THE GREATER OTTER. 



fthows that the Otter is there; which, if it be an old one, inftantly plunges 

 into the water, and the young all follow. But if the old one be abfent, 

 they continue terrified, and will not venture forth but under her guidance 

 and protection. In this manner they are fecured and taken home alive, 

 where they are carefully fed with fmall fifth and water. In proportion, 

 however, as they gain ftrength, they have milk mixed with their food, the 

 quantity of their full provifion is retrenched, and that of vegetables is 

 increafed, until at length they are fed wholly upon bread, which perfectly 

 agrees with their conftitution. The manner of training them up, to hunt for 

 nth, requires not only afliduity, but patience; however, their activity and 

 ufe, when taught, amply repay the trouble of teaching; and, perhaps, no 

 other animal is more beneficial to its mafter. The ufual way is, firft to teach 

 them to fetch, as Dogs are inftrucled ; but, as they have not the fame 

 docility, fo it requires more art and experience to teach them. It is ufually 

 performed, by accuftoming them to take a trufs, fluffed with wool, of the 

 fhape of a fifth, and made of leather, in their mouths, and to drop it at the 

 word of command; to run after it, when thrown forward, and to bring it 

 to their mafter. From this they proceed to real fifth, which are thrown dead 

 into the water, and which they are taught to fetch from thence. From the 

 dead they proceed to the living, till at laft the animal is perfectly inftru&ed 

 in the whole art of fifthing. An Otter, thus taught, is a very valuable 

 animal, and will catch fifth enough to fuftain not only itfelf but a whole 

 family. I have feen one of thefe go to a gentleman's pond, at the word of 

 command, drive up the fifth into a corner, and, feizing the larger! of the 

 whole, bring it off, in its mouth, to its mafter (a.") 



The Otter is found in all parts of Europe, north and north-eaft of Afia (a), 

 even as far as Kamtfchatka: it abounds in North America, particularly in 

 Canada, where its fur is moll valuable. 



(a) Journal Etranger. Juin. 1755, p. 14, quoted by Goldsmith. 



(b) Pennant. 



