THE OTTER. 



Tame otters used in fishing. 



Having satisfied its appetite, it always coiled 

 itself round, and fell asleep; in which state it 

 was generally carried home. This animal fished 

 as well in the sea as in fresh water, and took great 

 numbers' of young cod and other fish. 



Mr. Bewick relates, that another person who 

 kept a tame otter, suffered it to follow him with, 

 his dogs. It was very useful to him in fishing; 

 by going into the water, and driving trout and 

 other fish towards the net. It was remarkable, 

 that dogs accustomed to otter-hunting, were so 

 far from giving it the least molestation, that they 

 would not even hunt any otter while this re- 

 mained with them; on which account the owner 

 was under the necessity of disposing of it. 



In the Praedium llusticum of Vaniere, the 

 niethod of fishing with tame otters is described 

 in language to the following effect: 



"Should chance within this dark recess betray 

 The tender young, hear quick the prize away. 

 Tam'd by thy care, the useful brood shall join 

 The wat'ry chase, and add their toils to thine ; 

 From each close lurking-hole shall force away; 

 And drive within thy nets, the silver prey : 

 As the taught hound the timid stag subdues, 

 A"d o'er the dewy plain the panting hare pursues." 



M. Poissonnier, having; tamed a vouns: otter. 



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found that, after a little instruction, it would run 

 to a small river, about a hundred yards from his 

 house, and very seldom returned without a live 

 fish in its mouth. He also brought it to such a 



