BEAVER IN CAPTIVITY. 295 



considered. He is most industrious, and most versa- 

 tile in the modes of his industry ; being, by turns, a 

 labourer, a wood-cutter, a plasterer, a house-builder, 

 and a frugal and provident caterer : he is a senti- 

 nel too, occasionally; and, in self-defence, a soldier. 

 No difficulties discourage, no toils exhaust him : pa- 

 tient and indefatigable beyond all example, he sees 

 the labour of years, those immense trees which have 

 been formed into baniers seemingly immovable, by the 

 incredible strength and unwearied exertions of the 

 whole community, — he sees these monuments of his 

 toil swept away by the floods, and instantly begins, 

 with renewed and undaunted activity, to repeat, for 

 the same purpose, the same labours. Behold this 

 powerful artificer in a state of captivity : (for that 

 cannot be termed subjection, where there is neither 

 obedience nor docility:) no creature can be more 

 awkward or unsightly, or seemingly less adapted to 

 serve or to please. Those strong, short legs, and the 

 sideling gait, which were so well adapted for assisting 

 his associates in dragging the trees they had previous- 

 ly felled, make him appear more ungainly than can be 

 easily conceived. The trowel-tail seems to drag on 

 the ground, as a useless incumbrance ; and, from its 

 flat, broad form, and naked surface, suggests the idea 

 of something amphibious. Thus odd and unpleasing 

 in its appearance, its habits are not more captivating. 



