, 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 1 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
oifshoot 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
farther 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 No. 4325, from
old Port Union, "Nebraska" (now Montana), the tail-vertebrte
(the tail has not been skinned) measure 6.50 inches, with the
hairs about 8.00. No. 4320, from Fort Laramie, Wyoming,
taken in December, 1859, is pure white; the black tip under
1.50 long; the vertebra) (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 Clarke. There are several from Utah. A
skin, too defective for satisfactory identification, but probably

140

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

I : I

"*|]:;

belonging here, is iu the collection from Puget's Bound — a
locality which, if substantiated, would considerably extend
the known range of the species. It is the individual which
formed the basis of P. "nc/tardfsoMt" iu Dr. Buckley'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 tind
remarkable distinctions. Ooordinately with the shorter and
broader head, the skull shows differences of shape as well
marked as those subsisting between M. marten and foina. An
example of P. noveboracensis measures 1.90 by 0.95; a female
specimen of longicanda 1.80 by 1.03, the resulting difference
in contour boing 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. noveboracensis (0.80) is much less — only about half the
length of the skull exclusive of the rostral portion. The skull
of P. longicanda is notably more constricted behind the orbits.
The zygomata are much more obliquely offset from the skull.
The anteorbital foramina are narrowly oval and very oblique.
There is a remarkable inward obliquity of the last upper
ii^olar, different from anything I have seen iu P. ermineus. 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 skull one-half its length. Cranial width
much less than half the total length. Width of skull at point of greatest
constriction half the zygomatic width. Anteorbital foramina large, suboir-
cnlar. Set of back upper premolar nearly vertical.

P. longicanda. — 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. frenatus, 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. frenattn in darkening of the color of
the head. This is sometimes so decided, that were white spots
present in these cases, the specimens would unhesitatingly be
referred to P. frenatus; and we know that in Central Ameri-

GENERAL ACCOUNT OF PUTORIUS LONOICAUDA. 141

cau and Mexican skins the facial markings of P. froiatus are
not seldom extinguished.

The Long-tailed Stoat is the characteristic form of the genus
throughout the region of the Missouri and its 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 Rocliy Mountains too,
for a corresponding extent, and, as above indicated, very prob-
ably reaches to the Pacific. Mr. Ridgway informs me that he
found a specimen, which he satisfactorily identifies from mem-
ory of its creamy-yellow under parts, in the Wahsatch Mount-
ains, near Salt 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 Milk River, living in burrows underground along
with the Gophers {Spermophilus richardsoni), 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 them 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 Rocky 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 anfl 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.

Tlie specimen mentioned above from the Wahsatch Mount-
ains was found dead by Mr. Ridgway in the nest of a Buteo
sicainsoni. This shows that the animal, des,)ite 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

'Mi

f\.

142

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

U :i

of a Chipmunk, and of a Black -beailoil Grosbeak {Qoniaphea
MeJiinoerphnla).

When irritated, this species diffuses a fu^tid odor quite as
strong as that of the Miuk,

The Bridled l¥eai>iel.

PiitorinM (Oale) brRiiillensiii frenatoR.

a, hragilifimfi (Sewast.).

Mimtrtn brnsnirnsls, Smmst. Mom. Aeail. St. Petorsb. Iv. 1813,3.50, pi. 4.— FTwrh. Syn. 1820,
iii.—liunn. Wi\\. Nat. Ges. llalle, ii. 1854, M.—Oorr. Cat. Bonos IJr. Mu». 1863, 94.—
GriKj, Ann. Mug. N. H. xiv. 1874, 374.

Mlistelii (Putorlus) brannieilNls, DOrhlij. Voy. Am«r. M6rid. , pi. 13, f. 3 (skull).

Mustda (Onlc) br»<«UienNi!«, sohim, Syn. Maniin. i. 1844, 346.

Mii'^tolu Oicojiale) brusUleiistl!) mir. briisUluna, Oray, P. Z. S. 1865,115 (type ot Neogale);
Cut. Ciini. Br. Miw. 1869, 92.

h. (tquatonalis Coues.

Mustela aurcnvcntrlH, Gray, P. Z. S. 1864,5.5, pi. 8 (Quito; very young) (not M. OMrirmter

Hmhis.) Gray, P. Z. S. 1865,115 (Ecuador and New Grenada; adult); Cat. Cam. Br.

Mn«. i8<'.9, 92.

Pilli)rlii>) brasUlenHlii var. trquatorlaUH, Cows (merely as a substitute for Gray's preoc-
ciipind name).

1 Musli'la macrura, Tae.z. P. Z. S. 1874, 311, pi. 48 (Central Porn).

•? Miistela nfllnts, Gray, Ann. Mai?. N. H. xiv. 1874, 375 (New Granada).

c. frenatus (Llcht.).

.VllStrln rrcnnta, Licht Dnrstellung . . . Siing. 1827-34, pi. 53 (Mexico).— Attd. cC Bach.

J. A. N. S. P. viii. pt. ii. 1842,291.— Omi/, Zoiil. Voy. Sulphur, 1844, 31, pi. 9 (head).—

Tomes, P. Z. S. 1861,287 (Guatemala).— Omy, List M. Br. Mus. 1843, eS.-Oerrai-d, Oat.

Bones Br. Mus. 1862, 94.
MiiHtcIa (Gale) frenata, Wann. Suppl. Scbreb. Siing. ii. 1841, 234.
i'UtorillK fri'natUS, Bach. J. A. X. S. P. viii. •iHS.—Awl. (C Bach. Q. J. A. ii. 1851, 71, pi. 60

(Texas to Monterey and southward). — Bd. M. N. A. 1857, 173, pi. 19, fig. 5rt; Mex. B.

Surv. ii. pt. ii. 18.59 ; Mammals, 19, pi. 17, flgs. 1 and 2, a-e.—Ooucs, Am. Nat. i. 1867, 352.
Mustcla vailthOKenys, Gray, Ann. Mag. N. II. xi. 184.3, 118; Zoiil. Voy. Sulpb. 1844, 31, pi. 9 ;

{n't. to Pall. Zoog. 92); List M. Br. JIus. 1843,66; P. Z. S. 1865,115; Cat. Cam. Br.

Mus. 1869, 93 ; Ann. Mag. N. H xiv. 1874, 375.— Got. Cat. Bones Br. Mus. 1862, 94.

Pulorius xanlhoeenys, Bd. B. N. A. 1857, 176, pi. 19, f. 3 n (California).— Aetob. P. R. R. Rep.
vi. Ib57, 42 (San Francisco).

Putorius mcxicanus, Berlandier, MSS. ic. ined. 4 (Tamaulipas and Matamoras).
*l'oinadrrJa' of the Mexicans.

((Jompare Mmtcla javonica Seba, Thes. i. pi. 48, fig. 4 — Jf. leucogcnis Schinz, Syn. i. 344 ; not
Japanese.— Cf. Pall. Zoog. li.-A. i. 1811, 92, footnote.)

H.\n. — Southarn Texas to California. Up the Pacific side to San Francisco,
Fort Crook, and probably Astoria, Oregon. South to Qaatemala. Var.
(vqttiitorialis, thence to Ecuador. Var. bmailiemis, Brazil.

Si'ECiFic CHAKACTER8.— Size aud proportions of P. erminea; top of head
notably different in color (darker) from the back, and blotched with white ;
chin white; other under parts more or less strongly tinged with tawny-yel-
low or orangj-brown ; tail tipped with black. No seasonal change of pelage.

GENERAL ACCOUNT OF P. BRA8ILIENSIS FRENATUS. 143

Genera I account of the 82)ecie8.

In respects of size and form, tliis species scarcely dittcra from
r. crminea. The pelage appears to be coarser, thinner, 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.

The pattern of coloration is as usual in this genus, with the
adilition of the peculiar head-markings, to be presently de-
scribed. The upper parts are of a mahogany-brown, as in the
Slimmer coat of other Stoats, but ditter in the shadv much as
]tolished mahogany differs from that wood iu the rough, being
darker and richer in tint. This color deepens insensibly into
blackish on the head. The darkest examples before us, from
(tuatemala, are almost chocolate-brown, and quite black on
the head. This intensity of coloration is quite coincident with
(loorease 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 par
lelism in the color of the under parts. Aside from the chin
and throat, which usually remain quite purely white, the under
l»art8 range from a tawny-yellow to a rich orange-brown. In
running through the 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-
phury; the only approach to it being a salmon shade on P.
Umgkauda. In the orange-bellied Guatemalan skins, moreover,
the line of demarcation from the white of the throat is quite
abrupt; iu others, the 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 col-
ored like the belly or like the back ; at any rate, I find specimens
varying in this respect, without finding any clue to a rule which
might determine this condition. The tail is like the back all
around ; it blackens insensibly at the tip, for a shorter distance
than is usual iu northern Stoats ; the defined black only occu-
pying, on an average, about an inch of the end in addition to
the terminal pencil of hairs, which is about another inch
longer.

144 NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

Measurements of two apecimena of Putorius bkasiliensis frknatus.

'•' i^ijii

Localltj.

.1-

From tip of no«e to- TaiUojnd

Lad St h
of—

a
a

1
1

C »

£^

8382
2323

Matainoras, Mex . . .
■--■'lo

1.00
0.60

1.75
l.SO

2.25
2.20

n.OO 6.75
8. 25 4. 75

B.00
5.30

1.20
1.10

1.80
1.60

Ale.
Ale.

The facial white markings of this species deserve special
cousideranoii. Upon the most cursory examination, one may
satisfy himself of their irregular, 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 abont the 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 ai>pear to be, in fact, simply an exaggeration and
permanent retention of certain white markings that occur in
P. erminea (uiiassociated with beginnings or remiiins of the
winter dross). In several European examples of P. erminea,
I find a little white coronal or two white supraciliary or auricular
spots, and a wholly variable extent of white upon the cheeks.
The usual pattern in P.frenatus 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 occipitjil white spot between the
ears. The frontal spot is usually isolated from the white
stripes, but may fuse with them, completing the " bri<lle". It
is sometimes reduced to a mere nasal stripe, with correspond-
ing reduction of tlie pre auricular markings. In a specimen
from Fort Crook, Cdliforuia, 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 indeterminate.

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 Crook speci-

CHARACTERS OF P. BRASILIEXSIS FRENATUS.

145

men above mentioned imperfectly represents the species. It
is, morover, associated 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. fi-om Fort
Crook {Feilmr), is pure white underneath, has the head like
the back in color, and both of the usual undressed mahogany-
brown ; yet it shows the white frontal spot 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. enninea
present. I refer these two specimens to P. enninea, but in-
clude the other from Fort Crook, No. 3830, in the beginning of
the hrasiUensis series. I refer to this species, with some hesita-
tion, a very young Stoat from Astoria, Oregon (No. 3520, June
19, 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. There is evi-
dently but one series of linked forms. We have already seen
that frenata begins in Upper California, as xanthogenys,
which is merely the northernmost palest form, between which
and true frenata (City of Mexico, &c.) there is no diffierence
requiring recognition by name. In Guatemala, frenata already
assumes the rich coloration that culminates further south in
brasiliensis. Gray, indeed, who usually subdivides altogether
too much, does not attempt to separate frenata and brasUictms
except varietally. P. miiiatorialis (as I call what Gray named
il/. aureoventris, a term preoccupied to all intents and purposes
by auriventer of Hodgson) was originally described from a
very young animal (" length 6 inches, tail 4J" — the adult is after-
ward described as 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 dark'y
and richly colored, the under parts and ear-spot " golden-ye.-
low "; 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

I'd .flirliili

146

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

Bica. It is very dark and richly colored, with the merest trace
of white markings behind one eye — not both.

I find nothing in the ascribed characters of Mustela macrura
Taczanowski forbidding its reference to the Middle American
series ; nor is there anything in Dr. Gray's brief and unsatis-
factory account of M. affinis 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 cases of other
Mammals and many Birds, and, in fact, might have been pre-
dicated.

We are in possession of no special information upon the hab-
its of the Bridled Weasel, which, however, may be presumed
to diflfer little, if at all, from those of its allies. Dr. Newberry
represents it as abundant about San Francisco.

CHAPTER V.

I '>!

MUSTELIN^E— Continued: The American Ferret.

The snbgemis Cynomyonax — Subgeneric characters— Putorius {Cynomyonax)
Tiigripes, the American or Black-footed Ferret — Synonymy — Specific char-
acters — Habitat — General account of the species — Addendum : On the
species of the snbgenns Piitorius — P. falidun, the Polecat or Fitch — Syn-
onymy — Description — P. fietidua var. furo, the Ferret — Synonymy — Re-
marks — Ferret breeding and handling — P. foefidus var. eversmanni, the
Siberian Polecat — Synonymy— Remarks — J', sarmaticm, the Spotted Pole-
cat — Synonymy and remarks.

I HAVE been obliged to establish a new subgenus for the
reception of the singular Putorius nlgripes 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 first inclined to refer it to the subgenus Putorius itself.
But further examination has satisfied me that the sum of its
peculiarities ranks as high, at least, as that characterizing
other admittei^ subgenera of Putorius. I have already concisely
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. (Coues, 1877.)

Tbe dental formula of this subgenus is the same as that of
the genus Putorius at large (pm. ~^y

The details of the dentition agree most closely with those of
subgenus Putorius, 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.faeiidus and P. vison. 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.fcetidus before me. The deutelure of the upj^r
jaw might be described in terms identical with those applicable

147

\\'IH:

Hi I
if

148

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^E.

to P.fcetidu8f though the back molar seems to be rather weak.
P./oetidns and C. nigripes both differ from L. rison in the char-
acter of the ui)per 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. f<xtidu8, there is
scarcely any.) Coincidently with this narrowing of the skull
near the middle, the 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 emargination 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
emargination. The pterygoids, as in Gale, do not develop
decided hamular processes (conspicuous in P.foetidus and X.
vison). The bullaj auditoriee, as in both Oale and P. fmtidus (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
Oale 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,
Cynomyonax 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 tail, is different, and more like that of
the Ferrets in some respects, while it is entirely peculiar in
others.

It is interesting to observe that this single 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 of the Western than of the Eastern fauna
with that of the other hemisphere.

ACCOUNT OF THE AMERICAN FERRET.

149

American or Black-rooted Ferret.

Piitortas (Cynomyonax) nlyripea.

Platr VU.

Putorlus ntsripcs, Awl. A. Bach.* Q. X. A. ii, 1851, -397, pi. 93 (Lower Platt<' niror).— M.
M. N. A. 1857, UO (from tht> t'Dri'Koins).— Owi/, V. Z. S. 1865, 110 ; Out. Cam. l?r. Mas.
18B9, 88 (its validity quoriod). —Oom«s, Am. Sportsman Nov. 20, 1874 (call for speoi-
meuB).— J.me«, Bull. Minu. Acad. 1874, 69 (presumptively attributed to Minnesota) .

H.\B.— Region of the Platte River, aucl other portious of the central
plutoau. Kah been found in Kansas, Nebra.skii, Wyoming, Montana, and
Colorado ; north to Milk River, Montana.

Specific characteks. — Above pale brownish, mixed withafewl)lacki8h-
t'.pped hairs, especially on the lower back ; below nearly wh'te; hairs every-
\7here 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.G0 long ; rather
under 0.50 broad at point of greatest constriction (zygomatic width un-
known).

Oeneral account of the species.

CJutil verj'^ recently, nothing was known of this remarkable
animal beyond what was given by Audubon. Tlie 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,f and the describer has even been

* Digest of the original description. — Dentition strictly as in Putorius (teeth
34). Form elongate ; forehead arched and broad ; muzzle short; ears short,
broad at base, triangular, closely furry both sides ; feet covered with hair
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 brownish 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 and Clarke to the ptesent 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, bares, grouse and other game of our western regions.'

t Dr. J. E. Gray, for instance, with characteristic sagacity, queried it
amidst a number of purely nominal species he admitted without question.

150

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

.dm

I,;

saspected of inventiilg it to embellish his work. I have, there-
fore, the greater pleasure in bjing 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 Platte Eiver, and pre-
sented by Mr. J. W. Munyou, or Muuyou. The skull was
smashed to pieces. I was only enabled to determine that the
animal had thirty-four teeth, and was therefore Putorius, not
Muatelttj and that its relationships appeared to be with the
European P.fwtidus 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 time the required specimens were received
at the Smithsonian Institution ; 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 tJnited States Geological Survey. This one
was taken by Dr. Law, in the valley of the Cache La Poudre
Eiver, near the northern border of Colorado. It was in better
condition than Mr. Munyon's, but still defective, having lost
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. Hayden 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 whitishness about the mouth and ears of P.foetidus, contrasting with
dark parts, gives somewhat the appearance of a stripe across the face, which
is perfected in C. nigHpea, in which the face-markings recall those of the
Orison, GalictU vitUtta.

ACCOUNT OF THE AMERICAN FERRET.

151

rado, which had also been secured in a prairie-dog town ; and
represented the species as being not at all rare, though very
difficult to obtain, owing 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 called 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 preservation.

Another specimen, from Wyoming or the contiguous portion
of Colorado, was sent to Prof. Baird bj' my friend, Oapt. 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 River, 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 Int ational
Exposition, at Philadelphia, procured two or three . pecimens
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 had been "drowned out" of a prairie-dog hole,
and kept for some time in captivity. It became, I am informed,
quite tame, though 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
feet, and black end of the tail. The general light brownish-

mi <n

152

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

white color aud character of the pelage are peculiar. The coat
is very short aud 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 Ine 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 equals 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 are 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 PUTORIUS.

153

notch, 0.70 above head. The longest whiskers (black) reach
to the back of the ear; others grow ou the chiu, the cheeks
back of the angle of the mouth, and on the forehead. The
brownish-black mask is well contrasted with nearly white sur-
roundings, 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 remeuiber 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 singular 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 suhyenus PuTORius.

lu further illustration of the genus Putoriiis, I wish to introduce a notice
of the extralimital species of the subgenus Pntorius, 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 (.l/ejjfti/utte).

154

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTEl.IDiE.

The Subgenus PUTORIUS.

For the cliaraoters of Una group Hee anted, p. Qi). The nonpareil note on
p. 74 is equally applicable to the synonymy of the following extralimital
speoies of the subgenuH.

1. Butorlum tcBtldu:— Polecat or Fileh.

Plate VIII.
Mustria pulorlUN, L. 8. N. i. 10th od. 1758, 46, no. 5 ; S. N. ii. ITfifl, 67, no. l.—Sehrfb. Sttiig. iii.

1778, 485, pi. 131.— (/»». 8. N. i. 1788, •il.—liechH. Natiirg. i. 479.— i'aM. ZooR. K -A. i. 1811,

87.— />mm. Mnmni. i. 1880, 177, no. 271. -F;-. Ow. Mamm. il. Z\.—Flem. Br. An. 1888,

14.— /en. Br. Vort. 18^5, W.—BHl, Br. Quad. 1837, 15(i, tig.; 2(1 ed. 1874, iOX—SelysL. Fu.

Bolg. 1843, 9.—niainv. Compt. Kend. xiv. 1843, 210 sHq. pis. —.—achiiu, Syu. 1844, 339.—

Oieb. Odout. 33 ; Siiuj;. 1855, 779.
Tlverra putoriUM, Shaw, Gen. Zoo), i. 1800, 415.
FflBtorlUM pulorlUM, Keyi. (f Blag. ^Vcrb. Eur. i. 1840, 08, no. 143.— 7i{a«. Wirb, Doutachl. 1857,

222, X. l^.—Chatin, Ann. Sci. Kat. 5tb aer. xix. 1874, 98 (anatomioal).
MuHtela rtetldn, '•Klein."
PutoriUN ftctldUH, Cray, List Mamm. Br. Mns. 1843, 04; P. Z. S. 1865, 109; Cat. Carn. Br.

Hus. 1869, 87.— Gcrr. Cat. Bones Br. Mus. 1802, 92.
PutorlUH verus, Bf.— Brandt, Bern. Wlrb. Nord. Eur. Russl. 26.
PutorlUH communlH, " Out>. R. A."— (Gray.)
Putorlui) typus "F. Ouv."—(Orav.)
PutorlUM VUlKaris, Grif. Cuv. R. A. v. 1827, 120, no. 339 {\.o. p. 131, no. 344).— i'it;. Naturg.

8auK. i. 1861, 328, f. 68.

Putois, Buff. niat. Nat vii. , 199, pi. Iii.

Polecat, Fitch, Fitctaet, Fitchew, Foumart, Fulmart or Fullmart, EnglUh.—Penn. Brit.

Zool. i. 89, pi. 6.
IltiN, Oerman, of. v. Martent, Zoiil. Gart. zi. 1870, 275 (philological).
WIcha, Madral, Selj/t-L. I. c.

Form stout ; oars short and rounded ; tail rather bushy, oylindric-tapering,
about one-third the head and body ; fur very long and loose on most parts
ofthe body (the well-known "fitch" of commerce), yellowish-brown, over-
laid with glossy blackish-brown, the tail, legs, and chest mostly bkickish ;
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^ ; head 2f ; ears i. The name Polecat is probably
a contraction of Polish cat. Foumart, «fec., are merely Foul Mart, in distinc-
tion from the Muatelas, or " Sweet " Marts, the odor in this species being much
more disgusting. The animal inhabit>s Europe.

la. Var. tnro.—The Ferret.
Mustela furo, L. S. N. i. 1766, 68, no. %.—Schreh. Siiug. ill. 1778, -, pi. 133.— Om. S. N. i. 1788,
91.—De*m. Mamm. i. 1820, 178, no. 273.— Jen. Br. Vert. 1835, n.—FUch. Syn. 1839, 219.—
Bell, Br. Quad. 1837, 161, &g.—ScUw, Syn. 1844, 340.— Pr. Ouo. Mamm. ii. 22.— Owfr.
Odont. 33, pi. 12, f. 8 ; Siiug. 1855, 780.
Tlverra Hiro, Shaw, Gen. Zoiil. i. 1800, 418.

FCBtoriUi faro, Ohatin, Ann. Sci. Nat 5th ser. xlz. 1874, 98 (anatomical).
Hu8tela pntorius var., Flem. Br. An. 1838, 14.
Putorius TUlgarlB var. furo, Oriff. Cuv. R. A. v. 1837, 130, no. 339 a.
PutoriUB fCBtldOS vars. turo, BUbmro, Gray, P. Z. S. 1865, 110; Cat Cam. Br. Mus. 1869, 87.

Ferret, EnglUh.—Penn. Brit. Zool. i. , 91.

Furet, Furet Putoire, French.— Buff. Hist. Nat vii , 309, pi. 26.

Frett, Frettel, Frettehen, GentMn.—Blou. Wirb. Deutsobl. 1857, 325.

This is the well-known tame Ferret, now only recognized in a state of do-
mestication. It is smaller and slenderer than the Fitch, yellowish-white or
white, with pink eyes. This is an excellent example of a "variety", prop-
erly so called, in distinction from a geographical race. The root of all the

BREEDING AND HANDLING OF FERllETS.

155

varions vernacular iiamoa (there are many otherH than thcwe above given)
Heeuis to be the Latin fur, a tliief. There may also, aa has been Huggewted,
be a relationship with the Latin vivvrra, by which name the present, among
other species, seems to have been known to the ancients.

The rearing of Ferrets seems to be a growing industry in this country,
though still not practiced to the extent it is iu Europe. The following
iirticle, entitled " Ferret Breeding and Handling", by Mr. F. Mather, apjteared
in the "American Sportsmiiii " (newspaper) of November 28, 1874 : —

"I have had several iiuiuiries of late from readers of the Si'oiitsman con-
cerning the breeding, management and hunting of ferrets, together with
itivitations to write it up. It appears somewhat singular that no one has
done this before, at least I do not remember to have seen anything on the
subject in any American paper, and this fact causes me to comply with the
request more readily than I should have done had others with more experi-
ence volunteered 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 ; l)nt it breeds true to color
every time, possibly a ' sport,' as the ilorists 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 cpialities, and can only account
for the preference on the ground that the white ones are thought to be the
prettiest pets. Having no strong local attachments, they require to be con-
stantly confined, although instances have been known whore 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-ashe^ 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 is 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 they 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 tilth. 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

«)!'

B?l * ^^

rcit j

156

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

\i\

|i m

"ii

partially KO'^rdod aKuiiiNt, in the ciiho of boiios and lar^e i)iocKH, by miikin^;
tho eutrauce an Hiiiall uh iioHNil)lo. Wo feud Nkiiuiiied milk, bcef-lieadH, and
othur moats ; Halt muat Ih Haid to produce Ncurvy. Milk fatteus a ferret very
rapidly, and tliey are ai)t to jjet too fat> on tliin diet.

" My monuj;erie is run upon economical principles, and it \n a hard Hpocimon
of either animal or vegetable that iIoch not find a consumer. A kin^lisher
hovoriiiK over tlio ponds is apt to tumble in ; he is then skinned, and if the
lish aio 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 my young fowl, often finds a lasting repose in the ferret-yard ; while
the refuse of fresh (ish is also eagerly devoured. Chicken Iieads 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 tho hand around the ribs, and if it
struggles let its fore legs go through the fingers ; they do not like to bo held
below the ribs. Do not handle young ferrets until nearly grown ; do not
handle a 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 have a litter of from five to ten in May
or June. I have hoard of vhoir having two litters in one season, but it has
never occurred with mo. When about to have young, put each female in a
box by herself, and don't let the 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 ani bitch ; and last winter a man in Buf-
falo said, ' In the hold country we calls 'em a 'ob and a gill.'

" lu bandling wild ferrets put on a pair of leather gloves and pick tbem
np, 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 is their nature, and a little
fasting stimulates them wonderfully. Those kept for rats are generally
worked with dogs ; and although I have often run the rats out of my barn
with them, it is especially for rabbit hunting that I keep them. They are
of no use for the large white rabbit, but I used to find that the little gray
fellow that abounds in the vicinity of Honeoye Falls had 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 a 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 mnzxle
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 behind 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

PUTORIUH F(KTIDU.S, VAli. — P. 8ARMATICUS.

157

bo cftrried in a bajj, with drnwu Btrinjj. HtniiiK over tho Bhouldor, or in a
tiglitly-buttoiictl coat pocket. Ah tho animal I'lijoys itH Hhort liberty when
liuntin^ and, however tame it may be, does not want to go into the ba^
again wlille yon move on ; it is always best to lot it get ton feet or more
from the hole before yon attempt to pick it np or it may dodge back and
refuse to come out. Tn this case 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 u string by making a loop that will not get larger or smaller, and put
it over his nose and then tie behind his ears, taking care to have the knot
nr.ier his throat and the last tie on top of his head.

" In England I believe they use small bolls on their rat-ferrets to tell their
whereabouts. In conclusion I would say, if you use ferrets for rats don't
trust a strange dog with them, and if for rabbits don't stand in front of the

hole."

l*". Var. evcrsmaniil.- /SiftcnVin VoU-cat.

Mustt'ln puloriUNf, LicM. Eversm. Koisc, 23 ; ref. to Pallaa, i. Zook- 89, nnte, but not MuHeln

eiliinca Pall. i6i(/. p. IK).
MiiNlela pulorlus mr. everNmannI, FUcher, Syn. 182!), aio.
Mustria evrrsmannl, Lam. Man. Wn, 144, nu. 3'9.-Sfhim, Syn. 1844, 339.
PutoriUN evrrsmttniil, dray, P. Z. .S. 1865, 109; Cat. Carn. lit. Mub. 1869, 87.
MuslriB pulorlUM, Blyth, "J. A. S. V xi. 281."— (Ornv)
Mustelu putorius thlbelanlus, Hodgs. "J. A. S. B. xxili, 1849, 446,"— (flroy.)

This is the Asiatic Polecat, which appears to have been tirst noted by
Pallas, in text of p. 89 of the Zoograpbia, from Siberia. This is to be care-
fully distinguished from the Mnniela sibirica of Pallas, p. 90, a very different
anitnal, elsewhere noticed in the present work. It is apparently but little if
any different from P. J'wtidiis, to which Blasius assigns it without query. Cer-
tain cranial differences adduced by Gray may require confirmation. I have
seen no speciuions of the supposed species.

t. Pntorlns sarmatlciiH.— ^putft'd Polecat.
.UuMela »tarmatlra, I'nll. Itln. i. 1771. 453 ; Spic. Zool. neO, xiv. 79, pi. 4, f. 1 ; Zoog. R.-A. i.

,1831, ed.—Frxl. Syst. Anim. 1777, 460, no. G.—Schreb. Siiug. iii. 1778, 490, pi. 133 (from

Gnlden8tadt).-Zimm. Geogr^Qeeell. ii. 1780, 305, no. 201.— 0»». 8. N. 1. 1788, 97, no. 15.-

Turt. S. N. i. 1806, 60.—Deim. Mamm. 1. 1820, 178, no. 204 j Nonv. Diet. xix. 371 ; Ency.

M6th. pi. 88, f. i.—Fr. Our. Diet. Sci. Nat xxix. 1823, 252, no. 9.— Is. Geoff. Diet. Class, x.

il2.— Fitch. Syn. 1829, 220.— icM. Man. 1827, 145.-,Sc/ii»»«, Syn. 1844, 3iO.—Oieb. Saug.

1855, 760.
VIverra Narmatlca, Shaw, Gen. Zo81. i. 1800, 430 ("Sarmatla Weesel ").
Fffitorlus ^armalicus, Keys. <£ Blas.Wirh. Ear. 1840, 08, no. UH.—Blaii. Wirb. Dents. 1857, 226.
Putortus sarmaliCUS, Griff. Cuv. K. A. v. 1827, 121, no. 343.— Gmy, List Mamiu. Br. Mas.

1843, 64; P. Z. S. 1865, 110; Cat. Carn. Br. Mns. 1869, 88.
MUNtrIa perfKUsna, Otild. N. Comm. Petrop. xiv. 1769, 441, pi. 10 (pereniuina is also found).
MUHteia pricclncta, BzaczyntH, Hist Nat "ol. 1736, 328.
Vormela, Gean. Quad. 1551, 768.

Pereguzna, Prrewlaska, FrzewiaRka, FarH.'la!«ta, I'all. Itin. I. e.
TlKeriltls, Orfleckte litis, German.
Harmatler, MHU. Naturs. Suppl. 1776, 33.
Peronasra, Bnff. Hist. Nat. xv.
Putol8 4e Polognp, Ouv. R. A. i. 148.
Marte <k celuture, Lest. I. c

This remarkably distinct species is black, on the upper parts brown spotted
with yellow, the ecrs and a frontal band white. It inhabits Eastern Europe,
Poland, and Russia.

( s

:j/

H::.

:,{-i

; *

ii '

If I

r "T-

CHAPTEK VI.

r-K

MUSTELIN^E— Continued: The Mink.

The subgenus Lutreola — Subgererlc characters and remarks — Putorius vison,
the American Mink — Synonymy — Habitat — Specific characters — i,«!.8crip-
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, P. hitrepla and P. aihiricus — General
history and habits of tho Mink — " Minkeries".

WE come now to consider a particular modification of the
genus Putorius, in adaptation to an aquatic mode of life.
Both the foregoing subdivisions of the genus comprehend ter-
restrial and more or less arboreal species ; the present one, Lu-
treola, consists of species which are scarcely less aquatic than
the Otters themselves; and the consequent modifications, both
in cranical and external characters, are decided.

The Subgenus LUTREOLA. (Wagner.)

The leading ]>eculiarities of this section have been already
pointed out (p. 100), and contrasted with those of Qale, Cynomy
onax, and Putorva proper.

The skull of the Mink bears out the general points of "build"
which distinguish Putorius at large from Mustela — such as the
short, turgid, truncate rostrum, comparatively shallow inter-
pterygoid emargination, position of anteorbital foramen, &c. As
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 bullae auditoriie,
in particular, being notably flattened, and the whole upper out-
line of the skull being straightened. In its own genus, the

^semblances of the skull are with that of Putorius proper and
of Cynomyonax, rather than with that of Qale, In addition to
the absolutely much greater size in Lutrtola, the massiveuess
of the skull, with the strong tlaring sagittal and lambdoidal
crests defining temporal fossjv, contrasts strongly with the
smooth condition of the parts in Qale. In L. visoUf there is, in
158

CHARACTERS OF SUBGENUS LUTREOLA.

169

addition to the comparative flatness of the auditory bullae, some
constriction and outward prolongation of the meatus, which is
not seen in Gale or Cynomyotiax, and scarcely indicated in Pu-
to:iu8 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 Gale. There is much constric-
tion of the skull near the middle, and the postorbital processes
are well developed.

The dentelure of Tmtreola is probably the strongest to be
found in the genus P.t'orius at large, and there is reason to sup-
pose that it reaiches a maximum in the largo North American
species of this subgenus. In L. visoHj* 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 in 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 be 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 ;t its free border is nearly circular; it is
divided from the outer by a strong constriction ; the outer is
somewhat trefoil-shaped. 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 upper
premolar (sectorial tooth) shows certain characters not shared by
any American species of the genus at large. There is devel-
oped, at the auteroexternal corner of the tooth, a decided pro-
cess or spur, only less in size than the ordinary unterointernnl
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 hftve not been able to examine the teeth of any Old WoiUl species of
thiH HnbgonuH.

t This is not the case either with P. fwtidus or <', niyripes, but is scarcelj' a
Nubgoueric chart'.cter, for it is said not to o«cur in the European species of
Luiriohi.

} There is a trace of this process in P./cetiditH and ('. nigripe^i, but it is not
sufflciently developed to render the outer border of the tooth concave, nor
to make a V-rerntranco at the fore end.

If 1 5

t \

f i

160

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^E.

entrance, into which the antecedent premolar is set. Moreover,
the antero-internal process, instead of being a mere heel or spur
standing off 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./cetidns,* and therefore smaller relatively to the general de-
velopment of the teeth. The anterior lower molar (siectorial
tooth) develops on the inner side a slight but unmistakable
8ui)plementary tubercle, like that so evident in Mustela, but
smaller ; the other species of Putoriua 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 Putoriua.

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 is 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 aflinities.

The Aiii(;i*icaii Ifliiik.

PntorlnH (Lutreoln) tIsoii.

Plate IX.
Mustela Vl*on, Urim. Quail. I7.5fi, 24fi, no. 6 (from Canadian specinion, same as described by

Jlullou and Vennutt). —Schicb. Siiug. ill. 177S, 463, pi. 197 b.—Om. S. N. i. 1788, \H.—Turt.

S. N. i. 1806, 58.— Our. R. A. i. 1817, 150.— Hart. Fn. Aiuer. 1825, 63.— Leu. Man. 1827,

US.— Maxim. Roiso, i. 1839, 213.— Bfavnw. OsttJogr. Mustela, pi. 13 (teetb). -Thomps.

N. n. Vorra. 1853, 31.
Mustela (MartCN) vIson, Df»m. Manini. i. 1820, 183.— «ri/f. Cuv. R. A. v. 1827, 124.
Muslela (Fulorlus) vtHon, Itich. V. li.A. i. 182<), 48, no. 16.
MuHlela (Lutreola) vlson, IIV Supitl. Scbreb. ii. 1841, 341.
Lnlra vNon, .Shaw, aeu. Zoai. i. i800, 448 (based on the Viton of Buifon).
Putorlus vison, nai)p. Zool. Journ. v. 1830, Wi.-Emmont, Uep. Quad Mass. 1840, 43.— £)« K.

N. V. Z. i. 1842, 37, pi. 11, f. 1 (animal), pi. 8, f. 3, A, n (skull).— 4ud. d Bach. Q. N. A. i.

liH9, 2.'i0, pl.as.- JTfnn. Tr. 111. .State Af{ric. Soc. for 185i-4, 1855, 578.— 7Jee»J«y, Gool.

Cape May, 1857, 137.— Brtuf/. M. N. A. 1857, 177, pi. 37, f. 2, 3 (skulls) —A'ewft. P. R. B.

Rep. vi. 1857, 42.— Ooop. <f Suckl. N. H. "W. T. 1860, 93, m.-BiUing*, Cauad. Nat. and

Geol. ii. 185t, 448.— i^»»(t, up. cit. vi. ItiCl, 29.— J/a«im. Verz. Am. Saug. 1865, 52.--

Snm. Am. Rop. Mass. Agrio. for 1861, 1802, l.%7, pi. 1, f. 8.— 6i7pin, Tr. N. Scotia Inst.

ii. 1870, 12, i9.—Am«i, Bull, ilinu. Acad. >fat. Sol. 1874, 69.— Oouc* <£■ Tarrow, ZoiH.

