AMPHIBIOUS QUADRUPEDS, 



dations of the amphibious tribe. They all, how- 

 ever, get their living in the water, either by habit 

 or conformation ; they all continue a long time 

 under water; they all consider that element as 

 their proper abode : whenever pressed by danger, 

 they fly to the water for security ; and, when 

 upon land, appear watchful, timorous, and un- 

 wieldy, 



THE OTTER. 



IN the first step of the progression from land to 

 amphibious animals we find the Otter, resembling 

 those of the terrestrial kind in shape, hair, and 

 internal conformation ; resembling the aquatic 

 tribes in its manner of living, and in having mem- 

 branes between the toes to assist it in swimming. 

 From this peculiar make of its feet, which are very 

 short, it swims even faster than it runs, and can 

 overtake fishes in their own element. The colour 

 of this animal is brown ; and it is somewhat of 

 the shape of an overgrown weasel, being long, 

 slender, and soft skinned. However, if we exa- 

 mine its figure in detail, we shall find it unlike 

 any other animal hitherto described, and of such 

 a shape as words can but weakly convey.* Its 

 usual length is about two feet long from the tip 

 of the nose to the insertion of the tail : the head 



[* The Otter has six cutting teeth in each jaw ; those of the upper jaw 

 erect, sharp pointed, and distinct; of the lower jaw, blunter, huddled together, 

 and two placed within the line of the rest.] 



