1 1 2 Game of Europe, W. & N. Asia & America 



and along the flank generally demarcates a large saddle-like area on the 

 back which is darkest ot all. A light band also extends across the jaw 

 between the short ears and the eyes ; and the upper part of the head and 

 neck is greyish. In the paler coloured individuals the light ellipse 

 round the dorsal saddle is nearly white and the saddle itself brown ; but 

 in the darker varieties the central area is nearly black and the surrounding 

 ring dark brown. 



Mr. H. Poland, who has handled a large number of wolverine skins 

 in the course of his business, states that specimens from British Columbia 

 are dark brown, rather coarse-haired, and large-sized ; thus approximating 

 in the latter respect to the very large, coarse-furred, and light-coloured 

 Kamchatkan form. Siberian and Russian skins, on the other hand, run 

 smaller and darker, and have tur of a much finer and softer texture. 

 These remarks seem to indicate that it may be possible to define local 

 races of the species. It may be added that almost black examples, especi- 

 ally in Siberia, are by no means uncommon. Albinos, on the other hand, 

 are of extreme rarity. Wolverine fur has been much in vogue of late 

 years, and has consequently appreciated in value. For a good skin, thirty 

 shillings is often asked. 



Formerly, that is to say, in prehistoric times, the wolverine was found 

 in England, and indeed ranged as far south as the Pyrenees. Now, how- 

 ever, it is restricted in Europe to Northern Scandinavia and Russia, 

 whence it extends eastwards through Siberia to Amurland and Kamchatka. 

 Indications of its presence have been found as far north as Melville 

 Island ; and it ranges over all the northern districts of America, extend- 

 ing southwards on the Atlantic seaboard about as tar as lat. 42" N. On 

 the Pacific side, along the mountain ranges, its southern limits descend 

 lower, the species occurring in the Sierra Nevada of California, as it does 

 farther north in the Cascade range of Oregon. Dr. C. H. Merriam ' 



' North Americiui Fauna, No. 16, p. 105 (1899). 



