54 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 
DESCRIPTION. 
The physiognomy of the Pekan is very different from that of the Martin. When the latter 
is threatened, its features resemble those of an enraged cat, but the expression of the Pekan’s 
countenance approaches to that of a dog, although the apparent obliquity of its eyes give it 
a sinister look. The head has a strong, roundish, compact appearance, and contracts sud- 
denly to form the nose, which terminates rather acutely. The ears, low and semicircular, 
are far apart, so as to leave a broad and slightly rounded forehead: they are smaller in 
proportion than the ears of the Pine-martin. The eyes, situated where the head curves in 
to form the nose, appear more oblique than they really are. 
The fur, towards the roots, is fine and downy, and of a grayish or clove-brown colour; 
yellowish-white upwards, and blackish-brown at the tips, with considerable lustre. It is short 
on the head, but on the body, particularly on the posterior parts, it is as long, though less fine 
than the fur of the Pine-martin. On the head, shoulders, and fore-part. of the back, so much 
of the white is seen that they are quite hoary, but towards the tail the colour deepens into 
blackish-brown. The throat, belly, and legs are brownish-black ; the colour is lighter on 
the sides. There is a white spot very frequently between the fore-legs or on the throat, and 
another between the hind-legs, but these marks are not constant. The tail is clothed with 
Tong black fur, The chin and nose are tipped with brown. The ears, which are covered 
with short hairs, are pale anteriorly, dark brown behind, and have whitish margins. The 
fore-legs are short and strong. The toes on the fore and hind feet are connected at the 
base by a short web, which is covered on both sides with hair. The claws are sirong, curved 
and sharp. 
This animal is nearly twice the ordinary size of the Pine-martin, and has a longer tail ; 
and its fur is harsher, and much less valuable. Its body has the musky odour of the martin, 
but rather stronger. Some thousands of Pekans are annually killed in the Hudson’s Bay 
countries, but they are less abundant than the pine-martins. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Inches. Inches. 
Length of head and body 6 : . 23  j Breadth from the tip of one ear to the tip of theother 7 
bs head measured with a string from the Height of ear 3 A . . - 1 
nose over the forehead to the nape of the neck 63 Length of fore-leg and foot : - - 6 
> tail, including fur : 9° Gia) 5 hind-leg, foot, and thigh F -ll 
@. Mustera Canapensis, varietas alba. White Pekan. 
This variety has the nose and feet brown; the rest of the fur is white. Its 
dimensions are the same with those of the common variety. 
There is a specimen in the Hudson’s Bay Museum. 
