76 CARNIVORA. 



of trap. When taken young, it becomes very gentle, and much 

 attached to those who fondle it. It does not emit its unpleasant 

 odor except when it is hurt. The skins of the Mink have been 

 used for making muffs, tippets, &c., and sold for about fifty cents 

 each. Some skins are of a beautiful silver gray color, the fur 

 being quite unlike that ordinarily obtained. Such skins are rare ; 

 six of them suffice to make a muff worth at least a hundred dol- 

 lars. (Audubon.) The Mink is constantly found in almost 

 every part of North America. 



Mustela furo, (Lat. I rage.) The FERRET. This useful but 

 ferocious little animal is kept in Europe, in a domesticated state, 

 and is employed for rabbit-hunting, and for destroying rats. Its 

 general form is like that of the Polecat, but it is smaller, being 

 usually about thirteen inches in length. It has a very sharp 

 nose, red and fiery eyes, and round ears. In the slenderness 

 of its form, and the shortness of its legs, it resembles the Weasel. 



The head of M. Canadensis, the FISHER, or PENNANT'S MAR- 

 TEN, is more like that of the dog than that of the cat. It catches 

 and eats fish. 



The BLACK-FOOTED FERRET is about a foot and a half long ; 

 found in woody districts, as far as the Rocky Mountains. The 



P. pusillus, (Lat. very small,) is the smallest of the Weasels. 

 It is one-third smaller than the Stoat, the Polecat, or Fitchet 

 Weasel. 



M. Putorious, (Lat. Putor, stink,) is stouter than the common 

 weasel. The under coat of fur is short, silky and pale yellow ; 

 the outer is of a dark chocolate brown, and long and coarse. The 

 fur is inferior to that of the Sable and Marten, but esteemed as 

 an article of commerce under the name of Fitch. 



Lutra, (Lat. Otter,) (Gr. fova>, louo, to wash.) 



This genus includes a species known as the common or river 

 Otters, whose habits are aquatic, and whose food is fish, and also 

 the Sea Otters. In their skulls and muzzles, there are points of 

 resemblance to the Seal, (pkoca vitulina.) The limbs are short 

 and strong, and so articulated as to allow of free motion ; the 

 animal being able to turn them easily in almost any direction, 

 and bring them on a line with the body, so as to act like fins. 

 The teeth are sharp and strong, and the tubercles of the molars 

 very pointed; which aids them in taking and destroying their 

 slippery prey. Their intestines are very long. The body is 

 covered outwardly with long and glossy hair, with a softer, short- 

 er, downy fur, intermixed. The Otter is fierce, wild, and shy, 

 and its habits principally nocturnal. The hunt of this animal has 

 been a favorite, but a cruel sport Pursued, he betakes himself 



