JAPANESE BEARS. 
307 
I procured likewise a very fierce little creature, 
allied in nature and habits to the weasels, but very 
like a tiny otter in appearance.' The Japanese call it 
Itatsi. It is a species of Vison, one of the genera of 
jMustelidee. In Keempfer’s history it is very briefly 
alluded to. “The Itutz,’^ he says, “is a small 
animal, of a reddish colour.” JVlien angry it makes 
a hissing sound, like a l^rood of young owls or 
hawks. The Japanese encourage the Itatsi to take 
up its abode in the roofs of their houses, in order to 
keep in check the rats and other vermin, upon 
which it principall}^ subsists. The one I had kiUed 
a rat, wdth which I presented it, in an instant. 
Our two Japanese bears were a source of much 
amusement to the sailors. They roamed at large 
about the ship, and were very docile, but their 
motto seemed to be “ Noli me tangere for when 
teased they would bite their tormentor severely. 
They had been christened Ursa Major and Ursa 
Minor, the former being the favouiite. Major was 
more wilful and mischievous than Minor, and more 
frequently in hot water. He was not averse to 
