158 
CARNIVORA. 
THE OTTERS. 
The otters have four carnivorous cheek-teeth 
above, with a large and long molar tooth behind 
them, and four carnivorous teeth below. The last 
tooth of this description, on each side, is furnished 
with a rounded lobe on the inner side. Their head 
is large and flat ; the ears short and rounded ; and 
the tongue somewhat rough. But the characters, 
which more particularly distinguish them from the 
preceding animals, are their webbed feet and com- 
pressed tails, indicating aquatic habits. They are 
covered with two sorts of hair ; the one short and 
very thick, the other long, brilliant, and close. 
There is a small gland placed near the anus, which 
secretes a fetid liquor. They live principally on 
fish ; but the common otter is known to eat vege- 
tables, and gnaw the bark of trees. 
