THE RACCOON. THE WOLVERENE. white; belly lighter; tail bushy, like that of the fox, but more tapering, surrounded by alternate rings of dark and yellowish white, about six of each; head roundish with the snout projecting beyond the upper jaw and terminating in a smooth black membrane through which the nostrils open; face whitish in front, with a black patch surrounding the eye and descending to the lower jaw, and a black line descending from the forehead between the eyes; pupils of the eyes round; the ears oval, rounded at the tip and the edges of a dirty white color; legs short; whiskers strong. Usual length of the head and body 22 inches, tail 9 inches; height 12 inches. will seldom, if ever, attack a person ex- | alternately ringed with black and dirty cept in defence of its cubs, or when provoked, or wounded. The early settlers of this State suffered most from them in consequence of their ravages upon their fields of Indian corn. They entered the fields in the night when the corn was in the milk and broke down and devoured the ears with great greediness; and it was a common business for the settlers to watch for them with guns and shoot them while committing their depredations; and in this way large numbers were annually killed. During the fall, when their food is abundant, bears usually become very fat, and, as the winter sets in, they retire to some natural den among the rocks, or uprooted trees, or into some hollow tree, where they remain in a torpid state and without food until the return of warm weather in the spring. The female produces her young during her hibernation and has from one to five at a litter, but the more common number is two. Their period of gestation is about 15 or 16 weeks, and during this time the females conceal themselves so effectually that we have no record of any being killed while pregnant though they are often discovered while the cubs are very small. When the bears first leave their winter quarters, they are said to be about as fat as when they retired in the fall, but with exercise they shortly lose their fat so as to appear in a few days much emaciated. When the bear is in high order he is valued for his flesh, his grease, and his skin. He is, with the exception of the moose, the largest native quadruped found in Vermont, and has been frequently killed weighing from 400 to 500 pounds. Their skins are worth from $2, to $4, or $5 according to their size and quality. GENUS PROCYON.-Storr. Generic Characters.--Teeth 40,-Incisors , canines, grinders . The three first grinders on each side in each jaw, are pointed, the others are tuberculated. Body low set; nose pointed; external ears small, oval; tail long and pointed; feet five toed; nails sharp; mamma six. THE RACCOON. HISTORY.-Raccoons were very plenty in all parts of Vermont, when the country was new, and they exist in the mountainous and woody parts in considerable numbers at the present time. In the general aspect of this animal there is some resemblance of the fox, but in its movements it is more like the bear. It also like the bear subsists both upon animal and vegetable food and its destructive propensity is well known. It sleeps during the day in its nest in some hollow tree or among the rocks, and prowls for its prey during the night; and is said to destroy many more animals than it consumes, merely sucking their blood or eating their brain. It sometimes makes great havoc in the farmer's poultry-yard, and being an excellent climber scarcely any roost can be placed beyond his reach. But it probably does most mischief in the fields of Indian corn, of which it is extremely fond, while the corn is soft, or "in the milk." Here it breaks down and destroys much more than it eats. The Raccoon is said to be fond of dipping its food in water before it eats it, and hence, Linnæus gave it the specific name of lotor, which signifies washer. The price of the skin is variable, from 17 to 37 cents. The largest of these animals in Vermont, weigh about 32 pounds, according to Dr. Williams, who says that its flesh is eaten and considered very excellent food. GENUS GULO.-Cuvier. Generic Characters.-Teeth 36 to 38-Incis ors, canines, 1-1, grinders - or 4-5. The three first grinders in the upper jaw, and four first in the lower are small, succeeded by a large carniverous or cutting tooth, and small tuberculous teeth further back. Body low; head moderately elongated; ears short and round; tail short; feet with five toes armed with crooked nails. THE WOLVERENE. THE WOLVERENE. Gulo luscus.-SABINE. DESCRIPTION.