58o CARNIVORA 



rounded ; toes short, with compressed, acute, semiretractile claws. 

 Tail moderate or long, more or less bushy. 



The genus Mustela, as restricted by Cuvier (fiegne AniinnL 

 1817), contains a very natural assemblage of animals commonly 

 called Martens, Sables, Polecats, Stoats, Ermines, and Weasels, all 

 closely allied in structure and habits. A structural division, however, 

 occurs between the two first-named and all the others, especially 

 shown in the presence of an additional small premolar tooth on 

 each side of the jaw; and, availing himself of this and some 

 other minor characters, Cuvier divided the genus into two subgenera, 

 for the first of which he retained the name of Mustela, and to the 

 second assigned that of Putorius. Three years later Nilsson (Skand. 

 Fauna, 1820) definitely constituted the two groups into genera, 

 applying to the first the name of Maries, by which the animals 

 composing it had been generally designated by the Latin-writing 

 zoologists of the preceding century, and keeping Mustela for the 

 more typical Weasels and their immediate allies. Later zoologists 

 have been divided between the nomenclature of Cuvier, which has 

 the priority, and that of Nilsson, which on other grounds is pre- 

 ferable. Those who adopt the latter affirm that Cuvier's names, 

 being only used by him in a subgeneric sense, and not binominally, 

 need not be applied generically, but this is contrary to the practice 

 usually followed in such cases ; and therefore, if the original genus 

 be divided, the name Mustela should be retained for the Martens, 

 and Putorius for the Polecats and Weasels. Here, however, the genus 

 will be employed in its wider sense, and divided into two groups. 



The typical group of the Martens a presents the following 

 distinctive features. Body long, slender, and very flexible, though 

 less so than in the true Weasels. Head somewhat triangular; muzzle 

 pointed, the nose extending a little beyond the lips; eyes large 

 and prominent ; ears conspicuous, broad, somewhat triangular, 

 rounded at the ends, furred outside and in. Limbs short ; feet 

 rounded ; toes short, five on each foot, all with short, compressed, 

 curved, sharp- pointed claws ; soles densely furred between the 

 naked pads. Tail moderately long, more or less bushy. Outer 

 fur long, strong, and glossy; a very abundant soft under fur. 

 Skull elongated and depressed. Facial portion moderate and 

 rather compressed. Zygomata arched and wide, but slender. 

 Postorbital processes small. Auditory bullse large, but not very 

 globose. Mandible with a strong triangular vertical coronoid 

 process and a well -developed angular process. Premolars . 

 Upper incisors in a straight transverse line, rather long and 



1 By all old authors of authority, as Ray, Pennant, Shaw, and Fleming, the 

 word is written "Martin," but this form of spelling is now generally reserved by 

 way of distinction for the bird. The term "Marten -Cat," often used, is a 

 misnomer. 



