20 
MAMMALIAN GALLERY. 
(^Mellivora) j and Skunks {Mephitis), the latter with a bad repu- 
tation on account of the intensely disagreeable and evib smelling 
fluid which they emit when provoked. (3) The Lutrince, or Otter 
tribe (Case 22), have short feet, webbed toes, small claws, and long 
powerful tails. There are about 15 species known, all very similar 
externally, in colour, size, and general proportions, our English 
Otter (Lutra vulgaris) being a very typical member of the group. 
The most aberrant is the Sea-Otter [Latax Ivtris), which has its 
hind feet very peculiarly modified into flippers, somewhat as in 
the Seals. This animal frequents the salt water, and was once 
abundant on all the coasts of the North Pacific; but owing to the 
merciless persecution to which it has been subjected for the sake 
of its valuable fur, its numbers have been so much thinned, that 
it is sure to be exterminated unless effectual measures be taken for 
its protection. 
The Procyonidce (Case 22) form the second family of the Arc- 
toidea. They are wholly American, and contain, among others,, 
the Raccoons [Procyon), the peculiar long-nosed Coatis [Nasua), 
and the Kinkajou [Cercoleptes) , the last a nocturnal animal with a 
long prehensile tail. All the members of this family habitually 
live largely on vegetable food, such as fruit, berries, &c., as well 
as on small mammals, birds, insects, worms, eggs, &c. 
The brilliantly coloured Panda (jEIurus fulgens), exhibited in the 
same Case, is closely allied to the last family, although it occurs in 
a very different part of the globe, viz. in North India and Assam. 
It lives at a great altitude in the Himalayas, seldom deseending 
lower than about 7000 feet above the sea, and feeds wholly on 
fruit and other vegetable food. 
[Cases Bears {Ursidee), Cases 2I-2G, form the last family 
21-26.] of the land Carnivores. They arc characterized by their large 
size, thick and clumsy build, rudimentary tails, plantigrade, 
five-toed feet, long, blunt, and nearly straight claws, small ears, 
and long shaggy fur. Their - distribution includes Europe, Asia, 
and North America, while they are entirely absent from Aus- 
tralia, Africa, and the greater part of South America. The 
most noteworthy members of the group are ; — The Brown Bear 
{Ursus arctos), Case 23, of Europe and North Asia, which was 
formerly found in England, having only been exterminated within 
