THE MUSK EAT. 309 



again until assured of safety. The trap, however, is the ordinary 

 means of destruction. This is made of iron, and is set in such a 

 manner that as soon as the aiumal ia caught its struggles cause 

 the trap to fall into the water, dragging after it the Musquash, 

 which is soon drowned. 



In its subterranean home the Musquash lays up large stores 

 of provisions, and in the habitation have been found turnips, 

 parsnips, carrots, and even maize. AH the roots had been dug 

 out of the soil, and the maize had been bitten off close to the 

 ground. The Musquash is not a large animal, the length of its 

 head and body being only fourteen inches. 



I have in my collection a curious bag or pouch made from 

 the skin of the Musquash by a very simple process. The animal 

 has been laid on its back, and the skin divided transversely 

 across the lower part of the abdomen. The body has then been 

 gradually turned out of the skin, all the limbs removed except 

 the paws, and the skull also taken away. The inside of the 

 skin is then dried, and prepared in some ingenious manner so 

 that it serves as a convenient pouch, the slit across the abdomen 

 forming the entrance, the tail acting as a handle for suspension, 

 and the feet dangling as ornaments. For this curious specimen 

 I am indebted to Lieutenant Pnsey, R.N. 



