MOPE or HUNTING IT. 3S1 



fearing", in consequence, that if at large it might fall into 

 the hands of the Philistines, I never ventured to give it 

 its liberty. The animal was kept in an outhouse, and 

 constantly supplied with a large tub of water. Its food, 

 consisting chiefly of fish, was thrown into this tub, and 

 was brought uji by it from the bottom. If the tem- 

 j^erature was modei'ate, it seemed fond of disporting 

 in its bath ; but in very severe weather it appeared 

 just as well pleased to nestle in some dry straw 

 placed in a corner of the shed, Avhere it w^ould coil 

 itself up in the manner of a dog, and pass much of 

 its time in sleep. 



The Otter is captured in various ways in Scandinavia. 

 Many are hunted to the death, though not, as in England, 

 with a pack of hounds, but in a quiet sort of way. These 

 hunts usually take place in the winter, at which time, as 

 said, the animal is accustomed to take long pedestrian 

 excursions ; for when there is snow on the ground, it is 

 always easy to ascertain, in degree at least, its where- 

 abouts. A trained dog is needful for the purpose, 

 though any cur that has courage, and takes kindly to 

 the water, answers Avell enough ; and if when young he 

 has aided in the destruction of one or two Otters, his 

 education is nearly complete. The beast emits a strong 

 and rank odour, so that the dos; does not readilv lose 

 its trail, and when thoroughly up to his business, will be 

 able to indicate its place of retreat, even though the ice 

 under wliicli it is lying be five or six inches in thickness. 

 "When the Sjmr is found — and one generally knows 

 pretty well where to look for it, for the Otter year after 

 year keeps to the same track — the hunter, with his dog 

 in a leash, and accompanied by a man bearing a wood- 

 man's axe, an ice-axe, and an Utter-gadd, or Otter-spear, 

 the shaft of which is about six feet in length, starts in 

 pursuit either on Skidor or on foot. If the track bo 



