28 
ORDERS OF MAMMALS— FLESH-EATERS 
The fur of this creature is extremely valuable. 
In March, 1900, the finest skin in the London 
market sold for $1,344. A full-grown specimen 
Otter usually is quite dangerous, but to the 
natives of the Alaskan Peninsula, this creature 
is far more important than the fur seal. For- 
I 
smm 
3. MARTEN. 
4. MINK. 
1. OTTER. 
measures from 3^ to 4 feet in length (head 
and body) and has a tail 11 inches long. Its 
fur is very dense and fine, and in color is a shim- 
mering, lustrous black. The pursuit of the Sea 
merly between five thousand and six thousand 
skins, worth from $100 to $500 each, were taken 
annually, and formed practically the sole de- 
pendence of the natives along nearly 2,000 miles 
