OTTERS. 
19 
externally, but closely related to the ordinary Canidse in their more 
important dental and cranial characters. With these is placed a 
specimen of the Long-eared Fox of South Africa {Otocyon megalotis), 
remarkable for its very numerous teeth and its sharp-pointed and 
long ears ; special interest is attached to it, as it has been considered 
to represent the original type of canine animal, whence all the wild 
forms of Dogs and Foxes of the present day have been developed. 
The last great division of the fissiped Carnivora is the Arctoidea, 
consisting of the Bears, Weasels, Raccoons, &c. The most typical 
members are completely plantigrade, walking flat on their palms 
and soles ; and all have five toes on each of their feet. 
The first family, Mustelidce (Cases 21 and 22), contains the Weasels, [Cases 
Otters, Badgers, &c., which all agree very closely in their skulls 21 & 22.] 
and dentition, but may be readily separated into three Tribes by 
their general form, and by the structure of their feet and claws. 
These tribes are: — (1) The Mustelince, the Weasel tribe, the mem- 
bers of which have long, low bodies, with short legs, short and partly 
webbed toes, and small, sharp, and often semi-retractile claws. The 
fur of some of the species forms an important article of trade, as of the 
Martens and Sables {Mustela) of NorthernEurope, Asia, and America. 
Of these one species is British, namely the Pine-Marten (Af. martes), 
now nearly exterminated in England, but still holding its own in 
the wilder parts of Scotland. The true Weasels [Putonus] consist 
of about 20 or 30 comparatively short-haired species, inhabiting 
nearly all parts of the world. Among them may be mentioned 
the common English Stoat or Ermine {Putorius ermineus), three 
specimens of which have been mounted to show the seasonal change 
of fur; the Weasel (P. vulgaris)', the Polecat (P. putorius), of 
which the Ferret is a domesticated form. Pcecilogale alhinucha 
is the brightest marked of the tribe ; and its largest member, the 
Glutton [Gulo luscus), a heavily built, powerful animal, much 
resembling a small bear, and very destructive to the larger game. 
(2) The Melince, or Badger tribe, have comparatively stout, 
thick- set bodies, covered with fur generally marked with more or 
less sharply contrasted black and white bands or patches, and long 
toes provided with large straight claws, more powerful on the fore 
than on the hind feet. They include the Badgers (Metes), Ratels 
c 2 
