Chapter XIV: Introduction (13)

By way of illustration, the coloration of the upper parts may be cited. Near the range of _noveboracensis_ the average coloration of individuals from one locality is only a little lighter than in _noveboracensis_. Farther westward the average coloration is a little lighter and farther westward yet, toward the range of the extremely light colored _longicauda_, the average coloration is lighter still. Although all these animals are darker than _longicauda_ and lighter than _noveboracensis_, those from the three places do not agree among themselves. Because of the lack of more than one character of a "unique" kind and because of the inconstancy, geographically, of other characters, and for that matter, lack of constancy geographically in combination of characters, the writer regards _spadix_ as a barely recognizable subspecies.

Examination of the specimens of _spadix_ shows that the individual variation in a single species is greater in a region of intergradation than it is some distance inside the borders of the geographic range of a well-marked subspecies. This is illustrated by three specimens of _M. f. spadix_ in fresh summer pelage from the single locality, Elk River, Minnesota. In these, the color of the upper parts varies from a little darker than Cinnamon Brown to Vandyke Brown. At any one locality well within the range of _longicauda_, or _noveboracensis_, there is nowhere nearly so much variation in color, even in much larger series of specimens.

Study of the specimens here assigned to _spadix_ reveals that some features regarded as of diagnostic value for one or the other of the two races, _longicauda_ and _noveboracensis_, behave differently. For example, the dark coloration of the upper parts, which is characteristic of _noveboracensis_, manifests itself far westward within the range of _spadix_ whereas the wider extent of the light-colored underparts, which is characteristic of _longicauda_, and the Olive Ocher, rather than Pale Orange Yellow, color of these underparts, are seen in varying degree all the way across the range of _spadix_. Thus, these animals are colored above like _noveboracensis_ and below like _longicauda_, but not _vice versa_. In these animals, then, the _longicauda_ type of underparts is dominant, in one sense of the word, over the _noveboracensis_ type of underparts, and the _noveboracensis_ type of upper parts is dominant over the _longicauda_ type of upper parts. Each of these features is subject to actual intergradation and does not always behave as a "unit character," that is to say, one which is either present or absent. However, the _noveboracensis_ type of upper parts is carried much farther west before being diluted than is the _noveboracensis_ type of underparts. Indeed, within the range of _noveboracensis_ itself, the broad extent of the _longicauda_ type of underparts is manifest. This is, of course, near the western margin of the range of _noveboracensis_.

The large size of males of _spadix_, as exemplified by specimens from Elk River (see measurements on p. 421), seems to be retained across the northern part of the range here assigned to the subspecies. This larger size than is found in _longicauda_ from Alberta, is shown also by some specimens from eastern North Dakota which are assigned to _longicauda_. However, the average of these Dakotan specimens, all characters considered, is nearer to my concept of _longicauda_.

Inspection of the cranial measurements of _spadix_ shows also that in addition to its large size it is distinguishable from any one of the geographically adjoining races by its relatively (to basilar length) greater, as well as actually greater, mastoidal breadth. This might be included with size as a unique character distinguishing _spadix_ from _longicauda_ and _noveboracensis_. However, it is not clear whether or not this greater mastoidal breadth is more than a function of the large size.

Excepting the greater mastoidal breadth and generally larger size of the skull, the cranial features distinguishing males of _spadix_ from _longicauda_ are features in which _spadix_ shows approach to _noveboracensis_. This is true, in _spadix_, of the relatively longer (in comparison with _longicauda_) rostrum, relatively lesser zygomatic breadth, relatively shallower braincase measured at the anterior end of the basioccipital, and relatively deeper skull as measured at the posterior borders of the last upper molars. This same approach to _noveboracensis_ already has been pointed out with respect to color of the upper parts and is evident also in the relative shortness of the tail which averages only 51 per cent of the length of the head and body rather than 55 per cent as in _longicauda_.

Because the _longicauda_ type of animal previously has been regarded as specifically distinct from the _noveboracensis_ type of animal, comment is offered below on selected specimens, referred to _spadix_, which are regarded as intergrades with _noveboracensis_ or with other subspecies.

No. 8722, Univ. Wisconsin, adult male, in the white winter coat, from north central Itasca County, Minnesota, obviously has characters of _M. f. spadix_ or _longicauda_ that occur to the west and _M. f. noveboracensis_ of the east. Selected outstanding characters of _longicauda_ are its long tail, anteriorly truncate tympanic bullae and large teeth. Characters indicating its affinities with _noveboracensis_ are smaller size of skull, general narrowness of skull, and relatively low tympanic bullae. The skull is intermediate as regards several individual structural features. For example, although long and narrow and in this feature more nearly approaching _noveboracensis_, the skull is wider than usual in that subspecies and thus approaches that of _longicauda_ or _spadix_. The hind foot, in the dried state, measures 47 millimeters. This large hind foot, obviously long tail (the specimen lacks external measurements), and anteriorly truncate bullae constitute basis for here referring the specimen to _spadix_. However, the seemingly small size of the body and the narrow skull clearly show relationship to _noveboracensis_.

Specimens, referred to _spadix_, from northern Iowa, are instructive as showing what happens where the ranges of _noveboracensis_, _primulina_, _spadix_, and perhaps _longicauda_, meet. No. 47167, Univ. Mich. Mus. Zoöl., a nearly adult female, taken on November 22, 1915, at Island, Clay County, and in process of assuming a brown winter pelage, retains enough of the dark summer pelage to show that the color was slightly lighter than average for _spadix_. The color pattern, white lips, and extension of light color of the underparts onto the feet, agrees with _spadix_ or _longicauda_ as does also the long tooth-row. The overall length of the skull is intermediate between that of _spadix_ and _primulina_. The proportions of the anterior part of the skull and of the tympanic bullae resemble those found in _primulina_. A subadult male skull only, no. 123846, American Museum of Natural History, from Webb, Clay County, shows approach to _primulina_ in the narrowness of the rostrum.

A young male from Ruthven, Iowa, no. 48340, Univ. Michigan, has a large skull approaching in size that of _spadix_, has the _longicauda-spadix_ type of light-colored underparts and color pattern, and is slightly darker above than true _longicauda_. Another subadult male in the white winter coat from Palo Alto County, no. 35756, Univ. Michigan, has a large skull, which shows approach to _primulina_ in its narrowness anteriorly and in some other features. Although the tail is of moderate length, the body is large as in _spadix_ or _longicauda_, and the length of the hind foot suggests _spadix_ or _longicauda_.

