MUSTELIDiE 243 



and Eurasia. In California they are rare, being- found only in 

 the Sierra Nevada and the mountains of the northern coast re- 

 gion. I saw a mounted Wolverine in Bridgport, Mono County, 

 that was killed in the neighborhood, and was told of others that 

 had been killed in that region, having been driven down from 

 the higher Sierras by winter storms. They eat anything in the 

 w^ay of flesh that they can capture, steal or find already dead. 

 They are not able to run fast enough to capture many of the 

 larger animals, and the stories told of their climbing trees and 

 pouncing down on animals passing beneath are pure fictions, as 

 Wolverines do not climb trees and can spring but a very short 

 distance. Part of their food is obtained by opening the burrows 

 of other animals, their long claws and great strength enabling 

 them to dig rapidly. Probably a considerable part of their 

 food in the Sierra Nevada consists of yellow-bellied marmots. 

 They are said to be very voracious; hence their Old World name 

 of Glutton. They are also known by the name of Carcajou. 



In regions where fur trapping is carried on extensively 

 Wolverines are a great nuisance by reason of their destroying 

 traps and carrying away the fur-bearing animals found therein. 

 They also have the reputation of carrying away and hiding arti- 

 cles for which they have no use. Tliey are said to l^e very cun- 

 ning and difficult to take in traps. Their scent is acute, but their 

 sight is poor. Their fur is used for robes and trimmings. Four 

 or five young are born in May, June or July. 



Genus Mustela Linn. (Weasel.) 

 Body slender; legs short; feet rounded; claws semi-re- 

 tractile; tail rather long and large; lower sectorial tooth of mod- 

 erate size; palate extending about half way from last molar to 

 audital bulla; audital bulke rather large; occipital crest small. 

 Dental formula I, 3—3; C, i— i ; P, 4—4; M, 1—2, X2=38. 