Kxpl. W. lOOMerid. v. 1875, 60. -^Jfe/i, Bull. U. 8. Geol. Sur. vol. U. no. 4, 1876,320

(Hkull).
Mustela lutreola, F(>r«(. Phil. Trans. Ixii. 1772, TA.—Sah. Frank. Journ. 183.1, 6."i3.—rMcA.

Syn. Ifait, 221 (partly).- (^ndm. Am. Xat. Hist. i. 1831, 906.— ifnU, Canad. Nat. &

Geol. vi. 1861, 395.

* As elsewhere stated, in Cynontj/o-.jr this tooth is siugularly minute.

CHARACTERS OP PUTORIUS VISON.

161

PutoriUS Intreolas, ["Cud. "J Allen, Bnll. M. C. Z. i. 1869, 175 (critical^ iL 1870, 109 (Flor-
ida).— iliJen, Pr. Boat. Soc. N. H. xill. 1«69, 18.1.
Putorlus lutreolus var. vl80n, Allen, Bull. Ens. Inst vi. 1874, 54, 59, 63.
Mustela (LulreoU) lutreola var. amerlcana, Sehim, Syo. Mamm. i. 1844, 347.
Vifion lutreola, Oray, List Mamm. Br. Mux. 1843, 64 (pitrtly).— Oerr. Cat. Bones Br. Mas.

1862, 92 (partly).
Mustela canadensis, Erxl. Syst An. i. 1777, 455 (mixed with synonymy of another species,

but clearly referable here from the description, which can only apply to the Mink.

See i^(i. M. K. A. text on p. 151).
MuHtrla ranadoaNis var. vison, Jiodii. Elench. An. i. 17r)4. 86 (after Bulffln).
MUHtcIa WlnlnKUH, Barton, Am. Pliil. Tr. vi. li-0(), 70 (nn doHcr. ; St. LouIh, Mo.).
MUHtela minx, Turt. S. X. i. 180n, 5H —Ord, Guthr. Geo<;. 2d Am. ed. ii. 1815, 291, 298.
MuHifIa lutreorcphala, Harl. Fn. Am<Nr. 1825, 63.

VlH»n tnlreucepliala, Oran, V. /. .S. tH6.>, 116 ; Car. Cam. Br. Mns. 1869, 94.
; MUMtf la rufa, n. Smith. .Janl. Xat. Lil). xiii. Ih42, \t<.).
PutorlUN nlKrescens, And. «£ liach. Q. S. A. iii. KtX !0I, pi. 124 (not in orig. od.).— BaiVd, M.

N. A. IS.")?, inO.—Oilpin. Tr. X. Scotin Iimt. ii. 1870, 12, «C.
Mink, Smith's Yir){inia,1624.-A'n;m, Itin. iii. 22.
Mink, I'ommon Mink, Amerlrun Mink, Authors and others.
MiUS, Lawson, Carol. 1709, lii.—lirickell, Xat. Hist. Xorth Car. 1737, 118.— Fenn. Arct. Zoiil.

17K4, 87, no. 35.
may, SagardThiodat, Hist. Canad. 1636, 748 (ed. of 1866, iii. 680).
Fnuterean, La Hontan, Voy. i. 1703, 81. Also of Freneh Canadian*.
VUon, Huff. Hist. An. xiii. 1765, 304, pi. 43 (ba8>>d on specimen in Afus. Aubry, as wene the

descrs. of Briss. &. Venn.).— Bomare, Diet. iv. 1768, 615.— i>«»n. Hist. Quad. 1781, uo.

20;>; Arct Zoiil. 1. 1784, 78, no. 89.
VLtone , Scataglia, An. Quad. iv. 1775, pi. l.'iS, f. 3 (from Buffon).
American vison, Oray, P. Z. S. 1865, 116.
lesser Otter, Penn. Hist Quad. 1781, 228.— For«e. Phil. Trans. Ixll. 1773, 371.

JatkaHh, Heame, Jonrn, , 376.

MMkwieHliew or AUackashew, Oree Indiant (— '• Jackash").
Muuntaln-brook Mink, A ud. <e Bach. I. «.
Little Black Mink, 7i<{.{.c.
Mountain Mink of Hunters.

Ha HIT AT. — North America, at large. North to the Arctic coast, but not
abundant north of Fort Knsolution.

Spkcikic ciiARACTKHR.— Larger and stouter than the Stoats ; ears shorter ;
tail uniformly bushy, nearly as in Mustela; feet semipalmate; color dark
cheHtnnt-brown; tail, and nsuitlly a dorsal area, blackish ; chin white, the
cilgeH of the upper lip rarely also white, the throat, breast, and belly often
with irregular white patches. Length 15-18 inches ; tail-vertebnc 6-8.

Bescrijytion of external characters.*

This animal, with the essential characters of dentition, &c.,
of Putorius, differs notably from the typical Stoats and Weasels
{(idle) in its larger size and much stouter form, in which re-
spects 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 busby tip, as in
the Stoats. The tail-vertebrre are one-half (more or less) as

* From numerous specimeus in the Smithsonian Institution from all parts
of North America.
11 M

■•vi

**j.

V :!i

162

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

Ih!

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
Mink has small low ears, smaller than those of the Weasels.
The ears are scarcely longer than the adjacent fur, though tbey
overtop it a little, as the fur 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 month, half-way between the nose
and ear. The whiskers are in four or five series, the longest
reaching opposite the occiput ; they are stiff and strong ; other
bristles giow over and behind tbe eyes, ou the cheeks, and on
the middle of the chin ; similar bristles are usually seen upon
the wrists and ankles. The extremity of tbe snout is protub-
erant and definitely naked. The feet are broad ; the hinder
have a slightly oblique set; the fore have ten balls, the hind nine,
as in other Putorii (five digital pads at the ends of the digits,
five 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 conspicuo isly 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 fin-
gers are subequal and longest ; the second and fifth not so
nearly equal, and both much shorter; the first is quite short.
The toes of the hind 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 tbe
finest and most glistening pelage, though the long hairs are the
stoutest; in southern specimens there is les^ difference be-
tween the under and over fur, aud the whole peiage 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. foetidua, to a rich blackish chocolate-brown.
These extremes (whicu will be presently considered) aside, the
animal is ordinarily of a rich dark brown, scarcely or not paler

DESCRIPTION OP PUTORIUS VISON.

163

below than on the general upper parts ; but a dorsal area is
usually the darkest, and the tail is quite bla^kiBh. A strong
mark of the species is the white chin ; this is rarely absent, but
still its indeterminate character is shown in the fact that its
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 white seldom
invades the upper lip; that it sometimes, however, does so is
attested by the specimens before me, one of the differences
claimed from the European P. lutreola being thus obviously
negatived. 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 extetit and contour. To recount their vagaries
would be futile. In very rare instances, the tail is tipped with
white.

* i

^T,

i\AH

i hi

164

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

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EXTERNAL VARIATION IN PUTORIUS VISON.

165

Variation in external cliaracters.

In the extensive series of Minks before me, two extremes of
size and color are apparent. One of these, represented by a few
skins from Washington Territory and the Upper Missouri, is
rather larger than any others I have seen — some IS or 20 inches
long, exclusive of the tail. (But the ordinary dark Mink has
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 chin and else-
where underneath. Such specimens are noted by Prof. Baird,
p. 179, 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 be recognized
by name. The other extreme has been described and figured
as Putoriua nigrescens by Audubon and Bachman,* as above.

*In order to set forth fully tbe characters claimed for this supposed
species, the following digest of the original description is given : —

Smaller than P. viaon; teeth in the under jaw larger than the correspond-
ing teeth in the upper jaw; feet less deeply palmated than in P. vison;
ears broader and longer ; fur softer and more glossy. Color dark browulsh-
black.

Id form, in dentition, and in the shape of the feet, this species bears a strong
resemblance to a stout Weasel ; the head is broad and depressed, and shorter
and blunter than that of P. viaon. Ears large, oval, and slightly acute, cov-
ered on both surfaces with fur ; legs rather short and stout ; feet small and \ok->
webbed than in P. oUon. The callosities under the toes are more prominent
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 toes
leaving only the tubercles visible. Fur blackish-brown from the roots to
the tips; whiskers and ears blackish-brown ; a white chin-patch (not shown
in the figures); under surface of body a shade lighter and redder than the
back; tail blackish-brown, blackening on tite end. Length of head and
body 11 inches; tail-vertebraj tJ, with hairs 7 ; polos "i,"; ; ear ^.

Mountain Mink of hunters. Prom Pennsylvania, Now York, New Eng-
land, and Canada, and supposed to be more northerly than P. rhon.

"We have had abundant opportunities of comparing many specimens
[with P. vison']. We have seen some with their teeth much worn, and
females which from the appearance of the teats had evidently suckled 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. rison.
The comparison in fact is not recjuired to be made between these s|iecies,

butbetweenthepresentspeciesandP.Iutreota of Europe We had

no opportunity of placing this little species by the side of the European.
We are iuoliued to believe, however, that distinctive marks will be found

s;t

M 1 , <

U- ^^

iUM

-.« *

166

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

It consists in the combination of small size and dark colors.
The specimens 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 found breeding. Hunters and trappers practically recog-
nize as distinct a " Mountain Mink'' of this character, the dif-
ferences which result in the enhanced value of the pelt appealing
to them strongly. But, in any event, the specimens before me
establish one fact, namely, that it is impossible to draw any
dividing line between " P. nigrescens^ 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 Mink 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 increases in stature for some
time after it is "mature", i.e., in possession of reproductive
powers. The fact 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 continued with more regularity from the middle of
the belly to the anus. In some skins these markings are of
sn ,11 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 siuall ruanded feet aad short tarsus of oar present species, in its
longer and rather more pointed ears, its shorter head and longer lower
incisors, together with a more general resemblance to oar comuion weasel
(P. erminea) in sammer dress."

CRANIAL VARIATION IN PUTORIUS VISON.

167

lighter an it advances in years, and that the whl.d blotches or
spots are of greater size and distinctness in the old than in the
young. The fur of a young Mink (uuder^ree years) when
killed in season is very handsome: its coIoi^k often an almost
pure black. The skin is thin and pliable, aAroaching nearly
to the papery consistency of that of the Martin. When aged,
the hide is thick and the color more rusty. The summer pelage
is short, but tolerably close, and is of a reddish brown color,
and the tail, though still possessing black hairs, shews 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, .ind consider it highly prob-
able that the P. Nigrescentes of And. & Bach, are merely
common Minks under three years of age. I have seen numbers
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 upper lip white. I have never seen the
icliole of that part so colored, but in one specimen now on my
table 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.

m^n

if :ij

Yariation in the skull of the MinJc,

Having already given the principal characters of the skull
in treating of the subgenus lAitreola, it only remains to note
the variation presented by the present species.

■'^:■

'. - -HIS

168

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDwE.

Skulls of L. vison ordinarily range from 2.35 x 1.35 to 2.75
X 1.05,* but 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 his article in full : —

" Eighteen skulls from the northern parts of the continent,
mainly from Alaska, average 2.6G in length and 1.58 in width,
the extremes being, length, 3.02 and 2.30; width, 1.00 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 (2.64 and 2.63) full 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
indicated; 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 from 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 < f thirty. In
each case only very old skulls were chosen, the immature
specimens in each case being thrown out in order to have i>
fair basis for comparison. The immature and middle-aged
specimens greatly predominate in the New York series, owing,
doubtless, to the s]>ecies being more closely hunted there than
in the more unsettled districts of the far north.

*' Taking these two series as a basis for a general compari-
son, there is indicated a considerable decrease in size from the
north southward, amounting to 0.26 in length and 0.24 in
width, or about one-tenth of the average size of the New York

* A akull of the commou Ferret, P. faitidita var. furo, before rae, ia ulmust
exactly of the former ditueusionn. Tame Ferrets' skulls I have examined
show a carious depression of the cranial portion — evea a concavity of the
upper profile, which I have not observed in P. fwtidua. A skull of the latter
measures 2.60 X 1.55.

tliuU. U. S. Geol. and Geogr. Surv. Terr. vol. ii. no. 4, 1876, pp. 327, 328.

COMPARISON WITH PUTORIUS LUTREOLA.

169

series. A single specimen, marked < Brookbaven, Miss.', anil
another marked 'Tuscaloosa, Ala.', however, have a length
respectively of 2.60 and Ii.80, the former equaling the largest
New York specimens, and the latter nearly equaling the aver-
age size of the males of the northern series, wliile a single
male skull from Fort Randall, D. T., 2.90 in length, is the sec-
ond in si^o of the whole series; one Fort Yukon spccimea
only being larger ! Other specimens from the Upper Missouri
region, however, are mu(;h 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.

" MeaHitrenients of thirty-sereu Hkulh of FuTORllis viaoN.

6530

8709
8797
87!I6
8707
8703
8708

fim

SMS
8708

es3i

8704
8706
8705
3284
430<l
8133
4305

12915
3730
3824
110!)
3(ie5
30H4
382.3
382-J
3249
C243
3241
S344
8250
22tl7
1847
4834
4«i5
1804

11315

Locality.

Fort Yukon, Alaaka .

Alaska

do ,

Ala.ska (Kadiak) ,

Aluaka

Nelson River ,

Fort Simpson ,

do...

Fort Kandall

Essex County, New York
do

.do.
.do.
.do
.do.
-do.

Saranac Lake, Now York

I'ennsvlvauia
do

Tuscaloosa, Ala . ..
Brookhaveu, Miss.

<2S

d
d
d
d
d
d
d
9

3.02
2.82
3. 83
2.75
2.73
3.75
3.A8
2.64
3.63
9.68

55
45
32
30
86
8.70
8.90
2.55
2.90
8.60
8.60
2.40
2.40
8.40
8. 32
2.30
8.47
8.40
a. 35
8.80
2.40
8.17
3.50
8.50
3.47
2.80
3.00

1.00
1.64
1.68
1.61
1.68
1.57
1.68
1. .'>5
1.58
1.58
1.50
1.45
1.40
1.40
1.63
1.51
1.78
1. 46
1.61
1.48
1.38
1..32
1.38
1.31
1.32
1.23
1.37
1.30
1.31
1.18
1.48
1.311
1.48
1.48
1.48
1.61
1.50

Remarks.

Vorv old.

...do.

. . . do.

...do.

Old.

..do.

Old. P. ' ntgraicens ' A. 4( B.

...do.

Old.

...do.

. . . do.

...do.

...do."

Comparison with the European Mink.

I have only been able to compare my 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

'iu

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

5«

4is

tSn

i ^^

f/j

1.0

I.I

11.25

£ IS 110

III 1.8

U IIIL6

%■

^;.

"^14

^j*"

0»

•^

170

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

and last premolar of Mustela martes and M. americana holds
good, there is reason to presume that the same difference may
constantly obtain in the Minks, as held by Dr. Gray. In this
case, very curiously, it is the American animal which has the
larger molar, not the European. This could never have been
predicated by analogy ; it illustrates the constantly recurring
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 specifically ;
■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, t'n 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 : —

p. lutreolaA — Back upper molar small, quadrate, transverse, the inner
moiety scarcely larger than the outer [fide Qray]. Averaging smaller;
upper lip normally white.

* Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. i. 18(39, pp. 175-177 — an article important as a
contribution to the present discussion, and as satisfactorily showing that
the external characters supposed to distinguish two species do not hold.

1 1 introduce short notices of the two Old World species allied to P. v'uon,
as farther contributions to the history of the group.

PUTOEIUS LUTREOLA— PUTORIUS SIBIRICUS.

171

p. vieon. — Back upper molar large, with great constriction across the mid-
dle, making an hourglass-shape, the inner moiety of which is nearly twice
as large as the outer [40 specimens seen]. Averaging larger; upper lip
normally dark.

Pntorlns (Lutreola) lutreola.— European Mink.

Tlverra lutreola, L. Fu. Sueo. 2(1 ed. 1761, 5, no. 13.— Pall. Spio. Zool. xiv. 1781), 46, pi. 21, f. a ;

Zoog. R.-A. i. 1831, 80, no. 23.
Musleln lulrcola, L. 8. N. i. nati, 66, no. 3 (Finland).— ScAr. her, SttiiK. iil. 1778, 462, pi. 12.5.—

Lepech. Itin. 1. , 176, pi. 12.— Gm. S. N. 1. 1788, 94, n. i.—Turl. S. N. 1. 1806, 5S.—Xils8.

• Skand. Fn. 11, 152. -icM. Man. 1827, 147.— Fate*, Act. Soo. So. Feun. u. 1847, 583.— G»«6.

Saug. 1855, 484.
Mostela (Lutreola) lutreola, Schim, Syn. Mamm. L 1844, 346.
Lutra lutreola, 8haw, G. Z. i. 1800, 443.— Olog. N. Act. Acad. Nat. Cnrios. xiii. 501.
Pulorius lutreola, Griff. Cuv. R. A. v. 1827, 122, no. 347.— Brandt, Bern. Wiii). Nord. Eur.

Russl. 1856, ^.—Anjubault, BuU.Soc. Agric. Sarthp, xiii; Rev. Mag. Zool. 1863, 77 (so©

Mrehmer, Arch. Vereins Meoklenb. 1863, 291; Taragon, Rev. Zool. xv. 357; Heinzel,

Verb. Ntrf. Vereins Biiinn. i, 1862, 18).
FCBtorlUS lutreola, £^. <££. Wirb. Eur. 1840, 69, no. US.—liUu. Wirb. Dentschl. 1857, 234, no. 5

(der 'SoTz). —Struck. Arcb. Nat. Mecklenb. xiii. 1859, l:\9.—Krau»e, Poterm. Geog.

Mittb. 1866, 425.
TISOB lutreola, Oray, List Manini. Br. Mns. 1843, 64 (includes both species) ; P. Z. S. 1865,

117 Cat. Cam. Br. Mus. 1869, 94.—Oerr. Cat. Bones Br. Mu«. 1862, 92 (includes both

species).- Jf. Schmidt, Zool. Gart. 1865, 168, flg.
Intra minor, Erxl Syst. An. i. 1777, 451, no. 3 (mixed with P. titeon).
Mauk, Nurek, Tuhcurl, Ncerza, Norz, Norz, Nnrz, Nurtz, Authors.
Klelne FlHChotter, Sumpfotter, Oerm.
Korz, Jlf arfe»«, ZooL Gart. xi. 1870, 278 (philological).

The characters of this species are sufficiently indicated iu the text above.
Gerrard gives the caudal vertebrui as 17.

Patorlns (I^atreola?) slblrlcns.— iSt&erian Mink.

Mustela Siblrica, Paii. Itin. ii. app. 701 ; Spic. Zool. 1780, xiv. 89, pi. 4, flg. 2; Zoog. R.-A. i.

1831, 90, pi. 7.— Erxl. Syst 1777, 471,no.ll.— -SteArefr. Sang. iii. 1778, 495, pi. 133 B.—

Zimm. Geogr. Gescb. ii. 1780, 306, no. 202.— (Jm. S. N. i. 1788, 98, no. Id.—l'urt S. N. i.

1806, 61.— X>e«n». Mamm. i. 1820, 177, no. 272; Nouv. Diet. xix. 369.— Fr. Cuv. Diet. Sci.

Nat xxix. 249.— i«. Geoff. Diet. Class, x. 212.— GFra^, List Mumm, Br. Mus. 1843, 66.—

Oerr. Cat Bones Br. Mus. 1862, 94.—Gieb. Saug. 1855, 781.
Tiverra siblrlca, Shaw, Gen. Zo&l. i. 1800, 431 .
PutorlUS Hiblrica, Griff. Cuv. R. A. V. 1827, 122, no. 346.
Tlson siblrica. Gray, P. Z. S. 1865, 117 ; Cat Carn. Br. Mus. 1869, 94.
(?) " MiMlela Italsl, Temm. Fn. Jap. 34, pi. 7, f. 2 (nat»i by misprint on plate)."— (Omy.)
Fatuls de liberie, Cuv. R. A. i. 148.
fhorock, "<$onnt»i'8 Buffon, XXXV. 19."
Kulon, Jar(ar«. i

Kulonnok, Chorok, Suttian.

(No. 1451, Mus. Smiths., from the Brem«n Museum.) This animal is a Pu-
torius (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. fwtidua, like which species, and
like P. nigripes, it has dark facial markings contrasted with white surround-
ings. The tail is long and bnshy, about as it would be in a Marten (Muatela)
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^E.

General 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 Linnaeus con-
ferred precision upon zoological writing by establishing the
binomial nomenclature. Says Sagard-Th^odat, in 1636, refer-
ring to the Hurons : — " lis out vers les Neutres une autre espece
d'animaux nommez Otay, ressemblaut ^ un escurieux grand
comme un petit lapin, d'un poll tres-noir, & si doux, poly «&
beau qu'il semble de la panne. lis font grands cas de ces peaux
desquelles ils font des robes & couaertures, oil il y en entre
bien une soixantaine qu'ils embellissent part tout lY 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
foiitereau was an Early French designation, used, for instance,
by La Hontan (1703) for " a 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 relation with
weasel, through veso. The word jaekash, sometimes found, is
obviously a rendering by an English tongue of the Cree name,
which is given by Richardson as Shakwceshew or Atjackasheic.

" 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,
region around eyes, and naked nasal pad blackish-brown ; end of si^ut all
around (isolating the dark nose-i)ad), edge of upper lip, and chin white.
Length apparently about 15 inches; tail-vertebrsB 6 or 7; hairs at the end
full 3 inches longer.

Pallas says his animal is pecnliar to Farther Siberia, from the Yenisei
River eastward to the sea, to the 60° parallel, but is not fouud in Kaiu-
tschatka nor in the Tschuctschi region. Gray attributes it to the Himalayas,
China, Japan, aud Formosa, quoting Temminck, as above.

" The identity in form with the Euglish minx may possibly be more than
fortuitous. Minx was a name of a female puppy, and subsequently signified
a pert, wanton girl, doubtless through the same association of id»as tbat
caused the vulgar name of a she-dog to beoome a shameful term of reproach
for a lewd woman. There is something in the forward, prying, and spite-
ful nature of the animal to render niinx applicable.

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE MINK.

Polcat. He is long, slender, and every way shaped like him.
His Haunts are chiefly in the Marshes, by the Seaside and Salt-
Waters, where he lives on Fish, Fowl, Mice and Insects. . . .
These arelikewise found high up in the Rivers, 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 Mouth of
their Holes. This is an Enemy to the Tortoise, whose Holes,
in the Sand, 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 1705 from a Canadian speci-
men in M. Aubry's museum, the same apparently that served
as the basis of Brisson's earlier and Pennant's subsequent ac-
count. Pennant indeetl has also his Minx or Lesser Otter, but
this is simply because ho did not recognize that this was the
same as his riison.

Since these earlier authors, the Mink, a very common animal
of this country, 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 animaV
being well marked. The only question, indeed, is as to its re-
lationships with the European P. lutreola. For many years a
specific distinctness was seldom doubted, but of late the opin-
ion has tended the other way. The Mink has been placed
alternately in the genera Mustela and Putorius^ 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-
toriuH, approaching in these respects to the Martens, Mnstela.
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 close-set, bristly, glistening pelage, it makes an ap-
proach toward the Otters. In fact, the specific term lutreola,
" little otter ", applied to the European form by Linnreus, is
highly appropriate. The non-essential modifications which the
animal presents have been unnecessarily made by Dr. Gray
the basis of a subgenus Vison.

The peculiar odor which the animals of this genus hare in
common attaics in this large and vigorous species a surpassing
degree of fetor, though of the same quality. No animal of this
countrv, except the Skunk, possesses so powerful, penetrating,

'■J^'''

174

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

'■mm

I^^l

1^1

Hl^i

■

and lasting an efauviura. Its strength is fully 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 under voluntary 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
perinsBum, one on each side of the rectum, and open upuu 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 i)ursuit 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 castoreum 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 hewolf
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
River 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 *'in every State in the Union",
and remarks its abundance in the salt marshes of the Southern
States. Although he could at that 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 found 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

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE MINK.

175

aggregated in a few r)laces rather than generally dispersed over
the country, 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 for 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 were 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 touching 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 in 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 in. 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

•• *'

'h.

176

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^E.

captive member, sometimes lacerating it in a manner painful
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, but rather an act of the blind fury ex-
cited by consciousness of capture. Some have averred that it
is an instinctive means of lessening pain, by permitting a flow
of blood from the portion of the limb beyond the point of
seizure; but this seems 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 the terrible expression the aiiimal'ti face assumes as
the captor approaches. It has always struck me as the most
nearly diabolical of anything in animal physiognomy. A sullen
stare from the crouched, motionless form gives way to a new
look of surprise and fear, accomi>anied 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,
short 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.

The 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 difiQcult 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 likewivse 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 but rarely
o£fer ; I do not remember to have had but 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 HABITS OF THE MINK.

177

he
I

is as essentially aquatic iu its Labits as tbe Otter, Beaver, or
Muskrat, and spends perhaps more of its time in the water
than it does on land. In adaptation to this mode of life, the
pelage has that peculiar glossiness of the longer bristly hairs
and felting of the close under fur which best resists the water,
much 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-cilled Fiito-
riu8 nigrescena. As in other cases, the quality of the fur de-
pends largely upon season, and other varying circumstances.
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 [ISGo] not seldom five dollars
was paid for a single skin. Our Indians trap but very little
now. The idle boys about the Aillages take many. The
farmer, indignant at his slaughtered fowl yard, adds a few
more. In every land and every village, there is a social gip-
sey who loves sport and hates work ; who fishes, and fowls,
and traps, eats his own trout or poached 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 the
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."

Coincidentally with the aquatic habitat, the food ox 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 Mnskrats — a statement I have
12 M

ik;il;l

nil!

lii

178

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

uo besitatiou in believing, though I cannot personally attest it.
A recent >vriter,* in an article vrhich I would quote were it
written in a style suited 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 suipe-hunting on a marshy
island below the Kickapoo Eapids of the Illinois Kiver, the
writer noticed an object, which appeared like a ball some six
or eight inches in diameter, rolling toward the water; and
soon 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 fight 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
Arricolas, Hesperomys, Sigmodon, and Xeotoma; it is known to
capture Rabbits, especially the Lepus 2y(thtstris, 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 presume 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 respect 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 oflfer 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 not the only enemy of the Muskrat.
<Fore8t and Stream of Dec. 21, 1876. ^-- , . ;^ j. ^ . r • v;

HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE MINK.

179

securing its food. Speaking of a duckshootiag cxcursioQ,
during which some of the birds that had been killed were not
recovered till next day, the writer goes on to say : — " The tirst
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 in circuit, the snow,
grass and twigs, were whipped 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 body, frozen stiff. When discov-
ered we worked, not without difficulty, at the 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 mallard, as it was
dragged bodily along over the fresh snow, and the deep pene-
tration of its «laws 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 minic power ex-
pended in the completion ot a successful foraging expedition.
Here and there throughout 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 frost would soon fix it perma-

>; •■' 'i^

iMwn

'^ -'SI

h i1

180

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

ueutly. Wlieu drawu out, we fouud that a coui»le of 'square
meals' had been made frum the head, neck aud breast, and
enough left for several da.ys to come."

This acconut of the Mink's theft called forth shortly afterward
in the same pajjcr the following instance of its stealing fish; the
editor, Mr. Charles Uallock, remarking that he had known
Minks to carry ofi fish weighing no less than twelve pounds: —
"We were spending our vacation in the woods of Maine, fish-
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-
selves upon theedge of the dam, aud cast in our line. The
fish were quite plenty, aud as fast as we caught one we threw
it behind us upon the scaifolding. 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, aud 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 c): im must have re-
moved them, and was playiug 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 they ? 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 off. 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 W^easels, as a consp
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 aud courageous in
its attacks. It appears to be more perfectly at home in the
water, where it swims with 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 progresseis 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.

" MINIvERIES.''

181

The Mink is not properly a migratory animal. In moat sec-
tions it remains permauently where it takes np 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 is here had
to anything more than periods of sexual activity, when the ani-
mals are hnnting 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 month 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.

"il//Hte>v'e.s."

The Mink appears to be the only species ot its genus which
has been systematically reared and trained for ratting in 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 23, 1874 — apparently taken from "Fancier's Journal and
Poultry Exchange" of October 15, 1874). I reproduce the pas-
sage in substance.

Mr. H. Eesseque, 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 ectly gentle, submitting to
be handled, but it was noticed that they kept their eyes on their

4m' i I

182

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

keeper, to wLoiu they would frequently extend their paws like
a child wishing to be taken to its parent. Seven years ago,
Mr. Resseque 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 iiiir, his " niinkery " was one of the novel
features.

Mr. Resseque's minkery consists of twelve stalls, each twelve
feet S(]uare, of stale soil, and surrounded with a fence and some
special precautions to prevent the escape of the animals. In
'ach 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 tiesh. 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. Resseque claims that this slight degree of fast-
ing makes them more lively and playful, and it is a part of his
plan to 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 light 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 tea 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 npt 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

d<
V

"minkeries."

183

IiaK females. If taken in haiul when their eyes are first open,
they are readily tamed ; they shouhl not subsequently be al-
lowed to remain with the mother or iu each others' society. By
continual petting and handling, they become like dcnestic rat-
ters, and have all the playfulness 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 teakettle or any open vessel; and when
wetted 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 auimcals 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 i>ouuds ; 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.
Kats will make oft" 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 (licarcely 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 oil' victorious
in the contests that ensue. Tuey have been observed to beat
off a cat that imprudently invaded the miukery 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. liesseque states that he finds ready 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 difticulty 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 iu being able to enti r any ordinary rat-hole and drive their
prey from its hidden resorts.

} h

184

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

From the "Forest and Stream" of July 2, 1874, the following
article is extracted in further illiistratiou of this branch of
industry: —

"Messrs. Phillips & Woodcock, of Cancadea, New York,
commenced two years ago the business of breeding mink for
their fur. A correspondent of the Baflfalo Express describes
the 'Minkery' in the following terms: —

"'The "Minkery," designed to accommodate on.e hundred
minks for breeding, consists first of an enclosure about forty feet
square, made by digging a 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 bj* 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 upon 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 with 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

5 A

They eat this food with equal avidity after decomposition baa
taken place, devouring every particle of flesh, cartilage, and the
bones. The flesh and bones entire of the woodclmck are con-
sumed often at a single meal. While the expenst of keeping
is thus trivial, the profitable yield of the animal is compara-
tively immense, it being considered a moderate estimate or
claim that the miuk with her increase will equal the avails of a

cow

) n

We find in Audubon and Bacbman 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.
Kichardson 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 oar 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 attacked the poultry. It was
on good terms with the dogs and cats, and molested no one
unless its tail or foot was accidentally trod upor 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 atid 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 everywhere be traced, along ponds, among the slabs around
sawmills, and along nearly every stream of water, lie 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 miilpoud, where we
had not observed any during the whole winter, we took a
position near a place which we had seeu them pass, in order to

186

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

procure some of them. "We shot six in the course of the morn-
ing, anil ascertained that they were all large and old males. As
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 dug from a hole in the bank of a Carolina rice-field ; on
another occasion we found five enclosed in a large nest situ.' t. id
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."

•,1 r

CHAPTER VII

Subfamily MEPHITIN.E : The Skunks.

General coDsiderationa — Cranial and dental characters — The anal armature —
Divieiou of the Bubfaaiily into genera — Note on fossil North American
species — The genus Mephitis — Jlvphitia 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 — Addexduji : ou
bydroi)hobia from Sk ak-bite, the so-called " rabies mephitica ".

General considerations.

A CONCISE diagnosis of this subfamily will be found ou
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
representatives being the African Zorillimv. It is a small group,
of only two or three genera and perhaps not more than four or
live really good species, among the great number of nominal
ones indicated by authors. More precise knowledge than we
now possess will be : equired to fix the number of species, espe-
cially in the genus C nepatus. 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 South American species of the very different genus,
Conepatiis, complete the list as far as known.

In entering upon the Mephitinw, we pass to a group quite

187

188

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

different from tbe Mustelinm in general external appearance as
well as in structural characters. The closest relationships ot
the Skunks are with the Badgers (subfamily Melince); the
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,
Conepatua majntrito, 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; tbe
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 Conepatus,
owing to the production and enlargement 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 aiforded 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
North American Mustelida;. 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 Miistelidw 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 Mephithw
and Melinw as groups differing from each other as much as most
other subfamilies of the Mustelidee 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 Mephitina'.

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 greatei than the distance from the end of this emargina-
tion to the molars. The post-molar portion of the bouy palate

CRANIAL CHARACTERS OF MEPHITIS.E.

189

in Mephites and Sxnlogale is mj/, or almost so ; that is, the palate
ends nearly or exactly opposite the posterior border of tho last
molar. lu Conepatu8, the palate reaches a little farther back,
but still not nearly halfway to the ends of the pterygoids. In
other North American Mustelkkv, the palate usually extends
half-way or more to the extremities of the pterygoids. The
cranium of the Mephitinw is further peculiar in the periotic
region. The auditory bulljB 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 nuusually expanded, presenting a flattish and more or less
horizontal large surface, which widely separates the paroctip-
itai processes from the bullfe.t In Lutrimv and Enhydrina; the
paroccipitals are remote from the buUie, but there is no such
inflation of the mastoid region as is witnessed in some of the
Mephitinw, as in Spilogale, where the swelling of the mastoid
cells results in a convexity of the parts only less than that of
the bullfe themselves. The anteorbital foramen is remarkably
small, circular, canal-like, and 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 Mephitinw, for while in Me2)hitis
and Spiloyale it is erect and conical, as usual in Mustelida', in
Conepatus it takes a backward slope, and is obtusely falcate, as
in Enhydrince.

The teeth of Mephitina are also diagnostic in the combina-
tion of a large quadrate back upper molar with pm. ^ or ^^^^ (the
latter formula peculiar to Conepatus, 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 Mephitinw 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 iuflatiou of the bulhe is at a maximum for the family.
tin Melince, and also in JJut)teUn<r, the paroccipitals are close to, or in con-
tact with, the bulla;.
tMelin.. with pm. ^-, have a perfectly triangular back upper molar:

3-3

Lutrhm, with quadrate back upper molar, have pm,

4-4

■i-V

190

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

established upon diflferences which are here nothing but fortu-
itous individual Tariations, or even the progressive changes
with age during the life of the same individual. A Skunk's
skull is as variable in shape as its pelage is in color. (Oominre
riate 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
1)lack 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 oflfensive
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 diflflculties 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
perinceum, on each side of the rectum. So far from being pecu-
liar to Skunks, similar glands exist throughout the Mustelida;,
and are, in fact, among the characteristic structures of the fam-
ily. In the Mephitince, however, they reach 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

GENERIC SUBDIVISION OF MEPHITIN.K.

191

of this duct is u])Ou a papilla, which is situated on the side oi
the anus, just withiu the verge. Contraction of the muscular
investment comprepses the sac, and causes the fluid to spirt
from the anal pore ; the actiou is precisely that of a syringe
with compressible bulb. The Skunk is as cleanly as any
other animal, and the peculiar actiou observed at the moment
of the discharge prevents the wettiug of the fur. Forcible
erection of the 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-defenc;., although
there is reason to suppose that the evacuation must recur at
intervals simply to avoid over-distension of a continually secret-
mg organ with its own products. Ordinarily, however, the
iSkunk is not more odorous than maiiy 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 inoft'ensive and almost defenceless creature, we
cannot but admire the simplicity of the means employed. Some
little further development of glands common to the MusteUda,
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 aud impresses its whole nature.

Division of the subfamily into genera.

There are two strongly marked generic types of the Mephitina;,
one of them susceptible of subdivision into two subgenera. In
a former paper,* in which the skulls and teeth of the Mephitinm
were described, I allowed three full genera, following Dr. Gill jt
but I am now rather inclined to consider Spilogale as only a
subgenus. It certainly diff'ers much less from M^hitis proper
than Conepatus does, and the degree of differentiation seems to
me to accord closely with that subsisting, for example, among
the subdivisions of the genus Putorins.

* Bull. U. S. Geol. & Geogr. Surv. Terr. 8d ser. no. 1, 1875, p. li. ,
t Arrang. Fam. Mamm. 1872,66.

