4 



A CORNISH FAUNA. 



CARNIVORA. (Flesh Eaters.) 

 Badger. — Meles taxus. 



Jenyns, p 10 ; Bell, p 122, 2nd ed., p 158 ; Blasius, p 237 ; Clermont, p 59. 



" The word badger was anciently used as equivalent to tram- 

 per or pedler, that is one that walks on his feet, which is 

 applicable especially to this animal, that was placed by Linneus 

 in his Grenus Ursus, and distinguished from such as walk only on 

 their toes. Ray Syn, p. 185, who gives an account of its struc- 

 ture, omits to mention that its jaw cannot be displaced from the 

 sockets but by breaking the bone, a character not so decidedly 

 found in any other British animal." It is generally common, 

 and in a locality in the neighbourhood of Falmouth, Dr. Bull- 

 more says that it is found in considerable numbers. 



Otter. — Lutra vulgaris. 



Jenyns, p 13 ; Bell, p 129, 2nd ed., p 167 ; Blasius, p 237 ; Clermont, p 59. 



" By far the greatest portion of these creatures, in Cornwall, 

 derive their food from the sea, where they may be seen diving 

 for fish even where the waves are very tempestuous. Several 

 instances are known of their being drowned in crab-pots, into 

 which they had entered in search of prey and had not afterwards 

 been able to find the opening." It is common in the many caves 

 around the coast. 



Common Weasel. — Mustela vulgaris. 



Jenyns, p 12 ; Bell, p 141, 2nd ed., p 182 ; Blasius, p 231 ; Clermont, p 55. 

 Common. 



Stoat. — Mustela erminea. 



Jenyns, p 13 ; Bell, p 148, 2nd ed., p 191 ; Blasius, p 228 ; Clermont, p 56. 

 Common. 



Polecat. — Mustela putorius. 



Jenyns, p 11 ; Bell, p 156, 2nd ed., p 203 ; Blasius, p 222 ; Clermont p 53. 

 Common in some parts. 



Marten. — Maries foina. 



Jenyns, p 11 ; Bell, p 167, 2nd ed., p 208 ; Blasius, p 217 ; Clermont, p 58. 



" Rare and local." I do not know of any recent notices of 

 its capture, and Mr. Couch, writing in 1854, believed it to be 

 no longer an inhabitant of the county. " The last specimen," he 

 says, " I have been informed of, was killed near Liskeard 

 in the first quarter of the present century, and its loss (for it 

 was in ancient times classed with animals of the chase, and its 