A subadult male, no. 425a, Iowa State College, from Manson, Iowa, in brown winter pelage, agrees with _primulina_ in the restriction of the area of the light color of the underparts and in less expanded zygomatic arches. The teeth are intermediate in size between those of _noveboracensis_ and _primulina_ on the one hand and those of _spadix_ and _longicauda_ on the other. In other respects it agrees with, or is more nearly like, _spadix_.

An adult female, no. 426a, Iowa State College, from Barnum, in the brown winter coat, agrees with _primulina_ except that the orbitonasal length of the skull is more as in _spadix_ and the presence of some light color on the lower part of the hind legs suggests _spadix_. The skull only, no. 440a, Iowa State College, labeled merely Webster County, Iowa, is almost a duplicate of no. 426a. A subadult male, no. 427a, Iowa State College, from Moorland, Iowa, only about six miles southeast of Barnum, likewise is indistinguishable from _primulina_ except for having a white winter coat and in being relatively broad in the mastoidal region. Nevertheless, both of these animals are here referred to _spadix_ because the average of specimens from this general area is nearer that of _spadix_. No. 497a, Iowa State College, an adult female in white winter pelage, from Ames, approaches _primulina_ in the narrow rostrum and smaller teeth but otherwise approaches or even agrees with _spadix_.

Two adult males, without external measurements, from Pilot Mound, Iowa, have skulls quite like males of _longicauda_ from Alberta. The only approach noted to eastern forms is the restricted color of the underparts on no. 2856, Coe College, which has a brown winter coat. The color of the underparts is not extended so far out on the feet as in _longicauda_. Also the tympanic bullae of this specimen are a trifle narrower. The other male, no. 2652, is in the white winter coat. The one female from the same place, no. 2660, Coe College, in brown winter pelage, has a skull notably unlike that of _longicauda_ or _spadix_; the skull is narrower and practically indistinguishable from that of the largest female skull of _primulina_ available from Lawrence, Kansas, save that the tooth-row is much longer. The color pattern also agrees with that of _primulina_ or _noveboracensis_ in that the color of the underparts extends only as far as the knee on the hind legs and is narrow on the belly. Nevertheless, another adult female, no. 120a from Amaqua Township, some 6 miles southwest of Pilot Mound, is in all respects typical of _spadix_. This is the more remarkable because another comparable specimen from less than 20 miles to the southwest in Worth Township is equally typical of _primulina_.

Two young females from Chester, Iowa, nos. 2656 and 2874/2873, Coe College, have skulls larger than those of corresponding age of _primulina_ or _noveboracensis_. The color is as in spadix. The color pattern of the underparts also is as in _spadix_ or _longicauda_ except that the width of the area of light color on the belly is restricted somewhat although not so much as in _noveboracensis_ or _primulina_. Of four males from the same place, also in the collection of Coe College, no. A2874 is a white skin only and does not provide diagnostic characters. The three other males, each in summer pelage, are marked and colored as are the two females from the same place except that male no. 2861 has the color of the underparts so much attenuated on the hind legs that it barely, uninterruptedly, extends to the feet. No. 2658 is young, or perhaps barely subadult. The skull is large and referable to _spadix_. The two adults, nos. 2861 and 2657, differ cranially from typical (Elk River, Minn.) _spadix_ only in being slightly narrower across the mastoids and in having the bullae a little narrower. In these departures they show some approach to _primulina_ and to _noveboracensis_. Another male, subadult, no. 2867, Coe College, from Decorah, which has acquired half of the white winter coat, agrees with the males from Chester except that the preorbital part of the skull is shortened much as in some specimens of _primulina_.

From Lansing, in extreme northeastern Iowa, a large subadult male, no. 2864, Coe College, of 453 mm. in total length and half through with acquiring the white winter coat, agrees with the males previously described from Chester except in having the palate narrower as in _noveboracensis_. The adult female available from Lansing, no. 2863/2862, Coe College, in white winter pelage except for the top of the head, although a large skin, has a skull smaller than that of any _spadix_ or _longicauda_ and of about the same size as that of no. 3838, Univ. Kansas Mus. Nat. Hist., of _primulina_, from Lawrence, Kansas, except that the skull of no. 2863/2862 is much narrower across the mastoids. This specimen, then, shows approach to _noveboracensis_ in narrowness of the mastoidal region, to _primulina_ in other respects and to _spadix_.

Many of these instructive specimens from Iowa, made available to the present writer by Mr. W. F. Kubichek, were brought together at the Coe College Museum by the late B. H. Bailey. Most of them were obtained from trappers who did not supply the conventional external measurements taken in the flesh. Even though these are lacking, the specimens clearly show that actual intergradation occurs where the ranges of _M. f. longicauda_, _spadix_, _noveboracensis_ and _primulina_ meet.

The dark color of the upper parts, restriction of the color of the underparts on the ankles with the result that the color reaches the toes in interrupted fashion, and large skull, of no. 18912 of the Museum of the University of South Dakota, from Roberts County, South Dakota, clearly place this specimen with _spadix_, rather than with _longicauda_. Likewise, male, subadult, no. 11376, Univ. South Dakota, from Clay County, South Dakota, is referable to _spadix_. Although without external measurements, the specimen obviously is large. The patch of summer pelage on its head and neck is darker than the summer pelage of _longicauda_, and the orbitonasal length is greater than the length of the tympanic bullae; all these features are characters of _spadix_. The adult male from Fort Sisseton, South Dakota, no. 188407, United States National Museum, figured by Merriam (1896, p. 20, figs. 7-9), is almost exactly intermediate between _longicauda_ and _spadix_, although here referred to the latter.

Five specimens, nos. 147375, 147432, 147762, 148720 and 148721, U. S. Nat. Mus., including 3 skulls only from Beemer, Cuming County, Nebraska, are intergrades between _M. f. longicauda_, _M. f. primulina_ and _M. f. spadix_. One skin is in white winter pelage and the other, a female, is in summer pelage which in coloration and color pattern agrees with that of _spadix_. External measurements of the male agree with those of _longicauda_. Measurements of the female agree with those of _spadix_ except that the tail is shorter as in _primulina_. The skulls are as long as in _longicauda_ but are more slender than in either _longicauda_ or _spadix_ although nearer the latter in this respect. In dorsal aspect, the skulls especially posteriorly to the orbital region, resemble _primulina_. All points considered, the animals seem best referred to _spadix_.

Although the degree of development of certain morphological features has been settled upon as indicative of the race _spadix_, some doubt remains as to where the western boundary of its range should be shown. This results from the fact that color has been taken into account as one diagnostic feature and this feature is lacking in the white winter specimens which, from the following places, are all that are available: Kittson County, Minnesota; Moorhead, Minnesota; Casselton and Valley City in North Dakota; Armour, South Dakota and Clay County, South Dakota. In summary, more specimens in the summer coat will be required to establish definitely the boundary between the ranges of _longicauda_ and _spadix_.

