HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 419 



they go out in quest of roots and other food. The 

 hunters take them in the spring, by opening their 

 holes, and letting the light suddenly in upon them. 

 At that time their flesh is tolerably good, and is 

 frequently eaten ; but in the summer it acquires a 

 scent of musk, so strong as to render it perfectly 

 unpalatable. 



THE MUSCOVY MUSK RAT. 



(Castor Ifoschatus, Linn. Dfcsma/i, Buff. 



Is about the size of the common Rat : its nose is 

 long and slender, like that of the Shrew Mouse ; it 

 has no external ears, and its eyes are very small ; 

 the tail is compressed sideways, and its hind feet 

 are webbed ; it is of a dusky colour ; the belly of 

 a light ash. 



It is a native of Lapland and Russia, frequents 

 the banks of rivers, and feeds on smairfishes. It is 

 often devoured by Pikes and other fishes ; to which 

 it communicates so strong a flavour of musk, as 

 renders them very unpleasant to the taste. 



From its tail is extracted a kind of musk, very 

 much resembling the genuine sort. Their skins 

 are frequently laid among clothes to preserve them, 

 from moths. In Lapland it is called the Desman. 



