The Press., 1893-11-16

our wise cousins of, the deep. Indians hold their intelligence in such profound respect, that, after successful catch of them, they cast the garments in which they hunted into the sea, believing that the sea-otters will recognize them, and be convinced that their enemies have per ished so that the wariness and vigilance will be lessened at the commencement of the next hunting season.
 The dexterity of sea-otters in turning and doubling upon their pursuers is due to the strength of their hind paws, which have five webbed fingers or toes, the cen- ter one being shortest, like those of a seal. Their tails are used as rudders, but are not so long as those of the common otter. Their love of life, their harmless ness, their innocence, their beauty, and their tender, tireless care of their babies also should make man their friend and admirer. Perhaps he would be if love of money were not his supreme passion. Common otters have short, webbed
 
 hands by men, fins by fish, or feet by land quadrupeds; their hind legs are short and are we'll set back for paddling swift ly. Their muscular tails serve as tillels, and are important parts of a machinery that overcomes distance with incredible rapidity. They are able to make abrupt turns and thousand swift and graceful maneuvres when seeking their finny food or escaping from their natural enemies. They are said to be so untiring in the sea that fish never escape them. Of course, it is only in geological gardens that the shy and crafty habits of otters can be closely studied. In tanks of water they sometimes deftly catch and hold several fish at once, and often kill many more than they can eat, as if the mere occupa- tion of fishing were distinct pleasure and the destruction of their prey 8 keen satisfaction; so that their sportsman-like tastes are near akin to those of men.
 Common otters inhabit waterways in Northern Europe, Asia and America, and are usually found in pairs. Their young, of which there from three to five of the same age. are born upon rocky shores where they are easily concealed in Assures or crevices. Our shy and cunning oous- ins delight in gambols with their little ones, for which they manifest happy fondness. Their intelligence is striking :; and, when they are tanned, it is equalled by their loyalty to persons who have been kind to, them. They are easily tanned when, taken young, and are readily trained to ca fish, especially salmon, which they la, at the feet of their trainers, as dogs find and fetch birds that have been brought down by gunners. Like collies, otters are taught to drive groups of crea- lures, and thus they are made valuable in directing shoals of fish into nets and seines, never tasting finny morsel until invited or permitted by their masters. /, Bishop Heber writes that he saw otters in India tethered by long cords to bamboo stakes thrust at equal distances from each other into the land close to the water. From thence, at command, the others swam out in an orderly manner and drove schools of terrified fish into nets that had been warily set to entrap them. In other places domesticated otter is directed to go singly into the water to bring out a particular fish that thtraat has been pointed out to it.
 When once really made members of the household of man, otters seldom, and per, haps never, return to their wild haunts They seem to abandon the wanton ways of their natural life, and kill nothing ex. oept when commanded to destroy for the needs or amusement of their masters.
 In it's wild state the otter is very an moving neighbor. It makes depredations upon fish preserves, and if there is a lack of finny food 1t attacks lambs, poultry and pigs, and does it's murderous thievine so deftly and intelligently, that to catch it is very difficult, and often impossible.