246 ORDER V. 



the latter smaller, and approaching the existing 

 black bear : a third species Goldfus detected near 

 Muggendorf, and named Ursus priscus. Ursus 

 cultridenS) with dentilated edges to the canines, is 

 most likely a misnomer, the teeth not being those 

 of a bear, though we doubt Kaup's opinion of their 

 resembling those of saurians, at least not in the 

 root, which, we think, proves that they belong to a 

 mammal, and not to a saurian. 



THE PINNATIPEDES. 



HITHERTO Lutra, as a genus, was located among 

 the ill-assorted Digitigrades, between the Planti- 

 grade MephiteS) and the Canidce, in consequence of 

 an unrestricted subservience to the dentition alone, 

 although the otters show a gradual transition into the 

 amphibious series, by their webbed feet, their length- 

 ened form, prominent seal-like eyes, and the articu- 

 lations and muscular structure of their hind quar- 

 ters and tail, which last begins to have the qualities 

 of a skulling oar ; and, in one case, even is provided 

 with a kind of fin. The question of location appears 

 to us merely to be, whether the group should close 

 the land carnassiers, or be the first of the Carnivora 

 that make their constant residence in the water* 

 Undoubtedly, there is great weight in the objection, 

 that they are not strictly Pinnatipedes, and that 

 semi-palmated weasels and martens might as well 

 be transferred to this order, and thus totally derange 



