70 FAUNA AMERICANA. 



Species. 



^ 1. Mephitis americana. 



Mustela americana^De^m. Mamm. p. 186. (En- 

 cycl. pi. 86, fig. 3, le chinch^ fig. 2. Le conepate.) 

 Var. K. Moufette pole cat, Cuv. 

 Pole cat or putois of Kalm, (voy. p. 452.) 

 Skunk of the Americans. 



Char. Essent. General colour of the animal, 

 blackish-brown; a large white spot on the occi- 

 put; hairs on the tail long and bushy, white at 

 the extremity ; claws of the fore feet strong, and 

 about the length of the palm. 



Dimensions. Total length one foot six inches ; 

 tail nearly the length of the b^y. 



Habit. Living near the habitations of man; 

 committing depredations on the poultry, &c. de- 

 structive to small animals. In summer they live 

 in rabbit holes, where they collect their provi- 

 sions. The female brings forth in spring, five or 

 six at a birth. They have been observed to dwell 

 for months near to farm houses, without emitting 

 any odour, provided they be not disturbed. 



Inhabits North America, abound in the Atlan- 

 tic states ; there are many varieties, differing in 

 colour and markings. (Several prepared speci- 

 mens in the Philad. Museum, Nos. 65, 649, &c.) 



Genus. 



Lutra., otter, Rai. Briss. Scop. Erxleb. Cuv. 

 Shaw, Lacep. Illig. Desm. 



