CARNIVORA. 77 



to the water, where he is more than a match for the strongest 

 dog. His determined courage holds out to the last, and pierced 

 with spears, he dies without uttering a cry. Eleven species are 

 enumerated. 



Lutra vulgaris. The COMMON OTTER. This species is about 

 two feet long, and its tail fifteen inches in addition. The tail is 

 flat and broad, and the toes of the feet are connected by a com- 

 plete web. In its entire structure, the animal is well adapted for 

 an aquatic life ; diving and swimming with- great readiness, and 

 with much ease and elegance of movement. It has a black nose, 

 and long whiskers. The ears are small and erect, the eyes very 

 small, and nearer the nose than in most animals. The color is 

 brown except small patches of white on the lips and nose. The 

 size varies from two to three and a half feet. When it has seized 

 a small fish, it immediately leaves the water and eats it, begin- 

 ning with the head, while the body is held in the fore paws. 

 Larger fish are held down by the paws, and the head and tail 

 often left uneaten. These animals destroy multitudes of fish, in 

 ponds and rivers, eating but a small portion of the fish, when they 

 have an abundance of prey. When fish are scarce, and they 

 are pressed by hunger, it is said, they sometimes go far inland 

 and attack lambs, sucking pigs and poultry, and even feed upon 

 larvae and earth worms. The Otter's place of retreat is beneath 

 roots of trees, or in holes near ponds and rivers. The female 

 bears from three to five young at a time. 



The Common Otter is capable of domestication, but most readi- 

 ly when taken young, and fed with small fish and water. Some- 

 times it shows attachment, but if offended, "bites grievously." 

 In some instances, it has been trained to catch fish, or to assist in 

 fishing. When tamed, "they will allow themselves to be gently 

 lifted by the tail ;" though they "object to any interference with 

 the snout, which is probably with them the seat of honor." 

 Usually they resort to fresh waters, but in some regions frequent 

 the sea, and hunt far out from land. Few animals show more 

 attachment for their young than the Otter. When these are 

 taken from them, they express their sorrow in tones resembling 

 the crying of children. 



Lutra Canadensis. The CANADA OTTER. 



This is larger than the Common or European Otter, having 

 dark, glossy brown hair, with the chin and throat dusky white, 

 and is five feet in length. The longer and outer hairs are glossy 

 and stiff, but the inner fur is soft, dense, and nearly as fine as 

 that of the Beaver. The ears are closer together than in the 

 Common Otter, and the tail flattened horizontally for half its 



