MARTIN. 



Viverra Foina. 



Mustela Foina. M. pedibus jissis*, corpore fuho nigricante, 



gula alba. Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 95. 

 Blackish-fulvous W. with white throat. 

 Martes domestica. Gesn. Quadr. 765. Aldr. dig. p. 332. 

 Fouine. Buff", j.p. i6i.pl. 18. 

 Martin. Pennant Quadr. a. p. 41. 



THE Martin is an animal of a highly elegant 

 appearance. Its general length, from nose to tail, 

 is about a foot and half, and the tail is ten inches 

 long. The Martin is of a blackish tawny colour, 

 with a white throat ; and the belly is of a dusky- 

 brown ; the tail is bushy or full of hair, and of a 

 darker colour than the other parts : the ears are 

 moderately large and rounded, and the eyes 

 lively. This animal is a native of most parts of 

 Europe ; inhabiting woods and fields, and preying 

 on birds and other small animals. If taken young, 

 it may be easily tamed, and even rendered do- 

 mestic. It breeds in the hollows of trees, and 

 brings forth from three to five young. The skin 

 is used as a fur. 



* The words pedibus Jissis, or with divided feet, in opposition to 

 pedibus palmatis, or webbed feet, are, of course, unnecessary in the 

 present arrangement, in which the Otters form a separate genus. 

 They are, therefore, purposely omitted in all the following specific 

 characters belonging to this genus. 



v. i. p. ii. 27 



