Page:The Zoologist, 3rd series, vol 2 (1878).djvu/211

Rh In this volume the fur-bearing animals dealt with are those belonging to the family Mustelidæ, of which North America appears to possess nine—the Wolverine, Martens, Weasels, Skunk, Badger, Otter, and Sea Otter. These animals are all described in scientific form, and the descriptions are accompanied by a complete résumé of all the particulars relating to the natural history of the animals, which have been accumulated by a long series of observations on the part of the zoologists of the United States upon the species living within their range, and by the perhaps somewhat interested remarks of the hunters and trappers, who are, to a considerable extent, dependent on their knowledge of the habits of the animals for the successful prosecution of their trade. In fact, the volume furnishes an admirable monograph of the North American species of the carnivorous family of which it treats. The osteological characters, and especially the cranial peculiarities, which appear to be of special importance, are fully described, and the latter are illustrated by twenty plates containing sixty figures.

The account which is given of the Ermine, and of the change of colour in its fur which takes place at the approach of winter, is extremely interesting. Of the two species of Marten which are found in North America, both are considered by the author to be distinct from the Pine Marten and Beech Marten of Europe. In order to institute a proper comparison between these two latter animals and M. americana, Dr. Coues has given a full account of all three, embracing the synonymy, and a description of the skull and teeth of each, illustrated by woodcuts.

This leads us to observe that the present volume, although dealing with American mammals, possesses more than usual interest for British zoologists, since they will find in it much valuable information concerning animals which may be found in their own country.

and Natural History are so intimately connected that it is difficult to conceive how a man can be addicted to the one