Chapter VII: Introduction (6)

In 1903 J. A. Allen proposed the name _Putorius microtis_ for a specimen from Shesley, northwestern British Columbia, a place approximately 50 miles northwest of Telegraph Creek. Considering the great disparity in size between this one specimen and the other larger specimens of normal size, from the general region, available to Allen at that time, it is not surprising that he thought two full species were represented. In 1943 when G. G. Goodwin called to my attention two males, as small as the type of _microtis_ and taken by him approximately 300 miles east of Shesley, in the valley between the Musqwa and Prophet rivers, I for a second time examined all available specimens and data with the possibility in mind that _microtis_ was a species or subspecies distinct from _M. e. richardsonii_, but again concluded that only one subspecies was involved because no character except size was found to distinguish the large from the small individuals of a given sex and there are, preserved from northern British Columbia, individuals of intermediate size. _Putorius microtis_ Allen seems to have been based on an individual of _M. e. richardsonii_ near the lower limit of size for that subspecies and _microtis_ is regarded as a synonym.

Barrett-Hamilton in 1904 named the animal at "Fort Simpson, British Columbia" _Putorius arcticus imperii_. Preble (1908:232) pointed out that Fort Simpson on the Mackenzie undoubtedly was the place intended, and arranged _imperii_ as a synonym of _M. e. richardsonii_. The type specimen of _imperii_ was stated to have been received from B. M. Ross who is known to have collected specimens, including specimens of this species (now in U. S. Nat. Mus.), at Fort Simpson on the Mackenzie. I know of no Fort Simpson in British Columbia. If, as seems improbable, Port Simpson, British Columbia, was the place that Barrett-Hamilton intended to designate (where so far as I know Ross did not collect), the name _imperii_ still would seem to be a synonym of _richardsonii_ because _richardsonii_ seems to be the race of weasel at Port Simpson. In proposing the name _Putorius arcticus imperii_, Barrett-Hamilton stressed that the weasel, which he was naming, was a subspecies of _P. arcticus_, gave characters which applied perfectly to _richardsonii_ but made no reference to _richardsonii_. Barrett-Hamilton did not refer to _richardsonii_ possibly because he relied on Merriam's classification of 1896 wherein _richardsonii_ is treated as a species distinct from _arctica_. Merriam, it will be remembered, held that slight degree of morphological difference rather than intergradation was the criterion for subspecies. Although I have no record of having examined the type specimen of _imperii_ I have but little hesitancy in treating it as a synonym, and would have no hesitancy at all in so doing if the type was certainly known to have been obtained at Fort Simpson on the Mackenzie.

The name _Mustela cicognanii mortigena_ Bangs, 1913, proposed for the ermine of Newfoundland, is placed as a synonym of _richardsonii_ only after repeated, detailed comparisons. In advance of study I supposed that the isolation of the ermine, in Newfoundland, had contributed to its differentiation, which, however, the original describer, Bangs, indicated was slight. Bangs was a careful worker and I am confident that the differences he described really existed between his specimens. Material more nearly adequate than he had from the mainland, shows the males, so far as my measurements and comparisons go, to be in nowise different from those in Newfoundland. Females in Newfoundland may have, on the average, slightly longer hind feet than on the opposite mainland but I am not certain that they do and even if there is a slight difference in this regard as suggested by available data, I think it insufficient basis, alone, for according subspecific status to the insular animal.

The name _richardsonii_ was based by Bonaparte on Richardson's description which in turn was drawn from a specimen taken at Fort Franklin, that thus becomes the type locality. It is fortunate that Preble, in 1903, succeeded in taking specimens there because the place is near the belt of intergradation between _arctica_ and _richardsonii_. Of Preble's two adult males (see Preble, 1908:232) I have examined no. 133847, which is in transitional pelage and therefore gives no clue in so far as coloration is concerned, as to affinities with _arctica_ versus _richardsonii_. Specimens in the summer pelage are much to be desired from Fort Franklin. Regardless of what their coloration may be, specimen no. 133847, in external measurements and most certainly in cranial features is of the race to the south and not the race that Merriam named _arctica_. Because all specimens from localities to the south of Fort Franklin likewise differ from _arctica_ of the barren grounds, considerable additional confidence is felt in allocating the name _richardsonii_ to the animal which ranges from Fort Franklin southward rather than to the one, here designated _arctica_, that occurs to the northward of Fort Franklin.

Although in most structural features _richardsonii_ is a sort of average for the American races of the species, it is the extreme in high degree of sexual dimorphism. The difference in size between the males and females is greater than in any other race except possibly _M. e. kadiacensis_ in which so little is known of the female that the difference between the two sexes cannot be accurately judged. It will aid in understanding the high degree of secondary sexual difference in _richardsonii_ to visualize two kinds of weasels distributed over the northern half of the continent, thinking now of the geographic area in America occupied by the whole species _Mustela erminea_ of which the subspecies _richardsonii_ is only a part. One of the two kinds of weasel is the male ermine and the other the female. The decrease in size of the male, as measured by the weight of the skull, is in the ratio of 7 in the north to 2 in the south. This decrease is gradual whereas the corresponding decrease from 3 to 1 in the female is not gradual; half of the decrease in the female occurs in the short north to south distance comprised in the belt of intergradation, along the northern boundary of _richardsonii_, between it and _arctica_. As a result _richardsonii_ is composed of females with medium sized skulls and males with relatively large skulls, the ratio by weight being approximately 5 to 2. The disproportion in races of ermines both to the north and to the south is less. Actually in the north (_arctica_) the approximate ratio by weight is 2-1/3:1; in _richardsonii_, 2-1/2:1; in the south (_muricus_), 1-2/5:1. Indicated in still another way in _richardsonii_ the skull of the female is 56 per cent lighter than that of the male and the skull of the male is 127 per cent heavier than that of the female. Intergradation with races whose ranges border on that of _richardsonii_ is complete. On the northern boundary of the range of _richardsonii_ along the western shore of Hudsons Bay for perhaps a hundred miles north of Eskimo Point, there are intergrades with _arctica_. As judged by their lesser size, individuals of this population are influenced by the _semplei_-stock. Otherwise, intergradation on the northern boundary, with _arctica_, is abrupt whereas intergradation at the south, between _richardsonii_ and _cicognanii_, is gradual. Intergradation is similarly gradual between _richardsonii_ on the one hand and _bangsi_ and _invicta_ on the other. By speaking of the intergradation as abrupt, it is intended, in this instance, to indicate that in a relatively narrow belt, between the geographic ranges of _arctica_ and _richardsonii_, ermines intermediate in color-pattern, shape of skull, and size, bridge the gap between the ermine of the tundra (_arctica_) and that in the forest belt (_richardsonii_). It may be added that the degree of difference between the two subspecies just mentioned is approximately twice as much as between _richardsonii_ and _cicognanii_. The intergradation between _cicognanii_ and _richardsonii_ is gradual. By gradual it is meant that the change from one kind to the other is achieved in a wider area where ermines from locality A do not differ appreciably from those taken at, say, locality B, 50 miles farther south, although ermines from A and those from a third locality, C, say, 130 miles south, clearly show differences indicative of geographic variation.

_Specimens examined._--Total number, 1035, as follows. Arranged
alphabetically by provinces and districts and from north to south
in each province or district. Unless otherwise indicated,
specimens are in the United States National Museum.

