Ground Vermin Otter Traps. 329 



the soft ground has become partially flattened from the 

 continual passing to and fro over its surface, and the same 

 may be observed when sand forms the slope. 



But, before going further, it may be advisable to devote 

 a few lines to the best kind of trap to be employed. The 

 largest rabbit gins measure 5'm. in the jaw, and, although 

 adapted to a certain extent for catching otters, they are not 

 so efficacious at the landing places as another sort which we 

 shall describe. Besides, the ordinary rabbit gin will not hold 

 an otter if it can so manage as to have a fair tug at its leg, 



PIG. 27. OTTEE TEAP. 



which, being nothing but bone and muscle, and " as hard as 

 iron," the foot also being small and similarly constituted, is 

 more readily pulled from the jaws of a gin than might be 

 supposed. The trap sketched in Fig. 27 is intended to meet 

 the objection which the common rabbit gin has, and, as will 

 be seen, is a trap of great strength, and also very heavy, 

 while the spikes forming the teeth of the jaw completely 

 preclude any possibility of the otter escaping, once its capture 

 is effected. This trap is made by Shave, of Wednesfield, in 

 from yin. to loin, sizes. Each one can be had with a long 



