THE SAND BEAR. 303 



The Arrianha, Lontra Brasiliensis, differs from the Common Otter 

 very slightly, but is considerably larger ; the head is rounder and the tail 

 is sharply flattened vertically. It fishes in bands of considerable num- 

 bers. Although it prefers a fish diet, yet it has been known to kill 

 geese when swimming in a pond. It betrays a determined hostility to 

 dogs, and attacks any that straggle from the hunter's camp. 



According to Azara, " this species lives in troops, which rising to the 

 surface of the water, bark like dogs. Each family possesses a separate 

 domain, and spends as much time on the water as it does on land. Its 

 motions are slow, and it drags its belly along the ground." It is found 

 in the Amazon aad other rivers of Brazil. 



GENUS AONYX. 



The five species of the genus are from Africa and Eastern Asia. 



The Chinese or Javanese Otter, Aonyx Icptonyx, is somewhat 

 small, measuring only about three feet. Its color is tawny rather than 

 brown, and the whiskers are strongly developed. When wild it is very 

 ferocious, but when taken young is gentle and tractable, and in China 

 and Java is kept in many houses. Its voice is said to resemble that of a 

 person crying in pain or grief 



THE BADGERS. 



Our third sub-family, the Mclinincs, comprises the Badgers, Ratels, 

 and the unsavory and dreaded Skunks. 



GENUS ARCTONYX. 



The Sand Bear, Arctonyx collaris, the only species, has longer legs, 

 and a more hog-like snout than the common Badger. Its color is of a 

 yellowish-white, marked with two black bands that run on each side of 

 the head, uniting at the muzzle ; the toes are united for their entire 

 length, and are armed with powerful claws. It is a fierce animal, and 

 when attacked stands up like a bear, and fights with its fore limbs. It is 

 found in the East Indies, and is sometimes called the Indian Badger. 

 The native name is Balisaur, or " Sand Hog." 



