THE MUSQUASH. 



87 



compressed laterally, broadest in the middle and covered 

 with a thin sleek coat of short hairs ; longer hairs run 

 along the acute margins. (Fig. 51.) 



The range of this animal is from lat. 30^ as high north 

 as 69°. Small grassy lakes or swamps, or the grassy 

 borders of slow streams, are its favourite haunts. Vege- 

 table matters are its principal food, as roots, tender 

 shoots, the leaves of various carices, &c. ; to which it 

 adds fresh- water mussels {Um'o). The musquash swims 

 and dives well, plunging into the water on the least 



50.— Teeth of Musquash. 



alarm, and diving instantaneously on perceiving the flash 

 of a gun. This animal builds winter habitations, but far 

 less solid and durable than those of the beaver. These 

 habitations are thus described by Dr. Richardson : — " In 

 the autumn, before the shallow lakes and swamps freeze 

 over, the musquash builds its house of mud, giving it a 

 conical form, and a suflScient base to raise the chamber 

 above the water. The chosen spot is generally amongst 



