334 VERTEBRATE ANIMALS. 
ten to fifteen feet in length, which is found in flocks in the Arctic 
seas, and is hunted both for its blubber and for the ivory of the 
tusks, 
The Plantigrade Carnivora apply the whole or the greater 
part of the sole of the foot tothe ground in walking ; and this 
portion of the foot is nearly or altogether destitute of hairs, 
except in the White Bear. The most typical members of the 
Plantigrada are the Bears (Urside), of which the common 
Brown Bear and the White or Polar Bear are familiar examples. 
The Bears are much less purely carnivorous than the majority 
of the order, and, in accordance with their omnivorous habits, 
the teeth do not exhibit the typical carnivorous characters. The 
incisors and canines have their usual carnivorous form, but the 
premolars and molars are furnished with broad tubercular 
crowns. ‘The claws are large, curved, and strong, but are not 
retractile. The tongue is smooth, the ears small and erect, the 
tail short, the nose mobile, and the pupil circular. Most of 
the Bears are only carnivorous in so far that they eat flesh when 
they can get it; but a great part of their food consists of roots, 
acorns, honey, and even insects. 
Nearly related to the true Bears are the familiar Racoons 
(Procyon) of America, the Coatis (Vasua) of South America, and 
the Wah (Az/urus) of India. 
The only remaining Plantigrades of importance are the Bad- 
gers (AZe/es) of Europe, Asia, and America, the Gluttons or 
Wolverines (Gz/o) of the same continents,and the Honey-badgers 
(Mellivora) of Africa. 
Forming a kind of transition between the Plantigrada and 
the Digitigrada is a group of Carnivora which comprises 
numerous forms, such as the Weasels, Otters, and Civets, which 
apply part, but not the whole, of the sole of the foot to the 
ground. 
The Weasels (/wustelide) have short legs, and elongated, 
worm-like bodies, with a stealthy, gliding mode of progression. 
Good examples are the Pole-cat, the Mink, the Ermine, and 
the Sable. The two latter furnish the beautiful and valuable 
furs known by -their names. Here also belongs the Skunk 
(Mephitis), celebrated for its intensely disagreeable odour when 
alarmed or irritated. The Otters are nearly allied to the Weasels, 
but have webbed feet adapted for swimming. The great Sea- 
otter yields a very valuable fur. The Civets and Genettes 