=Alberta.= 15 mi. above Smith Landing, 2; Fort Smith, 2 (1[77]);
Smith Landing, 2; LaButte, Fitzgerald, 1[77]; Egg Lake, 15 mi. NW
Ft. Chippewyan, 4 (2[75]); Lobstick Island, near Ft. Chippewyan,
1; Athabasca Delta, 9 mi. above mouth of main branch, 1; Athabasca
Delta, Long Creek, 1 mi. W of main branch, 2; Ft. Chippewyan, 1;
Peace Point, 1[75]; 18 mi. below Peace Point, 1; Embarass River, 7
(4[75]); Athabasca River, 1[2]; Ft. McMurray, 1; Athabasca River,
Middle Rapid, 2; 60 mi. above Grand Rapids, 1; Boiler Rapid, 1;
Entrance, 3[2]; St. Albert, 2.

=British Columbia.= Fort Halket, 1; Shesley, 1[2]; Dorothy Lake,
Mts. W of Ft. Nelson, 4000 ft., 3[2]; valley between Musqwa and
Prophet rivers, 3800 ft., SW of Ft. Nelson, 2[2]; Sikanni Chief
Riv., 1; Telegraph Creek, 7 (6[2]); head of Bad River, 2350 ft.,
on lake, 1; Six Mile, 5[74]; Tuchodi Lake, 2[2]; Iskoot River,
2[14]; Level Mtn., 1[2]; head of Tatletuey Lake, 12 mi. W Thudade
Lake, 2; Robb Lake District, 5[2]; Ft. Grahame, 12 (2[77]); Sustut
Mts., on trib. Sustu Riv., 25 mi. SE Thudade Lake, 2; Laurier
Pass, 1; Omineca Mts., 1[85]; Point Creek and Clearwater River, 2;
Kispiox Valley, 23 mi. N Hazelton, 5[74]; Hazelton, 3[77]; NW arm
Tacla Lake, 7; N end Babine Lake, 1; Pt. Simpson, 1; Metlakatla,
1; Stuart Lake, 27; S Fk. Salmon Riv., 1[77]; mouth Salmon Riv.,
1[77]; Vanderhoof, 4[77]; Wistaria P. O., near Burns Lake, 1[77];
Kruger Lake, 9[74]; Indianpoint Lake, 23[74]; Quesnel, 1; Ahbau
Lake, 3[74]; Isaacs Lake, 6[74]; Beaver Pass, 56[74]; Lightning
Creek, 54[74]; LaFontaine, 16[74]; Barkerville, 1[74]; Barkerville
District, 34[74]; Swift River, 27[74]; Cunningham Creek, 34[74];
Itcha Mts., 1[31]; Anahim Lake, 1[74]; Chezacut Lake, 8[31];
Kleena Kleene, 18[74]; 158 mi. House (Cariboo on labels), 3[60];
Rivers Inlet, 6 (5[94]; 1[77]); Horse Lake, 4[22]; Kingcome Inlet,
8[77]; Loughborough Inlet, 7[77]; McGillivary Creek, 1; Camel
Back, Pemberton Meadows, 1[31]; Arrow Rapids, mainland opposite
Stuart Island, 1[77]; Butte Inlet, 9[77]; Green Lake, 1[31]; Mt.
Whistler, 1[86]; Alta Lake, 2 (1[31]; 1[21]); Mons, 1[31].

=Keewatin.= Foot of Baker Lake, 1.

=Labrador.= Okak, 3[75]; Nain, 22 (11[75]; 11[60]); Hopedale,
24[75]; Kippokak Bay, 7[75]; Ailik, 1; Makkovik, 26[75]; Labrador,
55° N, 3; Hamilton Inlet, 2[75]; NW River Post, interior Labrador,
5[1]; Cartwright, 5; Paradise, 12; Sandwich Bay (Muddy Bay, 6;
North River, 6), 12; Battle Harbor, 1[7]; St. Marys River, 3[7];
Black Bay, 16 (15[75]; 1[76]); Lanceau Loup, 17 (1[75]).

=Mackenzie.= Ft. Franklin, 1[2]; Ft. Rae, 12; Fairchild Point,
6[9]; Fort Simpson, 10 (2[2]); Hot Springs (61°, 125°), 1[2];
Willow River, near Ft. Providence, 1; 35 mi. N Big Island, 7; Big
Island, 9; 3 mi. S Big Island, 7; Ft. Resolution, 9; 100 mi. N Ft.
Smith, 2; 75 mi. NW Ft. Smith, 1; Ft. Liard, 2; Sucker Creek,
4[77]; Govt. Hay Camp, Wood Buffalo Park, 2[77].

=Manitoba.= Egg Is., Rabbit Point, 1; Ft. Churchill, 1; Ft. York,
W Hudsons Bay 57° N, 1[7]; Oxford House, 11; Gypsumville, 1[86];
Lake St. Martin.

=New Brunswick.= _Restigouche County_: Bird Bait, north Camp, 6
mi. NE Nictau Lake, 2[59]; Red Brook, Tobique River, 1[59].
_Victoria County_: Trousers Lake, 3[2]. _Glouchester County_:
Youghall, 1[77]; Miramichi Road, 15 mi. from Bathurst, 13[77].
_York County_: Scotch Lake, 2.

=Newfoundland.= Nicholsville, 3[75]; Bay St. George, 48 (26[75];
2[7]; 1[9]); Codroy, 9 (7[75]; 2[60]).

=Nova Scotia.= _Victoria County_: Cape North, 2[77]. _Inverness
County_: Fizzleton, 3[77]. _Richmond County_: St. Peters, 1[77].
_Pictou County_: Glengary, 1[4]. _Guysborough County_: East Roman
Valley, 5[77]. _Kings County_: Wolfville, 5 (3[74], 2[77]); near
Wolfville, 1[77]. _Halifax County_: Hammond Plains, 1. _Annapolis
County_: Annapolis Royal, 1. _Digby County_: Digby, 3. No locality
more definite than Nova Scotia, 3.

=Ontario.= Severn River, 1[77]; R. C. Mission, Yellow Creek, near
mouth of Albany, 2[86]; Ft. Albany, 4; Charlton Island, 1; Moose
Factory, 10 (7[9]; 3[77]); Abitibi, 1[4].

=Quebec.= Fort Chimo, 10[77]; Ungava Forks, 1; Belcher Islands,
Hudsons Bay (Tukarak Island, 29; Eskimo Harbor, 2; Innetalling
Island, 1; S tip Gibson Peninsula, 2; Flaherty Island, 1), 35[9];
Cairn Island, Richmond Gulf, 2[9]; Manitounuk Sound, 4[9]; about
15 mi. S Great Whale River, 1[9]; Ft. George, 1[9]; Charlton
Island, 1[9]; Waswonaby Post, 1[77]; Mistassinnay Post, 3[77];
Godbout, 36; Mt. Albert, 7 (4[78]; 3[2]); St. Anne River, 1500
ft., 1[77]; Ste. Anne des Monts, 3[2]; "Federal Mine," 1[77];
Berry Mountain Camp, 1[77]; Berry Mountain Brook, 1[2]; Cascapedia
River (Middle Camp, 2; Tracadie, 2; Square Forks, 1), 5[2].

