20 



Sea Otter. 



From U. Appleton & Co 's " Elements of Zoology, Seienee Series." 



sively upon fish, and from its largo, webbed feet is well 

 adapted to swimming. It inhabits the waters of the ex- 

 treme northern parts of America and Asia, and ranges as 

 far south as California. Its fur is highly esteemed and is 

 usually very expensive. 



The next sub-family has as its representative the skunk, 

 and includes also the badgers and allied forms. 



The COMMON Skunk {Mephitis mephitica) is present by 

 several specimens, adults as well as young. A singular 

 species called MVDAUS is closely related to the skunk, but 

 it has a very short tail. It inhabits the East Indies. 



The American Badger (Taxidea americana) as we 

 here see it, beside the European species, would seem to be 

 the same, but certain characteristics, notably those of the 

 teeth, place it even in a separate genus. Another species 

 is said to inhabit Central America. The badger abounds 

 in the fur countries of the north, and is found on the 

 plains east of the Rocky Mountains. Several other forms, 

 representing several genera from the Old World, are in 

 the collection. 



The weasels proper belong to the third sub-family, six 

 genera being here included. 



