JIUSTELTD.B.- 



-JIAIIMALIA.- 



-JIUSTELID.*. 



89 



black colour generally ; but there are four whitish 

 bands, which, commencing at tlie neck, pass in a back- 

 ward direction, gradually diverging from one another. 

 This character has suggested the specific name above 

 given. There is also a white spot on the upper part 

 of the head. Tlie zorilla is not confined to the Cape 

 of Mozambique, but is still found in Nubia, Abyssinia, 

 and other parts of the African continent. Its habits 

 are similar to those of the skunk. It is also known 

 under the title of JSIephili^ africana. 



THE SABLE {Martcs leucopas.) — The various mem- 

 bers of the genus IMartes, ditler from the true weasels 

 generally, by the possession of " an additional false 

 molar above and below," whilst they have also a small 

 tubercle on the inner side of their sectorial tooth. 

 These two characters tend to diminish the ferocity of 

 their nature ; or, rather, they imlicate by analogical 

 and correlative evidence, that such a subcarnivorous 

 disposition exists in accordance with their modified 

 dental arrangements. Their habits and general ap- 

 pearance entirely correspond with these strnctural 

 peculiarities. They are pretty and attractive little 

 animals, having large bushy tails. The martens have 

 larger ears than the weasels, and their habits are more 

 arboreal, while the odour emitted by them is not 

 offensive. Much controversy has arisen as to the 

 speciflc distinctions of various kinds of marten. Tlius, 

 by some the sable, the pine marten, and the beech 

 marten have been considered as mere varieties of a 

 single species ; that is to say, they are supposed to 

 liave originated from the same stock, and that stock, in 

 all probability, being represented by a single pair. 

 This view, however, does not appear tenable, and 

 after lengthened investigation, the more general opinion 

 now received is, that they are different animals ab 

 origine. The sable is celebrated for its beautiful fui', 

 which is of a yellowish-brown colour, inclining to black. 

 The throat is pale yellow ; but it varies somcwliat in 

 different individuals. We have here placed tlie sable 

 as a distinct species, in accordance with the opinion of 

 some of our highest authorities. 



THE PINE MAETEN (Martcs abictum)—T\a.ie 10, 

 lig. 34: — if not specitically identical, very closely re- 

 sembles the foregoing. The fur is of a comparatively 

 inferior quality ; yet it is much superior to that of the 

 beech or stone marten. It exists in northern Europe 

 and North America, being also indigenous in our own 

 country. . According to Sir John Richardson's de- 

 scription, "the pine marten inhabits the woody districts 

 in the northern parts of America, from the Atlantic to 

 the Pacific, in great numbers, and has been observed 

 to be particularly abundant where the trees have been 

 liilled by fire, but are still standing. It is very rare, 

 as Hearne has remarked, in the district lying north of 

 ( •hurchill River and east of Great Slave Lake, known 

 by the name of Cliepewyan or Barren Lands. A 

 similar district on the Asiatic side of Behring's Straits, 

 twenty-five degrees of longitude in breadth, and in- 

 habited by the Tehutski, is described by Pennant as 

 equally unfrequeuted by the marten, and for the same 

 reason — the want of trees. The Umit of its northern 

 range in America is, like that of the woods, about the 

 sixty-eighth degree of latitude, and it is said to be 

 Vol. I; 



found as far south as New England. Particular races 

 of martens, distinguished by the fineness and dark 

 colour of their fur, appear to inliabit certain rocky 

 districts. The rocky and mountainous, but woody 

 districts of the Nipigon, on the north side of Lake 

 Superior, has long been noted for its black and valuable 

 marten skins. The marten preys on mice, hares, and 

 partridges, and in summer on small birds' eggs, &c. 

 A partridge's head with the feathers, is the best bait 

 for the log traps in which this animal is taken. It 

 does not reject carrion, and often destroys the hoards 

 of meat and fish laid up by the natives, when tliey 

 have accidentally left a crevice by which it can enter. 

 The marten, when its retreat is cut off, shows its teeth, 

 sets up its hair, arches its back, and makes a hissing 

 noise, like a cat. It will seize a dog by the nose, and 

 bite so hard, tliat unless the latter is accustomed to the 

 combat, it sutlers the little animal to escape. It may 

 be easily tamed, and it soon acquires an attachment to 

 its master ; but it never becomes docile. Its flesh is 

 occasionally eaten, though it is not prized by the 

 Indians. Tlie females are smaller than the males. 

 They burrow in the ground, carry their young about 

 six weeks, and bring forth from four to seven in a 

 litter about the latter end of April." The dark- 

 coloured furs are deemed the most valuable, and thej' 

 are in the best condition during the winter season. 

 Respecting the distinctions observable between this 

 species and the beech marten, Mr. Bell observes, that 

 " the most striking and obvious differences are those of 

 colour ; but as these appear, in some cases at least, to 

 be associated with certain slight diversities in size and 

 proportion, and as the habits of the two animals also 

 offer a trifling variation, there appears to be some, 

 though far from satisfactory ground, for considering 

 them as specifically distinct. The pine marten is- so 

 called from its supposed preference for the fruits of 

 those trees, as the other is called by some the beech 

 marten, from a similar pretended preference for beech 

 woods. Tliere is, however, no ground for this appro- 

 priation of tlie two species to these different localities." 

 The nest is made of moss, leaves, and other vegetable 

 matters. A full-grown individual of the male sex 

 measures about twenty inches, the females being rather 

 smaller. 



THE BEECH MAETEN {Maries foina), is also called 

 the common marten, and by traders it is more usually 

 designated the stone marten. Its fur is inferior to that 

 of the preceding species, and it is sometimes passed oft" 

 unfairly for the skin of the true sable. An experienced 

 eye, however, readily detects the fraud, noticing tlie 

 alisence of lustre, softness, and other essential qualities. 

 Tlie beech marten is about eighteen inches long, not 

 including the tail, which alone measures upwards of 

 nine inches. The head is rounded and broad pos- 

 teriorly, narrowing in front into an acute and slightly 

 projecting muzzle. The ears are comparatively large, 

 oval, and a little pointed. The body is thin, cylin- 

 drical, and very mobile, terminating in a thick bushy 

 tail. The fur is for the most part brown, being darker 

 in some parts than in others. It is deeper-coloured on 

 the back, limbs, and tail. On the throat or under 

 part of the neck it is white. The beech marten is a 



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