RODENTIA. CASTORID^. 53 



his nest in the tree-top in the summer when the leaves are thick, 

 and serve to conceal his habitation, but, as soon as the leaves fall, 

 betakes itself to a more secure retreat in the hollow trunk ? 



The Beaver is a social animal, and dwells, when undisturbed, 

 in a community. Individuals labor together for the common wel- 

 fare to a certain extent, each pair, however, preparing their own 

 habitation. The houses are made of sticks, mud, and stones, 

 mixed up together without order. These the Beaver carries, 

 stones, sticks, &c., by holding them with his fore paws against 

 his throat and breast. The work is always performed in the night, 

 and carried on with celerity and despatch. The door leading 

 to the hut is always on the side farthest from the land, and is 

 placed deep in the water, and near the foundation of the house- 

 Perhaps one of the most remarkable facts in the history of the 

 Beaver is its ability to accommodate itself to circumstances. 

 Thus, when it is frequently disturbed, it ceases to build dams or 

 houses, and takes up its abode in the banks of streams. This, 

 however, is not singular, nor confined to the Beaver. Other 

 animals, also, are driven to this alternative, and accommodate 

 themselves to a course which seems at first view constrained and 

 unnatural. 



In its travels from place to place, it is extremely cautious- and 

 wary, and guards against detection ; and, were it not obliged to 

 satisfy the calls of nature by cutting down small trees, it would 

 ordinarily escape the vigilance of the hunter. 



It feeds on the willow, birch, poplar, and alder, and but rarely 

 on any of the pine tribe ; also upon the roots of the nuphar, which 

 grow at the bottom of lakes, ponds, and rivers. 



The Beaver produces from two to five young at a litter. 

 Young Beavers are said to be playful, and to imitate both in their 

 action and voice the gambols of children. 



The Beaver is susceptible of domestication, and becomes a 

 great pet, and extremely fond of being handled. It is said, that, 

 in this state, they still preserve some of their instincts ; for, on 

 the approach of a storm, they will uniformly cut the furniture of the 

 room, such as chair-posts, &c., and lay the foundation of a dam. 

 The sticks which they thus cut, are usually placed against some 

 open space, as a door, or laid across the corner of the room. 



