CARNIVORA. MUSTEL1D.E. 39 



Skull. 



Length along the palatine bones, 



Over the frontal to the crucial ridge, 



From the incisors to the meatus, 



Width at the zygoma. 



Height, ..... 



Observations. The variations in the color and size of the 

 Pekan, have induced naturaUsts to divide it into two species. 

 Probably as to color, the same individual varies with the season, 

 and with age ; in the summer it is lighter than in the winter ; and 

 as to size, it varies considerably ; there is one in the Albany muse- 

 um larger than the one whose measurements are given above, but 

 which differs from it in no other respect. This animal is ex- 

 tremely tough, and tenacious of life. It is active and sanguinary, 

 and lives by plunder ar^d bloodshed. In this respect it is fully 

 equal to the feline race. It dwells in hollow trees, to which it 

 confines itself generally during the day. Hence it is very rarely 

 seen, even in those districts where it is quite common. It preys 

 upon squirrels and other small animals. It is extremely trouble- 

 some to the hunter by robbing his traps, especially of sable. It 

 becomes skilled in the practice, and will follow the sable line for 

 miles, and destroy in the route every one which has been taken. 

 To prevent these depredations, the hunter makes a large log trap 

 sufficiently strong to hold the enemy, and his voracity generally 

 causes him to fall a victim ; but occasionally the sagacity of the 

 animal is more than a match for the hunter. He will entirely 

 demolish the trap by tearing down the materials from the back 

 side, and by this means obtain the bait without danger of being 

 crushed. 



The fitr of the Pekan is not so fine and beautiful as that of the 

 Marten. Still, it has some beauty, especially when combined 

 with the long, black, glossy hair. It climbs trees with facility, 

 and destroys the eggs of birds when it can gain access to them. 

 It prefers damp places, or those in the vicinity of water, in con- 

 sequence, as is supposed, of its fondness for frogs and other 

 aquatic animals. The skin, when in good condition, is worth 

 about one dollar and a half. It is occasionally found in the vi- 

 cinity of Williamstown, particularly in that range of mountains 



