OTTERS WILD AND TAME.
THE EDITOR OF THE "srscrAron."1
SIR,—I have read the interesting paper in your issue of April 13th. Some years ago a fish-curer in the north of Scot-- land told me that he once saw a fisherman take out his knife and make "the mark of the Cross" on a part of his boat where the trace of an otter was seen. I wonder if any of your readers can give an instance of same thing.—I am, Sir, &c., G. C. [Miss Adelaide Gosset, in her book "Shepherds of Britain,' states that it is still the custom for Durham butchers to mark the sign of the Cross on the shoulder of a sheep after taking off the skin, and says that they cannot give any reason for the being made. "It is taught them when learning to Possibly the butcher's custom has a sacrificial origin, and the' fisherman's custom may be derived from the same beginnings.. Is it, perhaps, believed to be propitiatory P—En. Spectator.]
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