-Head broad and rounded; jaws like the dog; ears low, rounded and much hidden by the fur: back arched; tail low and bushy; legs thick and short and the whole aspect of the animal indicates more strength than activity. Color dark brown, passing into almost black on the back in winter with a pale reddish brown band passing from each shoulder along the flanks and meeting on the rump. Fur similar to that of the bear, but not so long nor valuable. The tail is thickly covered with long black hair. Some white marking on the throat and between the fore legs; legs brownish black; claws strong and sharp. Length 2 feet 6 inches; tail (vertebra) 7 inches; tail with the fur 10 inches. HISTORY-This animal was occasionally found when the country was new, in all parts of the state, but was never very plentiful. For many years past, however, it has been known only in the most woody and unsettled districts, and in such places it is now extremely rare, none having been met with to my knowledge for several years. According to Dr. Richardson, from whose work the above description is abridged, this animal is quite common in the fur countries at the north, and is a great annoyance to the hunters, robbing their traps of game, or of the bait, which they do so dexterously as seldom to be caught themselves." The Wolverene is represented as being very fierce and carniverous in its disposition, and many marvellous stories have been told of its cunning and artifice and gormandizing propensities, which are totally unfounded. Its food ordinarily consists of mice, moles, hares and other small animals, seldom meddling with larger ones, excepting such as have been previously killed or disabled. It produces once a year from two to four cubs which are covered with a downy fur of a pale cream color. It is found throughout all the northern parts of North America, even as far north as the 75th degree of latitude. GENUS MUSTELA.-Linnæus. Generic Characters.-Teeth 34 or 38-Incis the ors, canines, grinders -, or Second inferior incisors on each side slightly receding; canines strong; grinders cutting; anterior false grinders conical and compressed; true grinders trilobate, the last with a blunt crown. Body long and cylindrical; head small and oval ears short and round; legs short; toes 5, armed *Fauna Boreali, I. 41. THE WEASEL. with sharp, crooked claws, and glands producing a strong, fetid secretion. THE WEASEL. DESCRIPTION.-Color above, in summer dull yellowish brown deepening into hair brown on the upper part of the head and nose, and yellowish white beneath, the brown extending in a rounded spot into the white behind the angle of the mouth; tail next the body the same color as the back, but darker as it approaches the extremity, where it is quite black, and the hairs terminate in a point resembling that of a camel's hair pencil. Color in winter wholly white, excepting the posterior half of the tail, which is always black, or reddish brown. Forehead flatish; ears slightly pointed; eyes small, black and lively; body long and cylindrical; tail short, less than half the length of the body. Length of the head and body of the specimen before me 8 inches; tail (vertebra) 2 inches. HISTORY.-The Weasel, though nowhere greatly multiplied, is frequently met with in all parts of Vermont. It is generally seen in stone walls, old fences and heaps of bushes. When in sight it seems to be always in motion and its motions are very quick. When in a stone wall or heap of bushes he will sometimes show himself for an instant in half a dozen places in the course of half that number of minutes. The weasel feeds upon mice, young rats, young birds and birds eggs,and sometimes commits depredations upon the eggs and young of our domestic fowls. It is not uncommon for it to enter the barns and granaries and cellars of the farmers in quest of food, and particularly in pursuit of mice, of which it destroys large numbers, and on which account it might be regarded as a public benefactor, were it not for its occasional depredations upon the poultry yard. The female produces her young several times in the course of the year and has from three to five at a litter. But notwithstanding their apparent fecundity, they never become very numerous. THE ERMINE. THE MINK. THE ERMINE. Mustela erminea.-LINN. GMEL. THE MINK. Mustela vison.-LINN. GMEL. DESCRIPTION. The head is depressed and small; eyes small and far forward; ears low and rounded; neck and body Putorius erminea.-Cuvier. long and slender; tail round and thick DESCRIPTION.-Color, both in summer next the body and tapering towards the and winter, nearly the same as that of the tip; legs short; toes connected by short Weasel, excepting that the upper parts hairy webs; claws nearly straight, sharp, of the Ermine are darker in summer and white and concealed by the fur. The fur the under parts a clearer white than the is of two sorts, a very dense down mixed same parts of the Weasel. The Ermine with strong hairs; shortest on the head also grows to a larger size than the Wea- and increasing in length backwards; color sel and is likewise more thick set, its of the down brownish gray; that of the forehead and nose more convex; its ears hairs varying in different parts from chocbroader and more rounded, and its tail a-olate brown to brownish black; occasionbout twice as long in proportion to the length of the body. Length of the head and body of the specimen before me 8 inches; tail (vertebræ) 3.5. The tuft or pencil at the extremity extends about .7 inches beyond the vertebræ both in this and the Weasel. HISTORY.-It has been a matter of dispute whether this and the preceding animal do or do not belong to the same species. Dr. Harlan describes them as two, Dr. Godman, as one. With these authorities before him, Dr. Richardson says that both these species are, indubita bly, inhabitants of the American continent, the Ermine extending to the most remote arctic districts and the Weasel as far north, at least, as the Saskatchewan river. Dr. Williams also describes the two as distinct species, and says that the Ermine, which he calls "one of the greatest beauties of nature" sometimes weighs 14 ounces, but that the Weasel is smaller.