. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Mammals; Natural history; Mammifères; Sciences naturelles. THE , OR DES:\rAN. 441 alifi'i'iitioiis from tlie usual tenor of its are only caused by its eagerness in seeking its iuti'iuleil mate, and are limited to tlie short season of matrimonial enterprise. During tlio remainder of the year the Daesman never voluntarily quits the water ; and even if it iniikes little journeys from one pond or stream to another, it is generally f(JU!ul to make use of ditches or wet channels as tlu* roads by wliich it iiroceeds ; or, in default of suc
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Mammals; Natural history; Mammifères; Sciences naturelles. THE , OR DES:\rAN. 441 alifi'i'iitioiis from tlie usual tenor of its are only caused by its eagerness in seeking its iuti'iuleil mate, and are limited to tlie short season of matrimonial enterprise. During tlio remainder of the year the Daesman never voluntarily quits the water ; and even if it iniikes little journeys from one pond or stream to another, it is generally f(JU!ul to make use of ditches or wet channels as tlu* roads by wliich it iiroceeds ; or, in default of such iKiueous paths, to traverse the distance by means of a sul)terraneous tunnel. The scent which, exudes from the Daesman is of a musky character, and so extremely powerful that it is locally known by the name of the Musk-Kat. It is of a most iieiietratirig character, and so thorougldy saturates every substance that may have come in contact with it, that the odour is with the greatest, ditliculty removed. The pike and otiier prodaceous fish which inliabit tlie same waters are accustomed to eat the Daesman, whenever tliey can succeed in capturing it, and, by the odour of their prey, their tlesh becomes so tainted that it is unlit iov human consumption. The glands which produce this powerful scent are placed near the tail, and arranged in a double row. \>"'!fj^' â ' '"^SjS'^'^'-^'i'iii'. D.\KSMAN. Oil DESMAN.â'.'ci/fm,iy.« fitremnm. Tiie food of the Daesman is chietly of an animal character, as might be imagined from the arrangement and shape of the teeth, and the general habits of the animal. lu the stomachs of several of these creatures that have been dissected, were found the reiniiius (tf larvic of various kinds, ami of ciarthworms, but nothing of a vegetable nature. Yet it has Iteen asserted l)y several writers that the animal diet is sometimes mixed with vegetable food ; and that the Daesman will on occasions make a meal of aquatic roots and of acorns, of
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubjectmammals, booksubjectnaturalhistory
