SCIENTIFIC SURVEY. I39 



gone perhaps one fourth of a mile when, coming quickly out of a thick place 

 into an open spot and leaning forward on a dog trot, I was completely knock- 

 ed over by the cat, trap, and all, coming against me with a rush, and a spit, 

 and a growl, as quick as thought. I did shoot the beast, and ever after follow- 

 ed on their signs more cautious, but the fright it gave me was never forgotten. 



The Beater, Castor Canadensis, Kuhl. 



This almost amphibious animal is now chiefly confined to this continent, 

 although formerly it was found in many parts of northern Europe and Asia, 

 but has become nearly extinct in those countries. Its body, from the end of 

 the snout to the insertion of the tail, is almost three feet long; the tail, or 

 caudal paddle, is about one foot long, one inch tliick, and five or six inches 

 wide. Its teeth are two incisors in each jaw, and a vacant space between 

 them and the eighc upper and under molars. These incisors are no doubt 

 what they chop their wood with, and as they wear shorter by continual use, 

 the teeth grow out — for they are from two to three inches long and arching 

 in form, and protrude about one-half to three-fourths of an inch outward. 

 The feet have five toes, exterior and posterior ; the forward toes are short and 

 close, and the hinder ones long and palmated ; being the only animal of this 

 description known in nature. Its body is covered with two kinds of hair, one 

 outward coating of hair two inches long and glossy black — the inner coat 

 quite thick and downy, like fine silk. Its tail is covered with scales and looks 

 like a fish. The meat of the forward parts of the body tastes like land ani- 

 mals, and that of the hinder parts and tail like fish. 



The largest beavers weigh about sixty pounds. The beaver attains its full 

 growth at the age of three years, and is supposed to live from ten to fifteen 

 years. It breeds once a year, and has from two to six at a birth, and even 

 breeds before it attains its own maturity. It goes with young four months, 

 and brings forth about the close of winter. Its food is chiefly vegetable, and 

 it will not taste of meat, raw or cooked. In winter it subsists mostly upon 

 the bark of green wood which it has laid up in store for this purpose, and it 

 is also quite fond offish. The color of the body is a cream brown, intermixed 

 with black hair. 



This animal differs from all other animals in several particulars; first, it 

 has a pair of glandular sacks between the hind legs, (which, I believe, have 

 no connection with the organs of generation,) containing a substance quite 

 odorous, called castor, (castoreum,) which hunters call " barkstone." It is 

 used extensively in medicine, and is quite valuable; but the castor which 

 comes from Europe is esteemed by medical men as by far the most virtuous. 

 This substance is worth about one dollar for each sack, and the fur of the 

 beaver now commands two and one-half dollars for each skin. Not many 

 years ago the skins were sold by weight, and brought one dollar an ounce. 

 Since that time the beaver hat gives place to the silk hat, hence the difference. 



The savages are said to use the oil of the tail for many diseases, and we know 

 they esteem it dressed and cooked, as far above any other food you can offer 

 them. The second toe of their hind feet is armed with double nails. They 

 make a very unequal gait in walking on the land, owing to the sloping of the 

 body behind the centre down under towards their feet ; and of their hind feet 

 standing out, which is an advantage to their progress in the water. They 

 are also remarkable for the great appearance of reason they seem to po^ess. 

 They are more shy than the fox, and more knowing than the elephant. They 

 are very acute in their scent and hearing, and naturally timid, with no way 

 of defence except in flight. They live in the enjoyment of all the blessings ot 

 life, peacefully ; and no doubt have a way of communing one with the other. 

 Their houses and dams have been recently so well described that I will not 

 now go into the particulars of them, but only add some new items or ideas 

 that I have myself noticed. 



