MUSTELIDA 569 
water, but when it has captured its prey it brings it to shore to 
devour it. When lying upon the bank it holds the fish between its 
fore-paws, commences at the head, and then eats gradually towards 
the tail, which it is said always to leave. The female produces 
three to five young ones at a time, in the month of March or April, 
and brings them up in a nest formed of grass or other herbage, 
usually placed in a hollow place in the bank of a river, or under 
the shelter of the roots of some overhanging tree. The Common 
Otter is found in localities suitable to its habits throughout Great 
Britain and Ireland, though far less abundantly than formerly, for, 
being very destructive to fish, and thus coming into keen competi- 
tion with those who pursue the occupation of fishing either for 
sport or for gain, it is rarely allowed to live in peace when once its 
haunts are discovered. Otter-hunting with packs of hounds of a 
special breed, and trained for the purpose, was formerly a common 
pastime in the country. When hunted down and brought to bay 
by the dogs, the Otter is finally despatched by long spears carried 
for the purpose by the huntsmen. 
The Common Otter ranges throughout the greater part of 
Europe and Asia, the Indian L. nair not being distinct. A closely 
allied but larger species, L. canadensis, is extensively distributed 
throughout North America, where it is systematically pursued by 
professional trappers for the value of its fur. The Common Otter 
is regularly trained by the natives of some parts of Bengal to assist 
them in fishing, by driving the fish into the nets. In China Otters 
are taught to catch fish, being let into the water for the purpose 
attached to a long cord. 
Otters are widely distributed over the earth, and, as they are 
much alike in size and coloration, their specific distinctions are 
by no means well defined. Besides those mentioned above, the 
following may be noticed. In the Oriental region there are L. 
elliott? of India, L. sumatrana of the Malay countries, and L. cinerea 
ranging over the greater part of the region. The latter species 
(often known as L. leptonyx) is of small size, with a short head, and 
rudimentary claws, which may be absent; it was at one time 
regarded as generically distinct, under the name of donyx. The 
upper true molar (Fig. 261) is characterised by the great develop- 
ment of its inner tubercular portion, and the first upper premolar 
is absent. In the Ethiopian region there are two species, L. capensis 
and L. maculicollis, Of the Neotropical forms it will suffice to 
mention the small L. felina and the large L. brasiliensis. The latter 
is by far the largest of the existing forms, and is characterised by 
the presence of a prominent flange-like ridge along each lateral 
1 See Thomas, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1889, p. 190. 
» The synonomy of this species is not settled, and the adoption of the name 
given here only preliminary. 
