ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
27 
American species has a short tail and long claws, which are of 
a light horn color : the European, on the contrary, has a longish 
tail, and short claws, nearly black. It is found, in the great- 
est abundance, in the plains adjacent to the Missouri and 
Columbia rivers, and in Oregon, but individuals are met with 
here and there all over the continent. 
The Wolverine or Glutton ( G-ulo luscus') is common 
to both the Old World and the New. 
Description . — Body long and low on the legs ; fur loose 
and shaggy ; tail very bushy/, covered with long pendulous 
hairs, — frequently confounded with the Bay Lynx (. Delis 
rufa ), whose .habits conform much more to the stories in 
existence attributed to our wolverine. The statement that it 
ascends trees for the purpose of leaping down upon the necks 
of passing animals, and that it takes up with it certain moss 
of which deer are fond, dropping it immediately under the 
tree to entice them, has been so frequently repeated that it is 
generally looked upon as a fact, though the authorities origi- 
nating these accounts, give nothing as proof more satisfactory 
than hearsay. A well known American naturalist remarks 
under this heading “ the necessity of scepticism becomes 
obvious.” It inhabits the northern part of America generally, 
but is everywhere a rare species. Professor Emmons states 
they still exist in the Hoosac Mountains of Massachusetts. 
Very little, however, is known accurately respecting it or its 
habits. 
Few, if any, among the small quadrupeds of this continent, 
equal in beauty the family of Mastelce or Martens, of which 
the Skunk, the Mink, and the Ermine are best known. 
Description . — Long vermiform bodies on short feet ; neck 
long ; ears short and rounded ; tail long, rarely bushy. 
One peculiarity of this species is, that when pursuing their 
prey, they resemble hounds running on a trail, with tail erect 
and following by scent. The Skunk (. Mephitis Americana ) 
is well-known and detested everywhere throughout the coun- 
