Fes., 1912. MAMMALS oF ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN — Cory. 231 
The flesh of the Muskrat is palatable and is more generally eaten 
than most people suppose; in this connection the following state- 
ment by Lantz is of interest: ‘In February, 1907, the Philadelphia 
Record stated that a single dealer in Dock street in that city sold about 
3,000 muskrats a week for food. The chief source of this supply was 
stated to be in the vicinity of Salem, N. J. The Saginaw (Mich.) 
Courier-Herald states that in the season of 1907~8 dressed muskrats 
in that place retailed at from 15 to 20 cents each, and that dealers had 
ready sale for all they could provide. Muskrat is said to be a favorite 
dish at dinners given by church societies in Delaware and Maryland, 
and annual muskrat banquets are a feature with certain gun clubs in 
the West. Those of the Munroe (Mich.) Marsh Club have been cele- 
brated for many years.’’* Kennicott informs us that in early days the 
Potiawattamie Indians ate the flesh of the muskrat boiled with corn 
or roasted, and that hunters and trappers “‘esteem the tail a great 
delicacy.”’ 
Immense numbers of these animals are annually trapped for their 
skins which are in popular demand among the cheaper class of furs. 
According to Lantz the records of the London importation and sales 
are as follows: ‘‘From 1763 to 1800 (thirty-eight years) the total 
number of skins imported and sold in that market was 2,831,453, an 
average of less than 75,000 yearly. During the fifty years from 1801 
to 1850 the total was 20,571,428, or an average of 411,000 yearly. From 
1851 to 1890, inclusive, the importations were 99,893,591, a yearly 
average of 2,500,000. The average London sales in recent years have 
been over 4,000,000 per annum, and the entire output of skins for 1900 
was 5,285,000. A large part of the total collection is sold through 
London, but in the last few years an increasing number are dressed and 
manufactured in America.” (J. ¢., p. 24) 
Specimens examined from Illinois, Wisconsin and adjoining states: 
Illinois — Libertyville, 1; Chicago, 4; Warsaw, 1=6. 
Wisconsin — Sayner, 1; Milton, 1; Green Bay, 2; Conover, 1; Eagle 
River, 1; Beaver Dam, 3; (M. P. M.) Milwaukee, 1; Muskego 
Lake, Waukesha Co., 1; Pewaukee, 5; Delavan, 2; Maiden Rock, 
t; (O. C.) Mercer, 15 (skulls); Turtle Lake, Barron Co., 1; Lake 
Pewaukee, 4; Cedar Lake, Turtle River, Iron Co., 1; Colfax, Dunn 
Co., 12 (skulls) = 52. 
Minnesota — Aitken, 3. 
Iowa — Mayfield, 7. 
Indiana — La Porte, 2. 
U.S. Dept. Agr., Farmers’ Bull. 396, 1910, p. 22. 
