THE OTTER. 225 



Mode of instruction. 



thod is first to teach them to fetch, in the same 

 way as dogs ; but, as they have not an equal do- 

 cility, so it requires more art and experience to 

 instruct them. It is usually performed by accus- 

 toming them to take in their mouths a truss 

 made of leather, and stuffed with wool, of the 

 shape of a fish; to drop it at a word of com- 

 mand; to run after it when thrown forward, and 

 to bring it to their master. Real fish are next 

 employed ; which are thrown dead into the wa- 

 ter, and which they are taught to fetch from 

 thence. From dead fish they are led to living 

 ones, till at length they are perfectly instructed 

 in the whole art of fishing. An otter thus edu- 

 cated, is very valuable; he will catch fish enough 

 to sustain not only himself but a whole family. 

 " I have seen," says Goldsmith, " an otter go to 

 a gentleman's pond at the word of command, 

 drive the fish into a corner, and, seizing upon 

 the largest of the whole, bring it off, in hi* 

 aiiouth, to his master." 



A person, who lived, at KUmerston, near 

 Wooler, in Northumberland, had a tame otter, 

 which followed him wherever he went. He fre- 

 quently took it to fish in the river; and when 

 satisfied, it never failed to return to its master. 

 One day, in the absence of its owner, the otter 

 being taken out to fislji by his son, instead of re- 

 turning as usual, refused to come at the accus- 

 call, and was lost. The father tried every 

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