rides, He does use them when turning or when pushing off the bottom. The tail oscillates rapidly laterally but probably resulting from the movement of the hind feet rather than from any primary propulsive movements. He moves at least as rapidly underwater as above. When turned surface swimming along the edge of the Hildebrand fish pond he could 2 ft. per second (= 1.3 m.p.h.), all observers agreed, however, that when startled he went much faster - probably twice as fast. A silvery film of air is trapped when he dives, and he usually by his fur emerges quite dry. One was dumped from a jar into the aquarium for photographing and came up soaked. He climbed ashore and proceeded to scratch and dress his fur. In two minutes he was about half dry and despite numerous short swims he dried even more in the next few minutes. The same (and other) observers when raced into the water don't get nearly as wet. This suggest muscular control of the hair to prevent wetting. Try cutting series on one side. Warm water slightly wet now than cold also. Longest dive so far is about 2 seconds - fairly long aiven for such a little tyke. They can jump at least their own body length out of water.