=Saskatchewan.= Poplar Point, Athabasca Lake, 1[75]; Fair Point,
Athabasca Lake, 1[75]; Emma Lake, 1[74]; Harper Lake, 2[77];
Livelong, 3[55]; Fairholme, 2[74]; Touchwood Hills, 2[7]; Indian
Head, 1[86].

=Yukon.= Hoole Canyon, 1; Teslin Lake (30 mi. N of, 1; Lake
itself, 1; "near" the lake, 1; Mts. "near," 2; Snowden Mts., 2;
Teslin Post, 2; Eagle Bay, 1; Morley Bay, 2; Nisutlin River, 1;
Nisutlin Flats, 2; Wolf River, 1; Wolf Lake, 5), 21[77].

=Mustela erminea cicognanii= Bonaparte

Ermine

Plates 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11

_Mustela cigognanii_ [_sic._] Bonaparte, Charlesworth's Mag. Nat.
Hist., 2:37, 1838.

_Putorius vulgaris_, Emmons, Quadrupeds of Massachusetts, p. 44,
1840.

_Mustela pusilla_ DeKay, Zool. of New York, Pt. 1, Mammalia, p. 34,
pl. 14, fig. 1, 1842. Type from New York State.

_Putorius pusillus_, Audubon and Bachman, Vivip. Quadrupeds of N.
Amer., 2:100, pl. 64, 1851 (pl. 1846) and erroneously labeled
_Mustela fusea_, as pointed out on p. 102 of text.

_Putorius cicognanii_, Baird, Mamm. N. Amer., p. 161, 1858.

_Putorius richardsoni cicognani_, Bangs, Proc. Biol. Soc.
Washington, 10; 18, figs. 4, 4a of pls. 1 and 2, and pl. 3, figs.
2, 2a, February 25, 1896 (part).

_Putorius cicognani_, Merriam, N. Amer. Fauna, 11:10, pl. 2, figs.
3, 3a, 4, 4a and pl. 5, figs. 2, 2a, June 30, 1896.

_Mustela cicognanii cicognanii_, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull.,
79:95, December 31, 1912; Bishop, Journ. Mamm., 4:26, February 9,
1923.

_Mustela cicognanii_, Jackson, Journ. Mamm., 3:15, February 8,
1922.

_Mustela erminea cicognanii_, Hall, Journ. Mamm., 26:77, February
27, 1945; Hall, Journ. Mamm., 26:180, July 19, 1945.

_Type._--No type specimen designated; type locality, eastern
United States.

The restriction of the type locality from the general region of
northeastern North America, as given by Merriam (1896:10) to the
less inclusive area of the eastern United States as earlier given
by Bangs (1896:18) is supported by Bonaparte's remarks in
connection with the proposal of the name _cicognanii_. He says
(1838:37-38) "During my stay in the United States, I only saw a
small species of _Mustela_, very common throughout the
Union . . . ." This animal constituted basis for the name
_cicognanii_ which name, he points out, is bestowed in order that
the Americans ". . . should have constantly under their eye, this
very common little animal, as the perpetual memorial . . ." to the
Italian Governmental representative ". . . who, for upwards of
fourteen years had served, in diplomatic and commercial
concerns, . . . two countries, . . . so different . . . as the
Roman and the United States. . . ." Clearly he had in mind
principally, if not exclusively, the animal of the United States.

_Range._--Transition and higher life-zones of northeastern United
States south to Connecticut, central Pennsylvania and extreme
northeastern Ohio; in Quebec and Ontario westward from the
latitude of central Maine to Lake Nipigon and Lake of the Woods.
See figure 25 on page 95.

_Characters for ready recognition._--Differs from _M. e.
richardsonii_ of both sexes, in that least width of color of
underparts averages less than a third rather than two-fifths of
greatest width of color of upper parts, in males skull less,
instead of more, than 1.9 grams and basilar length less than 38,
in females by 16 per cent lighter skull (0.92 versus 1.1 grams);
from _M. e. bangsi_, in males hind foot less instead of more than
40, linear measurements of skull averaging 11 per cent less (depth
of skull at plane of molars 10.0 versus 11.4), in females
averaging smaller, hind foot 30 versus 32 and depth of skull at
plane of molars 8.6 versus 9.1.

_Description._--_Size._--Male. Seven adults and subadults from New
York and Pennsylvania, yield average and extreme measurements as
follows: Total length, 266 (240-295); length of tail, 74 (66-80);
length of hind foot, 36 (33-39). Hamilton (1933:294) gives the
weight of 31 adults from New York as 81 (66-105) grams.

Female: Twelve adults and subadults from Maine and the area south
to central Pennsylvania, yield average and extreme measurements as
follows: Total length, 243 (225-260); length of tail, 63 (55-72);
length of hind foot, 29.8 (26-32). Hamilton (1933:294) gives the
weight of 15 adults from New York as 54 (45-71) grams.

_Color._--As described in _Mustela erminea richardsonii_ except
that underparts in summer Marguerite Yellow or even more whitish;
least width of color of underparts averaging, in adult males from
New York and Pennsylvania, 29 (27-32) per cent of greatest width
of color of upper parts. Black tip of tail in same series
averaging 42 (30-51) mm. which is 57 per cent of length of
tail-vertebrae.

_Skull._--Male (illustrated by 4 adults in table of cranial
measurements, which see): See plates 2-4. As described in _Mustela
erminea richardsonii_ except that: Weight, 1.5 (1.2-1.7) grams;
basilar length, 35.7 (33.8-37.6).

Female (illustrated by adult and subadults recorded in table of
cranial measurements, which see): See plates 9-11. As described in
_Mustela erminea richardsonii_ except that: Weight of 2 subadults,
0.92 (0.86-0.98) grams; basilar length, 32.4 (31.4-33.3).

The skull of the male, in linear measurements, is approximately 13 (12-16) per cent smaller and 40 per cent lighter than in _M. e. richardsonii_. In relation to the basilar length, the skull averages slightly narrower, slightly shallower as measured in the vertical plane touching the posterior borders of the last upper molars, and the preorbital part is slightly longer. In skulls of females of _cicognanii_, linear measurements average 3 (0-6) per cent less, the weight is 16 per cent less and the teeth are 5 per cent shorter. In relation to the basilar length, measurements of the skull are approximately the same or slightly less in _cicognanii_.

In comparison with _bangsi_, the male sex in linear measurements of the skull and teeth averages 11 per cent less than in _bangsi_ from Aitkin, Minn., and 6 per cent less than in _bangsi_ from Elk River, but in relation to the basilar length the preorbital region is larger. The weight is approximately a fourth less. In females the measurements average less, some being the same, and in relation to the basilar length, the bullae are shorter and the skull is shallower. The weight is about the same.

_Remarks._--In January, 1838, in Charlesworth's Magazine of Natural History, C. L. Bonaparte proposed for three kinds of American weasels the names _Mustela cicognanii_, _Mustela richardsonii_ and _Mustela longicauda_.

In this paper Bonaparte indicates that he previously had written (for his Iconografia della Fauna Italica ...) an account of _Mustela cicognanii_ using this same name. Fasciola XXII of the Iconogr. d. Fauna Italica, presenting his account of _Mustela_, like the English paper was published in the year 1838. In his article in Charlesworth's Magazine, Bonaparte refers to his book published [used the past tense] in Rome but whether it actually appeared first I am unable to determine and hence am uncertain which of the two constitutes the original description.

Reference to the Italian account suggests as basis for the name _M. cicognanii_, (1) specimens possibly seen in the United States by Bonaparte, or (2) Godman's published account of the animal.

