ilvi Carnivora. MAMMALIA. Carnivora. 
Sub-Family — LUTRIN iE. 
Otters are here indicated ; Lutra, the old Latin 
name for tlie same, being expressed in the sub family 
designation. They resemble very closely, in their 
typical aspect, the Minks, but, in the form of skull 
and teeth, approach nearer to the Skunks. The 
body is notably long, the feet are short, and the toes 
are webbed. They are all large, and are amphibious. 
Three genera are recognized — Lutra, the typical 
form ; Pterura, confined to South America ; and 
Enhydris, which includes the Sea Otters. Baird 
gives the following as the sub family characters, viz. : 
Mustelidm, with the posterior upper tubercular 
molar large and quadrate. Number of molars the 
same in each jaw. Feet short and palinated.” 
Lutra. — Linn. 
This genus has an extended distribution, every 
quarter of the globe having a representative. The 
absence of marked colors, and a general resemblance 
among the species, renders their classification very 
difficult. The more prominent features are seen in 
the naked muffle, the more or less palinated and 
hairy feet, the details of skull, &c. A thoroughly 
marked species is found in the Lutra canadensis. 
The skull of the Otters, in general, has some re- 
semblance to that of the Martens, but is more de- 
pressed and more contracted behind the orbital 
processes. The top of the skull is nearly straight, 
and almost parallel with the margin of the lower 
jaw. The generic characters are seen in an elongated 
body ; short and palinated feet ; distinct digits, with 
a longer central one ; a tail moderate in size, de- 
pressed and rounded on its sides. The dental formula 
is : Incisors, Canines, j— Premolars, ; Mo- 
lars, i-| ; = j-l = 36. 
NORTH AMERICAN OTTER {Lutra canadensis, Sa- 
line ). — The Otter was once numerous in the Eastern 
States, as well as in other parts of the country, but 
is now exceedingly scarce. In the extreme northern 
districts it is yet hunted for its fur, which ranks in 
value next to that of the Beaver. It is exceedingly 
shy, building its place of abode on the banks of some 
running stream, where it is secure from intrusion, 
and where it may readily take to the water, in which 
it seems more at home than on land. Its burrow is 
so constructed that an opening is had under water, 
and a small breathing hole communicates through 
the soil of the bank with the open air. It is quite 
as sagacious as the Beaver in its avoidance of the 
trap, and the trapper has to resort to sinking the 
steel implement under water, beneath the opening of 
the burrow or at the bottom of one of their “slides."' 
The “slide” is a most remarkable result of habits 
peculiar to Otters. In winter, they select a high 
bank of snow, and amuse themselves for hours in 
sliding down headforemost. In summer, they choose 
a steep bank by the side of a stream, which termi- 
nates in deep water, and here they indulge in the 
same recreation. 'I'his would seem to be incredible, 
but there are ample evidences of its truth. Audubon 
confirms this, and relates an instance of seeing two 
Otters engaged at this trick, and that they made 
twenty-two slides while he looked on. They live in 
sm.all families, like the Beaver, bringing forth two 
young at a litter, about the middle of March. 'I'he 
period of gestation is not known. In baiting the 
traps, the secretion from the anal gland is used to 
attract them. In streams stored with fish in abun- 
dance, the Otter is sure to take up his residence, and 
here he creates great havoc. Not content with a 
modest meal, or a sufficiency, he must gratify his 
pleasure. In his love of fishing, he destroys many 
more fish than he can eat, by taking a bite from the 
choicest morsel, and leaving the carcass to some less 
fastidious creature. In seasons when the streams 
are not accessible, the Otter invades the poultry- 
yard, and proves a formidable marauder. The Otter 
has been tamed, and proves a gentle and inoffensive 
pet, notwithstanding its extreme ferocity when wild. 
'J’he Chinese make use of Otters, and it is said that 
they are as common in the East as trained dogs in 
other countries. A systematic method of instruction 
is adopted by the Chinese, whicE results in their 
being of great use to their masters. They not only 
catch single fish, but are trained to drive whole 
shoals into the nets. Two half-grown Otters were 
kept, during the winter of 1877, at the New York 
Aquarium, where they offered an excellent opportu- 
nity to the naturalist to study their habits and living 
aspect, and the public, amusement, and a chance to be- 
come acquainted with an animal seldom seen alive in 
the settled parts of the country. In the water, the Otter 
glides swiftly and gracefully, and with so little disturb- 
ance that it easily captures its prey before it is alarmed. 
Their fur is in great request ; there are two kinds — 
one is close, fine and soft, lying next to the body, 
rendering the creature a warm clothing in the cold 
season ; the other is a long, shining and coarser hair. 
In preparing the fur for the market, the skin is 
scraped on the inside, so that the longer hairs, which 
actually protrude farther into its substance, are 
loosened, and then drawn out by a vigorous brushing. 
Audubon gives entertaining accounts of Otters, hav- 
ing had considerable personal experience with them. 
He says : “It is a cold winter morning. We see a 
dark object making its way towards the spot on 
which we stand, through the swiftly-dividing element. 
It has not observed us. It is an Otter, and now 
within range of our old gun ‘ tear jacket.' We take 
but a moment to aim and fire. The water is agitated 
by a violent convulsive movement of the animal. 
Our dog plunges into the river and, swimming eagerly 
to the Otter, seizes it ; but the latter dives, dragging 
the dog beneath the surface, and, when they reap- 
pear, the Otter has seized the dog’s nose, who strug- 
gles violently. The brave fellow does not give it up, 
but eventually drags the Otter to the shore, where 
he is soon dispatched.” Audubon also observed 
Otters near Henderson, Kentucky, “on the borders 
of a beautiful pond, lined with reeds and brakes. 
Here were Otters engaged in catching and devouring 
fishes. When pursuing a fish, they dived handsome- 
ly and expertly, occasionallv remaining under water 
