IN THE FAR WEST. 399 



Nature seems to have fitted it specially for dwelling in com- 

 parative darkness, judging from the smallness of the eyes and 

 the form of the ears ; and that it loves its gloomy abode would 

 be evident by the care it takes to avoid the daylight, for it is 

 rarely ever seen outside its burrow before the approach of 

 twilight. I have seen it during fine days in March pottering 

 around among its stores, which were spread over the burrows 

 to dry in the sun ; but the moment it detected the presence of 

 any unusual object, it immediately darted inside. 



In general appearance the showtl is not unlike a musk-rat, 

 but with this important difference, that the latter flourishes a 

 handsome tail, while the former is devoid of it, it has at least 

 none worth mentioning ; for the little fleshy protuberance that 

 terminates the spinal column can scarcely be called one, the 

 vertebra not being an inch long. A full-grown male averages 

 about fourteen inches in length and six in height; but it looks 

 taller than it actually is, owing to its general hump-backed atti- 

 tude. The muzzle is large and round ; the head full and well de- 

 veloped ; the ears are short, quite rounded, and covered on both 

 sides with fine, soft hair; the eyes are very small, and of a 

 dark-brown colour, and are situated midway between the nose 

 and the ears. The incisor teeth are exceedingly sharp, and 

 well adapted for cutting the roots, bark, and fibrous vegetables 

 on which the animal subsists. Like those of all the rodentia, 

 the longer they are in use, the more efficient do they become ; 

 for Nature has wisely made them of such material that time 

 and work only increase their effectiveness. The K'gs are short 

 and stout; the feet broad and strong; and the nails, which 

 are long, thick, and curved, are powerful mining implements. 



I am not acquainted with any animal that can burrow a home 

 for itself in so short a time as the showtl ; and it is well for it 

 that it possesses this quality, else its life would be of short 

 duration, for it has numerous foes, and no means of defending 

 itself against their attacks except retreating to its subterranean 

 domicile. Its powers of locomotion are exceedingly limited, 

 owing to the peculiar conformation of the feet; and this 

 great disadvantage leaves it completely at the mercy of its 

 enemies when once outside its burrow. Its usual gait is an 



