174 CARNIVORA FISSIPEDIA. 



Badger and the Wolverine, form respectively the fourth, 

 fifth and sixth groups of the Weasel family. 



The Civets, the Bears and the Raccoons are closely al- 

 lied to the Weasel family; but there is no generic connec- 

 tion between any of them, and each must be considered 

 as belonging to a separate family. 



THE PAHMI. 



The Pahmi (Helictis-napelensis or ferrogrisea), some- 

 times called the "Chinese Stone Marten" by the Leipzig 

 skin dealers, is an animal whose skins have lately come 

 into favor, and it is estimated that more than eighty 

 thousand pelts were marketed in 1913, causing a marked 

 advance in the price. The Pahmi is principally found 

 in the Central Provinces of China, where it is also 

 known as the "Grey Marmot." Different varieties of the 

 genus showing considerable variation in color are also 

 found in Nepal and Sikkin, and on the Island of Formosa. 

 It is so closely allied to the Stinking Badger (Mydaus- 

 miliceps) that the Germans have also named the Pahmi, 

 Stinkdachs. 



The under fur is thick and silky, but the glossy top 

 hair is coarse. The top hair of the Helictis-napelensis 

 is a dark greyish brown, with a distinct white line 

 running down the middle of the back from the neck to 

 the tail. A white band also goes nearly to the back on 

 both sides, from a great white patch that covers the 

 throat and chest like a baby's bib. The under fur is 

 light yellow, and the coarsely haired light grey tail has 

 a white point. The pelt is heavy. The Pahmi lives 

 under ground, in burrows of its own construction, but 

 does not hibernate in winter. It is probably the con- 

 necting link between the true badgers and the skunks, 

 as it burrows like the former, and discharges a fluid after 

 the manner of the latter, although it cannot throw it as 

 far. 



