The Black Minx and its Varieties. 63 



ing of colour or in the additional coat, that they are attained 

 towards the end of October, and shed in March and April. 



The Black Mink was at one time very plentiful in the 

 forests, but the Indian and trapper have made sad havoc in 

 its numbers ; moreover the future bodes badly, considering the 

 increased demand for its fur ; however, like others of its con- 

 geners, the mink possesses an ardent attachment to localities, 

 and may still be found close to towns and settlements. The 

 first individual I saw was hunting for trout on a brook within 

 a mile of the capital. Not perceiving me, it came within a few 

 feet before discovering its mistake, when with an amount 

 of nimbleness scarcely to be expected from its short legs, the 

 handsome little creature bounded along the bank with the 

 alacrity of the sable. From all accounts this and the Nurek 

 (P. lutreold) of Siberia are much alike, only it is said the 

 latter is smaller, with the edges of the upper lip white ; but 

 the mink varies a great deal in this respect. I found two out 

 of eight captured on the Miramichi had the edges of the upper 

 lip hoary ; moreover it is well known to traders and trappers 

 there are two sizes independent of sex and apparently of age ; 

 indeed, so marked is this that many dealers consider them two 

 distinct animals, the larger being obtained near the sea coast. 

 The last statement, however, may not be altogether correct ; 

 still I found among hundreds of skins so much discrepancy 

 in dimension, that there need be no hesitation in accepting 

 the statement above given. Thus, after making allowances for 

 the overstretching, I have noted two sets averaging thirteen 

 and sixteen inches in length, exclusive of the tail. Like the 

 sable, it is subject to varieties, but only in respect to the white 

 on the lower parts, which is often entirely wanting ; but many 

 have longitudinal white stripes on the belly, and even a cru- 

 ciform band of the same colour. 



The smaller weasels of America have been entirely sepa- 

 rated from European allied forms, but no doubt in many cases 



