238 EXPLORATIONS IN THE FAR NORTH 



Seventeen specimens were secured; one at Rae, just assuming 

 the winter pelage; three at Grand Rapids; and thirteen skulls 

 from Cedar Lake. 



Mephiticus mephitica {Shaw). Skunk. 



Si-kak, C. 



Common on the Lower Saskatchewan, where the skins are 

 purchased by the traders for 50 to 75 cents. It is unknown to 

 the Dog Ribs who have no name in their language for it. 



One specimen, Grand Rapids. 



Lutreola vison ( Schreber) . Mink. 



Sak-we-su, C. Tech-u, D. R. Chi-tha, L. Teh-u, S. 



The mink is decreasing though still comparatively common 

 throughout the wooded portion of this region; they are some- 

 what rare at the mouth of the Mackenzie. They are taken in 

 "mink traps" — number i}4 steel traps. The Dog Ribs, fearing 

 the evil consequences which may ensue if a minkskin is kept 

 in the lodge, always put them on a tree or scaffold outside. 



The price paid varies from 1 to 3 MB. 



One specimen in the collection, from Grand Rapids. 



Mustela americana Turton. Marten. 



Wa-pm-is-tan, C. Noh-we, D. R. Tsuk, L. Noth-a, S. 



The marten is the most abundant of the carnivores of this 

 region. Five or six thousand are annually obtained at a single 

 station. 



They are much darker in the southern portion than they are 

 north of the parallel of 61 ° N. They are also said to be larger 

 in the southern districts, but I had no opportunity to verify this 

 by an extensive series of measurements. I have never heard 

 of albinos among them but I saw a light, tawny yellow skin at 

 Simpson, which was received during 1893. 



They are sometimes caught in steel traps, but the greater 

 part of them are caught in "marten traps" — simple dead falls. 

 These are quickly and easily made and are quite as effective 

 as more expensive traps. 



The fur is not used by the Indians save for an occasional 



