344 BACKBONED ANIMALS. 



Europe, and the sea-elephant (Morunga), of Antarctic 

 waters, are others of the family. Then follows the walrus 

 (Trichechida) (Fig. 368). 



Eared Seals (Otartida). The sea-lion (Otaria) (Fig. 

 367) is a familiar example. The sea-bear (Callorhinus\ 

 common in Behring Strait and Kamchatka, is one of the 

 famous fur-seals of commerce. 



VALUE. Hides, ivory, viscera, etc. One million Atlantic hair-seals 

 are killed annually, and two hundred thousand Pacific fur-seals, and 

 many more from the South Atlantic. 



Sub-order II. The True Carnivora (Fissipedid). 

 The Raccoons (Procyonidce) are bear-like animals with 

 sharp, pointed muzzles, ranging from Canada to Paraguay. 

 The common raccoon (Procyon) is found throughout 

 the United States. They are nocturnal, vegetable or flesh- 

 eating animals, about a foot long, exclusive of the tail, 

 which is nearly ten inches in length. Their color is a 

 rusty gray with many black-tipped hairs, the tail barred 

 with five black rings. They bear from five to six young 

 in May, the nest generally being in a hollow tree. The 

 black-footed, crab-eating, and Californian raccoons are 

 different species, similar in their habits. The coatimundi 

 (Nasud) is found from Mexico to Paraguay. The kinka- 

 jou and Bassaris are allies. 



VALUE. Five hundred thousand coon-skins are annually used 

 as fur. 



Bears (Ursula). This family has a wide geographical 

 range, being represented in all countries except Australia. 

 The white or polar bear (Fig. 368) ( Ursus maritimus) is 

 found in the Arctic regions. The body is large, and cov- 

 ered with white hair, the tail rudimentary, the foot enor- 

 mous, measuring one sixth of the length of the entire body, 

 and armed with powerful claws. They are particularly dis- 

 tinguished from other bears by having the soles of the feet 

 covered with close-set hairs a provision that prevents 



