118 WONDERS OF ORGANIC LIFE. 



swamp, the musquash makes breathing-holes 

 through it, and protects them from the frost by 

 a covering of mud. In severe winters, how- 

 ever, these holes freeze up in spite of their 

 coverings, and many of the animals die. It is 

 to be remembered, that the small grassy lakes 

 selected by the musquash for its residence are 

 never so firmly frozen nor covered with thick 

 ice as deeper and clearer water." Here, then, 

 we have another example of an animal hyber- 

 nating while it continues in full activity. 



The following little poem " On the Musquash, 

 or Musk-rat," by an anonymous writer, is very 

 descriptive, and is so little known that we may 

 be excused for quoting it. It is most probably 

 the production of an American author, certainly 

 of one practically conversant with the habits of 

 the animal : — 



" Where the wild stream, half-chok'd with sedgy weeds, 

 Winds its dark course through transatlantic meads, 

 And, creeping onwards, joins the river's flow 

 That tumbles down in swift cascades below, 

 Bound for St. Lawrence and his islets,— there 

 Inhabit many a happy musk-rat pair, 

 That rove the verdant shores, and pluck the weed, 

 And in fond concert on the foliage feed ; 

 Or gather fruits, or dive where in its shell 

 The pearly mussel, and green mya dwell- 

 Sometimes their food ;— or stray delighted where 

 Spreads o'er the bank the strawberry's wild parterre. 

 Here on the bank the mother finds some cave 

 To nurse her young, beside the silent wave. 

 And all are foragers. Soon as her brood 

 In ripen'd strength may learn to seek their food, 

 Then oft at midnight, by the moon's pale beam, 

 Their waving shadows flit beside the stream, 

 And vanish quick ; whilst sweet as vernal hav 

 Their fragrance breathes where'er the ramblers stray. 

 But when the fading leaves of autumn fall, 

 Their guardian gnomes the scatter 'd wanderers call, 



