SWIMMERS CONCLUDED 



felt all about in the water for any fragments he 

 might have dropped, and when he found anything 

 raised it to his mouth with one hand. Presently 

 he began to wash himself, after the manner of a 

 squirrel, combing his fur with his claws, and rub- 

 bing his face and ears with both paws at the same 

 time. 



Any one who has ever handled a muskrat must 

 have observed how loosely they are put together, 

 as if put into a skin several times too large, and 

 hardly attached anywhere ; and this sort of struct- 

 ure certainly has its advantages, for the little 

 chap I was observing deliberately reached his 

 right hind-foot across his back and scratched him- 

 self behind his left shoulder. He also appeared 

 able to reach any part of his body with either of 

 his fore-paws, or with his mouth, and would 

 sometimes grasp a fold of skin and pull it 

 around into a more convenient position to work 

 upon. In a surprisingly short time, he looked 

 as dry and fluffy as if he had never been near the 



171 



