HISTORY OF VERMONT. 121 



ions, the beaver which makes the discorer}% by- 

 striking on the water with his tail, gives notice 

 to the whole village of the approaching clanger ; 

 and all of them instantly plunge into the water. 

 And when the hunters are passing through their 

 country, some of their number appear to be 

 centinels, to give notice of their approach. 



The colour of the beaver is dift'erent, accor* 

 ding to the different climates, which they in- 

 habit. In the most northern parts, they are 

 generally black ; in Vermont they are brown ; 

 and their colour becomes lighter as we approach 

 towards tlie south. Their fur is of two sorts; 

 all over their bodies. That which is longest, 

 is generally about an inch long, but on the back, 

 it sometimes extends to two inches, gradually 

 shortening towards the head, and tail. This 

 part is coarse, and of little use. The other 

 part of the fur consists of a very fine and thick 

 down, about three quarters of an inch long, 

 so soft that it feels like silk, and is that, which 

 is used in manufactories. