482 



BIG GAME OF NORTH AMERICA. 



the structure of its teeth, it resembles the martens; in its 

 eyes and incomplete plantigrade walk, the Bear; the 

 markings suggest the skunk or badger; while its habits, 

 endurance, and ferocity have vaguely connected it with the 

 Wolf. 



As in the case of the Bear, the after parts droop, and the 

 head is usually carried low. In general appearance, it 

 would somewhat resemble a fat, three-months-old Cinna- 

 mon Bear, were it not for its bushy tail. A casual front 



Wolverine. 



view would render the deception complete. The head is 

 rather large and short, and tapers rapidly to the muzzle. 

 The ears are short and broad, the neck and body rather 

 long, and the eyes very small and black. In length, the 

 body of an 'adult specimen, including the head, measures 

 about thirty-two inches, the extreme length of the tail add- 

 ing slightly more than a foot to the measurement. The 

 legs are short and large. The feet are also large, and make 

 tracks in the snow so nearly resembling those of. a small 

 Bear that the inexperienced hunter is generally deceived. 

 To the practiced eye, they are readily distinguished by the 

 short steps of the "Wolverine. 



