OTTERS. 125 



As it moves about in the water, it scarcely seems to 

 possess any joints at all, so easy is the turn of the body 

 and limbs. Yet when it sets itself to a struggle with 

 its prey, its whole character seems to be changed, and 

 the entire framework of the animal becomes as rigid as 

 if the bones and sinews were of steel. 



This can be readily seen by throwing a fish into 

 the water at the Zoological Gardens. Of course, in 

 such limited dimensions, there is little scope for flight 

 on the part of the fish, or chase on the part of the 

 Otter. But the Otter can " make-believe " as well as 

 any child at its play, and it generally makes believe 

 that the fish is a large salmon, which is costing a hard 

 fight before it yields. 



Then, after it has safely landed its prey, the Otter 

 places its fore paws oil the fish, seizes it in its mouth, 

 and tears it to pieces with a crunching sound that 

 speaks plainly of the great strength that is employed 

 in .the operation. It is no wonder that few dogs can 

 be found to face the Otter in fair fight, and that even 

 the best-trained Otter hounds have all their work to 

 do in securing an animal which can twist about like a 

 snake and bite like a badger. 



It seems somewhat curious that while the falcon 

 should have been trained to catch birds in the air, and 

 ferrets to chase rats and rabbits beneath the ground, 

 the Otter, which is a near relation of the ferret, should 

 not have its aquatic powers utilized, and be taught to 

 catch fish for its trainer, instead of depopulating the 

 river on its own account and in its own wasteful 

 manner. 



It is trained in some parts of India and China, and 



