66 
Quadrupedi 
The Pine, or Yellow-breasted Marten (M. Ahietum), 
is another species, the fur of which is nearly equal to 
that of the Sable, though it is much cheaper. 
THE OTTER. (Lutra vulgaris.) 
Forth from his den the Otter drew, — 
Grayling and trout their tyrant knew, 
As between reed and sedge he peers, 
With fierce round snout and sharpened ears, 
Or, prowling by the moonbeam cool, 
Watches the stream or swims the pool." 
Scott. 
As the Otter lives principally on fish, the formation 
of his body is such as will enable him to swim with the 
greatest facility. His body is flattened horizontally ; 
his tail is flat and broad ; his legs are short, and his toes 
webbed. His teeth are very strong and sharp ; and his 
body, besides its fur, has an outer covering of coarse 
shining hair. The Otter is a perfect epicure in his food ; 
he seldom eats an entire fish, but beginning at the head, 
eats that, and about half the body, always rejecting the 
tail. When the rivers and ponds are frozen so that the 
Otter can get no fi^h, he will visit the neighbouring 
