OTTERS FISH-POACHERS 77 



sufficient time has been allowed, pulls up the bait 

 with a swift but steady motion, drops the eel into 

 his box which serves him for a seat and re- 

 sumes operations. By this method a large 

 number of eels may be taken in an evening, 

 especially during thundery weather, when, unlike 

 other fish, eels are most inclined to feed. 



Were otters to confine their poaching pro- 

 pensities to eels only, they would be entitled to 

 the gratitude of all fishermen ; at least, such is my 

 opinion, inasmuch as it is my firm belief that eels 

 are by no means averse to eating the spawn of 

 fish. I may malign them, but I have reason to 

 believe them by no means blameless in this 

 respect. I could, indeed, wish that otters were 

 innocent of all harm, for they are most interesting 

 animals, and very handsome. Their fur, which 

 is thick and soft, is of great value to the furriers, 

 though that of the British otter is not considered 

 as suitable in this respect as the foreign. The 

 toughness of its skin is remarkable. When an 

 otter has been killed by the hounds, if its skin 

 is examined, it will be found that not a single 

 tooth has succeeded in penetrating it. As I 

 hope to refer to the sport of otter-hunting later 

 on I forbear to do so at the present time ; but I 

 fear that all sport seems inseparable from cruelty, 

 and that of otter-hunting is no exception. I 

 trust, however, that I may not be thought desirous 

 of condemning sport. On the contrary, I love it 

 far too well to do so, but I find it impossible to 



