579 
Emmons, writing in 1840*, says: ‘“‘The fur is of little value on 
account of its shortness, though it is quite fine.’ Later its beauty 
and durability began to be appreciated, and the price of mink skins 
rapidly rose, till, in 1865, skins of prime quality were quoted at $15 
each. Since then the price has declined; but to-day the pelt of the 
mink, in proportion to its size, is more valuable than that of any 
other aquatic animal except the sea-otter and the best seal. 
The mink has often been tamed, and is said to make a gentle and 
interesting pet, the only drawback being the exceedingly offensive 
odor which it produces at times. 
Minks are often taken in this county in traps set in the opening 
of tile drains or old muskrat burrows. Traps are sometimes baited 
for them with bits of meat, small animals, or fish. 
WEASEL. 
Putorius noveboracensts Emmons. 
(Rep. Quadr. Mass., 1840, p. 45.) 
Putorius erminea Coues. Fur-Bearing Animals, pp. 109-136 (in part). 
This species occurs from Illinois east to the Atlantic, and from 
North Carolina and Tennessee north into Canada, while closely re- 
lated species range as far north as the Arctic Ocean. All of these 
species were formerly included, with the ermine of Europe, under 
the name Putorius erminea. 
Male and female weasels differ considerably in size, the average 
leneGh or the niale being 16.5 in. (407 mm.); tail vertebre, 5.5 in. 
(140 mm.); and hind foot, 1.85 in. (47 mm.). The corresponding 
measurements for the female are 12.8 in. (324 mm.), 4.25 in. (108 
ham aad, | .s0an. (34.5 nam). 
In summer, the upper parts, including the feet, are a rich dark 
chocolate-brown, often near seal-brown. The under parts, as well 
as the upper lip, are white more or less washed with sulphur-yel- 
low. In winter, in the southern part of its range, the whole 
animal becomes entirely white except the terminal third of the 
tail, which is jet-black. In the South the winter pelage is similar to 
that of summer, but a trifle paler. No white specimens are in our 
collection, but they have been reported within the county by reliable 
observers. In the northern part of the state they are common. 
* A Report of the Quadrupeds of Massachusetts, p. 44. 
