FAUNA AMERICANA. 135 



Mus amphibiiis, Linn. Erxleb. Bodcl. Schreb. 

 Mtis aquaticus, Briss. Rat d^eaii, Buff. (Encycl. 

 pi. 68. fig. 9.) Water-Rat. 



Char. Essent. Colour blackish-gray, slightly 

 mixed with yelloAV, more clear beneath ; tail longer 

 than one-half the body, black ; ears short, hairy. 



Dimensions. Total length seven inches; of the 

 head, one inch seven lines ; of the ears, five lines 

 and a half; of the trunk of the tail, four inches six 

 lines. 



Description. Head short ; snout swollen ; ears 

 slightly apparent, hairy ; tail rather more than one- 

 half the length of the body, furnished with short 

 and sparse hairs ; colour of the fur blackish-gray 

 abov e, more clear beneath, composed of hairs, the 

 points of which are yellowish, but the greater part 

 of the base clear cinereus-yellow; some larger hairs 

 of a blackish-brown colour, longer than the rest, and 

 placed on the top of the neck; down or fine hair 

 covering the skin, generally of a grayish colour. 



Varieties. Mus amphibius niger, Linn. 

 Mus amphibius maculatus^ Linn. 

 Mus amphibius paludosus, Linn. 



Habit. Living in holes on the sides of banks of 

 rivers, dams, &c.; they swim well, but are obhged 

 to come to the surface of the water to breathe 

 every half minute : feeding on water-plants and 

 herbs ; also insects, spawn, and frogs, &c. The 



