MUSTEL1D& 591 



from Patagonia, with j> H , m }, which Mr. 0. Thomas suggests 

 may be nothing more than an aberrant southern form of Mustela 

 ( 1'nfurinx) brasiliensis. The auditory bulla is more inflated than in the 

 typical Weasels. This animal is somewhat larger than the Stoat. 



GWo^-^-Dentition : i -f , c -, p , m i; total 38. Crowns of 

 the teeth very stout. Upper molar very much smaller than the car- 

 nassial. Lower carnassial large, with very small talon and no inner 

 cusp. Third upper incisor unusually large, almost like a canine. 

 The dentition, though really but a modification of that of the Weasels, 

 presents a great general resemblance to that of the Hysena. Palate 

 prolonged somewhat behind the last molar. Humerus with an ente- 

 picondylar foramen. Vertebrae: C 7, D 15, L 5, S 3, C 15. Body 



Fio. 270. The Wolverene (Gulo luscus). 



and limbs stoutly made. Feet large and powerful, subplantigrade, 

 with large, compressed, much curved, and sharp -pointed claws. 

 Soles of the feet (except the pads of the toes) covered with thick 

 bristly hairs. Ears very small, nearly concealed by the fur. Eyes 

 small. Tail short, thick, and bushy. Fur full, long, and rather 

 coarse. The one species, the Wolverene or Glutton (G. luscus, 

 Fig. 270), an inhabitant of the forest regions of Northern Europe, 

 Asia, and America, much resembles a small Bear in appearance. It 

 is a very powerful animal for its size, climbs trees, and lives on 

 grouse, squirrels, hares, foxes, beavers, reindeer, and is said to attack 

 even horses and cows. The Wolverene has a curious habit of stealing 

 and secreting articles of which it can make no possible use, as is 

 exemplified in the following instance related by Dr. Coues : 



1 Storr, Prodromiis Meth. Mamm. p. 34 (1780). 



