THE CANADIAN OTTER. 21 



ferocity, the Otter is in reality an animal of a naturally 

 gentle disposition, and if taken young may be rendered 

 so tame as to follow its owner. This I have seen in 

 India,' and there are, I believe, instances known in which 

 the European animal has been trained to catch fish for 

 its master. 



In its own holes or in the water it is not easily 

 attacked; there is no such sport as our otter-hunting 

 practised or known in Canada, and the animals are 

 generally taken by means of the trap. This is one size 

 smaller than that used for taking beaver, and very 

 strongly made; the ordinary method being to set it 

 just under water at the foot of the "slide," or place 

 which 'the Otter uses for getting into the stream. In 

 setting this, the trapper is especially careful not to 

 allow his hand to touch the bank or trees near, as 

 otherwise the cautious animal would at once detect the 

 danger, and carefully avoid the spot. 



A great number of otter skins are annually im- 

 ported into England, where they are always in request 

 on account of the softness and beauty of the fur, which 

 is exceedingly close and fine; they are also largely 

 employed in the manufacture of the military caps and 

 gauntlets which form a part of the officers' winter 

 costume in Canada the warmest and most service- 

 able articles of the kind I ever wore. The best 



