122 AMPHIBIOUS (QUADRUPEDS. 



the eyes of fifh are placed fo as not to fee under them, the otter fcizing 

 them by the belly, drags them on fliore, where it often leaves them un- 

 touched, to continue the purfuit for hours. In winter, when the lakes 

 are frozen, and the rivers pour a rapid torrent, the otter is often greatly 

 diftrefifed, and obliged to live on grafs, weeds, and even bark j then 

 courageous from nccelTity, it feeds on infefls, rats, and even flieep. It 

 has the power of continuing long without food, and, though not torpid 

 like the marmotte, yet keeps much within its retreat, which is ufualiy 

 the hollow of a bank worn under by the water* There it often forms a 

 kind of gallery, running along the edge of the water ; when attacked at 

 one end, it flies to the other, and often evades the hunter by plunging 

 into the water at forty or fifty paces diftance, while he expedls to find it 

 juft before him. Couples about the middle of fummer, and brings forth 

 at the end of nine weeks, generally three or four at a time. The otter 

 brings forth generally under hollow banks, on a bed of ruflies, flags, or 

 Vv'eeds, on the fide of fome river or lake. The entrance of its hole is 

 generally under water. The young are always at the water-edge ; the 

 dam teaches them to plunge fwiftly, like herfelf, and efcape among the 

 rufhes or weeds. Though never fo young, they fwim with great rapi- 

 dity, no part of them being feen above water, except the tip of 

 the nofe. 



When caught young, they are carefully fed with fmall fifli and water ; 

 but, as they gather iirength, milk is mixed among their food, their 

 . fifli provifion is gradually retrenched, and at length they are fed wholly 

 on bread. The training them to hunt for fifli requires afllduity and pa- 

 tience; but an otter, thus taught, is a valuable animal, and will catch 

 fifli enough not only for itfelf, but for a family. Has been feen, at the 

 word of command, to drive fifli into a corner, and bring off the largeft: 

 to its matter. 



Otters inhabit moft parts of the world j different in fize and colour. 

 In North-America and Carolina are white, inclining to yellow. The 

 Brafilian otter is much larger than ours, with a roundifli head, almofl: 

 like a cat. The tail is but five inches long; the hair is foft, fliorc, and 

 black, except on the head, where it is of a dark brown, with a yellow*- 

 ifli ipoc under the throat. 



THE 



