THE GIANT BEAVER 15 
was longitudinally grooved, with the grooves separated by 
sharp ridges. At the tips the incisors were not worn off 
to a chisel edge, as in the beavers “‘but in such a way that 
there is formed between and in the two a deep pit which 
received the tips of the lower incisors.’’ (Hay.) 
Such bones of the hind feet as are known indicate a foot 
greatly like that of the beaver, though shorter in proportion 
to the length of the body. Hay makes some comparisons 
between the leg bones of this animal and those of the 
beaver which show that the giant beaver was relatively 
the shorter-legged animal of the two. 
‘“‘As to the habits of this animal we can make inferences. 
We may be sure that it was a vigorous gnawer of hard sub- 
stances. It was almost certainly an aquatic animal. 
Probably like the beavers it was addicted to cutting down 
trees and building dams and lodges for the protection of 
itself and young from cold and enemies. ‘The tail was less 
expanded than that of the beaver, and possibly the animal 
had not learned yet to slap the water with it for sport and 
as a signal of danger. It may have been more flexible, 
and therefore a better aid in swimming than that of the 
beaver.”’ (Hay.) 
What was supposed to be the house of a giant beaver was 
discovered near New Knoxville, Ohio, in 1889. It was 
about eight feet square and between three and four high, 
and built of willow poles about three inches in diameter, 
“laid in the manner in which beaver houses are constructed 
at the present time.”’ ‘The bones of the former owner were 
found in the house. As bones of deer and other animals 
were also found there it was supposed that wolves or other 
carnivorous animals had taken possession after the builder’s 
death. 
