190 U. Ss. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS—ZOOLOGY—GENERAL REPORT. 
A single specimen of the sea otter was obtained at Steilacoom by Dr. Suckley. It was, 
however, too imperfect to admit of any detailed description, the legs and tail being entirely 
wanting. The size considerably exceeds that of the land otters of North America. The naked 
muffle is larger and runs backwards, parting the hair on top of the snout, so as apparently to 
be longer than broad. The ears are even smaller than in the common otters. 
The long hairs of the sea otter are much more scattered and are longer than in the land otters. 
The under and inner fur is also longer and softer, though the character is much the same. The 
long hairs are mostly black, with the terminal portion dull brownish yellow, this predominating 
on the sides. The under fur is light brownish gray at the base, becoming purplish brown to 
the tip. The entire head is of a light brownish yellow. 
The sea otter is an inhabitant of the Pacific coast in both hemispheres—on the American side 
extending as far south, at least, as Monterey. Formerly very abundant, they are now becoming 
more and more rare, owing to the war of extermination carried on against them on account of 
the value of their fur. This is not so highly prized now as formerly, but is sufficiently sought 
after to make the pursuit of the fur, still found on the coasts of California and Oregon, remune- 
rative. According to Meare, the young have the fine fur completely overlaid by white hairs, 
which, with increasing age, fall out, leaving a short blackish fur. When fully adult this is jet 
black and very fine and lustrous, usually with a few white hairs interspersed. In extreme age 
the fur changes to a dark brown, and is then of less value. The skins of the males are more 
valued than those of the females, on account of the velvet-like texture of the fur. 
Suz-Famny MELINAE. 
Upper posterior tubercular molar very large; quadrate or triangular. Upper sectorial tooth with a large internal central 
tubercle. Cheek teeth in both jaws unequal in number. Feet usually with naked soles ; fore claws very long, compressed, and 
fossorial. 
The present group embraces but a limited number of genera, each, with one exception, having 
very few species. They are distributed through all parts of the world, although America pos- 
sesses by far the largest number in its numerous species of skunks. 
The genera recognized at the present time as belonging here are—WMeles, Taxidea, Mydaus, 
Arctonyx, Mephitis, and Helictis. Meles has one European representative, the common badger ; 
Mydaus, Arctonyx, and Helictis belong to southern Asia; while Zaaidea and Mephitis, with its 
subdivisions, are peculiar to America—the former genus embracing the badger of the west, the 
latter the skunks. 
