LESSER OTTER, &C. 
%9h 
Lesser otter. 
This species is of the form of the greater otter ; 
but it is only one third of its size. It has roundish 
ears; a white chin, and a taw ny and dusky body ; 
the short hairs being yellow ish, and the long ones 
black. Its feet are broad, webbed, and covered 
with hair ; its tail is dusky, and ends in a point. 
It inhabits Poland and the north of Europe ; but 
none of them are found beyond the lake Baikal, 
or in the north-east parts of Siberia. It lives on 
fish, frogs, and water-insects, Its fur is very va- 
luable. It is next in beauty to that of the sable. 
It is caught w ith dogs, and in traps ; but, like the 
polecat, it is most excessively fetid. It is the same 
animal with the minx of North America. The 
skies, are often brought over to England. 
Saricovienne, or Cayenne- otter. 
Tins species is also web-footed, of the size of 
a cat, with a fur fine as velvet, grey and black ; 
it lives more in the water than on land ; its flesh 
is very delicate and fine eating. It is a native of 
South America. 
"Slender otter. 
The length of this species, from the nose to the, 
tip of the tail, is four feet four inches ; of the tail 
about thirteen inches ; the diameter of the body, 
so far as could be guessed from the dried skin, 
scarcely more than four inches and a half ; the 
forelegs about three inches and a half long ; the 
hind legs four inches. The head and eyes are 
small ; the hind feet more strongly yvebbed than 
the fore feet ; the colour of the whole animal a 
