250 



NATURAL HISTORY COLLECTIONS IN ALASKA. 



smaller (length 104"""), appears to be considerably older. The teeth, especially of the mandible, 

 are much worn, and the canines are reduced to mere stumps. The region of the occipital condyles 

 exhibits signs of disease, bnt the remainder of the skull is normal. 



List of specimens. 



ileasuremetUs. 



Biographical notes. — This species is one of the most common and valuable fur-bearing mammals 

 in the north. It occurs in all the streams and lakes of the Alaskan mainland, excepting only the 

 barren coast region bordering the Arctic from Point Hope to the Mackenzie River. In Southern 

 Alaska they arefouud upon Kadiak and the Shumagiu Islands and upon TJnimak , the easternmost 

 of the Aleutians, as well as upon jSTunevak Island, further to the north. Its range reaches to the 

 vicinity of latitude 09° iu the interior. 



They prefer streams or ponds in which tish are plentiful, and there they usually keep two or 

 three holes open from the bank under the ice in winter. These holes ai'e often cu nningly concealed 

 by some natural objector by an overhanging snow-drift. The entrances to these holes are favorite 

 places for placing a trap, so that the animal is caught when going in or out. A steel trap is used, 

 or a strong square net is stretched across the opening under water, and made fast so that the otter 

 will become entangled in its meshes and drowned. 



A district frequented by them is easily found in winter, as they move abo ut considerably and 

 leave a conspicuous trail iu the snow. Toward the end of winter they frequently make a burrow 

 in a large snow-di'ift, and sometimes a party of five or six will be found occupying the place. 

 Such parties usually consist of the two old ones and the last season's young. When the natives 

 find such a place they get strong clubs and stand at the entrance while a companion goes to the 

 farther side and drives the animals out and they are brained. 



Instances sometimes occur of their following fish into wicker fish-traps and being drowned, 

 but this is rare. Now and then one is found moving about in winter and shot, but the greater 

 number are caught iu steel traps at the entrance to their holes in the sides of streams or ponds. 



When traveling through soft snow they move by a series of short leaps, and if frightened 

 they make rapid progress for such short-legged animals. At such times, howe ver, a dog can easily 

 run one down, but when brought to bay they make desperate battle and are usually killed with a 

 heavy club or a gun. 



An otter was one of the chief actors in a strange accident which occurred near the Yukon 

 mouth during my residence in the north. A hunter went out to inspect his tish traps, and, failing 

 to return in the course of a day or two, his friends began to look for him. He was found lying 

 dead by the side of a small lake witli his throat torn open and the tail of a dead otter firmly grasped 

 in both hands. One of the otter's feet was fast iu a steel fox-trap, and it was supposed that on his 

 way home the hunter came across the otter iuthe trap and Jiaving no weapon with him and being 



