THE VARIOUS EXPEDITIONS. 



177 



STELLER'S TRIUMPHAL ARCH. 



the sea mammals. The most important furred animal 

 at that time was the sea-otter {Enliydra lutris, Linn.), 

 which lived in families on the coast during the whole 

 year, especially, however, in the winter. Its velvety fur 

 brought about 100 rubles on the Chinese border, and 

 hence this animal later became the object of a most eager 

 search. Nordenskjold says these otters have been driven 

 away, not only from Bering Island, but also from other 

 grounds, where formerly they were slaughtered by the 

 thousand. This statement, however, is not entirely cor- 

 rect. The sea-otter may still be found on Bering Island, 



