148 CAENIVORA. 



to imitate Fur Seal, which it excels in quality. When 

 unhaired or pulled, it is used by glovers, the short, thick 

 under fur rendering it very suitable for glove-tops. 



Many of the natural dark skins are used in Eussia, 

 the United States, and Canada, for coat-collars, etc. ; 

 and many pale skins in France, England, etc. A few 

 skins are clipped. 



In 1811, York Fort Otter skins fetched 13s. ; in 1813, 

 99s. ; and East Maine first large, in the same year, 

 105s. In 1889 Labrador skins realized 95s., but the 

 ordinary price ranges from 30s. to 50s. for a good 

 seasoned skin. 



The yearly importations were as follows : — In 1891, 

 8,171 skins were sold by the Hudson's Bay Company, 

 and 7,334 by the Alaska Commercial Company, and 

 others. 



Many skins from Nova Scotia have a singed appear- 

 ance on the top hair. This is probably caused by their 

 being ^iried too quickly by the fire or sun. This defect 

 lessens the value considerably. 



SEA-OTTEE. 



Enhydra lutra. 



French : Loutre de mer. German : See Otter. 



This animal, formerly called the Nootka Sound 

 Otter, is much larger than the Land-Otter. It is 

 about 4 to 5 feet long, not including its short tail, which 

 is covered with thick fur, and is 6 inches to J foot long. 



It Hves in the sea, and feeds on clams and other 

 shell-fish. The range of the Sea-Otter formerly 

 extended from Washington Spring to Point Greenwich. 



