120 OTTER. Class!. 



convent near Dijon, we saw one preparing for 

 the dinner of the religious of that rigid order, 

 who, by their rules, are prohibited during their 

 whole lives, to eat flesh. 



It shews great sagacity in forming its habita- 

 tion : it burrows under ground on the banks of 

 some river or lake, and always makes the en- 

 trance of its hole under water ; works upwards 

 to the surface of the earth, and forms before it 

 reaches the top, several holts, or lodges, that in 

 case of high floods, it may have a retreat, for no 

 animal affects lying drier, and there makes a 

 minute orifice for the admission of air: it is fur- 

 ther observed, that this animal, the more effec- 

 tually to conceal its retreat, contrives to make 

 even this little air hole in the middle of some 

 thick bush. 



The otter brings four or five young at a time : 

 as it frequents ponds near gentlemen's houses, 

 there have been instances of litters being; found 

 in cellars, sinks, and other drains. It is ob- 

 servable that the male otters nevermake any noise 

 w T hen taken, but the pregnant females emit a 

 most shrill squeal. 

 Sea Otter. Sir Robert Sibbald, in his history of Fife, p. 

 49, mentions a Sea Otter, which he says differs 

 from the common sort, in being larger, and hav- 

 ing a rougher coat; but probably it does not 



