The Muskrat 74 
As with other aquatic mammals, the pelage of the 
muskrat consists of an under coat of soft, dense fur, 
while the outer is coarse and of longer hair. In many 
particulars the fur resembles that of the beaver, al- 
though it has not so much compactness and lustre. 
The prevailing color is a dark chestnut-brown on 
the back, changing to reddish on the sides, while the 
ventral parts, and particularly the chin and throat, are 
of a grayish hue. The fur was formerly a valuable 
article of commerce, and is still found in the market 
in small quantities. 
The muskrat is found about ponds, lakes, and slug- 
gish streams throughout the greater portion of North 
America. The character of the home, as I have ob- 
served it, depends very largely upon the nature of the 
country. Where there is an extensive swamp or 
shallow stretch of water along the main stream, the 
summer home is a burrow in the bank, while the 
winter home may be a hut or lodge in the swamp; if 
the stream be a narrow one, with little or no swamp, the 
burrow in the bank is the more usual abode. The 
entrance to the burrow or lodge is in water so deep 
that the passageway will not freeze in winter. 
While stupid enough in most matters, the muskrat 
surprises us in manifesting a remarkable degree of 
intelligence in selecting certain marshes for its home. 
