308 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



described under that title, but as it builds as well as burrows, 

 it has been reserved for its present position in the work. 



Essentially a bank-haunting animal, it is never to be seen at 

 any great distance from water, and like the beaver, to which it 

 is closely allied, it is usually to be found either in the river 

 itself or on its edge, where its brown, wet fur harmonizes so 

 well with the brown, wet mud, that the creature can scarcely be 

 distinguished from the surrounding soil. It is seen to the best 

 advantage in the water, where it swims and dives with consum- 

 mate ease, aided greatly by the webs which connect the hinder 

 toes. 



The Musquash drives a large series of tunnels into the bank, 

 excavated in various directions, and having several entrances, 

 aU of which open under the surface of the water. The tunnels 

 are of considerable length, some being as much as fifty or sixty 

 feet in length, and they all slope slightly upwards, uniting in a 

 single chamber in which is the couch of the inhabitants. If the 

 animal happens to live upon a marshy and imiformly wet soil, 

 it becomes a builder, and erects houses so large that they look 

 like small haycocks. Sometimes these houses are from three to 

 four feet in height. 



The natives take advantage of the habits of the animal, and 

 lull it while it lies on its couch, much after the same manner as 

 is used by the natives of Australia when they pass the house of 

 the Bettong. Taking in his hand a large four-barbed spear, 

 shaped something like the well-known "grains" with which 

 sailors kiU dolphins and porpoises, the native steals up to the 

 house, and driving his formidable weapon through the walls, is 

 sure to transfix the inhabitants. Holding the spear firmly with 

 one hand, with the other he takes his tomahawk from his belt, 

 dashes the house to pieces, and secures the unfortunate animals. 



As the fur of the Musquash is valuable, and the flesh is con- 

 sidered as good as that of the duck, it is greatly persecuted by 

 hunters, who generally employ one of four methods, two of 

 which require a knowledge of the home. One plan has already 

 been described, and another consists in finding out the different 

 entrances, blocking them up, and then intercepting the animals 

 as they try to escape. Sometimes the gun is used, but not 

 very frequently, as the Musquash is so wary, that it dives at the 

 least alarm, darts into one of its holes, and will not show itself 