■r^

192

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

The (livisious of Me})hitin(v are expressed iu tbe foUowiug
diagnoses: —

A. Teetb 34; ptii. ^^^. Dorsa! ontline of skull not in one coutiuuons

curve. End of muzzle truncate vertically, or with little obliquity.
Palate euding opposite Inst molar (more or less exactly). (Periotic
region varyinfj with the subgenera.) Corouoid process of Jaw coni-
caf, erect, its fore aud hind borders converging to a vertical apex in
advance of condyle. Angle of mandible not exflected. Snout not
notably produced nor depressed. Nostrils lateral. Tail very long
and very bushy. Soles comparatively narrow, hairy at least in part.
North, Middle, but probably not South Americau. Gtxtta Mephitis.*

a. Skull not depressed, the dorsal outline irregularly convex, highest

over the orbits. Zygomata moderately arched upward, highest be-
hind. Postorbital processes usually obsolete. Mastoid processes
tlaring strongly outward, much beyond orifice of meatus. Periotic
region not particularly indated. Size large. Colors massed in large
areas Snhg. Mephitin.

b. Skull depressed, the dorsal outline approaching straightuess, 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 intlated by development of mastoid sinuses, the
under surface swolleu, and giving a quasi appearance of a second
bulla anditoria behind the real one Suhg. SpilogaleA

B. Teeth normally 32; pm. |7 3 > sometimes, however, ~y, from presence of an

additional minute premolar,t corresponding to the anterior one of Mc
phitia. Dorsal outline of skull one contiDuons 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 parietiil region. Palate produced decidedly past the
last molars, yet not half-way to ends of pterygoids. Periotic region
much as in Meplniia proper, but the mastoids rather as in Spilogale,
projecting more downward than outward. Postorbital processes
usually obsolete. Zygomata slightly arched upward. Coronoid pro-
cess of 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 busby
(for this subfamily). Soles very broad, entirely naked. Coloration
massed in large areas. South, Middle, and (scarcely) North Ameri-
can Genus CoNEPATUS.iJ

' Etym. — Lat. mephitis, a foul or noxious exhalation.

t Etym. — Greek am}.og, a spot; }n?.r), a kind of Weasel.

t The anterior lower premolar is said to be sometimes wanting.

$ A barbarous word, like many other of J. £. Gray's genera, derived from
Gonepatl or Conepate, the name of the animal in the vernacular (probably
Mexican) of countries it inhabits.

MEPIIITES PKONTATA (fOSSIL.) 193

Note on fossil North Anierioan species of Mephitis.

Mephitla fronlnta, Ootiet.

MephiliN frontata, aoue», Bull. n. S. Gool. aud Gcog. Snrv. Terr. 2d ser. uo. 1, lelTS,
7, with woodcut.

From the bone-caves of Pennsylvania. Post-pliocene.

Si'KCiKic CHARACTKH8. — SkuU extreinoly high in the middle ; the profile of
the npper outline very rapidly descending in a nearly straight line from this
point to the occiput and uiuzzlo. Greatest depth of skull without jaw little
1<!8H than half its length. Zygoma highly arched; the bone in frout com-
pressed vertically instead of laterally.

This species is founded on a skull, No. 2332 of the Smith-
sonian Museum, obtained by Prof. Baird in the bone-caves of
Pennsylvania. The animal was a true Mephitis, closely related
to M. mephitica, if reallj' different. Though the frontal region is
always tumid in Mephitis, 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 GulOf
but even the profile of the latter is here exaggerated. The
prominence appears to be mainly due to enlargement of the
frontal 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. Coues has ventured to describe a * new

species ' {M. frontata), based on a fossil skull from one cf 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. Geol. and Geog. Surv. Terr. vol. ii, no. 4, 1W6, p. 333.
13 m

194

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

.sintiii^ ill an abnormal tumidity of the frontal region, arii^ing
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. 1G20 (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 Carnrvora, collected by Profes-
sor Baird many years since from the bone-caves of Pennsylva-
nia (of which thiH fossil skull of the 3kunk forms a part), has
failed to show any of them to be specifically different 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 rufus, Urocyon virginiamts,
Mustela pennanti, Mustela amerieana, Putorius viaon, Lutra cana-
dtmis, Mephitis mephitica (other specimens than the ^frontata^
skull), Procyon lotor, Ursm amcricanus, etc."

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.

This species, so far as I am aware, is the only fossil Skunk
described as such ; but compare antect, p. 18, on the question
of " Oalera " perdieida.

The Genus MEPHITIS. (CuviER.)

X Viverra «p., of some early aathors.

< Mephitis, Cuvier, "Lemons 4'Anat. i. 1800" (coextensive with the subfamily), and of

aathors (generally.— Batrd, M. N. A. 1857, 191.
< ChiBChil, Lets. Konv. Tab. K. An. 1843.

> Spilogalf , Gray, Proo. Zoiil. ttoc. 1865, 150. (Type, 8. interrupta = M. putoriui.)

> Mephitis, CHll, Arrang. Fani. Mamin. 1872, 66 (restricted to snbg. Mephitis as char-

acterized in this paper) .—Cowe4, Ball. IT. S. (}eol. Snnr. 3d ser. i. 1875 (same n-
striotion).

For characters, see a preceding page (p. 192). '
The several North American species of Mephitis proper (as
restricted to exclude 8pilogale) indicated by authors are re-

ChliiKa, ,

SYNONYMY OP MEPHITIS MEPIIITICA.

195

(Incible 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 SpHoijalc
are both conAned, as far as known, to North and Middle
America, Conepatus being the only South American type of
McphitinWy but also extending through Middle America to the
Mexican border of the United States.

The Hoiiinioii Skunk.

Mephitis niopliitlcu.

Plateh X, XI.
(a. mephitica.)

VIrcrra mephitica, Shaio, Mug. Lovor. 1793, 173, no. 4, pi. 6; Gen. Zo<il. i. IROO, 390, pi. 94, mid-
dle fi;:.

McphUh aephlllca, Bd. M. N. A. 1857, 195.— <7ooi>. rf Suckl N. II. W.T. 1860,94.— //a j/rf.
Trans. Am. Pbiloa. Soo. xii. Icl63, IVi.—SamwU, Ninth Ann. Rep. MasB. Agrio. for letll,
18C3, IGl.— Oerr.Cat. Bunea Br. Mua. 1863, 97.— A {!«}», Bui I. M.C. Z. i. 1^9, 178; il, 1871, 169
(critical).— Alien, Pr.Bost. Soo. xlii. 1869, 183.— Oiipin, Proc. and Tr. N. Scotia Inat. ii. 1870,

60.— fiftee. U. S. Oeol. Surv. Terr, for 1870, 1871, 481 Parker, Am. Nat. v. 1871, 246 (anal.

of aual glands, tLC.).—AUtn, Bnl!. Ess. Inst. vi. 1874, 46, 54, 59, 63.— AU«n, Proc. Boat. Soc .
xvii. 1874, p. 38.— AmM, Bull. Minn. Acad. Nat Sci. 1674, 69.— Oot<«»,Bull.U.S. Oeol. and
GooRP. Surv. Terr. 2d ser. no. 1, 1875, 8 (skull and teeth).— Oou«8 <£ Yarrow, Zool. Ezpl.
W. 100 Merid. v. 1875, 63.-.AHen, Bull. U. a Geol. Snrv. vol. ii. na 4, 1876, 332 (akall).

Mephitis Chlnga, Tied. Zool. 1. I8O8, 363 (partly).— £toA(. Darstell. Siiuj;. 1837-34, pi. 45, f. 1 ;
Abh. Akad.Wiss. Berl. for 1836, 1838,280.— J/oorim. Reise N. A. i. 1833, 250; Arch. f.

Naturg. 1861,— ; Verz. N. A. Sang. 1863, i'i.— Wagn. Snppl. Sohreb. ii. 1841, 198 Sehim,

Syn. i. 1844, 333, no. 13.— Aud. rf Baeh. Q. N. A. 1. 1849, 317, pi. 43.— OiebeJ, SSug. 1855, 766.—
Fitiinger, Naturg. Sttag. i. 1861, 315, f. 63.

Mephitis amerlcana var. K, De»m. Mamm.i. 1820, 186 ("Mugtela", laptu. Includes all the
American Slcunks, vara. A — R) ; Nout. Diet xzl. 515 (var. 7). — •/. iSTab. App. Frankl.
Jonrn. 1823, 653.— ITarl. Fn. Am. 182.i, 70.— Gri/. An. Kingd. v. 1827, 127, no. 358 (partly).
Lets. Man. 1827, 151, no. iW.—Qodm. Am. Nat Hist. i. 1831, 313, pi. - f. l.—Doughty'g (Jab.
N. H. ii. 1832, 193, pi. 17. —Rich. Zoiil. Beechey 'a Voy. 1839, 4.— Emmons, Rep. Quad. Mass.
1840, 49.— Z)e£^ay,N.T. Znol.i. 1842, 29, pi. 12, f. l.— Wyman, Pr. Boat. Soc. 1844, 110
(anat.).— TTarren, Pr.Bost Soo. Hi. 1849, 175(anat).— ITiojnp*. N. H. Vermont, 1853,33.—
WoodL Sitgr. Rep. 1853, 4i.—Kenn. Tr. Illinois Agric. Soc. for 1853-4, 1855, 578.—Beeg-
ley, Geol. Cape May, 1857, l37.—BiUing$, Canad. Nat and Geol. i. 1857, 360.— 2aU,
Canad. Nat. and G«oL vi 1861, 396.

Mephitis amerieana var. hudsonlca, Rich. F. B.-A. i. 1829, 55, no. 19.

Chincha amerlcana, 2^«. Nonv. Tabl. R. A. 1842, 67. "

Mephitis chllicl:e« Piseh. Syn. 1829, 160 (includes other species ; quotes Tiedemann primarily).

Mephitis Tarlans var. chinga, Oray, P. Z. S. 1865, 148 ; Cat Cam. Br. Mas. 1869, — .

t'hinche, Shaw, I. c—Qeoff. <£ Ouv. " Hist Mamm. ii. 1819, — , pi. —(Louisiana)."

.Mephltic Weesel, Shaw, Mas. Lever.

Ouinesque, Sag.-thiod. Hist Canad. 1636, 748 (ed. of 1866, ill. 680).

Enfan du Diabie, CAarlev. N. France, V, 1744, 196. ' '''

Polecat, JTolm, Yoy. ,452.

Siinnli, Font. PhiL Trans. Ixil. 1773, 374.— Penn. Arct Zool. 1. 1784, 85, no. 33.— flear. ^owm.
, 377.

Chinga, <ScA<n2, 1. & *

tft f

196

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

Mourctie d'AitiCrlqiic, Le»». ftc. &c.
l<'l!«kKlla, Swedish. >

Itfte puiinf*', French,
>4(iiikthter, Oermaiu

(Ii. mesonielns.)

Mcphi(lf)ine8ompiai4,/>tc/iM)nr8t. KSHug. 1827-34, pi. 55, f.2; Abh.Ak.Wiss. Bcrl. for 18.')6,183S,
277.— .Vrt«m. Keise, i. 1S39, 240; Arch. NaturK. xxvii. 1861, 218 j Verz. N. A. Siing. 1862,
■iC,.—iichi>u,Syn. i. 1844, 32*2, uo. li.— St. Hil. Zool.Voy. V6nu», i. 1855, 133, pi. —.—Bd. M.
>'. \. 1857, laa (alter Licht.).

Mephitis mesomoles, Oerr. Cat. Bones Hr. Mu». If'fi2, 97.

Mephili»orri<lentallS,£(I. M. N. A. 1857, \U.—Nowb. V. R. U. Rep. vl. 1857, 44.— Coop. <« Suck.
K.n.AV.T. 1860, 116.

Mepliltis meplillica imr. orcldcntails, Mernam, U. S. Geol. Surv. Terr, for 1872, 1873, 662.

Mepliitis varians txcr. a, Oray, P. Z. S, 18(>5, 148 ; Cat. Carn. lir. Miia. 1869, — .

(e. varians.)

Mepliltis varlans. Gray, Mag. N. II. i. 837, SSI.— Oray, List Maram. Br. Mas. 1843, 6S.—Bd. M.

N. A. IMV, 193; Mox. B. Surv. ii. pt. ii, 18.'>9, Maiiiiii. VJ.—Gen: Cat. Bones Br. Mas. 1862,

97.-<}roj/, P. Z. S. 186!), 148 ; Cat. Cam. Br. Mns. 1869, — .
Mcphilis mnrroiira, Aud. a Jtach. q. K. A. ill. 1853, 11, pi. 102.— Woodh. Sitgr. Rep. 1853, 44.

(But not of Liolitoustbin.)

Hab. — Eutiro temperate North America. North to Hiidsou'a Bay and Great
Slave Lake. South into Mexico (Matamoras, Monterey).

Spkcikic ciiAKACTKits. — 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 vertebnu
about iialf this dimension. Length from nose to root of tail over one loot ;
8ules about 2lt inches.

Description of external characters.*

The Skunk is a stoutly built animal, with a small head, low
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 couoidal, with a con-
vex frontal profile and sloping occiput ; there is little of tiie
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 aud backward; the nostrils are
chiefly lateial, but their anterior extremity is visible from the
front. The ears are low, though the piuua is decidedly better
developed than in Conepatus ; the general set of the conch is
rather bfickward 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

EXTERNAL CHARACTERS OP MEPHITIS MEPHITICA. 197

of the free edge is nearly orbicnlar, with, however, a slight
obtuse angulation. 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 palms present behind, just in advance
of the wrist, a padded prominence, more or loss completely
divided lengthwise; in advance of this is a crosswise depres-
sion ; at the bases of the digits is a cresocptic padded area,
divided more or less evidently in different specimens into three
or four smaller pjnls. This divisiou 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 u) constancy about this ; and the differ-
ence which has been claimed between Mephitis and SinloQah
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 sube<iual
and longest, the second is little shorter, the lifth 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 obtuse, and covered with hairs ; the
middle three are approximatetly equal in length, the fifth is
much shorter, and the drst 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
inov^ements or position of the member. In the bushiest-tailed
examples, the hairs fall loosely all around when the tail is ele-
vated, like the plumes of a pompdn,as well represented in Audu-
bon's plate of his so-called ^^maorvra^'' {neo Licht). lu 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.

iili

198

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

1 1
1 1

The haira of the tail which are entirely white (all are usually
white basally) are somewhat diflferent in 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 also
likely to exceed the rest in length, measuring sometimes seven
or eight inches in length. Even without taking these into
consideration, the bushiness 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 lo;ig as soine 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 stripe, 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-
pattts) or enlarged into a 8i>ot {Spilogale); but it varies from a
mere trace to a long streak continuous with the nuchal area,
and, doubt'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., 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 enclosing an oval
vertebral area ; or may 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

bairs already described, but beiug sometimes 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.

Tlie foregoing may indicate the genera! range of variation
in color. Reference to Audubon's figures of this species and
his supposed "wa^nfra" will 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 i« stated by some. One young specimen has the
entire upper half of the body pure white, as in the strongest
cases of Gonepatiis, 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 .^ 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
Jit the end or among the roots of the hairs. In Florida and the
South Atlantic and Gulf States generally, the white is at a
niinimum,frontalstripea 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 which tlie nuchal spot is prolonged. As-
sociated with such a condition 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-
melaa of Lichtensteiu, varians of Gray, occulentalia of Baird,
and ^^maeroura^^ of Audubon. The figure ot 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. maorura of Lichtensteiu.

Independently of the size of the tail, we may observe a gen-
eral decrease in stature with latitude. Floridau specimens are
notably smaller than those from New England, some, appar-
ently full-grown, being little larger than Spilogale at its maxi-
mum, about thirteen or fourteen inches long.

iLi

1 • .•■.-.?

200

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

Descrijition of the skull and teeth. {See PUitea X, XI.)

The cranium of no tnal with which I am acquainted
varies more than that the Skunk, and few exhibit such re-
markable differences, i.alependently 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 an ordinary ratio of osteo-
logical variability, the 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. In the
eries 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. But 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. 381G, from New York, is selected for doscripiion,
in the course of which the variations of the whole senes w;d
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, higli at the nose,
tapering ou sither 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 is about a third of the whole length,
if measured from extreme front to anterior root of zygoma ;
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 processes are very slight, being only indi-
cated in a little bulging at the front, where the anterior forks
of the sagittal crest come to the 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 OF MEPHITIS MEFHITICA.

201

considerably behind the supraorbital process, just about half-
way from end of rostrum to occiput, and opposite the apex of
the mandibular coronoid, when the jaw is closed. It is a
gradual pinching- together of the sides of the cranium for some
distance, rather than an abrupt constriction at a particular
point. It is sometimes unsym metrical, one side being more
emarginate than the other; is sometimes scarcely narrower
than the interorbital space, sometimes about three-fourths as
'Tiuch. 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 opening of the meatus
auditorius, 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 lambdoidal 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 emargination m
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 ^juzzle 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

if'

202

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^E.

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 bluut process imme-
diately behind the meatus. Behind this, there is an emargi-
nation, terminated 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 sagittal crest; either lateral corner being the
prominent paroccipital, 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. The palate ends about
opposite, or a little back of, the posterior molars. This terminal
shelf, representing the emargination between 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 but not very iufrequent anomaly, this foramen is aome-
times divided into several separate canals, through which branches of the
faciiil nerve pass out apart fiom each other,
thins in Conepatus.

I have observed the same

SKULL AND TEETH OF MEPHITIS MEPHITICA.

203

inflatiou of the bullae. These are decidedly convex only at one
place, interiorly, elsewhere flat, and outwardly produced to
foi'n a tubular meatus. Traces of separation from surrounding
parts long persist, at least in front. About the buUre are seen
the following foramina: one iu 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 bullae. The general basilar area is flat, narrowing for-
ward, unmarked, or with merely a slight median ridge. The
border of the foramen magnum represents a deep emargination
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 anterolateral corner, and received by a pointed pro-
cess in a recess of the frontal. The intermaxillary bone forms
less thai) half of the general naso-maxillary suture. The max-
illary ei cCnds 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 paroccipital, 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 MepMtince is never locked, as far as 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 in Taoei-
dea, and as sometimes occurs in the Otters {Lutrin(B). 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 emarginatet

;! '«;;

204

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

and the angle itself is scarcely or not at all exflected (cf. Cone-
patus). The angle itself is obtuse, 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 onter
half, its articular surface looks upward ; on the inner half,
backward. The coronoid process rises straight and high, nearly
uniformly tapering to the apex, a perpendicular from which
falls decidedly in advance of the condyle (cf. Conepattis). 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. Conepatus)..

As remarked under the head of Gonejyatus, the dental formula
of the genera of Mephitince does not, in point of fact, differ.
The difference is nil as betweeii Mephitis and Spilogale, while in
Conepatus 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
by 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 boundai:y. The flatter inner
moiety of the tooth is chiefly occupied by a large antero-internal
tubercle, separated by a curved sulcus from a posterior raised
margin. The next tooth — back premolar — differs altogether
from the same flesh-tooth in the Mustelince. It is relatively
smaller, and has not a prominent isolated antero-internal fang.
On the contrary, it is triangular in general outline, the inner
corner of the triangle representing the fang of the Mustelince
just named; this is cuspidate, but this whole inner moiety is

SKULL AND TEETH OF MEPHITIS MEPHITICA.

205

low and " tuberculous " in comparison jvith the elevated and
truly sectorial character of the rest of the tooth ; for, viewed in
l)roflle 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 **heeP and
well-marked cinguhira 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 ofifer no points for
remark. Of the upper incisors, the lateral pair is much larger
than the rest, though not longer. 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 central 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 Miis-
telince. It is fairly 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 cusp of the Musteline tooth. The posterior pair of
cusps is the low tuberculous part of the tooth in MmtelincB.
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

■ -f :

206

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

less of a girdle, and scarcely an anterior heel. The anterior pre-
molar is like the last, but smaller still, and single-rooted. I
have not seen its abortion. In very old skulls, the two molars
become ground almost perfectly flat, and the premolars become
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 Mu8telina\ and more
regular, i. «., 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 skull with siiecial 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 California 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 ! Yet there is not a speci-
men included in the series that is not so old as 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 California ; ten others are from

• Ball. U. S. Geol. and Gteog. Sarv. Terr. vol. ii. no. 4, 1876, pp. 332-334.

CRANIAL VARIATION IN MEPHITIS MEPHITICA.

207

Maine mid 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.G0 to 2.90.*

" It thus appears that the western specimens are decidedly
the largest 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-
pliitia occidentalis of Baird, based on California specimens, and
whose chief difference is merely that of larger size ; yet the
four specimens from Ogden, Utah (GoU.Mus. Oomp. 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.
Coues, who has lately made a study of this group.j; As Dr.
Coues 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. iSome

* " The range in vridth ia not fairly indicated, owing to two of the smaller

specimena being imperfect."
t " See Bull. Mua. Comp. Zotil. vol. i. pp. 178-181, Oct. 1869."
t " Bull. U. S. Greol. and Geog. Sarv. of the Territories, vol. i. no. 1, pp. 7-15,

1875."

iuti'

'• ,11

f'"

208

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.T!.

lili

specimens are not only more than one-fourth larger than others,
but Hhere is a corresponding range of variation in contour.
Compared with an ordinary ratio of osteological variability,'
says Dr. Coues, *the 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.'

" Meaaitremenfa of twenty-nine skulls o/Mki'IIITIS MEriiiTiCA.

Locality.

3.30
3.08
3.93
3.85
3.13
3.50

a 10

3.98
3,15
3.96
3.35
3.00
2.87
2.85
3.00
3.70
3.87
3.70
3.75
3.73
3.88
3.90
2.87
3.60
3.80
2.60
2.68
3.90
2.68

3.07
3.04
1.70

i.'87'
3.35
1.90
1.85
3. 0,5
1.78

i.'ss'

1.75
1.73
1.75
1.70
1.78
1.53

i."76'

1.78

i.'es'

1.78

i.'eo'

1.90

Remarks.

3617

Petalama, Ual

3371

3434

Port Townsend, Oreg

4105

Fort Crook, Cal

417

Ogden, Ut.il

419

Very old.

416

418

10008

Wyominit Territory

3327

Fort Laramie

575

Upton, Me

Very old.

580

577

574

583

Norway, Mo

578

569

567

MnflBAohn <etta

568

576

3816

Bsiiex Ootintv. New York

3233

fione-oavea. PeniiAvlvAniA ........

Fossil i M. frnntata Coues.
Imperfect.

610

Carliale.Pa

4e33

Chefiter Conntv. PeiiiiBvlT'Aiiift

1630

Indiunolft. Tex

1004

Eagle Pass, Tex

Imperfect.

1113

1395

Mfttamoran. Tex

1878

Calouieu, La

Imperfect."

Anatomy and physiology of the anal glands and 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.
Ghatin minutely examined the anal glands of Conepatus mapu-
rito, 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. Jefltries 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 OF THE SKUNK.

209

The organ is a true aaal glaad, without cauuectiou with tUo
geuito-uriuary system, nor yet of a special character ; being
upon the same plan as other anal glanO \ throughout Muntelida;
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 tluid secreted by
several small glandular bodies by which it is surrounded, and
which is voided by voluutary]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 papillic. 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 anus, 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.
;4m

I- III <l

210

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

!■-

"Dr. Warren also exhibited to the Society a living specimen
of Mephitis Americana, which had been deprived of its power
oi' annoyance by a snrgical operation. The animal was first
made partially insensible by enclosing him in a barrel in which
was placed some chloric ether. As he became stupefied, a
sponge containing the ansesthetic agent was placed over the
nostrils and kept there until entire insensibility was produced.
Dr. Warren then cut down, on the outside of the intestine,
upon the ducts Oi' 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 as 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 i»laced 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 on the strips of glass made it flow like
globules of melted gold. By a power of sixty diameters the
same color still appeared, bat seemed as if it would by a higher
jiower resolve itself into globules, with some peculiar mark
iugs 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 eomprtssing the

THE SCENT OF THE SKUNK.

211

:-V|-

reservoir, and tbeir sole use is to eject the li<|uid. The teat-
like projections have one large oritico 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 Conepatus, described at length by 31. Chatin. It is, 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 aHogether 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, ditlicult to ascertain
with precision, and doubtless varies with the vigor of the ani-
mal and amount of accumulation in the reservoir. Hut there
is no doubt that the squirt reaches several (authors say from
four to fourteen) feet, while the aura is readily perceptible at
distances to be best expressed in fractions (»f the mile. The
appearance of the animal during the act of emission is unmis-
takable, as I have observed on several occasions. The /-igzag
course, with mincing steps, 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 sides,
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 not 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 the nature of the case,
not likely to be often proven by experiment. Nor have I found
that instantaneous death is always a sure i>revent»ve of
escape of effluvium. A Skunk which I shot with my pistol,
held within a foot of its head, the bullet traversing the .vhole

.i if

aafta ' • ■ 1i

•, • h i|

■■• wi

212

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

body from the forehead to the groiu, was too otiensive to be
skinned, 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
in 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 ettlnvium 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
the snows had thawed away the following spring. The same
author adds that the odor is stronger by night and in damp
weather than under the opposite circumstances ; and, in speak-
ing of tainted clothes, he continues : — " Washing and t posure
to the atmosphere certainly weaken the scent, buo 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 hunting excursion." The persist-
ence of the scent in museum specimens depends Utogether
upon circumstances. Some specimens, in which the fluid had
apparently not been discharged at death, and in which care had
been taken in the preparation, come directly into our hands with
little or no scent ; in 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 in
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 in purifying the
pelts of other Mustelidw, 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.

i;i;

THE SCENT OF THE SKUNK.

213

bat require no further comment, as these matters have fur-
nished standing aecoauts since the history of the spacies began.

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 liichardson 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 effect upon dogs is described by Audubon and Bach-
man: — " The instant'', they say, "adoghas 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 in every direction. "VVe
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
etfluvium. "I have known a dead Skunk'', says Sir John,
"thrown over the stockades of a trading post, produce instant
nausea in several women in a house with closeil doors upwards
of a hundred yards distant." " We recollect .an instance," write
Audubou and Bachman, " when sickness of the stomach and
vomiting were occasioned, in several persons residing in Sara-
toga Comity, N. Y., in consequence of one of this species having
been killed under the floor of their residence daring 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 character which all his secretions acquired.
The story is told* of an asthmatic clergyman who procured the
glands of a Skunk, which he kept tightly corkeil in a smelling-
bottle, to be applied to his nose when his syaiptoms appeared.
He believed he had discovered a specific fur his d.stressing
malady, and rejoiced thereat ; but on one occasi«^n 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 Audubon and Bacbuiiui, (juad. N. A. i. '6'i'6.

214

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTE-' ID^E.

The supposed counectiou betweeu the suppreasiou of .the secre-
tion and the possibility of inoculating hydrophobia is treated
beyond under head of "rabies mephitica".

There is one point connected with the varying oflFen8i\ ess
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
effluvium, empties its distended pouches; but the stench,
when thus caused, soon ceases, 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 decomi)osiug the substance, deprive it of its often-
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 tp 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 fiesh 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 usual 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
individuals, not members of one fiimily, but various adult
animals drawn together. One other effect of the possession of

1 1

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITS OF THE SKONK.

215

such unique powers is seen not so much in mode of life as iu
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 Mustelinw, though of similar character, are
manifestly inadequate, it may not be amiss to recall how de-
fenceless the Skunk would otherwise be iu comparison with its
allies. A tardy terrestrial animal of no great strength or spirit,
lacking the sagacity and prowess of the Wolverene, the scau-
sorial ability of the Martens, the agility, su)all size, and
tenuity of body of the Weasels, the swimming and diviug
i'owers 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 cohduce 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 iu
the face of danger, show that its confidence in the singular
means of defence it possesses is not misplaced.

Geographical distribution and habits of the Skunlc.

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 iu this country is
required ; for the animalr seem to be independent of those
matters of physical geography, such as mountain or valley,
woodland or prairie, 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 awaj' 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 man's abodes, like some other quad-

'i!

I'li' ■■;r':

216

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

rupeds and not a few birds, which are more abundant in
"clearings" than in ihe depths of the forest or in the loneliness
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 present recollection, in the uninhabited
mountains of that State. Their entire absence, however, is not
to be predicated on this score, but simply their relatively lesser
numbers; and I have rarely found Skunks more numerous in
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. Eichardson notes their fre-
quency in 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 how far remains
to be ascertained. It is i)robably replaced, southerly in Mexico,
by the closely .allied though apparently distinct M. macrura of
Lichtenstein, treated on a following page. A recent local writer
on the quadrupeds of one 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 present is the only species of the subfamily certainly
known to occur ; in most parts of the West, and some of the
South, it is associated with the smaller species, Spilogale putorius;
while the extreme Southwest may rejoice in the possession of
all three of the United 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 Skunk is far from cuuniug, and no special skill is required
for its capture. A variety of traps are used with success ; the
deadfall is particularly recommended, since, if properly con-
structed, it causes the death of the animal without emission of
the fluid.* Audubon and Bachman's statement that the fur " is

* Gibson's " Complete American Trapper "', pp. 198, 2d2-3, 286.

The following on the subject of trapping Skunks was contributed by C. L.
Whitman, of Weston, Vt., to Forest and Stream of February 17, 1876: —

" 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 is
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 is, less skillfully. To the fox trapper this animal is a
pest and annoyance, for where the 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 and mutilated condition they fall an easy prey to the
fox, who is fond of their flesh ; so much so that he will sometimes gnaw off
the leg by which the skunk is held in the trap, and 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 upon 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
rangfe.

" My favorite method of dealing with them is as follows : With a tough
annealed No. 15 or 16 iron wire I form a slip noose about five inches in diam-
eter on one end, aud a standing loop of two inches on the other, and a space
of five inches between. The loop is attached to the smaller end of a light,
stiflf 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 he 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 discbarge of the pungent odor will 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.

IT?

1 ;

I . <

nillgiij

if ,h't

218

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

seldom used by the hatters, aud never we think by the furriers ;
and from the disagreeable tas ' .repariug the skin, it is not
considered an article of cor j" was wide of the mark,

unless it was penned befc ..iska sable" became fashion-

able.

Like other animals ot 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 in
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 in human
habitations is strikingly at variance with the disposition of other
Musteline quadrupeds, which instinctively shun man's abodes,
except when, in foraging for food, the poultry-yard tempts their
appetite and their courage. In travelling in some portions of
the West, it flid seem 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. The Skunk is an occasional robber of poultry and
eggs, and is said to be fond of milk. Wben 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 Bachmau describe the underground burrows
which the Skunk excavates for itself 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 found during winter from Ave to
fifteen individuals huddled together. Sometimes, these authors
add, the burrow divides into two or three galleries. The ani-

" The approach is sometimes resented at tirst, but the gradual arcbiug of the
tail gives timely warniag, aud 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 directiou.
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 odor about
nie, except I had inadvertently trod upon dirt that was defiled, and now oft'er
it for the consideration of brother trappers."

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITS OF THE SKUNK. 219

mala are evidently more gregarious than other Mnstelida'^ and
the numbers which congregate in one burrow 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 offensiveuess, 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 undue
increase, so nicely are the balances of Nature adjusted.

Skunksareattacked bydogsand othercaninequadrupeds, who
destroy and devour them in spite of their scent ; and some of the
larger birds of prey, like the Bitbo vh'ffinianus, or Great Horned
( )wl, have been observed to capture and eat them. Their own food
is of rather an humble nature in comparison with that of other
Mustelidfi' of corresponding size and strength; for they have
neither the speed nor the address required to effect the destruc-
tion of many animals which the Martens and Weasels, for
instance, prey upon. They feed largely upon insects, birds'
eggs, such small reptiles as frogs, and small quadrupeds, such
as the various species of mice. They are also said to capture
rabbits in the burrows into which 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 to note the way these
awkward animals conduct themselves under such circum-
stances, when their blundering pertinacity and apparent neglect
of the most obvious precautions against detection contrast
strongly with the stealth, cunning, and sagacity of the Fox,
Mink, or Stoat when engaged in similar freebooting. Even
after discovery, the Skunk seems to forget the propriety of
making oflf, and generally falls a victim to his lack of wit.

I once tested the speed of a Skunk in a fair race over open
prairie. The wind was blowing "half a gale" at my back, and
my courage was consequently unchallenged. The animaj
seemed to be aware of its powerlessness 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 pace. But I had no difliculty in
keeping up with it at an easy jogtrot, scarcely faster than rapid

! ■;..

14!

•!i:i

W '*!

i:m

220

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

walking, aud, after noting its gait and otiier actions, I 'lot it
dead. The specimen was too oflfensive to be skinned, however,
as some of the fluid had been blown npon its fur. In the conrse
of my varions campaigns in the West, I have witnessed not a
few ludicrous scenes, aud have known the startling 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 indefinitely ; like the pelt to the furrier, anecdotes to the
historian are " staple", and may be read in all the books, such
is the facetiousuess which this subject 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 Recollect de la Prouince de Paris",
in his History of Canada, 1030. The quaint passage runs as
follows : —

"Les enfans dn diable, que les Hurons appellent Scangaresse,
& le eommun des Montagnais Babougi Mauitou, ou Ouinesque,
est un beste fort puante, de la grandeur d'un chat ou d'un ieuue
renard, mais elle a la teste un pen moins aigue, & la peau cou-
uerte d'un gros poll rude & enfum^, et sa grosse queue retrous-
see de mesme, elle se cache en Hyuer sous la neige, & ne sort
point qu'au commencement de laLunedu mois de Mars, laquelle
les Montagnais nomment Ouiniscon pismi, qui signifle la Lune
de la Ouinesque. Get animal, outre qu'il est de fort man
uaise odeur, est tres-malicieux & d'un laid regard, ils ietteut
aussi (j\ ce qu'on dit) parmy leure excremens de peiits serpens,
longs & deliez, les quels ne viuent neant moins gueres long
temps. I'en pensois apporter une peau pass^e, mais un Fran-
cois passager me I'ayant demandee ie la luy donnay."

From the way in which this passage opens, we may presume
or infer that "enfan 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 Gharlevoix may be cit^d.
It was the "Fiskatta" of Kalm (17 . . ); but the date of the
introduction of the term " Skunk" 1 have not been able to as-

HISTORY OF MEPHITES MEPHITICA.

221

certain, nor do I know its meaning. A likeness to the word
most suggestive of tlie animal, and which appears in the Ger-
man Stinkthier, is too obvious to require comment, but the
resemblance may be fortuitous. It may be observed that the
Creo or Knistenaux word is seccawk, 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 f<xtklus, the worst-
smelling species of its own continent, to the Western animal,
which has the same enviable notoriety. The terms pol-cat or
pole-cat and skunk were both used by Lawson about the be-
ginning of the last century. " Polcats or Skunks in Amer-
ica," says he, " are different 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 Fox 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 Mephitimv,
and in its various forms of chinche or chincha^ chinge or chinga,
was long current. The last-named form, indeed, became with
many authors, after Tiedemauu, the specific name of the spe-
cies in binominal nomenclature.

The early history of the species in technical nomenclature, as
distinguished from that of the animal in non*scientiffc accounts,
is much involved. It may be well to state that authors have
gone to opposite extremes in treating of Skunks as species.
Some, like Cuvier, " lumped " them all together, whilst others
made every streak or spot the basis of a species. We do not
find the present species clearly and unequivocally indicated by
the founder and earliest supporters of the binomial system ; on
the contrary, the Linn.-Gmel. accounts, though undoubtedly cov-
ering this even then well-known species, are so infiltrated with
reference to other species as to be not properly citable in this
connection. Linnteus put the Skuiks in his genus ViverrUj

,yrm

-'4

-I '^'l i

222

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.t:.

8 1

traiKst'erriug this Plinian uame of certain Musteliue ani-
mals to those of the Civet-cat group, and in 1758 named a
species Virerra putorlm. Hi.s species at this date was partly
based on Kalm's Fi«JiaUa, and in so far means the i)resent
animal, but the primary reference is to Catesby's Polecat, and
the description rather suits the Spilofiale. In 17C0, Linnteus
made confusion worse confounded by resting his Viverm puto-
rim not only upon Catesby and Kalm, as he had done in 1758,
but by citing also Hernandez, Kay, 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 mcphitica,
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
Mephitis mephitica became current.

