CARNIVORA. 
159 
THE COMMON OTTER. LA LOUTRE COMMUNE. 
Mustela Lutra. 
The otter , is a very destructive and ferocious 
water animal; and will destroy its prey by biting 
off the head, and leaving the remainder ; thus killing 
many more than are necessary for its sustenance. 
Rapine and spoil 
Haunt e’en the lowest deeps ; seas have their sharks ; 
Rivers and ponds inclose the rav’nous pike; 
Hcj in his turn^ becomes a prey — on him 
Th’ amphibious otter feasts .... 
nor spears 
That bristle on his back^ defend the perch 
From his wide greedy jaws; nor burnish’d mail 
The yellow carp ; nor all his arts can save 
Th’ insinuating eel, that hides his head 
Beneath the slimy mud ; nor yet escapes 
The crimson-spotted trout, the river’s pride. 
And beauty of the stream. 
It is found in all parts of Europe, and in the north 
of Asia, and in North America. It averages about two 
feet in the length of its body, and the tail is about 
sixteen inches. It is said that, when the waters are 
frozen, it attacks and devours smaller quadrupeds. 
It is very fierce ; and, when hunted, will often turn 
on the dogs, and bite them severely. Notwithstand- 
ing the natural ferocity of its character, which, how- 
