SWIMMERS CONCLUDED 



entirely on its hind-feet and muscular tail for 

 propellers. The tail, which is almost as long as 

 the body and head together, is flattened for the 

 greater part of its length, measures an inch or 

 more in width at the widest part, and is nearly 

 naked. The hind-feet, although not truly webbed, 

 are unusually large and peculiarly adapted for 

 swimming, the toes being so arranged that when 

 the foot is brought forward, they fall back one 

 behind another so as to present but little resist- 

 ance to the water; but in kicking. back the whole 

 foot spreads out, and the spaces between the 

 toes are closed up by close fringes of stiff hair 

 which grow on the sides of each toe and spread 

 out with the back stroke so as to form a most 

 serviceable paddle. The forefeet are small and 

 totally devoid of any swimming apparatus, and I 

 think are usually held tucked up under the throat 

 while swimming. I am not certain just how far 

 the tail is made to serve as propeller, its true 

 office evidently being that of rudder ; but it may 



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