1^2 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



The Muskrat seems to be a smaller kind 

 of beaver, resembling it in every thing but its 

 tail. This is also an amphibious anim.al, and 

 forms a cabin of sticks and mud, in some stag- 

 nant water ; but is less fearful of the approach- 

 es of men, and aifords a very strorig musk. 

 These animals are to be foimd, in very consid- 

 erable numbers, in our creeks, and lakes ; but 

 are much less numerous, than tlK^y were for- 

 merly. The muskrat, in this part of America, 

 is about fifteen inches in lenuth ; the srreatest 

 magnitude I have known is fi^-e pounds and 

 three quarters of a pound. A litter of these 

 muskrats, vvill frequently amount to four, five, 

 and sometimes six. 



Another of our amphibious animals, is the 

 Mink. It always resides in the neighborhood 

 of rivers, ponds, or lakes ; and provides a place 

 of residence, by burrowing into the earth. The 

 mink is about twenty inches in length ; his legs 

 are short, his colour brown, and his fur ir> more 

 valuable than that of the muskrat. One of the 

 largest which I have knoMU, weighed four 

 pounds and one quarter of a pound. The fe- 

 male produces tv.o or three, at a birth. 



The Otter is a voracious animal, of great 

 activity and fierceness. When it is fully grown, 

 it is five or six feet long ; ^^ ith sharp and strong 

 teeth ; short legs, and membranes in all his 

 feet ; and fitted either for running or swimming. 

 The otter explores the rivers and ponds ia search 

 of fish, frogs, Vvatcr rats, and other small ani- 

 iials : And when tlicse are not to be had, he 

 'ves on the boughs and bark of young, or 



"(uatic trees. He has generally btx^n rai^.kcd 



