258 AMERICAN MUSK. 



The Count de Buffon considers it as a variety 

 only of the Meminna before described. 



AMERICAN MUSK. 



Moschus Americanus. M. rufo-fuscus, ore nigro gula alb*. 



Lin. Syst. Nat. Gmel. p. 174. Erxl. mamm. p. 334. n.^. 

 Rufous-brown Musk, with black muzzle and white throat. 

 Brasilian Musk. Pennant Quadr. i.p. 116. 



THE American Musk is confined to the South- 

 ern parts of that continent, and is principally 

 found in Guiana and Brasil. Mr. Pennant de- 

 scribes it as of the size of a Roebuck, with ears 

 four inches long ; the veins very apparent : eyes 

 large and black ; nostrils wide ; space about the 

 mouth black : hind legs longer than the fore ; tail 

 six inches long ; white beneath : hair on the whole 

 body short and smooth : head and neck tawny, 

 mixed with ash-colour: back, sides, chest, and 

 thighs, of a bright rust-colour : lower part of the 

 belly and insides of the thighs white. Marcgrave 

 says the throat and under side of the neck are 

 also white. 



This animal, says Mr. Pennant, is excessively 

 timid, and most remarkably active and swift, and 

 can stand, like a goat, with all the four legs to- 

 gether on the point of a rock. They are said to 

 be often seen swimming rivers, and are at that 

 time easily taken. The Indians hunt them, and 

 their flesh is esteemed very delicate. The French 



