110 CARNIVORA. 



also met with. Martens that are nearly white are 

 sometimes captm'ed, principally in Alaska. They are, 

 as Mr. Elliott says, highly prized by the natives, who 

 are glad to acquire them in exchange for twenty or 

 thirty Beaver or other skins. 



The Californian animal is smaller than most other 

 Martens, and is of a miiform brown or light brown 

 colour. The Labrador type is large, rich in fur, but 

 scarce, and the Nova-Scotian is very similar to this. 

 The Alaskan is coarse-haired, large, and light in colour, 

 and in some examples almost white, especially the head 

 and neck. Many skins of the last-named district are 

 turned inside out, leaving only the tail exposed to view, 

 and are sorted into qualities and colours from the look 

 of the pelt and tail. The poorest skins come from the 

 northern parts of the United States, which is the most 

 southern limit of the Marten, and the fur is conse- 

 quently thin and of little value. Each district of North 

 America has its own peculiar type. 



The fur is used both dyed and undyed. Dr. Richard- 

 son, in his " North American Fauna " (page 51), says : — 



" The Marten preys on mice, hares, and partridges, 

 and in summer on small birds' eggs, etc. A partridge's 

 head, with the feathers, is the best bait for the log- 

 traps in which this animal is taken. It does not reject 

 carrion. ... It may be easily tamed, and it soon 

 acquires an attachment for its master, but it never 

 becomes docile. Its flesh is occasionally eaten, though 

 it is not prized by the Indians. The females are smaller 

 than the males. They burrow in the ground, carry 

 their young about six weeks, and bring forth from four 

 to seven in a litter about the latter end of April. Mr. 

 Graham says that this animal is sometimes troubled 

 with epilepsy." 



