MUSK BEAVER, 
End SO proper for cutting, that they soon, when 
•shut up in a box of hard wood, make a hole 
sufficient for iheir escape ; which is a faculty 
they have in common with the Beaver. They 
swim neither 50 swiftly, nor so long, as the 
Beaver, but often go on the ground. They do 
not run well: and they walk still worse; rock- 
ing from side to side, like a Goose. Their 
skin preserves the smell of musk, which ren- 
ders their fur not so generally agreeable; but 
the down, or under hair, is used in the manu- 
facturing of hals. 
These animals are not remarkably wild ; 
and, when taken young, are easily tamed. 
They are then very pretty ; and the tall, wnich 
is long and fiat, and makes their figure dis- 
agreeable, i? at this period of -life very short. 
They sport wich as much innocence and gen- 
tleness as young Cats. They never bite; and 
might be easily reared, if their odour were not 
disagreeable. 
** The Canadian and Aluscovy Musk 
Rats," coixludcs BufFon, " are the only 
northern anijuals which yield a perfume : for 
the 
