MAMMALS OF MINNESOTA. e {35 
parallel logs. The trap is sometimes simply set in the beaten 
track made in the snow, carefully hidden; or at the entrance 
of the burrow; or at the base of a slanting log with one end 
under water, the Otter being attracted by bait or odor placed 
beyond on the other end; or a rock which projects over a 
stream is utilized in the same way. In all these methods, the 
utmost care is necessary to obliterate traces of the trapper's — 
presence, as the sight and smell of the Otter are acute, and his 
wariness, caution, and sagacity at avery high rate. ‘‘In win 
ter when the ponds and rivers are frozen over the Otters make 
holes through the ice at which they come up to devour their 
prey. Where the water is a foot deep beneath any of these 
holes the trap may be set in the bottom, the chain being se- 
cured to a heavy stone. When the Otter endeavors to emerge 
from the hole he will press his foot on the trap and thus be 
caught. If the water is deep enough beneath the hole the 
trap may be baited with a small fish attached to the pan, and 
then carefully lowered with its chain and stone to the bottom. 
For this purpose the Newhouse, No. 3, is best adapted, as the 
Otter is in this case caught by the head.” 
Famiuy URSID2. 
THE BEARS, RACCOONS, ETC. 
This very large and interesting family is represented within 
our limits by two species representing the. two sub-families. 
The family is distributed over all parts of the globe where any 
species of Carnivora occur and is represented by a large num- 
ber of quite diverse species. The common characters are as 
follows: Progression plantigrade, soles naked (except in 
Ailurus), toes five on each foot, sometimes more or less webbed 
and usually large curved and non-retractile though some spe- 
cies have more or less retractile claws. The body is usually 
clumsy and heavy, though there are exceptions to this. All 
the species»with a few exceptions, which live in arctic or 
treeless regions, climb readily and some spend their lives in 
arboreal habitats. The bears as a group are omniverous and 
the teeth, although identical in number with those of the Cani- 
dee, are remarkable for their adaptation to an omniverous diet. * 
There are, however, a few in this family, like the Ursus mar- 
mus, or polar bear, which live exclusively upon fiesh and 
*(Baird unaccountably says—on page 206 of the Report of the Northern Pacific R. 
R., Mammals—* The teeth are the same in number with the Canidae, although their 
more Carniverous character is shown by the turberculated molars.” Perhaps the 
word carniverous is a misprint for omniverous, for neither the habits of the animal 
nor ordinary analogy substantiate the statement as it stands.) 

