THE OTTER.

THE otter seems to form the first step in the gradation between land and aquatic animals, resembling the former in external appearance and internal conformation, and the latter in its ability to swim, being furnished with membranes between the toes for that purpose, as also in its general habits and mode of subsistence. Hence the animals of this kind are denominated amphibious, as being inhabitants of two different elements.

The usual length of the otter is about two feet, from the tip of the nose to the tail, the tail itself being about sixteen inches long, broad near the body, and gradually tapering to the point. The head and nose are broad and flat; the mouth is formed like that of a fish, and furnished at the corners with long

whiskers; the eyes are small and very brilliant; the legs remarkably short and muscular, but the joints extremely supple. The fur is of a deep brown colour, with two small spots on each side of the nose, and another under the chin.

The otter is an inhabitant of almost all the temperate countries of the world, and is found in some of the tropical regions. It shows great sagacity in forming its habitation. It burrows under ground in the bank of some river or lake, and always makes the entrance of its hole under water, working upwards to the surface of the earth; and, before it reaches the top, it makes several holts or lodges, that in case of high floods it may have a retreat, for no animal seems more desirous of lying dry. It then makes a small aperture for the admission of air; and, the more effectually to conceal its retreat, it contrives to make this air-hole in the midst of some thick bush.

Though the otter will sometimes attack poultry and the smaller quadrupeds, its principal food consists of fish; but it is very nice, and will only eat such as are perfectly fresh. It swims against the stream in rivers, and may frequently be seen in concert with a companion hunting the salmon. When it has caught a fish, it devours it as far as the vent; but, unless very hard pressed by hunger, it leaves all the rest. It is asserted that otters will even go out to sea to a considerable distance in quest of this their favourite food, and that they have been seen about the Orkneys hunting sea-fish, especially cod.

Otters are often taken in traps, and the hunting of these animals is with some a particular diversion. The old otters will defend themselves against the dogs to the last extremity: they bite keenly, never loosing their hold but with life, or making complaint for wounds however severe.

When taken young, the otter may be easily tamed and taught to catch fish for its master. The usual way of training it is, first to make it fetch and carry like a dog: a truss stuffed with wool in the shape of a fish is then given to it; this it is accustomed to take in its mouth and drop at command. It is then taught to fetch real dead fish, when thrown into the water, and thus by degrees made to catch living fish.

Bewick relates that a person near Wooler, in Northumberland, had a tame otter, which followed him wherever he went. He frequently took it to the river, and it was very useful to him by going into the water and driving trout and other fish into his net. One day, in the absence of its master, it was taken out by his son to fish; but, instead of returning as usual at the accustomed signal, it refused to come, and was lost. The father tried all means to recover it; and, after a

search of several days, being near the place where the animal was lost, he called it by its name, when, to his great joy, it came creeping to his feet, with every demonstration of affection and attachment. It is remarkable that this man's dogs, though accustomed to the sport of otter-hunting, were so far from molesting this individual, that they would not even hurt any of its species when it was in their company.

The otter of Poland, and the more northern countries of Europe, is much smaller than our common otter. Its colour is a dusky brown; and its fur is very valuable, being esteemed next in beauty to that of the sable.

In North America, where the otter is called the minx, it is not more than twenty inches in length; but its fur, of a dark brown colour, is glossy and beautiful. In some parts of that continent, otters are seen at a distance from