26 GUIDE TO THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. 



The Otters— [Ltitra vulfjaris) and {L. chinmsis) or Chinese Otter, 

 -^vliieh are nearly allied to the Weasels. They have webbed feet. 

 and live in lioles in the banks of rivers and lakes. One species 

 (not yet represented in the collection) is a sea otter, and is 

 found on the coasts of the North Pacific. 



The URSID^E, or Bear family, is distinguished from the fore- 

 crouv* l)V walkiiif' oii the soles of the foot : it is, therefore, called 

 plantigrade. The Bears have long fur, straight claws, short tails, 

 and are generally large heavily-built animals. They are not 

 solely carnivorous, most species using vegetable food. They are 

 found in Europe, Asia, and America ; but are not known in South 

 Africa or Australia. The following specimens are shewn : — 



The Polar Bear— (C^^sws or Thalassarctosmaritlmus). This is the 

 largest of the Bears. It inhabits the Arctic Ocean, and lives on 

 fish, seals, etc. It is a good swimmer. 



The Grizzly Bear — {Ursus ferox). An inhabitant of Western 

 North America, and the most dangerous wild animal of that 

 continent. Fossil remains show that at one time it was found 

 in Europe. 



The Brown Bear— (^^sm.s arctos). The Bear of Northern Russia 

 and Siberia. This is the species that until recent times was found 

 in Great Britain. 



The Racoons— (^^oc?/07i) are small animals very closely allied to 

 the Bears. They belong exclusively to America, but species 

 resembling them are found in other parts of the world. 



The PINNIPEDIA, or Seal family, differs very materially 

 from all land carnivora. It consists, however, of flesh eating, air- 

 breathing mammals fitted for an aquatic life. These have close 

 warm fur, short tails, and flippers instead of feet. In the water 

 their locomotion is rapid and graceful, on shore it is laborious and 

 awkward. They range over all seas, and are often found far from 

 land, but always come to the shore at the breeding season. The 

 best known species are : — 



The Earless Seals— (P/jocW^^) found in nearly all seas of the 

 Northern Hemisphere, and even in the inland Caspian Sea, 

 and a few in the Southern ocean. They sometimes reach a 

 length of ten feet. Their fur is short and close. 



