646 



KEPORT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



In some parts of the West these rabbits have been quite destruc- 

 tive to orchards or crops. However, the jack rabbits of California, 

 where the greatest amount of destruction has been done, belong to 

 another group which is characterized by their partially black tails. 



PUTOKIUS ALLEGHENIENSIS Khoads. 

 ALLEGHENY WEASEL. 



Puforius aUeghexioisis Rhoads, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil., p.. 

 751, 1901. 



Description. — Size small and tail not over one inch in length; 

 color in summer walniit brown above and pure white below, the two 

 colors being abruptly separated. The measurements of the type 

 specimen, as given by Rhoads, are the following: Total length, 

 199 mm. (S in.) ; tail, 19 mm. {% in.) ; hind foot, 20 mm. (4/5 in.). 



Eange. — This species was discovered in western Pennsylvania 

 less than ten years ago. One specimen was taken along the Ohio 

 River below Pittsburg and several others in the western part of the 

 State. ^lore recently it has been recorded from Oberlin, Ohio, and 

 Jackson includes it in his list of mammals of Wisconsin. I have no 

 evidence of its occurrence in Indiana but the above records show 

 that it may l3e expected in any part of the State as it might easily 

 be carried down the Ohio from the vicinity of Pittsburg while its 

 northern distribution renders its occurrence in northern Indiana 

 very prol)al)le. It can be easily distinguished by the very short 

 tail. 



MUSTELA AMERICANA Turton. 

 PINE MARTEN; AMERICAN SABLE. 



[Mustela] americana Turton, Linnaeus, System of Nature, Vol. 

 1. p. 60, 1806. 



Description . — Size considerably larger than the mink to which it 

 bears some resemblance; tail somewhat bushy; color light, rich 

 brown on the back with light spots on the throat; ears high and 

 pointed ; total length about 24 inches. 



Range and habits. — The marten was once common in the forests 

 of eastern North America as far south as Pennsylvania and north- 

 ern Illinois. I have no direct evidence that it was ever found in 

 Indiana, but its range usually extended as far south at least, as that 

 of its near relative, the fisher. It is known to occur in Wisconsin 

 and there is a skeleton in the Chicago Academy of Science said to 

 have been taken in Illinois many years ago. Rhoads says that it 

 prefers deciduous, hardwood forests in Pennsylvania and this would 



