382 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



but in the fummer, it acquires a fcent of mufk, fo ftrong, 

 as to render it perfectly unpalatable. 



The Muscovy MUSK-RAT 



is about the fize of the common Rat : Its nofe is long 

 and flender, like that of the Shrew-Moufe ; it has no ex- 

 ternal ears, and its eyes are very fmall ; the tail is com- 

 preffed tideways, and its hind feet are webbed ; it is of a 

 dufky colour ; the belly of a light afh. 



It is a native of Lapland and Ruflia, frequents the 

 banks of rivers, and feeds on fmall fifties. It is often 

 devoured by pikes and other fifh, to which it commu- 

 nicates fo ftrong a flavour of mufk, as renders them very 

 unpleafant to the tafte. 



From its tail is extracted a kind of mufk, very much 

 refembling the genuine fort.— Their fkins are frequently 



laid amongft cloaths to preferve them from moths. In 



Lapland, it is called the Defman. 



