QUADRUPEDS. 



tinent. The winter skins are much sought after as furs, and form a considerable article 

 of commerce. 



The Martens (Mustela) differ slightly from the true polecats in the struc- 

 ture of their teeth and their more elongated muzzle. The species are very 

 numerous, and are scattered over both continents : among them we can only 

 notice 



The Table Marten (Mustda zibdline), so celebrated on account of the richness 

 of its fur. It inhabits the northern parts of Europe and Asia, and abounds most in the 

 mountains of frozen countries, the intense cold of which renders them uninhabitable by 

 man. As it is the winter coat only that is so highly prized, the pursuit of the sable is, 

 of all kinds of hunting, the most arduous and perilous. 



The Skunks (Mephites)* are celebrated for their intolerable stench, which 

 they diffuse to a great distance. They inhabit North America. 



The Otters (Lutra) possess a peculiar physiognomy, which prevents them 

 from being confounded with any of the neighbouring genera. Destined to 

 pursue and to feed on living fishes, they are aquatic animals, and furnished 

 with means of swift progression beneath the water. Their body is long, but 

 flattened, and capable of much flexibility in swimming. The feet are broad 

 and webbed, and the tail flattened horizontally, forming a rudder. Their coat 



FIG. 462. OTTER. 



is very thick, and formed of two sorts of hairs, one silky, the other woolly: the 

 silky is long, stout, hard, and shining, and the hairs thicker at the point than 

 at their base ; the woolly is short and compact, forming an extremely soft fur. 

 These animals live chiefly upon fish, after .which they dive with peculiar ease 

 and swiftness, capturing their slippery prey with unerring skill. The result of 



* Mephitis, a noxious exhalation. 



