THE LIVING WORLD. 627 
by Arctic travellers and explorers to be excellent. The female with cubs is 
specially morose and dangerous. 
The polar bear when retreating in a hurry will pick up her less fleet cubs 
and throw them before her. When food is out of reach she will throw things 
into the water, so that by creating an artificial current or wave, the desired 
object may be brought within reach. 
The Ingalubi, or African Bear, is a smaller species which inhabits the 
plains. It does the most unexampled damage to the crops of the farmer, but is 
no game for the true sportsman, although it will always charge when attacked. 
When seeking to escape it will frequently reverse itself and back into an ant- 
hole. When it emerges it comes forth with a somersault, and generally strikes 
the exact spot where 
an unwary hunter 
would be in waiting. 
When speared it has 
frequently succeeded 
in turning upon the 
native hunter and 
ripping up his leg. 
The Sea Otter, 
or Kalen (Enhydris 
lutris ), is found on 
the sea-coasts of the 
Northern Pacific. It 
weighs about sev¬ 
enty-five pounds and 
is much larger than 
the fresh-water otter. 
It is a successful 
fisherman, passing 
its winters on the 
coast and following 
up the rivers as the 
weather grows warm 
and the fish ascend 
to spawn. Its glossy 
fur is generally jet- 
black, but at times some portion of the animal will be white. It is short-tailed 
and bandy-legged, but then this is “good form” among otters. Its fur is held 
in high esteem alike from its warmth, its beauty of coloring, and its scarcity— 
for the family is neither fecund nor numerous. 
The North American Otter [Lutra canadensis ) was formerly abundant in 
New England, but the species is now almost extinct. It is said by Audubon to 
coast in the snow or even on the ground, and to do this apparently for the same 
reason which induces children to slide down hill. 
The European Otter (Lutra vulgaris ) is not simply fond of fish, but so 
fastidious as to select only the best and to eat of these but the choicest por¬ 
tions. It is supple, has a long, broad rudder-like tail, webbed feet, an ability 
to turn quickly, sharp teeth, and two coats of fur, the under one short, thick, 
