xxv] 



CARNIVORA 



677 



water. (2) The Badger, Meles taxus, a heavy, somewhat clumsy 

 animal with blunt claws and short limbs, leading a nocturnal, 

 burrowing life and feeding on mice, reptiles, insects, fruit, acorns 

 and roots. (3) The Pine Marten, Mustela, martes. (4) The Polecat, 

 Putorius foetidus, which feeds on small mammals, birds, reptiles and 

 eggs, and has a disagreeable odour. The Ferret is a domesticated 

 variety of the Polecat. (5) The Weasel, Putorius vulgaris. In cold 

 regions the Weasel turns white in winter. (6) The Stoat, Putorius 

 erminem, which also turns white in cold climates except the tip of 

 its tail, which remains black. Its winter fur is much prized and is 



FIG. 339. The Common Skunk, Mephitis mephitica. 



termed Ermine. These last four are closely related species with 

 long, slender bodies, sharp curved claws and ferocious habits. 



In North America there is an interesting family, the PRO- 

 CYONIDAE, intermediate between the Ursidae and Mustelidae. The 

 members of this family have sharp muzzles but clumsy bodies and 

 short necks ; the Raccoon, Procyon lotor, is the most familiar. It 

 is omnivorous. The Mustelidae are represented by Otters, Martens 

 and a remarkable form, the Skunk, Mephitis mephitica (Fig. 339), 

 which produces a secretion of such repulsive odour as to make it 