Shortly afterward, in 1808, Tiedeniann introduced a species,
M. chinga, adapted from the earlier chinche as a specific name.
This was adopted by Lichteustein in his special memoirs, by
Aubudon and Bachman, and by others. It undoubtedly refers
to the juesent animal, though vitiated to some extent by in-
applicable expressions.

Desmarest called all the Skwuks Mephitis f Americana, 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, Fischer rendered the " chinga" of Tiedemann as chinche,
reverting to the more customary orthography. The same year
Richardson introduced a new term, hudsonica. Later, nominal
species multiplied, not that there were not already names

* "Habitat in America septentrionali. Colore variat. Irritatus (cum urina
forIC') balitum explodit, quo nihil fcttidiue ; incessa tardus, nee Homines
nee Feras metuens; vestes fcetore inqninatie purgantur sepeliendo per diem.
A. Knhn." (p. 65.) Linnaeus's next Hpeciee, Viverra zibetha, the Civet-cat of
the Old World, is also tinctured with Bkunk, or some other American animal
not distantly related. . ., .

t Written " Mnstela " by an obvious slip. .

HYDROPHOBIA FPOM SKUNK-BITE.

223

enoiigb, but apparently in the impossibility of sifting and fixing
earlier accounts. M. rarians was proi)osed by Gray in 1837
for the southwestern variety, afterward called macroura by
Aubudou and Bacliman; and in 1805 Gray had the assurance
to set his term over all the prior ones as the specific designa-
tion, recounting numerous varieties of the species. MephitlH
mesomelas of Lichtenstein and M. occidentaUs 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 CHAPTElt VJI.

ON nYDROrilOBIA 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 Felidas and Canidte 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^E.

The article attracted considerable attention, from the nov
I'lty of the views put forth, and the intrinsic importance of
the subject.

Some months afterward Dr. Janewaj' replied in an elaborate
article, detailing cases and criticising Mr. Hovey'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 . —

;i.

[From Amor. Jouru. Scl. ami Ait, M sor. vol. vii. no. II, art. xliv. pp. 477-4*1, May, 1874.]

"Bahh-it Meithitica ; by Ilvv. Homir C. Ilorey, M. A.

"My subject coHcoriiH alike lueiliciil suieuco and natural history. For
wbilo proviujj the existoiiv.o of a uow disease, soule singular facts will ho
brought to light about a I'aiuiliar meiuber of the Anvsrican Fauna. It i.s
cruel to add aught to the odium already attached to the common skunk
(Mephitis mephitiva iShaw ; M, chinga Tiedenmnn). But, clearly, he is as dan-
gerous as ho 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 wea))ons of ortonce while young, ho may bo
safely domesticated.

"A peculiar poison is sometimes contained in the saliva of animals be-
longing to the cauiuo and feline families, the production of which, it has
been generally suppo.scd, is limited to them. Other animals, of the same or
of diil'erent 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, Rabkn caninn, 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 ns to further investigation. It is stated by the best medical
writers (e. g., Watson, Qros.% and Aitken), as an undeniable 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 cose, but inconclusive, being the
only one of its kind, is reported by M. Quillery, in which an aged man expe-
rienced spontaneous hydrophobia (Bulletin of Belgian Academy, No. S,
1871). In such exceptional instances there may have been previous iuooula-
tion, unnoticed or forgotten ; for the least particle of this deadly poison
will be efficient, and yet it is always tardy in its period of incubation.

"The facts uow collated will show, it is thoight, one of two things,
either that the hydrophobic virus is both generated and communicated by
some of the Munfelidw as well as the Felidw and Canidiv ; or else, that a new
disease has been discovered, which generioal'y resembles Bahiet canina, while
differing from it speciilcall5^. My judgntuut favors the latter opinion, de-
cidedly, for reasons to be adduced ; and accordingly I may name this now
malady, from the animal iu whose saliva it is generated, Rabie* Mephitiva,

IIYnROPHORIA FROM SKUNK-BITE.

225

" Tlio viirioticH of MvpliitiH are iiotoriouH for tlio Hinjriilttr buttery with
which tliey are provi(hMl by iiatiir*>. It voiiHiHtH of two anal k^'^"*!'*
from whicli, by tlio coiitiactioii of Niib-caiidal iiuiHch^s, an otfoiiHive lliiid
can bo (li.scharjfoil in tlin>a<l-liV'« Htroanis, witli H\u;h accuracy of aim as to
Htriko any olijoct wiiliin tiftoon f«!<«t. TiiiM 8ccretion is uithur colorless,
or of a pale yolltiw hue. It is i»h<M|>horcHccnt. Viuwod from a safe distanco,
its <li.scliur)i(c IooIvh like a puff of Ntoain or white Niuoko. Its (»dor is far more
]K rsiHtonttlum that' of musk. If too frocly inlialod it causoa intense nanson,
followcil by distrussin^ gastric cramp. In minute doses it is said to be a
valuable anti-spasmodic. If so, why not experiment with it as a euro for
hydrophobic convulsions? It is not known what the effect would be of
injecting this tinitl 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 (Mmsideriition; for, in every instance, the rabid
skunk has either exhausted his mcphitic; 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 nnvy be a causative oi»u-
nection between this inactivity of the anal glands and the generation of
nnilignant virus in the glands of the numth.

"An adventure, while on a summer tour amid the Rocky Mountains, first
called my attention to the novel class of facts about to bo 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 uninjured, I attempte«I
to kill him with small shot, and failed. He made characteristic retaliation;
arid then, rushing at me with fer(»city, he sei/.ed the muzzle of my gun
between his teeth ! Of course the jtenalty was ins;ant deai.h. An experienced
hunter then startled us by saying that the bite of this animal is invariably
fatal, and that when in perfect appurcnt health it is always rabid. He re-
sented our incredulity and coiilirmed his statement by several instances of
dogs and men dying in convulsions shortly after being thus bitten.

"On mentioning this adventure to H. li. Payne, M. D., who had been
cam|iing with miners near Cailon City, Col., he said that at night skunks
would come into their tent, making a peculiar crying noise, and threatening
to attack them. His companions, from Texas and elsewhere, had aooouuts
to give of fatal results following the bite of this animal.

" 8inco returning to Kansas City, I have had extensive correspondence with
hnniiors, taxidermists, surgeons and othors, by which means the particulars
have been obtai ;ed of ftuty-ono cases of ral)ien mcphitica, occurring in Vir-
ginia, Michigan, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado and Texas. All were
fatal except one ; that was the case of a farmer, named Fletcher, living near
(iainsville, Texas, who was twice bitten by M. macroum [of And. <& liiich.=:
.If. mcphitica var. — E. C], yet recovered and is living still. On further inciairy
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 subsequent diuease. It seems, however, that this dog
afterward died with niysteriou i sya.^ ' '^ms like those of hydrophobia in
some of its less aggravated forms. ^

" Instead of burdening this article with a ma^-' of oiroumstautial details,
15 M

' :;

226

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E

- f '

a few cases only will be given bnst fitted to show the poculiarlties of the
malady; and Miose are preferred that are located on the almost utiinh.ibitetl
plains of western Kansas, because there the mephitic weasels would be
least liable to be iuocnlated with canine virus.

"A veteran hunter, Nathaniel Douglas, was hunting butfalo, in June, 187'i,
fourteen miles north of Park's Fort. While asleep he was 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 convulsions
lasting for ten hours he died. This case is reported by an eye-witness, Mr.
E. S. Love, ot Wyandotte, Kansas, who also gives several siniilar accounts.

" One of the men employed by H. P. Wilson, Esq., of Hayes City, Kansas,
was bitten by askuuk at night, while herding cattle on the plains. About ten
days afterward he was seized with delirium and fearful con vuLsious, which fol-
lowed each other until death brought relief. Mr. Wilson also rtipo' '^i other
cases, one of which is very receut. In the summer of 1873, a Swedis. 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 re-
membrance. But on .Ian. 24th, 1874, the virus, which had been latent for
five months, asserted ,its power. She was seized 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 left ear bitten by some animal. Seizing it with his hand, he found
it to be a skunk, which after a struggle he killed, but not until his hand
was 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 hands were cauterized, much to the man's dis-
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 d 1872, applied to Dr. Janeway to he treated
for a bite through one of the alae of the nose. 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 throUif^h the wound several times. He
was kept under treatment for 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 he was inoculated.

" I give but one more of the cases reported to me by Dr. .laneway. 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 ilays previ-
ous, in the little finger of the left hand. His face was flushed, and he com-
plaintd that his throat seemed to bo turning into bone. On hearing the
sound of water poured from a pail into a tin cup, ho 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 had better be shut up. He chanced at the time to be in the
hog-pen, ftud he was confined in that enclosure. Ere long he began to gnaw
furiously »t the rails and posts of the pen and to bite the hogs ; until the by-

HYDROPHOBIA FROM SKUNK-BITE.

227

standers, convinced that he was mad, ended the scone by shootint; all the
animals in the pen.

"It is evidently the opinion of Dr. Janeway that the malady produced by
raephitic virus is simply hydrophobia. Should he be correct, then all that
is established by these facts would be this, viz : that henceforth the varie-
ties of Mephitis must be classed with those animals that spontaneously j;en-
erate poison in the glands of the mouth and communicate it by salivary
inoculation. From this, as a starting-point, we might go further and seek a
solution of the whole mystery of hydrophobia in the theory that this dread
malady primarily originates with the allied genera of Mephitis, Pulorius and
Muatela, widely scattered over the earth :* being from them transferred to
the Felidte and Canida and other families of animals. And then, if it could
be proved experimentally that the ch.aracteristic 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 cases 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 differ-
ence between the symptoms of their malady and those of hydrophobia.
1 uhall refer to his testimony again, but pause for a moment to notice bis
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 ajstus veneris of the wolf or the rahiea 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 me 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-
ton by rabid dogs the proportion is still less. But mephitic inoculation is
sure death. Then agaiu it is to be observed that the only peculiarity notice-
able in these biting skunks is the arrest of their effluvium. They approach
stealthily, while their victims are asleep, and inflict the deadly wound on
some minor member — the thumb, the little finger, the lobe of the ear, one of
the alo) of the nose. How different from the fierce assault of a mad dog !
How subtle and snako-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 snakes. But we must remember, on the other hand,
that thousand** r-f skunks are killed annually, partly as pests and partly for
the fur trade ; and it is incredible that an animal whose ordinary bite is as

" " Since forwarding this article for publication, I have obtained an answer
to my inquiries made in California through my friend, Dr. J. G. Tidball,
respecting the Me2>hitis zorilUi [i. c, M. (Spilogale) piitoriiu — E. C.]. He de-
scribed it as a very pretty animal which usually allows itself to be killed
without resistance. But he adds that its bite is highly dangerous, causing
a fatal disease like hydrophobia.

" I regret that he gives no particulars of actual cases ; but bis testimony
is interesting, as it brings into coudemaatioD a species of Mejthilis quite dif-
ferent from M. chinga."

i#l ill

> '8

I ,"i

1 at

itr-

ill.

i28

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

venomous as that f^' a rattlesnake, should so seldom resort to that mode of
defence, if it be his.

" The resulting disease resembles hydrophobia more than it does the effect
of ophidian venom. But here, as observed at the outset, the likeness is only
generic, while specifically there are marked differences. These have pur-
posely been kept in the back-ground until now. And in giving a differential
diagnosis, I shall avoid repetitious details, and combine facts gathered from
many sources \«ith the close and accurate observations which Dr. Shearer
has put at my disposal.

"1. The period of incubation is alike in raMea canina and. rabies mcphitica.
That is, it is indefinite, ranging from ten days to twelve months, with no
opportunity meanwhile for subsequent inoculation. But during the incu-
bative period of /?. mephitica, no perceptible changes take place in the con-
stitution as in hydrophobia. In only one instance was there unusual nerv-
ousness, and that might have been due to alcohol. In every case where
there was time for it, the wounds healed over smoothly and permanently,
and in several instances not even a scar was visible. In no case was there
recrudescence of the wound, always seen in hydrophobia. Indeed, there
were so few premonitions of any kind that, in most instances, the attending
physicians themselves supposed the ailment to be simple and trivial, until
the sudden and fearful convulsions came on to baffle all their skill.

"2. Characteristic pustules form in hydrophobia beneath the tongue and
near the orifices of the snb-maxillary glands. (See Aitkeu, Sci. and Pract.
Med., vol. i, p. 653.) These were not reported in a single case of B. mephilica.
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, especially the (esophageal branch, the
result being great difficulty in swallowing ; and the motor nerve of the layx
[larnyx — sic], causing sighing, catching of the breath, and difficulty in
expelling the frothy mucus accumulated in the throat. These invariable
accompaniments of B. canina are usually wanting in B. mephilica; 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 such trouble. A taxidermist, who has seen four dogs die
from B. mephitica, in Michigan, says they did not seem to have any fear of
water, or other signs which he had supposed were characteristic of B. canina.
Ordinary hydrophobia, again, is marked by constant hypertesthesia of the
skin, so that the slightest breath of air will precipitate convulsions. But,
in B. mephitica, faiming the face affords relief, and even cloths dipped in
water and laid on the forehead were soothing !

" 4. In hydrophobia the perceptions are intensified, so that 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 continuous; the pulse is feeble; and delirium Is occasionally
relieved by lucid intervals. But the symptoms are wholly different in B.
mej)hitica: there is oscillation of the pupil; the spasms are clonic, i. e.,
markevl by rapid alternate contraction and relaxation of the muscles ; small,
but wiry radial pulse and rapid carotids ; positive loss of perception and
volition throughout, until delirium ends in persistent nnconsciousness,
simultaneonsly with cold perspiration and relaxation of the sphincters.

:'*

HYDROPHOBIA FROM SKUNK-BITE.

229

"5. The mode of death is by asthenia in both forms of rabies; bat in R.
canina the frightful strugjrles of nature to eliminate the poison are more
prolonged than in 72. mephiiica; and in the latter they may, on occasion, be
still further abridged by the use of morphine, which has no narcotic effect
upon the former, even in the largest doses and injected into the veius !

"I have thus endeavored to de.Hcribe, and also to explain, these strange
and painful phenomena. I must leave the reader to form his own decision,
only hoping that some one may be induced to follow this pioneer worlc iu a
new path, by further and more able investigations of his own.

"Kansas City, Mo., Feb. '24th, 1874."

[From the New York Medical Record, vol. x. no. 827, pp. 177-lCO, Mar. 13, 1875.]
"On Hydrophobia. — By John G. Janeicay, M. D,, Assiatant Surgeon, U. S. A,

"A writer* in the American Journal of Science and Art, May, 1874, states
that ' it is evidently the opinion of Dr. Janeway that the malady produced
by the mephitic 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 communicate it by salivary
iiioculation.'[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 couHrmed me
in the opinion above stated, that the malady produced by mephitic virus is
simply hydrophobia.

" The following five cases are taken from the iifteeu fatal cases that have
fallen under my observation :

"Case I. Bite of Skdnk. — Was called to visit Wm. P., aged nineteen, a
herder, whom I was told by the messenger had been acting strangely all the
morning. I found him lying on a bed iA a sod-house, dressed, with several
of his companions around him. Face Hushed, pulse very rapid, the heat 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 wds the matter with him.
Upou pouring out some water from a pail near by, to admiuister morphia to
him, he went suddenly into convulsions.

" Suspecting hydrophobia immediately, aa soon as he regained conscious-
ness I learned that he had been bitteu by a skunk, just before daybreak,
seventeen days before, in the little linger of the left hand ; that the wound
was small and soon healed ; that for two days preceding my seeing him bis

* " Rev. Horace C. Hovey, M. A."

t [There is some typographical confhsion in the quotation-marks at the
opening of Dr. Janeway's article ; and Dr. Janeway does not quote Mr.
Hovey's 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. — E. C]

f'Skunks 10, wolves 3, hogsa." ;.. i -^ , .^ v.. •. -. »

-■;,siA» ) f '} V '■

» !•

S-ll-i^li'

" {

•i-!.

1. •)!/•* ♦
Ml

230

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

finger and arm had felt iinmb. Upon examining the finger, slight redness
was observed at the place bitten, tongue slightly furred and somewhat
swollen, no so-called ' characteristic pustules ' were to be seen. Thirst in-
tense and begged for water, but the sound of dipping the water from the
pail throw him immediately into still more terrible convulsions, frequent
sighing, aud catching his breath. Administer hypodermic injections of
morphia without avail. Upon the arrival of chloroform, which I had sent
fur, its administration gave partial relief for a short time. His endeavors
to free himself of the tenacious mucus were terrible, when the incautious
upsetting of a pail of water again threw him into convulsions, opisthotonous
in character, followed by attempts at biting those holding him, and when
consciousness was regained, asking pardon for so doing. Hyperussthesia
existed in a very marked degree iu this case. Death came to his relief in
about eighteen hours from the time of his first convulsion.

" Cask II. Brrn of Skunk.— An emigrant from Wisconsin, camped on the
north fork of Big Creek, about seven miles from Hays, applied to me in the
fall of 1872 for dressing for his hand, which had been bitten between the
thumb and index finger of his left hand, the night previously, by a skunk.
Cauteri/ed the wound well, and directed him to repeat the cauterization
twice a day. Saw nothing of him for twelve days, when I was sent for, and
upon arriving at his camp found him iu convulsions, which were repeated
rapidly. Face flushed, eyes brilliant, pupils rather contrticted, skin hot and
dry, pulse small and rapid, 120, no so-called ' characteristic pustules ' under
the tongue. When not in convulsions, mind clear and fully aware of the
fate that jiwaited 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 head, and a
general ' malaise,' neither sick nor well ; that the convulsions came on
about seven hours previous to my seeing him, suddenly, upon attempting to
take a drink from a spring close to their camp; that he would go into con-
vulsions whenever water or tea was offered 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 twenty-one hours after
seizure.

" Cask 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 iu camp on the Smoky Hill river
two nights previous. Having learned, previous to my seeing him, that
skunk-bites would produce hydrophobia, he had imbibed freely, and was
decidedly under the influence of liquor when I saw him, evidently nervous
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 be would not consent to its use. After
being under treatment two days he left aud went to Missouri, 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 about 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 he was cheerful and in apparent health up to the day before his
seizure, when he complained of pain in his nose and face, headache, chilly.

HYDROPHOBIA FROM SKUNK-BITE

231

and feeliu); tired, but bad no apprebenHioa concerning biniself. Tbe Arst
symptom, t be morning tbe disease developed itself, was a feeling of con-
striction in tbe tbroat, togetber with dryness, opisthotonos, with decided
mania preceding the spasms.

" Case IV. Bite of Wolf. — A private of Co. F, Sixth Cavalry, was bitten
by a wolf one evening, just after be had come off post, in tbe lobe of the
left ear, in tbe early part of October, 1873. Tbe wound was freely cauter-
ized with nitrate of silver by tbe surgeon of the camp. On tbe 'i8th of tbe
same month be applied to me for medicine for headache, which was given
to him. On the 30th he again applied for medicine, stating that be did not
feel sick enough to go on the sick report. Knowing tbe man's history, I
cautiously examined him, and questioned him in such a way as not to ex-
cite his fears. I found that tbe lobe of the ear that had been bitten was
quite numb to tbe touch. No other symptoms presented themselves promi-
nently. There was, however, a general malaise. Tbe day following, the
man was in tbe ranks for muster and inspection. Observing him, I saw at
once that something was wrong, and upon reporting bis case be was ordered
to his quarters, by the commanding officer. Fifteen minutes later I was
sent for to see him, and found him in convulsions, which the orderly in-
formed me came on upon bis attempts to take a drink of water. He was at
once removed to the hospital. He suffered from cold, he told me, whilst
being conveyed there. Examination revealed alternately contracting and
dilating pupils ; skin very hot ; temperature 102°, 102.5°, 100°, by three
examinations, with the thermometer in the axilla ; pulse 120-125, alternat-
ing in volume before and after a spasm, but constantly rapid. Tongue some-
what swollen and indented by tbe teeth on the edge; thick, whitish fur ;
no so-called 'characteristic pustules' under the tongue. Tiiirst intense;
no irritability or sensation in tbe wound of the ear ; constriction of the
pharynx; increasing violent attempts to relieve himself of tbe thick and
tenacious saliva ; sound produced resembling more tbe bark of a wolf than
any sound ever heard. Complete inability to swallow any liquid, the at-
tempt ending in a convulsion. Mental faculties perfect when not in spasm ;
fully aware that death must end the scene. 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 bay-camp,
applied to me in August, 1873, to dress his band, which bad been terribly
lacerated by a favorite hound that day. He stated that bis dog bad been
acting rather strangely for several days, but that up to that time had
always come to him when called, and had appeared as affectionate as ever ;
that a strange dog bad 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 him be (dog) bad 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
bis hand was again cauterized. Tbe following day he called at the hospital
and stated that he had shot his dog, and was satisfied that be was mad, and
that be was going that day to Missouri to have a mad-stone applied. Ue

jSfl

Pi
mm

;! Ml

■i^

ii!: I

'fi'fV"

232

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

.'■ '

i1'

renmined there a week, and then returned and rejoined the hay-camp. On
the twenty-f(inrth day after he was bitten, I whh sent for to visit him at the
hay-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 ; skin hot ; pnlse very ra})id
and small, liio; tongue furred, brownish, swollen; complained that 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 the convulsions were
ushered in. He had been well up to the morning he sent for me. The first
symptom he noticed was the feeling of constriction in his throat, and he
noticed a slight increase of redness in the wounds on his hand, though there
was no pain. Had seen several cases of hydrophobia, and at the earnest
solicitation of his wife had sent for me. Left him 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 pnpil ; great difficulty of swallowing, though he was
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 increase of the thick tenacious saliva, and greater difficulty in
freeing himself of it. No alteration in appearance of wound. The con-
vulsions became more frequent, stronger, and longer in duration. He in-
sisted upon being chained down to the wagon bed to prever^ his injuring
any one. Chloroform was left, with directions as to use. T a day follow-
ing I found him barely alive, unconscious, with frequent feeble spasms.
Death ended the terrible scene after thirty-seven hours of sufl'erings. In
this case there was no marked hypero^sthesia of the skin complained of.

"Neither can I agree with the writer of the paper mentioned above, that
niephitic inoculation is sure death. For the result of one case of bite from
a rabid skunk, which will be detailed more fully hereafter, the report 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-aud-
tan, which have been repeatedly 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 result fatally
from the bite of this animal, than from the bite of rabid dogs or wolves, is
probably, if not actually, the case ; 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 uature 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 exhausted, and forget-
ting its normal timidity will attack any person or animal he may come in
contact with, biting the most exposed art of the body, the alte of the nose,

■ •4 f'/'J.

HYDROPHOBIA FROM SKUNK-BITE.

233

ilie lobo of the ear, the thumb, or one of the flofcers, and passes on. Here
iH 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 fierce 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 mud wolf suddenly sprang upon the officer of the
day, who was making his round, and bit him on the arm, through his cloth-
ing; p&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 shanl.
All the cases were treated the same. The 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 more or less iunocnous-
uess of bites, according 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 wonnds were
upon the hands, they have been fatal in only forty-six cases, harmless in
twenty-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 twenty-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 f<dlows : Out of uineteeu bitten, twelve cases
were fatal and seven bites proved harmless.'

"These facts are confirmatory of those afforded by other statistics, demon-
strating also that rabid wounds upon uncovered or unprotected parts, such
as the face and hands, are mnch more readily contagious than those of the
arms and legs, which the teeth of the animal cannot reach without passing
through a portion of the clothing, which wipes ofl' the virulent moisture
from the teeth. It is true the consequences of bites upon the body seem to
conflict with this statement : but we must remember that generally these
wounds are more severe, and among them some are uncovered parts, such
as the neck and chest, and that, when a man is attacked by a rabid animal
and bitten upon the body, he ;> also bitten upon his hands, which are his
material means of defence. Anoi^ner reason for 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 hydrophobia 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 sufficient importance
to report.

. V! .V "a cask of skunk bite VOt FATAL. (.'-•*•<? .^'l;v..■ .1, ;,,.;*

" W., a young man, twenty-two years old, born in Missouri, commonly known

*" Fo>t Lamed, Kansas."
■ • } ■ t " H. flv.uley, Gt-n. Inspector Vet. Schools of France, etc., etc."

■m

'A I

■ * ' 13

H'''

f ii!

