688 



THE CARNIVORES 



Especial interest must also attach to some giant otters from the Siwalik hills of 

 India, which were even larger than the existing Brazilian otter. An upper flesh- 

 tooth of one of these otters is represented in the cut on p. 687, which will give 

 some idea of their dimensions. By comparing this figure with the corresponding 

 tooth of the recent skull represented on p. 68 1, it will be observed that these 

 gigantic Siwalik otters are distinguished by having three distinct cusps, instead of a 

 crescentic cutting edge on the inner tubercular portion of the upper flesh-tooth. 



THE SEA-OTTER 



t 



Genus Latax 



As we have already seen, the feline otter of South America is in the habit of 

 frequenting the lagoons and bays of its native coasts rather than rivers, and these 



THE SEA-OTTER. 



(One-tenth natural size.) 



(After Wolf.) 



marine habits are still more characteristic of the animal known as the sea-otter 

 (Latax lutris}, which is regarded as forming a genus by itself. 



The sea-otter has a total length of about four feet, of which one foot, or rather 

 less, is occupied by the tail. In general appearance it is compared by Dr. Coues to 

 one of the eared seals, a resemblance which is increased by the long and flipper-like 

 hind-feet, quite unlike those of all other members of the family to which it belongs. 

 The body has a bolster-like form, tapering in front to join the rather small and 

 rounded head, without any marked constriction at the neck. Both the limbs and 

 tail are short, the latter being cylindrical, slightly tapering, and somewhat trun- 



