164 RODENT WATER TRESPASSERS. 



much more proportionate space than that of the 

 coypu. 



Owing to the strong odour which it exhales, it is 

 often called the Musk Rat, a title which it holds in 

 common with several other rodents. So powerful is 

 this odour, that human beings have often tracked the 

 animal to its hiding-place, simply by means of the 

 sense of smell. 



As its form, which very much resembles that of 

 the ichneumon, implies, it is very active in the water, 

 swimming and diving with wonderful agility. It is a 

 terrible foe to fishes, which it can chase and capture 

 in their own element. It is quite as voracious as the 

 otter, which, though a rodent, it resembles in many of 

 its habits. When kept in confinement, it is best fed 

 by placing in its cage a vessel of water, in which are a 

 number of fish. The Beaver Rat delights to plunge 

 into the water, seize a fish, eat it, and then repeat the 

 process. It will in this way consume twenty small 

 fish at a single meal. 



In consequence of its otter-like ways, the Beaver 

 Rat is a terrible foe to fish-ponds, and in more than 

 one case nearly the whole stock of a new pond has 

 been devoured before the depredators could be checked. 



As is the case with many of the water trespassers, 

 the fore legs are but little used in swimming. They 

 are employed for progress upon the land, and can be 

 used after the manner of hands, for the conveyance of 

 food to the mouth.' The principal means of propul- 

 sion in the water are the hind legs, which are 

 exceedingly powerful, and furnished with large and 

 broadly-webbed feet. It is a handsome animal, the 



