380 HISTORY OF 



stiitied with wool, of the shape of a fish, and made ol leather, m 

 their mouths, and to drop it at the word of command ; to run 

 after it when thrown forward, and to bring it to their master. 

 From this they proceed to real fish, which are thrown dead into 

 the water, and which they are taught to fetch from thence. 

 From the dead they proceed to the live, until at last the animal 

 is perfectly instructed in the whole art of fishing. An otter 

 thus taught is a very valuable animal, and will catch fish enough 

 to sustain not only itself but a whole family. I have seen one 

 of these go to a gentleman's pond at the word of command, 

 drive up the fish into a corner, and seizing upon the largest of 

 the whole, bring it off, in its mouth, to its master. 



Otters are to be met with in most parts of the world, and 

 rather differ in size and colour from each other, than in habi- 

 tudes or conformation.' In North America, and Carolina, they 

 are usually found white, inclining to yellow. The Brasilian 

 otter is much larger than ours, with a roundish head, almost 

 like a cat. The tail is shorter, being but five inches long ; and 

 ihe hair is soft, short, and black, except on the head, where it is 

 of a dark brown, with a yellowish spot under the throat.* 



1 Ray. 

 * The Sea Otter.— The whole len^h of the sea otter is generally about 

 four feet, of which the tail occupies tliirteen inches. The fur is extremely 

 soft, and of a deep glossy black. The ears are small, and erect, and the 

 vvluskers long and white. 'J lie legs are short and thick, the hinder ones 

 somewhat resembling those of a seal. The weight of the largest sea otterd 

 is from seventy to eighty pounds. In their general habits of life these ani. 

 mals are perfectly harmless and inoffensive ; and towards their oftspring 

 they exhibit a degree of attachment which is extremely interesting. They 

 will never desert them ; they will even starve themselves to death on being 

 robbed of them, and sUive to breathe their last on the spot where their 

 young have been destroyed. The female produces only a single young one 

 at a time, which she suckles almost a whole year, and till it takes to itself a 

 mate. The sea otters pair, and are very constant. They often carry tlieir 

 young between their teeth, and fondle them, frequently tlirowing them up, 

 and catching them again in their paws. Before these can swim, the old 

 ones will take them in their fore-feet, and swim about with them on tlieir 

 backs. The sea otters swim sometimes on their sides j at other times on 

 their backs, or in an upright position. They are very sportive, embrace 

 e.ach other, and seem to kiss. When attacked they make no resistance, but 

 endeavour to save themselves by flight : if, however, they are closely press- 

 ed, and can see no means of escape, they scold and giin like an angry cat. 

 On receiving a blow, they immediately lie on their side, draw uj) tlieir himl 

 legs together, cover their eyes with their fore paws, and tints seem to pre- 



