266 THE OTTER. 



consumption ; killing for its amusement, and infecting the 

 edges of the lake with quantities of dead fish, which it 

 leaves there as trophies rather of its victories than its ne- 

 cessities. But in winter, when the lakes are frozen over, 

 and the rivers pour with a rapid torrent, the otter is' often 

 greatly distressed for provisions ; and is then obliged to live 

 upon grass, weeds, and even the bark of trees. It then 

 comes upon land, and, grown courageous from necessity, 

 feeds upon terrestrial animals, rats, insects, and even sheep 

 themselves. Nature, however, has given it the power of 

 continuing a long time without food ; and although, during 

 that season, it is not rendered quite torpid, like the mar- 

 mout or the dormouse, yet it keeps much more within its 

 retreat, which is usually the hollow of a bank, worn under 

 by the Water. There it often forms a kind of gallery, run- 

 ning for several yards along the edge of the water ; so that 

 when attacked a^ one end, it flies to the other, and often 

 evades the fowler by plunging into the water at forty or 

 fifty paces distant, while he expects to find it just before 

 him. 



In the rivers and the lakes frequented by the otter, the 

 bottom is generally stony and uneven, with many trunks 

 of trees, and long roots stretching under the water. The 

 shore also is hollow and scooped inward by the waves. 

 These are the places the otter chiefly chooses for its re- 

 treat ; and there is scarce a stone which does not bear the 

 mark of its residence, as upon them its excrements are 

 always made. It is chiefly by this mark that its lurking 

 places are known, as well as by the quantity of dead fish 

 that are found lying here and there upon the banks of the 

 water. To take the old ones alive is no easy task, as they 

 are extremely strong, and there are few dogs that will dare 

 to encounter them. They bite with great fierceness, and 

 never let go their hold when they have once fastened. 

 The best way, therefore, is to shoot them at once, as they 

 never will be thoroughly tamed ; and, if kept for the pur- 



