MUSKRAT 



Fiber zibethicus. 



The muskrat is common both east and west from Alaska to 

 Louisiana, being one of the fur animals who reap a benefit from 

 improvements due to civilization. No sooner is an area newly 

 flooded, whether it be by damming back a stream for some manu- 

 facturing plant, or in the construction of a reservoir for a great 

 city, or merely to form an artificial pond or ornamental lake, than a 

 colony of muskrats appear, all ready to take possession. They are 

 perhaps quite as safe near human habitations as they were in the 

 days when the uncleared forests held for them so many foes. 



They are trapped in immense numbers throughout the country 

 and their fur is one of the most used and yet has a market value 

 the lowest of any of the fur bearers quoted. Unlike most of our 



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