§ The skin of the Ermine, in its winter pelage of pure white, was formerly held in very high estimation, and was much worn by the nobility and high functionaries of Europe upon their robes and dresses, and particularly by judges. Thence it became the emblem of judicial purity, and the judge who was any way corrupted was said to have soiled his Ermine. The value of the skins at present is hardly sufficient to pay for collecting them. The Ermine in its summer dress is, in many places, called the Stoat. al white spots about the throat; two oval glands which secrete a very fetid fluid. Length of the head and body 20 inches, tail 9 inches. HISTORY.-The Mink is a common animal in Vermont Its favorite haunts are along the banks of streams, where it dwells in holes near the water, or in the ruins of old walls, or in heaps of flood wood, or in piers and abutments of bridges. It does not venture far from the streams and when pursued betakes himself immediately to the water. It does not run well on land, but swims and dives admirably, and can remain a long time under water. When irritated it ejects a fluid, which diffuses a very unpleasant odor. Its fine short fur, Otter-like tail, short legs and webbed feet, all denote its aquatic habits. Its fur though not highly prized, is more valuable than that of the Musk rat. The food of the Mink consists of frogs, fishes, muscles and fish spawn; and also rats, mice, young birds and other small land animals. They sometimes enter the poultry yard, where they make great havoc among the fowls, by cutting off their heads and sucking their blood. It is not a very timid animal when in the water, but dives instantly at the flash of a gun, which makes it difficult to shoot them. It is easily tamed and in that state is very fond of being caressed, but, like the cat, is easily offended, and, on a sudden provocation, will sometimes bite its kindest benefactor. This animal is found throughout the United States and British America, but there has been some confusion FISHER MARTIN. PINE MARTIN. with regard to its name. The Mink pro- | sometimes called the Pekan, or the Pekan duces from three to six at a litter. When Weasel, or the Fisher Weasel. fully grown their weight is about four pounds. Mink skins are worth from 20 to 40 cents, according to quality. THE FISHER MARTIN. Mustela canadensis.-LINNEUS. DESCRIPTION.-Head, neck, shoulders and top of the back, mixed with gray and brown; nose, rump, tail and extremities, brownish black; sometimes a white spot under the throat, and also between the fore and hind legs; lower part of the fore legs, the fore feet and the whole of the hind legs, black; tail full, black, lustrous and tapering to a point; fur on the head short, but gradually increasing in length towards the tail; the head has a strong, roundish, compact appearance; the ears are low semicircular and far apart, leaving a broad and slightly rounded forehead; fore legs short and strong; toes on all the feet connected at the base by a short web which is covered on both sides with hair. Length from the nose to the insertion of the tail, 23 inches; tail, including the fur, 16 inches. THE PINE MARTIN. Mustela martes.-LINNÆUS. DESCRIPTION.-General color, fulvous brown, varying in different individuals, and at different seasons, from bright fulvous, to brownish black; bright yellow under the throat; hair of the tail longer, coarser and darker than that of the body; the color on all parts darker and more lustrous, and the fur more valuable in winter than in summer; nose and legs, at all seasons, dark, and the tip of the ears light. The fur of this animal is of two kinds, one coarse and the other fine and downy. The usual length of the head and body, 18 inches; tail, 9. HISTORY.-In Vermont the name of Martin and Sable are indifferently applied to this animal,but the latter incorrectly,as the true sable is not found in this country. In works on natural history it is usually denominated the Pine Martin. This animal was formerly very plentiful in most parts of the state, but it is at present chiefly confined to the mountainous and woody HISTORY.-This animal is known in dif- portions. Though small it is much huntferent places under a great variety of ap-ed for its fine and valuable fur, which, pellations, but in Vermont it is usually called the Fisher, or Fisher Martin. This name is, however, badly chosen, as it is calculated to deceive those unacquainted with the animal, with regard to its nature and habits. From its name the inexperienced would conclude that it led an aquatic mode of life, and that like the otter, it subsisted principally upon fishes But this is by means true; and they, who have had an opportunity to observe its habits, aver that it manifests as much repugnance to water as the domestic cat. It may, perhaps, sometimes devour fishes, which are thrown upon the shore, but it usually subsists by preying upon small quadrupeds, birds, eggs, frogs, &c. like the martin and other kindred species. It is said to kill the porcupine, by biting it on the belly, and then devour it. It lives in woods, preferring those which are low and damp. This animal is much valued for