MUSTELA. 



157 



Subfamily MUSTELINiE. 



The Indian genera of this subfamily are typical forms with a 

 long body and short limbs. The majority of the subfamily are 

 found in the Northern regions of both continents ; several occur in 

 the Himalayas, but only one species is known to exist in the 

 Indian Peninsula and in Burma. Two genera are found within 

 Indian limits. 



Teeth in molar series on each side 5 above, 6 below. 

 Lower sectorial with inner tubercle. Size about 

 that of a domestic cat Mustela. 



Teeth in molar series 4 above, 5 below. No inner tu- 

 bercle to lower sectorial. Size small Putorius. 



By most English naturalists the name Martes is used for the 

 martens {Mustela), and Mustela for weasels and polecats. I have 

 given elsewhere (P. Z. S. 1887, p. 636) my reasons for preferring 

 the nomenclature of French and German writers. 



Genus MUSTELA, Linn., 1766. 

 Syn. Martes, Nilsson. 



Body long and slender ; limbs short ; tail of considerable length. 

 Feet digitigrade or nearly so ; toes short ; claws compressed, curved, 

 sharp, semiretractile. 



Dentition : i. \, c. J^J, pm. J^, m. ~^. Upper sectorial with 



Fig. 38.— Skull of Mustela Jlavigula, 



the inner lobe close to the anterior end. Upper true molar nearly 

 the same size as the sectorial. Lower sectorial with small inner 

 tubercle. Vertebra : C. 7, D. 14-15, L. 5-6, S. 3, C. 18-24. 



