THE QUADRUPEDS OF ARIZONA. 851 
Oyster-growers recognize their own éuiles by a sort of 
trade-mark, which, by French law, it is forgery to imi- 
tate. After the tuile is moulded, and while still soft, a 
hole is punched in the top, either round, square, trian- 
gular, or of any desired shape; this private mark is re- 
corded in due form, and wherever a tile bearing it, is 
found, it is the unquestioned property of the one who 
has, so to speak, put his sign manual upon it. Our own 
laws protecting the oyster-grower need considerable al- 
teration and improvement, especially in the State of Con- 
necticut, where the oyster interest is a very large one; 
but our legislators, when the subject is properly put be- 
fore them, will no doubt see the justice of giving the 
Same protection to the marine, as to the cereal farmer, 
when each invest their money, and conduct their business 
equally in accordance with the law. | 
THE QUADRUPEDS OF ARIZONA. 
BY DR. ELLIOTT COUES, U. S. A. * 
(Continued from p. 292.) 
Famy Viverride, the Civets, ete. The very curious 
animal which forms the sole North American represen- 
tative of this family, containing numerous species in the 
old world, has been found in so many localities contig- 
uous to Arizona, that beyond a doubt it should be in- 
cluded here, though I am not aware that it has actually 
been taken in the Territory. The Ring-tailed Civet Cat 
(Bassaris astuta) is a queer animal, combining in itself 
the features of several distinct groups. Thus it has the 
tinged tail of a raccoon, the pointed snout and cunning 
