1GG THE OTTER. 



shrews, and, as was understood, otters. As he lay 

 along the bank, and stretched down to disentangle the 

 hook, the trout, in the basket on his back, gave a 

 flutter, and the belt of the basket came in contact with 

 his neck. The idea that lutra had him by the throat, 

 in vengeance for the inroad both upon his mansion and 

 preserve, darted across the angler's mind ; to escape 

 from the foe, he tried to start up ; but position had 

 given his heels the buoyancy, and he pitched somerset- 

 wise into the water. 



THE OTTER. 



THE COMMON OTTER (lutra vulgaris, muslela lutra, 

 Linnaeus) is the most formidable of British aquatic 

 quadrupeds. It is found near both lakes and rivers, 

 but it prefers the latter, as they are better fishing 

 grounds. 



The body of the otter is of a blackish brown colour, 

 with three white spots ; one under the chin, and one on 

 each side of the nose. It is a long animal, the body 

 measuring about two feet, and the tail sixteen inches. 



