474 MAMMALIA. 



Mephitis Americanus. — The Chince, or Skunk. — Plate X. 

 fig. 5. — Fur soft and shining, marked by white longitudinal 

 bands, upon a blackish brown ground ; tail long and furry. 



There are many varieties of this species. Most of these ar. 

 permanent and local in their habitats, and have been distinguish, 

 ed by naturalists and travellers as separate species. — See de 

 scription, vol. II, p. 278. 



Genus 51. — Lutra. — Ray. 



Generic Character. — Tncisory teeth ^, canines \—\, grinders 

 sZ! o"" 6^6 » ^^^^^ "^^ °^ ^^- "^^^ lower great carnivorous tooth, 

 with two points on its outer side; the head large and flattened j 

 the ears short ; the body long ; tail long, flattened horizontally, 

 and tapering ; legs short ; feet webbed ; nails crooked and sharp. 



Lutra vulgaris. — The Otter. — Plate VII. fig. 12. — Fur 

 brown above ; whitish underneath ; tail a little more Ihan 

 half the length of the body. 



Genus 52. — Enhydra. — Fleming. 



Generic Character. — Incisory teeth ^, cheek teeth |-*, false 

 grinders |-^. Body much elongated; hind legs and tail short. 



Enhydra marina. — The Sea Otter. — Plate VII. fig. 13. — 

 Fur deep brownish-black, very glossy ; body very long ; hind 

 feet one-fourth the length of the body — hairy ; tail one-fourth 

 as long as the body. 



Division II. — With two tubercular flat teeth behind the great 

 carnivorous tooth in the upper jaw. 



Genus 53. — Canis. — Linnaus. 



Generic Character — Incisory teeth ^, canines }-|, grinders 

 l^f total 42. The three first grinders in the upper jaw are 

 small and edged ; they are termed false molars, or grinders ; the 

 great carnivorous tooth above bicuspid, with a small tubercle on 

 the inner side, and two tuberculous teeth behind each of the 

 carnivorous ones ; muzzle elongated ; shorter in some of the 

 tame species and varieties ; tongue soft, by which organ they 

 perspire ; ears in the wild species erect, in the tame ones usu- 

 .ally pendulous ; fore feet with five toes, hind feet with four 

 toes ; teats both inguinal and ventral. 



