512 
THE SAVAGE WORLD. 
It feeds entirely on vegetable substances, chiefly roots, and has been known 
to deposit a store even of potatoes for winter use, for it does not appear to become 
torpid in the cold season, although in time of snow it does not come abroad. 
Five or six young are produced early in summer, and deposited in a nest 
composed of dry grass and other vegetable matters. This animal never makes its 
appearance in houses ; nor is it injurious to man, otherwise than by perforating 
the banks of canals. 
The Wood Mouse, or Long-tailed Field Mouse {Mus sylvaticus) , is 
generally distributed throughout Great Britain, and lives not so much in woods 
as its name implies, as in thickets, hedges, cornfields and gardens. It resem¬ 
bles the domestic mouse, and is of nearly the 
same size, but is easily distinguished by its 
reddish color, and its more elongated tail. It 
produces from five to eight young at a time, 
and is supposed to litter several times in the 
year. It is, in consequence, very abundant 
in many districts, and frequently commits 
considerable ravages in the cornfields and 
gardens. Its food consists of seeds, especially 
those of grasses, acorns, nuts and insects. 
Like the squirrel, it lays up a store for the 
winter, depositing great quantities of vegeta¬ 
ble substances in its holes, which are formed 
in banks, or under the roots of trees, or in 
the open fields. Sometimes it takes posses¬ 
sion of the deserted runs or nests of moles. 
It does not become torpid in winter, at least 
it has been seen in the midst of snow, when it had come abroad to search for 
food. Its more formidable enemies are kestrels, owls, ermines and weasels. 
Although extremely timid it may be easily tamed. 
The Musk-rat, Musquash, or Ondatra [Fiber zibethicus) , is abundant in 
North America and not at all an unfamiliar sight. The blackish color of the 
young turns later into a dark brown, inclining to gray on the under parts, 
and its glossy fur is water-proof. The tail, half as long as the body, is scaled 
and thin, and serves the uiusk-rat as a rudder when in the water, and as a 
spade when it wishes to excavate its underground abode. The hind feet are 
bent at an angle and the toes webbed, so that they serve the uses of a pair of 
oars. The nose is covered with fur, and the small ears are likewise almost 
buried. The musk-rat is timid, and hence is not so readily secured as it is easy 
to see. It will excavate as far as fifty feet, and builds its nest of dry reeds 
and grasses. At one time the musk-rat played a prominent part in our foreign 
commerce, but more acceptable furs have driven his from the market. Were it 
not for the damage which they do to dams and embankments (which they 
mistakenly look upon as natural advantages not to be neglected), the musk-rat 
might now pass his life in peace, so far as fear of man is concerned, but owing 
to a want of harmony of effort between man and himself, he is slain, lest he 
innocently cause great damage. 
The India Musk-rat, Sondeli, or Monjourou [Sorex murinus), though 
not hunted for the musk of commerce, is so strongly impregnated with strong 
field mouse {Mus sylvaticus). 
