112 MUSK-RAT. 



must have been aroused, and the traveller, whatever his profession — 

 whether soldier, sailor, trader, or adventurer — at such times, doubtless, 

 would pause for awhile, conceal himself, and noiselessly observe the 

 strange movements of the wonderful creature he has just for the first 

 time seen — for all the Creator's works are wonderful — and it is only be- 

 cause we behold many of them continually, that we finally cease to 

 marvel at the conformation of the most common domesticated species. 



Something in this way were our reflections directed, while turning 

 over the pages of Captain John Smith, whose life was preserved by 

 the fair and heroic Pocahontas. This gallant soldier was, as well as 

 we can learn, the first person who gave any account of the Musk-Rat. 

 His " General History of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles," 

 was published in London, in 1624, folio ; he styles himself, " sometime 

 Governor in those Countries, and Admiral of New-England."' 



Smith, in this account of Virginia, &c., says of this animal — " A Mus- 

 sascus is a beast of the form and nature of our water-rat, but many of 

 them smell exceedingly strong of musk." 



La Hontan, in a letter dated Boucherville, May, 1687, (see Trav. in 

 Canada.) says — " In the same place we killed some Musk-Rats, or a sort of 

 animals which resemble a rat in their shape, and are as big as a rabbit. 

 The skins of these rats are very much valued, as differing but little from 

 those of beavers." He goes on to describe the manner in which the " strong 

 and sweet smell " of musk is produced ; in which he so much betrays his 

 ignorance of natural history, that we vwll not expose the ^-ulgar error by 

 repeating it here. But if one Frenchman of the 17th century, committed 

 some errors, in relating the habits of this species, another, early in the 

 18th, (1725,) made ample amends, by giving us a scientific description of 

 its form, internal structure, and habits, that would do credit to the most 

 careful investigator of the present day. This accomplished naturalist, 

 w^as Mons. Sarrasin, King's Phj^sician at Quebec, and correspondent of 

 the French Academy ; in honour of whom LinnjEhs named the genus 

 Sarrasenia. He dissected a number of Musk-Rats, described the animal, 

 gave an account of the " follicles which contain the perfume," and noted 

 its habits. 



To this intelligent physician, Buffon was principally indebted for the 

 information which enabled him to draw up his article on the Canadian 

 Musk-Rat. 



In 1789, Kalm, (Beschreibung derReise nach dem Noerdlichen Ame- 

 rica,) gives a very correct account of the characteristics and habits of 

 this species. 

 Musk-Rats are lively playful animals when in their proper element. 



