CARNIVORA. 251 



The common otter occupies the whole of Europe, 

 and extends into Northern Asia eastwards, to an 

 unknown distance. 



L. Oanadensis. The Canadian Otter. Head pro- 

 portionably larger than the common, size altogether 

 more bulky, being nearly 5 feet total length ; lips, 

 chin, and throat, often white ; general colour of the 

 fur, which is close, fine, and soft, a rich deep brown. 

 The tail compressed from near the base to the end, 

 shows this species to use it by alternate gyrations 

 from side to side, and to possess inferior powers of 

 diving. It abounds in the lakes and all the affluents 

 of the St. Lawrence, and probably to a considerable 

 distance southward in the United States ; but the 

 fur is nowhere so close and fine as in Canada and 

 the northwest. 



** With the soles naked anteriorly, but hairy at 

 the heel. 



Lutra nair, Indian Otter. We take this to be 

 the same as the L. Indica ; is of a deep chestnut, 

 lightest on the sides ; cheeks, lower part of neck, 

 and throat, bright reddish -brown ; above the eye 

 a yellowish -white spot. This species is kept by 

 Indian river fishermen, in small packs of ten or 

 twelve, commonly secured, by strings and straw col- 

 lars, to bamboos at the edge of the water, and used 

 to drive fish into the nets. The otter of Deccan is 

 without spots above the eyes, but it may be of the 

 same species. 



L. Chilensis. Above, deep vinous-brown; below 



