MUSTELA LUTREOLA. 57 



head, neck, and back, and most of the tail, reddish brown ; 

 under parts white, tinged with yellow; tail ending in a 

 tuft of black hairs. In winter it becomes white, except 

 the end of the tail, which continues black. 



Length of the head and body, 10 inches ; head, 2 inches ; 

 ears, 6 lines ; tail, 5 inches. 



It is common in the British Islands, where it rarely be- 

 comes white in winter, except in the alpine parts of Scot- 

 land. Occurs in France, chiefly in the north, and is said 

 to be rare in the south of that country. Is very common 

 in Russia and Siberia, in Norway and Lapland, and may be 

 said to inhabit the whole of Northern and temperate Europe, 

 including the North of Italy. 



Mustela lutreola. 



Mustela lutreola, Desm. Mamm. Sp. 278. 

 Viverra lutreola, Pallas, Zoog. Ross. As. 



Description. — Teeth as in the Weasel ; toes of fore-feet 

 united for half their length by a hairy membrane. Fur 

 blackish brown, lighter round the ears ; upper lip and lower 

 jaw white ; wool beneath the hair light brown ; long hairs 

 black. 



Length from end of nose to root of tail, 11 inches 8 lines ; 

 tail, 5 inches 4 lines. 



Lives on fish, frogs, cray-fish, &c. ; frequents rivers and 

 brooks. 



It is found all through the North and East of Europe, 

 from the Icy Sea to the Black Sea ; is common in Finland, 

 and is not rare in Russia, from St. Petersburg to the river 

 Kama. 



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