Surber (1932:49) has referred to additional specimens of this weasel in the University of Minnesota Museum as from Winona, Hennepin and Isanti counties of that state.

At Elk River, Minnesota, B. Bailey (1929:156) found this species to be about half as abundant as _Mustela cicognanii_ and that it is "more often found in the open timber and about the dry ridges and fields." Of seventeen adult or subadult skulls of this race from Minnesota, ten have obvious marks of infestation of the frontal sinuses. In no skull, however, has the infestation resulted in so much malformation, as occurs in _noveboracensis_.

_Specimens examined._--Total number, 76, arranged alphabetically
by states and from north to south by counties in each state.

=Iowa.= _Lyon County_: Granite, 1[65]. _Howard County_: Chester,
6[12]. _Winneshiek County_: Decorah, 1[12]; 8 mi. NE Ossian,
1[76]. _Allamakee County_: Lansing, 2[12]. _Clay County_: Island,
1[76]; Webb, 1[2]. _Palo Alto County_: Ruthven, 1[76]; no locality
more definite than county, 1[76]. _Calhoun County_: Manson, 1[65].
_Webster County_: Barnum, 1[65]; Moorland, 1[65]; no locality more
definite than county, 1[65]. _Boone County_: Pilot Mound, 3[12];
Amaqua Township, Sec. 19, 1[65]. _Story County_: Ames, 1[65].

=Minnesota.= _Kittson County_, 1[2]. _Roseau County_: 2-1/2 mi. SW
Roseau, Jadis Township, 1[14]. _Itasca County_: T. 61N, R. 26W,
1[104]. _Clay County_: Moorhead, 2[9]. _Atkin County_: Atkin,
1[50]. _Otter Tail County_: Lake Lizzie, 1[9]; Parkers Prairie,
1[57]. _Grant County_: 3 mi. NW Barrett, 1[76]. _Benton_ (now
Mille Lacs?) _County_: Princeton, 1[91]. _Sherburne County_: Elk
River, 14 (6[59], 4[14], 3[91], 1[74]). _Hennepin County_: Fort
Snelling, 6 (5[2], 1[91]). _Carver? County_: Chaska, 1[60]. _Lac
qui Parle County_: Madison, 5 (3[91], 2[1]); no locality more
definite than county, 2 (1[68], 1[75]). _Yellow Medicine County_:
Wood Lake, 1[2]. _Blue Earth County_: Rapidan, 1[64]. _County_ in
question: Moore Lake, 1[91].

=Nebraska.= _Cuming County_: Beemer, 5[91].

=North Dakota.= _Cass County_: Fargo, 1[91]; Casselton, 1[91].
_Dickey County_: Oakes, 1[91].

=South Dakota.= _Roberts County_, 1[102]. _Marshall County_: Fort
Sisseton, 1[91]. _Douglas County_: Armour, 1[14]. _Clay County_,
1[102].

=Mustela frenata longicauda= Bonaparte

Long-tailed Weasel

Plates 16, 17, 18, 31, 32 and 33

_Mustela longicauda_ Bonaparte, Charlesworth's Mag. Nat. Hist.,
2:38, 1838.

_Putorius longicauda_, Baird, Mamm. N. Amer., p. 169, 1858; Coues,
Fur-bearing animals, p. 136, 1877; Bangs, Proc. Biol. Soc.
Washington, 10:7, figs. 1, 1a of pls. 1, 2 and 3, February 25,
1896; Merriam, N. Amer. Fauna, 11:19, pl. 3, figs. 3, 3a, 4, 4a,
pl. 5, figs. 1, 1a, text figs. 7-9, June 30, 1896.

_Mustela longicauda longicauda_, Bailey, N. Amer. Fauna, 49:166,
January 8, 1927.

_Mustela frenata longicauda_, Hall, Carnegie Instit. Washington
Publ. 473:105, November 20, 1936; Hall, Canadian Field-Nat.,
52:108, October, 1938.

_Mustela frenata_, Sowls, Journ. Mamm., 29:126, May 14, 1948.

_Type._--Possibly not in existence. No. 43.3.3.3 [from Carlton
House, Saskatchewan] in the British Museum of Natural History has
been regarded by several zoölogists as the type. It is a subadult
female, skull and skin, from North America. See the account of _M.
erminea cicognanii_ for reasons for and reasons against regarding
this specimen as the holotype.

No. 43.3.3.3 from the collection of Dr. John Richardson is in the
white winter coat and now (Sept. 24, 1937) is prepared as a study
skin. Evidences of its once having been mounted are: holes in the
soles of the hind feet for supporting-wires, large straight wire
in the tail, folds in the skin of the now backward-projecting hind
feet, and unevenness of the skin on the back resulting from
straightening out the specimen. The tip of the tail and some skin
from the middle of the belly are missing. Otherwise the skin is
intact. The skull is that of an animal in its first year, lacks
the zygomatic arch on each side, but otherwise is complete and
unbroken. The teeth all are present and entire except that p2 on
the right side is missing from its alveolus.

_Range._--Transition and Upper Sonoran life-zones of the Great
Plains, southward from central Alberta, Saskatchewan and southern
Manitoba through eastern Montana, the Dakotas and Nebraska into
southeastern Wyoming, northeastern Colorado and western Kansas.
See figure 29 on page 221.

_Characters for ready recognition._--Differs from _M. f.
primulina_ in near (_h_) Clay Color rather than Brussels Brown of
upper parts, least width of color of underparts more than 40 per
cent of greatest width of color of upper parts, color of
underparts extended onto hind foot rather than stopped short of
ankle, zygomatic breadth more than 28.8 in adult males and more
than 24.1 in adult females; from _M. f. spadix_ in lighter color
being near (_h_) Clay Color, in males by deeper occiput in which
the depth of the skull, exclusive of the sagittal crest and taken
at the anterior border of the basioccipital amounts to more than
59 per cent of the mastoid breadth; from _M. f. oribasus_ in near
(_h_) Clay Color rather than near (14_n_) Brussels Brown color of
the upper parts and in males by deeper occiput in which the depth
of the skull, exclusive of the sagittal crest and taken at the
anterior border of the basioccipital, amounts to more than 59 per
cent of the mastoid breadth; from _M. f. alleni_ in larger size,
adult males having a total length of more than 400 millimeters,
hind foot more than 45, basilar length more than 43.5, and females
having a total length of more than 375 and basilar length not less
than 40.0; from _M. f. nevadensis_ in near (_h_) Clay Color rather
than near (14_n_ to 1) Brussels Brown of upper parts, basilar
length more than 40 in females and averaging more than 45 in
males; from _M. f. neomexicana_ by near (_h_) Clay Color rather
than Buckthorn Brown color of upper parts, absence of white and
Argus Brown facial markings, and length of tooth-rows amounting to
more than 37 per cent of basilar length.

