A NATURALIST. 57 



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 into contact with the shore. The glandu- 

 lar apparatus on the back of the neck of the male 

 camel, seems to have reference to the general eleva- 

 tion of the olfactory organs of the female ; and the 

 dorsal gland of the peccary, no doubt, has some simi- 

 lar 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 opposite 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 niuskrats from 

 other burrows may come to visit those where the 

 traps are placed, and thus one be taken going in as 

 well as one coming out. These animals are frequently 

 very fat, and their flesh has a very wholesome ap- 

 pearance, and would probably prove good food. The 

 musky odour, however, prejudices strongly against 

 its use ; and it is probable that the flesh is rank, as 



