AMPHIBIOUS QUADRUPEDS. 249 



thicket." In some places this may be true, but 

 I have never observed any such contrivance : the 

 retreat, indeed, was always at the edge of the 

 water, but it was only sheltered by the impending 

 bank, and the otter itself seemed to have but a 

 small share in its formation. But, be this as it 

 may, the young ones are always found at the edge 

 of the water ; and, if under the protection of the 

 dam, she teaches them instantly to plunge, like 

 herself, into the deep, and escape among the 

 rushes or weeds that fringe the stream. At such 

 times, therefore, it is very difficult to take them ; 

 for, though never so young, they swim with great 

 rapidity, and in such a manner that no part of 

 them is seen above water, except the tip of the 

 nose. It is only when the dam is absent that they 

 can be taken ; and in some places there are dogs 

 purposely trained for discovering their retreats. 

 Whenever the dog comes to the place, he soon, by 

 his barking, shows that the otter is there ; which, 

 if there be an old one, instantly plunges into the 

 water, and the young all follow. But if the old 

 one be absent, they continue terrified, and will 

 not venture forth but under her guidance and pro- 

 tection. In this manner they are secured and 

 taken home alive, where they are carefully fed 

 with small fish and water. In proportion, how- 

 ever, as they gather strength, they have milk mix- 

 ed among their food, the quantity of their fish 

 provision is retrenched, and that of vegetables is 

 increased, until at length they are fed wholly upon 

 bread, which perfectly agrees with their constitu- 

 tion. The manner of training them up to hunt 



