THE MUSQUASH 



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the small area immediately surrounding the nostrils, the muzzle is completely 

 covered with hair. The limbs are short, with the first toe rudimentary in the front 

 pair, although well developed in the hinder. The compressed form of the tail is in- 

 creased by the presence of a line of hairs on both its upper and lower surfaces. The 

 fur, of which the general color is blackish brown, passing into gray on the muzzle 

 and under parts, has the soft and velvety texture of that of the beaver. It is, how- 

 ever, mostly shorter than in the latter, although on the back and flanks there are in- 

 terspersed a number of longer bristle-like hairs. 



The geographical range of the musquash is large, extending from 



Distribution ^ so . called barren grounds of Arctic America to the genial climate of 



and Habits ^ e Rio Q rande> while i t a i so reaches from the Atlantic to the Pacific. 



THE MUSQUASH. 

 (One-third natural size.) 



Muskrats are thoroughly adapted for an aquatic life, and generally frequent 

 ponds, swamps, and sluggish streams. Although their food consists mainly of the 

 roots of grasses and water plants, they consume considerable quantities of river mus- 

 sels; they will likewise catch and eat fish,* while they are said at times to devour the 

 flesh of such individuals of their own species as they may find dead, or wounded and 

 helpless. Occasionally they wander considerable distances from the water, and Dr. 

 Merriam relates an instance where two of these creatures were discovered comforta- 

 bly ensconced beneath the hearthstone of a room. 



The musquash is an excellent diver, being able to remain below the surface of 

 the water for a considerable time. It is much less strictly nocturnal in habits 

 than the beaver, and may be frequently observed swimming about in broad daylight, 

 more especially if the sky be overcast. In leaping into the water to dive, it makes 

 a loud noise by striking the flat tail against the surface. The long burrow always 

 has its entrance beneath the surface of the water, from which it inclines upward in 