In the English publication, however, Bonaparte actually says that (1) he saw the small species in the Union [= United States]. Also, he (2) mentions his earlier written Italian account, (3) mentions that "all the [American?] naturalists" used the name _M. vulgaris_ for this animal, (4) incidentally mentions Godman's account, and (5) in naming two other American species cites accounts of them by Richardson. Also, Bonaparte in this English article makes clear that when he wrote [not necessarily published] his Italian paper he did not know of the existence of two of the three American species.

In the register of mammals at the British Museum of Natural History, there appears:

43.3.3.3 Mustela longicauda _Bonap_ N amer presented
by Dr. J. Richardson
4 Mustela Richardsonii Bonap "
5 " Cicognanii Bonap "

To the right of these entries there appears, in three lines, the notation: "The three specimens examined by Prince Canino on which he established the three species."

Every part of each of the above entries is in the hand writing of J. E. Gray, in charge of the collections from 1824 to 1840 and associated with them as Keeper until 1875. The three specimens are in good condition considering their age. The catalogue or register number shows, among other things, that they were entered in the register on March 3, 1843.

Questions which might occur to anyone are:

(1) Was there a type specimen of _Mustela Cicognanii_ Bonaparte? If so is it no. 43.3.3.5?

(2) If there was no type specimen was there a type locality? If so what is it?

Among other things that may have bearing on these questions, are these: Bonaparte in Charlesworth's Magazine appears to base the two names _Mustela Richardsonii_ and _Mustela longicauda_ on Richardson's published account of _Mustela erminea_. At any rate immediately following each of the two names, Bonaparte writes "Nob. (_M. erminea_ Rich. F. Bor. Amer.)." Bonaparte's other, first newly proposed name, _Mustela Cicognanii_, in Charlesworth's Magazine has following it only "Nob. North America," although in a paragraph above he did point out that this was the animal which all naturalists, at the time he was in America, considered as _M. vulgaris_.

Turning to Richardson's account (Fauna Boreali Americana, ... Quadrupeds, pp. 45-47. 1829) one finds that he recognized two species, _M. vulgaris_ and _M. erminea_. Of the first he gives measurements "of an old female killed at Carlton House." Of the second species he distinguishes two varieties, the first represented by a specimen, of which he gives measurements, "killed at Fort Franklin, Great Bear Lake" and, the second variety "of a larger size, having a longer tail and longer fore-claws" he indicates the size of by giving measurements of a specimen taken "in the neighborhood of Carlton House."

The last variety is clearly the basis of Bonaparte's _M. longicauda_. The specimen from which Richardson took his measurements I have been unable to locate [no. 43.3.3.3 in the British Museum, appears to be another specimen, although of the same subspecies and provided by Richardson].

The first variety of Richardson's _Mustela erminea_, clearly is the basis of Bonaparte's _M. Richardsonii_. The specimen from which Richardson took his measurements may well be no. 43.3.3.4 now preserved in the British Museum of Natural History, but I could not be certain about this.

Richardson's _M. vulgaris_ is accompanied by measurements of a female which I have ascertained to my full satisfaction is the identical specimen now bearing catalogue number 43.3.3.5 said by Gray to be the specimen on which Bonaparte based his name _Mustela cicognanii_.

Gray probably saw his guest, Bonaparte, at work on these weasels and Gray's own written indication perhaps should be accepted at its face value. I found only 4 Richardson specimens of North American weasel in the British Museum in 1937 and it is conceivable that Bonaparte, 100 years before, actually had at hand only one specimen each of two kinds and 2 specimens of the third. This I think is not an important consideration, though, for Gray says just which specimens did serve as basis for Bonaparte's names and there is only one specimen for each name according to Gray.

But I wonder if a type specimen can be _made_ in this way? That is to say, after a name is published in a manner which makes it available, and if two or more specimens of the kind of animal involved, were, or may have been, available to the describer, can a person, even the author, himself, _make_ a type specimen by saying that one particular specimen is beyond doubt the specimen on which a given name was established even though no particular specimen was designated in the original description? I incline to the view that a specimen so designated would at most be only a lectotype, unless it were a cotype.

However, if a holotype can be _made_ by action such as Gray took, then (1) is no. 43.3.3.3 the type specimen of _Mustela longicauda_ Bonaparte and, (2) is no. 43.3.3.4 the type specimen of _Mustela Richardsonii_ Bonaparte?

Incidentally, _Mustela longicauda_ Bonaparte whether based on no. 43.3.3.3 or on Richardson's account will continue in its present application. The same is true of _Mustela richardsonii_. If the basis of _Mustela cicognanii_ Bonaparte [the diagnosis in the Iconografia d. Fauna Italica ... makes it clear that the name applies to the _short-tailed_ species] was a weasel from the eastern United States or a description of a weasel or weasels from there, the name will continue in its present application. If, instead, the name is based on no. 43.3.3.3 (from Carlton House, Saskatchewan) or on Richardson's account of _M. vulgaris_, the name will apply to a different subspecies (now called _richardsonii_ and _richardsonii_ will fall as a synonym of _cicognanii_) and the ermine of the eastern United States will take the next available name. Bonaparte probably named (in manuscript at least) _cicognanii_ before he ever saw the specimen in the British Museum. This is indicated by his statement in Charlesworth's Magazine (1838:37) that "I have _now_ [Italics mine] found two [other] American species. . . ." Whereas the names _richardsonii_ and _longicauda_ are based on Richardson, the name _cicognanii_, even if it dates from the account in Charlesworth's Magazine, appears to have a composite basis composed at the very least of (1) animals seen by Bonaparte in the United States, and (2) those called _vulgaris_ by some other authors. Conceivably the specimen no. 43.3.3.3 in the British Museum, was part of the basis. From the nature of the case it can be argued that there could be no type and that if someone should bring to light a specimen in, say, Philadelphia, bearing the notation "this is the specimen seen in the United States by Bonaparte" it would immediately become as important as the one in London. Any American weasel or weasels (then alive or preserved in a zoölogical collection) that Bonaparte saw in the United States probably were of the eastern United States. Bangs (1896:18-21), for one, previous to the present consideration of the name _cicognanii_, restricted it to the ermine of the eastern United States. Consequently, the name _cicognanii_, in the present account is applied to the ermine of the eastern United States. In my opinion there was and is no type. Almost certainly there was no type if the Fauna Italica appeared before the account in Charlesworth's Magazine did.

_Specimens examined._--Total number, 172, arranged alphabetically
by provinces and states, then (except where indication is given to
the contrary) by counties from north to south within each state or
province. Unless otherwise indicated, specimens are in the U. S.
National Museum.

=Connecticut.= _Windham County_: S. Woodstock, Woodstock Lake,
1[2]. _Hartford County_: Windsor, 1[5]. _New London County_:
Liberty Hill, 3[75].

=Maine.= _Aroostook County_: Quimby, 1[75]; Ashland 2[75].
_Piscataquis County_: tableland on top of Mt. Katahdin, 1; Chimney
Pond, 3; T. 5, R. 13, 3[5]; "vicinity of Chesnucook," 1[5]; T. 4,
R. 13, 1[5]; Moosehead Lake, 7[75]; Grenville, 10[75]; Barnard, 3
(1[86]). _Penobscot County_: South Twin Lake, 1[2]; Lincoln, 11
(7[1], 2[14], 2[50]). _Franklin County_: Seven Pond Township,
7[75]. _Oxford County_: Umbago Lake, 1[75]; Upton, 4[86]; Bethel,
1[75]. _Hancock County_: Bucksport, 17[75]; Naskeag, 1. _Lincoln
County_: Booth Bay, 1[5].

