190 U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS ZOOLOGY GENERAL REPORT. 



A single specimen of the sea otter was obtained at Steilacoom by Dr. Suckley. It was, 

 however, too imperfect to admit of any detailed description, the legs and tail being entirely 

 wanting. The size considerably exceeds that of the land otters of North America. The naked 

 muffle is larger and runs backwards, parting the hair on top of the snout, so as apparently to 

 be longer than broad. The ears are even smaller than in the common otters. 



The long hairs of the sea otter are much more scattered and are longer than in the land otters. 

 The under and inner fur is also longer and softer, though the character is much the same. The 

 long hairs are mostly black, with the terminal portion dull brownish yellow, this predominating 

 on the sides. The under fur is light brownish gray at the base, becoming purplish brown to 

 the tip. The entire head is of a light brownish yellow. 



The sea otter is an inhabitant of the Pacific coast in both hemispheres on the American side 

 extending as far south, at least, as Monterey. Formerly very abundant, they are now becoming 

 more and more rare, owing to the war of extermination carried on against them on account of 

 the value of their fur. This is not so highly prized now as formerly, but is sufficiently sought 

 after to make the pursuit of the fur, still found on the coasts of California and Oregon, remune 

 rative. According to Meare, the young have the fine fur completely overlaid by white hairs, 

 which, with increasing age, fall out, leaving a short blackish fur. When fully adult this is jet 

 black and very fine and lustrous, usually with a few white hairs interspersed. In extreme age 

 the fur changes to a dark brown, and is then of less value. The skins of the males are more 

 valued than those of the females, on account of the velvet-like texture of the fur. 



SUB-FAMILY MELINAE. 



Upper posterior tubercular molar very large ; quadrate or triangular. Upper sectorial tooth with a large internal central 

 tubercle. Cheek teeth in both jaws unequal in number. Feet usually with naked soles ; fore claws very long, compressed, and 

 fossorial. 



The present group embraces but a limited number of genera, each, with one exception, having 

 very few species. They are distributed through all parts of the world, although America pos 

 sesses by far the largest number in its numerous species of skunks. 



The genera recognized at the present time as belonging here are Meles, Taxidea, Mydans, 

 Arclonyx, Mephitis, and Helictis. Meles has one European representative, the common badger ; 

 Mydaus, Arctonyx, and Helictis belong to southern Asia ; while Taxidea and Mephitis, with its 

 subdivisions, are peculiar to America the former genus embracing the badger of the west, the 

 latter the skunks. 



