FAUNA AMERICANA. ]25 



the huts are two stories high, each story eighteen 

 inches in height; logs composing these cells have 

 been observed measuring two feet in length, six- 

 teen inches in circumference, and weighing four- 

 teen pounds ; it is evident from the marks on the 

 ends of these logs, that they have been all cut 

 through with the teeth, and notched at the end, 

 so as to interlock with each other in the same 

 manner as logs fashioned by human industry 

 for the purpose of constructing the common log 

 houses. The base of the lower chamber is under 

 water, as is also the hole by which they enter. 



They feed on the bark of the willow, poplar, and 

 cotton wood tree ; they swim well, in which action 

 they are aided by their posterior pal mated feet, 

 and flat tail. The female brings forth at the com- 

 mencement of spring, two or three at a birth, 

 after a gestation of four months. They arrive at 

 maturity in two 3^ears ; the duration of their life 

 is about fifteen years. Such are, nearly, the man- 

 ners of the North American beaver ; those which 

 exist in Europe do not build, but dig holes in the 

 earth on the borders of rivers. 



The fur of these animals is exceedingly valu- 

 able ; but from the constant and universal destruc- 

 tion to which they are subjected, we must, before 

 long, be deprived of this luxury. 



For further very interesting particulars con- 

 cerning the habits of this extraordinary animal, 

 vid. Long's Exped. to the Rocky Mountains. 



