RELATIONSHIPS OF MUSTELA AMERICANA. 87 



between the former of these aud M. martes. Viewing the un- 

 questiouably close relations between the American and Asiatic 

 Sables, it becomes very desirable to clear up this point. With- 

 out reference to dental or cranial characters, Baird says that 

 '^the true Sable is readily distinguishable by the short tail, 

 which does not extend as far as the end of the outstretched 

 hind feet, and by the balls of the toes covered entirely with 

 woolly fur ". The latter distinction does not hold, as we have 

 seen; the former is disallowed by Brandt, who finds that in 

 both the Asiatic and American Sable the tail has much the 

 same length, being, without the hairs, about one-third the body, 

 ^nd not reaching as far as the outstretched hind feet. Certain 

 supposed color distinctions which Brandt found in the Ameri- 

 can specimens he examined are clearly negatived by the more 

 extensive series before me. He, however, finds in the Ameri- 

 can animal a pelage less dense and lighter-colored, with a less 

 bushy tail, and, upon such considerations, is induced to regard 

 it rather as a variety of the zihellina than as a distinct species 

 or as the Pine Marten of Europe. The very close relationships 

 of the American and Asiatic Sables are unquestionable. Brandt 

 properly alludes to intermediate specimens he had seen ; Mr. 

 Boss reaffirms such a state of the case; in fine, external char- 

 acters, when thoroughly sifted, are seen to be inadequate as a 

 means of specific diagnosis. The case really hinges upon the 

 validity of the dental characters ascribed by Gray, of which it 

 is seen that Brandt makes no note. If these characters hold, 

 there is no doubt of the propriety of separating M. americana 

 specifically ; otherwise, it must be referred to M. zihellina as a 

 continental race, as Brandt has done. 



In the present state of the case, this may be considered the 

 proper reply to the often-asked question, have we the true Sable 

 in America ! The animal is, to all external appearance, indis- 

 tinguishable except in some of those slight points of pelage 

 which, through the whims of fashion, aftect its commercial 

 value, but there may be a technical zoological character of im- 

 portance in the teeth. 



I will only add that I see nothing tending to give weight to 

 a supposition that there might be mbre than one species or va- 

 riety of Marten on this continent. All the endless diversity in 

 minor points which inspection of large series reveals comes 

 clearly within the range of individual variability as a result of 

 climate, season, age, sex, or other incidents. 



