72 
MAMMALIA. 
jaw than in the Putorius, and the lower large carnivorous tooth 
with a tubercle on the inner side. 
Muslela zibellina .— The Sable. 
Plate X. fig. 4. 
Fur blackish brown, very glossy; the bead and throat whit¬ 
ish ; feet covered with fur to the ends of the toes. About 
eighteen inches in length. Inhabits Europe and Western Asia. 
Genus 50.—Mephitis. — Cuvier. 
Generic Character. —Incisory teeth £, canine teeth J-j, grin¬ 
ders ^; total 3k The great carnivorous tooth provided with 
two tubercles on the inner side; the posterior tooth tubercu- 
lated, and very long and large; the toes of the feet separated, 
and furnished with long nails, formed for digging; the heel very 
little raised in walking; the palm and heel hairy ; the tail long 
and bushy; in some of the species none. 
Mephitis Americanus. — The Chince, or Skunk. 
Plate X. fig. 5. 
Fur soft and shining, marked by white longitudinal bands, 
upon a blackish brown ground; tail long and furry. 
There are many varieties of this species. Most of these are 
permanent and local in their habitats, and have been distinguish¬ 
ed by naturalists and travellers as separate species. They are 
as follow: — 
Variety a .— The Yagouare. —Blackish brown with many 
bands. 
Variety b. — The Skunk. —Brown-black, with a white stripe 
down the dorsal line, and another on each side of it. 
Variety c. — The Zorille. —Black and white, with a very fine 
tail. 
Variety d.~-The Mapurita. —Spotted black and white. 
Variety e .— The Puant. —Male black; and the female black, 
bordered with white. 
Variety f—The Orthula —Black and white, with yellow in 
some parts. 
