ORDER CARNASSIER. 189 



They do not fall into a torpid state during the winter, a cir- 

 cumstance which exposes them to an inevitable and serious 

 evil. The ice, which is formed along the surface of the ponds, 

 imprisons them under water, and within their burrow, and it 

 would appear that they then endure a state of the most cruel 

 torment ; for, if there are any fissures or holes through 

 which it is possible for them to respire, they run thither to 

 gain a little place, on a level with the water, to thrust out 

 the extremity of their proboscis ; should they fail in this, 

 they can only exist on the small quantity of air contained 

 within their burrow. A trifling number thus survive, but 

 the others perish by suffocation. Their attempts to release 

 themselves, which we have just noticed, are more nume- 

 rous in proportion to the duration of the cold season. 



The Desmans seldom come to a level with the water, 

 except in the rutting season ; then they grow bolder, pro- 

 ceed along the channel of the river, or collect in the water- 

 plants, or attempt to climb along the shrubs that border the 

 water-side. 



It has been asserted, that they feed on the roots of the 

 nymphcBa, and on acorns, of which they lay up stores ; but 

 Pallas never found any thing in their stomachs except the 

 remains of larvae, and of worms. 



The epithet Moschatus has been given to these animals, 

 in consequence of the strong musky odour which they exhale. 

 This odour is so powerful and penetrating, that the flesh of 

 pike, and other fish, which have chanced to feed upon the 

 Desmans, becomes tainted by it. 



In the Desman of Russia, (My gale Moscovita,) the tail is 

 shorter than the body. The form of this appendage is very 

 remarkable. At its base, it is compressed ; soon after, it 

 becomes cylindrical, somewhat swelled, and increases ra- 

 pidly, in a bulbous form ; but, at a little distance, it begins 

 to decrease again, which diminution continues insensibly 

 to its extremity : the more it diminishes, the more it 