_Description._--_Size._--Male: Five adults from Alberta yield
average and extreme measurements as follows: Total length, 438
(418-473); length of tail, 158 (140-193); length of hind foot, 50
(46-54). Tail averages 56 per cent as long as head and body.
Length of hind foot averaging more than basal length.
Corresponding measurements of five adults and subadults from North
Dakota are as follows: 465 (445-516); 164 (150-179); 51 (50-54).
Tail averages 55 per cent as long as head and body.

Female: Six adults (Alberta, 4; Saskatchewan, 1; Manitoba, 1)
yield average and extreme measurements as follows: Total length,
401 (383-425); length of tail, 145 (141-159); length of hind foot,
43 (41-44). Tail averages 57 per cent as long as head and body.
Length of hind foot more or less than (approximately equal to)
basal length.

The average differences in external measurements of the two sexes
are: Total length, 37; length of tail, 13; length of hind foot, 7.
General comparisons indicate that the Alberta-taken males may not
attain so large a size as those from some other areas. Thus the
differences in external measurements might be some greater
elsewhere, say, in North Dakota.

_Externals._--Longest facial vibrissae black, brown or white
(often all three colors in same specimen) and extending beyond
ear; carpal vibrissae same color as underparts and extending to
apical pad of fifth digit; hairiness of foot-soles (in summer
pelage) only slightly greater than shown in figure 20.

_Color._--Winter pelage all white except tip of tail. Summer
pelage with upper parts near (_h_) Clay Color or near tone 3 and 4
of Snuff Brown of Oberthür and Dauthenay, pl. 303. Chin and upper
lips white. Remainder of underparts ranging from near (_a_) Olive
Ocher to near (16´) Ochraceous Buff. Upper parts of uniform color
except for occasional darkening of head in front of ears. Color of
underparts extends distally on posterior sides of forelegs over
toes onto antipalmar faces of feet and wrists, on medial sides of
hind limbs to ankles over antiplantar faces of toes and
distomedial third of each tarsus, and over proximal fourth to
third of under side of tail. Least width of color of underparts
averaging, in a series of 10 males from Alberta, 58 (45-60) per
cent of greatest width of color of upper parts. Corresponding
figures for 10 females from the same place are 57 (50-74). Black
tip of tail in same series of males, most of which are in full
summer pelage, averaging 43 (35-60) mm. long. Thus, averaging
shorter than hind foot and 27 per cent of length of
tail-vertebrae.

As compared with _M. f. neomexicana_, _longicauda_ lacks the white
facial markings, black ears, black forehead and nose, but
otherwise is similarly colored. As compared with _M. f.
nevadensis_, _M. f. oribasus_ and _M. f. spadix_, each of color
pattern similar to _longicauda_, selected differences of
_longicauda_ are its much lighter color, especially of the upper
parts, with less conspicuous darkening on the nose. From _M. f.
primulina_, _longicauda_ differs in lighter color of upper parts,
reddish rather than yellowish underparts, and light rather than
dark-colored hind feet.

_Skull and teeth._--Male (based on 5 adults from Alberta): See
measurements and plates 16-18; weight, 4.7 (4.6-4.9) grams;
basilar length, 46.0 (44.7-46.8); zygomatic breadth more than
distance between condylar foramen and M1 or than between anterior
palatine foramen and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; mastoid
breadth more than postpalatal length; postorbital breadth less
than length of upper premolars and more than width of
basioccipital measured from medial margin of one foramen lacerum
posterior to its opposite; interorbital breadth greater than
distance between foramen opticum and anterior margin of tympanic
bulla; breadth of rostrum more or less (usually less) than length
of tympanic bulla; least width of palate less than greatest length
of P4; anterior margin of tympanic bulla as far posterior to
foramen ovale as width of 3 to 4 (including I3) upper incisors;
height of tympanic bulla more than distance from its anterior
margin to foramen ovale; length of tympanic bulla more than length
of lower molar and premolar tooth-row and longer or shorter than
rostrum; anterior margin of masseteric fossa below talonid of m1
or anterior half of m2.

Female (based on 5 adults: Alberta, 3; N. D., 1; Sask., 1.): See
measurements and plates 31-33; weight, 3.1 (2.8-3.5) grams;
basilar length, 42.3 (40.0-43.7); zygomatic breadth more or less
(approximately equal to) than distance between condylar foramen
and M1 or that between anterior palatine foramen and anterior
margin of tympanic bulla; postorbital breadth less than length of
upper premolars and more or less than width of basioccipital
measured from medial margin of one foramen lacerum posterior to
its opposite; least width of palate not more than greatest length
of P4; tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width
of 3 to 4 (including I3) upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla
not less than distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale;
length of tympanic bulla more than length of lower molar and
premolar tooth-rows and longer or shorter than rostrum.

The skull of the female averages 34 per cent lighter than that of
the male.

Comparisons of the skull with those of _M. f. primulina_, _M. f.
spadix_, _M. f. oribasus_, _M. f. alleni_, _M. f. nevadensis_, and
_M. f. neomexicana_ are made in accounts of those subspecies.

_Remarks._--Richardson's (1829:47) account on which Bonaparte may be said to have based his name, records measurements in inches and lines which I transpose into millimeters as follows: Total length, 440 mm.; length of head and body, 305; length of tail (vertebrae), 135; length of tail (including fur), 164 mm. Specimen no. 43.3.3.3 in the British Museum, which has by some persons been regarded as the type, yields measurements as follows: Total length, 408 (which allows for 15 mm. loss of the fleshy part of the end of the tail); length of head and body, 272; length of tail (vertebrae), 136 (= 121 + 15); length of tail (including fur), 162 (142 + 20 mm. that appears to have been lost). Richardson's specimen would appear to have been of unusual proportions and to have been larger than no. 43.3.3.3. Some reasons for and reasons against regarding this specimen as the holotype are given in the account of _M. erminea cicognanii_.

The name _longicauda_ was applied to practically all long-tailed weasels of the western United States at one time but as one after another of the geographic variants in the mountainous regions were designated as separable, the name _longicauda_ came to be restricted to the light-colored, relatively large, animal of the Great Plains.

