Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-02-16
CITY AND COUNTY.
Natural History society.


At the meeting, last Saturday evening, in
the absence of the president, Nathaniel Paine,
Esq, presided.
Mr. H. A. Marsh read a paper on the Amer
lean or Canada otter-Lutra GUARDIANSHIP
fine specimen of which was recently on exhi-
bition in one of the Main street windows, and
now in the possession of the society. The
otter, once SO numerous in every part of our
state, is now exceedingly scarce. Owing to
its shyness, watchfuness, and aquatic habits,
it is rarely seen, and still more rarely cap
tured. But in the northern districts it is yet
sufficiently numerous to become an object of
pursuit. The hunting season for the otter
commences there about the middle of May.
Its fur ranks in value next to that of the bea
yer, being nearly as fine but not quite so long.
From the shortness of its limbs it is not swift
runner, yet it is difficult to capture it even on
land. The hide is thick and tough, and de-
Tended by a coat of fur; and being a sharp
bitter and quite active, the animal repels the
attack of most dogs, unless they have the as
sistance of their masters. 1t is very expert
in fishing, and moves rapidly in the water.
1t travels much and does not cOnfine itself to
one locality, but wanders up and down the
streams as its wants and caprices seem to
dictate. 1t even travels over mountain ridges
to some favorite fishing ground. The otter
is a remarkably spacious, wary animal, Sc
lectng low, swampy grounds near a pond or
IL II Il.
er, he is too sagacious to be caught by any
bait in a trap; and accordingly the steel trap
is placed in the water beneath the exit from
their burrow, or at the bottom of one of their
slides. These otter slides, as they are termed,
furm one of the most interesting peculiarities
in tile history of the animal, and almost APP
proach the fabulous. In winter they select a
high bank of snow and amuse themselves for
hours in sliding down head foremost.
In summer they choose steep bank by
the side of a stream, which terminates in deep
water, and indulge there in the same recrea-
ton. This habit of sliding is evidently an
indication that it is of playful disposition,
for there can be no other reason for it than
amusement. The otter is susceptible of do
mestication and of becoming obedient to a
master. 1t has whine much resembling the
dogs.
Mr.. JamesiG. Arnold maidstone very inter-
estng remarks on biyalves-il illustrating his
subject with live specimens of the Mactra
| Sohdssima and Pecten Concentricus.
The society was the happy recipient of cost
ly and very valuable work, ''Audubon's Birds
of America in seven volumes, from Mrs.
Mary G. Salisbury. The society unanimous
ly elected her an honorary member.
Samuel f. Haven, Esq, presented copy
of ''Reports on the Herbaceous Plants and on
the Quadrupeds of Massachusetts"
specimen of marble from France, con-
tanning fossils, was received from Mr.. VIM.
Bios and a blue-winged teal from j. Rosen-
bush.
Specimens in the various departments were
received as follows In Zoology, from Charles
w. Gilbert; herpetology, Mrs Sarah L. Ash
ley of Newton Lower Falls, and Miss Susie
G. Gale of Worcester; mammalia, Edwin C.
Haywood; mineralogy and paleontology, Ma
wen and Mrs. j. G. Arnold radiata and artic.
ulata, Stephen Salisbury, Jr,, Esq.
The next meeting of the society will be held
on Saturday evening, March IA. Interesting
reports are already promised.
We would call the Attention of visitors to
the cabinet to the live specimen of the gordus
aquaticus, or hair snake, presented two
months ago.