=Massachusetts.= _Middlesex County_: Wilmington, 2; Burlington, 6
(1[75]); _Worcester County_: Cambridge, 5 (1[5], 3[75]); Sterling,
1[5]. _Plymouth County_: Middleboro, 7 (1[75]).

=New Hampshire.= _Carroll County_: Ossipee, 5. _Rockingham
County_: Greenland, 1[76]. _Cheshire County_: Dublin, 1.

=New York.= _St. Lawrence County_: Ogdensburg, 1[74]. _Franklin
County_: Malone, 1[58]. _Lewis County_: Locust Grove, 1. _Warren
County_: Lake George, 1. _Montgomery County_: Amsterdam, 1.
_Albany County_: Albany, 1[80]. _Rensselaer County_: Berlin, 2[2];
Schoharie, 1[2]. _Thompkins County_: Cascadilla Creek, Ithaca,
1[58]. _Allegany County_: Ford Brook, Wellsville, 1[58]. _Ontario
County_: Phelps, 1[50]. _Cattaraugus County_: Cattaraugus, 1[5].

=Ontario= (localities locally north to south, then west to east).
_Thunder Bay Dist._: Grand Bay, Lake Nipigon, 5[86]; Macdiarmid,
2[86]; Oscar, 2[14]; 20 mi. SW Fort Williams, 1[76]; Michipicoten
Island, 3[104]. _Algoma Dist._: Michipicoten, 1; Franz, 1[74];
Pancake Bay, 2[77]. _Parry Sound Dist._: French River, Georgia
Bay, 1[2]; Seguin Falls, Twp. Montieth, 1[86]. _Sudbury Dist._:
Casselman, Rathbun Twp., 1[86]. _Nipissing Dist._: Smoky Falls,
near Kapuskasing, 4[86]; Franks Bay, Lake Nipissing, 1[86].
_Haliburton County_: Gooderham, 1[60]. _Simcoe County_: Orillia,
1[2]; no locality more definite than county, 1[60]. _Carleton
County_: Britannia, 5 mi. W Ottawa, 1[77]; Ottawa, 1[77]; Constant
Bay, NE? of Ottawa, 1[77]. _Wellington County_: Mt. Forest, 2[75];
Guelph, 1[31]. _Addington County_: Buckshot Lake, Abinger Twp.,
1[86]. _Fontenac County_: Clear Lake, Arden, 1[77].

=Pennsylvania= (by counties from west to east). _Crawford County_:
North Shenango Township, Pymatuning Swamp, 2[9]; Linesville (3 mi.
NW, 1; 3-1/2 mi. W, 2; 3 mi. W, 1; 2 mi. SW, 1; 7-1/2 mi. SW, 1)
6[9]. _Potter County_: Cherry Springs Farm, Abbott Township, 1; 3
mi. S Inez, South Fork Sinnamahoning Creek, 1[9]. _Sullivan
County_: Lopez, 1[74]. _Lackawanna County_: Scranton, 1[1]. _Wayne
County_: Waymart, 1.

=Quebec= (west to east). _Labelle County_: Kamika [= Kiamika]
Lake, 2[77]; Lacoste, 2[77]; Trout Lake, probably in this county,
2[77]. _Megantic County_: Black Lake, 1[77].

=Rhode Island.= _Newport County_: Middletown, 2[5].

=Vermont.= _Lamoille County_: Mt. Mansfield, 1. _Windsor County_:
Barnard, 1[5].

=Mustela erminea bangsi= Hall

Ermine

Plates 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11

_Mustela erminea bangsi_ Hall, Journ. Mamm., 26:176, July 19, 1945.

[_Putorius_] _cicognani_, Mearns, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist.,
3:235, June 5, 1891.

_Putorius richardsoni cicognani_, Bangs, Proc. Biol. Soc.
Washington, 10:18, February 25, 1896 (part).

_Putorius cicognanii_, Cory, Mamm. Illinois and Wisconsin, p. 375,
1912.

_Mustela cicognanii_, Aldous and Manweiler, Journ. Mamm., 23:250,
August 13, 1942.

_Mustela cicognanii cicognanii_, Bailey, N. Amer. Fauna, 49:169,
January 8, 1927; Leraas, Journ. Mamm., 23:344, August 13, 1942.

_Type._--Male, subadult, skull and skin; no. 11541, D. R. Dickey
Coll.; Elk River, Sherburne County, Minnesota; November 1, 1925;
obtained by Bernard Bailey, original no. A 606.

The skull is complete and the teeth all are present and entire.
The skin is well made and in a good state of preservation.

_Range._--Southern Manitoba, northeastern North Dakota, the whole
of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan and northern Iowa. See figure
25 on page 95.

_Characters for ready recognition._--Differs from _M. e.
richardsonii_, in that, in both sexes, least width of color of
underparts averages about a third, instead of two-fifths, of
greatest width of color of upper parts, and in that skulls of
males are a fifth or more lighter, basilar length averaging less
than 40; from _M. e. cicognanii_, in that hind foot more than 40
in males, averaging 32 versus 30 in females, and in larger skull,
depth of skull at plane of molars being 11.4 versus 10.0 in males
and 9.1 versus 8.6 in females.

_Description._--_Size._--Male: Twelve adult and subadult males
from Aitkin, Minnesota, yield average and extreme measurements as
follows: Total length, 316 (291-341); length of tail, 87 (70-101);
length of hind foot, 43 (40-44). Two adults from Aitkin each weigh
170 grams.

Four adult and subadult females from Elk River and Fort Snelling,
Minnesota, yield average and extreme measurements as follows:
Total length, 249 (240-260); length of tail, 61 (55-65); length of
hind foot, 32 (30-33).

_Color._--As described in _Mustela erminea richardsonii_ except
that, least width of color of underparts averaging, in males from
Minnesota, 32 (19-51) per cent of greatest width of color of upper
parts. Black tip of tail in 12 male topotypes in white winter
pelage averaging 52 (45-58) mm. which is 60 (53-66) per cent of
length of tail-vertebrae.

_Skull._--Male (based on adults from Aitkin): See measurements and
plates 2-4. As described in _Mustela erminea richardsonii_ except
that: Weight of 2 adults from Aitkin, 2.2, 2.3 grams (9 subadults
from T. 61 N, R. 26 W, average 1.95 grams); basilar length, 39.7
(38.5-40.7); length of tooth-rows rarely more (usually less) than
length of tympanic bulla.

Female (based on adults from Minnesota as listed in table of
cranial measurements, which see): See plates 9-11. As described in
_Mustela erminea richardsonii_ except that: Weight, of a subadult
from T. 61 N, R. 26 W, 0.91 grams; basilar length, 32.8
(31.8-33.6); breadth of rostrum rarely equal to as much as 30 per
cent of basilar length.

From _richardsonii_, topotypes of _bangsi_ differ in that cranial measurements in males are approximately 7 (5-9) per cent less, linear measurements of teeth are 10 (9-11) per cent less and the skull is a fifth lighter. In relation to basilar length the tympanic bullae of _bangsi_ are longer. Skulls of females are individually indistinguishable, those of _bangsi_ averaging approximately 1 per cent less in linear measurements. Comparison with the smaller cicognanii is made in the account of that subspecies.

