CCfi NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Tame otters. 



means to recover it; but, after several day* 

 search, being near the place where his son had 

 lost it, and calling it by its name, to his inex- 

 pressible joy it came creeping to his feet, and 

 showed many marks of affection and firm attach- 

 ment. 



A gentleman in Essex had an otter, which 

 always attended him like a dog, and every after- 

 noon, when the old gentleman slept, the otter 

 regularly stationed itself in his lap ; it used to 

 get fish from the ponds in the gardens and 

 grounds near the house ; it had milk also given, 

 it; but was at last accidentally killed, by a maid- 

 servant striking it with a broom handle upon the 

 nose, where a small blow is fatal. 



Some years ago, James Campbell, near Inver- 

 ness, had a young otter, which he brought up 

 and tamed. It would follow him wherever he 

 chose ; and, if called by its name, would imme- 

 diately obey. When apprehensive of danger 

 from dogs, it sought the protection of its master, 

 and would endeavour to spring into his arms for 

 greater security. It was frequently employed in 

 catching fish, and would sometimes take eight 

 or ten salmon in a day. If not prevented, it al- 

 ways attempted to break the fish behind the fin 

 next the tail ; and, on one being taken away, it 

 immediately dived in pursuit of more. When 

 tired, it would icfuse to fish any longer; and was 

 then remunerated with as much as it could eat. 



