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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
Mustela americana. — (Txjrton.) 
Pine Martin.—American Sable. Pound on the east and west slopes of the 
Cascade Mountains, west slope of the Eocky Mountains, and on Vancouver 
Island. 
I am quite satisfied in my own mind that there is but one species of martin 
common to the above specified districts, and though great differences exist in colour 
and size, when a large number of skins are compared from various localities, still 
their variations are simply attributable to local modifying causes. I have examined 
hundreds of skins at the trading stations of the Hudson’s Bay Company, and it is 
curious that the martin taken at the south end, even of Vancouver Island, when com¬ 
pared with that from the north end, is invariably much lighter in colour, and has a 
thin wiry fur arising from climatal influence. It has also lately been most 
clearly proved, that the Asiatic sable mustela zibillina, and the American pine 
martin are one and the same species. 
An immense trade is carried on in martin skins by the Hudson’s Bay Company, 
and now by lots of outsiders. Some thousands of skins annually find their way from 
the various trading posts to Victoria, (Vancouver Island,) where they are repacked 
and shipped for England. 
It requires long experience, great skill and perseverance, and a thorough 
knowledge of the animal’s haunts and habits, to be a successful martin trapper. 
The Indians use steel traps when they can get them, but the trap generally used is a 
fall trap, a crafty and ingenious contrivance, so constructed, that the prowling little 
robber is tempted by a bit of rabbit or grouse, to venture into a kind of den 9 
built up with stones, but having grabbed the bait he backs out and tugs it after 
him; this frees a heavy log that falls upon him, and breaks his back. 
The winter fur is always the best, and the male fur is more valuable than the 
female. The male is called a Stone Martin , so named because the Indians usually 
leave a small portion of the generative organs attached to the peltry, as a 
mark of sex. The male commanding a higher price. 
Taxidea americana .— (Baird.) 
American Badger. Bound on the east and west slopes of the Cascade 
Mountains, and west slope of the Eocky Mountains, more plentiful on the Sandy 
plains on both sides of the Columbia Eiver than west of the Cascades. I obtained 
one remarkably fine specimen from the hills above Lake Osoyoos, it was shot by 
Colonel Hawkins, E.E. (Her Majesty’s Commissioner), and the Colonel most kindly 
packed it in himself, for me to skin. On comparing this skin with a stuffed speci¬ 
men from Labrador, I noticed several striking differences in the markings, but on 
comparing the skulls, no structural difference whatever is detectable, hence I feel 
quite safe in saying there is but one species common to this large slice of North 
America. 
Sciurus richardsonii. —(Bach.) 
Eiciiardson’s Squirrel. Plentiful between the east slope of the Cascades 
and west slope of the Eocky Mountains, lives in the tall pine trees, and feeds on 
the seeds, has a strange habit of throwing down large numbers of cones before 
descending to feast on the seeds. I have seldom seen it above an altitude of about 
4000 ft. above the sea level. Builds a large nest of dry grass, I think for the 
purpose of protecting its young, generally choosing a young pine tree to build in; 
does not hibernate in winter. I saw them out lively and brisk at Colville, when the 
temperature was 15° below zero. Not found on the west side of the Cascades. 
