MAMMALIA 221 



marshes along the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays muskrats are pro- 

 tected and collected in large numbers, 50 rats per acre per year being 

 secured in favorable places. They may be fenced in with wire netting 

 and given food and artificial shelter. Not only is the pelt of value 

 but the flesh at certain seasons is sold as "marsh hare" or "marsh 

 rabbit" and is canned. The musk is also sold. 



Like other rodents, the muskrat breeds rapidly producing three to 

 five litters of from three to ten or more young each year. They prob- 

 ably breed at the age of six months. Occasionally, the muskrat becomes 

 a pest to the farmer and has to be reduced in numbers. 



FIG. 141. Skunk, Mephitis sp. X%. The skin of this animal is a "long stripe, " 



or rather wide No. 3. 



Another rodent, the largest of our American forms, the beaver, 

 Castor canadensis, Fig. 143, is a fur-bearer of considerable importance. 

 Formerly, largely used in the manufacture of beaver hats, it is now 

 chiefly used as plucked fur, in muffs, etc. 



The above and many other furs are sold either under their own or a 

 trade name, the latter being given because of popular prejudice against 

 the real animal from which the fur came. In many cases the fur is 

 clipped and dyed out of all resemblance to its original appearance. 

 Some of these names are considered by reputable dealers to be per- 

 missible, others are actual misnomers and are given with the intention 

 of deceiving the purchasers. Among the former some of the better 

 known are the following, the actual name being given first, the trade 

 name second: goat (dyed) bear goat; mink (dyed) sable mink; 

 opossum (sheared and dyed) beaver opossum; muskrat (pulled 



