of the Mackenzie River District, 35 



Pterura, Enhydris. The former again have been subdivided into 

 those with claws well developed, and those with very rudimen- 

 tary ones or none at all. Pterura is a distinct Genus, having 

 the tail dilated laterally on either side. " Of Lutra N. America 

 probably possesses two species, of Enhydris one." Baird. 



Lutra Canadensis. — American Otter. 



" Sp. ch. length about 4J feet muzzle longer than wide, send- 

 ing down a naked point along the median line of the upper lips 

 anteriorly. Under surfaces of the feet so covered with hair to- 

 wards the circumference as completely to isolate the naked pads 

 of the tips. A hairy strip extending forward from beneath the 

 carpus on the palm. Color above, liver brown barely lighter 

 beneath, inferior surface and sides of head dirty whitish." Baird. 



In appearance the otter is a magnified mink. Its walk, fur, 

 and color bear strong simihtudes to those of the latter animal, 

 and the lightening of the tints of the pelage in old age is the 

 same in both. Its fur is short and thick, the under fur being of 

 a silvery white shade, slightly waved and silky, and of similar 

 texture to that of the beaver but not so long. The color of the 

 overlying hairs varies from a rich and glossy brownish black to a 

 a dark chesnut. In summer the color is a rusty brown, and the 

 fur is shorter and thinner. The habits of the otter are aquatic. 

 From the shortness of its legs its motions on shore are not so 

 quick as when in the water and as its food is principally fish, it 

 resides in winter near some lake or river where it keeps a hole 

 open in the ice all the season. During this period of the year 

 its migrations on land are toilsome and it leaves a deep furrow 

 or path in the snow, which when seen by the trapper soon after 

 the animal has passed, invariably leads to the distruction of the 

 animal. If a trap be set on this road the otter is nearly certain 

 to be caught, as it has a strong objection to opening new paths 

 through the deep snow. In firing at an otter in the water 

 care must be taken not to shoot it in an immediately vital part 

 as if death ensue instantaneously the body will sink like a stone. 



Whether the Lutra Californica be found in this district, or 

 whether that animal be only a variety of the species under consi- 

 deration I cannot say : but an examination of a greater number 

 of specimens will, in time, determine the matter. 



