THE WEASEL. 417 



but does not produce eggs again until the following summer. 

 Very rarely a female Lobster moults just before extruding her 

 eggs. In such cases probably two moults intervene between the 

 time of hatching of one batch of eggs and the extrusion of another. 



Considering the fact that the American Lobster ranges 

 through twenty degrees of latitude — from the southern coast of 

 Labrador on the north, to Delaware on the south — there is 

 perhaps less variation in the breeding habits than we should 

 expect. In the north the eggs are laid somewhat later in the 

 summer, and the period of fosterage is undoubtedly longer. 



It is probable that when the habits of the European Lobster, 

 Homarus vulgaris, are carefully studied, they will be found to 

 conform in all essential respects with those of its American 

 relatives. 



THE WEASEL, MUSTELA VULGARIS. 

 By the Editor. 

 (Plate II.) 

 It is surprising what confusion exists in the minds of most 

 persons concerning British species of the Mustelidce or Weasel 

 family. The Stoat and the Weasel are frequently confounded, 

 even by those whose daily avocations afford them constant 

 opportunities of informing themselves. It has been our good 

 fortune to visit at various times, generally in the shooting-season, 

 nearly every county in England, and very many counties in 

 Wales, Scotland and Ireland, and to have conversed with game- 

 keepers " of all sorts and conditions " on the subject of the game 

 under their charge, and the so-called " vermin " which they are 

 in the habit of destroying ; and we have been struck with the 

 general want of knowledge displayed by them, either from lack of 

 observation, or for want of such reliable text-books as would 

 afford them the necessary information. 



Owners or lessees of shooting, and indeed country gentlemen 

 generally, would render good service, and indirectly do more good 

 than the " School Board," if they would help their keepers and 

 foresters to qualify themselves for a more efficient discharge of 

 their duties by placing within their reach a few good books 

 on Natural History with which to while away the winter 

 evenings, and to amuse as well as instruct them. It so often 



ZOOLOGTST, THIRD SERIES, VOL. XVIII. NOV. 1 894. 2 K 