The intergradation of _longicauda_ with _spadix_ and _oribasus_ has been commented on in the discussions of those subspecies. The larger size and darker color of specimens referred to _longicauda_ from Devils Lake and Grafton, North Dakota, are features indicative of intergradation there with _spadix_. Two young females from Waterton Lake Park, Alberta, by their darker than average color, suggest intergradation with _oribasus_, as, for that matter, does the specimen from Waterton Lake [= Chief Mountain Lake, in Montana] itself, which, however, is even darker than the two specimens taken on the Canadian side of the line and hence is referred to _oribasus_. An adult female, no. 175586, U. S. Nat. Mus., from Moose Pass, Alberta, examined after the above was written, is larger than any other female seen of _longicauda_ and in this respect may show approach to _oribasus_, which in the northern part of its range is of large size as judged by males from the Bowron Lake region.

One male, no. 8564, Nat. Mus. Canada, from Max Lake, Turtle Mountain, Manitoba, presents puzzling characters. The external measurements of 465, 170, and 57, are in keeping with the great length of the skull which has a basilar length of 48.8. The tooth-rows are 19.3 in length and the mastoid breadth, 25.4. The relative narrowness indicated by the mastoid breadth is maintained throughout the skull. The only other specimens relating to the Turtle Mountains that have been seen are two male, skins without measurements or corresponding skulls, nos. 38902 and 38903, Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., labeled as from either "Stump Lake or Turtle Mts.," North Dakota. One of these, no. 38902, is much darker than the other. Possibly it is from the Turtle Mountains and the other, lighter-colored one, is from Stump Lake. Study of additional specimens from the Turtle Mountains might show the existence there of a distinct race.

Four specimens, in the collection of Myron Swenk, from Inland, Clay County, Nebraska, are instructive as showing how intergradation occurs between _primulina_ and _longicauda_. A subadult male, no. 10, is intermediate in external measurements and in color but in each instance is nearer _primulina_. The same is true of the least width of the color of the underparts. The color of the underparts extends uninterruptedly over the hind legs to the toes as in _longicauda_, but is absent from the underside of the tail as in _primulina_. In the skull, the basilar length, breadth of bulla, and size of teeth are nearer _longicauda_, as are also the ratios to the basilar length of the length of tooth-rows, breadth of the rostrum, length of the tympanic bulla, and depth of the braincase at the anterior margin of the basioccipital. Ratios to the basilar length of the interorbital breadth, mastoid breadth, zygomatic breadth, and depth of the skull at the posterior borders of the upper molars are nearer to those of _primulina_. The relatively long rostrum, as represented by the orbitonasal length, is nearest to that of _spadix_. A young, almost subadult, female, no. 7, agrees with _primulina_ in color, color pattern, and length of hind foot. The other external measurements are intermediate, but nearer those of _primulina_. Size of skull and teeth are as in _longicauda_. Relative proportions of parts of the skull are not diagnostic in specimens as young as this female. An adult female, skull only, no. 8, agrees with, or approaches nearer to, _longicauda_ in size of skull and teeth and in relative proportion of every part studied. A juvenile, skull only, of questionable sex, no. 9, provides no diagnostic characters. On the basis of color, these specimens from Inland are distinctly nearer _primulina_. On the basis of cranial characters they are distinctly nearer _longicauda_. External measurements are intermediate and are a little nearer those of _primulina_. By placing the most weight on the cranial characters, the animals may be referred to _longicauda_. The same may be said of 2 skins, one skin with a skull, from Hastings, Nebraska. In each skin the color-pattern is as in _primulina_; in one the under side of the tail is nevertheless lighter-colored more as in _longicauda_ and the skull, adult male 121651 American Museum of Natural History, approaches nearer to _primulina_ in narrowness but has the large teeth of _longicauda_.

Intergradation with _neomexicana_ is suggested by one specimen, no. 7936, Univ. Kans., from Thomas County, Kansas, which has well-developed white facial markings.

The specimen, no. 180, Kansas Agric. College, from Glasco, is mounted, of large size, in white winter pelage, and lacks external measurements. On the basis of its obvious large size, and a hind foot measurement of 49 millimeters obtained from the mounted skin, the animal is provisionally referred to _longicauda_ rather than to _primulina_.

_Putorius culbertsoni_ is a name now credited to Coues (1877:136). Although Coues probably intended only to indicate that Baird wrote this name on the labels of two specimens in the mammal collection of the Smithsonian Institution, Coues gave an "indication" of the application of the name by publishing at the same time the catalogue numbers of specimens whose labels bore the name and thus, in accordance with article 21 of the International Rules of Zoölogical Nomenclature, himself becomes the author of the name. Of the two specimens mentioned by Coues, only the first recorded by him, no. 4320 (with skull no. 37995, U. S. Nat. Mus.), can now be found.

Fortunately, the skull of this specimen labeled (see Lyon and Osgood, 1909:218) as taken at Fort Laramie, Wyoming, is well preserved. Its only defects are a fracture in the left zygomatic arch and the absence of parts of each of the first lower molars. In deciding on the subspecific application of the name _Putorius culbertsoni_ Coues, the skull of the type must be principally relied upon, for there is available only one other specimen, a skin only (no. 12596, U. S. Nat. Mus.), from the same place, and it, like the type, is in white winter pelage and lacks flesh measurements.

The ranges as now known of three subspecies of _Mustela frenata_ approach near to Fort Laramie. These are _M. f. longicauda_, _M. f. alleni_, and _M. f. nevadensis_. The skull of the type of _culbertsoni_ is not typical of any one of the three mentioned races. The small size of its teeth and relative (to basilar length) shallowness of the frontal region of the skull through the postorbital processes of the frontal are as in _nevadensis_. The zygomatic arches are not so greatly expanded as in some specimens of _longicauda_ and are more like the average for _nevadensis_ or _alleni_, as also is the relatively (to basilar length) long orbitonasal length. However, each of these characters is subject to variation and alone is not surely diagnostic, especially toward the margin of the range of any one of the subspecies concerned. The same may be said of the relatively great breadth of the skull interorbitally--a feature typically found in _longicauda_. More important, in my estimation, is the large size of the skull; all parts measured (excepting the teeth, the depth at the posterior border of the last upper molars, the zygomatic breadth, and the depth of the tympanic bullae) equal or approach nearest to the average for males of _longicauda_ of similar age.

The small size of _alleni_ prevents its identification with _culbertsoni_. The question of application lies between _nevadensis_ and _longicauda_. If the long-tailed weasel at Fort Laramie is found to be referable to the race earlier named _longicauda_, no change in current nomenclature will be effected. If, on the other hand, the long-tailed weasel from Fort Laramie is found to be referable to _nevadensis_ this name will have to fall before the earlier proposed name _culbertsoni_. There is, however, a third possibility, namely, that the long-tailed weasel of the Transition and Upper Sonoran zones of southern Wyoming and northern Colorado, as for example, at Lay, Colorado, may represent a recognizable race characterized by size about as in _longicauda_, relative proportions of skull about as in _nevadensis_ and coloration intermediate, to which the name _culbertsoni_ may apply. For more detailed discussion of this possibility, see remarks under _M. f. nevadensis_.

