322 THE MUSK. 



our knowledge, than its utility; of extending the;r con- 

 quests, than of improving their empire. 



The musk which comes to Europe, is brought over in 

 small bags, about the size of a pigeon's egg, which, when 

 cut open, appear to contain a kind of dusky, reddish sub- 

 stance, like coagulated blood, and which, in large quanti- 

 ties, has a very strong smell ; but, when mixed and dif- 

 fused, becomes a very agreeable perfume. Indeed, no sub- 

 stance now known in the world has a stronger or a more 

 permanent smell. A grain of musk perfumes a whole 

 room ; and its odor continues for some days without dimi- 

 nution. But in a larger quantity it continues for years 

 together ; and seems scarce wasted in its weight, although 

 it has filled the atmosphere to a great distance with its 

 parts. It is particularly used in medicine, in nervous and 

 hysteric disorders ; and is found in such cases to be the 

 most powerful remedy now in use : however, the animal 

 that furnishes this admirable medicine, has been variously 

 described, and is known but very imperfectly. 



The description given of this animal by Grew, is as fol- 

 lows : " The musk animal is properly neither of the goat 

 nor deer kind, for it has no horns, and it is uncertain whe- 

 ther it ruminates or not ; however, it wants the fore-teeth 

 in the upper jaw, in the same manner as in ruminating 

 animals ; but, at the same time, it has tusks like those of a 

 hog. It is three feet six inches in length, from the head to 

 the tail ; and the head is above half a foot long. The 

 fore-part of the head is like that of a grayhound ; and the 

 ears are three inches long, and erect, like those of a rabbit; 

 but the tail is not above two inches. It is cloven-footed, 

 like beasts of the goat kind ; the hair on the head and legs 

 is half an inch long, on the belly an inch and a half, and 

 on the back and buttocks three inches, and proportionably 

 thicker than in any other animal. It is brown and white 

 alternately, from the root to the point ; on the head and 

 thighs it is brown, but under the belly and tail white, and a 



