Class I. OTTER. 119 



this kind come from the northern part of Europe, 

 and America. Those of N. America are larger 

 than the European otters. The Indians make 

 use of their skins for pouches, and ornament 

 them with bits of horn. The finest sort come 

 from the colder parts of that continent ; where 

 they are also most numerous. Westward of Ca- 

 rolina* there are some found of a white color 

 inclining to yellow. 



The otter swims and dives with great celerity, Manners. 

 and is very destructive to fish ; in rivers it is al- 

 ways observed to swim against the stream, to 

 meet its prey. In very hard weather, when its 

 natural sort of food fails, it will kill lambs, suck- 

 ing pigs, and poultry. It is said that two otters 

 will in concert hunt that strong and active fish 

 the salmon. One stations itself above, the 

 other below the place where the fish lies, and 

 continue chasing it incessantly till the salmon 

 quite wearied becomes their prey. To suppose 

 that they never prey in the sea is a mistake ; for 

 they have been often seen in it both swimming and 

 bringing their booty on ^hore, which has been 

 observed in the Orkmes to be cod, and 

 congers. Its flesh is excessively rank and fishy. 

 The Romish church permits the use of it on 

 maigre-days. In the kitchen of the Carthusian 



* Lent) sons hist. Carol. 11 9, 



