384 CHINESE OTTER. 



bite. When the Otter has once fairly fixed its teeth, it cannot be forced to relinquish its 

 grasp without the greatest difficulty ; and even when it is dead its jaws are said to retain 

 their hold with unremitting firmness. When the animal is hunted, it swims and dives 

 with such singular agility that the only mode of effecting its capture is by watching its 

 progress below the surface by means of the train of air-bubbles which mark its course, 

 and by forcing it to dive again before it has recovered its breath. By a repetition of 

 this manoeuvre the poor creature is wearied, and at last fails an unwilling prey. 



The fur of the Otter is so warm and handsome that it is in some request for commer- 

 cial purposes. The entire length of the animal is rather under three feet and a half, of 

 which the tail occupies about fourteen or fifteen inches. On the average, it weighs about 

 twenty-three pounds ; but there are examples which have far surpassed that weight. 

 Mr. Bell records an instance of a gigantic Otter that was captured in the river Lea, 

 between Hertford and Ware, which weighed forty pounds. 



ALTHOUGH so fierce and savage an animal when attacked, the Otter is singularly 

 susceptible of human influence, and can be taught to catch fish for the service of its 

 masters rather than for the gratification of its own palate. The CHINESE or INDIAN 

 OTTER affords an excellent instance of this capability ; for in every part of India the 

 trained Otters are almost as common as trained dogs in England. It seems odd that 

 the proprietors of streams should not press the Otter into their service instead of de- 

 stroying it, and should not convert into a faithful friend the animal which at present is 

 considered but as a ruthless enemy. 



Even in England, the Otter has frequently been tamed and trained for the purposes 

 of sport. A well-known sporting gentleman, an inhabitant of Carstairs, was possessed 

 of one of these animals, which had been trained with singular success. " When called, 

 the Otter immediately answered to the appropriate name of Neptune. The animal, it 

 appeared, was caught two years ago, being then only a few weeks old. It was actually 

 suckled by a pointer, and, showing early signs of docility, was made over to the game- 

 keeper. In process of time, the animal increased in aptitude and sagacity, and was soon 

 enabled to undertake the duty of an economical fisherman, frequently procuring a dish 

 of excellent burn trout at such seasons when the angler's art, from adverse winds or foul 

 streams, was in vain. 



In the morning after these fishing exploits, which sometimes occupied the greater 

 part of the night, Neptune was always found at his post, and the stranger might be 

 astonished to see him among several brace of pointers and greyhounds. No one 

 understood better how to keep at his own side of the house. In fact, according to the 

 gamekeeper, he was * the best cur that ever ran.' 



Neptune was an amiable creature. He would allow himself to be gently lifted by his 

 tail, but invariably objected to any interference with his snout. As an angler, his 



reputation is advancing rapidly, and one or two of Mr. M 's neighbors intend to 



borrow him for a day or two in the spring, for the purpose of ascertaining the quality 

 and size of the larger trout in the pools on their estates." 



Another of these animals was accustomed to go to work in a very systematic manner. 

 It always plunged into the water very quietly, and, keeping close by the bank, took its 

 course up the stream, disturbing the fish by smart blows with its tail. If a fish remained 

 by the bank, the Otter passed by and did not seem to notice it, but if the fish should 

 dart in front of its pursuer, it was instantly seized and brought near the surface of the 

 water probably in order to lessen the force of its struggles. When the Otter 

 had brought its prey to shore, it always discovered some reluctance in parting 

 with the fish which it had caught, and signified its disapprobation by a plaintive 

 whine. 



Mr. Richardson gives a very interesting account of an Otter which he tamed, and 

 which was accustomed to follow him in his walks like a dog, sporting by his side with 

 graceful playfulness, and swimming at perfect liberty in the stream. This animal, however, 

 could never be induced to yield her prey to her master, but when she saw him approaching 

 would quickly swim to the opposite bank of the river, lay down her fish, and eat it in 

 peace. The animal was accustomed to wander at her own will in the house and garden, 



