68 FAUNA AMERICANA. 



fine down, very abundant, not entirely covered by 

 long hairs of a cinereus colour, slightly tinged 

 with white and faAvn ; end of the snout, breast, 

 the legs and tail, of a blackish brown, in which 

 there is but very little fawn colour ; posterior 

 part of the belly, red ; borders and interior of the 

 ear whitish, lightly tinged with yellow. 



Habit. Preferring for their haunts the thickest 

 forests ; climbing trees in search of birds and 

 their eggs; they also attack small quadrupeds; 

 bringing forth in spring, two or three young at a 

 birth, in the nest of a squirrel or in holes of trees. 



Inhabit all the north of Europe and America; 

 have been observed as far south as New England. 



Genus. 



Mephitis^ Cuv. Illig. 

 Viverra, Linn. Gmel. Bodd. 



CHAKACTERS. 



f Incisor 6. 

 'superior 14. < Canine 2. 

 (^ Molar 6. 

 r Incisor 6. 

 inferior 1 8. < Canine 2. 

 CMoUu-10. 



Dental formula.— Teeth 32.- 



Second inferior incisors on each side, out of the 

 range, inclining towards the interior of the mouth. 



Canines very strong, conical. 



Two false molars above, and three below on 

 each side. 



The superior tuberculous teeth very large, and 



