OF THE UPPER MISSOURI. 143 
pouches, and for other ornamental purposes. Range: Upper Missouri and Platte rivers, 
(Carlton House, H. B. T. Rich.) 
Lutra CANADENSIS, Sab. - 
AMERICAN Otter. Baird, General Report on Mammals, 1857, p. 184. 
Not uncommon along the streams that flow from the north into the Missouri. I cannot 
ascertain that it has been seen above the mouth of the Niobrara on the Missouri. The 
only specimen obtained by our party, was taken in a trap set for beaver, on the Niobrara, 
eighty miles above its mouth. Otter skins are imported into the country every year by 
the traders, and are prized very highly by the Indians for ornamental purposes. Range: 
Northern part of the United States to Florida, and west to the Rocky mountains, 
MEPHITES MEPHITICA. 
Common Skunk. Baird, General Report on Mammals, 1857, p. 195. 
Abundant throughout the country drained by the Missouri river and its tributaries. 
There seems to be some doubt whether the Upper Missouri Mephites is specifically identi- 
cal with the one in the Atlantic States, but the habits of each appear to be alike in all 
respects. They are equally as troublesome, not unfrequently entering the houses during 
the night, or destroying the chickens about the forts, and committing other depredations. 
Range: United States, east of the Missouri plains, and north of Texas. 
TAXIDEA AMERICANA, Waterh. 
Missourr Banger. Baird, General Report on Mammals, 1857, p. 202. 
Generally diffused throughout the Upper Missouri country. Of very little economical 
value, though used for food by the starving Indian. It is also a great foe to the prairie 
dog, haunting: its villages, and extracting the little inhabitants from their deepest recesses. 
Range: Iowa and Wisconsin to the Pacific coast, and from Arkansas to 49° north lati- 
tude (to 58° north ve tee: Rich). 
Procyon Lotor, Storr. 
Common Raccoon. Baird, General Report on Mammals, 1857, p. 209. 
Has not yet been observed above White river on the Missouri. In the autumn of 1854, 
while descending the Missouri in a skiff, I killed one of these animals near the edge of 
the river, about forty miles above the mouth of the Niobrara. It was in a fine condition 
and furnished me several excellent meals. At Council bluffs and mouth of Big Sioux it is 
quite numerous, and the Indians carry on a considerable trade in the skins. Range: 
Massachusetts to Florida, and west to Fort Kearney. Not in Southern Texas? 
