Carnivora. — —MAMMALIA. — —Carnivora. 
It lives entirely in the forest, differing essentially in 
this respect from many others of the family that 
frequent the rocks and open country. It preys upon 
Squirrels and other smalt animals. Being nocturnal 
in habit, it steals forth and robs the birds of eggs, 
as well as the occupant of the nest of its life. It 
builds its nest in trees, and brings forth six to eight 
to a litter. The marvellous fecundity of this creature 
would naturally secure for it enormous numbers in 
the regions of its habitat ; but the great value of its 
fur, though subject to the fluctuations of fashion, 
serves to induce the trappers, and, in consequence, a 
continual warfare is kept up against it. 
Hunters say that the beech-nut, in its season, draws 
the Sable away from the meat-bait of their traps ; but 
the naturalist, more in accordance with reason, as- 
cribes the diversion to the probable presence of 
Squirrels, and other small Rodents that are likely to 
be drawn hither by the abundance of favorite food — 
the beech-nuts ; in these little animals the Sable 
finds legitimate game, choosing the excitements of 
the chase. The hunters who are employed in this 
business set so many traps, which are called, collec- 
tively, a “ Sable line.” This sometimes extends sixty 
or seventy miles, six to ten traps being placed within 
a mile. The trap is constructed by driving a series 
of chips into the ground, to form three sides of a 
square about six inches across ; the top is covered 
by spruce boughs. The bait — a piece of venison, a 
Mouse, or the like — is made fast to the end of a 
round stick, and placed within the trap, resting on 
a round stick, which lies on the ground across the 
open end ; on this rests a short, upright stick, sup- 
porting a heavy log or small tree. Any disturbance 
of the bait causes the log to fall and crush the ani- 
mal. These traps are visited once a fortnight, and 
sometimes oftener, when possible. The traps are so 
constructed as to protect, in a measure, the captured 
animal from the attack of larger Carnivores ; but they 
are not unfrequently broken down and robbed of the 
contents. 
The specific characters are seen in the general 
color being reddish-yellow, with a black clouding; 
above, it becomes lighter towards the head, which is 
sometimes white ; a broad, yellowish patch is on the 
throat, widening below so as to touch the legs ; the 
central line of the belly, in some instances, yellowish ; 
legs and tail are black ; the feet are densely furred. 
The Pine Marten is shy, cruel and cunning. Dr. 
Godrnan says that it enlarges the nest of the Squir- 
rel, after destroying the occupant, and takes posses- 
sion, thereby taking the benefit of the labors of the 
weaker. When irritated, the Marten arches its back 
and makes a hissing noise like the Pisher. 
PuTOBias. — Cuvier. 
This genus is constructed to admit a few species 
that differ from the preceding Mustela in having 
one molar less on each side, above and below. Indi- 
viduals are generally larger, and the body less slender, 
than in the typical species. They have thirty-four 
teeth : one molar above and two below ; the pre- 
xliii 
molars are three on each side, above and below ; the 
lower sectorial tooth has no inner tubercle; the tail 
is usually long. 
Many of the species are peculiar to this continent. 
Three distinct groups ai’e recognized, which exhibit 
sufficient differences to suggest nearly a generic 
subdivision. In the Putorius proper the body is 
stout, and the under surfaces are darker than the 
sides. There are none of this group in America. 
Another, to which the title or sub-generic name 
Gale has been applied, has the body very slender and 
elongated ; the fur is lighter below than above and 
on the sides ; the naked pads on the feet are small, 
and more or less hidden by hair. This group contains 
all the Weasels of America, except the Minks. The 
Putorius nigripes of Audubon and Bachman is con- 
sidered doubtful, and holds an uncertain position at 
present. Hie third, Lutreola, has the color nearly 
uniform all over ; the feet are webbed very perfectly, 
their naked pads being large, and uncovered by the 
hairy soles; the intervals between the metacarpal 
and the metatarsal pads are not occupied by hairs ; 
the posterior upper molar is longer. than in Gale. 
The Mink, which so resembles the Otter, is of this 
group. 
'I'he dental formula of the true Weasel is : Incisors, 
; Canines, j— | ; Premolars, ; Molars, ; 
'll — 31- 
least WEASEL [Putorius pusillus, Aud. and 
Bach .) — This is the smallest of the Nortli American 
species. It is distinguished by its size and extremely 
short tail, the black tip of which, so constant in 
other species, is absent here. It is very similar to 
the P. vulgaris of Europe, but is smaller. It was for 
a time considered as the same. Dr. Godrnan, on the 
authority of Bonaparte, describes it as Mustela vul- 
garis. It is even considered generically distinct by 
some authors. 'I’hough rather a common animal in 
the colder portions of America, it is not easily cap- 
tured, and is, consequently, not a familiar one. Most 
people know what a Weasel is, but few have really 
seen them. It feeds on mice, young birds, insects, &c. 
If the present species has anything like the habits 
or temper of the European that it so much resembles, 
it must be a truly formidable creature when thorough- 
ly angry. Tales are told of individuals following a 
person, and actually seizing him by the throat, and 
inflicting a severe if not fatal wound. The predacious 
birds,, even, are not safe in attempting their capture. 
Cases are known where a Hawk, that had seized for 
its prey a Weasel, was seen to waver, and eventually 
fall dead, now the victim of the creature that its 
powerful claws but a moment before clutched so se- 
curely. The Weasel had bitten through the nock of 
the bird, and sucked its life-blood. Such wonderful 
agility is exhibited by this creature as to challenge 
our admiration. One has been seen to spring at and 
capture a Bunting on wing. Even Partridges have 
been brought down, just as they were rising. A 
curious incident is related of a Crow and a Weasel, 
each at the same time watching the coming forth of 
a laying hen ; the exultant cackle of the latter was 
a signal for both enemies to charge, but the Crow 
