352 THE QUADRUPEDS OF ARIZONA. 
look of a fox, and the habits, at least in semi-domestica- 
tion, of a house cat: It is well known to the hunters and 
miners of California, and by them highly prized as a pet. 
It is indifferently called “Mountain Cat,” “Cat Squirrel,” 
and “Raccoon Fox” ; is easily tamed, and makes an inter- 
esting pet, as well as a useful one, from its dexterity in 
catching rats and mice. In a state of nature, it is said to 
be chiefly nocturnal, and to show spirited fight when at- 
tacked. It is about as large as a house cat; above, is 
yellowish or brownish-gray ; below, white ; and its tail is 
annulated alternately with black and white. 
Family Mustelide, the Martens, etc. I am not aware 
that either of our two North American species of the 
genus Mustela occur so far south as Arizona. Of the 
Weasels, composing the allied genus Putorius, the species 
most likely to occur are the Bridled (P. frenatus), or its 
Californian representative, P. xanthogenys. The common 
American Mink (P. vison), of so very general distribu- 
tion, may also occur. Hunters have several times de- 
scribed to me an animal they called the “Carcajou,”— 
which is the Wolverine ( Gulo luscus) ,—and their accounts 
seemed quite pertinent, though I do not venture, upon 
such doubtful authority, to assert that it is an inhabitant 
of Arizona. Its existence has not been demonstrated 
farther south than Salt Lake City. The whole sub-family 
Martine, composed of the three preceding genera, is by 
no means so well represented as the Melinæ, comprising 
the Badgers (Taxidea), and the Skunks (Mephitis). 
The family is chiefly developed in Arizona in these 
last-named animals, which have attained so unenviable @ 
notoriety from their peculiarly disagreeable odor, be- 
lieved to be the most powerful and noisome animal stench 
known. With this drawback, they are certainly beautiful 
