50 FUR BEARING MAMMALS. 



marten commits serious depredations in the poultry yards of 

 the districts it frequents. It is common in all mountainous and loess 

 regions, especially in North Shensi. 



The next species is the polecat which is found from Shansi west- 

 ward. The colour of this animal varies considerably according to 

 the season. In summer it is of a rich brown, the hairs being much 

 lighter at the base than the tip. In winter the fur changes till it 

 is almost white, and only the tips of the longest hairs retain their 

 dark brown or black. The face has a broad black band across the 

 eyes, the nose and upper part of the head being white. The ears are 

 black with white tips. These animals, being easily tamed, are used 

 for ratting by the Chinese. Two species occur in North China, namely, 

 Mustela latvata from Kansu and M. tiarata from West and North 

 Shansi. The Chinese name is Sao hu-tze, (Ermine fox). 



Another most interesting animal, related to polecat is the vormela 

 (Vorynela negans), which was discovered by me on the borders of the 

 Ordos Desert. The species is remarkable for its colouring. The head 

 is banded with black and white; the nape is pale-yellow with brown 

 markings. The yellow colour extends along the back, getting richer 

 till it merges into orange on the flanks and rump. The whole is 

 spotted with brown. The throat, belly and legs are of a shiny black. 

 The tail is long and of a yellow colour, being black at the 

 tip. The ears are tufted and are white in colour. This peculiar 

 animal inhabits the sandy Ordos Desert, its range probably extending 

 westward into Central Asia, where it is replaced by the only otlier 

 known species Vormela peregusna. 



One other member of this family should be mentioned, namely 

 the weasel itself {Mustela sp. incon.). I have known of its existence 

 in North China for years, but have hitherto been unable to secure a 

 specimen. Last summer I got one specimen in Manchuria, and I hav>i 

 seen others from Sze-chuan. The Manchurian specimen is of a rich 

 chocolate colour above and pure white beneath; those from Sze-chuan 

 are chocolate above and pinkish-buff below. These creatures are much 

 the smallest of the Chinese mustelines, being only seven or eight 

 inches in length, and very slender in shape. They frequent woody 

 areas, and are apparently very rare. 



The wolverine (Gulo hiscus) is another member of the weasel 

 family, whose pelt has a good market value. This animal is not at 

 all like any of the weasels in appearance. It is about the size of a bull- 

 dog, is very heavily and powerful built, and is extremely savage and 



