Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-11-16
CITY AND COUNTY.

NATURAL HIsToUy SocIErY-At the meeting
Of tbs 'ocieiy last Saturday evening apaper the
mink. (putorius yisOn) was read by c. w. Gilbert
There are about Glteen well determined species of
this genus, six OF which belong to America and the
| remainder to the eastern continent. There arc
some striking and permanent varieties Of the mink
! both ia size aud color; those from Canada are
| considerably darker than those of the United
states. Next to the ermne the mink is the most
active and destructive little depredator that prowls
around the falm-yard the farmers duck.ponds.
Very little be said in its defence 1t must be ad.
mitted however, that although lie is a cunning and
obstructive little rogue, his next door neghbor the
ermine or common weasel, goes infinitely beyond
him in his mischevous propensities Whilst the
mink is satisfied with destroying one or two fowls
at time, on which he makes a hearty meal, the
weasel, in tie very spirit of wantou destructiyeness
sometimes in single nightputs to death every ten.
ant of the poultry house. The mink, like the musk
rat and ermine, does not possess much cunning, and
is easily captured in any kind of trap, and is at
traeted by any kind of flesh. 1t is exceedingly te-
naeious of life When taken young it becomes
very gentle, and forms strong attachment to those
who fondle it in a state of demonstration.
The skins Ofthe mink were formerly an article of
commerce, and were used for making muffs, tippets
&c. but they longer consi cred much value
Mr. Gilbert also read paper the Mountain
Brook Mink tRutorius Nigrescens), which is found
in the mountains Of the state of Pennsy lyania in
the northern part of the state of New York and in
Canada. but has not been heard OF in Virginia or
in any ofthe southern states and is regarded as a
northern species.
Miss Annie b. EBre reported on specimens of
fruit found at st. John, n. b., and known there as
the iiill or Rock Cranberry, which grows in great
abundance on the limestone rocks-needing scarce.
ly any soil Clusters of eight, ten and twelve or
more berries will be foInd at the end o the little
leafy stems The fruit is not hollow, and makes
very good preserve. The specimen in question is
known to botanists as oxycoccus palustris
Nathaniel Paine read a report upon the Canada
Pouched Rats or GOphers, found in Minnesota, and
recently presented TO the society. Gopher is the
common name given TO two very different Ameri-
can animals one belonging to the rodent family,
and the other reptile the large land tortoise of
the southern states There is also at the south an
animal OF the Rodenta, which is nearly the same as
the gopher Of the west but it is called the Eamser
or Salaniander, this last name giving living at the
north the idea that it is species Of reptile. These
specimens from the state of Minnesota called o.
pliers By the residents there but Mr. Paine OF the
opinion that is merely local name, and not
thorized by the most reliable aturaliss. These
animals belong to the genus rseudostoma, the
characteristics of which are the false mouths or
cheek pouches the name being derived from the
Greek pseudo, false, and stoma, mouth
The cheek pouches, witch are the most striking
feature III this ANIMAL and which give it its generic
name are quite large extending rom the sides Of
the mouth 10 the shoulders and covered ON the
inside with SOFT, short hairs, which supposed by
many TO assist in holding the food in the pouches,
! 81 f;ass