Ground Vermin The Otter. 321 



past, and, if there be a particularly big trout which may 

 have once or more times eluded the ingenuity and patience 

 of its would-be capturer, he will probably go down to 

 the river one morning to find it, insufferably mauled, lying 

 upon the stream bank. Acts of this kind have brought the 

 otter into such ill repute with all proprietors of trout and 

 salmon rivers that the capture or killing of one is generally 

 a matter of congratulation. 



Otters vary considerably in size, and, to a certain extent, 

 according to locality ; but the average length of a full 

 grown dog otter may be given as about 4oin. to 42in., 

 although occasionally very large specimens may tape close 

 upon 4ft. from the tip of the nose to extremity of the tail. 

 The weight varies also, but in the male may be set down 

 as atuDut 2olb. to 24lb. The female is invariably the smaller 

 of the pair, measuring a few inches and scaling a few 

 pounds less than her mate. The colour of the otter is a 

 rich dark brown, deepest in tint on the upper and outer 

 portions of the body, with a slight tinge of light grey 

 throughout, partaking more of this on the inner and under 

 surface of the body. Upon each side of the face, at the back 

 of the lips, the fur is in two small patches, almost white, this 

 marking being very prominent in some specimens, whilst 

 in others it is only noticeable by its indistinctness. The 

 eyes are not large, but are, nevertheless, of great power, 

 being placed well forward on the head and very slightly 

 protruding, so as to give the animal the ability to keep 

 its intended prey, whilst pursuing it, well within the sphere 

 of its vision, whether, for strategical reasons, the pursuer 

 be compelled to swim at the side, over, or under the fish. 



