and consists of an outer layer of long coarse hair to shed water 

 and so to further his progress through the stream, and an under- 

 layer of fine soft fur to prevent the excessive cold from benumbing 

 his frame during his long winter stay beneath the icy surface. 



His whole appearance, indeed, shows how thoroughly the 

 otter is fitted for his life as a fisher. His body, measuring three 

 and a half or four feet, is slim and of equal width from the flat head 

 to the base of the long broad tail, which is also flat and of great 

 convenience as a rudder, while his shapelessness is just the form he 

 needs for his activities under water. His legs are not long enough 

 to be at all in his way, while his webbed feet are the best possible 

 device to propel him in his travels. In search for food he may 

 either dive directly upon the unsuspecting victim or pursue it in its 

 course, darting in and out, up and down, in true fish-fashion and 

 usually beating the fish at its own game. He is a hunter for sport's 

 sake as well as for necessity and slays far more prey than he con- 



144 



