196 
THE OTTER. 
The otter seems to form the first step 
the gradation between land and aquatic an'' 
mals, resembling the former in external ap' 
pearance and internal conformation, and th^ 
latter in its ability to swim, being furnish^'^ 
with membranes between the toes for tha*' 
purpose, as also in its general hahits 
mode of subsistence. Hence the animals " 
this kind are denominated amphibious, 
being inhabitants of two different elements. 
The usual length of the otter is about t"'*’ 
feet, from the tip of the nose to the ta'^' 
the tail itself being about sixteen inches lon^' 
broad near the body, and gradually taperii'» 
to the point. The head and nose are bro®' 
and flat ; the mouth is formed like that ot ‘ 
fish, and furnished at the corners with lo*^^ 
a 
