OEDEE OF EODENTIA. 



449 



When Musk-Rats form a colony, they select a lake or quiet 

 river, free from cliffs, rapids, or falls. Their houses externally 

 are in the shape of a dome, and are composed of rushes or reeds 

 firmly interwoven, with the interstices filled up with clay. A final 

 layer of twisted rushes covers this facing, making the total thick- 

 ness of the walls ahout thirteen inches. 



Against floods, and the possible invasion of their domicile by 

 water, due precautions are taken by arranging a series of steps 

 inside. This animal must, also, be endowed with very remarkable 

 powers of observation, for the upper steps are always above water 

 level, except in the case of extraordinary floods. 



The size of their huts varies according to the number of 



ilg. 184. — Musquash, or Musk-Rat {Fiber ziheikicas). 



inhabitants. They are, in general, about two to two and a half 

 feet in diameter inside, and are calculated to shelter seven or 

 eight animals ; but occasionally they are found much more spacious. 

 These dwellings are sometimes crowded together in considerable 

 numbers. When thus collected they present the appearance of 

 numerous bundles of hay resting upon the surface of the water. 

 In these abodes the animals shut themselves up during the cold 



months. 



In the early days of spring, the Musk-Rats emerge from their 

 subterranean dwellings, and spread over the country in couples. 

 When the females are pregnant they return to their houses, 



G G 