234

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

■.*■/.',

by the Honbriqnot ' Pike County,' driving a team for a party of enngrants for
Colorado, waa bitten at night, in the early part of May, ld74, upon lott cheek,
by a sknnk, whilst camped at Park's 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 he take i^th grain
of strychnia every three hours during the day, with vegetable tonics and full
diet, the wound to be cauterized morning and night, and a poultice to bo
applied one hour before retouching to remove the eschar and promote sup-
puration. No cbaraoteristic symptoms being produced by the strychnia on
the fourth day, it was increased to T^th grain dose, given as before. Sup-
puration was fairly set up in the wound and continued ; four days after,
Htryclinia 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 ho
jerked somewhat more than natural when asleep. Suppuration of the wound
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 eifcct of the medicine, for six days. On the last day I
detected some slight iu' ^luntary twitching of the muscles of the face, and
reduced tlie dose. Two days after reducing he remarked that he guessed that
he was safe from hydrophobia, as the strychnia bad not killed him. The
wound was allowed to heal up, which it did rapidly, and a few days after he
left the hospital, and I saw him three mouths 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 undoubt-
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 should another case
present, would adopt the same treatment and push 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 ninety days, no
opportunity in the meanwhile being afforded for subsequent inoculation of
hydrophobia. Statistics show 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,
and that after the ninety days entire immunity is almost certain. Still, I
am aware that cases are reported of a longer period of incubation. These

~~~' "~~ -""Park's'Fort" KfR R. W." ,. ,

HYDROPHOBIA FROM SKUNK-BITE.

235

are exceptional, and when reported to extend beyond the fonrth month it
may be qnestioned whether the patient has not been unconsciously inocu-
lated by the careHses of a pot dog, suft'oring from the disease unsuspected,
from tetanus, or, as Baron Larrey* remarked, when coramentatiuK upon Dr.
Ferool'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-
phobia 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 prodromic 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 pr:n or numbness at the seat of the wound,
were present from one to three days. To most of these unfortunates the
fearful 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 ccses of hydrophobia produced
either by the bite of the skunk, wolf, or dog. Niemeyer t 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 be avertefl, have not been substantiated.'

" 3. That the invariable accompaniments of Rabies Canina were not want-
ing in the cases of R. Mephitica. The specitic actit)n of the poison was made
manifest first by the oesophageal branch of the eighth pair, gi :'ing 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, hyperajsthe-
sia existing in a marked degree, with the exceptiou,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 especially the region of the medulla oblongata
becomes affected by the terrible convulsions and delirium in the more ad-
vanced stage of the malady. The 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 perception. 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, and, as if nature gave up the conflict,
died without a groan."

* " Loudon Medical Times and Gazette, Aug. 8, 1874, p. 159."
t " Niemeyer, Pract. of Med,"

!' I

CHAPTER VIII.

ME PHITINzE— Continued: Skunks.

The genus Mephitis, continued — Mephilis macrura, the Long-tailed Mexican
Sltiink — Synonymy — Habitat — Specific cliaracters — Description — Tlieaiib-
genwi Spilogale — Mephitis (Spilogale) pnforitia, the Little Striped Skunk —
Synonymy — Habitat — Specific charactera — D.^^cription of external char-
acters — Description of the sknll and tenth — History of the species — The
({eniis Conepatus — Conepatus mapurilo, the White-backed Skunk — Synon-
ymy — Habitat — Specific characters — Description of external characters —
Description of the skull aiul teeth — Descriptiou of the anal ((lauds — Geo-
(rraphical distribution and habits.

THE length of the foregoing chapter having rendered a
division of the parts of the work relating to Mephinnrc
ndviisable, I continue directly with an acconnt of the other
Bpecies of the genus Mephitis, and of the genus Conepatus.

Iioiiff-tailefl Ulexican iSkiink.

9I«phitis macriira.

Mephilis mafroura, liicR Darst. Siiug. isa7-;i4, pi. 46, "f.l,2"; Abh. Alt. Wis8. Berl. 1*36
(IH3S),277.— M'aj/>i«r, Suppl. Sehrehur, ii. 1841, IdS.—Sehim, S.yn. i. 1844, 323, no. li.—
Buifdy M. N. A. 1857, 200.— To»ft«», V. Z. S. 188 1, 280.— (/ere. Cut. Bones Br. Mils. 18oi, 97.
[Nut nacrours of And. &. Bnch., nor of Woodhonse.]

Mephilis mcxlcana, Gray, Mag. N. H. i. 1837, 581; P.Z.S. 18G3, 149; Cat Cam. Br. Miis.
1869, — .

? .Uemiltillls edulls, Iterlandier, MSS. ined.* ' .

Quid Mevhltis lUDKlcandata, Tomes, P.Z. S. 1861,280 (Quatemala) t

* Tho animal referred to by Burlaudier is probably this species. " Smaller
than the Polecat. Length of head and body 13 inches; tail 11; black ; a
white frontal line; another on the uape, dividing into two lateral ones, after-
ward converging near the root of the tail, on which they unite ; tail white-
tipped. Inhabits most of Mexico. I have found it about Sau Fernando de
Bexar, and in eastern interior States, where it is improperly called Zorillo.
It may be tamed ; is rather nocturnal; hunts various small animals ; is slow
and heavy in its movements, and bites forcibly. The fluid is highly phos-
phorescent by night. The natives are fond of its flush; they kill it, taking
care not to irritate it, remove the anal glaads entire, cut otf 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 re-
sembled young pork." (Freely translated with abridgment from the original
MSS.)

236 ~~

DESCRIPTION OF MEPHITIS MACRUHA.

237

Hah. — Mexico. (Not known to occur in tlm United StatoH.)

Si'KCIkk; ciiAi<ACTKR8. — Tail very lonjj, tiio veitoltim alone nearly as lon;j

nn tlio lieail and body; tail with liali-a not Hliortur than the heai' "nd body.

A broad undivided white docHal area (as in Convpalitu), with laic'ral Mtripo

and frontal streak (iu the Hpccimen examined).

Description.*

The specimen wliicli I refer without hesitation to thi.s species
is considerably smaller than M. mephitica, in fact little exceed-
ing Spihgale jmtoriiiH, with a tail (including hairs) longer than
the head and bmly, and other characters indicating specific
validity.

I have no doubt that this specimen represents Lii'htcnstein's
animal, described as above cited, from IMexico. The M. rittata
of the same author, op. cit. pi. 47 (also Abhand. Akad. Wiss.
Berlin for .1836, 1838, 278; Wagner, Suppl. Schreb. ii. 1841;
Baird, M. N. A. 1857, 200), from Oaxaca, is based upon certain
slight peculiarities of color, and does not seem to be specifically
f'istr'iguishable. 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 snout
very acutely pointed but not produced, and closely furred to
the sm all, rounded, definitely naked nasal pad. The nostrils are
antero-lateral. The ears are much as in M. mephitica — perhaps
rather smaller. The fore claws seem to be remarkably long,
slender, and curved ; the outer reaches 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 equal in length the head and body,
which is not the case in any other 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 Conepattts with lateral dorsal stripes and frontal
streak of Mephitis mephitica. The white dorsal area begins
squarely on the UHpe and continues uninterrupted to the tail,
but is only pure white anteriorly, being elsewhere of a grayish

* Fruui No. do60, Mus. Siuiths., Orizaba, Mexico, Botteri.

! ■ >'

li!

238

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

cast, aad between tbe shoulders a small irregular blrck spot
appears, leading to tbe supposition tbat tbe wbite dorsal area
in this species is liable to tbe same variations tbat are known
to exist in otber specie s. In addition to tbis general white area,
a slight wbite lateral stripe starts independently over each
shoulder and is continued for a little distance along tbe sides —
in this specimen fuii<her on one side than on tbe 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 wbite on the under surface of M. mephitica! (compare
expression in Linnseus's diagnosis of his Viverra memphitia of the
lOtb edition— "»M6tw« ex albo et nigro variegatus"). Tbe tail
is entirely and intimately mixed black and white — viewed from
below, we see chiefly hairs pure white at base and black at end,
from above, mixed white and black-and-white hairs, {)roducing a
grizzled gray cast, and in direct continuation of the dorsal stripe.
(This is exactly as given by Lichtenstein ; Gray's description
gi^es the tail as black ; the variation is thus seen to be as in
tboi allied species.)

The dimensions of a dried but fairly well-stuffed specimen
are as follows : Nose to root of tail about 13 inches (Lichten-
stein says 14) ; tail-vertebrte nearly the same, but rather less
(13 inches — Licht.), the hairs 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 animal described by these authors being simply
the common M. mephitica under one of its interminable color-
variations. ;

The Subgenus &r>ILOGALE. (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.

.'- , ■*•» t

SYNONYMY OF MEPHITIS PUTOKIUS. 239

The Little Striped Skiinii. ;

Mephitis (Siillogale) pntorlns. (L.) 'ly '■''•''

Plates XII, XIII. XIV.

Vlverra putoriUS, L. & N. I. lOth ed. 1758, 44, no. 3 ; 1. 1766, 64, no. 4 (partly. Baaed primarily
upon Putiirius atneriranug striatus, Catesb. Car. ii. 1731, 63, pi. 6'i- Quota's also Kalm, '
Itlu. ii. 378. Includes syns. and descr. of T. memphitis of 10th ed. DiaRnosis agrees
sufficiently with Spilogale ; general bearing rather upon MephitU mephitiea).—Qm.
S. N. i. 1788, 87, no. 4 (partly).

Rpllogale piitorlUH, Couet, Bull. U. S. Geol. and Geogr. Surv. Terr. 2d ser. no. 1, 1875, p. 12
(skull and teeth).

MephltiN Interrupta, i?a^. Ann. Xat. 1818, 3, no. 4 ("Lonisiana ").— Z««». Man. 1827, 152, no.
ill.— Griff. An. Kingd. v. 1827, 1'JQ, no. 35f>r.— Finch. Syn. 1829, \6i.—Licht. Abh. Akad.
Wiss. Berl. 1836 (1838), 2t3, pi. 2, f. l.—Schim, Syn. i. 1844, 325, no. 16. (All after liaji-
neiique.)

Rpilogale interrupta. Gray, P. Z. S. 1P65, 150; Cat Cam. Br. Mus. ISfiO, — .

Mephitis birolor. Gray, Mag. N. H. i. 1837, 581.— Botrd, M. X. A. 1857, l9^.—^arker, Am. Nat
iv. 1870, 376 ; iv. 1871, 761 (Iowa, and probably New York).— 4 Uen, Bull. M. 0. Z. ii. 1871,
169 (Florida, common).— Jlferr. U. S. Geol. Saw. Terr. 1872, 662 (Idaho).

Mephitis zorilla, LicKt. Abh Akad. Wiss. Beriin, 1836 (pub. 1838), pi. 2, f. 2 (not of Licht.,
Darst. pi. 48, f. 2, which is an African species— whether the Zurille of Bnft"., xiii. 1765,
302, pi. 41 ? } }.— \ragn. Suppl. Schreber, ii. 1841, 199, pi. IZi.—Schinz, Syn. i. 1844, 325, na
15.— And. <fi Bach. Q. N. A. iii. 1854, 276 (tab. nulla).

Mephitis amerirana var. R., Desm. Mamm. i. 1820, 187 (= interrupta Raf).

Mephitis quaterliHearls,' E. IT. Winans, writing from Williamsport, Kaus., in a (Kansas?)
newHpa|)eT, name unknown, date 18.59.*

*My eudeavurs to couiplete the reference, and thus place the synouyui
properly on record, have been unavailing. The newspaper clipping which
came into my possession does not include even the name of the paper —
nothing but ii date, " 1859", in MS., which I recognize as that of Prof. Baird,
who, however, has no recollection of the source of the clip. The following
is the article in full, with typography copied as closely as possible : —

"Mephitis Quaterlinearis.— Win.— Four>striped Skunk.

"dental FORM ALA. . .

" Incisive 6-6 ; Canine 1-1— l-l ; Molar 4-4—5-5 = 34.

" From point of nose to end of tail, vertebrae, S2j^ inches.

" From heel to top of shoulder, 4^.

" 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 bead.
Four parallel lines of wliite about one fourth of an inch in breadth and three-
fourths of an inch apart, have their origon about the posterior part of the
head, the two upper originally on either side of the occiput, while the two
lower have their commencement behind and at the lower 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
rather ascend to the hind part of the shoulder where they descend one inch
to the elbow joint. A transverse 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

lill!

ij 1

' Ml!

240

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

f f f MepbltiN myotlH, Fiseh. Syn. 1829, 162 (baoedon lietepiiante, Da Pratz, Lonla. ii. 97, flg.

(not identiflable, but very likely belonging here).
Little Striped Skunk, Auf/iorj.
Moufette Intcrrompue, Less. l.e.
Stinkthler mit unterbrochenen Blnden, iSTeMnz, {. e.

Hah. — United States, southerly. Carolina, Georgia, Florida. Iowa, Kan-
sas, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado. Washington Territory. Southwestern
States and Territories. Cape St. Lucas, (f New York.)

Specific charactkrs. — Black or blackish, with numerous white stripes
aud spotp, 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 is the smallest of the American species, as
fully indicated 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- vertebrae are considerably less than half
as long as the head aud 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 of each thigh ; one on either side of the root of the
tail; and a tuft of white hair arises from the tip of the 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 and having a finer and denser pelage differently 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 examined were obtained in Kansas and vary in their markings as oth-
ers of the genus. The abovo specimen was a male taken on the 16th of Dec,
1858, excessively poor and weighed only one pound three ounces avoirdupois.

"/Another malespecimen which I examined weighed two pounds; his meas-
nremeuts being rather less thau the above ; his markings were similar ex-
cepting they were hner. 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 DOW venture to introdace this u amiual as here-to-fore being a
nondescript.

"EDGAR W. WINANS.

" Williamsport, Shawnee Co., K. T."

* From No. 11£ ' Mus. Smiths. last.^ Fonntaiu, Colorado, C. E. Aiken.

^mn

DESCRIPTION OF MEPHITIS PUTORIUS.

241

lu color, this animal is black or blackish, relieved with white,
like the other species. But the number and disposition of the
markings are peculiar, affording 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-liko coloratiou is scarcely
duplicated in any two specimetfs; in fact, the opposite sides of
the same specimen show sometimes an appreciably different
pattern. The markings are difficult of adequate expression in
words that shall cover all their modifications; and those of the
same specimen might easily be described in such different ways
as to convey an impression of distinct species — as 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 with
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 these 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, find)
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
DO less than eighteen separate white marks, exclusive of tail-
tip and the vague chin-spots. The three head-spots and the
four parallel dorsal stripes on the anterior part of the body are
the most constant, and may, so far as I have seen, be always
traced, though the median pair of stripes are liable to ulight
interruption. The lateral pair are the firmest of all the mark-
ings. There is special liability to a break in these stripes where
they begin to curve downward on the side. Complete break
here, fusion of the solitary pair of dorsal spots with the trans-
10 M

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242

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

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verse flank stripe, and lengthening into a stripe of the hip-spot,
result in three vertical crescentie 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 traceable 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 slioulder-
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 muffle 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 notable in old museum specimens.

In this connection, the reader will refer, if he is snflBciently
interested to do so, to Plate XII, on which is a wood-engraving
of a photograph of two skins, showing the complicated mark-
ings very clearly.

Description of the shull and teeth.

Numerous specimens before me, labelled "Incolor^^ and "zo-
r/Wa", 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 expressions 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 mephitica 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, but well defined, as acute eminences, prolonged from

CRANIAL CHARACTERS OP MEPHITIS PUTORIUS. 243

well-defined ridges of bone divaricating from the sagittal crest.
This crest is a single and acute ridge in adnlt skulls; in young
ones, it is a tablet of bono, the sides of which separate almost
at once from the occipital protube'ance. There is little post-
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 us in the last species; but
their upward 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 intermastoid diameter
being relatively much greater than it is in either Conepatus 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 point whore
the supraoccipital bones leave the general occipital crest is
about straight — if anything, concave.

A notable peculiarity 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 ift 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; this feature is
also due, in 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 already 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 bullee auditoria> and periotic region gen-
erally. The bullsB are not only more swollen at the usual point

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244

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

of greatest iiifliitioii, but, behind them, the part that reaches
between the lateral elements of the occipital bone and the
lateral portion of the lambdoidal 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 mastoid sinuses. The bony palate ends in the same rela-
tive position as in M. mephitica, and shows the same variation
in the character of the edge of this shelf.

The mandible, though, of course, proportionally smaller than
in M. mephitica, is identical in shape, contrasting equally well
with the peculiarities of Gonepatm, 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 developed, and,
as far as I can see, the dentition is, in other respects, nearly
identical with that of Mephitis; the upper sectorial tooth (pos-
terior premolar), however, has the cusp of its inner moiety
rather a pointed process of the border itself than 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 ou the left; while the lower jaw of the

same specimen shows an abortive posterior i^remolar on the

left side. But, in general, in Mephitinw, abortion or other

irreguliirities of dentition are less frequent than in the Muste-

linWf where the smaller teeth are more crowded.

- ■(;;. \''^' ■ > ■■,'. ■ ■ ■'■ ,-•-'..

„ rr.;|. I ,,, ... History 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 nature
becomes a matter requiring some judgment and experience ;
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 oven prepared from
poor descriptions, should have made inextricable confusion. In
an attempt to trace the written history o( Mephitis putorius, it is
probably not possible to identify all the names which have been
imposed upon it, nor even to fix the date of its first appearance
in literature. It is certain, however, that the animal 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

HISTOUY OF THE LITTLE STRIPED SKUNK.

245

names which have become most extensively current. Referring
to the above synonymatic list as a renund of the views enter-
tained concerning the record of the species, some points of
special pertinence to M, putorins may be here noticed.

Le Zorille of Buffon (Biat. Nat. xiii. 1765, pp. 289, 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 Linnieus, who carried his grudge against his French rival so
far as to ignore him in the "Systema Naturre'', 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 species, 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 Gonepatua^ or to
Mephitis proper. Whether or not we agree with Prof. Lichten-
stein that Buffon's Zorille was this species, various indications
of Yiverra 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 Pol cat of Catesby, as above quoted, described with five
narrow white lines, is a species which authors have found it
difficult to locate, as the Oomtuon Skunk, M. mephitica^ 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 Spilogale, which is the only species having
several white lines, the pertinence of Oatesby's reference here
is evident. Catesby is primarily the basis of Viverra putorius,
the only species of Skunk in the 12th edition of Linnseus; and
LinnsBUs's diagnosis '^F. fusca lineis quatuor dorsalibus nlhis
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 coustant character. It is true that
the remainder of Linuiieus'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

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246

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

8. putoritia from LIddsbus, as I recently did {I. s. o.), 1 rested
upon the exclusive pertiueuce of his diaguosis, and his quota-
tion of Catesby.

The Mephitis interrupta of pafinesque 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 striped 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 zorilla, were it not anticipated by Linnajus, as just
shown.

Among earlier accounts, the best description I have seen is
that presented by Shaw, page 389, vol. i. of the General Zool-
ogy under head of " var." of his Striated Weesel. Shaw refers
*:■■ )me miscellaneous plates of animals published a short time
previously by Mr. Catton, among which is a representation of
an animal " having only four white bands on the back, and the
tail almost 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 " bete
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, I. c.

In 1837, Dr. J. E. Gray bestowed upon this species the name
of M.bicolor, by which it has been generally known of late years.
About the same time, Lichtenstein adopted the name of M.
zorilla, after Buffon, in which he was followed by Wagner and
Audubon. Lich ten stein's earlier M. zorilla, of the Darstellun-
gen neuer Saugethiere, u. s. w., is ihe entirely different African
animal.

The only description I have seen in which /oMr white lines are
prominently indicated since those of Linnaeus and Shaw is an
account given in 1859, when a certain Mephitis quaterlinearis

HABITS OF THE LITTLE STRIPED SKUNK.

247

was formally named and dei^cribed in a Kansas (?) newspaper, as
above quoted. It is singular that upward of a century inter-
vened between these two curiously concordant accounts. Mr.
Winans's description is accurate in the minutest particulars ;
it was evidently taken from a specimen exactly like some of
those now before me.

, jit

is I!

Geographical distribution and habits.

The geographical distribution of this species is much more
extensive than has been generally supposed. Thus, Prof. Bainl,
in 1S57, 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, aud 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 Cape 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 {Rvsperomya)
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 ot 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 to the presence of man,
yet I should think that their companionship would give rise to

'■■'.:\i\

248

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

a certain sense of insecurity, unfavorable to peace of mind.
To depend upon the good will of so irritable and so formidable
a beast, whose temper may be ruMed in a moment, is hazard-
ous — like the enjoyment of a cigar in a powder-magazine.

^ The Genus CONEPATUS. (Gray.)

X VIrerrii sp^ Gulo »p., of some authors.

< MrphUlN uf most aiithorti.

< MarpulluM, O'-at/, Charleaw.HaK-N. B.i, tS-Tr, sat. ' '
= €»nepatUN,6Va;/, Cbarlenw. Mag. X. H. i. 1837, 5tit.

>= TtaiOHmUN, Lichteustevn, Abh. Akod. Berl. for le36, 1838.

The very well-marked characters of this genus have already
been given (p. 192). The pecnliarities of the skull and teeth are
correlated with certain modifications 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 South America.

I have not been able to examine any specimens of this genus
from other than United States and Mexican localities, represent-
ing in strictness the Mephitis {Thiosmus) mesoleucm of Lichten-
stein and late American writers, the iewcouofMsof Lichtenstein,
and the M. nasuta of Bennett. The synonymatic list given
beyond must be regarded as somewhat tentative or presump-
tive, indicating tliat I see nothing in the deaeriptions of authors
forbidding the supposition that the seemingly interminable list
of nominal species really refers to more than a single good one.
In adopting a name for the "Conepatl'*, 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.

SYNONYMY OP C0NEPATU8 MAPURITO.

249

Gray's barbarous term for tbis geniis^ Conepatu8, is obviously
the same as the old Mexican Conepatl. Of its meaning I am
not certain ; but it probably refers to the burrowing of the ani-
]nal ; for, it may be observed, nepantla in the Nahuatl language
signified a subterranean dwelling.* Gray'^ other generic name,
Marputius, is similarly related to Mapurito. This word may be
compared with Mephitis itself through such forms as Maftiti-
liqiH, Freuiih Mou/ette, &Q. .*. . ,.,.,.

.bif ••v>i ....

The Hrhite-backed §kiink.

Conepatns niapnrlto^

Plate XV. ' •;'•'•'■''•'' "'-' ■'• ''r "

Vlverra pntorlOS, 3luti», "Act. Holm, xxxii. 1760, 68" (non Linn).

Vlverra mapurito, Cm. S. N. 1. 17f8, 88, no. 15 {ex Mutls).— <$/iai«, G. Z. 1. 1800, XH.—Turt. S.

N. i. 1806, .53.

Gulo mapurito, llumb. " Roo. Obn. Zonl. , i. 350".

MephltlH mapurito, Lesn. Man. 1837. 151, no. 401.—Ft»eh. Syn. 1839, 16\.—Schim, Syn. {. 1844,

318, no. l.-Licht Abh. Ak. Wiss. Berlin, 1836 {IS36), 210 {rhwsmu»).—T»ehudi, Fo.

Peru. 1844-46, 113.— Oiebel, Siiiiu. 1:855, 764.
t'onepatus mapurito, Cottes, Unll. cr. S> Geol. and Oeogr. Snrv. Terr. 9d sor. no. 1, 1875, 14

(Rkull and teeth).
rVirerramephititt, Gfm.S.N. i. 1788, ,— C'CMncAe, Buff., xiii.pl. 39").— 72Vr(on,S.K.

i. 1806, S3.
TiTerra conepatl, Gtn. S. N. i. 1788, 88, no. 13 (Oon«paW, Hem., Mex. 338).
MephltlH conepatl, FUch. Syn. 1839, 160.
tMephitlNCliilenslM, " Oeo/T. Cat. Mus." (.Mov/ette du Chili, Buff. H. K SuppL vii. 33.3, pi.

57).— Fr. Ouv. "Diet. Sc. Nat. xiil, 18—, 136".—" Oriff. Anim. Kingd. ii. , — , f. -."—

Less. Man. 1837, 153, no. 40S.—FUeh. Syn. 1839, 160.— I^cAt. Abh. Ak. Wisa. Berlin, 1836

(1838),378(7'Aio«mu«).— ScAiTW,8yn. i. 1844, 319, no. 4.—" Gray, P. Z. S. 1848, ,— ." —

Oieb. Saug. 1853,765.
Marputiuschllensls, Oray, "Mag. KH. 1.1837 '. • . ..;•

ConepatU» "chlnensls", Gerr. Cat Boneo Br. Mas. 1863, 97 (by typog. err. for chiletuvi).

tiulo quitensi!*, Humb. " Ree. Oba. Zool. i. , 346 l.or}347 " {A.tok, Zorra, Qloutm de Qitito).

f Mephitis quItenNlsXm. Man. 1837, 153, no. WO.—Fiseh. Syn. 1839, 161.— £icA(. Abb. Akad.

Wiai. Berlin, 1836 (1838), 373 {thio»mus).—Sch.\m, Syn. i. 1844, 319, no. 4.
YGHl0 8Ufrocan8»"/U. Verb. BerL Akad. Wiasenacb. 1811, 109 (Yag\tar6, Azara, i. 311. of

French transL—CAificAe, FeuilUe, Jonm.Obs.Phy8. 1714, 872)" (Braziland Paraguay).
? Mephitis SUffocans, Licht Darst. Sb'ng. 1837-34, pi. 48, f. 1 ; Abh. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, 1836

(f838), p.—{ThiotmMS).~Seki7ui, Syn.i.l8i4, 380, no.5(Thiosr»us).—aieb.S&as. 1855v76Sl

t;HephitlH feulllel, , "Zool. de la Bonite, ,— , pi. 3, f. 1-3" {Schim).

tConepatUH humhOliUII et var., Qray, Mag. N. H. i. 1837, 581; List Mamm. Br. Mns. 1843,

m.—Oerrard, Cat. Bones Br. Mas. 1863, 97.
r .Mephitis humboldtii, Itlainv. "Osteog. Mxistela, pi. 13, f. — (teeth)".
f Mephitis patagonica, lAeht Abb. Akad. Wiss. Bert. 1836(1838), 3*5 {Thiosmm) (" Yagxiari,
Maikd, Falk. PaUg. tiS").—8ehim, Syn. i. 1844. 330, no. 6 {ThiMtntu).—" Burm. L»

Plata. iL , 400."-Gm6. Sftug. 1855,. 765. .;.

t .Mnstela (Lyncodon) patagonica, D' Orb. " Voy. Ani6r. M6rid."

f Mephitis amazonica, Lieht Abh. Ak. Wiss. Berl. 1836 (1838), 2T5(Thiosmtu).—Sehim, Syn.

1. 1844, 331, na Ti.—Tehudi, Fn. Pern, 1844-46, 115.
TConepatus amazonica. Gray. List Br. Mua. 1843, 69.
f Mephitis molinie, lAeht Abh. Akad. Wiaa. Berl. 1836(1838), 373 (Thiosmus) {"Ohinehe.

Molina, Hial. Kat. Chili, 340") (Chili).— ScAinz, Syn. 1844, .ISl, no. 8.

* Fide Prof. G. liarroeta, of Sau Luis Putoai, Mexico, to whom I appliea per-
8oual]y for tbia iuforiuation.

250

NORTH AMERICAN MITSTELID^E.

tMephlllNgumlllir, £<()A(. Abh. Ak. Wisa Bnrl ism (IS38) C Jlonfelte mnpurita or Majn-

taiqui, Gtiruilla, OHdooo, li. in6").— «oAiru. Syn. 1. 1844, »31, uo. 10.
MephltiN meiioleuca, Z.ieA(. Dant SUuk- 18:17-34, , pi. 44, f. 8; Abh. Akad. WIm. Berl. 1636

(1838), 311, pi. 1, f. 1 {Thioimui) (Chloo, Mexico).— iraf;n. Siippl. Schrxb. ii. 1841, IDi),

pi. 131 X.-ScMm, Syn. i. 1844, 319, no. X—A.ud. it Back. Q. X. A. it. 1851, 18, pi. 53.—

aUb. Sttag. 1855, llH.—Baird, M. X. A. 1857, 1U3 (aubg. Thiotmu»)—Tomei, P. Z. S. Itltil,

380 (Ouatoiuala).— Jfoxint. Aroli. f. Naturg. xxvii, Idfil, 213.
ThIosmaH neHolearii, Lm». Kouv. Tab), R. A. 1843. 06.

ThlosHHR metiOleucOR, Ohatin, Ann. Scl. Nat. 5th ser. xix. 1874, 100, pi. 6, f. S»-63 (anat.).
Meptaltiii leucunota, Lieht Darat. Sttug. 1837-34, , pi. 44, f. 1 ; Abh. Akad. WImm. Borl. 1836

(1638), 371 (r/(to«mu<) (Alvaradu, Mexico).- /ScAin2, Syn. i. 1844,310, no. S.-OJfb.Sttng.

1853, 764.— BatVd, M. N. A. 1857, 'iOO.—Tomet, P. Z. S. 1861, 380 (Quateiuala).
Mephitis leucunoU Intermedia, D» Sauit, R. M. Z. 1860, 6.
MepbltlH BASUta, Bennett, P. Z. S. i. 1833, 3<J (Califoruia).— <7rai/, Mag. N. H. i. 1837,

Fraeer, Zodl. Typ. no. 4, pi. — .
MarputlHH nattuta. Gray, Mag. N. H. 1. 1837, 581.
Thiosmus nasuta, Lest. Nouv. Tabl. K. A. 1843, 66.
VonepatuN nasutu, vars. naNUta, humboldtll, rhlleiiHlH et llriitenstelntl, Gray, P. Z. 8.

1865, 145, 146, 147; Cat Cam. Br. Mub. 186tf, — .
f T"Mephltltt caNtaneUM, D'Orbig. Voy. Am6r. M^rid. 31, pi. 13, 13, f. 3."—" Giebel, Odontog.

35, pi. 13, f. 7."— fift«b. Sfiug. 18.55, 765 (Southern South America).
?"HepllltlH nircata, irapn.Suppl. Sohreb. ii. 1841, 193" (Chili).— TmA. Arch. Katurg. 1843,

948) Fn. Peru. 1844-46, 114 (Peru),
t Mephltltt weHti'rmannI, Reinh. Vid. Selak. Forb. 1856, 370.

t Mephitis amerlcana, vara. DT , E, F, 0, H, I, M.f , Q, Desm. Marom. i. 1830, 166-167.*
f Mephitis amerlcana, varg. a, d? , h, m, n, o, p, s, OriJ, Au. Kingd. v. 1837, 137, no. 358.
fMalkcl, Patagonlan Malkel, Gray,!, c. i-v - " •

Hab. — Sonthwestera border of the United States aud southward through
Mexico aud Central and Sonth Aiuerica.

Specific characters. — Black or blackish, with a white dorsal area sonie-
tiuies divided by a black vertebral stripe, rarely broken into several por-
tions; tail white, or black and white. . • ^.^

' Description c^ external characters.*

This species differs materially from the Xorth Americaa and
Mexican Mephitis proper, in many points of external anatomy,
as well as the more essential structural peculiarities upon
which the genus Conepaius primarily rests. These secondary
generic characters are the same, as far as 'mown, in all the
several slight varieties of the (probably) single species which
represents the genus. The general configuration 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-
pads, 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 aud a half from the nose to

* From specimens from Texas and Mexico, with uninterrupted white
dorsal area and white tail.

DESCRIPTION OF CONEPATUS MAPURITO.

251

the root of the tail. The head ii more leugthened and nar-
rowly conical than in Mephitk The facial aspect is highly
characteristic in the production and attenuation of the snout
and lownesB of the ears. The long snout is broad and de-
pressed on top, obliquely truncated in front, with a backward
bevelling, so to si)eak, which brings the nostrils anteroinfe-
rior — they are not at all visible from above. The mu?zle is
almost a little retrousse, 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 ..aked
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 grows upward and forward from the lips.

The external ears are so slightly developed that they have
been described as 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 broadly
open. The eye is considerably nearer to the ear than to t'ue
end of the snout. The mouth is wholly far inferior, with short
gape ; it is nearly au 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, bushy member in Mephitis and
Spilogale — iu fact, it is only superior in these respects to the
stumpy tail of Taxidea. It is difficult to estimate its relative
leujjth accurately, owing to the character of the base ; but the
vertebras 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 or five inches in length, iu dif-
ferent specimens; the width of the hairs in the middle, pressed
flat sideways, is from six to ten inches. The tail, especially
when white, or the white portion of it when black and white,

' m

,- 3

1 : f

■ ! !U

252

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

frequently presents a worn scrubby appearance, as if abraded ;
and th« white tip, when » "ourring in connection with black,
may seem as if imperfectly connected with tho remaining por-
tion. .^: ere is something very peculiar in the character of the
white hairs of the tail of this or other Skunks; it is very
coarse, stiff, yet weak and brittle, almost like Antelope hair, to
which it has beeu aptly compared; it seems as if partiaJy 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 utarked ; 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 tifth is notably
smaller, reaching to tue middle of the fourth ; the first is much
shorter and more curved, reaching little beyond the base of the
second. The terminal bulbs of all the toes are large.

The scles of the hiud 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 ">^ variable depth and distinct-
ness from tho bulbous part at th«. ^dse 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 clawH are very much smaller than those
of the fore feet, short, stout a^ 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. Tlie pecu-
liarity of the white hairs of the tail has beeu already indicated.

DESCRIPTION OP CONEPATUS MAPURITO.

253

In coloration, this auitnal presents greater variations than
those of Mephitis mephiticaj in which the differences are mainly
in the extt^ut or restriction of the two normal white stripes.
The pattern is essentially a white dorsal area, which \i;iy in-
clude 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,
tinally, may be interrupted in its continuity. >.. • i . •

Viewing the wholly indeterminate character of this white area,
and comparing it with corresponding variations in Mephitis
mephitica, it is easy to account for the extraordinary confusion
which prevails 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 specific
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 wMite."

This is a perfectly applicable and exact description of both

Mephitis mephitica and Conepatus mapnrito when the latter has

the dorsal area divided. Again : —

' "Black; back with a single broad white stripe; tail black

and white." ' ^ "' ^■

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1 1

t-ir

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254

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELlDiE.

This is entirely pertinent to both Mephitis rnacrura and Cone-
patus mapurito when the latter has the dorsal area undivided.
I tlo not know where to look for the parallel to this curious well-
spring of error.

Even after the full re(!Ognition by Lichtenstein and Gray of
the diflferent genera of Skunks, many nominal species endured,
upon the basis of CDloration alone. In the case of Conepattis,
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 me, 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 ao wholly within
the normal range of individual variability of th^ species.

Nor are the ascribed differences, when sifted of generalities
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 width (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 t*"e foregoing extensive synonymy of Couepatm,
I have not been unmindful of Dr. Gray's judicious caution : —
"When we have the power 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
iu 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 tix upon the proper na*' .e for each, would
be well-nigh futile, so inextricably blended has it become;
that should a second species of Gonepatm be hereafter estab-

SKULL AND TEETH OF CONEPATUS MAPURITO. 255

lislied, 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 Conepatus 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. mephitica, 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 notably tapering — decid-
edly more so than in M. m^Mtica, though the calibre at the
base of the zygomata is even greater. 1?he 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, fhe 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 higher 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 interorbital 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

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256

NORTH AMERICAN MU8TELID.E.

zygomatic root, and consequently being rather a tube than a
hole. The zygomatic bones are slenderer and less laminar than
in Mephitis. Tlie 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 Conepatus 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 tlie interparoccipital w'dth ; in Mephitis,
it is, if anything, less. Beneath, the palate is seen to end some
distance back of a line drawn across behind the molars \ the
pterygoids and contained interspace are correspondingly shorter
than in Mephitis, 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 iu
both Mephitis ahd Spilogale.

The lower jaw gives excellent characters. The angle of the
mandible is strongly exficcted 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 apex 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
mephitiea is here equally applicable.

Vertebr* : 0. 7 ; D. 16 ; L. 5 ; S. 3 ; Cd. 18 (Oermrd).

Description of the anal glauds.

The anal armature of this species has been investigated by M.
Ghatin, who has published a thorough description, illustrated
with excellent figures, in the Annales des Sciences Naturelles, as

ANAL GLANDS OP CONEPATUS MAPURITO.

257

above quoted. Although the specimen bad been preserved ia
i'lcohol for several years, it was still extremely ofteusive, and
the preservative fluid was tainted with the same fetor. M.
Chatin's account is substantifilly as follows : — The anus presents
56""" behind the root of the penis, in 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
papilliB, situated on each side of the anus, about 9""" from the
middle line. Moderate pressure suffices to bring up to these
orifices the dirty brown fetid liquid which has made Skunks
famous. Kemoval 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 suflicient 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 passeti 'over it. It is enveloped in a thick
muscular tunic, the origin of which may be readily determined.
It iii c. ell known that the ischiocavernous muscle (ischiopenial
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 for jiation of the
tunic ; nor can we entirely separate from it the prostatic muscles
which are blended with it, and which cover the upper portion
17 m

258

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

I '

of the urethra iu those animals that, like the present species
and the Dog, have no Cowper's glands. The muscular coat,
about 3""" thick, is composed 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-posterior axis of the gland, while the fibres
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 Carnirora, 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 culsde-sac measure on an average 0""".55 iu
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 specimen examined, 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 Herjyestes fmciatus.

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 the anatomy of the various
species of Mephitis is not better known, for it would be interest-
ing to compare them in the details 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.

< Oeographical distribution and habits.

The general extra-Iimital dispersion of the species southward
has been already indicated. Lichtensteiu's M. mesoleuca was
procured by Deppe, in 1825, near Ghico, Mexico ; his leueonota
was from the Rio Alvarado, Mexico. Bennett's M. nasuta came

HABITS OF THE WHITE-BACKED SKUNK.

259

from "California". Audubon and Bachman describe the ani-
mal from Texas. The only specimen Baird had seen in 1857
was also from this State (Llano Estacado), 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 Audubon's 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 mesoleuea 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 insects, 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 drawing 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 (or 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
and 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 {Mejthitis chinga), in the vicinity of the ranches
and plantations of the Mexicans, and it is quite as destructive

/if

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260

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

to poultry, eggs, &c., as its northern relative. We have not
ascertained anything about its season of breeding, or the time
the female goes with young ; we have no doubt, however, that
in these characteristics it resembles the other and closely-allied
species.

" The long and beautiful tail of the Skunk makes it conspic-
uous among the thickets or in the musquit [mezquite] bushes of
Texas, and it most frequently 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 x^laces."

^■^ I

CHAPTER IX.

Subfamily MELIN^E: The Badgers.

The genus Taxidea — Generic characters and comparison with ^^de8 — Taxidea
americana, the American Badger — Synonymy — Habitat — Specific charac-
ters — DeHcription of external characters — Description of the skull and
teeth — Geographical variation in the skull — History of the American
Badger — Its geographical distribution — Habits — Tcaidea americana var.
herlandieri, the Mexican Badger — Synonymy — Habitat — 8ul)specific char-
acters — General remarks. — Addeji'dum : Description of the perinieal glands
of the European Badger, Melea vulgnris,

ANIMALS of this subfamily inhabit Europe, Asia, and
America. There are four well-marked genera, though
the species are so few : the European Meles, the Asiatic My-
daus and Arctonyx, and the American Taxidea, long time con-
founded with Mele8.

I have already (p. 10) given the characters by which the
North American representative of the Melinw is distinguished
from our other subfamilies. The expressions used, however,
are rather diagnostic of the particular genus Taxidea than of
the subfamily Melinw at large, the various members of which
differ sufficiently to require greater latitude of definition. It
being not to my present purpose to consider the Melinw fur-
ther than as represented by the American genus, we may at
once take np the latter.

The Genus TAXIDEA. (Wateeh.)

X I'rsus, pt., of Schreber.

< Meles, TaxuN, of anthors referring to the Kortli American Badger.
= Taxidea, Waterhoune, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. vi. 1838, 154 ; Trans. Zo81. Soc. Loud. ii. pt. ▼.
1841, 3i3.—Baird, Mamm. N. A. 1857, 301, and of late antbora generally.

3-3 1 1

Generic characters. — Dental formula : i. i,--„,c.~

3-3

1-1

34.*

_!«_

3-3' "' l-l' ^""' 3-3' "*• a-2 ~ 18~~

Back npper molar a right-angled triangle, with hypothenuse postero-

*Prof. Baird (M. N. A., 201), after correctly stating 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

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262

