"Well," he replied, good-humouredly, "some naturalists, and I believe the great Linnaeus amongst them, class me with the Castor or Beaver race, and dignify me with a very long and learned-sounding name, Zibethicus. But I am quite content, for my part, to own my relationship to the race of Mus, and to be known by the simple name Musk-Rat, which they give me on the lakes of Canada." "I am delighted," said I, with a wave of my whiskers, "at this opportunity of paying my respects to so dignified a relation." "Ah!" replied Zibethicus, "I only wish that I could have received you in my own house upon the Lake Huron. If you could but have seen the pretty round dwelling raised by myself and my companions-- the neat dome-shaped roof which covered it, formed of herbs and reeds cemented with clay. So prettily it was stuccoed within! A great deal of trouble it cost us, to be sure, but I often think there's no pleasure without trouble; and there's nothing in my captivity which I miss so much as the power to labour and build." "May I ask," said I, "whether you be of the same family with the Musk Cavy, which I have heard of as inhabiting Ceylon and other places in the East?" "I believe not," answered my courteous companion, "but we doubtless belong to the same race, however our habits and appearance may differ." Our pleasant conversation was here unfortunately interrupted by the keeper's opening the door. I had barely time to hide myself under some straw, resolving not to show myself again till darkness should render it safe for me to creep out. Soon various visitors arrived, and I was vastly amused by watching the different varieties of the human species, of which there must be nearly as many as of the race of Mus. For the first time in my life I saw ladies all bedizened in velvets and silks, and the furry spoils of many an unfortunate ermine or sable. I saw gentlemen too, and I confess that a creeping uncomfortable feeling came over me when I looked at the hats which they had on their heads, the fine black gloss was so exceedingly like that of the coat which I wore. I have since learnt that my conjecture was but too close to the fact-- that numberless hapless rats are slaughtered in France on account of their fatal beauty; and that man not only manufactures their fur into hats, but uses their soft and delicate skins to make the thumbs of his best gloves. Alas, for the race of Mus! CHAPTER VIII. HOW I HEARD OF OLD NEIGHBOURS. In the afternoon a gentleman entered the building, whose noble and commanding appearance struck me. After a short examination of the captives in their cages, he sat down to rest himself nearly opposite the place where I was hidden. He was almost directly joined by a bright-haired boy, in whose cheeks health was glowing, and whose blue eyes sparkled with intelligence and enjoyment. "Papa-- please-- I want more money to buy buns for the animals!"