What American Critter is Described Here?

[AJL67]

Killer rabbit. Run away!!!

Only if you call me Tim.

 

[cossackjack]

Pat, I’d like to solve the puzzle…
“Marmot”

 

[mso489]

About fifteen years ago, I wrote a children's book for my employer that featured a talking squirrel. A contractor did some imaginative and expressive artwork with it. It was widely circulated, even beyond the U.S. Australia and India asked if they could redo the text and art because they don't have squirrels, and they wanted to replace the squirrel with an indigenous animal, so kids in those countries could relate to it. I'm not sure what the replacement animals were, but we gladly granted permission. A group in Canada asked to use the text for a puppet theater; I know they have squirrels in Canada.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

About fifteen years ago, I wrote a children's book for my employer that featured a talking squirrel. A contractor did some imaginative and expressive artwork with it. It was widely circulated, even beyond the U.S. Australia and India asked if they could redo the text and art because they don't have squirrels, and they wanted to replace the squirrel with an indigenous animal, so kids in those countries could relate to it. I'm not sure what the replacement animals were, but we gladly granted permission. A group in Canada asked to use the text for a puppet theater; I know they have squirrels in Canada.

It hurts me to show you what those squirrelly Canadians did to your book!

 

[verporchting]

Pat, I’d like to solve the puzzle…
“Marmot”

I think we have a winner!

 

[mawnansmiff]

Further along in the book I come to 'Cartagena' which Google informs me is modern day Columbia...and another mystery, this time a poisonous tree.

"Cartagena hath a fruitfull soyle; in which groweth a tree, which if any one touch, he will hardly scape a poysoning".

Would this be the manchineel tree I wonder? I can only imagine the world of wonder these early explorers experienced back in the day.

Regards,

Jay.

 

[kurtbob]

Just browsing through my latest book purchase and I came across a chapter on 'Nova Albion' which after a Google search I see is/was on the coast of California.

Aside from other interesting facts, I came across this description of an unknown & un-named creature (possibly a rodent) and wondered what it might be. BTW, I had to look up 'want', apparently another name for a mole!

"Here is a Hare resembling a Want in his feet, and a Cat in his taile; under whose chin Nature hath fastened a little bag, which she hath also taught him to use as a store-house; for in this having filled his belly, he preserveth the remnant of his provision".

Sounds vaguely like a hamster though I suspect it's something bigger if compared to a hare, so what could it be?

Regards,

Jay.