LUTRA CANADENSIS. 
87 
normal state, are aggressive animals and habitually bite those persons 
whom they find sleeping upon the ground. Indeed nothing could be 
more contrary to the known habits and disposition of these beautiful 
and useful little animals. 
“ As to the effect of Skunk bites in general I will only state my 
experience. Twelve or fifteen years ago, when hunting and trapping 
Skunks, I was twice bitten by adult animals and never suffered there- 
from more than from equally severe bites from any other of our com- 
mon mammals. About the same time Dr. C. L. Bagg was also bit- 
ten, but nevertheless he still lives and is practising medicine in New 
York City. Last summer I was again bitten by a Skunk — this time 
by a half- grown one that I had alive for several months — and have 
as yet experienced no evil consequences from the bite.[*] Our dogs 
have many times been bitten, and were never seriously injured 
thereby.”')* 
Subfamily LUTRIN^E. 
LUTRA CANADENSIS Turton. 
Otter. 
The Otter is a common inhabitant of the Adirondacks and, from 
the nature of its habits, and its sagacity, is likely to remain after most 
of the other representatives of the Musteliclae have been exterminated. 
It is thoroughly amphibious, making long journeys through the 
forest, and swimming the lakes and rivers. It can remain under water 
almost as long as a Loon, and I have known one to swim nearly a 
quarter of a mile without showing its head above the surface. Its 
food consists chiefly of various species of fish, and the lobster-like 
fresh water Decapod called the cray-fish. When unable to procure 
these in sufficient quantity it devours frogs, and is said to depopulate 
* While these pages have been passing through the press I have again been bitten by a half- 
grown Skunk. The bite was inflicted upon the end of my left thumb, and healed kindly in the 
course of three or four days, leaving no scar. 
f Forest and Stream, Vol. XVI, No. 24, p. 473, July 14, 1881. 
