ON THE MAMMALIA OF THIS DISTRICT. 229 



I cannot for one moment doubt that they are two 

 very distinct species, their habits are so different ; 

 and even allowing that the white spot on the 

 throat may become yellow by age, or vice versa, 

 in the stone marten the soles of the feet are bare, 

 while in the pine marten they are always covered 

 with hair, and this at all ages. 



I never saw the weasel (Mustela vulgaris, Erxl.) 

 here, although it is occasionally, but very rarely, 

 killed, for I purchased a skin of a weasel killed at 

 Quickiock in the previous winter, and although I 

 know some doubt exists whether the weasel turns 

 white in winter as well as the stoat, I can only say 

 that this skin was pure white. 



The stoat (Mustela Erminea, Lin.; "hermelin," 

 Sw.) was very common around Quickiock, and in 

 the summer seemed to be confined to the high 

 stony fells. Respecting its change of colour from 

 brown to white in the winter, I have never had 

 opportunities of sufficiently studying them at the 

 season ; but I had plenty of specimens through my 

 hands during the spring, both before and after the 

 change from the winter to the summer dress ; and 

 from attentive observation, I think Professor Bell 

 is clearly right, and that this change takes place, 

 as he says, " by an actual change in the colour of 

 the existing fur." Be this as it may, however, 

 the change is very rapid and suddenly effected, 