_Remarks._--Before the subspecific name _bangsi_ was proposed, individuals of this subspecies ordinarily were recorded in the literature as _Mustela cicognanii_. The best single lot of material is in the zoölogical collection of the University of Wisconsin. The late naturalist Albert Lano preserved a large share of the material from Minnesota. The large series from Elk River of that same state was mostly collected by Bernard Bailey although his Aunt, Anna (Bailey) Mills, and her brother the late Vernon Bailey, at an earlier time saved some specimens from Elk River. The name _bangsi_ was proposed in recognition of the superior work done on American weasels by the late Outram Bangs.

From the range of _M. e. invicta_ in the Rocky Mountains, that of _bangsi_ is separated by the Great Plains from a large part of which region the species is unknown. _M. e. bangsi_ differs from _invicta_ in greater degree of sexual dimorphism in size, and in each sex by larger size, narrower light-colored underparts, and deeper braincase as measured at the anterior margin of the basioccipital. In _bangsi_ the braincase is deeper relative to the length of the skull as well as, of course, actually deeper.

Of the two subspecies whose ranges do meet that of _bangsi_, it more closely resembles _richardsonii_ than _cicognanii_. From _richardsonii_, especially from southeastern populations of the same in which the skull is of the same size as in _bangsi_, the latter differs in longer hind feet. This is an average difference and by one interpretation the animals here referred to _bangsi_ might be lumped with some of the populations from the southeastern part of the range of _richardsonii_ and the whole lot treated as intergrades between _richardsonii_ and _cicognanii_. Nevertheless, the animals here referred to bangsi are not geographically intermediate between _richardsonii_ and _cicognanii_ and this consideration had much to do with the decision to recognize as a separate subspecies the animals here named _bangsi_.

Within the range of the subspecies there is some geographic variation; the hind feet of animals from Iowa average slightly shorter than those of animals from Minnesota and Wisconsin but are nowhere nearly so short as in _cicognanii_ at the same latitude in the eastern United States.

It is noteworthy that the few specimens seen from Isle Royal have the long hind feet of _bangsi_ and not the short hind feet of _cicognanii_ which occurs all along the northern mainland.

Because an oft cited record of occurrence even though erroneous, has a way of being repeated in later works, attention is here called to the alleged occurrence of this ermine in northwestern Ohio at New Bremen. Henninger (1921:239) published the original account of the supposed occurrence but as I pointed out in 1937 (p. 304), the specimen concerned proved upon examination to be a female of _Mustela frenata noveboracensis_. Henninger was misled probably by the short tail; the end of the tail had been lost and healed over before the animal's death. The present study has revealed that _M. erminea_ everywhere east of the Cascade Mountains assumes a white winter coat. Had this been known when Henninger obtained his specimen he probably would not have wrongly identified the animal from New Bremen which was in the brown, winter pelage.

_Specimens examined._--Total number, 222, arranged alphabetically
by provinces and states and, arranged from north to south, by
counties in each state. Unless otherwise indicated, specimens are
in the University of Wisconsin Museum of Zoölogy.

=Iowa.= _Dickinson County_: W side Lake Okobogie, 1[48].
_Winnebago County_: Lake Mills, 7[65]. _Worth County_: Northwood,
1[65]. _Clay County_: "Dewey's Pasture, near Ruthven," 1[76].

=Manitoba.= Aweme, 4[47]; Red River Settlement, 1[91].

=Michigan.= _Isle Royal_: Tobin Harbor, 1[76]; Bell Isle, 1[76];
Washington Harbor, 3[76]. _Ontonagon County_: Ontonagon, 2 (1[76],
1[14]); T. 51N, R. 43W, S. 17, Porcupine Mts., 1[76]. _Gogebic
County_: Little Girls Point, 5[76]; Ironwood, 1[76]. _Iron
County_: no locality more definite than county, 1[76]. _Luce
County_: Tahquamenon River Falls, 1[91]. _Chippewa County_: Sault
Ste. Marie, 2[76]. _Emmet County_: Wilderness State Park, 2[76].
_Cheboygan County_: Univ. Mich. Biol. Station, 1[76]. _Washtenaw
County_: Ann Arbor, 1[76].

=Minnesota.= _Kittson County_: no locality more definite than
county, 1[2]. _Roseau County_: Deer Township, 1[14]; Falun
Township, 2[14]. _Marshall County_?: Moose River, 5[93]; Warren,
definitely in Marshall County, 1[93]. _Cook County_: Grand Marais,
3 (2[76], 1[14]). _St. Louis County_: 2 mi E Babbitt, 14[93];
Burntside [= Burnside] Lake, 1[91]. _Itasca County_: T. 61N, R.
26W, 23. _Clay County_: Moorhead, 3[9]. _Aitkin County_: Aitkin,
13 (11[60], 1[7], 1[4]). _Otter Tail County_: Arthur, 3[60]; Ten
Mile Lake, 1[76]; Parkers Prairie, 2[75]. _Chisago County_: North
Branch, 1[60]. _Sherburne County_: Elk River, 42 (16[91], 5[14],
20[59], 1[74]). _Hennepin County_: Lake Minnetonka, 1[75];
Minneapolis, 1[91]; Fort Snelling, 5 (4[2], 1[60]).

=North Dakota.= _Pembina County_: Walhalla, 1[91]. _Nelson
County_: Stump Lake, 1[91]. _Eddy County_: Brantford, 2[76].

=Wisconsin.= _Douglas County_: T. 44N, R. 13W, 1; Gordon, 1.
_Bayfield County_: Brinks Camp, Washburn, 1[2]; "near Cable," 1.
_Ashland County_: Bear Lake, 2. _Iron County_: Fisher Lake, 4;
Mercer, 5. _Vilas County_: Mamie Lake, 16[91]; Ox Bow Lake, 1[91].
_Oneida County_: Tomahawk Lake, 1[60]. _Langlade County_: T. 34N,
R. 11E, 3. _Rush County_: Ladysmith, 1. _Dunn County_: Colfax, 2.
_Door County_: Mink River, Ellison Bay, 1[76]. _Dodge County_: Fox
Lake, 1[50]; Beaver Dam, 12[50].

=Mustela erminea invicta= Hall

Ermine

Plates 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 41

_Mustela erminea invicta_ Hall, Journ. Mamm., 26:75, February 27,
1945; Hall, Journ. Mamm., 26:180, July 19, 1945.

_Putorius cicognanii_, Preble, N. Amer. Fauna, 27:230, October 26,
1908.

_Type._--Male, subadult, skull and skin; no. 101122, Mus. Vert.
Zoöl.; Benewah, Benewah County, Idaho; October 24, 1926; obtained
by William T. Shaw.

The skull has a hole in the right squamosal bone on the floor of
the braincase, and lacks the hamular process of the left
pterygoid. The postmolar part of the right lower jaw is missing.
The teeth all are present and entire. The skin is in white, winter
pelage, well made, and in a good state of preservation.

_Range._--Central Rocky Mountain region from Jasper Park south
over Alberta, southeastern British Columbia, Washington east of
the Cascades, and north and central Idaho and northwestern
Montana. See figure 25 on page 95.

