MAMMALIA. 49 
northern parts of America, which'can be said to live in the water but the Vison ; 
the fisher, notwithstanding its name, being as much a land animal as the pine- 
martin. 
The Vison passes much of its time in the water, and when pursued seeks shelter 
in that element in preference to endeavouring to escape by land, on which it travels 
slowly. It swims and dives well, and can remain a considerable time under water. 
Its short fur, forming a smooth glossy coat, its tail exactly like that of an otter, 
and the shortness of its legs, denote its aquatic habits. It preys upon small fish, 
fish-spawn, fresh-water mussels, &c., ia the summer ; but in the winter, when its 
watery haunts are frozen over, it will hunt mice on land, or travel to a considerable 
distance through the snow in search of a rapid or fall, where there is still some 
open water. Under the article Mustela Canadensis, the mistakes which have 
arisen from the habits of this ores having been attributed to the Pekan or 
Fisher, are pointed out. then irritated, exhales, next to the Skunk, 
the most fetid smell of any ani the fur-countries. The odour resides 
in a fluid secreted by two ¢ ands Ritieted at the-anns. . Hovis -not very timid when 
in the water, and will approach near to a canoe out of curiosity, diving however 
instantly on perceiving the flash of a gun, or any movement from whence it appre- 
hends danger*. It is easily tamed, and is capable of strong attachment. Ina 
domestic state it is observed to sleep much in the day, and to be fond of warmth. 
One, which I saw in the possession of a Canadian woman, passed the day in her 
pocket, looking out occasionally when its attention was roused by any unusual 
_noise. Like a cat, a tame Vison is easily offended, and will, on a sudden provo- 
cation, bite those who are most kind to it. It is fond of being caressed. The fur 
of the Vison is of little value, and at many of the remote parts their skins are taken 
by the traders from the Indians merely to accommodate the latter, but are afterwards 
burnt, as they will not repay the expense of carriage. The fur, however, is very 
fine, although short, and is likely, in the revolutions of fashion, to become valuable 
again. 
We saw the Vison on the banks of Mackenzie’s River as far north as latitude 
66°, and there is every reason to believe that it ranges to the mouth of that river, in 
ee 69°. Itis a common animal throughout the whole breadth of the continent 
of America, and we are told by Pennant that it exists as far south as Carolina. 
It has from four to seven young at a time. 
* It resembles a musk-rat in its mode of swimming, and is shot in the water in like manner, by the hunters, as 
La Hontan has remarked. 
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