35 
the opinion that it has been overhated, and too indiscriminately perse- 
cuted. If detected in the poultry-house there is some excuse for destroy- 
ing it, as, like the dog which has once been found in the sheep-fold, it 
may return to commit farther depredations; but when it has taken up 
its residence under stone-heaps and fences in his fields or barns, the 
farmer would consult his interest by suffering it to remain, as by thus 
inviting it to a home, it will probably destroy more formidable enemies, 
relieve him from many petty annoyances, and save him many a bushel 
of grain.” 
Purorius (LUTREOLA) vison. (Brisson), Gapp. 
AMERICAN MINK. 
Etymology: specific name from Weasel through veso. (Von Martens). 
1756. Mustela vison, Briss., Quad., 1756, 246, No. 6 (from Canadian speci- 
mens, same as described by Buffon and Pennant).—Schreb., Saug., 
lii, 1778, 468, pl. 1276.—Gm., 8. N., i, 1788, 94.—Turt., S. N., i, 
1806, 58.—Cuv., R. A., i, 1817, 150.—Harl., Fn. Amer., 1825, 638.— 
Less., Man., 1827, 148.—Maxim.,: Reise, i, 1889, 213.—Blainv., 
Ostéogr., Mustela, pl. 13 (teeth) —Thomps., N. H. Verm., 1853, 31. 
1772. Mustela lustreola, Forst., Phil. Trans., ]xii, 1772, 371.—Sab., Frank. 
Journ., 1823, 652.—Fisch., Syn., 1829, 221 (partly).—Godm., Am. 
Nat. Hist., i, 1831, 206.—Hall, Canad. Nat. and Geol., vi, 1861, 
295. : 
1777. Mustela canadensis, Hrxl., Syst. An., i, 1777, 455 (mixed with syn- 
onymy of another species, but clearly referable here from the - 
description, which can only apply to the mink. See Bd, M.N. 
A., text on p. 151.) 
1784. Mustela canadensis var. vison, Bodd., Elench. An., i, 1784, 86 (after 
Buffon.) | 
1809. Mustela winingus, Barton, Am. Phil. Tr., vi, 1809, 70 (mo deser.; St. 
Louis, Mo.). 
1830. Putorius vison, Gapp., Zool. Jour., v, 1830, 202 —Emmons, Rep. 
Quad. Mass., 1840, 48.—De K., N. Y. Z., i, 1842, 37, pl. 11, f. 1. 
(animal), pl. 8, f. 3, A. B. (skull).—Aud. & Bach. Q. N. A, i, 
1849, 250, pl. 33.—Kenn., Tr. Ill. State Agric. Soc., 1853-4-5, 
578.—Beasley, Geol. Cape May, 1857, 187.—Baird, M. N. A., 
1857, 177, pl. 37, f. 2, 3 (skulls)—Newb., P. R. R. Rep., vi, 1857, 
42.—Coop. and Suckl., N. H. W. T., 1860, 98, 115.—Billixgs, 
Canad. Nat. and Geol., ii, 1857, 448.—Ross, op. cit., vi, 1861, 29 — 
Maxim., Verz. Am. Siug., 1862, 62.—Sam., Am. Rep. Mass. Agric. 
for 1861-2, 157, pl. 1, f. 8—Gilpin, Tr. N. Scotia Inst., 11, 1870, 
