CARNIVORA: MUSTELID^E. 43 



Skunks. Nearly all of this family have glands which 

 secrete a fetid liquid, and in some cases of a most dis- 

 agreeable odor. 



The Genus Mustela Martens is characterized by a 

 slender body, long tail, and thirty-eight teeth, the formula 

 being, incisors , canines , premolars , molars . 



3~3 I-I * 4~4 2-2 



They are arboreal in their habits, and some of them yield 

 furs of great value. 



The Fisher, M. Pennantii, Erxl., of the United States, 

 is the largest known species of this genus, being two feet 

 long to the tail, which is more than a foot in length ; the 

 legs, belly, tail, and hind part of the back are black ; the 

 back towards the head has an increasing proportion of 

 grayish. 



The American Sable or Pine Marten, M. americana, 

 Turton, of Northern Maine and of the Adirondac Moun- 

 tains, N. Y., thence northward and westward, is seven- 

 teen inches long to the tail, which is about ten inches ; 

 the general color reddish-yellow clouded with black, legs 

 and tail blackish, a broad yellowish patch upon the 

 throat widening below so as to 



Fl S- 39- 



touch the legs, the central line be- 

 low sometimes yellowish, and the 

 feet are densely furred. The fur is 

 very full and soft, with many long 

 hairs interspersed. The highly 

 prized fur known as Hudson Bay American Sabie, 



Sable is furnished by this species. M - americana > Turton - 



The Pine Marten, M. martes, Linn., of Europe, is 

 brown, with a yellow spot under the throat. 



The Common Marten, M. foina, Linn., of Europe, is 

 brown, with the whole under part of the throat and neck 

 white. 



The Sable, M. zibellina, Pall., of Siberia, so celebrated 

 for its rich fur, known as the Russian Sable, is brown, 



