140 NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^. 



belonging here, is in the collection from Puget's Sound — a 

 locality- which, if substantiated, would considerably extend 

 the known range of the species. It is the individual which 

 formed the basis of P. '•'•richardsonV^ in Dr. Suckley's report 

 above cited. 



Since writing the foregoing, I have examined tlie skull of 

 this species in comparison with tliat of P. enninea, and I find 

 remarkable distinctions. Goordinately with the shorter and 

 broader head, the skull shows differences of shape as well 

 marked as those subsisting between M. martes and foina. An 

 example of P. noveboracensis measures 1.90 by 0.95; a female 

 specimen of longlcauda 1.80 by 1.03, the resulting difference 

 in contour being obvious. The cranial portion proper of P. 

 longicauda is much more expanded and ovate, the width there 

 (0.90) being half the total length, while the same measurement 

 of P. novehoracensis (0.80) is much less — only about half the 

 length of the skull exclusive of the rostral portion. The skull 

 of P. longicauda is notably more constricted behind the orbits. 

 The zygomata are much more obliquely offset from the skull. 

 The anteorbital foramina are narrowly oval and very oblique. 

 There is a remarkable inward obliquity of the last upper 

 molar, different from anything I have seen in P. erminens. I 

 have not seen a male skull ; it will be found larger by about a 

 fourth of an inch in length. We may tabulate the cranial 

 characters of the two species as follows : — 



P. erminea. — Zygomatic width of skull one-half its length. Cranial width 

 mucli less than half the total length. Width of skull at point of greatest 

 constriction half the zygomatic width. Anteorbital foramina large, subcir- 

 cnlar. Set of back upper premolar nearly vertical. 



P. longicauda. — Zygomatic width of skull about three-fifths its length. Cra- 

 nial width half the total length. Width of skull at point of greatest con- 

 striction about two-fifths the zygomatic width. Anteorbital foramina small, 

 very obliquely oval. Set of back upper premolar obliquely inward. 



I think that after all the relationships of this species are 

 closest with P. frenatus, notwithstanding the absence of the 

 facial markings peculiar to the latter. It shares with P. frenatus 

 the rusty-reddish or salmon-colored under parts, well contrast- 

 ing with the clear sulphury-yellow of P. erminea. Moreover, 

 southern examples, such as those from New Mexico, show a 

 decided approach to P. frenatus in darkening of the color of 

 the head. This is sometimes so decided, that were white spots 

 present in these cases, the specimens would unhesitatingly be 

 referred to P. frenatus; and we know that in Central Ameri- 



