72 



FLESH-EATERS 



patch across ths nose, including both eyes. Its length of 

 head and body is 19 inches; tail, 4 inches. Regarding its 

 habits and life history, much remains to be ascertained by 

 the young naturalists who live in the country it inhabits. 



BLACK-FOOTED FERRET. 



The Weasel, of which many species and races have been 

 described, is the smallest animal in the Marten Family.^ Its 

 legs are very short and far apart, and its body is no thicker 

 than a man's thumb, but it is of such great length that the 

 animal is positively snakelike in its proportions. In life it 

 is very odd to see the front legs walk to and fro quite inde- 

 pendently of the hind quarters. Fifteen full species have 



' The Least Weasel {Putorius rixo^us), which Is found from the Saskatchewan 

 to Alaska, is said to be the smallest Carnivore in the world. 



