THE COMMON OTTER*. 



IT is well known that the Common Otter derives 

 nearly his whole subsistence from the water. He 

 swims, with great ease, at all depths; and the situ- 

 ation of his eyes, towards the front of the head, 

 allowing him to observe whatever passes above 

 him, he has a particular advantage when lurking at 

 the bottom in search of prey. The eyes of fish do 

 not enable them to discern objects that are imme- 

 diately beneath them, consequently the Otter can at 

 any time seize them by the belly, without much 

 exertion. This animal is said, likewise, to hunt for 

 his food always against the stream ; and as all spe- 

 cies of fish do the same, he has thus an advantage 

 in seizing them by surprise from behind. The 

 devastation committed by Otters in rivers and 

 ponds is sometimes enormous. They usually de- 

 stroy several fish at a time, and (unless incited by 

 extreme hunger) they devour only the upper 

 parts of the body. 



It is a circumstance not generally known, that 



* Lutra vulgaris. Shaw. Mustela lutra. Linn&us. LaLoutre. 

 Bujfon. 

 For the description of the Otter, see the Synopsis, p. 31, No. 17. 



O these 



