6 ^Maynard ryn th'^ MammaU of Flo n da. 



as numerous on Indian River as in the interior, but did not 

 meet with them at Miami, in the Everglades or among the 

 JKeys; they are abundant however in western Florida in 

 all the streams which empty into the Gulf, quite down to 

 the salt water. The fur is of little value in comparison with 

 northern skins ; the best winter pelts behig worth but five 

 dollars each in Boston. The usual price paid in Jackson- 

 ville is from seventy-five cents to one dollar, consequently 

 they are not hunted much and therefore are not shy. They 

 are quite inquisitive and will sometimes- follow a boat for 

 some distance, or approach any one standing upon the shore. 

 At the same time they will utter a short, continuous grunt. 

 Otters may frequently be seen chasing each other sportively 

 throufjh the water, and while we were in the vicinitv of 

 South Lake, my guide, Mr. Burton, called my attention to 

 certain smooth paths in a sandy spot, which he said were 

 Otter slides. They appear to amuse themselves by dragging 

 their bodies over the smooth sand, just as the same species 

 Hide down snow-covered river-banks at the north. The 

 slides in Florida were situated at some distance from the 

 water. 



The color of adult Otters from this state is strongly in- 

 clined to reddish-brown, but the young, which are dropped 

 in February, are very dark. I think I never saw a more 

 beautiful animal than a young specimen of this species which 

 was captured at the head of Indian River by Mr. Thurston. 

 It was only about two weeks old, yet was covered with a 

 fine coat of exceedingly glossy fur. 



7. Mephitis mephitica Balrd. Common Skunk. — 

 This species seems to be restricted to the more northern 

 portions of the State. Specimens taken in this region pre- 

 sent the same variation regarding the distribution of the 

 black {ind white which is noticeable in this animal elsewhere. 



