THE 2MUSKRAT 
USQUASH is the Indian name for the 
muskrat, which being translated means 
‘the animal that sits on the ice in a 
round form.’ We call it the muskrat, from the musky 
odor, due to the secretion of a large gland in the 
groin region, which is present in both sexes. 
This little animal has a short neck and a round 
head and is about the size of a cat, the body, how- 
ever, being more cylindrical. The forward legs are 
short and the feet are small, while the hind legs are 
much longer and the feet stouter. The toes of the 
hind feet are practically webbed, the general form 
reminding one of the foot of a duck. The graceful 
movements of the muskrat in swimming are due to the 
peculiar attachment of the hind feet to the legs and 
the sculling movement of the long, compressed tail. 
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