24. 
25. 
26. 
27. 
28. 
MAMMALIA. 7 
Mustela vulgaris Z7x7. Common Weasel. 
Universally distributed, abundant everywhere. 
Mustela erminea Z. Stoat. Ermine. 
Universally distributed, but not so numerous a species as 
the weasel. In the north-western fells this animal is 
known as the ‘ Polecat.’ 
Mustela putoria Z. Polecat. Foumart. 
Irregularly distributed, extremely rare, and fast becoming 
extinct. Half a century ago this species was generally 
abundant. Escaped ferrets are not unfrequently mistaken 
for this animal. 
Lutra vulgaris ZrxZ. Otter. 
Occurs in limited numbers in all the rivers, with the excep- 
tion of the polluted streams of the manufacturing districts. 
Apparently absent also from Holderness. 
Meles taxus (Scired.). Badger. 
Very local, and extremely limited in numbers. Its present 
haunts seem to be restricted to calcareous formations, 
which afford it suitable habitats. In Cleveland it still 
breeds near Pickering, near Kirby Moorside, at Hoving- 
ham, and at Hackness. On the Wolds it appears only to 
occur at Sledmere and Hunmanby, where, however, it is 
now all but extinct. On the western side of Yorkshire its 
habitats are confined to the narrow belt of magnesian 
limestone, on which it breeds regularly at Hackfall, near 
Ripon, and is reported as of rare occurrence at Marr, 
Conisborough, Watchley Crags, and Brockerdale; in the 
last-named localities it has been extinct, and the habitats 
restocked by specimens being turned down. As a straggler 
it has been found in various localities throughout the 
county, but many of these have been escaped or introduced 
specimens. Formerly it inhabited numerous localities in 
which it has now been for many years unknown. 
Fam. URSIDZ. 
Ursus arctos 2. Hrotow Rear. 
There is no evidence whatever to show that the bear inhabit- 
ed Yorkshire, beyond the fact that bones were found at 
Richmond, in a refuse-heap, which Prof. W. Boyd Dawkins 
