38 
NEW-YORK FAUNA. 
insertion of the tail. Six teats, ventral. Teeth 34. Above, the four intermediate incisors 
are alike, and subequal; the exterior larger, channelled on the outside, and somewhat enlarged 
at the base. Upper canines larger and longer than those below, and in their reciprocal posi¬ 
tion exterior to, and reaching below the sockets of the lower canines, with no tubercle to their 
bases. First cheek tooth above smallest, with a sharp point, and a broad shoulder directed 
outwards, with two fangs ; the second larger, with a single point, and two equal shoulders ; 
the third largest, with three points in a line, the middle largest and the anterior smallest, with 
a fourth on an internal space : this tooth is emarginate in front, almost receiving the posterior 
shoulder of the preceding tooth. The last cheek tooth wider than long, with two elevations 
externally circumscribed by a raised margin; its internal projection has one blunt point, like¬ 
wise surrounded by a raised margin. In the lower jaw, the incisors are smaller than those 
above, the two medial smallest and subequal; the first cheek tooth very small, elevated in 
front, with a slight ridge dividing the shoulder behind ; the next larger, with its posterior 
shoulder lower than that in front; the succeeding one tricuspid, triangular, with its shoulders 
equal; penultimate tooth largest, tricuspid, its posterior point truncate with a sharp ridge ; the 
last smallest, with a central depression, and a raised margin which is highest on the outside. 
Color. Nearly uniform, reddish brown or tawny above, slightly paler beneath. Chin, and 
frequently a small spot on the throat, and occasionally one or two smaller spots between the 
fore legs, white. Posterior portion of the tail blackish, frequently intensely black at the tip. 
Head and body,. 14'0. 
Tail (vertebras),. 7'0. 
Ditto (tips of fur). 8'0. 
Length of skull,... 2'3. 
Height at meatus,. O'9. 
Greatest diameter behind meatus, 1 • 1. 
Extent over zygomatic arches,_ 1'3. 
Skull in the same line,. O'5. 
The Mink is a well known animal in every part of the State. Its popular name is corrupted 
from mank, given to it by our early Swedish colonists. It lives almost exclusively near ponds 
and water courses, feeding on fish, fresh-water shells, aquatic reptiles, and the eggs of tor¬ 
toises. In their habits they are closely allied to the Otter ; so much so, that Pennant arranged 
it under that genus, and in his History of Quadrupeds calls it the Lesser Otter. It swims 
and dives with great facility, and can remain a long time under water. It has a strong disa¬ 
greeable odor, which, according to Prof. Emmons, is that of the skunk and cat combined. 
Occasionally it invades the poultry yard, and causes great havoc. It feeds also upon field 
mice, and other small quadrupeds. It is said to be capable of domestication. The hunters 
in the north of the State have described to me two varieties of the Mink: One they call 
Mountain Mink, which is small and black ; the other, which they call the Water Mink, is 
much larger, and of a chesnut red. From their dissimilar habits, I should be inclined to sus¬ 
pect the first to be a distinct and hitherto undescribed species. 
