THE GREATER OTTER. 



where there is no current, and is only pra&ifed on the fmaller fifties; for it 

 is impoffible to force the large ones from the deep water. 



It is thus that the Otter amufes and fupports itfelf during the fummer 

 months, and eafily procures a fupply of provifions, far exceeding its actual 

 wants ; infomuch that the edges of the lakes it frequents are infected by 

 the putrid remains of half-confumed mil; the Otter never eating farther 

 than the vent of the fifli ; but, when the feverity of the winter has frozen 

 over the ponds and lakes, and the heavy falls of rain have increafed the 

 currents of the rivers into rapid torrents, the Otter is often much embaralTed 

 to procure a maintenance for itfelf, and is reduced to the neceflity of eating 

 grafs, leaves, weeds, and even the bark of trees. It then leaves its watery 

 abodes, to prey on Rats, infecfts, and even Sheep : it is fatisfied with much 

 lefs food, during this inclement feafon, than in fummer ; for, though it does 

 not become quite torpid, like the Dormoufe and fome other animals, yet it 

 keeps much more within its retreat, which is generally the hollow of fome 

 bank, worn away by the water. In this place it often forms a palTage, 

 which extends for feveral yards along the edge of the water, and has an 

 opening at each end, through one of which it efcapes, when attacked at the 

 other. 



The Count de BufFon fays, that, in France, the Otter couples in winter, 

 and brings forth its young in the fpring. However true that may be in 

 France, it is certainly not fo with refped to this country; as the young 

 never make their appearance till the latter end of fummer. The account 

 given by Mr. Lots, of the Academy of Stockholm, feems nearer the truth, 

 who allures us, that it couples about the middle of fummer, and, at the end 

 of nine weeks, brings forth three or four young ones. The obfervations 

 made by that gentleman, on this fubjecl:, appear, to be fo accurate and well 

 related, and fo ftrongly confirmed by the perfonal knowledge of the late 

 Dr. Goldfmith, that we mail not hefitate to clofe this account with a 

 tranfcript from this ingenious elfay. 



" In the rivers and the lakes frequented by the Otter, the bottom is 

 generally llony and uneven, with many trunks of trees, and long roots 



