829 



CASTOR CANADENSIS, (Kuhl). 



THE BEAVER. 



Specific Character. — The head is large and broad, the muzzle is naked, the 

 hinder border, or line of separation from the hairs of the forehead, is slightly 

 concave anteriorly, and falls considerably behind the nostrils, and the space all 

 round the nostrils is naked. The nostrils are lateral and widely open, uper lip 

 acutely emarginated. The hairs of the lips extend a short distance on their 

 inner surface. Tongue very large and lieshy, eyes excessively small. Ears 

 moderately developed, densely covered with hair on both surfaces, the hairs ex- 

 tending even into the meatus. 



The limbs are large and stout, the under surface of all the feet entirely 

 naked, the upper surfaces being coated with stiff silky hairs. The hand has five 

 distinct fingers, each with well developed claws ; there are only two tubercles on 

 the palm, both large and placed side by side, the exterior twice as large as the 

 interior and extending further back. 



The hind feet are very large and turtle like, all the toes being connected by 

 a thick web. When fully extended the foot appears nearly twice as broad as 

 long. Under the claw of the second toe, is a second claw. 



The tail is as long as the body, without the head. Tt is so thick for more 

 than one-third from the base, that its commencement can scarcely be made out, 

 for this distance it is conical and densely coated with hair, when it suddenly 

 becomes very flat and much depressed, and the shape resemblingthat of a mammal's 

 tongue. This portion is entirely covered with transversely elongated subhexa- 

 gonal scales. 



Habitat. — North America generally, Hudson's Bay to Mexico. Still found 

 in Northern Ontario but in greatly diminished numbers. 



Average Size. — Equal to that of a large raccoon. 



Average Weight. — From 15 to 25 pounds. 



Average IJeigJd. — 10 inches. 



Average Length. — About 3 feet. 



Value of Fur. — Per skin, average $5 to $12. 



The beaver is one of the most valuable fur-bearing animals found in Can- 

 ada, and is the national emblem of England's grandest cjlony. 



It is possessed of marvellous instinct and is altogether a most wonderful 

 animal. 



The beaver live in societies or colonies and unite in the formation of works, 

 which equal the work of engineers. 



Their habitations are by clear rivers and creeks oi- large .springs, although 

 they are often found on the banks of lakes. In order that their supply of water 

 may be .sufficiently deep at all times, to suit their requirements, the beaver build 

 dams to rai.se the water to the desired level. 



These dams are made of mud, tree branches and stones, and these althouo-li 

 only about. two feet wide at the top are about twelve feet in thickness at the 

 bottom. The skill with which these dams are constructed is marvellous, and 

 especially where different parts of the stream run with varying swiftness, the; 



