38 COYPU RAT, AND PILORIS/ 
During the summer they wander about, gene- 
rally in pairs,, feeding voraciously on herbs and 
roots. They walk and run in an awkward manner, 
like the beaver ; and cannot swim well, their feet 
being unfurnished with webs. 
The musk rats., as well as the beavers, seem to 
have their drones, or terriers, which are at no 
trouble in the common operation of building 
houses. These burrow like water-rats, in banks 
adjacent to lakes, rivers, and ditches ; and often 
do much damage by admitting the water through 
the embankments of meadows. 
They are remarkable for a strong musky smell ; 
whence they have their specific name. When 
tamed, they are very playful, and never bite* 
Their flesh is eaten by the Indians. 
Coypu RAT. 
The first describer of this animal was Molina, 
who informs us that it is an inhabitant of the 
waters of Chili ; that it has the general appear- 
ance of an otter, being of the same size and 
colour ; but that in its teeth it agrees with the 
rat tribe ; the feet are each furnished with five 
toes ; those of the hind feet being connected by 
a web ; the ears are round ; the nose longish, and 
covered w ith whiskers ; and the tail thick, and 
fiattish on the sides. 
This animal lives occasionally on land, as well 
as water ; sometimes frequenting houses, and k 
easily tamed. The female produces five or six 
young at a birth. 
PlLORIS. 
1 HIS 
islands. 
species is found in India and the Indian 
and in size nearly equals the guinea pig. 
