178 THE OTTER. 



its teeth, erecting its hair, arching its back, and hissing like a 

 cat. It forms its burrows in the ground, the female producing 

 a litter of from four to seven. Like other animals of its 

 tribe, it emits a peculiar musky smell. 



THE OTTER. 



Iii winter, along the steep banks of the frozen streams, 

 smooth and shining tracks may be readily detected. They 

 are produced by otters, which have a curious habit of sliding 

 downwards for their amusement — much as human beings ai'e 

 accustomed to do in Canada in their toboggings. To do 

 this, they lie on their bellies, with their fore-legs bent back- 

 wards, and giving themselves an impetus with their hind-legs, 

 down they glide, at a swift rate, upon the ice. This sport 

 they will continue for some time, climbing up again to the 

 top of the bank, and repeating the process over and over again. 

 They are also accustomed to pass through the woods from 

 lake to lake, making a direct track in the snow. These 

 tracks are easily known. Then comes a broad trail, as if 

 made by a cart-wheel. This is formed by the animal throw- 

 ing itself on its belly, and thus sliding along over the surface 

 for several yards. These places are called " otter rubs." 



There are two species of otter in North America — one on 

 the east, and the other on the Pacific slope — differing slightly 

 from each other. The former is considerably larger than that 

 of the Old World, measuring, from the nose to the tip of the 

 tail, sometimes from four and a half to five feet. Like most 

 other water animals, it possesses two sorts of hair : the one is 

 long and shining, and of a rich brown colour, except on the 

 throat, which is of a dusky white ; the other is very fine and 

 soft, lying next the skin, and serving to protect it from the 



