THE POLECATS. 295 



are following. The Sable measures about eighteen inches in length, and 

 an ordinary skin is worth thirty to thirty-five dollars ; one of the very 

 best quality, however, will bring si.xty to seventy-five dollars. 



The American Sable, Martes Americana, varies a good deal in color, 

 but is usually of a dull grayish-brown, which becomes darker in winter. 

 It is shy, cruel, cunning and active, but does not approach the habitations 

 of man. It is found in the wooded districts of the northern parts of 

 America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the 68th to the 40th degree 

 of latitude. It is considered by Audubon identical with the European 

 Pine Marten. 



The Black Cat or Fisher, Martes Pennaniii, has long canine teeth, 

 and indeed its head resembles that of a dog more than that of a cat; the 

 fur is chestnut-brown, with whitish hairs interspersed, which mixture of 

 tints produces a hoary appearance. It is rare in the Northern and East- 

 ern States, but is still met in the thinly settled portions. It obtains its 

 name of " Fisher " from its singular fondness for the fish used to bait 

 traps; it is a formidable enemy to the raccoon and the squirrel, and often 

 pursues the American Sable. When attacked by dogs it makes a more 

 desperate resistance than either the gray or the red fox. It is the 

 largest of the Martens. 



The WOODCIIUCX, Maries Canadensis, is of some value on account of 

 its fur, which is of a grayish-brown color. It lives in burrows on the 

 banks of streams, its food consisting of fish and animals which live near 

 water. 



GENUS PUTORIUS. 



This genus comprises the Foumarts or Polecats, and they differ from 

 the Martens not only by giving out an offensive odor, but by possessing 

 gnly thirty-four teeth. 



The Polecat, Putorius fcstidus (Plate XIX), is bold and blood- 

 thirsty, destroying remorsely everything it can ; it sucks the blood of its 

 victims and eats their brains, leaving the body untouched. Its fur is 

 often fraudulently sold for sable, but is most valued for the manufacture 

 of artists' brushes which are made from the long, sharp, brown hairs 

 which protrude through the creature's woolly coat. 



It is a determined foe to game, ravages poultry-yards, and attacks 

 even frogs, newts, and fish ; large stores of eels have been found in the 



