312 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



it placed its snout, it composed itself deliberately, and was 

 soon sound asleep." 



The Otters, in the system of dentition, at least, present 

 but little deviation from the sub-division of Polecats and 

 Martens, except that their teeth are more developed in cer- 

 tain parts. We shall, therefore, add nothing on this head, 

 to the Baron's observations in the text, but merely present 

 a figure of the teeth, in illustration of his description. 



The large flat head and short ears of the Otters are so 

 far singular in their kind, as to remain indelibly impressed 

 on the memory, by a single inspection. Their palmated 

 feet, and compressed tail, have been adverted to in the text. 

 They have a small gland near the anus, which secretes a 

 fetid liquor. Their fur is of two sorts, the one short and 

 thick ; the other, long, shining, and close. Their natural 

 regimen is piscivorous, but they Mall also eat small quadru- 

 peds, and gnaw the bark of trees, and, in a state of domesti- 

 cation, in particular, may be kept on bread and milk, and 

 vegetables. 



The Common Otter, (Mustela Lutra) is a very destructive 

 and ferocious water animal ; it destroys its prey by biting 

 off the head, and leaving the remainder; thus killing many 

 more than are necessary for its sustenance. 



Rapine and spoil 



Haunt e'en the lowest deeps: seas have their sharks ; 

 Rivers and ponds enclose the rav'nous pike ; 

 He, in his turn, becomes a prey — on him 

 Th' amphibious otter feasts .... 



nor spears 



That bristle on his back, defend the perch 

 From his wide greedy jaws ; nor burnish' d mail 

 The yellow carp ; nor all his arts can save 

 Th' insinuating eel, that hides his head 

 Beneath the slimy mud ; nor yet escapes 

 The crimson-spotted trout, the river's pride. 

 And beauty of the stream. 



