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MAMMALIA—OTTER. 127 
This animal is of a brown color, marked sometimes with two white 
stripes. The faculty this animal possesses, of annoying its enemies by the 
discharge of a noisome fluid, causes it to be rather shunned than hunted, 
which the value of its skin would otherwise be sure to occasion. The 
smallest drop of this fluid is sufficient to render a garment detestable for a 
great length of time. Washing, smoking, baking, or burying articles of 
dress, seem to be equally inefficient for its removal. 
The skunk is generally found in the forests, having its den either in the 
stump of an old tree, or in an “excavation in the ground. It feeds on the 
young of birds, and upon small quadrupeds, eggs, wild fruits, &e. It also 
does much mischief in the poultry yard. 
VEE Ee) QuT TE, l.? 
THE common otter is of a deep brown color, and is usually about two feet 
in length from the tip of the nose to the insertion of the tail; the head and 
nose are broad and flat; the mouth bears some similitude to that of a fish; 
the neck is short, and equal in thickness to the head; the body long; the 
tail broad at the insertion, but tapering off toa point, and about sixteen 
inches long; the eyes are very small, and placed nearer to the nose than is 
customary in quadrupeds. The legs are very short, but remarkably strong, 
broad and muscular, and so placed as to be capable of being brought into a 
a line with the body, and performing the office of fins; and each foot is 
furnished with five toes, connected by strong, broad webs, like those ef 
water fowl. 
Accurately considered, the otter cannot be pronounced an amphibious 
animal. We even find them drowned, when they happen to have been 
entangle. in a net; and this, evidently, for want of having had time to 
destroy it, and thereby effect their escape. For want of fish, frogs, water 
rats, or other nourishment, it will eat the young branches and the bark 
of aquatic trees ; and in spring it will eat new grass. 
1 Lutra vulgaris, Lrs. The genus Iutra has six upper and six lower incisors; two 
upper and two lower canmes; ten nypey and ten lower molars. Head large and flattened ; 
ears short; body long; low upor the legs; toes webbed ; nails crooked; tail long, flattened 
horizontally. 
