A NATURALIST. 55 



the camel on the back of the neck; the crocodile under 

 the throat, &c. At least no other use has ever been as- 

 signed for this apparatus ; and in all creatures possess- 

 ing- it, the arrangement seems to be adapted peculiarly 

 to the habits of the animals. The crocodile, for instance, 

 generally approaches the shore in such a manner, as to 

 apply the neck and throat to the soil, while the hinder 

 part of the body is under water. The glands under the 

 throat leave the traces of his presence, therefore, with 

 ease, as they come in contact with the shore. The glan- 

 dular apparatus on the back of the neck of the male ca- 

 mel, seems to have reference to the general elevation of 

 the olfactory organs of the female ; and the dorsal gland 

 of the peccary, no doubt has some similar relation to the 

 peculiarities of the race. 



The value of the fur of the muskrat causes many of 

 them to be destroyed, which is easily enough effected by 

 means of a trap. This is a simple box, formed of rough 

 boards nailed together, about three feet long, having an 

 iron door, made of pointed bars, opening inwards, at both 

 ends of the box. This trap is placed with the end oppo- 

 site to the entrance of a burrow observed during the day 

 time. In the night when the muskrat sallies forth, he 

 enters the box, instead of passing into the open air, and 

 is drowned, as the box is quite filled with water. If the 

 traps be visited and emptied during the night, two may 

 be caught in each trap, as muskrats from other burrows 

 may come to visit those where the traps are placed, and 



