THE SEA-OTTER. 433 
hind limbs resemble fins rather than feet, yet they differ con- 
siderably from the fins of the seal or morse; though the toes 
are joined together by a membrane, thus making serviceable 
oars with which they can strike the water, the sea-otter, in its 
structure and organisation, is actually more a terrestrial mammal 
than a marine animal. This little creature inhabits a great 
portion of the North Pacific Ocean, between fifty and sixty 
degrees of north latitude. It is found even on the shores of 
Japan. It may often be seen lying on the floating banks of the 
nereocystus, basking in the sunshine, or watching for its prey. 
THE FEMALE OTTER AND HER YOUNG ONE. 
From this circumstance these vegetable productions are called 
otter-cabbages (choux aux loutres). The otter feeds on fish, crabs, 
shell-fish, and, if compelled by necessity, it will eat marine plants. 
It plunges like the seal or morse, but does not remain so long 
under water. It is of a chestnut brown on the back, but more 
light and silvery underneath. The sca-otter lives in couples ; 
the female has but one young one at a time, which she seldom 
leaves, rearing it with much tenderness. A mother may often be 
seen with her nursling, and also the young one of the preceding 
year. She plays with them on the ice and in the waves, throws 
them into the sea, and teaches them to swim and dive. When 
she sleeps on the surface of the water, back downwards, and 
abandons herself to the play of the waves, she takes her little 
C.-C 
