COMMON OTTER. 175 



of much importance, or, indeed, exceeding such as 

 we find in all the animals of this family. Our Otter 

 varies much in size, as \vell as considerably in 

 colour, some individuals measuring nearly four feet 

 in length, while others, evidently adult, do not ex- 

 ceed three feet and a half, and the colour being of 

 brown of various shades, with more or less grey or 

 brownish-white on the fore part of the neck and 

 breast. In its general form it exhibits an evident 

 affinity to the Weasels and Martens ; but it differs 

 from them in presenting peculiarities adapting it for 

 an aquatic life. 



The head is depressed and widened, the muzzle 

 short, broad and rounded, the upper lip being very 

 thick, and the nose flattened. The eyes .are very 

 small, as are the external ears, which have a semi- 

 circular outline. The neck is almost as thick as 

 the anterior part of the chest ; the body very long 

 and round; the legs short, very muscular, and ex- 

 ceedingly flexile ; the feet with five sharp-clawed 

 toes, which are connected by membranes extending 

 to three-fourths of their length, the soles naked ; 

 the tail very long, muscular, thick at the base, de- 

 pressed, and tapering to a point. The middle four 

 incisors of the upper jaw are equal in breadth antf 

 length, the lateral pair considerably larger ; the 

 canine tooth nearly straight and conical ; the first 

 grinder is extremely small, the second and third 

 conical and compressed, the fourth large, with two 

 external compressed points, and an internal dilata- 

 tion ; the last with three small external points, and 



