35 



the opinion that it has been overhated, and too indiscriminately perse- 

 cuted. If detected in the poultry-house there is some excuse for destroy- 

 ing it, as, like the dog which has once been found in the sheep-fold, it 

 may return to commit farther depredations ; but when it has taken up 

 its residence under stone-heaps and fences in his fields or barns, the 

 farmer would consult his interest by suffering it to remain, as by thus 

 inviting it to a home, it will probably destroy more formidable enemies, 

 relieve him from many petty annoyances, and save him many a bushel 

 of grain." 



Pdtoritts (Luteeola) vison. (Brisson), Gapp. 



AMERICAN Mink. 



Etymology: specific name from H^sei through reso. (Von Martens). 



1756. MuBtela vison, Briss., Quad., 1756, 246, No. 6 (from Canadian speci- 

 mens, same as described by Buffon and Pennant). — Schreb., Saug., 

 iii, 1778, 463, pi. 1276.— Gm., S. N., i, 1788, 94.— Turt., S. N., i, 

 1806, 58.— Cuv., R. A., i, 1817, 150.— Harl., Fn. Amer., 1825, 63.— 

 Less., Man., 1827, 148.— Maxim., Reise, i, 1839, 213.— Blainv., 

 Ost^ogr., Mustela, pi. 13 (teeth).— Thomps., N. H. Verm., 1853,31. 



1772. Mmtela luatreola, Porst., Phil. Trans., Ixii, 1772, 371. — Sab., Frank. 

 Journ., 1823, 652.— Fisch., Syn., 1829, 221 (partly).— Godm., Am. 

 Nat. Hist., i, 1831, 206.— Hall, Canad. Nat. and Geol., vi, 1861, 

 295. 



1777. Mustela canadensis, ErxL, Syst. An., i, 1777, 455 (mixed with syn- 

 onymy of another species, but clearly referable here from the 

 description, which can only apply to the mink. See Bd , M. N. 

 A., text on p. 151.) 



1784. Mustela canadensis var. vison, Bodd., Elench. An., i, 1784, 86 (after 

 Bufifon.) 



1809. Mustela winingus, Barton, Am. Phil. Tr., vi, 1809, 70 (no descr.; St. 

 Louis, Mo.). 



1830. Putorius vison, Gapp., Zool. Jour., v, 1830, 202. — Emmons, Rep. 

 Quad. Mass., 1840, 43.— De K., N. Y. Z., i, 1842, 37, pi. 11, f. 1. 

 (animal), pi. 8, f- 3, A. B. (skull).— Aud. & Bach. Q. N. A , i, 

 1849, 250, pi. 33.— Kenn., Tr. 111. State Agric. Soc, 1853-4r-5, 

 678.— Beasley, Geol. Cape May, 1857, 137.— Baird, M. N, A., 

 1857, 177, pi. 37, f. 2, 3 (skulls).— Newb., P R. R. Rep., vi, 1857, 

 42.— Coop, and Suckl., N. H. W. T., 1860, 93, 115.— Billings, 

 Canad. Nat. and Geol., ii, 1857, 448.— Ross, op. cit., vi, 1861, 29.— 

 Maxim., Verz. Am. Saug., 1862, 62. — Sam., Am. Rep Mass. Agric. 

 for 1861-2, 157, pi. 1, f. 8.— Gilpin, Tr. N. Scotia Inet , ii, 1870, 



