FAMILY MUSTELIDJE; OTTER. 219 



tapering towards the extremity, and somewhat flattened horizon- 

 tally. The fur is close, short, and fine ; consisting of a thick 

 woolly undercoat, and an upper layer of smooth glossy hairs. 

 The head is broad and flat ; the ears are very small and close to 

 the skull ; and the eyes are provided with a nictitating membrane 

 (or third half- transparent eyelid, like that of Birds) as a defence 

 to their surface. All these characters plainly indicate the adapt- 

 ation of the animal to an aquatic residence ; and an acquaint- 

 ance with its habits shows their purpose. On land, the move- 

 ments of the Otter are by no means free or rapid ; but it makes 

 to the water when attacked, and there it swims with the greatest 

 facility. Its motions in the water are remarkably graceful ; it 

 swims at every depth with great rapidity, every now and then 

 coming up to the surface to take breath, and then diving like a 

 shot, following its prey through every turn with the greatest per- 

 severance, until its exhausted victim can no longer escape the 

 jaws of its rapacious foe. Its food naturally consists entirely of 

 the Fish which it thus captures ; and in pursuit of them it will 

 even descend along rivers to the sea : but when fish are scarce, 

 it will assume the habits of the Stoats and Weasels, resorting far 

 inland to the neighbourhood of the farm-yard, and attacking 

 lambs, sucking-pigs, and poultry. The Otter does not excavate 

 a burrow for itself, as some have affirmed ; but avails itself of 

 any convenient hollow for its residence, such as those beneath 

 the overhanging roots of trees which grow on the banks of 

 rivers. It is capable of being domesticated, when taken young ; 

 and may be used to catch fish for its master. Bishop Heber 

 mentions that the Indian fishermen keep the Asiatic species for 

 this purpose, and that they find them of great use in fishing ; 

 and justly remarks that " the simple Hindoo here shows a better 

 taste and judgment, than half the Otter-hunting and Badger- 

 baiting gentry of England." There is a species of Otter, found on 

 the North-west coast of America, and on the opposite coast of 

 Asia, which frequents the sea-shore almost exclusively, and bears 

 a still stronger resemblance to the Seals, than does the common 

 species. Its tail is shorter ; and its hind-feet, which form very 

 broad and powerful paddles, are directed far back. The teeth 



