The Fur Animals of Louisiana 105 



consists of a dense, soft, matted under fur, mixed with 

 long, stiff, lustrous hairs on all parts of the body and tail. 

 The coloration of the tail shades off to black at the tip. The 

 gloss of the coat is greatest on the upperparts, while bristly 

 hairs predominate on the tail. Coues claims that northern 

 mink have the finest and most glistening pelage and that the 

 long hairs are the stoutest, and adds that "in southern 

 specimens there is less difference between the under and 

 over fur and the whole pelage is coarser and harsher." 



While brown is the predominating color of the mink, 

 the underjaw of the Louisiana mink is light yellowish- 

 brown and spots on the chest and underparts are pure 

 white, although frequently stained yellowish. In all species 

 of mink the whitish chin is a characteristic mark of the 

 species. These underparts spots are very irregular. On the 

 chin it is sometimes prolonged as an irregular streak down 

 the throat, and in many individuals it is indicated by a few 

 specks, while in a few cases these white markings are en- 

 tirely absent. This white marking seldom invades the up- 

 per lips. The white spots on the underparts. particularly 

 those on the chest, between the fore legs, are indeterminate 

 in extent and contour and in no wise detract from the value 

 of the mink pelt, be it from Louisiana or elsewhere. 



As a mink spends a great deal of its time in the water 

 its pelt has become adapted to this mode of living in that 

 it has the longer bristly hairs and felting of the close under 

 fur which best resists the water. Mink pelts are due to 

 maintain a conspicuous place in the fur trade, as few furs 

 of other animals can surpass them in richness of color, 

 gloss and fineness. 



Belonging to the Mustelidae, the mink possesses peri- 

 naeal glands and emits the peculiar odor which the animals 

 of this genus have in common. As Dr. Coues has pointed 

 out, "no animal of this country, except the skunk, pos- 

 sesses so powerful, penetrating and lasting an effluvium. 

 Its strength is fully pre-perceived in taking an animal 

 frcm a trap or when the mink is irritated. Ordinarily the 

 scent is not emitted to any noticeable degree ; it is under 

 voluntary control and the fact that the mink spends so 

 much of its time in the water is another reason why its 



