494 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



THE SEA-OTTER. 

 (Afttstela Lutris^ Linn. 



VAST numbers of these animals inhabit the coasts 

 of Kamschatka, and the numerous islands con- 

 tiguous to it; as well as the opposite coasts of 

 America : they are also found in some of the larger 

 rivers of South America. 



Their skins are of great value, and have long 

 formed a considerable article of export from Russia. 

 They dispose of them to the Chinese at the rate of 

 seventy or a hundred roubles each, and receive in 

 return some of their most valuable commodities. 



The fur of the Sea-Otter is thick and long, of a 

 beautiful shining black colour, but sometimes of a 

 silvery hue ; the legs are thick and short ; the toes 

 joined by a web; the hind feet like those of a Seal; 

 length from nose to tail, four feet two inches; tail 

 thirteen, flat, and pointed at the end. The largest 

 of them weigh from seventy to eighty pounds. 