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

external. Back upper premolar similar iu si/e and shape (though the euii-
iiences of the crowu very dirt'ereiit), but the hypothenuso postero-intcnial.
Back uuder premolar with two tubercles. Anterior uuder molar compara-
tively small, not dilated behind, mostly opposing the back upper premolar
(instead of the upper molar as in Melen), Cerebral portiou of skull de-
pressed-cuneiform, very wide across the flaring occipital crest; the inter-
mastoid diameter nearly equalling the inter-zygomatic ; sides of the brain-
case straightened and strongly convergent anteriorly. Bony palate reach-

which soon disappears ; this will add 1-1 premolar to the lower jaw, making
34 in all." But such additional under premolar of the early dentition
(which I have not seen, though I have examined skulls with the teeth
scarcely cut) would make 36 in all, not " 34 ", the latter being the correct
total of the adult formula.

Audubon and Bachmau state (Quad. N. Am. i. 361) that " the present spe-
cies has one tooth less than the latter IMeha rulgarW] on each side in the
lower jaw", which is certainly not the case, as the dental formula is the
same in 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^; canines j~j; false molars g^g, ... molars ^^^ . . . '"
I have not Waterhouse's article at baud to verify the quotation ; if his words
and figures are correctly quoted, Waterhouse did not give the right fornmla,
for his total is only 32, instead of 34 ; besides which he reckoned the upper
sectorial tooth as a molar, instead of a premolar, as it is. Making this
change, but retaining his original numbers, Waterhouse's formula becomes
J)«i. ~^, m. ^. But there are live grinding teeth on each side of the lower
jaw of Taxidea, I have never seen an American Badger's skull with teetli
otherwise than as given in the text above.

A peculiarity in dentition of A/eha vulgaris, which may account for dis-
crepant statements of the dental formula, has been pointed out by Professors
Moseley and Lankester ( Jouru. Auat. and Phys. iii. 1868, 79) : — " Mr Flower,
in his recent admirable paper on the Dentition of Marsupials, has laid sonic
stress on the fact that, in several diphyodont mammalia, some of the anterior
maxillary teeth never have any predecessors, as in the case of the second an-
terior maxillary teeth of the dog, and the corresponding lateral mandibular
teeth, and iu the hog also. We are led to believe, from the examination of
a line series of Badgers' skulls in the university museum, that this animal
furnishes an additional example. In three skulls, possessing the permanent
dentition, we fouud a small peg-like tooth implanted in the jaw immediately
behind the caniniform maxillary, and somewhat internally to the general
line of the teeth, and obviously corresponding to the small anterior lateral
tooth (pra'molar) of the lower series abutting against the large caniniform.
We found no trace of this tooth in a young skull with the perfect deciduous
dentition, nor in De Blainville'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."

THE GENUS TAX IDEA — T. AMERICANA.

263

Ing httlf-way to ends of pterygoids. Biillii- anditoriip at a maximum of
influtiou, impinging behind upon pnroccipitals. Condyles of jaw often
locked in the glenoid. Coronoid of jaw erect, pointed, its posterior edge
angulated by the meeting of two straightish lines. (For further cranial char-
acters see page 2f)t). )

Body extremely stout, squat, and clumsy, owing to great deiiression ; tail
short, broad, flattened; pelage loose; coloration ditl'use; fore claws ex-
tremely' large, highly adapted for digging. Habits thoroughly terrestrial
and fossorial.

Taxidea is confined to North and Middle America. " Tliis
genus," as Prof. Baird* has remarked, " is so strikingly differ-
ent from MeleH 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 Bacl^irer.

Taxidea americana.

Plate XVI.

I'rsus taxus, SchreU. "Snug. Hi. 1778, 520, f. 14211. (After Buffou.)"

Mcles Uxus var. amerlranus Bodd. Ehtnoh. Anim. i. 1784, 130.

Meles amerlcanuM, Zimm. Peun. Arktischo Zool. i. 1787, 74. (Qaotes Boddaert.)

* Mamni. 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 TaxiAea consists in the great expanse of
the occipital region, the width of the occiput being [nearly or about] ei|ual
to that of the skull, measured between the outer surfaces of the zygomatic
arches. Thus the geuersil shape is that of a depressed wedge, widest behind
and truncated anteriorly, instead of being very much widest across the
zygomatic arches, as in Miles. . . . The occipital crests are well developed
in Taxidea, the sagittal very moderate. The auditory bulla* are very largo
and convex. The processes of the glenoid cavity are not so well developed
as in Meles, though occasionally sufticiently developed to lock the condyles
of the lower jaw. The coronoid process has its apex pointed instead of
rounded or truncated ; its posterior margin is formed by two lines, the lower
rising nearly perpendicularly a little in advance of the condyle, the other
rather longer than the lirst, making a very obtuse angle with it. The differ-
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 eiiual in size to the last molar, instead of
being much smaller ; it has likewise a large tubercle on the inner lobe,
scarcely observable in Meles. The last molar is also triangular, (nearly right-
angled,) somewhat resembling hiilf of the quadrilateral tooth of Mele^. In the
lower jaw the last premolar is larger than iu Meles, and has two tubercles.
The penultimate molar is smaller and not dilated behind. The portion of its
crown which is applied agaiust the upper sectorial molar [premolar] is larger
than that in contact with the last upper molar, instead of being smaller, as
in Meles."

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NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

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Tttxidra amt'ricana. Baud, M. N. A. 1857, 202, pi, H9, f. Q.—Xewb. P. R. R. Rep. vi. 1857, 45
(habits).— Coo^j. X. 11. W. T. 1860, n.—SyMeit, ibid. ^J4.—Sucklcy it (Hhhs, IMd. 117.—
Hayd. TranB. Am. Philos. Soc. xii. 1862, 134 (Upper Missouri country).— Gcrt//, P. Z. S.
1865, 141 ; Cat. Cam. Br. Mus. 1869, —.—Coop. Am. Nat. ii. 1868, 529 (Montana).— Stci,'.
TJ. S. Geo!. Surv. Terr, for 1870, 1871, 461.-^1 Hen, Pr. Boat. Soc. N. H. xiii, 1869 (publighfii
February, 1870), 183 (Iowa, still numerons) ; Bull. Ess. Inst. vi. 1874,46 (Kausas), 54
(Colorado), 59 (Wyomintj), 63 (Utah) j Pr.Bost. Soc. xvii. 1874, 38.— Awe*, Bull. Miun.
Acad. Nat. Sci. 1874, 69 (Minnesota).— Cokc? d: Yarrow, Zoiil. Expl. W. 100 Merid. v.
1875, G3.— Allen, Bull. U. S. Gool. and Geogr. Surv. Terr. vol. ii. no. 4, 1875, 330 (skull).

iTSUS labradoriUN, Om. S. K i. 1788, 102, n. l.—Kerr, H. N. i. 1792, 187.— Shaw, G. Z. i. 1800,
469, pi. lOe.-TMC*. S. N. i. 1806, 63.

MeleH labradurla, Meyer, " Zool. Arch. ii. 1790, io.'—J. Sab. App. Franklin's Jonm. 1823, 649
(compared with European).- ZTarJ. Fn. Anier. 1825, SH.-Oriff. An. Kingd. v. 1827, 116
{"labradorica").—Le8s. Man. i. 1827,141, no. 372 {"labradorica"). — Finch. Syn. 1829,
l^X.-lUch. F.B. A. i. 1829, 37, no. 12, pi. i.—Qodm. Am. Nat. Hist. i. 1831, 179.— 7Ji</i.
Zoiil. Becchey's Voy. 1839, i.-Wagn. Suppl. Schreb. ii. 1841, 182.— Z)c Kay, N. Y. Zoiil. i.
1842, Sa.—Schim, Syn. i. 1844, 315 (" labrndonia").—Axid. d- Bach. Q. N. A. i. 1840, 360,
pi. 4T.—Bd. Stansbury's Rep. 1852, 311.— iioin. Tr. Illinois Agric. Soc. lor 1853-4,
1855, 578.— OwhcJ, Siiug. 1855, 761 <,"labradoriuii").—IIall, CanAA. Nat. and Geol. vi.
1861, 294 ("labradoricm").— Maxim. Arch. Naturg. 1861, — i Verz. Siiug. 1862, 33.

Taxus labradorirus, Say, Long's Exp. i. 1823, 261, 369.

Taxidca labrudoria, H. Smith, Nat. Lib. xiii. 1842, 210.— Gray., List Mamm. Br. Mus. 1843,
lO.-Baird, M. N. A. 1857, 745 (expl. of pls'.).-0(')v. Cat. Bonces Br. Mus. 1862. 99.

1 Taxidea labradoria. Waterh. P. Z. S. vi. 1838, 154 ; Tr. Z. S. ii. 1841, 343, pi. 59 (may be the
other subspecies).

Meles Jeffersonil, Harl. Fn. Amer. 1825, 309 (based on Lewis and Clarke).

Ameril'un Badger, Penn. Syn. Quad. 1771, 202, no. 143; Hist. Quad. il. 1781, 15, no. 998 //.—
ICrxl. Syst. i. 1777, 164 (in text).— And of authors generally.

Common Badger, Penn. Arct. Zoiil. i. 1784, 71, no. 23 (in part; includes the European).

Blaireau d'Amerlqiie, "F. Cuu. Hist. Nat. Mamm. "

Blalreau du Labrador, £«««. I. c

AmcrlkanlNrhc Darhs, Schim, I. c. {Dachs, cf. Martens, Zoiil. G art. xi. 1870, 251, philological).

Braro, Lewis rf Clarke, Trav. Allen's ed. ii. 1814, 177; Rees'sed. 4to, 471 ; Rees's ed. 8vo, iii.
40 (also called "badger" passim in this work ; rendered "blaireau" in the McVickar
ed. ii. 349; basis of Meles jeffersonii, Harlan).

Prarow, " Gass's Journ. p. 34."— (Richardson.)

Brairo or Lacyotl, Gray, List Mamm. Br. Mns. 1843, 70.

Bralbo or LaryotI, Gerr. I. c.

I'arcajou, Buff. "Hist. Nat. Suppl. iii. 242, pi. 49" (cf. Desm., Mamm. i. 1820, 173; Eucy.pl.
38, f. 2).

rarrajou ou Blalreau am^rlraln, F. Cuv. Suppl. Bufl'. i, 1831, 267.

Carkqjou ou Blalreau d'Amerlque, Gervais, Proc. Verb. Soc. Philom. Paris, 1842, 30.

Brairo et SIflleur, French Canadians.

NannaspachiC'neeNkieshew, Ml!«lonusk, Awawteekipoo, Oree Indians (Richardson).

Hab. — United States, from Wisconsin, Iowa, and Texas westward. Brit-
ish America, east to Hudson's Bay at least, north to 58°. Replaced near the
Mexican border by var. berlandkri, whicli extends into Mexico. Formerly
further east (Michigan, Indiana, Illinois). " Ohio, near Toledo, abont 20
years since ; now extinct" (Edw. Orton, in epist.).

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 5i ; longest fore claw 1^.

DESCRIPTION OF TAXIDEA AMERICANA.

265

Description of external characters.*

Form stout, thick-set, indicative of great strength and little
agility ; body broad depressed ; head flattened, conoidal ; tail
and limbs short ; feet broad and flat ; fore claws enormous,
highly fossorial. Pelage of body and tail long, loose, shaggy,
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 conoidal, 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 rather 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. Thej' 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 naked digital bulbs, sep-
arated by a profound excavation from a single large irregu-

* From uunieruus Hpeuimeus iu the Smithsonian MuHeum.

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266

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDyE,

larlj' 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 difterent 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 subequal in length, much longer than either of the
lateral ones, and project still further, owing to the shortness of
the lateral digits ; they are also stouter tuau the others. The
lateral claws are subequal to each other, and they reach half-
way (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.

The 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 titues 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 interval, these pads are succeeded by
a single large bald callosity, heart-shaped in general contour,
incompletely divided by several radiating impressions into
four, sometimes 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 J:th respectively. 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 thiu shell of horn, the
edges of which ouly unite at the base of 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 perimeal region shows, immediately beneath the root of
the tail, a large transverse fissure leading into the peculiar sub-
caudal pouch of the Melhuc, 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 mediau
raph6 into lateral oval masses. (The anatomy of the peculiar
organs of these parts, as illustrated in the European Meles
taxtis, 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 dift'orences, to be shown in the sequel. The varia-
tion, however, is mainly m 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 m irkings of the head. The 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
mediau 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 the 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 conspicuousily 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 (dilut'j lidvohis). 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

':'']

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268

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

pale eudiug of the hairs seems constant, even when there is
most tawny in the body of the furs. Owing to the length 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 and 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 {Arc-
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 : Nose to eye
about 2i inches ; to ear about u ; fore foot from the posterior
callosity, and including claws, 3i ; 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 hone 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 flattened and
grooved.

It is surprising that this animal should ever have been con-
founded with the MeJes tamis 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 differently 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 front for
a space below the nostrils ; these occupy but a small part of
its subcircular 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 back, 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 uninterrupted
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 sJcuU and teeth.

I have no skull of Meles 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 antea, 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 Httle
more or less than) the iuter-zygomatic width ; the lateral out-

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270

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDyE.

line in general is therefore wedge-shaped. The rostral part of
the skull (all that in advance of the zj'gomatic arches) is about
one-third, or rather less, of the total length. The sides of the
rostrum are approximately parallel in old skulls, owing iu a
measure to the swollen tract of rooting of the canines, in young
specimens somewhat tapering; the 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 niax-
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 runs 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 Enkydris, show an approach to the same character.
The anteorbital foramen is large and rather triangular than cir-
cular. The orbits are much better defined than in Slustelbuv
and Mej)hitm(c — 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 fact 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 AMERICANA.

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 other Mustelklfv, notably Lutra and Enhydris.

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 beliind the orbits,
and elevation over them. The jiosterior 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 ' alf,
the hinder on the inner half), is suflQcient to ordinarily lock
the jaw in old age. But this peculiarity is not so strongly pro-
nounced as it is said to be in Melcs. The same thing occasion-
ally occurs in old Otter skulls. The orifice of the meatus au-
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, resembler
that of the Mustelinw in the two prominent features of far back-
ward extension of the bony palate and great inflation of the
bullfe. In the skulls, with moderately inflated bulhe, the ptilate
ends nearly opposite the last molars; in the Otters, with the
same extent of palate that Taxidea shows, the bullfe are quite
flat. The palate reaches considerably more than half-way from
the incisors to the foramen magnum ; about half-way from the
molars to the end of the pterygoids the palate is quite plane ;
the incisive foramina are very 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 alvelolar borders are ap-

,' I '.a

pwi,«W'f'>|»i"i||iV'l'ia''i'>' K'"

I !'

272

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID/IC

proximately parallel — more uearly so than usual iu this family.
The spread of the zygomata is rather more thau three-fifths
the total length of the skull; the outward eurvature is greatest
behind. The great width of the skull behind loaves a very
broad basilar space, notwithstanding the size of the bulla'.
This space narrows but little as it advances between the ptery-
goids, and is uearly tiat throughout. A curious character is
seen iu 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 iuch 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 buUaj
occupies uearly all the extent of the periotic 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 jjart and an upper
strongly oblique portion. The lower border of the ramus is a
gentle curve along the symphyseal portion, thence a straight
line 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, but triangular; and iu size and shape it is not very
dissimilar to the last premolar. Details aside, it is a right-an-

1 ,1

SKULL AND TEKTH OF TAXIDEA AMERICANA.

273

gleil triangle of nearly ecjiial base autl perpendicular, tUe right
angle being antero-internal, the longest side posteroexternal.
When entirely unworn, it shows six or eight irregularly dis-
posed tubercles, all small, the general surface being (juito flat,
and there being no notable division, by sulcus or otherwise,
into different portions, such as the crown ol this tooth presents
in most Mitstelida: The lowest [)art of the tooth is a small cir-
cular area posteriorly. This tooth roots by a long fang exte-
riorly, but is otherwise simply set in an irregular shallow
depression. The last premolar is likewise approximately an
ecpiilateral right-angled triangle ; but in this case the right
angle is anteroexterior, the hyi)othenuse postero-interior. It is
well divided into an outer and inner moiety. The former is
produced into a large main cusp, with prominent heel on its
front base, and a smaller posterior cusp. The low inner moiety
shows two perfectly distinct conical cusps; one anterior, the
larger, with a cinguluni around its base, and a smaller posterior
elevation directly from the border of the tooth. The middle
premolar is a simple conical cusp with a slight heel posteriorly;
it is two-rooted. The front premolar is like the last named,
but still smaller. I have never seen, In the adult dentition,
the small first premolar which is said to occur " in young ani-
mals", nor do I observe anj'^ trace of such tooth in a young
specimen which was just shedding when killed. In this one,
the first and last permanent premolars have just displaced the
earlier ones, but the middle milk-premolar is still present, with
the future one visible below it, about to push it away. The
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 the rest; indeed, it is hardly
more exceetled by the lower canine than ihe latter is by the
upper canine, and its superficial resemblance to a canine is
striking. The other incisors are of the same size, regular, with
dilated trilobate ends.

The back lower molar, as elsewhere in the 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 small anteriur upper premolar is the most variable tooth iu Muatelidw.
It persists in the Lutra,- Enhydris, Gulo, Mnatela, and usually for a time iu
Conepatua; it is absent in the adult dentition of Taxiilea, Mejihilis, S^nlogalc,

Putorlm.

18 m

\ I

f' i

I'll

i' f

274

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

Upper molar. The next molar is large and more complicated
than usual. It presents, in front, a large cusp, which, with the
outer one of a i)air 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 niiddle 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 halfway up its back
border, and well- developed posterior heel; the anterior border
is straight. The remaiulng 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.

Geographical variation in the skull.

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 eleven 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 Kio 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 in length and 3.18 in
width, the extremes being, in length, 5.22 and 4.92 (4.75 if we
include one rather young example), the width ranging from
3.50 to 2.97. The southeru series (including two or three from
the vicinity of Matamoras, Mexico, and one each from New

* Bull. U. S. Oeol. and Geo;;r. Siuv. vol. ii. no. 4, pp. 330, 331.

HISTORY OP THE AMERICAN BADGER

275

Mexici> aiid C.ilifornia) avenvjfv^s 4.02 in loiijEftli anil 2.92 in
widtli, the exf.reinos belli-?, in length, 4.75 and 4..'»0, and in
width, 3.07 nd 2.80.

"Tlie sktills, and especially the molar teeth, in the American
Badgers, vary considerably in different individuals, as long
since pointed out by Professor Baird.* Sonthern specimens
differ from northern ones not only in being smaller, but some-
what in color, so that the T. herlaniUeri of Professor Baird may
perhaps be entitled to snbspeciflc rank [T, americana snbsp.
herlandieri), though the material at hand indicates that the
two forms will be found to thoroughly intergrade. The chief
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.

" Mcasuremeiita of eleren mIciiUs of Taxiuea amkUicana.

11505
1178
3148

2078
12908
•20:)3

4 1 on
;t7ti7

lliilO
1135

Locality.

a
o

Kemarka.

3. 50
3.12
3.07

IJitppr Missouri | ! 5. 32

do ; '5.12

rlo ! I 4.75

Quisciuntoii, Iowa ' j 5.06

FortKandall. Dak | \ 4.95

Vpper Des Chutes, Orog 1 4. 92

Fort Crook, Cal.... \ 4.60

Xew Mexico 1 ■ 4.50

HatnuKiras, ^[exico 1 i 4.75 j 2.94

do , 4.66 2.85

Texas 1 4.57 8.94

3.25
2.97
3.07
2. fO

Ratlier young,
luipeii'e'ct.

Rather young ; Iwi-Utndicri.
Iiedandien.

do.

-.do.'

Uistory of the American Badger.

The early history of the American Badger is curiously in-
v"' ^.1, not only with that of the European species, but with
several entirely different animals. The celebrated traveller,
Kalm,+ 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-
nax, to which, doubtless, Kalm's note is to be considered to
apply. In 1750, Brisson| describes A'-^Meles a^&rt" from New
York ; but this, it seems, proved to be an albino Baccoon, Pro-
cyon lotor. '"fiuffon," (says Sir John Eichardson,§) "in the body
of his great work, doubts whether the Badger be an inhabitant
of the American continent," .... "but afterwards, in tl "st

*" U. 8. and Mex. fiounil. .Survey, Zool. p. ai."
i Rfegne Auitn. p. S-'if).

t Trav. i. p. I«y.
^ F. B.-A. i. p. :]8.

:-'|t

: ■■: J*

276

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

additiou to Lis article on the Glutton, described the skin of a
true Badger, which he received, it is said, from Labrador, under
the misapplied name of Carcajou." "We find the same confusion
with a vernacular name of the Oulo luseus or Wolverene to con-
tinue for many years among French naturalists; thus, in 1842,
Gervais still speaks of the "Carkajou, ou Blaireau d'Am^rique".
I am not able, at the time of present writing, to consult Bution's
work. His figure, given in the supplement of the llistoire Na-
turelle ("pi. 49"), is stated to. have been afterw<ard given by
Schreber, in 1778, as plate 142 B of the " Siiugthiere". Schre-
ber's work is not ju.^ lovv accessible to me. Ho is cited for a
name, ^^Ursus taxus''', 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 works, he afterward,
in the xVrctic Zoology, as above quoted, united it with the Eu-
ropean Meles, and, besides thus confounding it with a totally
different species, he perpetuates several ecrors. , Thus he quotes
Kalm (see last paragraph) for its supposed occurrence in Penn-
sylvania, and si)eaks of its being " sometimes found white in
America", evidently having Brisson's albino Itaccoon in view.

Boddaert, in 1784, seems to have been the first to bestow a
technical appellation upon our animal, calling it Meles taxus var.
americanus. Zimmermann, citing Boddaert, adopted the name
Melcs americanus in his German translation of Pennant's Arctic
Zoiilogy. This name has priority over all others that have come
to my knowledge, though it was suffered to rest almost unno-
ticed until very recently, when, in 1857, it was formally adopted
by Prof. Baird, whose example has been generally followed by
subsequent writers.

Linnanis (17GG) makes no mention whatever of an American
species of Badger. Supposing him to have had any knowledge
of the animal from Buffon, his 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 labradoria, or labradorius, by which our Badger
has been usually known, was imposed by Gmelin in 1788. His
Ursus lahradorms is based primarily upon Schreber's plate
142 P. 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

Snppl. pi. 40. The habitat is given as " Labrador to Iludson's
Bay". But there is grave reason to doubt that Buffon'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 b}' Richardson, who, quoting Baffoii's words "qu'il
venoit du pays des Esquimaux", adds, "but in fact it may
have been brought actually from the banks of tlie Saskatche-
wan by souje of the Canadian fur hunters." In this uncer-
tainty, it is fortunate that Gaielin's name, most probably ob-
jectionable on the score .of geographical inapplicability, is also
anticipated in point of date. Gmelin's diagnosis is also incor-
rect, for it st'ems that his phrase "palmis tetradac;tylis" arose
in the circumstance that Buffbn's specimen had accidentiiUy
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 liuiny
subsequent editions. This word " braro" is obviously a corrupt
rendering of the French "blaireau", like "brairo", by which
nan\e the animal was known to the Canadian voyageurs; the
orthography is corrected in 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 companions; 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,
Melcs jefersonii, considered distinct from Jf. lahradoria, which
is also given by this author.

In 182.3, Thomas Say treated of this species, under the name
of Taxiis InhrnAoricus ; and the same year Mr. Sabine gave us
a detailed and the first satisfactory account of the actual diflfer-
ences in external characters between the American and Euro-
pean Badgers. His comparison was transcribed by Sir John
Itichfudson, in rhe Fauna Boreale Americana, 182!). The latter

•The old ilexicun name of tbe soutlicrii Hii(l;;er, Muifi to lie reiKk-rud "Tla-
coyotl" hy Fernandez, lias snT-'ercd as 1 ally, 1 ein .; rendered " Lafiyotl" and
" riacovoli.'"' by som(! lati; writers. ^'- •■' > 'vc,-

.i!ii

■iV'm

li !l

^rti

278

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

author's a tide remains to-day one of the best, on the whole,
that has appeared, covering as it does the then liuowu ground,
with a history, description, account of habits and geographical
distribution, a sj onymy, and a very characteristic plate, drawn
by Landseer. Sir John, however, noted none of the characters
by which our animal is geuerically distinguished from the Euro-
pean Meles, the establishment of a genus Taxidca being left to
Waterhouse, 1838.

An index to the general 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 the species enters very fully into
the technicalities of the case. J. A. Allen has discussed the
variability of the skull, with special reference to geographical

distribution.

Geographical distribution.

lam not aware that the Badger has ever been traced north-
ward beyond the limit of its distribution long ago assigned by
llichardsou, 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
River, 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 'Weenusk', inhabits all the woody dis-
tricts south and west of Hudson's Bay. It hybernates duri»T
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 Wiuipeg, 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 uOrth of Dakota and
Montana Territories. ■

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OP THE BADGER. 279

Audubon and 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 Keunicott,
in 1853-54, has the species among the mammals of Illinois ;
while in Iowa, writes Mr. Allen 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, and Minnesota, as well as the oblique trend in
British America to Hudson's Bay, thus makes the distribution
of the animal more or less closely coincident with that of some
of the Spennophiles; 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 herlandieri. The change becomes marked in Texas, New
Mexico, Arizona, and Southern and Lower California. I have
personally traced the typical form into Colorado, and it is said
by Drs. Coues 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, and Oregon. Mr.
George (Jibbs says that the Badger, called bj' the Yakima In-
dians Weehtlila, was not seen by him west of the Cascade
Mountains of Washington Territory, though very common on

■*i::

i:: m

II.

Wi>'<

280

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

the dry barreu plaius on tlie Yakima Kiver, and also on the
timberless mountains between the Yakima and the Columbia.
In certain sections of that Territory, as for instance the Sim-
coo Valley, the species is represented by Dr. Snckley 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 mort abundant i>ear the Missouri. From thence, after
entering Nebraska [L 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 w^est
it does not go, at least north of the Columbia. 1 have seen it
in the St. Mary's Valley, at the western base of the main
chain of the llocky 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 Yakima, one of the northern tributa-
ries of the Columbia."

Hahitn.

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-
sult 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 ( Geomys and Thomomys)^ 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 oft'

HABITS OF THE BADGER.

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,
croucb'ng 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 -lave 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 Sperniophiles, 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 < i 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 Spernopbiles 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 Coyotes, 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 I e, to suit their con-
venience. But it must not be supposed th. t 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 tjie Badgers and Spernio-
philes most abound, the continual excavation of the soil by
these animals fairly undermines and honeycombs the ground.
The Bfidgers, though not migratory, are sometimes attracted

;j. hi.

rill

' m

282

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

1 1

iJs! I

M ij

or focussed as it were, from a large area ia some particular spot
which temporarily 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 La J before seen or
have since witnessed.

The abundance of the Badgers might bo 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 vfvture 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, part'y the result of
their physical prowess, part'y secured by the practically impreg-
nable nature of their resorts, together with the abundance 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 enetfiy 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. Allen speaks of finding

* I am not sure, however, that the actual reference is not to the European
Badger, whose apivorous habit has long been known. " Buifon states that it
tligs up 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 analogy to several others of the group, psirticularly to its
Oriental relation the Ratel, MeUivora Capensis, which is known to live
principally upon it." — (Ukm.'s Jiritish Quadrupeds, ed. of 1837, pp. 123-4.)

'TO

HABITS OF THE BADGER.

283

the bones and wool of lambs iu its burrows, though the unimal
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 confronts impending danger ;
but this is simply the instinctive prudence and discretion of a
creature which prefers the absolute immunity of its subterra-
nean resorts tc 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 of life is at a high
rate. .

A sketcli 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 iu 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 he never sees a living badger on which to revenge him-
self; for the badger is a shy and tiujid 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

Hi: 111

: m

284

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.K

Bfr

to some liulicron8 scenes. The badger, tlioiigh far from formi-
dable, is too well provided with teeth to be handled without
gloves ;^ and knowing that hia only safety when attacked is in
plunging to the bottom of his barrow, 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 <»o 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 injury.
As we had not then obtained a specimen, he was particularly
anxious to secur '.is 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 tain to let him pass, trust-
ing to fin<l 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 had
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 difliculty."

Sir John Richardson narrates an incident which, further illus-
trates the prowess of this stubborn, sullen customer. " The
strength of its forefeet 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 I, the water does not escape through

HAIIITS OF TIIK BADGER.

285

the saiul, but soon tills the hole, and its teiiiuit is obliged to
come out."

The author of the "Complete American Trapper " also refers
to this method of taking Badgers, and adds others: — "Although
his general appearance would not indicate it, lie is a sly and
cunning animal and not easily capturetl 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, before 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 (,'.se 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 species 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 (luoted says
that the nest is made in the burrow (as indeed is unquestion-
able), and that the young are three or four in number. Eich-
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 in 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 in full: —

" During our stay at Fort Union, on the Upper Missouri Ri ver^
in the summer of 1843, we purchased a living Badger from a

iia

' '■> m

286

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID/E.

squaw, who had brought it from soino (listance to the fort for
sale ; it having been cantrht by aiiother squaw at a place nearly
two hundred and tifty miles away, among the Crow Indians.
It was Hrst placed in our common room, but was found to bo
so very mischievous, pulling about and tearing to i)ieces every
article within its reach, trying to dig up the stones of the hearth,
«S:c , that we had it removed into an adjoining apartnient. It
was regularly fed morning and evening on raw meat, either
the tiesh of anitnals procured by our hunters, or small birds shot
during our researches through the adjacent country. It drank
a good deal of water, and was rather cleanly in its habits. In
the course of a few days it managed to dig a hole under the
hearth and fire-placo nearly large 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 suifer one or two
of our companions to handle and play with it at times.

"At that period this Badger was about Ave mouths old, and
was nearly as large as a full grown wood-chuck or ground-hog,
{Arctomys monax.) Its fur was of the usual colour of summer
pelage, and it was quite a pretty looking animal. Weconcluded
to bring it to New York alive, if possible, and succeeded in doing
so after much trouble, it having nearly made its escape more
than once. On one occasion, when our boat was made fast to
the shore for the night, and we were about to make our 'camp,*
the Badger gnawed his way out of the box in which he was con-
lined, 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 ^ork, we had a large
box, tinned on the inside, 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

IIAIJITS OF THE BADGER.

287

during the winter, altbou|j;li be always came out to tJike his food
and 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 had a stratum
of ice on tbe bottom which the hot water dissolved when poured
in at feeding-time.

•' Our Uadger was fed regularly, and soon grew very fat ; its
coat changed completely, became woolly and a butfbrown
color, and tbe fur hy the month of February had become in-
deed the most ellectual 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 sutter himself to be played
with and fondled by his keeper, but did not appear as well
pleased with strangers; he occasionally growled at us, and
would not suffer 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 never
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 tiie 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 and commence
a fresh gallery near the mouth of the first hole ; thus he
would be occupied for hours, and it was necessary 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.

,.; ; ' .(

V ■'■>.'

ff •;.,

.if , i--'

288

NORTrt AMERICAX MUSTELID.T:.

" The IJadj^'tT did not refuse bread, but preferred meat,
making two meals during the day, and eating about half a
pound at eacli.

" We occasionally saw him assuming rather an interesting
attitude, raising the fore part of his body from the earth,
drawing bis feet along bis sides, sitting up in the manner 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 ; aven 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 remain 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
citlier 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 disi)layed to best advantage. Under
anger or irritation, the animal bristles up its hair, and appears
much larger than it really is.

The flesh, of tbe Badger, 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 tbe process such rank and foul odor as to be
simply disgusting. The Badger yields a valuable and at times
fashionable fur, used for robes, and for mufl's, tippets, and
trimmings. Thousands of shaving-brushes are said to be an-
nually made from the long bairs, which are also extensively
used in the manufacture of artists' materials, one of which is
a " badger-blender ". In 1873, tbe London sales of Badger
skins by the Hudson's Bay Company were 2,700, at prices
varying from one to seven shillings, averaging Is. Qd. The lead-
ing American journal of the fur trade in 1876 quoted Badger
skins at $1 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 AMEKICANA BERLANDIERI.

289

pray, tawny, black, and wliiti', tlui ctolors rin^jcd in alternation
on individual hairs. The {jray pnMloniinatt's, the {icniTal
♦' tone" or effect beinjj a gr'^-^l*'*! H^'^yi wiiieh has given rise
to the well known adage, "an gray as a Badger".

The I?Iv\ican Badger.

Taixi«l<>n nin«irleaiia berlniMllerl.

Mrlcs labrndorln, lii-nnctt. V. '/,. S. ISHn, 43 ("Ciilifornia". Vurtfibrnl Btripe contlnuous).-

nieh. Zool. nueclitw'H Voy. 18;»9, p. 9*.
fTuxidea Ubrodorla, Waterh. V. Z. 8. I83H, 1S4.
Tax Idea blTlundicrl, liairA, M. N. A. 1857, 905, pi. 39, f. X.—Hd. Mox. V,. Siirv. li. pt. li. 1859,

Mniiitii. 91.
Taxidcii amerlrHim mt. cuHrornicil, Qrayy P. Z. S. 1665, 141 (from Bonuott) ; Cat. Carn. Br.

MiiH. IbO!), p. — .
Taxidea amerlrana ran bcrlandlerl, (Iray, V. Z. S. 1865, 141 (from Bainl); Cat. Cam. Ilr.

MiiR. le'«9, p. — .
Taxidea amerlrana «ut/»p. bcrlandlcrl, AUm, Bull. U. S. Geul. and Geog. Surv. Tdrr. vol.

11. no. 4, 18:6, y;u.
Mf les tiacoyoltf, BtrX. HSS. ined.
TIalcoyotI, Aakuatl.
Tlaeoyntl, " Fernandez."
TIacoyotf, Hex. Vitlg.
Texon or Tejou, Mex. (of. Taxus, Taano, Taisann),

Hau. — Southwestern border of the United States and southward. Llano
Ebtacado, Texas, Pope; Canton. Biirj^wyn, N. M., Irwin; Capo St. Lucas,
Xantu«. "Interior and Eastern States of Mexico, especially Nuevo Leone
and Taraaulipas. — (JierUiiidier, MSS.)

SuHSPECii'ic CHAHACTKua.— Similar to T. americana, but with a white
dorsal stripe, soiuetiuies interrupted, from nose to tail.

Oeneral remarks.

The extreme manifestation of this form of Taxiden which I
have seen is exemplitted in a specimen in the Smith.sonian
Museum, collected at Cape St. Lucas by Mr. John Xantus.
Here the white frontal stripe is remarkably broad, nearly
eqnall»''nr iu width the dark part of the head, and it continues
uniuterrtipted 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-
cana. But it is not constant; on the contrary, other speci-
mens show various degrees of interruption of the white dorsal
line. Thus, the one frojn Texas noticed hy Prof. Baird in the
works above cited shows a prolongation of the white frontal

illl

290

NORTH AMKRIHAN MTSTEMD.E.

I 1

lino past the nape to a point opposite the sliotildera, its intoi-
ruption tliere for about tliroe inches, and its reappearance for
about four inches at tiie middle of the back. I fail to appre-
ciate any other decided peculiarities of this form, thougii it
may average rather smaller, and somewhat more heavily col-
ored, owinjf to its southern habitat. Certain cranial charac-
ters noted by Prof. liaird, according to the material then in
hand, are negatived in the later examination I have made of
huuth larger series of specimens.

This is clearly the animal referred to by Bennett, as above,
as a Calir»)rnian variety, with darker grotind-color, and a white
lino showing in several places along the back, or continuous to
the tail. In the United States it has only been noticed, to my
knowledge, in the localities alreatly indicate<l; but there is no
doubt that this form, more or less decidedly pronounced, ranges
over the intermediate groun«l. I find it noticed at considerable
length, with an unmistakable description, under the name of
^feles Uacoyotr, in Dr. Berlandier's nianuscripts, wh re it is con-
sidered to be the TIacoyotI of IJernindez. The fore cfaws are
di'scribed as "blackish"; otherwise the account agrees exactly
with the specimens before me named herlandieri by Baird. Dr.
lierlandier 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
di Terences of moment in its habits as compared with those of
7. americana. The following are his measurements of a female
in the flesh : — Nose to end of tail 24 inches ; head o ; tail o.] ;
whole fore leg (5; hind leg r>^; stature at shoulders 7.

. ADDENDUM TO CHAPTER IX.

Description of the perinwal glands of the European Badger, Meles vulgaris.

Tlio American nad^or Iioh not, so far an I ntn aware, boon <«xatninu<l ana-
tomically with roforonco to tlio peculiar organs of thu puriiuniini and nei^li-
boriiij^r partH. Those, however, have Uann Htndied in the European Hpeoies
by M. Chatin, whose results may be here reproduced in substance, in default
of information respectin^rour own species, as it is improbable tbat any mate-
rial diflerence in these respects subsists between the two. It does not appear
that the Melvs rulyaris itself had been snillciently studied prior to M. Cha-
tin's investiKivtions. The 13ad)<;er is found to. b« peculiar* in the presence
not only of anal ^I'^odsof an ordinary character, but also of another, per-

* But is the anatomy of Mydaiia and Arvtomjx knuwu f

PKRIN/EAL GLANDS OP MELES VULGARIS.

291

«<^,l

foctly (listiiK't Kliin<1> tim socrctioii of whicli is «niiitie(l into a poekot buck of
th«t aniiH, jiiHt IxMiiNiitli tlio mot of tlio tail.

1. Anal fjlaii<l8.—T\\o parts proNeiit, iioar tli« twrmiiiation of tin* reotnm. iiH
apputi<]a){(W at itn Hides, two oviil Hli^htly routirvoil inaHS(\s, 'J()">in loii^ and
about half uh broa<l in tli« niiddlo. Upon tlio Hli);htet4t pii^NHtiiv, a liijiiid
^uhLoh from tlio two uxcrutory |>oros, which open at tlio HidoH of tlu* iiiiurt at
tho bottom of wcll-niark«id roccssoH. TIiIh Hiilistaiico in vory viMcid, of arosy-
yollow color, and cxtroincly fetid ; it in almost entirvly Noliiblo in nulidinric
ether, and contains nnmoroitH fatty particloH and opitholial reinains. The
two glands aro einbeddod In adipimo tissue, and entirely covereil with a
miiHciilar tunic arisinj; from th<^ anal mnscdes, especially the retractor. The
secretory ]iortion is of the same general charact«H' as in allied species ; the
tissue envelo[>ing the ciils-ile-sac is princiiially o. laminated filircs, strength-
ened, however, by elastic ones; tim diameter of the ciils-de-sac is from (•.(••! to
O.On""". On longitudinal si^ction of the gland, the centre is seen to be occu-
pied by a large reservoir lined with a delicate brownish membrane, much
as in other Carnivores. The product of si^cretion is turned by a small op(Mi-
iiig into a rattier narrow duct, leading to the external uriliuo already indi-
cated.

2. (llandH of the mihraiidal pouch. — In tlio Badger, as in the Porcin atid
doir.esticatcd ('arnivonvs, the rectum is attached to the sacrum and tiist coc-
