92 CARNIVORES. 



genus, but likewise the best known; and many of our remarks on its habits 

 will also apply equally well to the others. 



In size this species occupies a kind of central position in the group, the average 

 length from the snout to the root of the tail being about 26 to 28 inches, and that 

 of the tail 15 to 16 inches, while the weight is from 16 to 18, up to as much as 24 

 lbs. The fur consists of a soft under-fur, in which the hairs are whitish grey, 

 with brown tips, and of longer stiff hairs, which are greyish at the base, and rich 

 brown at their tips on the upper-parts of the body and the outer surfaces of the 

 limbs ; the cheeks, throat, the under-parts of the body, and the inner surfaces of 

 the limbs being brownish grey. The upper margin of the naked nose terminates 

 behind in an angle, while, as in the other species, the muzzle is provided with long 

 " whiskers." In the Indian variety, which was formerly regarded as a distinct 

 species, the fur of the back is generally grizzled, while the size of the animal is 

 slightly less than in the ordinary European form. The claws on all the feet are 

 well developed, and there are four premolar teeth in the upper jaw. 



The common otter is found all over Europe in suitable localities, 



and also extends over a large portion of Asia northwards of the 



Himalaya. It is likewise represented by the ordinary form in the North-Western 



SKELETON OF THE COMMON OTTER. 



Himalaya, and by the above-mentioned smaller and greyer variety in India and 



Ceylon, as well as in some of the districts to the eastwards of the Bay of Bengal. 



Writing of the habits of the common otter, Bell observes that 

 Habits. to . . 



"it swims and dives with great readiness, and with peculiar ease 



and elegance of movements ; and although its action on land is far from being 



awkward and difficult, yet it is certainly in the water that the beautiful adaptation 



of its structure to its habits is most strikingly exhibited. It swims in nearly a 



horizontal position, and dives instantaneously after the fish that may glide beneath 



it, or pursues it under water, changing its course as the fish darts in various 



directions to escape from it, and, when the prey is secured, brings it on shore to its 



retreat to feed. As the otter lives exclusively on fish, when it can procure them, 



it frequents lakes, rivers, smaller streams, or ponds, and not unfrequently descends 



to the sea; and the havoc which it makes among the finny inhabitants is almost 



incredible. In feeding, it holds the fish between its fore-paws, eating first the head, 



and then downwards to the vent, leaving the tail." The fish actually eaten by the 



otter form, however, but a small proportion of those captured ; this animal being 



one of those which appears to delight in killing for killing's sake. In India the 



