CARNIVORA. 
135 
THE BEECH MARTEN. LA FOUINE. 
Mustela Fagoriim. Ray. 
Mustela Foina, 
This species was first described by Gesner and 
x^ldrovandus under the epithet domestica, which 
has more reference to the conduct of the animal, in 
secreting itself in outhouses and buildings^ than to 
any peculiar disposition it evinces to become tame 
and the associate of mankind, which it will not do 
unless it is taken quite young, and brought up in 
confinement. It was afterwards mentioned by Ray, 
who calls it martes fagorum ; whence the French 
name of it, la fouine; although it does not appear to 
be particularly fond of the beech-tree. 
The body, from the nose to the anus, is about 
sixteen inches long, and the tail eight inches ; the 
fur is of two sorts ; the first is long and close, and' 
the lower half of it of an ash-colour, but the upper 
half is brown-black, having a reddish tinge in some 
lights \ the second is short, close, very soft and fine, 
and of a whitish or pale ash-colour: it is visible 
through the long hairs. The legs and tail are black- 
ish ; the throat and neck of a clear white. 
This animal is frequently found near rural habi- 
