DESCRIPTION OF PUTORIUS VLSON. 163 



below than on the general upper parts ; but a dorsal area is 

 usually the darkest, and the tail is quite blackish. A strong 

 mark of the species is the white chin ; this is rarely absent, but 

 still its indeterminate character is shown in the fact that its 

 extent and posterior contour are wholly irregular. As generally 

 found, it occupies the whole under jaw about as far back as the 

 angle of the mouth. It is sometimes prolonged as an irregular 

 streak down the throat ; sometimes it is indicated only by a 

 few specks, or it may be altogether absent. This white seldom 

 invades the upper lip ; that it sometimes, however, does so is 

 attested by the specimens before me, one of the differences 

 claimed from the European P. lutreola being thus obviously 

 negatived. Besides the white on the chin, there are often, 

 perhaps usually, other white patches on the under parts, par- 

 ticularly on the chest, between the fore legs, and on the lower 

 belly between the hind legs. These markings are wholly inde- 

 terminate in extent and contour. To recount their vagaries 

 would be futile. In very rare instances, the tail is tipped with 

 white. 



