RAT KIND. 185 



winter, and in their hoarding up provisions to 

 serve them in case of a temporary revival. 



They inhabit the woods or very thick hedges, 

 forming their nests in the hollow of some tree, 

 or near the bottom of a close shrub, humbly con- 

 tent with continuing at the bottom, and never 

 aspiring to sport among the branches. Towards 

 the approach of the cold season they form a little 

 magazine of nuts, beans, or acorns ; and, having 

 laid in their hoard, shut themselves up with it 

 for the winter. As soon as they feel the first 

 advances of the cold, they prepare to lessen its 

 effect, by rolling themselves up in a ball, and thus 

 exposing the smallest surface to the weather. 

 But it often happens that the warmth of a sunny 

 day, or an accidental change from cold to heat, 

 thaws their nearly stagnant fluids, and they re- 

 vive. On such occasions they have their provi- 

 sions laid in, and they have not far to seek for 

 their support. In this manner they continue 

 usually asleep, but sometimes waking, for about 

 five months in the year, seldom venturing from 

 their retreats, and consequently but rarely seen. 

 Their nests are lined with moss, grass, and dead 

 leaves : they usually bring forth three or four 

 young at a time, and that but once a-year, in the 

 spring. 



THE MUSK RAT. 



OF these animals of the rat kind, but with a 

 musky smell, there are also three distinctions, as 



