368 



CARNIVORA 



well defined, completely naked, communicating with upper lip 

 by narrow median line. Feet densely furred throughout in 

 winter, the pads bare in summer ; palm with deeply divided, 

 trilobed, heart-shaped tubercular mass at bases of median digits, 

 a small round pad at base of thumb, and a lai-ger lound pad at 

 outer posterior border near wrist ; sole with similar trilobed 

 mass, but elements more distinct, almost forming three tubercles ; 

 small pad at base of hallux like that at base of thumb ; no 

 posterior pad. Fur very dense and soft, the hairs of underfur 

 ajDOut 25 mm. long at middle of back in winter, shorter in 

 summer, the longer hairs reaching about 40 mm. Mammse : 4. 



Colour. — The colour varies considerably with season and 

 climate, but is usually characterized by rich yellowish brown and 

 blackish tints, the legs, tail and underparts darker than the 

 back, the head noticeably lighter than the body, the throat and 

 fore part of chest yellowish, and interramia, chin and muzzle 

 dusky. Claws light horn-colour. 



Skull. — As compared with that of the European species of 

 Mustela the skull of Mnrtes martes is characterized by a general 



Fig. 77. 

 Martes inartes. Nat. size. 



smoothness, lightness and lack of angularity. Dorsal profile 

 strongly convex posteriorly, flattish behind orbits, the rostrum 

 falling away at an angle of about 20^ ; a slight concavity usually 

 present near middle of nasals. Brain-case elongate-ovate in 

 outline when viewed from above, nearly as deep as wide, the 



