32' ' ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



northward yearly. In places where it used to be most abun- 

 dant, no trace of it is now found, except in the names of 

 streams or localities, such as Otter Creek, Otterville, &c. 

 It is very sagacious and wary ; its fur ranks next in quality 

 to that of the beaver, and is greatly used in the manufacture 

 of hats. The otter is too wary to touch baited traps ; they 

 are accordingly placed in the water at the foot of their slides, 

 for which they have a curious fondness. These slides are 

 thus formed : a number of them (for they live frequently 

 in families like the beaver) will select a spot where the river 



