20 MAMMALIAN GALLERY. 



(Mellwora) , and Skunks (Mephitis), the latter with a bad repu- 

 tation on account of the intensely disagreeable and evil- smelling 

 fluid which they emit when provoked. (3) The Lutrinif, or Otter 

 tribe (Case 22), have short feet, webbed toes, small claws, and long 

 powerful tails. There are about 15 species known, all very similar 

 externally, in colour, size, and general proportions, our English 

 Otter (Lutra vulgaris) being a very typical member of the group. 

 The most aberrant is the Sea-Otter (Latax lutris), which has its 

 hind feet very peculiarly modified into flippers, somewhat as in 

 the Seals. This animal frequents the salt water, and was once 

 abundant on all the coasts of the North Pacific ; but owing to the 

 merciless persecution to which it has been subjected for the sake 

 of its valuable fur, its numbers have been so much thinned, that 

 it is sure to be exterminated unless effectual measures be taken for 

 its protection. 



The Procyonidce (Case 22) form the second family of the Arc- 

 toidea. They are wholly American, and contain, among others, 

 the Raccoons (Procyon), the peculiar long-nosed Coatis (Nasua), 

 and the Kinkajou (Cercoleptes) , the last a nocturnal animal with a 

 long prehensile tail. All the members of this family habitually 

 live largely on vegetable food, such as fruit, berries, &c., as well 

 as on small mammals, birds, insects, worms, eggs, &c. 



The brilliantly coloured Panda (^Elurus fulgens), exhibited in the 

 same Case, is closely allied to the last family, although it occurs in 

 a very different part of the globe, viz. in North India and Assam. 

 It lives at a great altitude in the Himalayas, seldom descending 

 lower than about 7000 feet above the sea, and feeds wholly on 

 fruit and other vegetable food. 



[Cases ^ ne * rue Bears (Ursidte), Cases 21-26, form the last family 

 21-26.] of the land Carnivores. They are characterized by their large 

 size, thick and clumsy build, rudimentary tails, plantigrade, 

 five-toed feet, long, blunt, and nearly straight claws, small ears, 

 and long shaggy fur. Their distribution includes Europe, Asia, 

 and North America, while they are entirely absent from Aus- 

 tralia, Africa, and the greater part of South America. The 

 most noteworthy members of the group are : The Brown Bear 

 (Ursus arctos), Case 23, of Europe and North Asia, which was 

 formerly found in England, having only been exterminated within 