its fur, and considerable numbers are taken in the state, annually. The price of the skin varies from $1 to $2. It is with the clearing and settling of the country, has very much reduced their numbers. Many are, however, still taken on the forest-clad mountains along the central part of the state. They are usually caught in traps baited with some kind of fresh meat. Their food consists of mice, hares, partridges, and other birds. They often rob birds nests of their eggs, or young, and will ascend trees for that purpose, or to escape pursuit. When its retreat is cut off, it will turn upon its assailant, arch its back, erect its hair and hiss and snarl like a cat. It will sometimes seize a dog by the nose and bite so hard, that, unless the latter is accustomed to the combat, it suffers the little animal to escape. It is sometimes tamed and will manifest considerable attachment to its master, but never becomes docile. Martins burrow in the ground. The female is smaller than the male. Her time of gestation is said to be only six weeks, and she brings forth from four to seven at a litter, about the last of April. A full THE SKUNK. THE AMERICAN OTTER. grown martin weighs about four pounds. | no disagreeable odor, and whole nests of The price of prime skins is from $1, to $1.25. GENUS MEPHITIS.-Cuvier. Generic Characters.-Teeth 34-incisors,, canine-1, grinders 3-4, canines strong and conical; superior tuberculous teeth very large and as broad as they are long; the inferior grinders with two tubercles on the inside. Head short; nose projecting; feet five toed, hairs on the bottom, and furnished with nails suitable for digging; trunk of the tail of moderate length, or very short; hair of the body long, that of the tail very long; and glands, which secrete an excessively fetid liquor. them may lie under a barn floor for months, without betraying their presence by their scent. The flesh of the skunk when the odorous parts have been removed is well flavored and wholesome food. GENUS LUTRA.-Briss. Generic Characters.-Teeth 36-Incisors,, canines 1-1, grinders -; canines of moderate length and hooked; the first superior grinder small and blunt, the second and third cutting, the fourth with a strong spur on the inner side, the fifth with three external points and a broad internal spur; the inferior vary from five to six but resemble the superior. Head large and flattened; ears short and round; body very long, and low upon the legs; tail long, flattened horizontally and tapering; feet webbed; nails crooked and sharp; body covered with a fine fur mixed with long bristly hairs; two small oval glands secreting a fetid liquor. THE SKUNK. Mephitis americana.-DESM. DESCRIPTION.-General color black, with a white spot between the ears, which often extends along the sides towards the hips in the form of the letter V, and a narrow strip of white in the face; tail bushy, tipped with white; nails of the fore feet strong and about the length of the palm; hair on the head short, longer on the body and very long on the tail. Length from the nose to the insertion of the tail 16 inches, head 4 inches, body 11 inches, tail (trunk 10, tuft 4) 14 inches." THE AMERICAN OTTER. Lutra brasiliensis.-DESM. DESCRIPTION.-Color dark reddish glossy brown; pale or whitish about the throat and face; head globular; neck long; body long and cylindrical; tail depressed at the base; feet webbed, short and strong; 5 toes on the anterior feet, and 4 with the rudiment of a 5th on the posterior. Total length of one of the largest size, 4 feet; length of the head 4 inches, tail 17 inches, height 10 inches, circumference at the middle of the back 19 inches. HISTORY.-The Otter lives in holes in the banks of creeks and rivers, and feeds principally upon fish, frogs and other small animals. They were formerly very common in this state, particularly along the streams which fall into lake Champlain and lake Memphremagog. Otter Creek derives its name from the great abundance of otter, which formerly inhabited its banks. They are now become scarce, but are occasionally taken at several places within the state. HISTORY.-The skunk is a very common animal in Vermont. It is not confined to the forests, nor to the thinly settled parts of the country, but frequently makes its residence in the midst of our villages. During the day he shelters himself in stone walls, or beneath barns, or out buildings, and prowls for his food during the night. This consists of eggs, young birds, mice and other small quadrupeds and reptiles. He frequently does considerable mischief in our poultry yards, by the destruction of eggs and fowls. What renders this animal most remarkable is its peculiar weapon of defence. When pursued, or attacked, it has the power of ejecting in the face of its enemy a fluid of the most nauseating and stifling scent, which exists in nature. This fluid The Otter is an active, strong and vorais secreted by glands situated near the cious animal. When attacked and unaroot of the tail, and seems to be designed ble to escape they fight with great fiercewholly as a means of defence, being total-ness, and when fully grown are more ly independent of the ordinary evacua- than a match for a common-sized dog. tions. When undisturbed the skunk has! The teeth of the Otter are sharp and strong |