THE MUSKRAT 



USQUASH is the Indian name for the 

 muskrat, which being translated means 

 1 the animal that sits on the ice in a 

 round form.' We call it the muskrat, from the musky 

 odor, due to the secretion of a large gland in the 

 groin region, which is present in both sexes. 



This little animal has a short neck and a round 

 head and is about the size of a cat, the body, how- 

 ever, being more cylindrical. The forward legs are 

 short and the feet are small, while the hind legs are 

 much longer and the feet stouter. The toes of the 

 hind feet are practically webbed, the general form 

 reminding one of the foot of a duck. The graceful 

 movements of the muskrat in swimming are due to the 

 peculiar attachment of the hind feet to the legs and 



the sculling movement of the long, compressed tail. 



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