41 8 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



THE MUSK RAT OF CANADA. 

 (Castor Zibef Incus, Linn. L^ Ondatra^ Buff.) 



Is about the size of a young Rabbit : its head is 

 thick and short, resembling that of a Water Rat; its 

 hair soft and glossy; beneath the outward hair there 

 is a thick fine down, very useful in the manufacture 

 of hats ; it is of a reddish brown colour ; its breast 

 and belly ash, tinged with red ; its tail is long and 

 flat, covered with scales; its eyes are large; its ears 

 short and hairy ; it has two strong cutting teeth in 

 each jaw ; those of the under jaw are about an inch 

 long, but the upper ones are shorter. 



This animal is a native of Canada, where it is 

 called the Ondatra. 



In many respects it very much resembles the 

 Beaver, both in form and manners. It is fond of 

 the water, and swims well. At the approach of 

 winter, several families associate together. They 

 build little huts, about two feet in diameter, com- 

 posed of herbs and rushes, cemented with clay, 

 forming a dome-like covering : from these are 

 several passages, in different directions, by which 



