Evening journal., 1896-04-18
Tho pIu,krat An BosAon,


Residents OF this state have been
designated as 1.-THE musk rat eaters Of
the Delaware. the appellAtion being q
facetioua reference to "The dirt eaters
Of the OrinocO," remembered by avery
student Of common school geography.
Probably DelawareRps canrot deny the
allegation Of beiDg musk-rat eaters. 1t
Is quite natural that they should eat
them when II is borne in mind that
many thousands OF tho rodents are
trapped every year upon the marshes
contiguous to the Delaware bay. and
their carcasses ard pelts both sent to
market.
The word rat" does not appeal to the
average American palate, but many
persons are not ayerse to a dish OF
marsh rabbit, and fully enc half Of
the catch, which is cent to points outside
the state, goes 70 the table under that
polite aud deceptive name. Many are
consumed in Delaware, particularly In
lower New Castle, and Kent and Sussex
counties. A few find their way TO the
Wilmington market, ard are readily dis
posed OF at fair prices
Probably not one In a hundred OF those
who eat muskrat knows anything OF It's
characteristics beyond the vague state
ment that 1t is one Of the cleaHest
animals on earth, washing roots two or
three timss before eating them"
Recently the pride Of the Delaware
marshes hsd the honor Of being the subject
81 an address delivered before the Boston
Scientific Society. one OF the Leading
organizations Of New Eogland. Professor
G J. Maynard was tn, prluc'psl speaker
He said in part
The .muskrat, although very common
animal, is little understood bs naturaliats.
wh, need mu h further observation TO clear
mp certain obscure points Ia the Niuter
time the animal bailds for Itself housel which
are low domes and have a floor above the sur
face Of the water the only entrance being be-
low the surface OF the water. Sometimes the
houses are built upon the Ice At a dis ance
from the shore. Il has been quite a puzzle TO
know how the animal could reach its home
einc7 10 must swim for a 10 1g distance under
the ice, wi b no chance 20 breathe. Dissection
OF the animal shows that its LETT lung "a
divided into several lobes. which are in
reality ale reservoirs, and which give II a
NcA1 AAIkc niA NalADAlls Autn IL hhn Dttu as
covered that the rat. after swimming
as far As II can without breathing. stops aud
let's out bubble OF air. which comes In con-
tact with the lower surface OF the ice. TtiS
contact purlfes the air. and after little the
rat draws Il again into It's lungs and proceeds
on its Journey.
The lnusKrat is very deficient Ia sight. A
tame one. " driven through an open door
will, on the FIRST opportunity. return over the
very same track. and II the door has been
closed in the mesntime. Il viii apparently
not see Il at all but bump AGAINST IT, In the
same nay the animals Ia their wild state Will
hit against me II 1 remain perfectly still. APP
p4rently not being aware of my presence.
But the ho.rilg OF the rats Is exceedingly
acute.
Points N their anatomy we're noted. the
development OF the ear. the curious valve
which closes the nostrils when the rat IL
under water and tbs Structure Of the
tail, which is much fattensd on the sides
30 that It serves as 4 ruddsr and propeller
when the rat Is winning.
Taken altogether the professor handle &c
the scientific side OF the rat very nicely
II he wants to deliver an address on "Th'