THE BOOK OF THE OTTER 



and for preventing loss of heat during cold 

 weather. Overlying this under-coat is a cover- 

 ing of longer hairs, which are stiffer and more 

 shiny, greyish in colour at the base, and brown at 

 the tips. This dark colouring shows in most 

 pronounced fashion on the upper portions of the 

 body, and on the outer surfaces of the legs and 

 shoulders. The inner portions of the legs, belly, 

 chest, throat, and cheeks are brownish-grey. The 

 throat often shows a good deal of white or greyish- 

 white in irregular patches. This, however, varies 

 considerably in individual specimens, some show- 

 ing a good deal of it, others practically none at all. 

 Turning again to the head, we find the eyes small 

 and dark coloured, while the so-called " whiskers " 

 are long, stiff, and thick at the base. These long, 

 stiff hairs grow on the upper-lip, and there is a tuft 

 of them over each eye, and two tufts — one below 

 the other — on each cheek. In the case of the 

 domestic cat these " whiskers " are soft, and 

 possess a very delicate sense of touch, thus 



enabling the animal to creep noiselessly through 



26 



