Mammiferom Animals. 511 



portion to its length, and is remarkable for the shortness of 

 its spines ; the longest, which are situated on the back and 

 near the tail, MwfJMe T mpre than^hree^hes in length. 

 The whole b^^^VeWdKwiM^FveryHMcf brown fur, 

 with lighter-coloured coarse hairs intermixed ; and on most 

 other parts of the bodynsxrcept the~t5a~£k, the spines are so 

 buried in the fur as to require a close examination to dis- 

 tinguish them. The spines are strongj but very' loosely 

 attached, so as to come off with a very gentle force. The 

 length of the body is about 18 in.; of the tail, 5 in. or 6 in; 

 It lives in. holes near the roots of aged trees, and is diffused 

 over a great extent of country, extending as far north as 

 Hudson's Bay. It is considered rather a delicacy by the 

 natives of the countries it inhabits. — E. H. Greenkow. North 

 ^M^iSJune 1. 1 8S3.-1 99-jgs ^Tfmi8fi9q aaiwg 9ilT „Y fBJJ1 ^ 9 ^ 



The Beaver (Castor Fiber).— ~ Beavers were once common 

 in the little rivers of Lower Canada* but, as the country has 

 become settled, they, together with other wild animals, have 

 become scarce, and have left off assembling in villages [or 

 collections of houses built by themselves], but now live soh% 

 tarily in holes on the wooded banks of secluded rivers. — Id. 



Musk Rat (Mus zibethicus). — The musk rat is one of the 

 commonest of Canadian animals, being as common there as 

 water rats are with us. It lives in excavations on the banks 

 of little brooks and rivers ; and these excavations are always 

 concealed by a bush or clump of shrubs. Its habitation is 

 neatly constructed, being . made quite smooth on the inside, 

 and always so contrived as to be out of reach of the water. 

 The animals live in pairs during the summer season, but, I 

 believe, congregate through the winter, living in common 

 abodes like the beaver, which it also resembles in its outward 

 appearance, though it is much smaller. They are rarely seen 

 by daylight, but towards the dusk come out of their holes to 

 feed ; and at this time the Canadians hunt them with dogs 

 trained for the purpose. They are covered all over with 

 a very soft fur, except on the tail, which is broad, and 

 covered with scales, intermixed with a very few scattered 

 hairs. The tail has a strong musky odour, which is common, 

 though in a less degree, to the whole animal, whence it 

 derives its name. The fur is rather valuable, being similar 

 to that of the beaver, and much more easily obtained. — Id. 



Canadian Dog. — There is a variety of dog common in 

 Canada, which seems peculiar to that country. It resembles 

 the Newfoundland dog, inasmuch as it has half-webbed feet, 

 and is fond of the water. It is about the size of a pointer, 

 and is strong and hardy. On these accounts it is? commonly 



