260 MTNK. 



sort of little pole-cat, — " Les fouteriaux, qui sent de petites fouines am- 

 phibies." Kalm and Lawson refer to it ; the former stating that the 

 English and the Swedes gave it the name of Mink, Moenk being the 

 name applied to a closely allied species existing in Sweden. 



The doubts respecting the identity of the American Mink (P. vison) 

 and the Mustela lutreola of the north of Europe, have not as yet been 

 satisfactorily solved. Pennant in one place admits the American vison 

 as a true species, and in another supposes the M. lutreola to exist on both 

 continents. Baron Cuvier at one time regarded them as so distinct that 

 he placed them under different genera ; but subsequently in a note stated 

 his opinion that they are both one species. Dr. Godman supposed that 

 both the Pekan (Mustela Canadensis) and vison {P. vison) are nothing 

 more than mere varieties of Mustela lutreola ; in regard to the Pekan 

 he was palpably in error. Richardson considers them distinct species, 

 although he does not seem to have had an opportunity of institut- 

 ing a comparison. We have on two or three occasions compared speci- 

 mens from both continents. The specimens, however, from either coun- 

 try differ so considerably among themselves that it is some^vhat difficult 

 without a larger number than can generally be brought together, to insti- 

 tute a satisfactory comparison. 



The fact that both species exist far to the northward, and conse- 

 quently approach each other toward the Arctic circle, presents an argu- 

 ment favourable to their identity. In their semi-palmated feet, as well 

 as in their general form and habits, they resemble each other. 



The following reasons, however, have induced us, after some hesita- 

 tion, and not without a strong desire for farther opportunities of compari- 

 son, especially of the skulls, to regard the American P. vison as distinct 

 from the lutreola of the north of Europe. 



P. lutreola, in the few specimens we have examined, is smaller than P. 

 vison, the body of the latter frequently exceeding eighteen inches, (we 

 have a large specimen that measures twenty-one inches.) but ^ve have 

 never found any specimen of the lutreola exceeding thirteen inches from 

 nose to root of tail, and have generally found that specimens, even when 

 their teeth were considerably worn, thereb)^ indicating that the animals 

 were adults, measui'ed less than twelve inches. 



P. lutreola is considerably darker in colour, resembling in this respect 

 the small black variety mentioned by us as existing along our mountain 

 streams. The tail is less bushy, and might be termed sub-cylindrical. 

 P. lutreola is, besides, more deficient in white markings on the under sur- 

 face than the other species ; the chin is generally, but not always, white ; 

 but there is seldom any white either on the throat or chest. 



