Mustelid^.- 
MAMMALIA. -Mustelid.®. 89 
black colour generally ; but there are four whitish 
bands, which, commencing at the neck, pass in a back- 
ward direction, gradually diverging from one another. 
This character has suggested the specific name above 
given. There is also a white spot on the upper part 
of the head. The zorilla is not confined to the Cape 
of Mozambique, but is still found in Nubia, Abyssinia, 
and other parts of the African continent. Its habits 
are similar to those of the skunk. It is also known 
under the title of Mephitis africana. 
THE SABLE {Martes leucopus.) — The various mem- 
bers of the genus Martes, diSer from the true weasels 
generally, by the possession of “ an additional false 
molar above and below,” whilst they have also a small 
tubercle on the inner side of their sectorial tooth. 
These two characters tend to diminish the ferocity of 
their nature ; or, rather, they indicate by analogical 
and correlative evidence, that such a subcarnivorous 
disposition exists in accordance with their modified 
dental arrangements. Their habits and general ap- 
pearance entirely correspond with these structural 
peculiarities. They are pretty and attractive little 
animals, having large bushy tails. The martens have 
larger ears than the weasels, and their habits are more 
arboreal, while the odour emitted by them is not 
offensive. Much controversy has arisen as to the 
specific distinctions of various kinds of marten. Thus, 
by some the sable, the pine marten, and the beech 
marten have been considered as mere varieties of a 
single species ; that is to say, they are supposed to 
have originated from the same stock, and that stock, in 
all probability, being represented by a single pair. 
This view, however, does not appear tenable, and 
after lengthened investigation, the more general opinion 
now received is, that they are different animals ab 
origine. The sable is celebrated for its beautiful fur, 
which is of a yellowish-brown colour, inclining to black. 
The throat is pale yellow ; but it varies somewhat in 
different individuals. We have here placed the sable 
as a distinct species, in accordance with the opinion of 
some of our highest authorities. 
THE PINE MAKTEN {Martes abietum)—?MQ 10, 
fig. 34 — if not specifically identical, very closely re- 
sembles the foregoing. The fur is of a comparatively 
inferior quality ; yet it is much superior to that of the 
beech or stone marten. It exists in northern Europe 
and North America, being also indigenous in our own 
country. According to Sir John Richardson’s de- 
scription, “the pine marten inhabits the woody districts 
in the northern parts of America, from the Atlantic to 
the Pacific, in great numbers, and has been observed 
to be particularly abundant where the trees have been 
killed by fire, but are still standing. It is very rare, 
as Hearne has remarked, in the district lying north of 
Churchill River and east of Great Slave Lake, known 
by the name of Chepewyan or Barren Lands. A 
similar district on the Asiatic side of Behring’s Straits, 
twenty-five degrees of longitude in breadth, and in- 
habited by the Tchutski, is described by Pennant as 
equally unfrequented by the marten, and for the same 
reason — the want of trees. The limit of its northern 
range in America is, like that of the woods, about the 
sixty-eighth degree of latitude, and it is said to be 
Von. I. 12 
found as far south as New England. Particular races 
of martens, distinguished by the finene.ss and dark 
colour of their fur, appear to inhabit certain rocky 
districts. The rocky and mountainous, but woody 
districts of the Nipigon, on the north side of Lake 
Superior, has long been noted for its black and valuable 
marten skins. The marten preys on mice, hares, and 
partridges, and in summer on small birds’ eggs, &c. 
A partridge’s head with the feathers, is the best bait 
for the log traps in which this animal is taken. It 
does not reject carrion, and often destroys the hoards 
of meat and fish laid up by the natives, when they 
have accidentally left a crevice by which it can enter. 
The marten, when its retreat is cut off, shows its teeth, 
sets up its hair, arches its back, and makes a hissing- 
noise, like a cat. It will seize a dog by the nose, and 
bite so hard, that unless the latter is accustomed to the 
combat, it suffers the little animal to escape. It may 
be easily tamed, and it soon acquires an attachment to 
its master ; but it never becomes docile. Its flesh is 
occasionally eaten, though it is not prized by the 
Indians. The females are smaller than the males. 
They burrow in the ground, carry their young about 
six weeks, and bring forth from four to seven in a 
litter about the latter end of April.” The dark- 
coloured furs are deemed the most valuable, and they 
are in the best condition during the winter season. 
Respecting the distinctions observable between this 
species and the beech marten, Mr. Bell observes, that 
“ the most striking and obvious differences are those of 
colour ; but as these appear, in some cases at least, to 
be associated with certain slight diversities in size and 
proportion, and as the habits of the two animals also 
offer a trifling variation, there appears to be some, 
though far from satisfactory ground, for considering 
them as specifically distinct. The pine marten is so 
called from its supposed preference for the fruits of 
those trees, as the other is called by some the beech 
marten, from a similar pretended preference for beech 
woods. There is, however, no ground for this appro- 
priation of the two species to these different localities.” 
The nest is made of moss, leaves, and other vegetable 
matters. A full-grown individual of the male sex 
measures about twenty inches, the females being rather 
smaller. 
THE BEECH MARTEN {Martes foina), is also called 
the common marten, and by traders it is more usually 
designated the stone marten. Its fur is inferior to that 
of the preceding species, and it is sometimes passed off 
unfairly for the skin of the true sable. An experienced 
eye, however, readily detects the fraud, noticing the 
absence of lustre, softness, and other essential qualities. 
The beech marten is about eighteen inches long, not 
including the tail, which alone measures upwards of 
nine inches. ' The head is rounded and broad pos- 
teriorly, narrowing in front into an acute and slightly 
projecting muzzle. The ears are comparatively large, 
oval, and a little pointed. The body is thin, cylin- 
drical, and very mobile, terminating in a thick bushy 
tail. The fur is for the most part brown, being darker 
in some parts than in others. It is deeper-coloured on 
the back, limbs, and tail. On the throat or under 
part of the neck it is white. The beech marten is a 
