PIN'NIPE'DIA (Neo-Lat. nom. pi., from Lat.
pilule. feather, fin pes, foot). A section of Ca rn 'vont, comprising sea Is, ota ries, and wal ruses, in which the fore and hind limits are short and expanded into broad, webbed swimming pad dles. The hind feet are placed very far back. nearly in a line with the axis of the body, and somewhat incorporated with the tail by the in teguments. The body is elongated and covered with short fur or hairs, and terminated by a short conical tail. The five toes of each foot are united by the skin and form powerful swimming paddles. The tips of the toes are armed with claws, but they have little power for land loco motion, the typical seals being able only to drag themselves along when out of the water. The ears are small, often only indicated by aper which the animal can close under water. The dentition varies. hut teeth of three kinds are
always present. The canines are always long and pointed. and the molars have sharp cutting edges.
The pinnipeds include three families, the ear less seals (Phocike), the eared seals or otaries I ri ithe ) and the walruses ( Trichech bhp ) . The seals differ from the walruses by having incisor teeth in both jaws, and moderate-sized canines, and front the marks by the absence of ears and inability to use the hind limbs on land. The eared seals. sea-ions, or otaries differ from the typical by having small, conical ears, and in the greater use of the limbs. espe cially the hind limbs, so that they are enabled to execute a sort of walk. Consult: Beddard, .11ammotiu ( London. 1902 : llonograph of Yorth it/erica,/ Plan /yetis (Washington, ISS0). See SEAL; WALRUS.