COMMON BEAVER. 67 



observed, that they seldom run across the room, but 

 generally creep round by the wall. They are fond of 

 dark places, and are so timid as seldom to venture out 

 when danger is near. They sleep with their eyes half 

 open ; and are very watchful, the male and female sel- 

 dom sleeping at the same time, but seeming alternately 

 to watch for each other. Their usual voice is a kind of 

 grunting noise ; but when in pain their notes are shrill 

 and piercing. 



These well-known little animals differ much in colour, 

 but they usually are variegated with white, lawny, and 

 black. Their tail is shaped like a small button, and so 

 extremely .short as scarcely to be visible. The body is 

 thick, and the neck short. 



All the other animals of this tribe are likewise natives 

 of South America. 



25. BEAVER TRIBE. 



Only two species of this tribe have been hitherto dis- 

 covered, the Common and the Chili Beaver. And there 

 is some doubt, whether the latter ought not [to be ar- 

 ranged amongst the otters. 



Common Beaver. It is only in the midst of those 

 deserts of Europe, Asia, and America, which are out of 

 the reach of man, that these most interesting and saga- 

 cious of all animals are able to live in peace. Here, 

 assembled together, in communities of two hundred and 

 upwards on the banks of some river or lake, they 

 construct their habitations, collect their food, and pro- 

 duce and rear their offspring. Their habitations are 

 each six or eight feet in height, of a circular or oval 

 shape, rounded at the top, and have somewhat the ap- 





