316 
VERTEBRATA. 
in application to the African animal, and it has since been applied by other writers in the same 
way. One of the American sknnks retains it as its popular designation. 
Genus LYNCODON: Lyncodon of Gervais. — Of this there is a single species, found in Pata- 
gonia. It is between the polecat and ermine in size; its appearance and habits ai-e but partially 
known. 
LUTRINS, OR OTTERS. 
Of this tribe, there are several genera and numerous species, all possessing the general form of 
the niustelidoe, Avith aquatic habits, and living on fish. The teeth are sharp and strong, the tuber- 
cles of the molars being very pointed, a modification necessary to enable them to secure their 
agile and slippery prey. 
OTTEES. 
Genus OTTER: Lutra. — Of this there are several species. The Common Otter of Europe, 
L. vulgaris, is the Loutre of the French, Lodra, Lodia, and Lontra of the Italians, Otter and 
Fisch Otter of the Germans, Nutria and Lutra of the Spanish. The head and nose are broad and 
flat; neck thick; body elongated; tail broad at the base, compressed horizontally, and tapering 
to a point; the eyes, which are not large, are placed comparatively near to the nose; the ears 
are very short, and the auditory opening rather narrow; the mouth is small, and the lips are ca- 
pable of being firmly closed together; the w^hiskers are very long; the legs very short, strong, 
stout, and muscular; the five-toed feet are furnished with strong, broad webs, like those of water- 
fowl Avhich have these accessories best developed. Hence Somerville terms the otter "goose- 
footed." The color is brown, deepest on the upper parts, wuth the exception of two small patches 
of white on the lips, one on each side of the nose. This species varies in size, being from two 
feet two inches to forty-two inches in length, including tJie tail, which is one fourth that of the 
body. The usual weight of a male is from twenty to twenty-four pounds, though Pennant speaks 
of one weighing forty pounds. 
The natural food of the common otter is fish, for the chase and capture of which its whole 
frame is beautifully adapted. How silently is the water entered! The eyes are so placed, that 
whether the animal is swimming below its prey, behind it, above it, or on either side of it, the 
least motion of the head and neck, brings it within the sphere of the pursuer's vision. The 
whole frame-work of the animal, its short fin-like legs, oary feet, and rudder of a tail, enable 
