MAMMALS MARTINAE PUTORIUS VISOX. 



179 



there are no white spots whatever. The tail is generally darker than the body ; in most cases 

 nearly black in its terminal portion. 



In the very great variation in size of different specimens, I would not be much surprised if 

 the upper Missouri should furnish a new species, characterized by its very large size, and 

 including number 1025. I am unwilling, however, to give a new name to this, in my ignorance 

 as to whether the eastern species of mink ever attains these dimensions. The difference in color 

 of the two mentioned above is not sufficient to constitute a species, especially as there is a dark 

 brown one (1751) equally large with the lighter colored, (1755,) and otherwise agreeing 

 perfectly with it. 



Specimens from the south have coarser and stiffer hair than more northern ones. The feet in 

 summer generally are more naked than in winter. 



I regret not having had the opportunity of comparing the American mink with its near 

 relative, P. lutreola of Europe and Asia. Judging from the descriptions of authors, this species 

 appears to be smaller, and to have the edges of the upper lip white, a feature which never occurs 

 in the American animal. It is one of the rarest of European mammals, very different from our 

 species, which is so well known to every farmer as the pest of his existence. Cases are not 

 unfrequent where a mink in a single night has killed twenty or thirty chickens or other 

 domestic fowls. 



List of specimens. 



1 From tip of nose to eye, 1. 05 ; to ear, 2. 15 ; to occiput, 3. 00. 



