OTTERS. 59 



26. The Sable Marten Mmtcla Zibelina resembles the pre- 

 ceding species in size and colour. It differs from the other 

 Martens in having hair growing on the under surface of the toes, 

 which protects them from the cold. Its fur is a valuable article 

 of commerce. It inhabits the most northern parts of Europe 

 and Asia ; and abounds most in the mountains of frozen countries, 

 the intense cold of which, renders them uninhabitable : as it is 

 the winter coat that is most highly appreciated, the pursuit of the 

 Sable is of all kinds of hunting the most arduous and perilous. 



27. The Skunks Mephitis are celebrated for the intolerable 

 stench which they diffuse to a great distance. Most of them in- 

 habit America. 



28. The OTTERS, Lutra, possess a peculiar physiognomy, 

 which prevents them from, being confounded with any of the 

 neighbouring genera. The head is large and compressed, the 

 body squat, and tongue semi-aspirate ; their toes are armed with 

 short nails, and are united in their whole length, by a wide and 

 strong membrane, which renders these animals good swimmers ; 

 the tail is flattened horizontally ; their coat is very thick, formed 

 by two kinds of hairs, the silky quite long, stout, hard, shining, 

 and thicker at the point than at the base ; the woolly, which are 

 shorter, and generally more numerous, forming a thick and ex- 

 tremely soft fur. These animals live chiefly upon fish, and in- 

 habit bye places, or nooks, which they line with dry grass, on the 

 banks, or in the neighbourhood of water ; they remain concealed 

 during the day, and sally in search of food only at night. Some 

 species are known in almost all parts of the world. 



29. The Common Otter, Lutra Vttlgaris, about two feet 

 long, tail about one foot in length, brown above, greyish below, 

 and sometimes marked with white spots, lives on the margins of 

 ponds and rivers, in different parts of Europe. 



30. The Sea Otter Mustria Lulris is twice the size of the 

 common Otter, and its black coat of the vivid brightness of velvet, 

 forms one of the most precious of the furs. The English and the 

 Russians hunt this animal in all the northern parts of the Pacific 



26. How does the Sable differ from other Martens? Where is it found ? 



27. For wh.it particular quality are Skunks distinguished? In what part 

 of the world are they found ? 



28. Wh it are the characters of the genus Otter ? What are the habits of 

 animals of this genus ? 



29. What are the specific characters of the common Otter ? 



30. What are the specific characters of the Sea Otter? Where is the 

 Sea Otter found? Does this animal contribute any thing to commerce? 

 In what respect do the habits of this animal differ from those 

 species of Ott rs ? 



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