LUTRA CANADENSIS. 



87 



normal state, are aggressive animals and habitually bite those persons 

 whom they find sleeping upon the ground. Indeed nothing could be 

 more contrary to the known habits and disposition of these beautiful 

 and useful litde animals. 



" As to the effect of Skunk bites in general I will only state my 

 experience. Twelve or fifteen years ago, when hunting and trapping 

 Skunks, I was twice bitten by adult animals and never suffered there- 

 from more than from equally severe bites from any other of our com- 

 mon mammals. About the same time Dr. C. L. Bagg was also bit- 

 ten, but nevertheless he still lives and is practising medicine in New 

 York City. Last summer I was again bitten by a Skunk — this time 

 by a half- grown one that I had alive for several months — and have 

 as yet experienced no evil consequences from the bite.| '•'] Our dogs 

 have many times been bitten, and were never seriously injured 

 thereby."f 



Subfamily LUTRIN/K. 



LUTRA CANADENSIS Turton. 



Otter. 



The Otter is a common inhabitant of the Adirondacks and. from 

 the nature of its habits, and its sagacity, is likely to remain after most 

 of the other representatives of the Mustelidse have been exterminated. 

 It is thoroughly amphibious, making long journeys through the 

 forest, and swimming the lakes and rivers. It can remain under water 

 almost as long as a Loon, and I have known one to swim nearly a 

 quarter of a mile without showing its head above the surface. Its 

 food consists chiefiy of various species of fish, and the lobster-like 

 fresh water Decapod called the cray-fish. When unable to procure 

 these in sufficient quantity it devours frogs, and is said to depopulate 



* While ihose pages have lieen ])assinj; tlirou_i;li the press I have again been bitten l)y a half- 

 grown Skunk. Tlic bite was inilicted iii)on the end of my left tiuimi), and healed kindly in the 

 eoiirse of three or four days, leaving no scar. 



f Forest and Stream, .\'ol. .\VI, No. 24, j). 473, July 14, iSSl. 



