iCo 
CARNIVORA. 
ever, is principally directed against fish, there are 
many instances of its having been tamed, and ren- 
dered of considerable service in fishing. Bnffbn, in 
his original edition, expressed his doubts of this, 
though, in the supplement, he retracted them. 
It is not properly amphibious, or capable of 
living either on land or in the water. It is true 
that it is an excellent diver, and can remain a con- 
siderable time under water ; but it has been known 
to have been drowned when entangled among weeds 
in the pursuit of fish. 
It does not dig a retreat for itself, but takes to 
hollow places under rocks, &c. 
A variety of the common otter is found in the 
neighbourhood of Paris, which has the sides covered 
with a great number of small round white spots, 
irregularly placed. 
