280 EEMINISCEXCES OF A SPOETSMAX. 



of rushes, flags, or other aquatic plants. AMien tamed 

 the otter will follow its owner like a dog, and will catch 

 fish for him ; but then he must be taken young, and it 

 is quite certain that the old ones can never be thoroughly 

 tamed, and if kept for the purpose of fishing, are 

 always apt to take the first opportunity of escaping. 

 As regards their food when taken young, they are fed 

 with small fish and water; in proportion as they increase 

 in strength they have milk mixed with their food, the 

 quantity of fish reduced, and that of vegetables in- 

 creased, until at length their diet may be entirely bread, 

 which perfectly agrees with them. To train them up to 

 fishing requires great assiduity and patience, but their 

 activity and expertness when taught amply repays this 

 trouble. The usual plan is first to teach them to fetch 

 and carry, employing for the purpose a piece of leather, 

 shaped like a fish, and stuffed with wool. When they 

 have seized it, they are made to drop it at the word of 

 command, to run after it again when thrown forward, 

 and to return with it to their master. They are next 

 exercised with dead fish, which are thrown into the 

 water for them to fetch from thence. Lastly, living 

 fish are thrown into the water, until the otter is perfectly 

 disciplined in the art of catching fish. 



