THE PINE MARTEN. 345 
powerful claws. These claws, or talons, as they may be called, are in most of the species 
permanently protruded ; but in some ex samples are very slightly retractile. The tongue 
of these animals is smooth to the touch, and partakes but very slightly of that dry 
roughness which is so conspicuous a characteristic of the feline tongue. 
Injurious as are the generality of the Weasel tribe, and unpleasant neighbours as 
they may be to the poultry or rabbit fancier, they are of great consequence in the 
mercantile world, on account of the peculiarly beautiful fur with which their bodies are 
covered, and which is put to so many uses by mankind. Artists are indebted to the 
Weasels for the delicate elasticity of their best brushes, and the skins of many of the 
Weasel tribe are held in the highest esteem for the purpose of being formed into warm 
and costly clothing. The snowy ermine, that forms the mantles of kings, and lines their 
crowns, is a product of a very familiar member of the Mustelidie; and the scarcely less 
coveted sable is taken from the spoils of another species of Mustelide. 
PINE MARTEN.—Martes Abietum. 
First on the list of Weasels are placed the agile and lively Martens, or MARTEN- 
Cats, as they are sometimes termed. Two species of British Martens are generally admitted 
into our catalogues, although the distinction of the species is even as yet a mooted point. 
The chief distinction between the Pine and the Beech Martens is the different tint of the 
throat, which in the former animal is yellow, and in the latter is white. But it is said by 
many observers that this variation of tint 1s not of sufficient importance to warrant a 
separation of the specie s, and that the different sexes of the same species are marked by 
varying depth of colour in the throat, the male possessing a darker tinge of yellow than 
the female. There is also a slight difference of size between the two sexes. Taking, 
however, the arguments which have been adduced on both sides of the question, the balance 
of probabilities lies strongly on the side of those who consider the yelow-throated and 
the white-throated Martens to belong to different species. 
The Prine MARTEN is so called because it is generally found in those localities where 
the pine-trees abound, and is in the habit of climbing the pines in search of prey. It isa 
shy and wary animal, withdrawing itself as far as possible from the sight of man; and 
although a fierce and dangerous antagonist when brought to bay, is naturally of a timid 
disposition, and shuns collision with an enemy. 
It is a tree-loving animal, being accustomed to traverse the trunks and branches with 
wonderful address and activity, and being enabled by its rapid and silent movements to 
steal unnoticed on many an unfortunate bird, and to seize it in its deadly gripe before the 