_Characters for ready recognition._--Differs from _M. e.
richardsonii_, in males, by skull lighter than 1.9 grams, mastoid
breadth less than 19.9, depth of skull at anterior margin of
basioccipital less than 12.4, in females by corresponding
measurement of depth less than 10.1, and weight of skull less than
one gram; from _M. e. fallenda_, in both sexes, by upper lips
white (not brown), in males by skull averaging longer (37.0 versus
35.7), in females by breadth of rostrum less, instead of more,
than 30 per cent of basilar length; from _M. e. streatori_,
_gulosa_, and _muricus_ by hind foot more than 36 and basilar
length more than 35 in males and by hind foot more than 29.5 and
basilar length more than 30.5 in females; further distinguished
from _streatori_ by white (not brown) upper lips and from _gulosa_
by black tip of tail more than half length of tail-vertebrae.

_Description._--_Size._--Male: Ten adults and subadults from
central Idaho County yield average and extreme measurements as
follows: Total length, 291 (272-328); length of tail, 86 (75-100);
length of hind foot, 39.9 (38-44).

Female: Five adults and subadults from the same locality yield
average and extreme measurements as follows: Total length, 255
(245-270); length of tail, 71 (68-76); length of hind foot, 32.3
(32-33).

_Color._--As described in _Mustela erminea richardsonii_ except
that underparts in summer Marguerite Yellow or more whitish; least
width of color of underparts averaging, in four females from Idaho
and Montana, 38 (33-43) per cent of greatest width of color of
upper parts. Black tip of tail in same specimens 38 (31-42) mm.
which is 57 (52-65) per cent of length of tail-vertebrae.

_Skull._--Male (5 adults from Idaho County): See measurements and
plates 2-4. As described in _Mustela erminea richardsonii_ except
that: Weight, 1.5 (1.4-1.7) grams; basilar length, 37.0
(35.8-39.8).

Female (illustrated by adult and 4 subadults in table of cranial
measurements, which see): See plates 9-11. As described in
_Mustela erminea richardsonii_ except that: Weight, 0.72 (0.7-0.9)
grams; basilar length, 32.2 (31.6-32.8).

From _fallenda_, _invicta_ differs in that the skull of the male has a relatively narrower rostrum and relatively shallower braincase. Females show the same differences but the degree of difference is about as great again as in males. The teeth are almost exactly the same size in the two subspecies. The weight is the same in males but in females _invicta_ is 18 per cent heavier.

From _streatori_, _invicta_ differs in that males average larger in every measurement taken except that the anteroposterior diameter of the inner moiety of M1 is less; 36 per cent heavier; linear measurements of the skull are about 5 per cent larger and those of the teeth, with the one exception noted, about 6 per cent larger; relative to the basilar length the tympanic bullae are longer and the rostrum is relatively narrower. In females, measurements of the skull average 8 per cent more and those of the teeth 7 per cent more except that, as in males, the inner lobe of M1 is actually shorter. Females of _invicta_ are 12 per cent heavier; relative to the basilar length the skull is narrower throughout and the tooth-rows are shorter than in _streatori_.

From _gulosa_, _invicta_ differs in that males average larger (about 12 per cent) in every measurement taken, excepting the anteroposterior diameter of M1 which is the same; 50 per cent heavier; relative to the basilar length the length of the tooth-rows and interorbital breadth are less. In females the inner lobe of M1 is smaller but every other measurement taken of the skull and teeth is more, _invicta_ averaging about 8 per cent larger and 22 per cent heavier; relative to the basilar length, the tooth-rows are shorter and the skull is narrower interorbitally, through the rostrum and across the zygomata.

From _murica_, _invicta_ of corresponding sex differs in being larger in every measurement taken; males average 17 per cent larger in cranial measurements, 13 per cent larger in dental measurements and are 83 per cent heavier; corresponding percentages for females are 11, 9 and 20. Exception must again be made for the anteroposterior diameter of the inner lobe of the last upper molar which is less in females, and only slightly more in males. In males of _invicta_ the tympanic bullae are longer in relation to the basilar length.

From the geographically remote _cicognanii_, skulls of both males and females of _invicta_ are to me individually indistinguishable. There is, nevertheless, an average difference not apparent to the eye between skulls of males. If the length of the tooth-rows be taken as a standard (100 per cent), the rostrum, of _invicta_, as measured across the lacrimal processes is broader (89 rather than 84 per cent) but the width across the fourth upper premolars is less, 94 rather than 97 per cent of the length of the tooth-rows.

Since the skull of _invicta_ closely resembles that of _cicognanii_, it follows that _invicta_ differs from _richardsonii_ and _bangsi_ in about the manner described in the account of _cicognanii_.

_Remarks._--Animals of this subspecies in advance of the present study generally were recorded in the literature under the name _Mustela cicognanii_. The difficulty in distinguishing individual specimens of _invicta_ on morphological grounds from those of the geographically remote _M. e. cicognanii_ should not be taken to indicate that the populations do not differ appreciably. Actually they differ in several characters although in no one of these is the degree of difference sufficient to allow of using it alone as a certain means of diagnosis. In _invicta_, as compared with _cicognanii_, the light-colored underparts are wider in relation to the dark-colored upper parts and the tail is longer by 4 per cent relative to the head and body. Given a population of each of the two subspecies, in which the skull is of the same mass, the hind feet are longer in _invicta_, there is more sexual dimorphism in size, and the anterior part of the skull differs in some particulars as just described in the comparison of the skull of _invicta_ with other forms. Nevertheless, each of these differences is of an average sort. Therefore, and because overall size is about the same in the two subspecies concerned, one or a few specimens from, say, central Idaho, can be distinguished from animals from western Pennsylvania only with difficulty, if at all. The close resemblance of skulls of _invicta_ and _cicognanii_ may be a function of their living at approximately the same latitudinal position in a climate that has marked seasonal variation.

Intergradation with _richardsonii_ is complete and gradual; in one sense _invicta_ is but little more than a small _richardsonii_. Intergradation with _fallenda_ is shown by several specimens. These two races differ in large degree in color, and in size and shape of the skull of females. Although the geographic area where intergradation in color occurs is fairly wide, the area in which intergradation in cranial characters in females occurs, appears, from the inadequate material available, to be much narrower. Intergradation occurs freely in Washington with _streatori_ but with _muricus_ so far as known only in the Bitterroot and nearby mountains of northwestern Montana. The Snake River Plains and low country along much of the Columbia River appears to be uninhabited by weasels of the species _erminea_ and hence there is opportunity for intergradation only in the mentioned area of Montana.

_Specimens examined._--Total number, 177, as follows. Arranged
alphabetically by provinces and states then by localities from
north to south in each province and by counties from north to
south in each state. Unless otherwise indicated, specimens are in
the United States National Museum.

=Alberta.= Jasper House, 4[77]; Shovel Pass, 2[77]; Jasper Park,
10[77]; head of Smoky River, 9; Henry House, 2 (1[77]); Blindman
River, 1[2]; forks of Blindman River and Red Deer River, 2 (1[60],
1[75]); "near Red Deer, Red Deer River," 1[77]; Red Deer River, 2
(1[2], 1[60]); Red Deer, 2[60]; Rosebud, 2[77]; Prairie, 3000 ft.,
1; Didsbury, Little Red Deer River, 1; Canadian Nat'l Park, 1[60];
Canmore, 1; Banff, 1[60]; High River, 1[86]; "Waterton Lake Park"
in Alberta, 6[77].

