74 CARNIVORA. 



often first seen in the high grass and bushes, and makes a beau- 

 tiful appearance. 



The Teledu, or Skunk of Java and Sumatra, Mydatis mcliceps, 

 (Lat. melis, a badger, caput, a head,) has a short tail covered with 

 a mere pencil of hairs. In somethings, it reminds one of a hog. 



M. Maries. The MARTEN. Of this there are three varieties, 

 the Common Beech, or Stone Marten, the Pine Marten, and the 

 Sable, of which the furs are exquisitely soft and beautiful. Their 

 agile and graceful motions are not excelled by any of the Weasel 

 tribe. They reside in woods, and prey chiefly on birds, and 

 small animals. They also feed on rats, mice, and moles, and will 

 sometimes eat seeds and grain. The general length is about a 

 foot and a half; the tail is ten inches long, bushy, and of a darker 

 color than the other parts. The Marten is. of a dark, tawny 

 color, with a white throat, and the under part is of a dusky 

 brown ; the muzzle is pointed, and the eyes bright and lively. 

 The fur is of two sorts ; the outer is long and brown, with vary- 

 ing shades, in different parts of the body ; the inner, very soft, 

 short and of light yellowish gray color. 



M.fagorum, (Lat. of beech-trees.) The BEECH MARTEN is a va- 

 riety with a white throat, found in Northern and temperate Europe, 

 and Western Asia. It approaches the habitations of men oftener 

 than the Pine Marten, resorting for prey to the vicinity of farm yards 

 and homesteads. Its fur, which is much inferior to that of the Pine 

 Marten, is called in trade, the Stone Marten. Many skins of this 

 animal are obtained from the north of Europe, and the fur is dyed 

 to represent Sable ; though the practised eye easily distinguishes 

 it from the latter. The richest furs of this Marten come from the 

 most northern latitudes. 



M. Abietum, (Lat. of fir-trees.) The PINE MARTEN. This 

 variety with a yellow throat, varies much in color, so that it is 

 difficult to find two specimens alike, but generally is yellowish, 

 blended into a blackish hue in other parts. It is found in Mount 

 Caucasus, and the northern parts of Europe ; and is very numer- 

 ous in the wooded districts of the northern latitudes of this conti- 

 nent. It is particularly abundant where the trees have been killed 

 by fire, but are still standing. Specimens have been obtained from 

 near Albany and the Catskill mountains, and the northern parts of 

 Pennsylvania. Its southern range is about lat. 40o, and the north- 

 ern about 680. The length is one foot five inches. This Marten 

 is, in its disposition, shy, cruel, cunning and active ; does not ap- 

 proach the residences of men, but keeps rather in dense woods. 

 The fur of this animal is valuable, next to the Sable ; and when 

 in fashion, Marten skins bring good prices. It is sometimes dyed, 



