354 CHINESE OTTER. 
bite. When the Otter has once fairly fixed its teeth, it cannot be forced to relinquish its 
grasp without the greatest difficulty ; and even when it is dead its jaws are said to retain 
their hold with unremitting firmness. When the animal is hunted, it swims and dives 
with such singular agility that the only mode of effecting its capture is by watching its 
progress below the surface by means of the train of air-bubbles which mark its course, 
and by forcing it to dive again before it has recovered its breath. By a repetition of this 
manceuvre the poor creature is wearied, and at last falls an unwilling prey. 
The fur of the Otter is so warm and handsome that itis in some request for commercial 
purposes. The entire length of the animal is rather under three feet and a half, of which 
the tail occupies about fourteen or fifteen inches. On the average, it weighs about twenty- 
three pounds ; but there are examples which have far surpassed that weight. My. Bell 
records an instance of a gigantic Otter that was captured in the river Lea, between 
Hertford and Ware, which weighed forty pounds. 
ALTHOUGH so fierce and savage an animal when attacked, the Otter is singularly 
susceptible of human influence, and can be taught to catch fish for the service of its 
masters rather than for the gratification of its own palate. The CHINESE or INDIAN OTTER 
affords an excellent instance of this capability ; for in every part of India the trained 
Otters are almost as common as trained dogs in England. It seems odd that the 
proprietors of streams should not press the Otter into their service stead of destroying 
it, and should not convert into a faithful friend the animal which at present is considered 
but as a ruthless enemy. 
Even in England, the Otter has frequently been tamed and trained for the purposes of 
sport. A well-known sporting gentleman, an inhabitant of Carstairs, was possessed of one 
of these animals, which had been trained with singular suceess. “ When called, the Otter 
immediately answered to the appropriate name of Neptune. The animal, it appeared, was 
caught two years ago, being then only a few weeks old. It was actually suckled by a 
pointer, and, showing early signs of docility, was made over to the gamekeeper. In 
process of time, the animal increased in aptitude and sagacity, and was soon enabled to 
undertake the duty of an economical fisherman, frequently procuring a dish of. excellent 
bum trout-at such seasons when the aneler’s art, from adverse winds or foul streams, 
was in vain, 
In the morning after these fishing exploits, which sometimes occupied the greater part 
of the night, Neptune was always found at his post, and the stranger might be astonished 
to see him among several brace of pointers and greyhounds. No one understood better 
how to keep at his own side of the house. In fact, according to the gamekeeper, he was 
‘the best cur that ever ran.’ 
Neptune was an amiable creature. He would allow himself to be gently lifted by his 
tail, but invariably objected to any interference with his snout. As an angler, his 
reputation is advancing rapidly, and one or two of Mr. M ’s neighbours intend to 
borrow him for a day or two in the spring, for the purpose of ascertaining the quality and 
size of the larger trout in the pools on their estates.” 
Another of these animals was accustomed to go to work in a very systematic manner. 
It always plunged into the water very quietly, and, keeping close by the bank, took its 
course up the stream, disturbing the fish by smart blows with its tail. If a fish remained 
by the bank, the Otter passed by and did not seem to notice it, but if the fish should dart 
in front of its pursuer, it was instantly seized and brought near the surface of the water— 
probably in order to lessen the force ‘of its struggles. When the Otter had brought its 
prey to shore, it always discovered some reluctance in parting with the fish which it had 
caught, and signified its disapprobation by a plaintive whine. 
Mr. Richardson gives a very interesting account of an Otter which he tamed, and 
which was accustomed to follow him in his walks like a dog, sporting by his side with 
eraceful playfulness, and swimming at perfect liberty in the stream. This animal, however, 
could never be induced to yield her prey to her master, but when she saw him approaching 
would quickly swim to the opposite bank of the river, lay down her fish, and eat it in 
peace. The animal was accustomed to wander at her own will in the house and garden, 
