14 MAMMALIA. FERA. Martes. 



Mustek, Merr. Pin. 1G7 — M. sylvestris, Sibb. Scot. 11 M. Candida, 



Ray, Quad. p. 198 — M. Er. Lin. Syst. 1. p. 08 — Stoat or Ermine, Pen. 



Br. Zool. 1. p. 89 — E, Winter Weasel; ^Weasel; W. Carlwm In 



summer, haunts woods and hedges, in winter corn-yards and barns. 

 The length of the body is about 10 inches, of the tail inches. In win- 

 ter the fur assumes a white colour, and is then highly prized. In this state, 

 however, the black on the tail continues unaltered. It is fond of eggs, pigeons, 

 rats, and putrid meat. I have seen it pursuing a young hare by the scent, 

 tracing the steps with as much accuracy as a harrier. This is supposed by Dr 

 Walker, in his Essays, p. 485., to be the animal considered by the Highland- 

 ers as noxious to horses, and which is thus described in the Statistical Account 

 of Kirkmichael, Banffshire, (Itev. John Grant, vol. xii. p. 449) : " In these 

 mountains, it is asserted by the country people, that there is a small quadru- 

 ped which they call Famh. In summer mornings it issues from its lurking- 

 places, emitting a kind of glutinous matter fatal to horses, if they happen to 

 eat of the grass upon which it has been deposited. It is somewhat larger 

 than a mole, of a brownish colour, with a large head disproportionate to'its 

 body. From this deformed appearance and noxious quality, the word seems 

 to have been transferred to denote a monster, a cruel mischievous person, 

 who, in the Gaelic language is usually called famh-fhear." It is probably the 

 same prejudice to which Sibbald refers, (Scot. 111. p. 11). " Lavellan, animal 

 in Cathanesia frequens, in aquis dulcis degit, capite mustelse sylvestri simile, 

 ejusdemque coloris bestia est. Habitu bestiis nocet. Itemedium autem est, 

 si de aqua bibant, in qua ejus caput coctum sit." 



17- M. Putorius. Foumart. — Fur blackish-brown, paler be- 

 low and about the ears, with the tail uniform. 



Putorius, Merr. Pin. p. 108 — Sibb. Scot. 11 — Ray, Quad. p. 199 Lin. 



Syst. 1. 07-, Fitchet.— Pen. Br. Zool. 1. p. 89 — E, Polecat, Fitchew ; 

 IV. Ffwlbard ; G, Foclan — In holes under trees, near rivulets. 

 Length of the body 17 inches, of the tail inches. It brings forth six 

 young ones at a time. Claws long — In its burrowing habits it resembles the 

 otter. Most destructive to pigeon-houses, poultry -yards and warrens ; kill- 

 ing and sucking the blood of numbers of the inhabitants. 



The Ferret, M. Furo, is merely an albino of this species. It has white fur 

 and red eyes. It breeds freely with the dark individuals. 



Gen. XI. MARTES. Martin. — Three tearing grinders in 

 the upper jaw, the front one falling with age; four in 

 the lower jaw. Ears middle-sized ; tongue smooth ; smell 

 musky. 



18. M. fagorum. Common Martin. — Throat and breast 

 white. 



Martes,— Mem. Pin. p. 107 — Sibb. Scot. p. 11 M. fag. Ray, Quad. 



p. 200 — Mustela martes, var. fag. Lin. Syst. 1. 87—Martin, Pen. 



Zool. 1. 92. tab. vi. f. 15 — La Fouine, Cuvier, Reg. An. 1. p. 149 



E, Martin or Martlet ; IF, Bela Graig — In woods and rocks in the 

 south of Scotland and England. 



The length of the body is about 18 inches, the tail 10. The general colour 

 of the fur is dark brown, the head having a reddish tinge — It is a great de- 

 stroyer of poultry and game. Easily tamed. Lodges frequently in hollows 

 of trees, and brings forth from four to six young. 



19- M. dbietum. Pine-Martin. — Throat and breast yellow. 



