THE OTTER. 
199 
When taken young, the otter may be easily 
^^•ined and taught to catch fish for its master, 
"^he usual way of training it is, first to make 
fetch and carry like a dog : a truss stuffed 
"^ith wool in the shape of a fish is then given 
it ; this it is accustomed to take in its 
^outh and drop at command. It is then 
*^9.Ught to fetch real dead fish, when tlirown 
"ito the water, and thus by degrees made to 
^^tch living fish. 
Bewick relates that a person near Wooler, 
Northumberland, had a tame otter, which 
followed him wherever he went. He fre- 
'lUently took it to the river, and it was very 
*^seful to him by going into the water and 
'^riving trout and other fish into his net. One 
'^ay, in the absence of its master, it was taken 
'''It by his son to fish ; but, instead of re- 
^"rning as usual at the accustomed signal, it 
'^^fused to come, and was lost. The father 
^'’ied all means to recover it ; and, after a 
