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other kinds of pliocjCj which may be similar to 

 those found in the North Sea, described by 

 Steiler, and very probably some that are entirely 

 unknown to naturalists, for 1 am of opinion that 

 this genus is more abundant in species than is 

 generally imagined. 



The chinchiinen (mustela fcliiia) called by the 

 Spaniards the sea-cat, is about twenty inches in 

 length from the muzzle to the root of the tail. 

 It has a strong resemblance to a cat in its head, 

 cars and eyes, and in the shape and length of its 

 tail. The nose is furnished with whiskers, and 

 it has thirty-two teeth: twelve incisors which 

 are straight and sharp-pointed, four canine teeth, 

 and sixteen grinders. Each foot has five pal- 

 mated toes, terminated hy strong crooked nails. 

 The skin, like that of the otter, is covered with 

 two kiiids of hair, of a light grey colour, one 

 very short and soft, the other longer and harsh. 

 This animal lives almost altogether in the sea, 

 but is only seen in pairs, and never in companies. 

 in pleasant weather it is fond of basking in the 

 8un, and is frequently taken in snares upon the 

 rocks, whither at sucli times it is accustomed to 

 resort. The chiiichiniin has a hoarse cry like 

 the tiger, it is as ferocious us the wild-cat, and 

 like that animal springs at any one that ap- 

 proaches it. 



