MAMMALIA, 53 
Fishers. The latter appellation, whatever its origin may have been, has led to 
much confusion in the history of the species, and has caused the habits of the 
mustela vison to be ascribed to it. Mr. Bartram, as quoted by Pennant, is the 
first written authority I can find for the name, and he distinctly says, “‘ though 
they are not amphibious, and live on all kinds of lesser quadrupeds, they are called 
Fishers.” Wejack, the appellation under which Hearne mentions it, is a corruption 
of its Cree or Knisteneaux name, ofchesk, and the word Woodshock has a similar 
origin. It is universally termed Pekan by the Canadian fur-hunters, which may 
be considered as evidence of its being the animal described by Buffon. Pennant 
had only an imperfect view, through a glass case, of the Pekan, in a museum at 
Paris*, and does not appear to have recognised it in his fisher. Under the article 
Pekan, in Arctic Zoology, it is said that a skin of that species was sent from Hud- 
son’s Bay, by Mr. Graham, labelled with the name of Jackash. This name is given 
by the traders solely to the mustela vison, and I suspect that, through some 
accident, the label intended for a specimen of the latter animal had been affixed 
to a skin of the common Pine-martin. Hence the formation of a nominal species, 
by Pennant, and much of the confusion that has ensued. Large individuals of the 
common Pine-martin, in their summer dress, have a considerable resemblance to 
the Fisher, and might easily have been mistaken by Pennant for the animal he 
had imperfectly examined at Paris; and having once named it the Pekan, it 
followed that a true skin of the Fisher, also received from Mr. Graham, was 
described as a distinct species. Pennant actually says that his Pekan agrees in 
dimensions and white marks with the European martin. 
The Pekan is a larger and stronger animal than any variety of the Pine-martin, 
but it has similar manners ; climbing trees with facility, and preying principally 
on mice. It lives in the woods, preferring damp places in the vicinity of water, 
in which respect it differs from the martin, which is generally found in the driest 
spots of the pine forests. The Fisher is said to prey much on frogs in the 
summer season; but I have been informed that its favourite food is the Canada 
porcupine, which it kills by biting on the belly. It does not seek its food in the 
water, although, like the Pine-martin, it will feed on the hoards of frozen fish laid 
up by the residents. 
It inhabits a wide extent of country, from Pennsylvania to Great Slave Lake, 
being thirty degrees of latitude, and I believe its range extends completely across 
the continent. It is found on the shores of the Pacific. It brings forth, once a 
year, from two to four young. 
* Arctic Zoology, vol.i. p. 78. 
