8o8 



Home Nature-Study Course, 



and sold under the name of " electric seal." The muskrat has long hairs about 

 the nose and mouth, like the whiskers of mice and rats. The hind legs are much 

 larger and stronger than the front legs and the hind feet are much longer than 

 the front feet, and have a web or membrane between the toes; there are also stiff 

 hairs which fill in the space between the toes outside the web, thus making the 

 large hind foot into a good swimming organ, for wherever we find webbed toes 

 we find the feet bearing them used as oars. The front toes are not webbed and 

 are used for digging. The tail is long and stout and flattened at the sides, covered 

 more or less with scales, but with little or no fur upon it. Its tail is used as a 

 scull and also as a rudder when the animal is swimming. 





'sJylMz^S^ 



The Winter Lodge of the Muskrat. 



Photo by S. A. Lottridge. 



Lesson XXXVII. 



THE HABITS AND HABITATION OF THE MUSKRAT. 



Purpose. — To make the pupils acquainted with the interesting facts 

 concerning tliis animal. 



Method. — It would be most desirable if some of the muskrat lodges 

 could be discovered and studied during the winter ; otherwise let the 

 pupils read concerning the habits of the muskrat and try to verify what 

 they read or add to the facts studied in the books, 



