ACCOUNT OP ANIMALS. 



429 



of this animal is very good, in the months of Sep- 

 tember and October, when fruit and nuts, on which 

 it likes to feed, are found in plenty. 



The martin is some larger than a squirrel, 

 which it resembles in shape, excepting that its 

 legs and claws are considerably shorter. In the 

 darkness of the night, the eyes have a shining 

 appearance, like those of a cat. It has short 

 ears, which are of a roundish shape. The whole 

 body is covered with a thick fur, which in a 

 mild climate, is of a yellowish colour ; but in 

 the colder regions of the north, it becomes of 

 a dark brown, and, in some instances, is nearly 

 black. The skins, which have this dark colour- 

 ed fur, are much more valuable than the oth- 

 ers. The tail is covered with long hair ; and 

 under the neck, even of those of the darkest 

 colour, there is a small spot, of a yellowish cast. 

 The flesh of this animal has a rank, disagreea- 

 ble taste ; and is, therefore seldom eaten. 



The muskrat, which receives its name from 

 the musk that it affords, resembles the beaver, 

 in every respect excepting its size, which is lit- 

 tle larger than the badger. It builds for itself 

 a cabin in marshy places, at no great distance 

 from some water : and feeds on roots, herbs/ 

 mice and fish, which it finds dead, on the mar- 

 gin of lakes and streams. In the spring, these 

 animals leave their huts, as they are built in 