Satisfactory application of the name _Putorius culbertsoni_ Coues requires an adequate series of adult specimens, of both sexes in the summer coat with external measurements taken in the flesh, from the type locality and like material from elsewhere in southern Wyoming. On the evidence furnished by the skull of the type of _culbertsoni_, that name tentatively is placed in the synonomy of _longicauda_.

Only 2 of 25 adults examined for malformation of the frontal sinuses by parasites showed evidence of disease.

_Specimens examined._--Total number, 138, arranged alphabetically
by provinces and states and further by districts or counties from
north to south except as otherwise indicated. Unless otherwise
indicated specimens are in the collection of the United States
National Museum.

=Alberta.= St. Albert, 1; S. Edmonton, 3; Islay, 4[77]; Battle
River, south of Camrose, 1[77]; Daysland, 1[77]; Moose Pass, 1;
Blindman River, 2 (1[75], 1[2]); Red Deer, 3 (2[2], 1[60]);
Bearberry Creek near Sundre, 1[77]; Canad. Nat. Park, N.W.
Territory, 1[60]; Red Deer River, Didsbury, 1; Canmore, 1;
Calgary, 11 (6[60], 2[1], 1[86]); Red Deer River, 3[2]; Little
Sandhill Creek, Red Deer River, 1[77]; Waterton Lake Park, 2[77];
Sweetgrass Hills, 1[77]; Alberta, 1[14].

=Colorado.= _Yuma County_: Wray 4 (1[88], 3[74]).

=Kansas.= _Rawlins County_: 7 mi. N, 3 mi. W Beardsley, 1[74]; 6
mi. S and 2 mi. E Atwood, 1[74]; 15 mi. SE Atwood, 1[74]. _Thomas
County_: near Brewster, 2[93]; no locality more definite than
county, 2[93]. _Trego County_, 2 (1[2]). _Cloud County_: Glasco,
1[67].

=Manitoba.= Portage la Prairie, 3[75]; Carberry, 2 (1[2], 1[1]);
Carman, 1[60]; Max Lake, Turtle Mt., 1[77].

=Montana.= _Glacier County_: St. Marys Lake, 1; Blackfoot, 1:
Blackfoot Agency, 1. _Blaine County_: 6 mi. east Chinook, 1[74].
_Pondera County_: 1/2 mi. SE Conrad, 1[74]. _Toole County_: Shelby
Junction, 1. _Hill County_: Havre, 1. _Fergus County_: Moccasin
Mts., 5 mi. NW Hilger, 1; 7 mi. NE Hilger, 1. _Rosebud County_:
3/4 mi. N Ingomar, 1. _County_ in question, Milk River, 2.

=Nebraska.= _Dawes County_: Chadron, 2[35]. _Cherry County_:
Kennedy, 1; no locality more definite than county, 1. _Brown
County_: Long Pine, 1[68]. _Antelope County_: Neligh, 1[35].
_Adams County_: Hastings, 2[2]. _Clay County_: Inland, 4[35].

=North Dakota= (arranged by counties from west to east). _Divide
County_: Crosby, 1. _Mountrail County_: Lostwood, 1. Little
Missouri River, 1. _Golden Valley County_: Sentinel Butte, 1.
_Billings County_: Medora, 1[60]. _McLean County_: 3 mi. W
Elbowoods, 1. _Oliver County_: Ft. Clark, 2. _Morton County_:
Mandan, 1. _Sioux County_: 3 mi. N Cannonball, 1. _Logan County_:
6 mi. SW Napoleon, 1. _Rolette County_: Turtle Mts., 1[76]; Fish
Lake, 1. _Benson County_: Ft. Totten, 3[14]; Sully Hill Nat. Park,
1. _Ramsey County_: Devils Lake, 2. Stump Lake or Turtle Mts.,
2[2]. _Nelson County_: Stump Lake, 1. _Grand County_: Larimore, 1.
_Walsh County_: Grafton, 11 (4[76], 3[74], 2[2]). _Stutsman
County_: Jamestown, 1. _Barnes County_: Valley City, 1.

=Saskatchewan.= Wingard, 5; Osier, 2[75]; Simpson, 1[2]; Touchwood
Hills, 4[7]; South arm Last Mountain Lake, 1[77]; Rush Lake
(Assiniboia, N.W.T.), 2[75].

=South Dakota.= _Pennington County_: Rapid City, 1.

=Wyoming.= _Goshen County_: Fort Laramie, 2.

=Mustela frenata oribasus= (Bangs)

Long-tailed Weasel

Plates 16, 17, 18, 31, 32, 33 and 40

_Putorius (Arctogale) longicauda oribasus_ Bangs, Proc. New England
Zoöl. Club, 1:81, December 27, 1899.

_Putorius longicauda_, Coues, Fur-bearing animals, p. 136, 1877
(part).

_Mustela longicauda oribasus_, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull.,
79:98, December 31, 1912.

_Mustela longicauda oribasa_, Hall, Univ. California Publ. Zoöl.,
40:368, November 5, 1934.

_Mustela frenata oribasa_, Hall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ.
437:105, November 20, 1936.

_Type._--Female, adult, skull and skin; no. 9058, collection of E.
A. and O. Bangs, but now in collection of Mus. Comp. Zoöl.; source
of Kettle River, 7500 feet [the summit between middle fork of
Kettle River and Cherry Creek at Pinnacles--oral information from
the collector, Feb. 12, 1936], British Columbia; September 10,
1898; obtained by Allan Brooks; original no. 1368.

The skull (plate 40) is complete and unbroken. The teeth all are
present and entire except right I^3 which has the anterior half
broken away. The skin is complete, fairly well made, and in summer
pelage.

_Range._--Canadian and Hudsonian life-zones from near 56°N in the
Rocky Mountains of British Columbia and Alberta and Ootsa Lake
along the Fraser and Chilcotin rivers south to Alta Lake, in the
Caribou and Monashee mountains, probably in the Selkirks and
Rockies, and through the Rockies of Montana into extreme northern
Wyoming. See figure 29 on page 221.

_Characters for ready recognition._--Differs from _M. f.
longicauda_ by near (14 _n_) Brussels Brown rather than near (_h_)
Clay Color of upper parts and in males by relatively shallower
occiput in which the depth of the skull, exclusive of the sagittal
crest and taken at the anterior border of the basioccipital,
amounts to less than 59 per cent of the mastoid breadth; from _M.
f. nevadensis_ by greater average size, see measurements.

