MUSTELA VULGARIS. 55 



spots, which become white in winter ; a white stripe ob- 

 liquely over the eyes ; a yellow longitudinal one on each 

 side of the head ; one of the same colour over each shoulder ; 

 body black below, as well as the feet ; hairs of the tail 

 near its root ashy at their base, black in the middle, and 

 whitish at their points ; those at the extremity of the tail 

 ashy at base and black at their points ; nose black ; nails 

 whitish ; tongue rough above ; teats ventral, 6 in number. 



Length of body and head together, 13 inches 6 lines ; 

 head, 2 inches 2 lines ; ears, 6 lines ; tail, 6 inches 6 lines. 



According to Desmarest, it is found in Poland, especially 

 in Volhinia. Pallas says that it is peculiar in Russia to 

 the region between the Don and Dniester. Rare in the 

 Crimea. Has occurred in the Bukovina. 



Mustela vulgaris. 



Mustela vulgaris, Desm. Mamm. Sp. 275. 

 Mustela Gale, Pallas, Zoog. Rosa. As. 

 The Weasel. 



Description . — Teeth : grinders 4 above, 5 below on each 

 side. Upper part of the head, neck, and body, shoulders, 

 exterior, and front of the fore-legs, and the whole of the 

 hind-legs reddish brown, tinged with yellowish ; the under 

 parts of entire body white; a brown spot below each 

 corner of the mouth. In northern countries, the whole 

 animal becomes pure white in winter. 



Length of head and body, 8 inches 3 lines ; head, 1 inch 

 9 lines ; tail, 2 inches 4 lines ; ears, 4 lines. The female 

 is about one inch shorter than the male. 



Inhabits all the northern parts of Europe ; is common in 

 England, France, and all over Russia and Siberia. The 

 Prince of Musignano includes it among the quadrupeds of 

 Italy. 



