M U S K. i 
Leneth, from nofe to tail, one foot: of the tail nine inches. 
‘Thefe animals are in fome parts of America called the Little Beaver, 
on account of its form, and fome parts of its ceconomy. From its 
fcent it is ftyled the Mufk Rat, and Mufquath. The Hyrons call it 
Ondathra ; from which M. de Buffon gives it the name of Ondatra*. 
It is found frem Hudjon’s Bay to as low at left as Carolinat. Like 
the Reaver, it forms its houfe of a round fhape, covered with a 
dome, and conftruéted with herbs and reeds cemented with clay. 
At the bottom and fides are feveral pipes, through which they pafs 
in fearch of food; for they do not lay in a ftock of provifion, like 
the former. They alfo form fubterraneous paffages, into which they 
retreat whenever their houfes are attacked. 
Thefe houfes are only intended for winter habitations; are deferted, 
and rebuilt annually. During fummer, they live in pairs, and bring 
forth their young from three to fix at a time. At approach of win- 
ter, they conftruét their houfes, and retire into them, in order to be 
protected from the inclemency of the feafon. Several families occupy 
the fame dwelling, which is oft-times covered many feet with fhow and 
ice; but they creep out and feed on the roots which lie beneath. 
They are very fond of the Acorus Verus, or Calamus Aromaticus t. 
This perhaps gives them that ftrong mufky fmell thefe animals are fo 
remarkable for ; which they lofe during winter, probably when this 
fpecies of plant is not to be got. They alfo feed on the frefh-water 
Muffels. They feed too on fruit; for Ka/m fays, that apples are 
the baits ufed for them in traps. We may add, that in winter they 
eat the roots of nettles, and in fummer, ftrawberries and rafberries ||, 
during which time it is rare to fee the male and female feparate. 
The fleth is fometimes eaten. The fur is made ufe of in the ma- 
nufacture of hats. The Mufk-bag is fometimes put among cloths, 
to preferve them from worms or infects 
Thefe animals, as well as the Beaver, feem to have their Terriers, or 
fome which do not give themfelves the trouble of building houfes, 
ix az. + Lawfon, 120. } Laaw/fon, 120. ll Charlevoix, v, 158. 
ip but 
107 