_Description._--_Size._--Male: Two adults from Florence, Montana,
measure as follows: Total length, 440, 440; length of tail, 165,
161; length of hind foot, 47, 49. Corresponding measurements of an
adult male from Quesnel, British Columbia, are: 443; 168; 55. Tail
amounts to 60, 58, and 61 per cent as long as head and body.
Length of hind foot averages more than basal length.

Female: The type specimen, the only typical adult or subadult
specimen of this sex of which external measurements are available,
measures: Total length, 392, length of tail, 150, length of hind
foot, 46. Tail is 63 per cent as long as head and body. Length of
hind foot amounts to more than basal length.

The differences in external measurements, between the one female
and the average of the three males are: Total length, 49; length
of tail, 15; length of hind foot, 4.

_Externals._--Longest facial vibrissae brown or white (often both
colors in same specimen) and extending beyond ear; carpal
vibrissae same color as underparts and extending to or beyond
apical pad of fifth digit; hairiness of foot-soles (in summer
pelage) slightly less than shown in figure 19.

_Color._--Upper parts, in summer, near (14 _n_) Brussels Brown,
more blackish and less reddish than tone 4 of Burnt Umber of
Oberthür and Dauthenay, pl. 304; in type near tone 4, pl. 301 of
Oberthür and Dauthenay. Underparts, in summer, Buff Yellow or near
(20 _c_) Amber Yellow. In winter, all white except tip of tail
which is at all times black. Upper parts of uniform color except
for occasional slight darkening of top of head and along
mid-dorsal line of back. Color of underparts extends distally on
posterior sides of forelegs over feet, on medial sides of hind
limbs over antiplantar faces of toes and over proximal two-thirds
of ventral side of tail. Least width of color of underparts
amounting to 43 per cent of greatest width of color of upper
parts, 75 per cent in male from 4 miles northeast of Quesnel,
British Columbia, and 52 (33-66) in four males from Montana. Black
tip of tail in four males from Montana averaging 50 (44-60) mm.
long. Thus averaging approximately as long as hind foot and 33 per
cent of length of tail-vertebrae.

Color not different than in many specimens of _M. f. nevadensis_.
Color comparison with _M. f. longicauda_ has been made in the
account of that subspecies.

_Skull and teeth._--Male (based on 5 adults and 2 subadults from
British Columbia and 4 adults from Montana): See measurements and
plates 16-18. As described in _Mustela frenata longicauda_ except
that: Weight, 5.0 (3.8-6.0) grams; basilar length, 46.7
(43.6-48.8); postorbital breadth in one of nine instances less
than width of basioccipital measured from medial margin of one
foramen lacerum posterior to its opposite; interorbital breadth
more or less than distance between foramen opticum and anterior
margin of tympanic bulla; breadth of rostrum less than length of
tympanic bulla; anterior margin of tympanic bulla as far posterior
to foramen ovale as width of 2-1/2 to 5 upper incisors; length of
tympanic bulla not less than length of lower molar and premolar
tooth-row and shorter than rostrum.

Female (based on the type, specimen): See measurements and plates
31-33, 40. As described in _Mustela frenata longicauda_ except
that: Weight, 3.5 grams; basilar length, 41.6 mm.; zygomatic
breadth more than distance between anterior palatine foramen and
anterior margin of tympanic bulla; postorbital breadth more than
width of basioccipital measured from medial margin of one foramen
lacerum posterior to its opposite; least width of palate more than
outside length of P^{4}; tympanic bulla as far posterior to
foramen ovale as width of 4-1/2 upper incisors; height of tympanic
bulla less than distance from anterior margin of tympanic bulla to
foramen ovale; length of tympanic bulla less than length of
rostrum. If more than one skull were available of the female of
_oribasus_ it is believed that the description would agree with
that of _longicauda_ in nearly all features.

The skull of the female is 30 per cent lighter than that of the
average male.

Comparison with _longicauda_ reveals that, on the average, skulls of males are larger, relative to the basilar length broader across the mastoids, shallower through the braincase as measured at the anterior end of the basioccipital exclusive of the sagittal crest, with longer rostrum. Compared with _nevadensis_, the skull averages larger in all measurements taken, and has a relatively broader rostrum, relatively greater mastoid breadth and a braincase which is shallower relative to the basilar length. By weight, the skull of _nevadensis_ is a fourth lighter, and in linear measurements 5 to 18 per cent smaller.

_Remarks._--Some of the specimens from Montana, which here are referred to _oribasus_, more than half a century ago were listed by Coues (1877:138) under the name _longicauda_. It was not until 1899 that this race was given a name by Bangs, who at that time (1899B:81) accurately made out the distinctive color features. Distinctive cranial characters cannot be described with assurance even now because there still are too few specimens.

The type specimen, at one time examined by the present writer, has on the stuffed skin no well-developed mammae, scrotal pouch, or other visible sexual part. Probably the collector's sex mark for female is correct.

As judged by the two skulls of subadult males from the Barkerville region, individuals of this race attain larger size than do those of _longicauda_. On the basis of larger size than either _longicauda_ or _nevadensis_, the specimens from the Rocky Mountains of Montana and two from northern Wyoming are referred to this race. The short, wide, flat, tympanic bullae, relatively great mastoidal breadth, and some other features of the specimen from Donovan, Montana, point toward _oribasus_, whereas nearly as many more cranial features, in this instance mainly differences in size, are indicative of _nevadensis_ to which race the specimen might almost equally well be referred. Another male from Darby, in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana, has a slightly longer hind foot than those from Florence, but a female from Hamilton, agrees more nearly with _nevadensis_. The average of all the specimens from the Bitterroot Valley is a little nearer _oribasus_. Four skulls from Buffalo, Wyoming, here referred to _nevadensis_ show approach to _oribasus_ in size of skull. The specimens from Big Snowy Mountains, and the Highwood Mountains of Montana are too young clearly to show size of the adult skull, but are distinctly darker colored than _longicauda_ of the plains country proper. Of two subadult females from Tacy, Montana, the color of the one in summer pelage is distinctly nearer that of _oribasus_ and _nevadensis_ than it is to that of _longicauda_ to which some approach in color might be expected. The reduced size of both of the specimens is further suggestive of _nevadensis_ and it may be that adult specimens from these more eastern mountainous areas in Montana will show that _nevadensis_ is the name proper to apply to animals of this region.

