166 NORTH AMERICAN MUSTELID^. 



It coDsists in the combination of small size and dark colors. 

 The specimens representing it are a foot or little more in length, 

 and of a rich blackish chocolate-brown ; the white on the chin, 

 and elsewhere is found as usual. It has been claimed that this 

 cannot be merely a young " Mink", on the ground that it has 

 been found breeding. Hunters and trappers practically recog- 

 nize as distinct a " Mountain Mink" of this character, the dif- 

 ferences which result in the enhanced value of the pelt appealing 

 to them strongly. But, in any event, the spiBcimens before me 

 establish one fact, namely, that it is impossible to draw any 

 dividing line between "P. nlgrescens^^ and the common Mink. 

 They melt into each other insensibly. The question is nar- 

 rowed to whether the supposed species is a reasonably marked 

 variety, or whether it is merely a fortuitous state ui>der which 

 the Mink may anywhere present itself. The latter is my 

 present view. It is certain that young Minks are darker than 

 the old ones, and that the animal increases in stature for some 

 time after it is ^'mature", i.e., in possession of reproductive 

 l^owers. The fact that the small blackish individuals are found 

 breeding is therefore by no means conclusive. Nor is the 

 supposed ^* nigrescens '^ characteristic of any particular faunal 

 area. 



In this connection, the remarks of Mr. B. R. Ross in the paper 

 above cited have much practical pertinence, and his opinion, 

 based upon long experience, is entitled to weight. Speaking 

 of the ordinary Mink, he remarks : — " The color of its pelt varies 

 greatly. In winter its shades range from a dark chestnut to a 

 rich brownish black. The tint of all the body is uniform, 

 except that the belly is sensibly lighter, and that there is a 

 series of white blotches, running with greater or smaller breaks 

 from the end of the chin to some distance below the forelegs, 

 and again continued with more regularity from the middle of 

 the belly to the anus. In some skins these markings are of 

 small extent, but I have never seen them entirely wanting. 

 There are commonly spots under either one or both of the 

 forelegs, but not invariably. I have remarked that the color- 

 ation of this animal, as well as of the Otter and Beaver, grows 



in the small rounded feet and short tarsus of our present species, in its 

 longer and rather more pointed ears, its shorter head and longer lower 

 incisors, together with a more general resemblance to our common weasel 

 (P. erminea) in summer dress." 



