ORDER OE. RODENTIA. 
449 
When Musk-Eats form a colony, they select a lake or quiet 
river, free from cliffs, rapids, or falls. Their houses externally 
are in the shape of a dome, and are composed of rushes or reeds 
firmly interwoven, with the interstices filled up with clay. A final 
layer of twisted rushes covers this facing, making the total thick- 
ness of the walls about thirteen inches. 
Against floods, and the possible invasion of their domicile by 
water, due precautions are taken by arranging a series of steps 
inside. This animal must, also, be endowed with very remarkable 
powers of observation, for the upper steps are always above water 
level, except in the case of extraordinary floods. 
The size of their huts varies according to the number of 
Fig. 184. — Musquash, or Musk-Rat ( Fiber zibethicus ). 
inhabitants. They are, in general, about two to two and a half 
feet in diameter inside, and are calculated to shelter seven or 
eight animals ; but occasionally they are found much more spacious. 
These dwellings are sometimes crowded together in considerable 
numbers. When thus collected they present the appearance of 
numerous bundles of hay resting upon the surface of the water. 
In these abodes the animals shut themselves up during the cold 
months. 
In the early days of spring, the Musk-Eats emerge from their 
subterranean dwellings, and spread over the country in couples. 
When the females are pregnant they return to their houses, 
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