Marten

Marten, any individual of the genus Mnstela, of the Arctoid family Mustelidje, with seven species from the northern parts of both hemispheres. They resemble weasels in form, but are of larger size, with bushy tail, arboreal in habit, and feed on birds and eggs, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The fur is of commercial value. [Sable.] The largest species, the Pekan (M. pennanti), from North America, with blackish fur, may have a total length of about four feet. It is sometimes called the Fisher Marten, but probably without foundation. The only British species, the Pine Marten (M. martes), has rich brown fur. The European Beech or Stone Marten {M.foina), supposed by Rolleston to have been the "cat" of classic times, has greyish brown fur, and a white throat. An Indian species (M. cathia) is domesticated, and is used to drive away rats and mice.