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200 



I have been informed by tliê fishermen that thêf 

 hâve occasionally seen in these seas various dthêf 

 kinds of phoc82, which may ht similar to those found 

 in the North Sea, described by Steller, and very pro* 

 bably some that are entirely unknown to naturalists, 

 for Í am of opinion that this genus is more abundant 

 in species than is generally imagined. 



The chinchimen (mustela felina) called by the Spa* 

 ïiiards the sea-cat, is about twenty inches in length 

 from the muzzle to the root of the tail. It has â 

 strong resemblance to a cat in its head, ears and eyes, 

 and in the shape and length of its tail. The nose 

 -b furnished with whiskers, and it has thirty-two 

 teeth : twelve incisors which are strait and sharp 

 pointed, four canine teeth, and sixteen grinders. 

 Each foot has five palmated toes, terminated by strong 

 crooked nails. The skin, like that of the otter, is cover- 

 trd with two kinds of hair, of a light grey colour, one 

 very short and soft, the other longer and harsh. This 

 animal lives almost altogether in the sea, but is only 

 seen in pairs, and never in companies. In pleasant 

 weather it is fond of basking in the sun, and is fre* 

 quently taken in snares upon the rocks, whither at 

 such times it is accustomed to resort. The chinchi- 

 îiien has a hoarse cry like the tiger, it is as ferocious 

 as the wild -cat, and like that animal springs at an]f 

 one that approaches it. 



Besides the otter, of which I have already spoken, 

 the fresh waters of Chili are inhabited by the guillim 

 and the coypu. 



The guillino (castor Huidobrius) which I hav« 

 thus named in memory of a deceased friend of great 



