OTTER. 
203 
bread, which perfectly agrees with their constitu- 
tion. The manner of training them up to hunt for 
fish requires both assiduity and patience. The 
usual way is first to learn them to fetch as dogs 
are instructed ; but as they have not the same do- 
cility, it requires more art and experience to teach 
them. At first they are accustomed to take a bag 
of leather, made in the shape of a fish, and stuffed 
with wool, in their mouths, and to drop it when 
they are desired ; to run after it when thrown be- 
fore them, and to bring it to their master. From 
this they proceed to real fish, which are thrown 
dead into the water, and which they are taught to 
fetch from thence. At length, from the dead they 
proceed to hunt the living ; — their education is com- 
pleted, and they become perfect masters of the 
whole art of fishing. An otter thus taught is a 
most valuable animal, and will greatly repay the 
teacher for all his trouble. Goldsmith saw one of 
these go to a gentleman’s pond at the word of com- 
mand, drive up the fish into a corner, and, seizing 
upon the largest of the whole, bring it out of the 
water to its master. 
When thus tamed, they seem to become attached 
to their owners. Bewick informs us, that William 
Collins, of Rimmerston, near Wooler, had a tame 
otter which followed him wherever he went. He 
frequently carried it to fish in the river ; and when 
satiated, it never failed to return to its master. 
One day, in the absence of Collins, being taken 
