1869.] 183 [Allen. 



MUSTELUm 



8. Putorius ermineus Linn. 1 (Weasel.) 



Weasels, probably mostly of this species, were reported to me as 

 common; I saw, however, but one. 



9. Putorius vulgaris Linn. (Little Weasel.) 



From its known general range, this species must also occur more or 

 less frequently, especially in the northern parts of the State. 



10. Putorius lutreolus Cuvier. (Mink.) 



P. vison Gapper, and P. nigrescens Aud. and Bach. 2 

 Said to be common. The minks of the prairies are quite different 

 in some respects from the more northern animal, as well as from those 

 of the wooded region to the eastward. They are browner and their 

 fur is much coarser and brings a much lower price in the market. 

 Experienced trappers and fur dealers at the West repeatedly informed 

 me that these differences are so considerable that they can always 

 readily separate the prairie skins from the forest ones, as those from 

 Illinois, for example, from those taken in Michigan. They also claim 

 that there are two kinds of prairie mink, as of the northern mink, 

 differing in size. This difference probably depends mainly upon sex 

 and age, the males being much larger than the females. 



11. Lutra canadensis Sabine. (Otter.) 



Said to be common on the Raccoon rivers, and generally more or 

 less so throughout the State. 



12. Mephitis mephitica Baird. (Skunk.) 



Common, and presents the same varieties in point of color as at 

 the East. 



13. Taxidea americana Waterhouse. (American Badger.) 

 This species is probably nearly as numerous as formerly. Though 



rarely seen, it being nocturnal, its burrows are frequently met with. 

 Its thick, heavy body and short legs render it a rather clumsy animal, 

 but with stealthy, cat-like habits it combines considerable cunning. 

 In the night many expert animals become its prey. It is very power- 

 ful, and being armed with strong claws and teeth, is able to offer 

 formidable resistance when attacked by a dog; it is, however, ex- 



1 In the Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology (No. viii, pp. 168-174, 

 1869), the writer has given his reasons for believing there are but two species of 

 weasel in the United States east of the Missouri, and that these are identical re- 

 spectively with the P. ermineus and P. vulgaris of the Old World. 



3 In respect to the supposed distinctness of the American from the Old World 

 minks, see my remarks in Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., No. viii, p. 175. 



