OliDEU V. THE CAKNIVOIIA. ISt) 



fouKilc otter sleeping by the side of a voiiiig one about a year old. As 

 soon us the mother perceived us she awoke the young one, and tried to 

 entice him to the river ; but, as ho did not take the hint, and seemed to pro- 

 long liis sleep, slie took him up in her fore paws, and plunged him into the 

 water."' 



Tlic otter is naturally ferocious ; but when taken young, and properly 

 treated, it can be rendered tame, and tauglit to catch h.^h, and fetch them to 

 its master. James Campbell, near Inverness, procured a young otter, which 

 he brought up and domesticated. It would follow him wherever he chose ; 

 and, if called by its name, would innnediately obey. When apprehensive 

 of danger from dogs, it sought tlie protection of its master, and would 

 endeavor to spring into his arms ic)r greater security. It was fre(jncntly cm- 

 j)loyed in catching fish, and would sometimes take eight or ten salmon in a 

 day. If not prevented, it always made an attempt to Ijrcak the tish Ijehind 

 the anal fin, which is next tiie tail ; and, as soon as one was taken away, it 

 always jilunged in, in pursuit of more. It was equally dexterous at sea- 

 fishing, and took great numbers of young cod, and other fish there. ^^ hen 

 tired, it would refuse to fish any longer, and was then rewarded with as much 

 as it could devour. Having satisfied its appetite, it always coiled itself round, 

 and fell asleep ; in which state it was generally carried home. 



It appears that the otter, in its native haunts, is of a jilayful and sportive 

 humor. AVe are told that on the banks of the northern rivers, where the)- dwell 

 unmolested, they may be sometimes seen sliding down the soft, muddy banks 

 into the water, like a parcel of boys coasting upon the snow. They become 

 quite animated with the sport, seeming to enmlate each other in the vigor 

 and frolic of their performances. 



Sub-genus Enhydiia. — The characters of this group are six incisors 

 above, and onlv four below, all very sharp, body very long, no anal scent- 

 bag, tail shorter than the hind legs when stretched out, head ratlier small 

 and round, ears straight and conical, eyes large, with a nictitating membrane 

 covering more tiian the anterior lialf of tlie ball, and articulations of the Iiind 

 quarters resembling those of the seal. The species live almost exclusively in 

 the water, never leaving the rocks which border on the sea. 



Euluidrd Marina. — The Sea Otter. The total length of this animal is 

 about four feet ; the fur is fine and close, and of a shining sepia, jiartially 

 grizzled with white, or of a rich chestnut-brown ; and the head is liable to 

 be whitisii, as also the abdomen and feet. It inhabits the Nortliern Pacific, 

 frequenting the coast of Ilehring's Island, Kamtschatka, the Aleutian Islands 

 and all the region through the latitudes of i'rom 4'J'= to CA)^ north, and 

 longitudes from 120° to 150° cast. It is a bold and powerful swimmer, 

 excelling all the ampliibians in this respect, often venturing as far as three 



