§8 On the Fur-hearing Animals 



The periodical disappearance of this species is very remarkable 

 It occurs in decades, or thereabouts, with wonderful regularity 

 and it is quite unknown what becomes of them. They are not 

 found dead. The failure extends throughout the Hudson Bay Ter- 

 ritory at the same time. And there is no tract, or region to which 

 they can migrate where we have not posts, or into which our 

 hunters have not penetrated. 



They are caught commonly in wooden traps baited with white- 

 fish heads, pieces of flesh meat, or still better with the heads of 

 wild-fowl, which the natives gather for this purpose, in the Au- 

 tumn. When they are at their lowest ebb in point of numbers, 

 they will scarcely bite at all. Providence appears thus to have 

 implanted some instinct in them by which the total destruction 

 of their race is prevented. Martins are easily tamed, and look 

 exceedingly pretty as pets. When enraged they utter a sound 

 somewhat like the hissing of a domestic cat. 



PrfTORius, Cuvier, 



"Teeth 34: molars one above and two below: pre-molars 

 three above and three below, on each side. Lower sectorial tooth 

 without an inner tubercle. Body slender ; tail unusually long. 



The most striking difference between this genus and the genus 

 Mustela consists in having one molar less on each side above and 

 below. The size is generally smaller, and the body more slender 

 in the typical species. 



The genus includes many North American groups, which may 

 almost be considered as generic, or at least of sub-generic value. 

 They may be characterized as follows : — 



Putorius, Body stout, darker below than on the sides. Of 

 this particular group America has no immediate representative. 



Gall. Body elongated and very slender. Lighter above than 

 below on the sides. Naked pads on the feel small, more or less 

 hidden by the hair. To this group belong all the American 

 weasels, except the minks, unless the P. negripes of Aud. and 

 Bach., should prove an additional exception. 



Lutreola. Color nearly uniform all over. Feet much webbed. 

 The naked pads on the feet large, not covered up by the hairy 

 soles ; the intervals between the metacarpal and metatarsal pads 

 not occupied by hairs. Posterior upper molar longer than in 

 Gale." Baird. 



