298 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



are fond of those parts of the sea which abound most with weeds, 

 where they feed on fish, sepise, lobsters and shell fish, which they 

 comminute with their flat grinders. 



These animals partake very much of the nature of seals, in their 

 almost constant residence in the water, their manner of swimming, 

 fin-like legs, and number of fore teeth. Their skins meet a ready 

 market in China, and command high prices. 



The Common Otters inhabit as far north as Hudson's Bay, Labra- 

 dor and Canada ; and as low south as Carolina and Louisiana. They 

 also inhabit the western coast of North America. Some few are yet 

 found on the Delaware, below Philadelphia : and on the banks of its 

 tributary streams. 



Their fur is fine ; of a deep brown colour, with the exception of 

 a white spot on each side of the nose, and another under the chin. 



The Otters of North America are larger than those of Europe ; and 

 the furs of such as inhabit the colder parts are very valuable. Their 

 food is commonly fish ; but it is said that they will attack and devour 

 the Beaver. Lewis and Clark found this animal on their whole route 

 to the Pacific Ocean, even amid the inhospitable regions of the Rocky 

 Mountains. 



The Minx is a little animal of the shape of the foregoing, but much 

 smaller ; its length being only about twenty inches from head to tail ; 

 of the tail only four. It inhabits various parts of the United States, 

 and Canada. It frequents the banks of rivers and creeks, dwelling in 

 hollow trees, or holes which it forms near the water. It can swim 

 and dive admirably; feeds upon fish, frogs, &c. and is often found un- 

 der barns and out houses, sneaking after the poultry and the rats. 

 Along the coast this animal abounds ; and it is very destructive to those 

 birds which breed in the salt marshes, surprising them on their nests 

 and sucking their eggs. When irritated, the Minx emits an exces- 

 sively fetid odour. Its common name, and that whereby it is best 

 known, is Mink. 



Weasels are common throughout Norih America. They are well 

 known to our farmers, who bear them no good will in consequence of 

 the depredations which they commit among the poultry. But not- 

 withstanding their bad qualities, they are sometimes of great benefit 

 to the husbandman in ridding his granaries of those destr active pests, 

 the rats. 



Ermine. . This neat and clean little animal, is said to change iu 

 the winter, in northern countries, to a snowy whiteness, the end of its 

 tail excepted, which still remains black, In its summer dress it is 

 called a Stoat ; it is then of a tawny brown colour above, and white 

 below. It inhabits the northern pares of No^h America. 



The Polar Bear almost entirely suuounds the neighborhood of the 

 Polar circle. It is found within it as far as navigators have pene- 

 trated ; in the island of Spitzbergen, and within Baffin's Bay ; in Green- 

 land and Hudson's Bay ; in Terra de Labrador ; and, by accident, 

 wafted from Greenland, on islands of ice, to Iceland and NeAvfound- 

 land. These animals affect the utmost severity of the Arctic zone. 

 They are impatient of heat. One that was brought alive into England, 

 some years since, was restless and furious during the warm weather ; 

 and its keeper was obliged to pour on it frequently pailfuls of cold 

 water. 



The Polar Bear has a long narrow head and neck ; the tip of the 



