FAUNA AMERICANA. 6J 



Genus. 



Musfela, Linn. Briss. Erxleb. Schreb. Bodd. 

 Cuv. Geoff. Illig. 



CHARACTERS. 



f" Incisor 6. 

 ^superior 16 or 18. < Canine 2. 



Dental formula. -Teetli 34 or 38. J > ^olar 8 or 10. 



I C Incisor 6. 



^.Inferior 18 or 20. < Canine 2. 



C Molar 10 or 12. 



Second inferior incisors of each side in a slight 

 degree receding ; canines strong ; molars cutting ; 

 the anterior false molars conical and compressed ; 

 sometimes two above and three below, at other 

 times three above and four below; true molars 

 trilobate ; the last molar with a blunt crown ; body 

 long and thin ; arched when the animal is in a 

 state of repose ; head small, oval, flat above ; jaws 

 short ; ears short and round ; tongue smooth ; feet 

 five toed, armed with sharp crooked claws ; small 

 glands near the anus, which secrete copiously an 

 extremely fetid fluid, when the animal is irritated; 

 hair fine and soft ; no caecum ; furnished with ven- 

 tral mammae. 



Habit. Carnivorous, voracious; killing small 

 quadrupeds and birds, &c. 



Inhabit temperate and northern climates in both 

 countries. 



Species. 



1. Mustela vulgaris, Linn. Erxleb. Bodd. Be- 

 lette, Buff, the Weasel Penn. Brit. Zool, p. 39. 