Intergradation with _nevadensis_ is suggested by specimens collected from along the upper reaches of Okanagan Lake, British Columbia, by Major Allan Brooks and Mr. J. A. Munro and by a series of skulls from Ione, Pend Orielle County, Washington, lent me by Mr. Walter Dalquest. At each place, the average of all specimens is nearest to that of _nevadensis_.

Specimens from near Waterton Lake show several steps in the transition from the light-colored _longicauda_ type of coloration to the darker coloration characterizing _oribasus_. One taken here, at a time when the body of water referred to seems to have been known as Chief Mountain Lake, is barely dark enough to be placed with _oribasus_. Two other specimens from across the Canadian Border labeled as "Waterton Lake Park" are slightly lighter colored above, and on this account are placed with _longicauda_.

The two adult males from Lillooet, British Columbia, are referable to _oribasus_ although neither is quite typical. One has a saturated coloration suggestive of that of _altifrontalis_ and the skull is shorter and broader than in other specimens of _oribasus_. The female from Lillooet, skin alone, no. 916, Prov. Mus., B. C. is small for _oribasus_. The female, no. 1539, collection of Kenneth Racey, from Alta Lake, in brown winter pelage, in almost every measurement falls nearly midway between _altifrontalis_ and _oribasus_ but slightly nearer the latter. The skull from Chezacut and 3 animals from Wistaria, British Columbia, probably are females and show a greater average size than specimens from farther to the southeast. For example, the basilar length of the skull, 44.8 (44.3 to 45.1), exceeds that of the type specimen. The animals from Wistaria on Ootsa Lake furnish the northwesternmost station of occurrence of which I have record for this subspecies.

The northernmost records of occurrence, at "Clearwater River, Peace River, B. C," and at Little Prairie, are furnished by a white skin without skull, no. 257450, U. S. Nat. Mus., purchased on August 2, 1932, at the place mentioned by W. H. Sheldon and Richard Borden, and a skull with white winter skin, no. 3585, Provincial Museum, British Columbia, respectively. The characters distinguishing _longicauda_ and _oribasus_ are not shown by white winter skins; the skull shows some features of _longicauda_, and the reference of these specimens to _oribasus_ rather than _longicauda_ is tentative.

Only the skull from Little Prairie shows evidence of infestation of the frontal sinuses by parasites. In the Barkerville area of British Columbia, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas T. McCabe obtained only 2 skulls of this subspecies from a total of 238 weasel skulls gathered by local trappers. The others were _Mustela erminea_.

_Specimens examined._--Total number, 46, listed by localities from
north to south and unless otherwise indicated, in the United
States National Museum.

=British Columbia.= West of Hudson Hope, 1[7]; Clearwater River,
tributary to Peace River, 1; Little Prairie, a few miles south of
Peace River and about 40 miles west of the main highway between
Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, 1[85]; Wistaria, 3[85]; Four Mile
Creek, 4 mi. NE Quesnel, 1[21]; Isaacs Lake, 3200 ft., 1[74];
Barkerville region, 1[74]; Clear River, 4800 ft., 1[74]; Chezacut,
1[31]; Lillooet 3 (2[77], 1[85]); Alta Lake, 1[31]; source of
Kettle River, 7500 ft., 1[75]; E side Beaverfoot Range, 4000 to
4500 ft. between Fraser Creek and 6 mi. SE of Fraser Creek, 1[74];
Cranbrook, 1[86]; head of Cross River, 10 mi. below Assiniboine
Pass, 1[7]; camp east of "Kootanie," 1[7]; camp east of Kootanie
River, 1[7].

=Alberta.= Thoral Creek, 7000 ft., 50 mi. NE Jasper, 1[2].

=Montana.= _Glacier? County_: Chief Mt. Lake (= Waterton Lake), 1.
_Flathead County_: Columbia Falls, 1. _Chouteau? County_: Highwood
Mts., 1. _Fergus? County_: Big Snowy Mts., 1. _Wheatland County_:
Harlowton, 1[74]. _Ravalli County_: Florence, 2; Hamilton, 1[56];
Darby, 1[56]; Carlos [= Charlos] Heights, 2[74]; Tin Cup District,
2[74]; no locality more definite than county, 2[74]. _Beaverhead
County_: Donovan, 1. _Madison County_: Sheridan, 1[74]. _Gallatin
County_: Ranch 7-11, Eldridge, 1[60]. _Stillwater County_: Tacy,
2[76]. _County_ in question: Gallatin Valley, 1; Yellowstone Park,
1[75].

=Wyoming.= Glen Creek, Mammoth Hot Springs, 1. _Park County_: Four
Bears, 1[2].

=Mustela frenata alleni= (Merriam)

Long-tailed Weasel

Plates 18, 19, 20, 31, 32 and 33

_Putorius alleni_ Merriam, N. Amer. Fauna, 11:24, June 30, 1896.

_Mustela alleni_, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull., 79:99, December
31, 1912.

_Mustela frenata alleni_, Hall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ.
473:106, November 20, 1936.

_Type._--Male, adult, skull and skin; no. 186451, U. S. Nat. Mus.
(formerly 4485/5120, collection of Dr. C. Hart Merriam); Custer,
South Dakota; obtained by Vernon Bailey; original no. 90.

The skull is complete and unbroken. The upper incisors are
missing. All the other teeth are present although the premolars,
and especially the canines, are much worn, possibly as the result
of the animal's efforts to free itself from a trap. The skin is
fairly well made, in a good state of preservation, and entire.

_Range._--Canadian, Transition and Upper Sonoran life-zones of the
Black Hills of South Dakota and adjacent semi-bad-land territory
of Wyoming and Nebraska southward to Mitchell, Scottsbluff County.
See figure 29 on page 221.

_Characters for ready recognition._--Differs from _M. f.
longicauda_ in smaller size, adult males having a total length of
less than 400, hind foot less than 45, basilar length less than
43.5, and in adult females total length less than 375, and basilar
length less than 40; from _M. f. nevadensis_ in near Clay Color
rather than near (14 _n_ to _l_) Brussels Brown of upper parts in
summer.

_Description._--_Size._--Male: External measurements of the type
specimen are: Total length, 372; length of tail, 137; length of
hind foot, 44. Tail is 58 per cent as long as head and body.
Length of hind foot more than basal length.

Female: No external measurements for typical adults are available.
No. M1 #41 from Mitchell, Scottsbluff Co., Nebraska, an adult
female which is an intergrade with the larger _M. f. longicauda_,
measures as follows: Total length, 367; length of tail, 120;
length of hind foot, 41.

_Externals._--Longest facial vibrissae dark brown or white and
extending beyond ear; carpal vibrissae same color as underparts
and extending to apical pad of fifth digit; hairiness of
foot-soles (in summer pelage) as shown in figure 20.