ORDER RODENTIA. 67 



compressed and scaly tail; of which, but one species 

 is correctly known. 



The Ondatra, or Musk-Rat of Canada, (Castor Zibeticus, 

 Lin. Mus Zibeticus, Gm.) Buff. X. i. 



Of the size of a Rabbit, reddish-gray. They 

 construct in winter, on the ice, a hut of clay, 

 where they inhabit in great numbers, proceed- 

 ing through a hole, to seek at the bottom the 

 roots acorus, on which they subsist. When 

 the ice closes their holes, they are reduced to 

 feed upon each other. This custom of building 

 has induced some writers to class the Ondatras 

 with the Beavers. 

 The second sub-division is that of the 



Common Campagnols, (Arvicola, Lacep. Hypudeeus, Illig.) 



Which have the tail covered with hair, and nearly 

 of the length of the body. 



The Water-Rat (Mus Amphibius), Buff. VII. n. 



Somewhat larger than the common Rat, of a deep 

 grayish-brown ; tail as long as the body. It 

 inhabits the banks of streams, and digs in 

 marshy grounds to look for roots. It is but an 

 indifferent swimmer and diver*. 



* The Mus Terrestris, Lin. and the Schermauss of Hermann, 

 are only Water-Rats. 



