72 MAMMALIA. 



MusTELA, Lin. , 

 Or the Weasels, which we will divide into four subgenera. 



PuTORitrs, Cuv. 



The Polecats are the most sanguinary of all; the lower carnivorous tooth 

 has no inner tubercle, and the superior tuberculous one is more broad than 

 long; there are only two false molars above and three below. These ani- 

 mals are externally recognised by their muzzle, which is shorter and thicker 

 than that of the Weasel. They all diffuse a most horrible stench. 



Mustela putorius, L. Buff. (The Common Polecat.) Brown; flanks 

 yellowish; white spots on the head; the terror of poultry yards and warrens. 



M. lutreola. Pall. (The Mink or Norek.) It frequents the shores of 

 rivers, &c., in the north and east of Europe from the Arctic Ocean to the 

 Black Sea, and lives on frogs and crabs. The feet are slightly palmated 

 at the base of the toes, but the teeth and round tail approximate it 

 nearer to the Polecat than the Otter. It is of a reddish brown; the circum- 

 ference of the lips and the under part of the jaw white; it exhales a musky 

 odour, and is much esteemed for its well known i'ur. It is the Mink of the 

 United States. 



McsTEiA, Cuv. 



The true Weasels differ from the Polecats in having an additional false 

 molar above and below, and in the existence of a small internal tubercle 

 on their inferior carnivorous tooth, two characters which somewhat diminish 

 the cruelty of their nature. 



M. martes, L. (The Common Marten.) Brown, a yellow spot under 

 the throat. Inhabits the woods. Siberia produces the 



M. zibellina, Pall. (The Sable.) Highly valued for its rich fur, 

 brown, spotted with white about the head, and distinguished from the 

 preceding ones by the extension of the hair to the under surface of the 

 toes. It inhabits the coldest mountains, and the hunting to obtain it. In 

 the midst of winter and tremendous snows, is a perilous and painful under- 

 taking. It is to the pursuit of this animal that we owe the discovery of the 

 eastern countries of Siberia. 



North America also possesses several Martens indicated by naturalists 

 and travellers, under the indefinite names of Pekan, Vison, Mink, &c. 



One of them, the White Vtson of the furriers. Mus. leutreocephala, 

 Harl., has as hairy feet and almost as soft afur as the Sable, but is of a light 

 fawn colour, and almost white about the head. 



That which we call the Pekan; Must, canadensis, Gm., and which comes 

 from Canada and the United States; is of a brownish colour, mixed with 

 white on the head, neck, shoulders and top of the back; nose, crupper, tail 

 and limbs blackish. 



Mephitis, Cuv. 

 The Skunk, like the Polecat, has two false molars above and three be- 



