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GENUvUs Purortius. Cuvier. 
Hitymology—Latin, putor, a stench. 
< Mustela, or Martes, of some authors. 
—= Putorius, Cuvier, Regne Anim., i, 1817, and armtoere: 
= Hetorius, Keys & Blas., Wirbelth. Kur., 1840. 
> Gymnopus, Gray, Cat. Mamm. Br. Mus., 1842. 
> Lutreola, “ Wagner,” Gray, P. Z.S., 1865, 117. Type Mustela lutreola, 
Linn.) 
> Gale, “Wagner,” Gray, P. Z. S., 1865, 118. 
> Neogale, Gray, P. Z.$., 1865, 114. (Type P. brasiliensis.) 
> Vison, Gray, P. Z. §., 1865, 115. (Type P. vison.) 
Generic Characters.—Dentition: teeth 34; 1.23;c¢. E+; pm. 33; m. 
sectorial tooth of lower jaw without an itera sue size Cicate’ ve 
it are the smaller musteline species); body slender, cylindrical ; legs 
short; tail long, terete; ears long, orbicular; pelage usually close and. 
short; usually white in winter in northern species. | 
This genus contains the true Weasels or Stoats (sub-genus Gale), the 
Ferrets or Polecats of the Old World (sub-genus Putorius proper), the 
American Ferret (sub-genus Cynomyonaz), and the Minks (sub-genus Lu- 
treola). 
The most notable difference between this genus and Mustela, is in the 
dentition, Putortus having one less molar on each side above and below. 
The size is usually not as great, and the body typically slenderer. 
PUTORIUS (SUB-GENUS, GALE) ERMINEA. A. & B. 
STOAT OR ERMINE; COMMON WEASEL. 
Ktymology of specific name— This is alittle beast, lessethan aSquirrell, 
that hath his being in the woods of the land of Armenia, whereof hee 
taketh his name.”—Gwillim, “ Display of Heraldrie.” 
Synonymy—General Leferences. 
1748. Mustela candida, s. ermineum, Linn., Syst. Nat., eds. 6th and 7th. 
1751. Mustela armellina, Klein., Quadrupeds, 63. 
1754. Mustela erminea, Linn., Syst. Nat., 12th ed., i, 1766, 68, No. 10.— 
Erxl., Syst. An., 1777, 474, No. Saha, Siug., 111, 1778, 496, 
pl. 187.—Fr. Cuvier, Dict. Sci. Nat., xxix, 1823, 250.—Fisch., 
Syn., 1829, 222.—Bell, Br. Quads 1837, 148.—Gray, List. Manners 
Br. Mus., 1848, 65. 
1788. Afustela erminea, a. xstiva, b. hyberna, Gim.,.8. N., i, 1788, 98, Nos. 
10 a., 10 b. 
1800. Viverra erminea, Shaw, Gen. Zodl., i, 1800, 426, pl. 99. 
1827. Putorius erminea, Griff., An. King., v. 1827, 122, No. 340. 
