ANIiMALS. o7i> 



hollow banks, upon a bed of rushes, llugs, or such reeds as the 

 place affords it in the greatest quantities. I see in the British 

 Zoology a description of its habitation, where that naturalist ob- 

 serves, " that it burrows under ground, on the banks of some 

 river or lake, and always makes the entrance of its hole under 

 water, then works up to the surface of the earth, and there 

 makes a minute orifice for the admission of air, and this little air- 

 hole is often found in the middle of some thicket." In some 

 places this may be true, but I have never observed any such con- 

 trivance ; the retreat, indeed, was always at the edge of the 

 water, but it was only sheltered by the impending bank * aiid 

 the otter itself seemed to have but a small share in its formation. 

 But be this as it may, the young ones are always found at the 

 edge of the water ; and, if under the protection of the dam, she 

 teaches them instantly to plunge, like herself, into the deep, and 

 escape among the rushes or weeds that fringe the stream. At 

 such times, therefore, it is very difficult to take them ; for, 

 though never so young, they swim with great rapidity, and in such 

 a manner that no part of them is seen above water, except the 

 tip of the nose. It is only when the dam is absent that they 

 can be taken ; and in some places, there are dogs purposely 

 trained for discovering their retreats. Whenever the dog comes 

 to the place, he soon, by his barking, shows that the otter is 

 there ; which, if there be an old one, instantly plunges into the 

 water, and the young all follow. But if the old one be absent, 

 they continue terrified, and will not venture forth but under her 

 guidance and protection. In this manner they are secured, and 

 taken home alive, where they are carefully fed with small fish 

 tind water. In proportion, however, as they gather strength, 

 they have milk mixed among their food, tlie quantity of their fish 

 provision is retrenched, and that of vegetables is increased, un- 

 til at length they are fed wholly upon bread, which perfectly 

 agrees with their constitution. The manner of training them 

 up to hunt for fish requires not only assiduity, but patience ; 

 however, their activity and use, when taught, greatly repays the 

 trouble of teaching ; and, perhaps, no other animal is more bene- 

 ficial to its master. The usual way is, first to learn them to 

 fetch, as dogs are instructed ; but, as they have not the same 

 docility, so it requires more art and experience to teach them. 

 It is usually performed by accustoming them to take a truss 



