60 
this species. Turton oddly enough allowed the same name, Mustela cana- 
densis, for the Pekan or Fisher, M. pennanti (Systema Nature, p. 59). 
Professor Wyman, in 1847, named our species Lutra americana. Lutra 
californica, Baird, and Lutra destructor, Barnst., are undoubted LD. canadensis. 
The first has the palms and soles less hairy than is usual in L. canadensis, 
and was reluctantly admitted by Professor Baird, he erroneously sup- 
posing it to be the true L. californica, of Gray. The second is smaller 
than the average, but as L. canadensis grows for several years after sexual 
maturity, Mr. Barnston’s specimens may not be full grown. Neither of 
these species depart, however, from the normal variations of L. canadensis. 
Habits—The general structure of the American and European 
Otters is so nearly identical, their movement and general attitudes can- 
not be very different. 
Speaking of the European species, Bell has remarked that evidently 
every facility consistent with the preservation of its structural relations 
with the rest of the group, is given to the Otter for the pursuit and cap- 
ture of its proper food. “It swims and dives with great readiness, and 
with peculiar ease and elegance of movement; and although its action 
on land is far from being awkward and difficult, yet it is certainly in the 
water that the beautiful adaptation of its structure to its habits is most 
strikingly exhibited. It swims in nearly a horizontal position, and 
dives instantaneously after the fish that may glide beneath it, or pursues 
it under water, changing its course as the fish darts in various directions 
to escape from it. When the prey is secured, the Otter brings it on shore 
to its retreat to feed.” The Otter is intelligent and docile, easily domes- 
ticated, coming like the dog when whistled for. Several, which Audu- 
bon took when quite young, became gentle as puppies, romping with 
their master about his study. These ate milk and boiled corn meal, re- 
fusing fish or meat until several months old. They may be taught to 
catch fish from the streams for the table. There is no record of the 
American Otter serving as a purveyor, but instances have been narrated 
of the fishing habits of the domesticated Old World species, from the 
time of Albertus Magnus to the late Bishop Heber. This prelate relates 
that on the banks of the Malta Colly he saw ten large and beautiful Ot- 
ters (probably the Asiatic species, Lutra nair, Fr. Cuvier) tethered to 
bamboo stakes by the river, some playing in the water, others rolling in 
the sand. He was told that the fishermen kept one or more Otters to aid 
in fishing, the Otters sometimes driving the sheals into the net and 
bringing out large fish with their teeth. The good bishop was so much 
pleased as to conclude that “the simple Hindoo shows here a better taste 
and judgment than half the Otter-hunting and Badger-baiting gentry of 
England.” 
