

V EKTEBRATA. 



! GALK ITIS, Galictia, contains two species, the Grison and the Taira. The former, G. 



vitiate^ the V ttate of Linnaeus, and Guiana marten of Buffon, in its general color is nearly 



black, but gray on the top of the head and beneath the throat, with a yeMowish band along the 



back, and descending on either side t<» the shoulders. It is nearly plantigrade, is highly carnivo- 



and inhabits the woods throughout a large part of Smith America. 



Taira, G.barbarOj the Mustela barbara of Linnaeus, the Ta'ira or Galera of Buffon, i| 



_■ r than the preceding, and is of a blackiah-brown color, the fore-parts shaded with gray; there 

 is also eometimes a light spot «>n the throat, and the hack part of the neck. It is a burrow 

 animal, and diffuses a musky odor. The body is long, and the strength great for the size. I 

 found in Guiana, Brazil, and other parts of South America. A specimen was presented to the I 

 don Zoological Society from Peru; this was gentle and playful, and displayed the same aversion 



rater as a cat 



U MARTEN: Mustela. — This includes several remarkable species, all of which climb with 

 facility, and having long, lithe bodies, with short legs, are able to enter holes and wind through 

 passages from which even the smallest cats are excluded. They are all endowed with voraciooi 

 appetite-, and devour great numbers of eggs, birds, and small quadrupeds. Some of them intro- 

 1 i ■ themselves into the poultry-yards, and make immense havoc among the feathered inhabitant-. 

 Most of them are noted for their valuable peltry, and some produce the finest and most Iuxuri 

 furs that are known. Though nearly allied to the w T easels and polecats, which are distinguished 

 for their offensive odor, the martens only diffuse a musky and not disagreeable scent. 



'/'/,** p. 



^-* .V. \ 



MARTEN - . 



WEASEL. 



Tie ' Marten of Europe, M. martes, — M. Foina of Linnaeus; the Beech Mart* 



Marten of the English; the Fouine of the French; Foina and Fouina of the Italia;. 

 Eauss Marder and Stein Marder of the Germans, — is found in Northern and temperate Euroj! 

 and Western Asia, but aol in America. Its head is somewhat triangular, the muzzle pointed, tl 



prominent and lively; the body much elongated and very flexible; the tail long, thick, 

 bushy; the toes naked, but at times, probably in the winter, covered beneath with thin - 



