FEEDING OF TFIE GLUTTON 



435 



The genus Micstela includes the Martens and Sables, which are 

 distinguished from the following genus by the molar formula, 

 which is Pm | M I. The same character separates them from 

 Gididis, and also the generally hairy under surface of the feet. 

 In more southern latitudes, however, the palms are sometimes 

 naked. The nose is grooved, and the ears are short and broad. 

 The genus is widely distributed, being common to the Old and 

 New Worlds. In the Old World it extends from Europe to Java, 

 Sumatra, and Borneo. The largest species of the genus is the 

 American Pekan, an animal which may be 46 inches in length, 

 including the tail. There are two species of Sable, one European 

 (JZ zihdlina), the other American. 



The only British species of the genus is the Pine Marten, 

 M. martes. It is dark brown, with a brownish-yellow throat, and 

 reaches a length of some 17 inches, with an eight-inch tail. It 

 is getting rare, but is still faii-ly common in the Lake country. 

 The animal is largely arboreal in habit, whence the vernacular 

 name. It is also called Marten Cat. The allied M. foina, the 

 Beech Marten, has been stated to be, but apparently is not, an 

 inhabitant of these islands. The colour of the animal is a rich 

 brown. It has small eyes and ears and a short tail. The palms 

 of the hands and the soles of the feet are hairy; the muzzle is 

 naked, and has a groove as in Cercoleptes, etc. 



The Glutton, Gulo, is a well-marked genus, containing but 

 one species, which is circumpolar in range. The dentition is 

 Pm 1^ M I". The ferocity biit not the voracity of this animal 

 appears to have been exaggerated. It mainly feeds on carcases, 

 and is not really a successful hunter. As to the carcases, Olaus 

 Magnus tells in straightforward language the way in which the 

 animal dilates in size during a meal, and presently, after follow- 

 ing the practice of the ancient Eonians, returns to the banquet : 

 " Creditur a natura creatum ad ruborem liominum qui vorando 

 bibendoque vomunt redeuntque ad mensam " ! 



This is one of the few land animals which ranges completely 

 round the pole. There is no difference to be noted between the 

 Old- World and the New-World specimens. It is now an entirely 

 northern form, but in Pleistocene times it reached as far south as 

 this country. The fossil species seems to be Gulo luscus, and to be 

 quite indistinguishable from the living forms. 



Pidorius, the genus which embraces the Weasel tribe, contains 



