Page:Charles Catton, Animals (1788).pdf/59



gradation from one clas of beings to another is made by almot imperceptible degrees. The amphibious nature of ome quadrupeds join them in cloe connection with the fih tribe; to which clas, the links of the chain o gradually diminih, that we carce know where to fix its termination. The Otter and Beaver are calculated to live on land, yet their propenity leads them to the water; and Nature has provided uitably for their detination. Thee animals have four feet, and the Beaver has a tail covered with cales; the gradation then decends to the Seal, whoe hind feet anwer more the appearance and purpoe of fins; next the Walrus, &c. till all ditinction is lot in a complete inhabitant of the limpid fluid.

The Otter is a very voracious animal, eats much, and detroys infinitely more; for, not content with ufficient to atisfy hunger, it kills through wantonnes, and detroys for mere victory. On the brink of ome lake or river, under the bank, where the waves have formed an excavation, in a gallery of this kind it makes its abode; and, when purued, evades the earch by plunging into the water many yards ditant from the place where it was expected to be found. In a running tream the Otter always purues its prey againt the current; it frequently inks to the bottom, and any fih paing over is ure to become its immediate prey. In tanding water it hunts them into ome creek, where they rarely ecape its voracity or cruelty; for it will continue the hunt for hours, and dragging the prey on hore, leave it as trophies of ucces. In a few nights, one has been known to detroy all the fih in a large pond; will cent or wind the fih at a great ditance.

The Otter, when taken young, may be tamed, and taught to follow like a dog, and may even be accutomed to fih for, and at the command of, his mater: this perfection of education requires much pereverance, but is very profitable when attained. The Otter brings three or four young at a time; the old ones are rarely or never taken alive; the hunting them is eteemed good port, as they utain a long chace, fight boldly, and bite cruelly; indeed, few dogs will venture to attack them alone.

The colour of this animal is various; in general, a light brown; neck, chet, and belly white; the hair rather coare; neck long and thick; head round; eyes very cloe together; ears mall; tail thickih; feet hort, but very trong and flexible, and the articulations o looe, that they can be turned quite round, and brought on a line with the body; a membrane joins the toes of all the feet; about 2 feet long; tail 12 or 16 inches; are natives of mot temperate parts of the world; and are found as far north as Kamchatka: the kins are eteemed very erviceable for gloves.