MAMMALIA— WATER RAT. 231 



In some situations, these animals build houses of a conical form, re- 

 sembling those of the beaver, formed of mud, grass, and reeds plastered 

 together. They feed upon the roots and tender shoots of aquatic plants, and 

 on the leaves of grasses. They are excellent swimmers, dive well, and can 

 remain for a long time under water. It is rare to have an opportunity of 

 seeing the animal during the day, as it then lies concealed in its burrow, 

 and it is not till night, that it issues forth for food or recreation. It does 

 not, like the beaver, lay up a store of provision for the "winter ; and it builds 

 a new habitation every season. 



This animal is common in the Atlantic States, and its fur being valuable 

 for hats, it is much hunted. The Indians kill them by spearing them 

 through the walls of their houses. Between four and five thousand skins 

 are annually imported into Great Britain from North America. 



The ondatra is of the size of a small rabbit, and of the form of a rat. Its 

 head is short and similar to that of the water rat ; its hair is soft and glossy, 

 with a very thick down underneath, nearly like that of the beaver ; its tail 

 is long, and though of a different form, being flattened laterally, it is cover- 

 ed nevertheless with little scales, in the same manner as those of other rats. 



THE WATER RATI 



Is a little animal, about the size of the black rat, but in its nature and habits 

 rather resembling the otter than the rat. Like the otter, it frequents the 

 fresh waters, and is generally found on the borders of rivers, rivulets, and 

 ponds ; like that creature, too, it seldom feeds but upon fish, or the spawn 

 of fish, though sometimes it eats frogs, Avater insects, and even roots and 

 herbs. This animal is not web-footed ; but, though every toe of its feet is 

 separated, it swims with facility, keeps itself a long time above water, and 

 carries off its prey, in order to eat it when it has reached the land. 



The head of the water rat is shorter, the nose broader, the hair more 

 erect, and the tail much longer, than that of the land rat. On the back it is 

 of a fine raven black ; the under part is white, with a black line along the 

 middle. The body is about three inches long. The fur has an astonishing 

 power of resisting water. Like the otter, it flies from large rivers, or rather 

 froin those which are too much frequented, and is never found either in 

 houses or in barns. 



It is probable, that these animals bring forth often in a year ; but of this 

 we have no certain information. Their flesh is not absolutely bad ; and, in 



' AriHcola omphibius, Lin. The genus Arvicola has two upper and two lower incisors ; 

 six up})er and sis lower molars. Molars with a flat crown and angular plates of enamel ; 

 ears large; anterior toes with nails; tail round, hairy, almost the length of the body. 



