580 CARNIVORA 
rounded ; toes short, with compressed, acute, semiretractile claws. 
Tail moderate or long, more or less bushy. 
The genus Alustel, as restricted by Cuvier (Jteyne Animal, 
1817), contains a very natural assemblage of animals commonly 
called Martens, Sables, Polecats, Stoats, Ermines, and Weasels, all 
closely allied in structure and habits. A structural division, however, 
occurs between the two first-named and all the others, especially 
shown in the presence of an additional small premolar tooth on 
each side of the jaw; and, availing himself of this and some 
other minor characters, Cuvier divided the genus into two subgenera, 
for the first of which he retained the name of J/ustela, and to the 
second assigned that of Puforius. Three years later Nilsson (Skand. 
Fauna, 1820) definitely constituted the two groups into genera, 
applying to the first the name of Jartes, by which the animals 
composing it had been generally designated by the Latin-writing 
zoologists of the preceding century, and keeping A/ustela for the 
more typical Weasels and their immediate allies. Later zoologists 
have been divided between the nomenclature of Cuvier, which has 
the priority, and that of Nilsson, which on other grounds is pre- 
ferable. Those who adopt the latter affirm that Cuvier’s names, 
being only used by him in a subgeneric sense, and not binominally, 
need not be applied generically, but this is contrary to the practice 
usually followed in such cases ; and therefore, if the original genus 
be divided, the name J/ustela should be retained for the Martens, 
and Putorius for the Polecats and Weasels. Here, however, the genus 
will be employed in its wider sense, and divided into two groups. 
The typical group of the Martens! presents the following 
distinctive features. Body long, slender, and very flexible, though 
less so than in the true Weasels. Head somewhat triangular; muzzle 
pointed, the nose extending a little beyond the lips; eyes large 
and prominent; ears conspicuous, broad, somewhat triangular, 
rounded at the ends, furred outside and in. Limbs short; feet 
rounded ; toes short, five on each foot, all with short, compressed, 
curved, sharp-pointed claws; soles densely furred between the 
naked pads. Tail moderately long, more or less bushy. Outer 
fur long, strong, and glossy; a very abundant soft under fur. 
Skull elongated and depressed. Facial portion moderate and 
rather compressed. Zygomata arched and wide, but slender. 
Postorbital processes small. Auditory bull large, but not very 
globose. Mandible with a strong triangular vertical coronoid 
process and a well-developed angular process. Premolars 4 
Upper incisors in a straight transverse line, rather long and 
? By all old authors of authority,"as Ray, Pennant, Shaw, and Fleming, the 
word is written ‘‘ Martin,” but this form of spelling is now generally reserved by 
way of distinction for the bird. The term ‘Marten-Cat,” often used, is a 
misnomer, 
