ZOOIiOGY. ^ 27 



Though of small size, the species of this genus possess all 

 the thirst for blood so conspicuous in the preceding tribe. 

 Some species are very injurious in warrens and preserves of 

 game; others are essensially serviceable in destroying snakes, 

 reptiles, and the smaller kinds of quadrupeds and birds ; 

 owing to this circumstance, several species are held sacred, 

 particularly in warm countries ; they mostly inhabit woody 

 situations, and those common to northern regions principally 

 resort to forests of pine, where they are regularly hunted 

 during the winter, for the sake of their skins, which form an 

 extensive part of the fur trade; some of the species hate 

 glands for the secretion of an unctous matter, possessing a 

 powerful scent, and known by the name of Civet. 



5. Luira. Otter. TeeM as in the last genus ; /ee< webbed. 



Otters were formerly classed with the Weesel tribe, but 

 have been removed by modern authors, and constituted 

 into a separate genus : they are a piscivorus tribe, and com- 

 mit great depredations in fish-ponds and rivers, their bite 

 is exceedingly severe, and they are hardly to be obtained 

 but by the use of the gun. They nestle in holes in the 

 banks of rivers and ponds, which usually have the entrance 

 beneath the surface of the water. 



6. Ursus. Bear. Upper front teeth six, hollowed within, 



alternate ; lower six, the two lateral ones longer, 

 lobed, with secondary or smaller teeth at their in- 

 terior bases ; tusks solitary ; grinders five or six, the 

 first approaching the tusks; tongue smooth; eyes 

 furnished with a nictitating membrane ; Snout pro- 

 minent. 



