20 AN OUTLINE OF THE BRITISH MUSTELAD^. 



and dragging along, with incredible rapidity, a remarkably fine 

 specimen of the water-rat, Arvicola aquatica, which the weasel 

 had apparently just destroyed. My friend dismounted from his 

 horse to secure the prize. But so reluctant was the weasel to 

 abandon its prey, that it repeatedly turned round on the suc- 

 cessful competitor ; shewed its teeth and chattered ; and was only, 

 at last, put to flight by repeated blows with his hand-whip. It 

 is said sometimes to assume a white colour in winter; and, in 

 this state, probably constitutes the M. nivalis, of Linnaeus. 



The Maries, or Marten genus, exhibits the same internal 

 organization as the Muslela; but is distinguished from it, prin- 

 cipally, by the following external characters : three false grinders 

 in the upper and four in the lower jaw : carnivorous tooth, below, 

 furnished with an internal tubercle. Muzzle more elongated and 

 slender than in the weasel. Tongue smooth. Odour musky. 

 Of this genus, there are two British species; the distinguishing 

 characters of which, however, are very obscure and ill-defined. 



1. Fagorum (M. martes, of Linnaeus, and M.foina, of Blumen- 

 bach), — Common Marten, — la Fouine, F., — Faina, It., — Fuina, 

 Sp., — der Hausmarder, Steinmarder, G. Spec, Char. Colour 

 dark-brown, with a reddish tinge on the head : breast and throat 

 white. Length of body eighteen inches; — tail, from ten to 

 twelve. Number of young from four to six. 



Remarks. — This, the most elegant and beautiful of all the 

 British Mammifera ; preys upon poultry, game, and the smaller 

 quadrupeds. It inhabits woods ; forms its lodge in the hollow of 

 trees; frequents the vicinity of the habitations of man; and is 

 readily tamed. Formerly of common occurrence, it is now 

 rarely seen in the midland districts of the island. About four 

 years since, a fine specimen was killed in Hopwas-wood, near 

 Tamworth; and is preserved in the collection of the Right Hon. 

 Sir Robert Peel, at Drayton Manor, to whom a portion of that 

 beautiful wood belongs. 



2. Abietum (M. martes, of Blumenbach), — Pine Marten,~-la 

 Martre, F., — Martora, It., — Marta, Sp., — der Baummarder, 

 Edelmarder, Feldmarder, G. Spec. Char. Throat and breast 

 yellow. Size less, and fur finer, than that of the preceding 

 species. Number of young, seven or eight. 



Remarks. — By many naturalists, this species is considered as a 

 mere variety of the common marten. In such opinion, I do not 

 concur. The pine-marten is distinguished from its congener, 

 by its smaller size ; by the finer texture, and deeper hue, of its 

 fur; and, more especially, by the yellow colour of the throat and 

 breast. It is, also, a much more shy animal, and in England, 

 at least, far less frequently seen, than the common marten. It 

 very rarely approaches the dwellings of man ; and brings forth 

 its young in the tops, not in the hollow, of trees. A fine specimen, 

 said to have been killed in Gloucestershire, was, about four years 

 ago, brought to me for inspection. It closely corresponded, in 



