CARNARIA. 85 



side of the head. The American Badger {Mel. hudsonius) is not 

 very different. 



GuLO, Storr. 



Linnajus also placed the Gluttons among the bears; but they approximate 

 much nearer to the weasels in their teeth as well as in their habits ; the 

 only relation they have to the former consisting in their plantigrade 

 movement. They have three false molars above, and four below; in 

 front, the carnivorous one, which is well characterized; and behind it, a 

 small tuberculous one — the upper being more broad than long. Their su- 

 perior carnivorous tooth has only one small tubercle on the inner side, 

 and, in fact, the whole dental system is nearly the same as that of the 

 weasels. The tail is of a middling size, with a plait or fold beneath, in 

 place of a sac, and the port of the animal is very similar to that of the 

 badger. 



The most celebrated species is the Glutton of the north, the Ursus 

 gulo, L. ; Buff. Supp. Ill, xlviii. (The Common Glutton or Rosso- 

 mak of Russia). About the size of the Badger ; usually of a fine 

 deep maronne colour, with a disk on the back, of a darker brown ; 

 sometimes, however, the shades are lighter. It inhabits the most 

 glacial regions of the North, is considered very sanguinary and fe- 

 rocious, hunts during the night, does not become torpid during the 

 winter, and masters the largest animals by leaping upon them from 

 trees. Its voracity has been ridiculously exaggerated by some au- 

 thors. The Wolverene of North America ( Ursus luscus, Lin. Edw. 

 103) does not appear to differ from it in any constant character; its 

 colours, however, are generally lighter. 

 Hot climates produce some species which can only be placed near the 

 Gluttons, as they differ from them merely in having one false molar less 

 in each jaw, and in a long tail. Such are the animals termed by the in- 

 habitants of South America Ferrets, which, having the teeth of our Fer- 

 rets and Polecats, have, in fact, similar habits; they are distinguished 

 from them, however, by their plantigrade movement. 



Viverra vittata, L. ; Buff. Supp. VllI, xxiii and xxv. (The Gri- 

 son). Black; top of the head and neck grey; a white band, reach- 

 ing from the forehead to the shoulders. 



Mustela harhara, L. ; Buff. Supp. VII, Ix. (The Taira). Brown ; 

 top of the head grey ; a large white spot under the throat. 



These two animals are found in all the warm climates of America, 

 and smell strongly of musk. Their feet are somewhat palmated, 

 and it appears they have sometimes been taken for otters*. 



Ratelus, F. C. 



The Ratels have a false molar in each jaw less than the Grison, and 

 their upper tuberculous tooth is but slightly developed, so that in the teeth 



* It is supposed, by the description given by Marcgrave of his cariqueiheiii, which 

 name Buffon has applied to his saricovh'.nne,'Vo\. XIII. p. 319, that he meant to 

 speak of the Taira. 