=British Columbia.= Grand Forks of Fraser River, 1; Canoe River,
1[77]; Field, 1; Glacier, 1[58]; E side Beaverfoot Range,
4000-4500 ft., 6 mi. SE Fraser Creek, 8[74]; Wentworth Lake,
1[31]; Revelstoke, 2 (1[77], 1[60]); Spillimacheen[e]en River,
2[2]; Sicamous, 2; Albert River, 7000 ft., 1[2]; Lumby, Creighton
Valley, 1[31]; Okanagan, 4 (2[75], 1[94], 1[2]); Kettle River
Lake, Gold Range, 4000 ft., 1; Crows Nest Station, 1[74]; Yale
District, 3; Fort Hope, 1; Chilliwack Lake, 1[77]; Skagit, 2
(1[77], 1[31]); Skagit Valley, 1[77]; Skagit Summit, 1[77];
Lightning Lakes, 2 mi. N International Boundary, 3;
Osoyoos-Bridesville Summit, 2; Westbridge, 1[77]; Rossland, 5[77];
Creston, mouth Goat Creek, 3[77]; Yahk, 4[77].

=Idaho.= _Bonner County_: Coolin, 4. _Benewah County_: Benewah,
1[55]. _Idaho County_: "Pete Kings, Lochsa River," 1[97]; 2 mi.
SSE Selway Falls, 1900 ft., 1[8]; 4 mi. SW Selway Falls, 5800 ft.,
3[8]; Newsome Cr., 12 mi. above jct. with S Fk. Clearwater River,
2[74]; Iron Mt., to 14 mi. W thereof, 24[74]; Pilot Cr., 3/4 to
2-1/2 mi. above Newsome Cr., 4[74]; Sawmill Cr., 1-1/4 mi. W
Newsome, 1[74]; between Selway River and S. Fk. Clearwater R.,
4[74].

=Montana.= _Teton County_ (of old arrangement of counties): Many
Glacier, 4900 ft., 1[74]; Duck Lake, 6 mi. NE St. Marys Lake, 1;
St. Marys, Glacier Park, 1[76]; Lower St. Marys Lake, 1[2].
_Flathead County_: Stanton Lake, 5. _County_ in question: Bitter
Root Mts., 1. _Ravalli County_: Tin Cup District, 1[74]; Bass
Creek, 6800 ft., NW of Stevensville, 1; Capitan Peak, 7000 ft., 1;
Darby, 2[74]; Girds Creek, 1[74]; Charlos Heights, 2[74].

=Washington.= _Whatcom County_: Twin Lakes, Winchester Mts., 3
(1[10]); Chilliwack River, 2600 ft., 2; Cooper Creek, near head,
4500 ft., Hannegan Pass, 1; Cooper Cr., 4300 ft., Hannegan Pass,
1[10]; Beaver Creek (2500 ft., and at McMillan Ranch, 1700 ft.),
2; Barron, Bornite Mine, 5000 ft., 1. _Okanogan County_: Tungsten
Mine, 6800 ft., Bauerman Ridge, 4; Hidden Lakes, 4100 ft., 1; West
Fork Pasayten River, 4700 ft., 1. _Stevens County_: Orin, 1[51].
_Pend Oreille County_: Ione, 2[51]. _Chelan County_: Lake Chelan,
1[46].

=Mustela erminea alascensis= (Merriam)

Ermine

Plates 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11

_Putorius richardsoni alascensis_ Merriam, N. Amer. Fauna, 11:12,
pl. 2, figs. 2, 2a, June 30, 1896.

_Putorius cicognanii alascensis_, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull.,
79:96, December 31, 1912; Swarth, Univ. California Publ. Zoöl.,
7:140, January 12, 1911.

_Mustela erminea alascensis_, Hall, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington,
57:36, June 28, 1944; Hall, Journ. Mamm., 26:180, July 19, 1945.

_Type._--Male, adult, skull and skin; no. 74423, U. S. Nat. Mus.,
Biol. Surv. Coll.; Juneau, Alaska; August 22, 1895; obtained by
Clark P. Streator, original no. 4806.

The skull shows malformation of the frontal sinuses due to
parasites and lacks osseous tissue where the parasitic infestation
was localized. The left exoccipital condyle and adjacent region is
less developed than the right and the posterior part of the skull
is bent slightly to the left. Otherwise the skull is unbroken. The
teeth all are present and entire. The skin is in the brown summer
coat, fairly well made and in a good state of preservation. A few
white hairs persist where the proximal line of the black hair of
the tip of the tail meets the distal line of the brown hair.

_Range._--Mainland of southeastern Alaska from Lynn Canal south to
include Mitkof, Zarembo, Wrangel and Revillagigedo islands. See
figures 25, 26 on pages 95 and 134.

_Characters for ready recognition._--Differs from _M. e. arctica_
and _haidarum_, in both sexes, by proximal two-thirds of under
side of tail colored same as upper parts rather than same as
underparts and interorbital breadth less, instead of more, than
distance between glenoid fossa and posterior border of external
auditory meatus; from _M. e. salva_, in males, by overall depth of
braincase including tympanic bullae less than 89 per cent of
orbitonasal length, females not individually distinguishable but
averaging shallower through the braincase; from _M. e. initis_,
_celenda_ and _seclusa_ by interorbital breadth less than distance
between glenoid fossa and posterior border of external auditory
meatus (females of _initis_, _celenda_ and _seclusa_ unknown);
further from _initis_ by total length less than 317 and black tip
of tail less than 57 per cent of length of tail-vertebrae; further
from _celenda_ by chest white, not mostly covered by brown patch.

_Description._--_Size._--Male: Eight adults from Windham, Alaska,
yield average and extreme measurements as follows: Total length,
298 (288-315); length of tail, 88 (84-94); length of hind foot,
41.3 (37-44).

Female: Two adults from Juneau and Helm Bay measure, respectively,
as follows: Total length, 258, 258; length of tail,----, 76;
length of hind foot, 32, 34.

_Color._--As described in _Mustela erminea richardsonii_ except
that least width of color of underparts averaging, in five
females, 42 (35-53) per cent of greatest width of color of upper
parts. Black tip of tail in same specimens averaging 36 (30-40)
mm. which is 49 (48-53) per cent of length of tail-vertebrae.

_Skull._--Male (based on 8 adults from Windham): See measurements
and plates, 2-4. As described in _Mustela erminea richardsonii_
except that: Weight, 1.8 (1.5-2.6) grams; basilar length, 37.5
(36.5-38.9); length of tooth-rows more or less than (about same
as) length of tympanic bulla.

Female (based on 5 adults, from localities listed in the table of
cranial measurements): See measurements and plates 9-11. As
described in _Mustela erminea richardsonii_ except that: Weight,
0.96 (0.7-1.1) grams; basilar length, 32.7 (31.9-33.2); breadth of
rostrum more or less than (about equal to) 30 per cent of basilar
length.

From _richardsonii_, _alascensis_ differs in that the skull of the male averages smaller in every measurement taken and is 28 per cent lighter. Relative to the basilar length, the orbitonasal length is more and the braincase is shallower as measured at the anterior end of the basioccipital. The four adult females seen of _alascensis_ are more variable than those of _richardsonii_ and average smaller in some measurements and larger in others but give no proof of any consistent difference.