THE SEA OTTER. 231 



Rankness of the flesh. 



and fishy, that the Romish church allows its use 

 on maigre days. In the kitchen of the Carthu- 

 sian convent, near Dijon, Mr. Pennant saw one 

 preparing for the dinner of the religieuse of that 

 rigid order, who, by their rules, are prohibited, 

 during their whole lives, the eating of flesh. 



The otters of Cayenne are very large, weigh- 

 ing from ninety to a hundred pounds. Their cry 

 also is remarkably loud, and may be heard at a 

 Considerable distance. 



THE SEA OTTER. 



GREAT numbers of these animals are found 

 n the coast of Kamtschatka, and in the adjacent 

 islands, as well as on the opposite coasts of Ame- 

 rica; but they are .confined within a very few de- 

 grees of latitude. The length of the sea otter is 

 about four feet, of which the tail occupies thir- 

 teen inches. The ears are small and erect, and 

 the whiskers long and white. The legs are short 

 and thick, the hinder ones somewhat resembling 

 those of a seal. The largest of them weigh from 

 seventy to eighty pounds. The fur is thick, long, 

 and glosssy ; and forms a considerable article of 

 export from Russia. 



In their manners these animals are very harm- 

 Jess : and peculiarly attached to their offspring, 



VOL. II. NO. XIII. % Q 



