124 FAUNA AMERICANA. 



reddish-brown, from whence results the general 

 colour, which is more brilliant above than beneath; 

 whiskers black; hair of the head and hands or 

 feet, shorter than that on other parts. 



The varieties of this species resolve them- 

 selves into the white, black, olive, variegated, and 

 yellow.* 



Some doubts have been expressed relative to * 

 the identity of the American and European beaver, 

 founded chiefly on some difference observed in 

 their habits. (The European beaver does not 

 construct huts.) We are inclined to the opinion 

 of their identity, the more especially as no differ- 

 ences are observable on comparing their skulls. 



Habit. Frequenting the shores of rivers, streams, 

 or lakes ; in the summer remaining solitary in 

 their holes ; in winter uniting in troops, in a spe- 

 cies of hut, w^hich they construct with the great- 

 est ingenuity in the banks; intercepting the cur- 

 rent to form dams, which tliey effect by the aid 

 of dikes, in form of an arch, the convexity of 

 which is opposed to the current, and which is 

 composed of stones, mud, and the branches of 

 trees interlaced. 



The huts are established on these dams, and 

 formed of nearly the same materials as the dikes : 



* The late Mr. Bartram has indicated two species of beaver 

 as inhabiting the United States, viz. '• Great beaver of Canada^" 

 and " Lesser beaver of Florida and Carolina." Manuscript 

 notes, penes me. 



