Bennett's article on the beaver. 329 



which appeared at first to be a malformation was shown to be a 

 beautiful adaptation to the necessities of the animal. The huge 

 webbed hind feet of the beaver turn in so as to give the appear- 

 ance of deformity ; but if the toes wei'c straight instead of being 

 incurved, the animal could not us^ them for the purpose of keep- 

 ing its fur in order and cleansing it from dirt and moisture. 



"Binny generally carried small and light articles between his 

 right fore leg and his chin, walking on the other three legs ; and 

 large masses, which he could not grasp readily with his teeth, he 

 pushed forward, leaning against them with his right fore paw 

 and his ciiin. He never carried anything on his tail, which he 

 liked to dip in water, but he was not fond of plunging in the whole 

 of his body. If his tail was kept moist, he never cared to drink ; 

 but if it was kept dry, it became hot, and the animal appeared 

 distressed, and would drink a great deal. It is not impossible 

 that the tail may have the power of absorbing water, like the 

 skin of frogs, though it must be owned that the scaly integument 

 which invests that member has not much of the character which 

 generally belongs to absorbing surfaces. 



" Bread, and bread and milk, and sugar, formed the principal part 

 of Binny's food ; but he was very fond of succulent fruits and roots. 

 He was a most entertaining creature, and some highly comic scenes 

 occurred between the worthy, but slow beaver, and a light and 

 airy Macauco that was kept in the same apartment." 



An animal so sociable in his habits ought to be affectionate; 

 and very affectionate the beaver is said to be. Deage mentions 

 two young ones which were taken alive and brought to a neigh- 

 boring factory m Hudson's Bay, where they throve very fast until 

 one of them was killed accidentally. The survivor instantly felt 

 the loss, began to moan, and abstained from food until it died. 

 Mr. Bullock mentioned to the narrator a similar instance which 

 fell under his notice in North America. A male and female 

 were kept together in a room, where they lived happily till 

 the male was deprived of his partner by death. For a day or 

 two he appeared to be hardly aware of his loss, and brought food 

 and laid it before her. At last, finding that she did not stir, he 

 covered her body with twigs and leaves, and was in a pining 

 state when Mr. Bullock lost sight of him. 



The specimens in the garden were sent to the Society from 



