126 



MAMMALIA— SABLE... SKUNK. 



bring forth her young in it. In the same manner, she occupies the old nests 

 of the owl and the buzzard, as also the hollow places of trees, from which 

 she presently dislodges the woodpecker, and other birds. 



THE SABLE. i 



This animal resembles the marten, and is found in great numbers in 

 Siberia and Kamtschatka. Its fur is very valuable, and the Russian govern- 

 ment derives considerable revenue from its sale. Pennant and Godman 

 both say it is found in the northern parts of our continent ; but Richardson 

 does not mention it in his Fauna Boreali Americana. 



THE SKUNK.a 



This animal inhabits the whole of North America, and is also found 

 throughout a part of the southern portion of that continent. A considerable 

 number of animals of this genus are natives of America, resembling each 

 other strongly in form and size, but differing in the number and variety of 

 their stripes and markings, have been described by authors as so many 

 distinct species. Baron Cuvier thinks that the present state of our 

 knowledge of these animals does not warrant us in considering them 

 otherwise than as varieties of a single species, and of these varieties he 

 enumerates fifteen. 



1 Mustcla zibcllina, Pallas. 



2 Mephitis Americanus, Desm. The genus Mephitis has six upper and sis lower incisors ; 

 two upper and two lower canines ; eisjht upper and ten lower molars. Body elongated, 

 arched ; toes of the foot separated, and armed with strong nails, the anterior formed for 

 digging; tail long and bushy, or none. 



