THE MAMMALS 241 



ertheless belong to one family (the weasel family, Mustelidce), 

 and are more or less valued for their fur. Almost all are 

 characterized by a fetid odor, especially the skunk, which 

 is notoriously offensive, and in consequence is avoided by 

 all other animals. 



The dog family is represented by several widely distrib- 

 uted varieties of the red fox ( Vulpes pennsylvanicus) and 

 gray fox ( Urocyon cinereo-argentatus), and by the coyotes 



FIG. 136. Silver fox (Vulpes pennsylvanicus, var. argentatus). Photograph 

 by W. K. FISHEK. 



(Canis latrans) and wolves (Canis nubilus). The domestic 

 dog (Canis familiaris) is probably the descendant of the 

 wolf, and owing to man's careful breeding during thou- 

 sands of years has formed several widely differing varieties. 

 The cat family, comprising the most powerful, savage, 

 and keenest-scented carnivora, is represented by the lion, 

 tiger, jaguar, and hyena. In this country the group is 

 represented by the lynx (Lynx canadensis), the wildcat 

 (Lynx rufus),' and the panther or puma (Felis concolor), 

 which attains the length of nearly five feet. The domestic 

 cat has, like the dog, been domesticated for centuries, and 

 has possibly descended from an African species (Felis 



