ORDER CARNASSIER. 313 



It is found ill all parts of Europe, and in the north of 

 Asia, but the limits of its" location are not defined. It ave- 

 rages about two feet in the length of its body, and the tail 

 is about sixteen inches. It is very fierce ; and, when 

 hunted, will often turn on the dogs, and bite them severely. 

 Notwithstanding the natural ferocity of its character, which, 

 however, is principally directed against fish, there are many 

 instances of its having been tamed, and rendered of consi- 

 derable service in fishing. Buffon, in his original edition, 

 expressed his doubts of this, though, in the supplement, he 

 retracted them. 



It is not properly amphibious, or capable of living either 

 on land or in the water. It is true that it is an excellent 

 diver, and can remain a considerable time under water ; 

 but it has been known to have been drowned when en- 

 tangled among weeds in the pursuit of fish, an instance of 

 which the editor lately witnessed, in one that got into an 

 eel-trap, and could not return. 



As it cannot live long without respiring, the shore is its 

 natural residence ; but as it pursues its prey in the water, 

 we find its organization adapted for its double destination. 

 Its short limbs, flattened head, and compressed body, are 

 well adapted for swimming. On shore, nevertheless, it 

 moves with facility, and may be said, indeed, to run rapidly. 

 It prepares its retreat either under a rock or the root of a 

 tree, where it generally passes the day, on a bed of dry 

 grass. At night, it sallies forth in pursuit of its prey. We 

 are ignorant of all the circumstances of its reproduction, 

 as well as of the first state and appearance of the young. It 

 is towards the beginning of April that young Otters are first 

 seen. The mother does not appear to bestow her maternal 

 cares upon them for any great length of time, for, in 

 May, they are observed to take the water in pursuit of 

 food. At about two years of age they are adult. 



M.F. Cuvier has had several Otters, which were very 



