CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 5. CARNIVORA. 
315 
The European Mink, N. lutreola, is a weasel of the north of Europe, somewhat smaller, and 
f a darker color, than the Vison ; its habits are, however, similar, and ma^iy naturalists have re- 
garded the two as of the same species. 
The Little Nimble AVeasel, Futorius affilis, is a small American species, light brown in sum- 
mer and white in winter; the body is five inches long. It is found in the State of New York, but 
its habits are not much known. 
The Brown or Tawny Weasel, Futorius fuscus^ is found in the State of New-York, and prob- 
ably exists in some of the Western States. Its body and head are nine inches long; it is there- 
fore two inches longer than the common weasel of Europe. Its color, which does not change in 
winter, is a uniform tawny brown on the upper parts, and white beneath. 
The Brindled AVeasel, Futorius frenatus^h of the size of the ermine; its color is yellowish- 
brown above, and white beneath. It is found in Texas, California, and Mexico. 
The Small AVeasel, Futorius pusillus, is also an American species, and one of the smallest, 
being only seven inches long. It feeds on insects, mice, and birds' eggs. Its color is a light yel- 
lowish-brown above, and white beneath. It is found in the fur countries of the north, and as far 
south as the State of New Y^ork. The skin becomes white in winter far to the north, but not in 
the more southern portions of its range. Richardson believed this to be the same as the common 
Aveasel of Europe, but he was doubtless mistaken. 
There are still some other American species of Aveasel, but their characteristics are very imper- 
fectly known. 
THE ZOHILLA. 
Genus ZORILLE : Zorilla.- — Of this genus there is but a single species, found at the Cape of 
Good Hope and Senegal, and variously denominated by different authors, as Zorilla striata^ Z. 
variegata, Z. Capensis^ Z. Viven-a, <fec. It has been included in the same genus as the 
skunks of America, and indeed the NyentecJc or Helictis of Asia, and the Mydaus of Java and 
Sumatra, all analogous to the weasels, and all diffusing a fetid odor, have been sometimesjncluded 
in the same group. As we have placed these according to structure and appearance in separate 
genera, so we now give a distinct place to the zorilla. This animal is about the size of a polecat, 
and resembles it in form and habits. Its general color is black, spotted on the head, and striped 
on the back with white. By some it is called the Cape Folecat. This, in fact, is its proper 
designation. The term Zorilla means Little Fox, and was first given to the moufettes of South 
America on account of their intolerable odor. To them it properly belongs, but Buffon used it 
