J 88 ORDER V. 



a tawny cast, and in Western America of a bright 

 chestnut ; in that variety, if it be not distinct, the 

 tail is also shorter, and the ears larger. The fur of 

 the animal consists of a downy under-wool, with a 

 dense coat of hair overtopped by another still longer ; 

 this upper covering will lie in any direction, back- 

 wards or forwards ; and a skin is valued in propor- 

 tion as this coat is abundant, black, and glossy. 

 They are caught in traps set by hunters, who for- 

 merly were convicts or exiles in Siberia, and passed 

 the rigorous winters of that climate in the woods, 

 from before the time the rivers freeze, until they 

 are open to navigation. Their natural habitat is the 

 most northern forests of both the continents, and in 

 the Kurile Islands. Albinism is sometimes observed 

 to affect their colour. 



M. huro. Huron (Weasel) Marten. Has the 

 paws beneath furred like the sable ; is of a light 

 yellow colour ; size of a Marten from Canada. 



M. leucotis. White Eared Marten. First figured 

 by ourselves. Total length about 20 inches ; nose 

 rather pointed ; ears large, inside pure white, on the 

 outer surface a black edge; lips and cheeks pale 

 brown ; nose, head, throat, and body, deep brown ; 

 feet and tail black. 



M. lutreola The Mink. Total length 17 inches; 



blackish-brown ; upper lip, chin, and beneath the 

 throat, white ; feet semipalmate ; has been referred 

 to the others, but the teeth are like those of Mus- 

 telidce : feeds on fish, frogs, &c., frequenting rapid 



