SEA OTTElt, 
within a very few degrees of latitude. Its whole 
length is about four' feet, of which the tail occupies 
thirteen inches. The fur is extremely soft, and of 
a deep glossy black. On the forehead is generally 
a greyish spot, the ears are small and erect, and 
the whiskers long and white. The legs are short 
and thick, the hinder ones somewhat resembling 
those of a seal. The tail is broad, and pointed at 
the end. The weight of the largest sea otter is 
from seventy to eighty pounds. 
In their manners these animals are very harmless ; 
and towards their offspring they exhibit an uncom- 
mon degree of attachment. They will never desert 
them ; and will even starve themselves to death on 
being robbed of them, and strive to breathe their 
last on the spot where their young have been de- 
stroyed. The female produces only a single young 
one at a time, which she suckles almost a whole 
year, and till it takes to itself a mate. The sea otters 
pair, and are very constant. They often carry 
their young between their teeth and fondle them, 
frequently flinging them up and catching them 
again in their paws. Before these can swim, the 
old ones will take them in their fore feet, and swim 
about with them upon their backs. 
The sea otters swim sometimes on their sides ; at 
other times on tlieir backs, or in an upright posi- 
tion. They are very sportive, embrace each other, 
and seem to kiss. When attacked, they make no 
resistance, but endeavour to save themselves by- 
flight ; if, however, they are closely pressed, and 
can see no means of escape, they scold and grin 
like an angry cat. On receiving a blow, they im- 
mediately lie on their side, draw up their hind legs 
together, cover their eyes with their fore paws, and 
thus seem to prepare themselves for death. But 
if they are fortunate enough to escape their pur- 
suer, they deride him as soon as they are safe in 
VOL. I. 3 E, 
