MAMMALIA. 473 



DrvisiON I With a tuberculous tooth behind the carnivor- 

 ous tooth, in the upper jaw. 



Genus 49. — Mustela. — Linnmus. 



Generic Character. — Incisory teeth ^, canines J^p grinders 

 f-1 or |-| : total 34) or 38. Head small and oval : ears short 

 and round; body long vermiform; legs short; toes five, armed 

 with sharp crooked claws ; no anal pouch, but a small gland, 

 containing a strong fetid secretion. 



Sub-Genus l.—FuTOS.ius.— Cuvier. — Two false molars 

 above, and three below ; the great carnivorous tooth below, 

 without an internal tubercle ; muzzle short ; fetid. 



Mustela putorius. — The Polecat, or Foumart. — Plate IX. 

 fig. 3. — See description, vol. II. p. '269. 



Mustela furo.— The Ferret. — Plate IX. fig. 2.— See de- 

 scription, vol. II. p. 267. 



Mustela vulgaris. — The Common Weasel.— Plate IX. fig. 1. 

 —See description, vol. II. p. 259. 



Sub-Genus II.— ZoRiLLES. — C«iien— Muzzle short; two 

 false molars above, three below ; nails of the fore feet strong 

 and fitted for digging. 



Mustela zorilla.— The Zorilla. — See description, vol. II 

 p. 279. 



Sub-Genus III. — Maries. — One false molar more in each 

 jaw than in the Putorius, and the lower large carnivorous tooth 

 with a tubercle on the inner side. 



Mustela zibellina. — The Sable.— Plate IX. fig. i. — See de- 

 scription, vol. II. p. 274. 



Genus 50. — Mephitis. — Cuvier. 



Generic Character. — Incisory teeth I, canine teeth \-[, grin- 

 ders *^ ; total 34. The great carnivorous tooth provided with 

 two tubercles on the inner side ; the posterior tooth tiibercu- 

 lated, and very long and large ; the toes of the feet separated, 

 and furnished with long nails, formed for digging ; the heel very 

 little raised in walking ; the palm and heel hairy ; the tail long 

 and bushy ; in some of the species none. 



