^56 Fauna Boredli' Americana. 



tainly, in producing all the different wild breeds (or species, as they appear 

 in our systems) of dogs, foxes, reindeer, &c., precisely in accordance with 

 their localities, whether hot, temperate, or cold, dry or moist, elevated 

 or low. But to apply this argument to the innumerable variety of forms 

 in creation, so as to draw a strict line of demarcation between apparently 

 identical species, will be the task of future centuries ; and, in the meantime, 

 it would surely be less objectionable to consider them only as varieties, 

 than to add to the perplexing myriads of technical terms with which the 

 science is already overwhelmed. These observations, we wish it to be un- 

 derstood, apply only to those animals which Dr. Richardson terms the repre- 

 sentatives of such species as are found in the old world ; to other tribes, as 

 monkeys, antelopes, &c., the individuals of which are numerous but well 

 defined, they are inappHcable. 



In mentioning the Americal Glutton, or Wolverene, our author takes 

 occasion to contradict the absurdities promulgated by former writers respect- 

 ing the European animal of the same name, such as its watching on the branch 

 of a tree, until a deer passes beneath, to drop upon the unsuspecting prey, 

 tearing its eyes out to impede its flight, &c., and eating with such voracious- 

 ness, that it is obliged to squeeze itself between two trees to get rid of the 

 effects of its inordinate meal. These stories originated at a very early period, 

 and, being handed down to the time of Buffon, were, with every thing strange 

 and marvellous, adopted by that eloquent but incorrect writer, and, of 

 course, admitted into almost every subsequent compilation. Dr. Richard- 

 son naturally believes the habits of the European closely to resemble those 

 of the American Gulo, which, he says, feeds chiefly on the carcasses of 

 beasts which have been killed by accident, chases meadow mice and hares, 

 and attacks larger animals only when they are disabled, (p. 45.) 



Of the principal " fur-bearing animals " belonging to the genus ilfustela 

 (including the martens, weasels, and otters), which are well known, accurate 

 descriptions are given, of which it is necessary for us to notice only one, the 

 Pekan, or JF'i^Aer-weasel, which has derived its English appellation from its 

 habits having been confounded, particularly by Pennant, with those of the 

 Vison, which animal, although not web-footed, spends much of its time in 

 the water, and preys upon small fish, spawn, fresh-water muscles, &c., whilst 

 the Pekan leads the same kind of life as the Pine Marten, preferring, how- 

 ever, damp places, where it partly subsists upon frogs, but its favourite food 

 being the Canada Porcupine, which it kills by biting it on the belly, (p. 55.) 



A very ample account of the wolves commences a consideration of the 

 genus (?anis, in which the white, pied, dusky, and black are considered as 

 mere varieties of the common grey wolf of America (C^nis iupus occiden- 

 talis) ; but the Prairie Wolf (Canis latrans), " from differences in its size, 

 voice, and manners," is adjudged to form a separate species. Our author 

 appears to hold the opinion that the dog has been originally derived from 

 the wolf, and in the three principal varieties described (the Esquimaux, 

 Hare-Indian, and North American or Canadian), he draws a parallel be- 

 tween them and the three chief varieties of wolves. Of the foxes Dr. Ri- 

 chardson gives a very minute and interesting account, in which eight varieties 

 are described, of which five are considered as distinct species. 



We must now pass on to the Rodentia, of which order the species are 

 so numerous in the fur countries, and so many new ones have lately been 

 discovered, that nearly half the volume is occupied by their description. 



As in other cases. Dr. Richardson very properly combats the absurdities 

 which have been related by Buffon and others respecting the beaver, and 

 transcribes the account of the habits of that quadruped from Hearne, as the 

 most accurate. Of the Musquash, a kindred animal in manners and instinct, 

 a very ample and excellent description is presented, and of the Meadow- 

 Mice (Arvicula) and Lemmings (Lemurus) several new species are introduced; 

 but of the genera which have been recently established, those of Sperrad- 



