560 ANNUAL KEPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917. 



much resembles the muskrat in external appearance, but has a very 

 short tail, scarcely an inch in length ; and is not closely related to the 

 other existing members of the order. 



The capybara {Hydrochoirus hydrochceris) is a native of South 

 America, north to Panama. This species is very fond of marshy 

 tracts and is an expert swimmer. The specimen now on exhibition 

 was received from Venezuela. Capybaras sometimes grow to more 

 than 4 feet in length; they are thick-set animals and although 

 easily the largest of the existing rodents are gentle, inoffensive, and 

 easily tamed. 



THE CARNIVOROUS MAMMALS. 



Two distinct orders of this group are now recognized by mam- 

 malogists. The Carnivora proper, or Fissipedia, include the families 

 of cats, civets, hyenas, dogs, raccoons, weasels, and bears, with their 

 allies. The order Pinnipedia is comprised of the seals, sea lions, and 

 walrus. While there is immense variety in the dentition of carnivo- 

 rous mammals, as a rule the teeth are highly developed for the process 

 of tearing and cutting flesh or the crushing of bone. Some species 

 are far from " carnivorous," and subsist chiefly upon fruits and in- 

 sects. The black and brown bears are good examples of this latter 

 type, but most carnivores do at times eat more or less of vegetable 

 food. Some of the smaller species are largely insectivorous. 



The largest of living carnivores is the great brown bear of Kodiak 

 Island, Alaska ; the smallest the least weasel of the boreal regions of 

 both continents. 



The Pinnipedia are readily divided into groups typified by the 

 hair seals or harbor seals; the sea lions; and the walrus. The hair 

 seals have no external ears and the hind limbs are so placed and modi- 

 fied as to be useless for walking on land. The feet, or hind " flippers," 

 protrude backward and are used in the nature of a tail in swimming. 

 The common harbor seals of both coasts belong to this group. The 

 sea lions, or sea bears, have external ears, and the hind limbs are 

 functional for walking on land. This group includes the famous 

 fur seal as well as the species of sea lions. Peculiarities of the skele- 

 ton point to a very ancient separation of these two groups of seals, and 

 they are not so closely related as would appear from their external 

 appearance and habits. 



THE CATS. 



Specimens of the larger members of the cat tribe are usually kept 

 in all menageries and are favorite animals with the public. The 

 collection in the National Zoological Park includes beautiful ex- 

 amples of many of the most interesting and showy species. The 

 larger kinds are shown in the lion house. 



