118 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 
ings, and many of the animals die. It is to be remarked that the small grassy 
lakes selected by the Musquash for its residence, are never so firmly frozen nor 
covered with such thick ice as deeper and clearer water. The Indians kill 
these animals by spearing them through the walls of their houses, making their 
approach with great caution, for the Musquashes take to the water when alarmed 
by a noise on the ice. An experienced hunter is so well acquainted with the 
direction of the chamber, and the position in which its inmates lie, that he can 
transfix four or five at atime. As soon as, from the motion of the spear, it is 
evident that an animal is struck, the house is ‘broken down, and it is taken out. 
The principal seasons for taking the Musquash are the autumn before the snow 
falls, and the spring after it has disappeared, but while the ice is still entire. In 
the winter time, the depth of snow prevents the houses and breathing holes 
from being seen. One of the first operations of the hunter is to stop up all the 
holes, with the exception of one, at which he stations himself to spear the 
animals that have escaped being struck in the houses, and come thither to 
breathe. In the summer, the Musquash burrows in the banks of the lakes, 
making branched canals many yards in extent, and forming its nest in a chamber 
at the extremity, in which the young are brought forth. When its house is 
attacked in the autumn, it retreats to these passages ; but in the spring they are 
frozen up. 
The Musquash is a watchful, but not a very shy animal. It will come very 
near to a boat or canoe, but dives instantly on perceiving the flash ofa gun. It 
may be frequently seen sitting on the shores of small muddy islands, in a rounded 
form, and not easily to be distinguished from a piece of earth, until, on the 
approach of danger, it suddenly plunges into the water. In the act of diving, 
when surprised, it gives a smart blow to the water with its tail. Hearne states, 
that it is easily tamed, soon grows fond, is very cleanly and playful, and smells 
pleasantly (!) of musk.* 
The fur of this animal is used in the manufacture of hats. Between four and 
five hundred thousand skins are annually imported into Great Britain from North 
America. 
* It is singular that Hearne, who must have seen vast numbers of these animals, should describe the hind-feet as 
webbed. ‘There is no vestige of a web ; although the marginal row of long hairs fits the feet to act as oars. 
