1838. HOUSE—No. 72. 25 
hollow trees : rarely seen on account of its nocturnal habits. Lives 
on squirrels and other small animals. Is very troublesome on sable 
lines by robbing the traps of the sable. It is found occasionally on 
the mountains in the neighborhood of Williamstown. 
Mustela Maries. Lin. Pine Marten. 
Color yellowish brown. Head and margin of the ear whitish. 
Legs and extremity of the tail black. Long yellow stripe under the 
neck, and reaching along the space between the legs. Toes 5, armed 
with slender nails, almost concealed in the thick hair. Whole 
length 1 foot 11 inches. length of the body 1 foot 2 inches. 
Height, at the anterior legs, 44 inches. This animal lives wholly in 
trees, and subsists on squirrels and other small quadrupeds. It is 
rarely seen on account of its nocturnal habits. Is found in the vi- 
cinity of Williamstown. ‘The fur is beautiful and much esteemed. 
3. LUTRA. 
Ge =e 10 
Gen. Char. Teeth, age raat 
Lutra Canadensis, Braziliensis of Harlan. American Otter. 
Color dark glossy brown ; pale or whitish about the throat and 
face. Feet with 5 toes on the anterior legs, and 4, with the rudi- 
ment of a fifth, on the posterior. Webbed, shortand strong. Body 
jong and cylindrical. ‘Tail depressed at the base. Whole length 4 
feet, tail 1 foot 5 inches. Height 10 inches, length of the head 
44. Circumference at the middle of the back, 1 foot 7 inches. 
Measurements taken from a fine male caught in the Hudson, near 
Albany. One about the same size was taken in the Hoosic, in 
Williamstown. Lives in holes on the banks of streams ; its princi- 
pal food, fish, which it takes very expertly. Capable of being do- 
_ mesticated and becoming somewhat familiar. Skin very tough, and 
covered with the most valuable fur. Value of the skin, about $8. 
Note. Length of another individual, 3 feet, 5 inches. From 
the nose to the root of the tail, 2 feet 3 inches. Height at the fore 
legs, 8 inches. Length of the skull 4 inches and 3 tenths. Height 
14 inches, breadth of the base, from cne meatus to the other, 2 inches, 
measured on the outside. Greatest width of the zygomatic arches, 
‘ 
total, 36. 
