HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 451 



The OTTER. 



ALTHOUGH the Otter is not confidered by 

 naturalifts as wholly amphibious, it is neverthe- 

 lefs capable of remaining a confiderable time under wa- 

 ter, and can purfue and take its prey in that element 

 with great facility. 



Its legs are very fhort, but remarkably ftrong, broad, 

 and mufcular; on each foot are five toes, connected by 

 ftrong membranes, like thofe of water fowl ; its head is 

 broad, of an oval form, and flat on the upper part ; the 

 body is long and round, and the tail tapers to a point ; 

 the eyes are brilliant, and placed in fuch a manner, that 

 the animal can fee every objecl that is above it, which 

 gives it a Angular afpecl:, very much refembling an eel or 

 an afp : The ears are fhort, and their orifice narrow. 



The fur of the Otter is of a deep brown colour, with 

 two fmall light fpots on each fide of the nofe, and ano« 

 ther under the chin. 



F f % 



