Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 467 



best grounds being Norris Inlet and Lost Lake together with the 

 Outlet. We have been unable to obtain complete figures of the 

 catch, but have enough to show that it is important. In the winter 

 of 1896-1897 one trapper secured between 60 and 70 skins. One 

 who trapped only at Norris Inlet in the fall of 1900 had secured 

 30 pelts by November 9, and another at Lost Lake had 50 by the 

 same date. Up to November first, 1903, two men trapping chiefly 

 at Norris Inlet had secured 103 pelts. They got 28 one night. 

 Their entire catch for the winter was 264 Muskrats, 4 mink and 

 3 opossums. The muskrat pelts brought them 10 to 15 cents each. 

 The prices now are much higher, ranging from $1.50 to $3.50. 

 Black pelts, which constitute a small proportion of the catch, bring 

 much higher prices. 



It has long been suspected that the Muskrat is the intermediate 

 host of certain parasites which are concerned in the production of 

 pearls in the Unionidse or freshwater mussels. The Muskrat 

 stomachs and intestines examined by us at Lake Maxinkuckee did 

 not enable us to demonstrate the truth of this theory. One stom- 

 ach examined contained no parasites of any kind. Another exam- 

 ined at Washington, D. C., contained a few parasites but none that 

 could be identified with the distomid which induces pearl-forma- 

 tion. A species of parasite, Monostoma affine Leidy, closely re- 

 lated to the distomids was described from the gall-bladder of the 

 Muskrat. It is the intention to examine a considerable number of 

 stomachs at the first opportunity with a view to determining the 

 facts in this matter. 



20. JUMPING MOUSE 



ZAPUS HUDSONIUS (Zimmcrmann) 



This is another northern animal whose range southward 

 reaches northern Indiana. It is frequently reported from this part 

 of the state, particularly from the vicinity of Yellow River. It 

 is also said to be seen occasionally about Rochester a few miles 

 southeast of the lake. Our only definite records for the lake are a 

 weather-worn skull found on Long Point in 1906, and one found 

 dead near the ice houses on the west side of the lake August 26, 

 1906. This example gave the following measurements: length 

 of body, 80 mm. ; tail 108 mm. ; ear 5 mm. ; hind foot 28 mm. 



21. PORCUPINE 



ERETHIZON DOUSATUM (Linmeus) 



According to accounts given by old settlers in Indiana, the 

 Porcupine was at one time not rare throughout the northern part 



