TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. 65 
MUSTELIDZ. 
8. MUSTELA AMERICANA, Turton. 
MARTEN. 
The Marten is said to be quite abundant in the mountains of the Yellowstone Park, and it 
doubtless is found some distance down the Missouri River. I saw skins at Fort Peck which I was 
told had been taken in the immediate neighborhood. 
9. PUTORIUS VISON, Rich. 
MINK. 
This species was quite abundant all through the mountains. Some very fine dark specimens 
were seen along Bridger Creek near Fort Ellis. 
10. GULO LUSCUS, Sabine. 
WOLVERENE ; SKUNK-BEAR. 
No living individuals of this species were seen by any of the party; but we noticed their tracks 
quite often while in the park, and saw many skinsin Bozeman. Hunters there informed me that they 
were seldom killed, except in the severest weather of the winter. In this region, they were spoken 
of as the “ Skunk-bear”; farther south they are called ‘“Carcajou”. The young, when first born, 
are said to be snow-white in color. Although this species is seldom found far from the mountains, 
an indivdual was killed during the winter of 1872~’73 near Fort Stevenson on the Missouri River. 
It had probably wandered out on to the prairie from the high Bad Lands of the Little Missouri. 
11. LUTRA CANADENSIS, Sab. 
OTTER. 
Although nowhere a very abundant species, the Otter occurs perhaps as frequently on the 
Missouri River as on the purer mountain-streams. The furs taken on this river, however, are by 
no means so valuable as those which come from the mountains; being much lighter in color and 
less glossy. This difference is regarded by trappers and dealers in furs to be due to the muddy 
character of the Missouri water. Whether this be the case, or whether it is merely an exemplifica- 
tion of the law which obtains with regard to the bird$ and mammals of the plains as contrasted with 
those of the mountains, J am unable at present to determine. It seems quite possible, however, that 
the former explanation is the true one, since animals like the Otter and Beaver, to which latter 
the above remarks also apply, from the conditions of their lives are but slightly exposed to the modify- 
ing influences which act on animals living on the uplands and more or less diurnal in their habits. 
The fur of the Otter is highly prized by the Indians; being used by them to tie up the hair, to 
ornament their “ coup-sticks ”, tocover bow-cases and quivers, and for a variety of other purposes. 
12. MEPHITIS MEPHITIOA, Baird. 
SKUNK. 
This species is exceedingly abundant throughout Eastern Montana. While ascending the 
Missouri River, we often saw them on the low benches of alluvium left bare by the rapid falling of 
the waters. Having slipped or climbed down the almost vertical banks to get to the water, they 
seemed unable to retrace their steps, and could only escape from their prison by swimming. 
At Camp Lewis, these animals were so numerous as to have become a terrible nuisance. Mr. 
Reed, the post-trader, told me one morning that during the previous night he had been obliged to 
rise four times to kill Skunks. 
9 Ww 
