580 The Naturalist Brazilian Expedition. [June, 
cubs are generally produced ata birth. The Mao pellado, if taken 
young, may be domesticated, but it never becomes thoroughly 
tame; it has a very strong, disagreeable odor, which makes it an 
undesirable pet. 
Of the Coatis (Nasua) two species are found here as in other 
parts of Brazil. The larger, called Coat-munaé,’ resembles a rac- 
coon, but stands rather lower, and is readily distinguished by its 
long snout; the Coazi-miry? is smaller. Both are rather nocturnal 
in their habits, and rather frugiferous than carnivorous; two cubs 
are produced at a birth, Tame coatis are often seen, but as they 
are very mischievous and rather ill-natured, they are generally 
kept chained. 
Two kinds of otters, the Joztra and the arivanha, are occasion 
ally seen about the rivers. The /ontra appears to be identical 
with the Amazonian species of the same name. It never wanders 
far from the stream or river in which it lives, and when al br 
it quickly takes to the water, swimming at the surface and raising 
its head to stare at the intruder with a short bark. These otters, 
if taken young, become very tame, and they may be taught to 
bring in fish. I knew of one on the Lower Amazons wie 
companied the village boys in their frequent baths, diving sat 
with them and evidently enjoying the fun. The ariranha is mu 
larger, and when swimming against the current it often aave 
by a series of leaps above the water; in this way It wil Ce 
a steamer. In Matto Grosso I have seen two of these ia 
keep before an ascending steamer in a swift river for more 
an hour, 
A small skunk is found along the borders 
not think that it is properly a forest animal. 
lar to that of the North American skunks, but thoug 
hace 
gland is well developed it is seldom used. meer 
living specimen was brought to us ina sac 
run about the floor and found that it had hardly any - 
odor; even when we killed it, it did not attempt to eres be 
teristic defensive weapon. It may be that the glan 
comes active at certain periods. y 
Capivaras? are still nis mon by the river-shore, where th? 
| 7In Guarany, literally the trap-coati; corrupted to Coati- 
? Guarany, little Coati. 
* From the Tupy-Guarany iaafé, grass; uára, that lives in or among. 
