MARTEN, ltartes, a genus of digitig,rade carnivorous quadrupeds of the family mus telicla3, differing from weasels in having an additional false molar on each side above and below, a small tubercle on the inner side of the lower carnivorous cheek-teeth, and the tongue not rough--characters which are regarded as indicating a somewhat less extreme carnivorous propensity. The body is elongated and supple, as in weasels, the legs short, and the toes separate, with sharp, long claws. The ears are larger than in weasels, and the tail is bushy. The martens exhibit great agility and gracefulness in their movements, and are very expert in climbing trees, among which they generally live. Two species are natives of Britain—the COMMON MARTEN, BEECH MARTEN, or STONE 3IARTIN (M. foina), and the PINE MARTEN (.11f. abietum), inhabiting chiefly the more rocky and wooded parts of the island; the former in the s., and the latter in the north. Both were once much more common than they now are, being sought after on account of their fur, and killed on every opportunity, because of their excessive depredations among game and in poultry-yards. The head and body are about 18 in. long, the tail
nearly 10 inches. Both species are of a dark tawny color, the common marten having; a. white throat, and the pine marten a yellow throat. Many naturalists regard them as varieties of one species, of which also they reckon the sable (q.v.) to be another variety. The fur of the martens is of two sorts: an inner fur, short, soft, and copious, and long outer hair, from which the whole fur derives its color. The common marten is much less valuable for its fur thau the pine marten, whilst the pine marten is much less valuable than the sable; but skins of the common marten are imported in great num bers from the n. of Europe, and they are often dyed, and sold as an inferior kind of sable. Pine marten skins are imported from the n. of Europe, Siberia, and North America.—The martens generally have their retreats in the hollow trunks of trees, or usurp the nest of a magpie or other bird, but sometimes among rocks. They are capable of a certain amount of domestication.