382 
SCENES IN THE PACIFIC. 
Mustela vulgaris , Common Weasel, and M. erminea 
Ermine, are both found in various parts of the Californias. 
M. vison , The Mink, M. martcs, The Martin, Mephitis Ameri¬ 
cana, The Skunk, are also inhabitants of this country in com¬ 
mon with nearly the whole American Continent. 
In many parts wolves are very numerous. Several species 
are met with, of which the Lupus Americanus , Common Wolf, 
is perhaps the most numerous. The others are L. griseus , 
Grey Wolf,L. nubilis, Dusky Wolf, and L. ater, Black Wolf, 
with their varieties. The Canis latrans , Prairie Wolf, is also 
found here. 
The natives have a very miserable, dirty species of cur,- 
which appears to be about half domesticated, resembles its 
parent-stock the wolf, and is quite useless, except to devour 
provisions and fight flies. 
The Canis (yulpes^fulvus, Red Fox, and th eCanis cinereo - 
argentatus , Grey Fox, are common. These are the only 
ascertained species which are met with, and it is probably a 
variety of the latter which is described by Douglas as being 
plentiful on the Multnomak, and which he absurdly states is 
in the habit of climbing trees. 
There are probably more than one species of the cat tribe 
remaining undescribed by naturalists, in the countries of the 
Columbia and Sacramento. This opinion is expressed by 
Douglas. The ascertained species are the following : Felis 
concolor , the Cougar or Puma, often called “ lion” by the in¬ 
habitants, a well known and very savage and formidable ani¬ 
mal. It is confined mostly to the deep forests, and thickly 
wooded sides of the mountains, and preys on deer and other 
animals. Felis canadensis , Northern Lynx ; Felis fasciata , 
Banded Lynx, or Tiger Cat; Felis rufa , Red Lynx, comprise 
all the described varieties found in the Californias. The latter 
is a timid animal, and may easily be captured with the aid of a 
dog, and a club or almost any other weapon. 
In the Sacramento and San Joaquim rivers, as well as on 