cygeal bon<!S by a strong mnsnular band, which, in the present species, leaves
the rectum at a point 'i.'>'"'" from the insertion of the anal glands, at an
angle of about (iU'-' from the axis of the intestine, and proct^'ds to its inst^r-
tion uiioii the sacro-coc(!ygcal bones. At a ptiint in front of (he insertion of
this miiHcl<< is Ibund a. dei^fily bilobate mass, apparently formed of two sepa-
rate glands, each of oval shape, and appoHtnl along a (hit internal face, the
exterior surface being convex and lobate ; but (he organ is really single, as
it has but one receptacle for the product of all the follicular portion of the
a|iparatus. This is a new glandular organ peculiar to the coccygeal re<rion.
Each moiety niiiasurosiil""" in depth with an averag" iireadth of U"""; (or
the rest, they are embedded in abundant adipose tissue, and (he siirfiu^e is
whitish and papillate. The secretory portion is about "i""" (hick ; it is com-
posed of follicles, each comprising a large number of ciils-de-sac, of an aver-
age diameter of U.U(i*""', lined with polyhedral epithelial cells. The product
of H»(cretion is receiveil in an extremely large central sac, the surface of which
is furnished throughout with numerous short, stiff, brownish hairs. Tliissac
is distended with a yellowish fetid substance mixed with numerous hairs,
like tlll^ viverreuin of the Civet. This central reservoir may be regarded as
the beginning of the pocket which opens beneath the tail ; it uomiiuinicales
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 tlitdr union, a kind of cUiacal vestibule, in fnnit of which is
the clitoris, with the urethra immediately below. lieneath this sexual por-
tion of the vestibule is the oridco by which the rectum opens ex(eriially,
after receiving at its sides the excretory ducts of the anal glands. Finally,
back of these parts, is a broad transverse depression, — the Huh(-au*lal pouch ;
it measures 2',\""" across. The anal glands are 1H""'< long and about '.'"""
broad ; they are club-shaped, and (|uite similar to those of the male. To the
Hiibcaudal pouch there is also attacluHl a secretory apparatus like that
already described, but smaller; its lutenial structure is the same.

292

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

I I

Briefly, then, the Badger possesses perinseal glands, remarkally pecnliar
not only in their formation, but in their general relations, since the true anal
glands are supplemented with another special glandular mass. This lattiM-
ib not situated between the genitalia and tlaeanus, as in Fiverra, but between
the tail and the anus, so that it is behind the latter and not in "front of it,
like the scent-bags of tlie Civets. We cannot, however, deny their analogy,
as seen in the central otiVity, 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 warranting, from the present
standpoint, recognition of two quite distinct types.

>:-:: f. ( -- \---.\ ^J:

.\,i:.i^: '.■!,■■■■ ;/.>:. Jv j'>; ■ .' t] :: , u

CHAPTER X.

■ Subfamily LUTEINS: The Otters.

General considerations — The genns Lutra — Generic characters and remarks—
The North American Otter, Lutra canadensis — Synonymy — Habitat —
Specific characters— Description of external characters — Description of
the Hkiill and teeth — Variation in the skull — History of the species— Geo-
graphical distribution — Habitsof Otters— Extinct species of North Amer-
ican Otter.

ill

IN the Otters, we encounter a fourth decided raodificatiou of
the family characters iu adaptation to a highly aquatic
mode of life. Among the true Mustelinw, iudee<l, we found
some aquatic species, like the Mink, Piitorius vlson; 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, aad very turgid blunt muzzle result in an
unmistakable physiognomy, as characteristic of the Lutrince as
are the more important structural modifications of the skull
aiul teeth.

The Lutrince have been defined as Mustelidcc with the number
of teeth equal in both jnws. Tliis expression, however, is
equally applicable to the Etihydr'mce, or Sea Otter, iu 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 Lutrince as here limited to the exclusion of Eiihyclris may
be recognized as the only Mustelidce in which the number of
grinding teeth (molars and premolars together) is the same in
both jaws, the formula being J'^-yl^; ^^•^'^TS' '^''^ ^^^^^
of the teeth is \l = 36. The upper molar is large and quadrate
iu shape. '■■-'" - .-•s^::-vr- -:-■■<■;.;;. .v -.-^^;:■,;v,.

After throwing out the very different geuns Enhydris as type
of a separate subfamily, the Lutrincv still include a number of
well-marked genera. Of these, Lutra is the principal genus,

293

f I

294

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

E i

with the greater number of species and most general distribn-
tiou, occurring in both hemispheres. !Nearl} Hied genera, by
some considered only as subgenera, aio ' d chiefly ujmn
modifications of the claws, which, in somt the Old World
Otters, are small, rudimentary, or even wanting, as in Lep-
ionyx and Aonyx. The 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, our species having been unnecessarily, if not unwarrant-
ably, distiuguis *>y generic name from the European type of
Lutra.

The Genus LUTRA. (Linn.)

Grxeuic chakacters. — Dental formula: i.

3-3 ,

j,m. *J^

3 — 3 ' ^' 1 — 1 ' J'"" 3_3

m. ^^;=:Jy='3G. Teeth of ordinary carnivorous pattern. Molar of upper
jaw large, quadrate. Back upper premolar with a large internal shelf, mak-
ing the contour of the whole crown triangular. Skull much depressed and
flattened on top, the dorsal outline more or less nearly straight and hori-
zontal ; rostrum extremely short, bringing the foro ends of the nasals nearly
opposite the anterior root of the zygoma, the sides of the rostrum erect, the
top flat. Cerebral portion of the skull swollen backward, with strongly con-
vex lateral outline. Postorbital processes variable (well developed in some
species, as in the North American, wanting iu others). Anteorbital foramen
very large, bounded above by a slender bridge of bone. Posterior nares
throwu into oue conduit." Palate extending far back of molars. Ptery-
goids strongly hamulate. Body stout, but lengthened and cylindrical ;
muzzle very obtuse; ears very small. Feet short, broad, naked, or partly
hairy ou the palm and sole, the digits full-webbed. Tail long, tapering, cylin-
dricodepressed, but without special lateral dilatatiou. Claws, though small,
well formed. Pelage without striking cc. r-contrasta.

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, iu
comparison with their absence or rudimentary condition in
some other genera, and the lack of special dilatation of the tail.

The uniformity of coloration and the great individual varia-
bility iu size throughout this genus render the determination
of the species difficult. The points 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 iu Mimtdinw, but never, so far as I know, to the very end of the bony
palate, us in Mephitinw and Melinm.

SYNONYMY OP LUTEA CANADENSIS.

295

(lition of fiirriiiess 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 confounded, that 1 am tempted to place it in
a different subgenus, grounded on various cranial peculiarities
that mijL;ht be enp-:;-c:'ited, and only refrain from so doing
in my ignorabce 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 iu^ra.

Besides L. canadensis, moreover, there is a perfectly distinct
Mexican species, Lutra californica of Gray (not of Baird), which
is said, and I believe correctly, to extend into the United
States along the Pacific side. I think it will be found, as
already supposed by some, to be very extensively dispersed
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 United States,
though under a name long prior to that imposed by Gray. But
as I have seen only Mexican skins of this animal, I cannot now
introduce it to our fauna. The point is discussed beyond.

1 ;i\

The Mortli American Otter.

liUtra cnnadensis.

Plate XVII.

MuNtela ranadenHls, Turton, S. N. 1. 1806, 57 (not ifiutela eanadensif id. ibid. SP, which
is M. pennanti, the I'ekan. Not of Schrobor uor of Brxlebon n' •■ of authors).

lutra ranadenfilN, "F. Cuo. Diet. So. Nat. xxvii, 18-23, 242.- fn. llfj. Diet. Class, ix. !>20."—
J. Sab. App Frankl. Jourii. 1823, (i:>X—Les». Man. 1827, 154, no. 4H.—0rif. An. Kingd.
V. 1827, 1.30, no. 3&i.— Finch. Syn. 1829, 225.— TJicft. F. B.. A. i. 1829, 57, no. 20.~Einm(m»,
"K«'p. Quad. Mass. 183^25"; Uup. Quad. Mass. 1840, 46.— ijicfc. ZoiJl. Voy. Uueehoy,
1839, i.— Maxim, lleiso N. Am. i. 1839, 211 ; Arch. Nalnrg. 1861, 236; Verz. N. A. Sauf;.
1862, 60, pi. 8, f. 6 (08 penis).- /)« Kay, N. T. Zool. i. 1849, 39, pi. 3, f. 1, pi. 33. f.
1, 3, 3 (»knl\}.—Liniiley, Am. Jonrn. Soi. xliii. 1842, —.—Schiiu, Syn. i. 1844, 34!),
no. 5.— And. <e Jiach. Q. N. A. il. 1851, 3, pi, 51.— TToodA. SitKreaves's Rep. 18.'i3,
Ai.—Kenn. Tr. Illinois ARric. Soc. for 1853-4, 1855, 578.-(?ie6«J, Siiiig. Itf.-i^ 789.—
lieenlty, Geol. Capu May, 1«57, Vil.— lid. ?J. N. A. 1857. 184, pi. 38, f. a, b, c, d, e.—
killings, Cauad. Nut. and Ueol. i. 1857, iiii.—SainueU, Ninth Ann. Uep. Mass. Aj<rio.

296

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

■i)

^11
I

for IPfil, 1?62, UO.—ITnyd. Tr. Amer. Pliil. Soc. xii. 18fi2, U[i.-Hall, Catmd. Nat.

and Geol. vi. 1801, Sif?.— iJo«», Caiiad. Nat. and Geol. vi. ISfil, SH.—Barnston, Canad.

Nat. and Geol. viii. 1863, , f. —.—Oerr. Cat. Bones Br. Mus. 18fi2. \0l.— Allen, Vr.

Bost. Soc. xiii. 1869, 183.— BuJJ. M. C. Z. i. 1H6'J, 178; ii. 1871, 109 (Florida).— (JiJpin,

Proc. and Tr. N. Scotia Inst ii. 1870, m.—All. Hull. E»8. Inst. tI. 1874, 46, 63 (Kuiisan

and Utali).— Ar/ics, Bull. Minn. Acad. Nat. Sci. 1874, m.—Oouet <£• Tarrow, Zoiil. Espl.

W. 100 Morid. v. 1875, 63.— Allen, Bull. U. S. Geol. and Geog. Surv. Terr. vol. ii. no. 4,

1876, 331 (skull).
llltra canadciiNiH var., Aud.d Bach. Q. N. A. ill. 1853, 97, pi. 122 (figure of Gray's typo of

Lalaxina inollin).
Lntax canadenHl8, Orai/, P. Z. S. 186.5, 133,- Cat. Cam. Br. Mus. 1869, — .
Lutra vuleariH var. canadenHis, Wagn. Suppl. Schreber, ii. 1841, 256.
MuMtela hiidsoniru, "LacepMe".
lutra hiidsonica, F. Cw. Snppl. Biiflfon, 1. 1831, 194.
flutra graclliis, Oken, Lebrb. Naturg. Th. iii. Abth. ii. 1810, 986<"Staatenland,Iu8el an

Anierika boi New- York").
Intra braNlltcnRis, Desm. Manim. i. 1820, 188 (in part).— ITar;. Fn. A.ner. 1825, 71 (in part).—

Godm. Am. N. H. i. 1831, 222, pi. — , f. 2 (in part).— T/iowip-. N. H. Vermont, 1853, 33.
intra lutUXtna, F. Cm. "Diet. Sc. Nat. xxvii. 1823, 242"; Suppl. Button,!. 1831, 203.— "7«.

Omf. Diet. Class. ix.R-iO."— Griff. An. Killed, v. 1827, 131, no. 364.— Le»«. Man. 1827, 154,

no. 416 —Fisc;*. Syn. 1829, 226, no. 4.— i>e Eay, N. Y. Zofil. 1. 1842, il.—Schinz, Syn. i.

1844, 350.
latax lalaxina, Gray, Ann. Mag. N. n. i. 1837, 119.

Lataxina mollis, Gray, List Mamm. Br. Mus, 1843, 70 (type figured by Aud. & Bach. I. e.).
Lutra amcricana, Wi/man, Pr. Bost. Soc. ii. 1847, 249 (on articulation of mandible).
Lutra californica, lid. M. N. A. 1857, Idl.—Xewb. P. R. R. Rep. vi. 1857, 42.— Coop. <£ Suck. N.

H. W. T. 1860, 115. (Probably not of Gray.)
intra destructor, Barnst. Canad. Nat. and Geol. viii. 1863, 147, f. — (Lake Superior).
iOUtre du Canada, Buff. "Hist. Nat. xiii. -^, .328, 326, pi. 44 (4to ed.); ed. Pillot. xv. p.

SQ".—Fr.Ouv.l.c.
iontre de la Caroline, F. Cuv. l.e.

ioutre d'Am^rlqne, Cuv. (in part; unites the Braz.ilian species).
Common Otter, Pennant, Arct. Zoill. i. 1784, 86, no. 34 (in part; unites the European).
land Otter, Warden, United States, i. 1819, 206.
American Otte?*, Godman, I. c, Baird, I. c, and of authors.
Canada Otter, Sabine. Rich. I. c, Aud. & Bach. I. c, and of autliors.
(Otter, see Martens, Zool. Gart. xi. 1870, 279 ; philological.)
Neekeek, Oree Indiana. ■

Hab. — North America at large, being rather sparingly distributed over
most of the waters of the continent. Said to occur iu Central America
(Costa Rica, v. Frantzius).

Specific ciiaractkhs.* — Orbits well defined by prominent conical post-
orbital processes, the distance 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 (upward of an inch long or
broad iu 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 the 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
bulbs, much encroached upon by hair from behind, aud having three or four
peculiar small circular elevated callosities arranged around the posterior

* Drawn up with special reference to antithesis with L, vtilgarit of Europe.

■n

EXTERNAL CHARACTERS OF LUTRA CANDADENSIS. 297

border of the main bald plautar surface. (Form, stature, and coloration not
diagnostic.) Finally attaining a total length of four feet or more; liver-
brown, with purplish gl^ss, i.a)er on the under surface of the head, throat,
and breast.

Description of external characters.*

This Otter shares the well-known form common to most
species 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 close-
set glossy fur and abundant woolly under-fur. Externally, the
special form of the nose-pgd and the state of furring of the
palms and soles are the chief, if i.^ot 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 Mnhydris — perfectly bald, and in adult life tessellated
by subdivision into very numerous small flat-topped papilhe.
In general shape, it is an equilateral penta-
gon, with one side inferior, horizontal, and
straight Rcross, the next side on either hand
irregular, owing to the shape of the nasal
apertures, the two remaining sides coming
togethc r obliquely above to a median acute
angle, ligh above a line drawn across the
tops of the nostrils. It somewhat resembles
the ace of spades.t The lov dr horizontal
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 uosepad is very
small, and entirely contined between the nostrils. In a com-
mon species of Mexico, said also to inhabit California, and in
fact 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 w^, and the lower outline, which does not reach below the
nostrils, is concave, like ^. In the Saricov.ienne, Lutra hrasilien-

* From various specimens in the National Museum from different portions
of North America.

tThe figure, coi>ied from Baird, is perhaps rather too near an ace-of-clubs
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
curved.

Nose-pad of L. eanadenais,
Nat. size.

li i:tr

298

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

sis, with which ours used to be confounded, the nose-pad isde-
scribed as divided by a line of hair coming down from above.)

The upper border of the nostrils is in L. canadensis repre-
sented by a ])roniinent overhanging bulb. The whiskers are
short, stout, stift" 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 fur.

The tail is about half as long (more or less) aa 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
their 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 the naked bulbs from each other an4 from the main palmar
surface. After this hairy membranous surface comes the single
large palmar 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 papillsB.

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 hind
foot is quite different. The 4th 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 iuterveuing membrciue, bjth from

EXTERNAL CHARACTERS OF LUTRA CANADENSIS. 299

each other and from the main plantar pad. This last la per-
fectly naked and papillate for a broadly crescentic space, there
being a central furry projection from behind. But the most
remarkable feature, peculiar to this epeoles, as far as is known,
is the presence of three or four small, definite, circular, elevated
papillte, arranged along the posterior 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 hind feet. They are
short, stout, compressed, much arched, rapidly contracted from
the thick base to an acute point. Those iu front are rather
larger, sharper, and more arched than the hinder ones.

The fur of the Otter is of great beauty, very thick, close,
short, and shining, an exaggeration, 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 when 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
l)art8 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 4i feet ; some specimens, however, touching 5 feet,
while others fall short of the first-named dimension. The spe-
cies appears to grow several years after puberty. Nose to
loot of tail 3 feet; tail 1^ feet; nose to eye I5 to 2 inches; nose

-'f

-4

300

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

to ear 3^ to 4 inches; etu* leas than an inch hij^h, and about as
broad; fore foot trom wrist 3J inches; hind foot 4 inches; girth
of body about 1 J feet; stature a foot or less; weight ordinarily
20 to 25 pounds. I have recognized no particular sexual dif-
fereiices, though the female may, as usual in this family, aver-
age smaller than the male.

Comparison with allied species. (See plates XVII, XVIII.)

The difterences between the present species and L. vulgaris
of liJurope 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 confined betwixt the nos-
trils ; and there is uo 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 stat<'ment
that the skull of L. vulgaris is less massive, narrower for its
leagth, 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 as 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. (Compare 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. cali/ornica by Gray (but certainly not the one so
called by Baird), is of the same general character £vs 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

COMPARISONS OP OTTERS.

301

to be closely apposed to the succeeding molar, wberetis 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
thej' 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 Eamtschatka); but the point cannot be
determined until skins are examined from this region, as the
skulls 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 North America, a second perfectly good
species, the characters and supposed synonymy of which are
presented in the accompanying foot-note.*

*"lulrii feUna. Molina, Hist Nat. Chili."

"Lutra Chllensis, Bennett, Proc. Zoiil. S. ii, 1832, p. l."—Tschudi, Fn. Peru. 1844-46, 113.

"Lfitra plateiisis, WaUrh. Zoiil. Voy. Beagle, i. 2i.—D'0rbig. Voy. Amur. M6iid."

Liitra californira, Gray, Mag. Nat. Hist. i. 1835, 580, nee Baird.

Kutria feUna, Gray, P. Z. S. 1865, 128.

Description (No. 9435, Mus. Smiths. Inst. $ , Jan. 15, 1869, Santa Efijj^enia,
Tebuantepec, F. Snmichrast). — Of abont the size and with much the general
appearance of L. canadensis. Tail very long, at least i the bead and body.
Feet notably small. Nose-pad contracted, broader than deep, not deeper
than the length of nostril, the lower border lightly concave, the upper
border strongly doubly concave, with a central pointed projection upward,
and similar acute produced lateral upper corners. Soles and palms naked,
the palmar pad divided into^ posterior circular part and a larger anterior
portion, the latter subdivided by several lines of impression. Soles without
peculiar circular callosities, with several well-marked subdivisions by lines
of impression. Color above a lighter and more chocolate-brown than in L.
canadensis; below, decidedly paler and grayer brown than usual in L. cana-
densis, becoming dingy whitish anteriorly. Estimated length 2^ feet to root
of tail ; tail about 1| feet ; nose to ear perhaps 3^ inches ; fore foot, measured
from beginning of the naked part, only 2^ inches ; hind foot about the same.
Additional specimens from the same locality, with others from Orizaba and
Central Guatemala, appear to be identical. A skin from Buenos Ayres is
not materially diflerent, 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; the whole pelage is remark-
ably harsh and hispid.

ifl

302

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.T:.

Dt'Hcription of the skull and teeth, (See Plato XVII.)

The Irtti'ial view of the skull shows its most cluiracteristic
shape ill its f^eneral depression, the tlatnesaon top, and the short-
ness of the blunt muzzle. In the adult, the dors.il profile, from
oceipiit to end of imsals, approximates to a straight line; in
.younger examples, the frontal outline is also about straight, but
the cranial ixution arches a little, and then curves (Town to the
occiput. The profile of the nasal orifice is sinuous, convex
abtive, concave below. The rostrum is only about one-fifth of
the total length of the skull. The anteorbital foramen is widely
open, obliquely elliptical iu 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, subclrcular, and
well defined, not only by an acuie 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 zygoma is not very strong; it is moderately
arched upward, with quite an abrupt rise near the middle, rather
than a regular general curve. The glenoid appears rather far
forward on its posterior root, i'he orifice of the meatus audi-
torius is small, and high up in a deep recess between the glenoid
and mastoid ; the latter is notably large and prominent.

Viewed from above, the skull displays the great brevity and
obtuseuess of the rostrum already mentioned. This seems to
be due, in a measure 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
well-marked depression. The interorbital area is a broad ele-
vated tablet, perfectly smooth and flat, bounded behind by the
forks of the sagittal crest, 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 nery narrow just behind these, the point of greatest
constriction being decidedly in advance of the middle of the
skull. From this point backward, the skull bulges considvirably,

'^m

SKULL OF LUTRA CANADENSIS.

303

with a goneral ovoidal contour. The occipital crest ia iiioder'
atdy developed ; the line of contour it repre8ent.s is eniargi'iate
on the middle line, then strongly convex on eattli side, thence
about straight to itH teruiiiuition at the nuiHtnidH. There is
rarely, if ever, even in the oldest skulls, a decided sagittal crest,
the median line being in fact rather a groove, at least behind ;
in front, however, there is a slight raised lino. In young
animals, there are several parallel grooves and stria; uloug the
median line. .

The occipital face of the skull is in general flat, with various
muscular irregularities, curving around laterally to the mastoid
region. It is bounded above by the occipital crest, the general
contour of which, in this view, resembles the dorsal profile of
a military chapoau. 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 ihey
nearly meet each other beneath the foramen magnum. This
aperture, in general outline, is transversely elliptical, broader
than deep, with a strong emarginatiou posteriorly.

The zygomatic width of the skull, best viewed from below,
is seen to be not much less than three-fourths the total length
(2.90 X 4.2U inches for example) ; the intermastoid width is
about three-fifths the leugth. The zygomata are widest apart
behind, thenco 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 halfway to the ends of the pterygoids. The
incisive foramina, very short and broadly oval, are directly be-
tween the canines. The emarginatiou between the pterygoids
is broad, and ends with a rounded outline (with a median process
or median emarginatiou 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,

304

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

ii!

■:.

together frequently sufficient, in old individuals, to lock the
jaw. The posterior 'lares are only separated by a vertical
median septum for a short distance ; they debouch together at
the edge of tlie bony palate as a single orifice, as in Afustelidw
generally, but not as in Taxidea (q. v.). The bullfe osscjb are
tiattish, about as in Mephltincc, strongly contrasting in this re-
s[)ect with Miistelinw and Melincc. They are most vaulted at
the apteroiuternal angle ; exteriorly they are produced into a
Jong slender tubular meatus. The basilar space betwixt these
periotic bones is very broad, with its sides little convergent
anteriorly. The foramen hicerum posterius sometimes appears
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 auteorbital foramen frequently seen in
the Skunks. This state of the lacerate fissure is usuallj' un-
symmetrical; that is, it is not alike on both sides cf the same
skull.

The bones of the skull are early confluent in Lutra. Thus
even the nasal sutures, usually among the most persistent in
]i[usteUda\ are obliterated at an age when the skull is still thin
and i)apery. In a very young specimen in which the bones are
still mostly distinct, I observe the following disposition of the
sutures: The nasals are received behind in a shallow semi-
circular recess of the frontal; their 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 begi,nning
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 ccronoid processes when the jaw is in
hHu. Nearly all the dome of the cranium is parietal, the
squamosal forming only a low irregular border along the side,
not a fourth of au 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. Tlie
occipital crest is also chiefly parietal, as the lambdoidal suture
passes across it to gain the back aspect of the skull at a point
nearer tc 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

oc'Mpital behind; it is already partly contUieiit with the periotic.
The basilar suture is distinct, directly transverse, near the an-
terior end of the bulhe. Sijnilarly, the spheno-vomerine suture
is open ; it appears back of the end of the palate. The ptery-
goids arc already lost in the sphenoid, but the pterygo palatal
suture is evident, ojjposite the spheno-vomerine. The contour
of the palatine bones may be traced all around, though their
p datal plates are fused with each other. The niaxillopalatine
suture is opposite the anterior portion of the last premolar. The
palatal plate extends far backward, as already twice indicated
la noticing other points, and its orbital portion curves over into
the temporal fossa, though it forms but an insignificant portion
of the orbit i)roper, being only prolonged by a slight i)rocess
fairly into the orbit. The orbito sphenoid remains instruct-
ively distinct from all surroundings, bounded Jibove and in
front by the frontal, behind and partly below by the alisj)he-
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- halfway, 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 foi-amen.
The palatal plates of the intermaxillaries extend in a V 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.

Keturning to the adult skulls for examination of the mandi-
ble, we find that this bone has a stout thick ramus, with long
slanting symphysis, an irregular continuous curve froui incisors
to angle, with a slight emarginatiou just in advance of the
latter, an«l a rather low broad obtuse coronoid, the front border
of which is nearly straight and verti(!al, the posterit)r border
curving forward with quite an elbow to the apex. The condyle
is wide across, but narrow in 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 exllected. The miiscular impression on the outside
of the jaw is, as usual, well marked ; it ends below in a rounded*
outline beneath the list molar.
20 M

.it.

■if

', M

30G

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

For tbe deutitiou, a .voung subject is preferably selected, iu
which the teeth are fully formed but entirely unworn. The
back upper molar is quadrate in general contour, as in Mephi-
iimv {cf. Melbuvj Mustcllncv), 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 ott". The tooth is, if anything, a little smaller than the
next one. Its face presents an exterior, narrow, longitudinal,
raised portion, in the closed jaw wholly external to the anterior
lower molar. 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 iu 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 an inner low portion presenting a
general slightly excavated surface marked with a slight central
prominence and bounded by a well-developed sharp edge. The
great develoi»ment of this inner moiety along the whole of the
tooth is the strongest dental character of the species in com-
parison with L. vuJffaris. The cuspidate part of the anterior
lower molar abuts against this portion. The next upper pre-
molar is a stout two-rooted conical cusp, with .\ 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, altogetaer internal to the
canine, with Mhich it is in close apposition; both of the ante-
rior premolars, in fact, are in close relation with the canine ; the
first one being thrown entirely to one side of the general dental
axis. This small tooth not seldom aborts on one side ; but I
have not happened to find it absent, altogether. The upper
canines are not peculiar ; they are jjerhaps shorter and stouter
for their length than usual in this family. The lateral pair of
f incisors moderately surpass the rest iu size ; the others are on

CRANIAL VARIATION IN LUTRA CANDENSIS.

;507

a par with each otlier ; the euds of all are obtusely rounded,
without obvious lobation.

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 posterointernal cusp is rather smaller than the
two others, the ridge connecting which forms the trenchant
edge of the tooth. The back part of tlie 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
Taxldea. The next premolar is smaller, but similar, except in
lacking the secondary cusp. The front premolar is again simi-
lar, but smaller still, and w ithout an anterior heel, being closely
apposed to the canine. The latter is short, very stout, aud
much curved. The inferior incisors are much crowded and very
irregular, even more so than in Mmtclinw, offering an interesting
approach to the condition which culminates in Enhydris 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.

Vfiriations i>i the alcidl 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 locali-
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.
Corap. Zoiil.) average 4.28 in length and 2.93 in width ; two of
these reach 4.50 in length and two fall slightly below 4.00 (3.90
and 3.97). Two specimens from Washington, D. C, have a

■!. l

308

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

length respectively' of 4.45 and 4.50; oue specimen from Saint
Simon's Island, Georgia, is nearly as large (4.32), while a Fort
Cobb specimen has a length of 4.22. These four are the only
ones from very southerly i)oints. 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 warrant positive conclusions as to
geographical variations, they seem to point to a great constancy
of size throughout a wide range of latitude."

Menaiirements of eii/hteen skulls of Luru.i canadkxsis.

Locality.

4.20
4.03
4.15
4.33
4.40
4.27
4.50
3.97
3.96
4.50
4.15
4.25
4.05
4.06
4.22
4.50
4.45
4.32

501

498

Newfoundlan'il

2.75
2. 53

500

2 57

490

2 90

555

Umbazos Lake, Maine

3.00

556

2. 85

557

2.00

559

2.7(1

558

2. 7(1

489

3.00

4446

Lake Superior

2. 85

11H39

2247

13671

Fort Bertlwld, Dak

Saranac Lake, N . Y

Bayfield, Wis.

2. Hi
2. 57

2.8-2

8097

Fort Cobb, Iiid. Ter

2.87

Washington, 1). C

2. 95

433

do ,

3142

Saint Simon's Island, Georgia

2. 7o

History of the species.

The existence of a true Otter in North America was known
to the earliest systematic writers. Thus, Buflfou described an
Otter from Canada, noting its larger size in comparison with
the European species, and a difference in the color of the fur.
But all the authors of the last century i)ersisted in confounding
it with either the European L. vulf/aris, 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

' lu establishing, in 1816, tlie {^emis I'lisa for the Sea Otter, afterward
called Enhydra by Fleming, Oken has two species (Lehrb. Naturj;. ISKi,
p. 98G) : one of these, which he calls Pusa orientalis, is Enhydra marina of
authors ; iu the other, L. gracilis, we see the old " Slender Otter " of Pen-
nant, Luira gracilis Shaw, referred by Fisclier with a query to his genus
Enydris {^^Enliydra Flem.). Pennant's beast came from "Statenland"; Oken
says "Staatenlaiid, Insel an Anierika hd New-York". If he means by thi.s
iivhat is known now as Staten Island, New York, it would make his animal
to be Lutra (anadensis ; perhaps, however, his geography was at fault.

HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN OTTER.

309

or may uot have been the present species. The error of con-
founding the species witli that of Europe was refuted before
the history of our species had been disentangled from that of
lie Brazilian Otter, with which ours was confounded by vari-
ous 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 tbe authority for our species. 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-
tajoina, which became current with several writers. A Lataxina
mollis was described by J. E. Gray in 1843, and his type-speci-
men was afterward figured by Audubon and Bachmau as a
variety of L. canadensis. But it is certain that neither of these
nataes indicates anything different from the common North
Amercan species. Of a certain ^'Mustcld hudsonica Lact'pede",
quoted by some autliors 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.

* In (luoting Sabiue as the authority for the naiiio "canarfews/s", previous
compilers of the synonymy of this species appear to liave altogether over-
looked the much earlier "Miwtela cunadensia" of Turton's English version of
the Systema Xdturw, p. Tu. As Turton gives no references, I ara uncertain
whether or not he is the originator of the name, as the animal was known
before his time; but this is the earliest nse of the name in binomial nomen-
clature that I have found, Turton, like Pennant and others of his prede-
cessors, refers to the American Otter in connection with the European
species; but this '' MmteJa caiiadennin" of his (p. 57) is additional to his
other notice of Mmtda lutra as an Inhabitant of Europe, Asia, and America.
The diagnosis is merely "black; fur smooth; tail long, taper; inhabits
North America", which would do very well for the true Mnsfela canadensis or
M. pennanti (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". Undor head of the
latter, he has, on page 59, another "J/«s^t7(( caiiudensh ", which is the animal
so named by Schreber, the Pekan, Turton's double employ of the same
name for two entirely different animals is to be carefully noted to prevent
confusion of ([notations. '^Mimlela ranadcnuts, Turton, p. .')7 " is Littra cana-
densis. " Mnstela Cfinadensis, Tnrton, \^. it'J" is Mnxlela cunndemtis.

■'

I ■

,i:h"

■m

310

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTKLID.E.

Two lately introduced names require special notice : these
are Lutra californica Baird {nee Gray) and Lntra destructor
Barnston. The specimen which Prof. Baird referred incor-
rectly to L. californica 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. canadensis;
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 tlie one from the Cascade Mountains can only bo
regarded as those of an individual, within the normal range
of variation of L. canadensis, 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 {of. op. cit. p. 188). /Ilie true californica of Gray
is elsewhere discussed.

The Lntra 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, stands 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 lonj;er found abundantly in many parts of the

'li-i

DISTRIBUTIOX OF THE AMERICAN OTTER.

311

country where it was formerly numerous, and as having beea
nearly extirpated in the Atlantic States east of ^Maryland.
Such statement, however, seems stronger than the facts
would warrant ; for Mr. Allen speaks of the animal as still
"not rare" in Massachusetts as late as ISGD, he having
known of some half dozen specimens which were taken near
Springfield during the ten preceding years. The "Eastern
Shore "of Maryland appears 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 1874. Northerly the Otter extends,
according to llichardson, 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 from 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 tie
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 nooJcshi, in-
creased in abundance in Oregon and Washington with the
decline of the fur trade, and were numerous in the waters of
the Cascade Kange. 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
mountain lakes where the streams take tlieir rise. There they
subsist on the western brook-trouts and a Corcgonus with a

'This stateiimnt, liowever, it should l)e obsorveil, is widely discrepant
frim some others, iinlens only some special lines of importation are here re-
ferred to hy the .uithor. Accordii)jr to Rell, there were imported into Eng-
land, of the skins of the North American Otter, 713,115 in 1^30, 494,067 in
l'*31, 'i'2'i,iO:\ in lH3i», thonjrh only 'r.\fi>ii) in 1833. "After September 1, 1K!3,
the dnty was reduced from ^d. each to In. per hnndred, since which I believe
the importation has <;rndnally increased."— (/)Vi^!s/i QuadrupcdK, lH37,p. 130).)

II'!

;?fe

,i|

312

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE

craytisli, Astaciis Klamathcnm ... lu Klaiuath lakes the
otter is quite eoinmoii .... their food is a la''P"» sucker
{CatastomuH occidentaUs) and a species of Gila, both r slug-

gish fish, and such as would be easily caught" — uni" i very

active Salmonidw just mentioned. At the tirar .lich the

writer refers, the i)elts were much more in dem uan those

of the Beaver, $2.50 being paid in goods by the ludson'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, llayden 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 lied Kiver and other streams,
thence westward to the llocky Mountains, I ascertained the
general, though probably not abundant, occurrence of the spe-
cies. Mr. Allen found the Otter to be, in Jowa, "common on
the Baccoon Rivers, and generally 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 found
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 and 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
hunted, its fur being, in this southern region, of comparatively
little value. But the southern limits of the distribution of the
species remain to be determined. A Mexican Otter is certainly
of a diiferent species from ours, whether or not the latter also
exists in that country; and I am not aware of any unquestion-
able citation of true canadensis as Mexican. I am therefore
much surprised at Dr. von Frantzius's recent citation of this spe-

*Siuce this paragraph w.xs i)eDnu(1, 1 havo seen a speciuieii In Mrs. Max-
well's collection, from the vicinity of Honldcr, Colorado.

HABITS OF OTTERS.

313

cies from Costa liica,* which is considerably beyond the usually
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 North America, and has even been
ascribed, with a query, to South America.

Habits 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 truly aver that
I have ever laid eyes 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, 1 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 EuropeJin species in its habits and food. In the
winter season, it frequents rapids and falls, to have the advant-
age of open waterj 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 slide through the snow for sev-
eral yards, leaving a deep furrow behind it. This movement is
repeated with so much rapidity, that even a swift runner on
snow-shoes has much trouble in overtaking it. It also doubles
on its track with much cunning, and dives under the snow to
elude its pursuers. When closely pressed, it will turn and de-
feud 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 otf" 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."

-,\m

Will,

*Aicl), liir Niiturg. 1869, p. gr-y.

314

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

In tlie Middle and Southern 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:— "Tlieir favorite sport
is sliding, and for this purpose in winter the highest ridge of
snow 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
headforemost down the declivity, sometimes for the distance
of twenty yards. This sport they continue aj)parently with the
keenest enjoyment until fatigue or hunger induces them 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 obliged 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 frozen over. Along the reserve-dams of the rice
fields of Carolina and Georgia, these slides are very common.

' According to Bell, the European Otter goes with young nine weeks, and
produces tbreo to live young ones iu March or April (Brit. Quad. 1837, 130).
The period of gestation of our species, it' diit'erent, probably remains to bo
ascertained.

t [A statonient certainly too figurative for literal acceptiitiou,]

HABITS OF OTTERS.

315

From the fact that this occurs in most cases diuiu'^ winter,
about the period of the rutting season, ve are inclined to the
belief that this propensity may bo 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 terras: —

"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 dift'erent creeks in the salt
marshes, and engaged in capturing mullets {Mugil). In most
cases they came to the bank with a fish in their moiith, des-
patching it in a miiuite, 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 sahnoicles).

"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

f,:i|

31fi

NORTH AMEUIC'AN MUSTELID.E.

its use. When thus euyaged in (levouriiig the luckless fishes
the Otter bit throngU them, crushing the boues, 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 in 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 BritiHh Quadrupedn. " ^V'e read of its
excavating a very artidcial habitation," says Bell, " burrowing
under ground to a considerable distance ; making the aperture
of its retreat always under water, and working upwards, form-
ing here and thei:e a lodge, or dry resting-place, till it reaches
the surface of the ground 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 Otter
avails itself of any convenient excavation, particularly of the
hollows beneath the overhanging roots of trees which grow on
the banks of rivers, or any other secure and concealed hole
near its fishing-haunt; though in some cases it fixes its retreat
at some distance from the water, and when driven by a scanty
supply of flsh, it has been known to resort far inland, to the
neighbourhood of the farm-yard, and attack lambs, sucking
pigs, 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 author remarks the similarity of such an account with that given
by Mr. George Bennett in describing the retreats of the Ornithorhtfnvhtta of
Australia, though tlio former is found in books published long prior to the
discovery of the latter animal.]

TIAHiTS OF OTTKRS.

317

Stood OH the side of the pond opposite to us, and witli its over-
hanging branches shaded the water. After a fatiguing walk
through the tangled cane-brake and thick under-wood which
bordered the sides of this lonely place, we reached the opposite
side of the pond near the large tree, an<l moved cautiously
through the mud 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 otf 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 trunk, we succeeded in reaching the lowest bough, and
thence climbed up to a broken branch from which an aperture
into the upper part 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-
proached and stopped up the entrance under water as noise-
lessly as possible, we cut a hole in the side of the tree foar 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
on a sort of bed composed of the inner bark of trees and other
soft substances, such as water grasses. We continued cutting
the hole we had made, larger, and when sufficiently .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
passing one of these 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 difi'er in their general movements and attitudes.
In speaking ot the conformation of the latter species, Bell
remarks that evidently every facility cojisistent 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 ease and elegance of movement; and although its action
on land is far from being awkward and difficult, 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 position, and dives instantaneously after the fish

318

NOliTJI AMEKICAN MUSTELID.E.

that may glide beneath it, or pursues it under water, changing
its course as the tisli darts 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 ex(jui-
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 hf.re alrert<ly given some
figures showing the thousands annuaily destroyed, and 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 and 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 bait is here required ; and devices are used in se-
