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THE OTTER. 133 



lead amphibious lives, and are capable of existing either 

 upon water or land. All quadrupeds of this kind, 

 though covered with hair like the general race of that 

 species, are furnished with membranes between their 

 toes, which assist their motion in the water ; for 

 their paws are broad, and their legs short, by which 

 they are completely calculated for swimming. Others 

 still nearer resemble the inhabitants of the deep, by 

 having their hind feet stuck to their bodies like fins ; 

 and some are totally devoid of those supporters, 



THE OTTER. 



In the first step of the progression from land to am- 

 phibious animals, we find the otter resembling those 

 of the terrestrial kind in shape, hair, and internal con- 

 formation ; and those of the aquatic, in its ability to 

 swim, and living upon those small fish with which the 

 watery element abounds. The form of this animal re- 

 sembles a large weasel ; the skin is brown, and pecu- 

 liarly soft : its usual length is about two feet from the 

 tip of the nose to the insertion of the tail ; the head 

 and nose are broad and flat ; the mouth is formed like 

 that of a fish ; the neck is short, and very thick : the 

 eyes small, and placed near the nose ; the tail long, 

 and broad at the insertion, but gradually tapering to- 

 wards the point ; the legs are short, yet the joints are 

 so pliant that the animal is able to turn them quite 

 back ; and, by bringing them upon a parallel with the 

 body, makes them answer the purpose of fins. 



This voracious animal is never to be found but at 

 the sides of rivers and lakes, as it is not fond of fishing 

 in a running stream ; and, though it is able to devour 

 an uncommon quantity of food, it kills a great deal 

 more than it can eat : for it carries its victims to tlie 

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