24 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Occasional excursion* Playfulness, &c. 



distance of at least five miles from any river or 

 pond, that could supply him with fish, and it is 

 to be presumed he meant to prey upon some land 

 animal, as he had prowled so far from the place 

 \vhere his natural food could be procured. 



In some parts of North America, otters are 

 seen in winter at a distance from any apparent 

 open water, both in woods and on plains; but 

 the cause which leads them to such situations 

 has never been ascertained. If pursued, when 

 among the woods where the snow is light and 

 deep, they immediately dive, and make consider- 

 able way under it; but they may be easily traced 

 by the motion of the snow above them, and soon 

 overtaken. The Indians kill great numbers of 

 them with clubs, by tracking them in the snow; 

 but some of the old ones are so fierce, when 

 closely pursued, that they will turn upon and fljr 

 at their pursuers. 



They are remarkably fend of play; and Mr. 

 Heame observes, one of their favourite pastimes 

 is, to get on a high ridge of suow, bend their 

 fore-feet backward, and slide down the side of it, 

 sometimes to the distance of twenty yards. 



Though naturally of a ferocious disposition, 

 otters, when taken young may be educated, and 

 completely tamed. The training of them re- 

 quires considerable assiduity and perseverance ; 

 but their activity and use, when taught, suffici- 

 ently repay this trouble; and few animals are 

 more beneficial to their masters. The usual ine- 