curing the trap l)y which the animal may be led into deep
water when caught, or lifted upward, the design in either case
being to prevent the animuFs escape bj' gnawing off the im-
prisoned lim'\ The trap 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, and, 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 water, the Otter being attracted by bait or odor placed
beyond on the other end; or a ),ock 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 hit,
wariness, caution, and sagacity at a very high rate. " In win-
ter when the ponds and rivers are frozen over the otters make
boles througli the ice at which they come up to devou" their
l)rey. Where the water is a foot deep beneath any of these
boles the trap may be set in the bottom, the chain being se-

HABITS OF 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 tish attached to tliC pan, and
then carefully lowered with its chain and stone to the bottom.
For this purpose the Xowhouse, No. 3, is b«st adapted, as the
otter is -in this cavse caught by the head." Audubon speaks of
the latter method as one very commonly employed in Carolina.
Ilis flgure of the Otter represents the animal as caught by the
fore foot in a trap, baited with a tish on the pan, i)laced on a
slanting log just out of the water. IJut 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
upper 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 la
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 tee<^h ": it is
correctly drawn with slraight-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 aninml 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 mert ''ase of
extirpation. It was in other days pursued with much oi ^ho
pomp and circumstance of regular sport : the Dogs were chosen

320

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID.E.

for tlit'ir perseverance and resolution ; ' good Otter-hounds/
says an old sportsman, . . . ' will come chaunting and trail-
ing along by the river side, and will beat every tree-root, every
osier-bed, and every tuft of bulrushes: — nay, sometimes 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 cavalcade of no
inconsiderable extent and importance. These scenes are now
no longer w'lnessed, or but rarely, in England ; but in WaleJi
the chase of the Otter is still kept up with some spirit, in cer-
tain romantic districts of that roniantic 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, as 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 afford 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, tiie 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
place at which he dived. Then the anxious watch that is kept
of his rising to ' vent,' the steady purpose with which the dogs
follow and l)ait 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
CarK arthen 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
Glansevin, escorted by the gentlemen of the neighbourhood,
returning t, )m Otter-hunting. The gentlemen in the front rank
were mounted ; and next the horsemen were three men neatly
dressed in scarlet coats a»ul white trousers, with long spears,
on which were suspended three hnge Otters. Now the hunts-
man appeared with his well disciplined hounds; and then fol-

:,i.j;

HABITS OF OTTERS.

321

lowed the 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 domesticating several
Otters, which became so tame that they would romp with him
'I his study. These, he says, were taken when quite young,
ana became as gentle as puppies in two or three days ; they
preferred milk and boiled corn-meal, refusing fish or meat till
luey 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
domesticcated, 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 late
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 n\uuy other things of much
pleasure.' Albertus Magnus, Aldrovandus, Gesner, and others,
had asserted it ; yet Buffon, losing for once his accustomed
credulity, and running to an opposite extreme, refuses to be-
lieve in the susceptibility of the Otter to be brought 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 catching 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

iJ'Siiil

322

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

times, by Daniel, Bewick, Shaw, and others ; in one of which
an Otter had been known to take eigi-t 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 nalr, (Fr. Cuv.) may be rendered similarly use-
ful : — ' We passed, to my surprise, a row 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 Colly). 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, that * the simple Hindoo
shows here a better taste and judgment than half the Otter
hunting and Badger baiting gentry of England.' With such
instances as these before us, there seems to be no reason why
this animal, so tractable and docile as it is proved to be, should
not be very generally domesticated for the purposes of sporr,
or employed by fishermen 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 be alternated with the fish, and the
proportion of the former gradually increased till they are led
to live entirely on bread and milk. They are then taught to
fetch and carry, exactly as Dogs are trained to the same trick ;
and when they are brought to do this with ease and docility, a
leather fish stuffed with wool is employed for the purpose. They
are afterwards exercised with a dead fish, and chastised if they
diMtliey or attempt to tear it ; <tnd finally, they are sent into the
water after living ones. In this way, although the process is

EXTINCT NORTH AMERICAN OTTER.

323

somewhat tedious, it is believed that the Otter maybe certainly
domesticated, and rendered subservient to our use

" The habits of the Otter, and its rank fishy taste, have pro-
cured for it the distinction of being permitted by the Church
of Eome to be eaten on maigre days. The quiet humour of good
old Izaak Walton could not rest without a sly hit at this fact: —

" Piscator. I pray, honest huntsman, let me ask you a pleasant
question: do you hunt a beast, or a fish ?

" fftmt. Sir, it is not in my power to resolve you ; yet I leave
it to be resolved by the College of Carthusians, who have made
vows never to eat flesh. But I have heard the question hath
been debated among many great clerks, and they seem to diflfer
about it ; yet most agree that her tail is fish, 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 proviuce of my good friend Mr. Yarrell rather than
mine; for, says Pejinant, '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 whofe lives the eating of flesh.' "

|i^ if'

.t.

JCxtiiict species of North American Otter.

fjiitra piMciiiarin. fjr,!dif.

hum . Leldn. (Jon t rib. Extinct. Vert. Fn. of the Western Xerr. (4to Rep. TJ. S. Geol.

S'irr. viil. 1 I i7.<, |>. 33(1.
Lu*.r.l piSCiaiJ*!!, id. ibU p. J16, pi. xsxi, f..4 (tibia, { nat. size, from Idaho).

B ised on a tibiji submitted to Dr. Leidy's inspection by the
S iiithHotiidii Institution, procured by Clarence King on Sinker
Oieek, lduh<>, iii association with remains of Eqtms excelsus and
MofttodiUi mirijictu.

"Tiie tibia pertains to a c<arnivore, and resembles that of an
otter more than that of any other animal with which I have
had an opp(utnnity of comparing it. Its ditterenoes, excepting
dzo, are trifling. The tubercle ice insertion of the quadriceps
extensor is less prominent, so as to give the head of the bone
proportionally less thickness in relation with its breadth. Th»
ridge fot the attachment of the interosseous membrane at tlio
lower part of the bone is more prominent and sharper. The

324 NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDJE.

distal end in front just above the articulation is flatter, and
the groove lor the flexor tendons behind is deeper.

Lines.

" Length of the bone internally 59

"Widthof thehead 15

" Thickness at the inner condyle 10 J

" Width of the distal end between the most prominent

points , 11

" Thickness at the inner malleole . - 8"

fM- ' -filis-p:

CHAPTEE XI

Subfamily ENHYDRIN^: Sea Otter.

General considerations — The genns Enhydris — Generic characters — Enhydria
lutri8, the Sea Otter — Synonymy— Habitat — Specific characters — Descrip-
tion 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.

LASTLY, we come to consider a particular modiflcation of
the Musteline type of strncture, which may be regarded as
an exaggeration of various features characterizing the Lutrinas^
with the superposition of others not elsewhere found in the
family. With the general aspect of an ordinary Otter, the
JEnliydrinw 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 Liitrince, but the teeth are unlike any-
thing else seen in the family Mustelidce. One pair of incisors
is wanting, which makes the dental formula unique. Moreover,
the whole dentelure is modified in adaptation to a piscivorous
regimen. The sectorial teeth are defunctionalized as such; if
the teeth of ordinary carnivorous quadrupeds be likened to
fresh-chipped, sharp and angular bits of rock, those of the
Enhydrinie are comparable to water- worn pebbles.

The Enhydrinm are represented, as far as known, by a single
genus 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.)

< MUHteia ep. Linnmus, Syst. Nat. 1758-86. v

< PhOCft up. PaUa«, Zoog. R.-A. 1831.

< Lutrn sp. of various authors.

-■ Pusa, Oiken, Lehrb. Naturg. 1816. (Not of Scopoli.)

— Rnhydra,* Fleming, Philos. Zool. 1822. (Also written Enhydris, Enydris.)

— Latax, atoger, N. Act Nat. Cur. 1897. (Not of Gray.)

* Etyin. — See anteA, p. 29, for discussion of the philological bearings of this
word.

325

i H

1 ?:■
' ii'

326

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

Generic ciiakacters. — Dental formula: i. ^~', o, j^', pm. g£g ;
m. ^ly = \ y =32.* Grinding teeth very peculiar in Hhape, without trench-
ant edges or acute angles, all being bluntly tuberculous 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
Lutrince, in straight upper outline, very short rostrum, truncate in fi'ont
and flat on top, backwai'd production of palate, size and shape of ante-
orbital foramen, &.O., but much broader for its length ; thus, the interptery-
goid emargination is, if anything, broader 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 apex in the veVtical
line over condyle.

General external aspect of Lutrinw, 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 character 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.

Tlie Sea Otter.

EnbydrlM Intris.

Plates XIX, XX.

Intra mitrtna , SUUer, N. C. Petrop. ii. 1751, 367, pi. I&.—Erxh Syst Anim. ITH, 445 (desorip-
tioD pertinunt, but aynouymy mixed with that of another species).— iScAreb. Saug. ill.
1776, 465, pi. 138 (SteUer).— 2imm. Geog. Gesch. U. 1780, 313, no. 1tn.—8haio, Gen. Zool.
1. 1800, 444, pi. 101.— De«m. Manim. i. 1820, 189, no. 291 ; " Nonv. Diet, xviii, 216 ; Ency.
M6th. pi. 79, f. 3."— Harlan, Fn. Amer. 1835, n.—Ologer, N. Act. Nat. Cnr. xiiL pt ii-
1827, 510 (proposes Latax as a better name than Puia), 875 seq.; " Isis, ii. 1839, 132 leq.;
Sdmas. Ball. XV. 136 yeg."- 6odm. Am. K H. i. 1831, 228. pi. — , f. i.—Wagn. Arch. f.
Natnrg. ii. 183S, 281.

Btttra [»ie] marina, H. W. Elliott, Amer. Sportsman, Sept. 12 and 19, 1814 (biogtaphy;
nnder pseudonym of "Alaska").

Intra (Enhydra) marina, Rich. F. B.-A. i. 1829, S9, no. 21 ; Zo51. Beechey's Toy. 1839, 5.

Enhydra marina, Flem. Philos. Zo«l. ii. 1822, IffJ.—Orif. An. Kingd. v. 1827, 133, no. 369.-
JilarHn, P. Z. S. iv. 1836, 59 (osteology).— Awd. <£• Bach. Q. N. A. Hi. 1853, 170, pi. 137.-
Newb. P. R. R. Kep. vi. 1857, 43.— Bd. M. N. A. 1857, 189.— Ooop. <6 Suck. N. H. "Wash.

<■ Terr. 1860, Il5.—Dall., Alaska and its Res. 1870, 489 (habits).— S^, W. Elliott, Condition
of Affairs in Alaska, 8vo ed. chap. v. 1875, pp. 54-62 (history, habits, the chase, eco-
nomic and commercial relations).

^ , like all other Muatelidai.
Prof.

* It is said that the young Sea Otter has t. |
The middle pair of incisors are those that are wanting in the adult,
Baird (M. N. A. 1857, 189), overlooking the peculiarity of the incisor formula
of the adult, but correctly noting the one less jiremolar than in Lutrinw,
gives a wrong total of 34 teeth in all, instead of 32.

SYNONYMY OF ENHYDRIS LUTRIS.

327

Enydrls inarlnn, Licht. Darstoll. Sitng. 1837, 34, pla. 49, SO.—Ennan, Reiae, , — , pL 11,

12.— " iraj/rt. Gelohrte Anzeigen, i. , 555; Siippl. Sclireber, ii. 1811, 274."

EnhydrlH marina, Sehim, Syn. 1844, 'i51.—Giebjl. Siiug. 1855, TJi.—aervaia, Journ. de Zool.
iv. 1875, pp. 200-206 (osteology).

Latax marina. Less. Nouv. Tabl. K. A. 1842, 71.

MUMtCia liitrls, L. S.N. i. 1758, 4,5, no. 1 (ex Act. I'etrop. 1749, 267) ; 1766, 66, no. l.-8ehreb.
Stiug. iii. 1777, pi. 128 (name on plato).— Om. S. N. i. 1788, 93, no. 1 (exul. var. B, which
= brniiilien8is}.—Turt. S. N. i. 1606, 57.

Phoca lutriti, PaU. Znog. S.A. i. 1831, 100, no. 34.

Llltra lutrls Less. Man. 1827, 155, no. 419.— Fr. Ow>. "Diet. Sol. Nat. xxvil. 245"; Suppl.
Buir. i. 1831, 204.—/*. Oeof. "Diet Class, i.x. 5l»".-Fisch. Syn. 1829, 227, no. 7.

EnhydrlH lutrls, Gray, P. Z. S. 1865, 136, pi. 7 ; Cat. Cain. Br. Mas. 1889, — .

Knhydra lUtrlN, De Kay, N. Y. Zool. 1842, 41.— Gray, Cat. Mamm. Br. Moa. 1843, li.—Qerr.
Cat. Bones Br. Mus. 1862, 102.

PUSK orientaliH, Oken, Lehrb. Naturg. Tli. iii. Abth. ii. 1816, p. 966.

Lutril fttellerl, Less. Man. 1827, 156, no. 423. '

Enydris stellcri, FUch. Syn. 1820, 229.

TLutra gracilis Shaw, G. Z. i. 1800, 447 (baaed on "Slender Otter" of Pennant Quad. ii. 83.,
North America, Staten Laud).

TLutra gracilis (sub Piisa), Oken, Lehrb. Naturg. Th. iii. Abth. ii. 1806, 986.

rEnydris gracilis, Fisoh. Syn. 1839, 229 (from Shaw, {. c).

Meerotter, SteUer, " Hamb. Mag. xl. 460, with &g."—MuU. Natura. i. 1773, 359.

Beeotter, Hallen, "Naturg. vierf. Th. 1757, 567 ".

Seebiber oder Seeotter, "SUUer, Kamtsch. 1774, 97 ".

Seebiber, MUU. " Samml. iii. , S44 ".

KamtHchatltische Bieber, id. "ibid. 529".

Hea Otter, Pmn. Syn. Qnad. 1771, 341, no. 175 (In part) ; Hist Quad. 17S1, — , no. 330| Arct.
Zool. i. 1784, 88, no. 36.— Ooo*, " Third Voy. 1874, ii. 895, pi. 43 ; Mearea'a Voy. 1790, pp. 241 ,
260."— flttwK <f. Mtmi4», Phil. Trana. 1796, 38.5 Seammon, Am. Nat Iv. 1870, 65 (de-
tailed biography); "Overland Monthly", iv. 85 (biography); Marine Mamm. 1874,
ohap. vi. pp. 169-175, woodoata, pL xxiL lower flg. (biography, etc.).

Sea Beaver, KroMoh. "Hist Eamts. (Grieve's transl.), 1764, 131."

Eamtschatskoi Bobr or Bobr morskoi Rwsian.

Kalko, Aliq.

Kaian, SteUer, I. c. Gray, I. e.

C astor marin, Krasoh. " Hiat Eamtach , 444 ".

loutre de mer, Oook, "Third Toy. (French transl.), pi. 43."

Loutre marine, Desm. I. e.. Ft. Guv. I c

Loutre du Kamtciiatka, Geoffr. "Collect Mus. d'Hiat Nat"; Lesson, I e.

Loutre marine k t£te blanche, "DiotSc.Natfaac.TiLpl.l9,f.3 '.— .penn.{.e.
Tar. L. marina with a white head. Earl op. eit 74.

Lo utre de Stel ier. Less. I. e.

Sarlcovienne, Buff. " Suppl. vL 4to, 287 " (in part).

HAB.--The North Pacific. On the American side, south to Lower Califor-
nia.

Specific charactebs. — Hind feet broad, like a Seal's u.^pers, the soles
furry ; fore feet small, like a Cat's paws, the palina naked ; tail terete, obtuse,
about i the length of head and body. Form massive. Color dark liver*
brown, bleaching on the head, everywhere silvered with hoary ends of tho
longer hairs. Length overall about 4 feet, of which the tail is a foot or less ;
hind foot about 6 inches long by 4 broad. Qirth about 3^ feet.

Description of external characters.*

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.

,!3

328

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

body is a swollen cylinder, abrupt behind, tapering before to a
small globose head without notable constriction of neck ; the
limbs are short ; the tail is short, terete-tapering, 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"; the pelt of an
individual four feet long readily stretches to six feet ; and when
the animal is lifted up by the skin, a foot or so of "slack"
gathers. The pelage is notable for the preponderance of the
woolly under fur, the longer stitfor hairs being very scanty. It
is of the same general character all over the body ; but on the
head, feet, and tail consists chiefly of a finer fur, with little or
no admixture of bristly hairs. The only naked parts are the
muffle and palms.

The naked mufile, an inch broad, and deeper than this, is
lozenge-shaped, with acute superior and inferior angles, obtuse
lateral angles, straight or slightly sinuous uppBr sides, the
lower sides somewhat irregular for most -*' their length, owing
to the nostrils ; these open 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 oars. The gen-
eral shape is trapezoidal — the longest side exterior, the side
represented by the ends of the digits next longest ; the inner
border shorter, while the angle represents the fourth and much

DESCRIPTION OP ENHYDRI8 LUTRIS.

329

the shortest side. The digits are entirely webbed by membranea
stretching from tip to tip of all the toes. When widespread,
the ends of the toes describe a slight curve, the inner one being 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 "frosted" with the
hoary tips of the longer stiff hairs. These colorless hairs are
rather more numerous below than above, giving a lighter tone
to the under parts, the body of which, however, is of much the
same color as the back. There are fewer or none such lijht-
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 es^hibited 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 mostly 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-brown 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 Mnstelidce. It is fully carried out in Gulo, Afustela, Putorius vison, Ac,
and even indicated here in Enhydris.

330

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

siuce suck as could be ^Wqu from the dried skins before me
would be only approximate. Tlie 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). — The coat is
comparatively much longer than that of the adult, loose,
rather harsh, and of a peculiar iiutt'y character, with kinky
fibre. The naked muffle is much as in the adult, but quite
smooth ; the ears are entirely hidden in the abundant wool of
the parts ; the hind feet scarcely show their proper shape ; the
tail is clubbed, 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 the shoulders.

To sum the salient external peculiarities 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 would strike an unscientific observer : —

" The Sea Otter is furnished with a formidable set of teeth ^
its fore paws are like those of the Biver Otter, but of much
larger size, 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 fur 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 [?J 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 [furj 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 ENHYDRIS LUTRIS.

331

black, and iu every respect more perfect thau those which are
taken in the summer and autumn. The male Otter is beyond
all comparison the more beautiful than the female and is dis-
tinguished by the superior jetty colour, as well as velvety
appearance of his skin ; whereas the head, throat and belly of
the female, are not only covered with fur that is white, but
which is also of a very coarse texture. 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 tlneness, and
a silky gloss."

Among other earlier descriptions, that of Dr. Pallas, mod-
estly styled "ad complementum Stelleriauo)", in delicate com-
pliment to the previous traveller, may be cited in illustration
of some of the more infrecpient variations. Pallas speaks of a
specimen from Kodiak, which was yellowish-white, shaded on
the back with gray (e flavescentialba, medio dorso grysea nebula
enumbrato). The old animal, he says, is glossy black, with
somewhat reddish unuor fur, and often over five feet long; the
young are rather dark grayish.

Description of the sTcull and teeth.* (See Plates XIX, XX.)

With a general resemblance to that of Lutra^ the skull of the
Sea Otter differs not only in its superior size, but in its massive-
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 skulls of some of the Pinnipedia, with which the Sea Otter
is intimately associated in its mode of life.

As evidenced by the sutures in some very young skulls before
me, the disposition of the several bones is much 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 the lower jaw,
while in front it stops altogether short of the bridge over the
anteorbital foramen, which is thus circumscribed 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 osteology of this species has been specially studied by Martens (P. Z.
S. 1836, 59) and Gervais ( Journ. de Zool. iv. 1875, 200-206). Gerrard gives the
vertebral formula as C. 7; D. 14; L. 6; S. 3 ; Cd. 18.

.h*\

332

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

meet the extiemity of the nasals. More than a third of the in-
cisive foramen is 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 Lntra in
greater inflation of the cerebral walls, especially anteriorly,
where the encroachment upon the temporal fossse is decided.
Supraorbital processes 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
in 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.

In profile, the skull shows the same flatness on top as is seen
in Lutra., 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;
no*^ so well as it is in the other subfamilies, excepting MepMtmce.
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 matters to
be noted in the profile view are much as in Lutra.

From below: The zygomatic width is about three-^^urths the
length; 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 fossje are rarely, if ever, so much developed as to lock

SKULL AND TEETH OP ENHYDRI8 LUTRIS.

333

the jaw. I have not witnessed such case. The back wall, in-
stead of overlapping strongly at its outer angle, is regularly
produced into a border all along. The inflation of the bullae 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 union 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, roaching 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 Lutrinw, but not as in any other subfamily of Mmtelidw, 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 jaws is concerned, by lack of one pair of inferior
incisors. Thus there are four fewer teeth than in Lutrinw (||
instead of jf ). 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, ^nAv^m agrees with all the other North Amer-
ican genera excepting Lutra (^) and normal Conepatus (|^) ; in
the presence of three premolars above and below, it agrees with
all but Lutra, Conepatus, Mu^tela, and Gulo (the two last having
~); in the presence of three premolars below, it agrees with all
excepting Mustela and Oulo.

In thQ physical character of the teeth, as well as in the dental
formula, Unhydris is peculiar in its family. All the grinders are
of a singularly massive, tubercular, almost bulbous character,
with no trenchant edges, acute cusps, or even angular edges.
This is in evident adaptation to the piscivorous regimen^of the
animal. The teeth of even the youngest specimens^have an

334

NORTH AMERICAN 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 upper molar is the largest tooth of all,
being as wide as, and much longer'than, 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 Jdescription. The back upper premolar is squarish,
with rounded-oflf angles, and presents outwardly a pair of large
obtuse tubercles, whereof the anterior one 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 apterior 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 molar 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 of 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 secondar;, eminence part way up
its inner aspect. The other premolars are successively smaller
and simpler. The front premolar and back molar are single-
rooted; the anterior molar has four roots; the nt'xt tooth three;
the next two. The canines, both above and below, are rather
small, comparatively; the latter is not much curved. Of the
superior incisors, the lateral pair are moderately larger than the
rest, and taper somewhat toward the end from an elbow near
the base. The others are smaller, especially nnrrow, and some-
wha*: club-shaped; none are obviously lobate. Of the inferior
incisors, it is seen to be the median pair that are missing, for
the next pair (here the middle pair) have the backward set, which
usually distinguishes them in other genera. These incisors are
all strongly clubbed at their extremities, which are irregularly
nicked.

Ei%tory of the species. ■■. v.m - «>r ij ^

The history of this species may be considered to have begun
ia the middle of the last century. C of the earliest ac-

HISTORY 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 1751, under the name of Lutra marina, 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 Kussians 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 equivalent terms, or several such, to
indicate ditl'erent ages or states of pelage. Notwithstanding
the accuracy of Steller's account, which is quoted and some-
times consulted to the present day, and in spite of the numer-
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.
LinnfBUs confounded it with the Saricovienne or Brazilian Ot-
ter, Lutra hrasiUensis; and the same iriistake 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 couHtructiou of the hind feet, general aspect,
and mode of life have caused it to be classed among the
Seals — Pallas indeed, an emiuetit naturalist and observing
traveller, calU it a Phom: and in the latest publication upon
the snbjt'ct, Capt. 0. M. Sv^amnion's Marine Mammals (1874), it
is lo<;ated again in the midst of Vinnipedia. It is, of course,
unueuussary to scr ously dttscuss a procedure which, like this,
is indefensible u\utn any but rhe most superficial and unscien-
tiflo condidomtloiis, drawn tVuin rhe aquatic habits of the ani-
mal, and the modificatiouM required for this end. Its relation-
ships with the Pinnii>edH aiv entirely those of analogy.

LinnaBUH was right, according to the terms of classification
of his day, in placing it in the genus Mustela, a group nearly
equivalent to tliPi family Mmtelidw as now understood. Over-
looking or igunoring Steller's name of Lutra marina, which j
though biDomial in the letter, was merely a Latin translation
of a vernacular term, and not binomial ui>on any system, he
called the species Muntela lutris, a name the specific portion of

111

t i»,

336

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

which must stand, even though, as already intimated, it in-
cludes an altogether different animal, Liitra brasiliensis ; for
the Stellerian name marina was not used by any binomial
writer until after Linn^us 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 Liunieus, a re-
naming of the well-known animal, without intention of sep-
arating from it a second species. Oken called it Pusa orien-
talis, in 1816,* in the work above cited, apparently inventing
both the generic and specific term, in this application at least.
E.-P. Lesson is responsible for another synonym, having, in
1827, renamed the species Lutra sMleri, 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 Lain Otter,
different from Steller's animal, and, in fact, such was 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 gracilis of Fischer, and is mentioned
under Pnsa by Oken, said to be from Staaten-Land, Nord-
Amerika. It is impossible to determine what this is, owing to
the imperfection 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 Zoology ".
Oken speaks of " Staaten-Land, hei yew-York^, 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 canadensisj which, as is well known, is the
only Otter of the Eastern United States, where the Sea Otter
certainly does not occur. t

These specific names are the only ones I have come upon in

* De Blainville gives the date of the name as ltil4, but I have not been
able 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 sre old,
and belong to other groups, while others were newly iD<rented
for this particular species. The former are, in the order of
their successive use, Lutra, Muatela, and ^hoca, after Steller,
LinniBus, 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 Okeu,
already mentioned, being the first-named of this sort. Pusa
had, however, already been used by another writer in connection
with a genus of Seals now commonly known as Ralichcerusy
but in such a peculiar way as to raise one of those technical
questions of synonymy which authors interpret difterc ntly, in
absence of fixed rule. Scopoli based his Pusa upon a figure of
Salomon MUUer's, recognizable with certainty as Halichceru8j»nil
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 au
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
Pusa 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 how 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 Pusa thus disposed of,
another to be similarly treated is Latax of Gloger. Though
applied by some authors, particularly J. E. Gray {more «tto, 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 F^russac's Bulletin). This well-identified name* is, how-

* It is, however, doubtful whether Latax oaa be considered aa eetabliahed
at all ; for Gloger, treating of the Sea Otter under the name Lutra marina,
simply takes occasion to criticise the fitness of Oken's term Pu«a, and to
suggest that Latax might be a more apt designation. . ^

22 M

338

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

ever, an UDquestionable synonym of Enhydra of Fleming, insti-
tuted in|1822, in that author's "Philosophy of Zoology", and
which, under its various i'oTmsofEnhydris, Enydris, and Enhydra,
has been most generally employed of late years.

Besides the technical accounts of very numerous authors
who never saw the animal alive, there are many other notices
of more general interest, in unscientific works, giving informa-
tion upon its h{>bits 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 1796 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
Biultiplied, from the pens of a number of naturalists who have
visited the northwest coast, and largely contributed to a com-
plete history. Capt. Scammon's several articles above quoted,
all to much the same eflfect, are specially noteworthy, though
certain points may require to be scrutinized and checked by the
observations of others. The author last mentioned also repro-
duces the figure by Wolf, which accompanied Dr. J. E. Gray's
paper on the Mustelidce, in Zoological Society's Proceedings for
1865 ; this is probably the most life-like representation of the
species extant. J. W. Audubon's plate, t)ubli8hed in the work
of his father and Dr.Bachman,is afinished drawing of unmistak-
able character, probably the best one generally accessible to
American students. Neither Sir John Richardson 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
American biographies, indeed, at all approaching completeness
are those of Mr. Elliott and Capt. Scammou, already cited.

.; ^^ The Sea- Otter audits Hunting J"*

[By H. W. Elliott.]

' " The sea-otter, like the fur-seal, is another illustration of au
animal long known and highly prized in the commercial world,

* iiaviDg DO original iuforinatiou to offer respectiug the commercial bii»-
tory, the chase, or the habits of the Sea Otter, I extract an aooount which
there is reason to believe to be the roost complete, accurate, and reliable at

"the sea-otter and its hunting."

339

yet respecting the habits and 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 seeing the sea-otter 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 most 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

uur Hervice. The ioUowiug uiatter coustitutes Chap. V, pp. 54-62, of^Mr.
Henry W. Elliott's " Report on the Condition of Affairs in the Territory of
Alaska", 8vo, Washington, Government Printing Office, 1875. Mr. Elliott
has proven a trustworthy observer and zealous naturalist, and had excellent
opportunities of studying the whole subject during his long residence in
Alaska as special agent of the Treasury Department, charged with the Gov-
ernment interests in the Fur Seal Fisheries.

A quotation from Sir John Richardson (Fn. Bor.-Am. 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, was much esteemed by
the Chinese, and, nntil 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 bis success, by establishing fur
posts in New Caledonia, and a direct commerce with China; bat 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
first discovered, two sailors, Lukannon and Ka^ekov, killed at
St. Paul's Island, in the first year of occupation, jftre thousand,
the next year they got less than a thousand, and in six years
after not a single sea-otter appeared, and none have appeared
since. 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 Bussians to the Gulf of Yahkutat, 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 Bussians and Aleuts captured in Sitka Sound and neighbor-
hood twelve hundred skins, besides those for which they traded
with the natives there, f !y as many morej and in the spring
of 1800 a few America ad English vessels came into Sitka
Sound, anchored off the small Bussian settlement there, and
traded with the natives for over two thousand skins, getting
the trade of the Indians by giving firearms and powder, ball,
&c., which the Bussians did not dare to do, living then, as they
were, in the country. In one of the early years of the Bussian
American Company, 1804, Baranov 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 ten
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 Bussian 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 1826, when the returns
from the whole Ounalashka district (the Aleutian Islands) were
only fifteen sMns.^

" 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 Bussians regarded the] lives of

" THE SEA-OTTER AND ITS HUNTING."

341

these people as tbey did those of dogs, and treated them accord-
ingly ; they took, under 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 came in our possession, the Bussians
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 Kenai, Yahkutat, 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 Islauds, and oflf Gray's Harbor,
Washington Territory.

** Now, during the last season, 1873, instead of less than seven
hundred skins, as obtained by the Bussians, our traders secured
not much less than four 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 sea otters 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

II' ,"

342

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

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-otters, except perhaps
that it may be a little less rocky.

"As matters are now conducted by the hunting-parties, the
sea-otters at Saauach and the Ghernobours do not have a day's
rest during the whole jear. 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 sea-otter by the use of rifles of the best make, which, in
the hands of the young and ambitious natives, in spite of the
warnings of the old men, must result in the extermination of
these animals, as no authority exists in the laud 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.
With a view to check this evil and to perpetuate the life of the
sea-otter in the Territory, I offer the following suggestions to
the Department :

" 1st. Prohibit the use of firearms 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 difficult, 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 complj with his demands. The collector
theu 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 the instructions given
him, and punish violations.

"This proposed action on the part of the Government is
urgent and humane, for upon the successful huntijig of the
sea-otter some five thousand christianized nati\ es are entirely
dependent for the means to live in a condition superior to bar-
barism.

^^ The habits of the sea-otter. {Enhydra marina.)

"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, while there, bitter privation and hardship; and
chiefly from their accounts, aided by my own observation, I
submit the following:

^^Saanach Island, Islets, and Eeefs, 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 beach are
found here and there, but the major portion of it is composed
of enormous water-worn bowlders piled up by the surf. The
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
uorth of the island. The sufferings 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 wind, 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

'^i

344

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^..

CberDobour Islets, to the eastward about thirty wiles, which
are similar to it. The sea-otter rarely lands upon the main
island, bat 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. The 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 when
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 a
weasel or mink. There is no sexual dissimilarity in color or
size, and both inanifest 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
the natives get young pups every month in the year. As the
natives have never caught the mothers bringing forth their off-
spnug on the rocks, they are disposed to believe that the birth
takes place on kelp-beds, in pleasant or not over-rough weather.
The female has a single pup, born about fifteen inches in length,
and provided during the first mouth or two with a coat of coarse,
brownish, grizzled fur, head 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 full-grown until its fourth or fifth year. The white nose
and mustache of the nup 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 other; the mother
lies upon her back in the water or upon the rooks, 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 sbed their fur just as the hair of inan grows and fdlls oat;
the reason is evident, 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 lite
without its mother, though frequent attempts have been made
by the natives to raise them, as they often capture them alive,
but, like some other species 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 cl.ims, 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
out 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 tiesh is very un-
palatable, highly charged with a rank smell and flavor.

" They are playful, it would seem, for I am assured by several
old hunters that they hav^e 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 great
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 creatures in the Territory.
They will take alarm and leave from the effects of a small fire,
four 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 surf'ShooUngf by spearingsnrrounds, by cltthhing, and by
net8.

*' The surf-shooting is the common method, but has only been
in vogue among the natives a short time. The young men have
nearly all been supplied with rifles, with whioh they patrol the
shores of the island and inlets, and whenever a sea-otter's head
is seen in the surf, a thousand yards out even, they fire, the
great distance and the noise of the surf preventing the sea-

346

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELIDiE.

Otter from takiug alarm until it is bit; and in nine times out
of ten, when it is bit, in the bead, which is all t: "t is exposed,
the shot is fatal, and the hunter waits until the surf brings bis
quarry in, if it is too rough or him to venture out in his
♦ bidarkie.' This shooting is kept up now the whole year
round.

"The spearingsurround is the orthodox native system of cap-
ture, and reflects the highest credit upon them as bold, hardy
watermen. A party of fifteen or twenty bidarkies, with two
men in each, as a rule, all under the control of a cbief elected
by common consent, start out in pleasant weather, or when it
is not 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 snakes a quiet signal, and
there is not a word spoken or a paddle splashed while they are
on ilio hunt, lie darts toward tbe 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 tlie 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 reappearance 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 the
same manner as his predecessor, when <all hands shout and
throw tlieir spears, to uiake 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 be' ~^, and
the circle is drawn anew ; and the surprise is often retreated,
sometimes for two or three hours, until the sea-otter, from
interrupted respiration, becomes so tilled with ai^ or gases
that he cannot sink, and becomes at once an easy victim.

" The coolness with which these Aleuts will go far out to
sea iu their cockleshell kyacks, and risk the Jipproaoh 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 frotti the northward, sweeping down over Saauach, have
about blown themselves out. The natives, the very boldest of
tUem, set out from Saanach, au^ 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 gaio 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, an«l when surprised by a man be-
tween themselves and the water, they will make for the sea,
straight, without any regard for 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 seaotter hunters on
Saanack. Tliey 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 sujoke, nor do they
scatter or empty food-refuse on the beaches. Oi 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 calls up the strange dissimilar-
ity existing now, as it has in all time past, between the prac-
tice of the Atka and xVttou Aleuts and that of those of Ouna-
lashka and the eastward, as given above. These people cap-
ture the sea-otter in nets, from 10 to 18 feet h)ng and (5 to 1(>
feet wide, with coarse meshes made nowadays of twine, 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 net.s,
seeming to make little or no eft'ort 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 Jis many as six at
one time in one of these small nets, and fre«iuently get three.
They also watch for surf-holes or caves in the MulVs, and,
when one is found to which a sea-otter is in the liabit of re-

348

NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^.

sorting, they set tbis net by spreading it over the 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 Ounalashka and the
eastward have never been known to use them. The salt-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."

U. S. Geological Survey.

MustelidsB. PLATE I.

44iilo IiiNt'iiot. <H«-i\ucfil.)

•M

U. S. Geological Survey.

MnsteUdsB. PLATE II.

ITIiistela peiinnnti. (Nnt. nlze.)

U. 8. Geolojiical Snrvey.

MiuteUdflB. PLATE III.

: I ii

MnHteln martmi. (Xat. size.)

U. 8. Geological Survey.

MustelidsB. PLATE IV.

1 1'

Sin itela f eina, (Kat. size.)

^V''"

U. 8. Oeologieiil Survey,

MttitelidsB. PLATE V.

MiiMtela aiiierlcHiia. (Nat. size.)

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

4fj

1.0

I.I

11.25

2.0

114

1.8

U 11.6

^y^"^"^^

ki^r-

-m

U. S. Gteological Survey.

MusteUdse. PLATE VI.

PatoriHS erininen.
PntorluM vnlnnris

. Figa 1. 3, 5, fi. ) ^^^ ^i,, )

I. FiRB. 9, 4. y

: m

•^v.

u. s

.';?%»-

U. S. Geolojjical Survey.

MustelidsB. PLATE VII.

•*utoriii« nlffrlpett. (Nat. size.)

■-«

,^ .„-.•"<.„,

!%■

U. S. Geological Survey.

MustelidsB. PLAIE VIII.

Fntorini* t'oetldn*. (Nat. size.)

ifif*,.

,v- i

U. S. Geological Survey.

MusteUdsB. PLATE IX.

Hntorlus viaon. (Nat. size.)

'•'1^;;

^■•^i'-

U. 8. Geological Survey.

MniteUdflB PLATE Z.

Mepliitls mepblticn. (Nat. size)

U. 8. Oeological Survey.

MustelidsB. PLATE XI.

Mei»hltl« meplil (Nat. size.)

U. 8. Geological Survey.

Mustelids. PLATE XII.

Mephitis (Spllovale) pntorlas. (8kin«, greatly redaoed.)

4 '

:;«?■%;

U. S. Geol()}!ical Survey.

MnstelidsB. PLATE XIII.

Till

Mephitis (M|illovMle) putvrlNS, (Nat. size.)

^B^

U. S. Qeological Snrvey.

HnstelidsD. PLATE XIV.

Mephitis (Spllovalc) pntorlan. (Nat. size.)

U. 8. Geological Survey.

Mustelids. PLATE XV.

Conepatns mapurlto. <Xat. size.)

i-^'ViiS^*-

U. S. Geological Siirver.

MusteUdsB. PLATE XYI.

'I'Hxiden Biuerlcnua. (UvUuued.)

U. S. Geological .Sntvey,

Mustelidse. PLATE XVII.

I^uira canadensiM. (Nat. size.)

U. 8. Oi'olonicttl Survey.

MuBtelidee. PLATE XVIII.

l^ntra valKaris* <Nat. size.)

U. S. Geolofjical Survey.

MustelidsB. PLATE XIX.

'^^^^

iffi^

r^'^'-— ji^'^g'I'll iiin

"^^

^^^

^W^

«^3

^mi

^^p'^lR

^S9

:: ^**^,-^^

m^jr

'■ ■-■-' ■■ ■■ •

Enhydrls Intrfs, (Keduoed.)

U. S. Geological Survey.

Mustelidse. PLATE XX.

Enbydrla IntrlH. (Upper fig. reduced. Lower &g. nat. size.)