1897.] Zoology. 161 
Mouse, Reithrodontomys lecontii (Audubon and Bachman) at Fort 
Myer, Virginia. The trap was set under a fence between cultivated 
fields and a strip of woodland. I believe this is the most northern 
point on the Atlantic coast at which a specimen of this genus has been 
taken; and I know of no published record of its occurrence in the 
State of Virginia or in the District of Columbia. This specimen is 
number 83,298 of the United States National Museum collection. — 
Lours Zereca MEARNS. 
Inheritance of the Monodactyly in the Pig.—The monodac- 
tyly, observed in the pig by Aristotle, has persisted to the present time. 
M. Vasilesen, Professor of Zoology in the Veterinary School at Buch- 
arest, has had the progeny of a male monodactyle pig under observa- 
tion for a number of years. He notes that of 54 descendants 39 are 
monodactyle and 13 bidactyle. M. Vasilesen concludes from these ob- 
servations that the monodactyly of the pig is a hereditary tetralogical 
phenomenon, susceptible of being transmitted from one generation to 
another, reproducing itself indefinitely. (Revue Scientif., Oct., 1896.) 
Preliminary Description of the Newfoundland Marten.— 
The marten has long been known as au inhabitant of the Island of 
Newfoundland, being given by Henry Reeks in 1870 (under the name 
Mustela americana) in his list of the Mammals of Newfoundland.’ 
© The Zoologist (London), 2d Series No. 54, pp. 2033-2049, March, 1870; No. 
67, April, 1871, pp. 2540-2553. Notes on the Zoology of Newfoundland. By 
Wary Reeks. 
_ No. 54, March, 1870, p. 2087, reads as follows : 
“ American Sable, Mustela americana, Turton ; Pine Marten; Marten-Cat (New- 
foundland).—Still common in various parts of the island, but from the increasing, 
or, at any rate, present value of the furisannually becomingscarcer. It isa bold 
rapacious animal, and in its habits remind one much of the common polecat (M. 
putorius). One of the specimens I obtained entered the house of a settler and 
carried off a dead duck (Aas obscurus), but was subsequently shot in a tree near 
the spot, in fact, while returning for a second duck, having probably hid the 
other. Marten cats are easily caught by iron traps placed in “‘cat-houses,” or in 
** dead-falls.’’ Without attempting to settle, or even discuss, the vexed question 
as to the identity of this species with the European, M. 2éel/ina, I may here state 
that very eg Augers can be placed. on Boos colors of the Martine, as a very 
appreciable d evenin specimens obtained in New- 
foundland and the greens the formièr being much hee throughout, but espe- 
cially about the head and ears. So perceptible is the distinction that a trader 
readily separates the Newfoundland skins from those obtained on the mainland.” 
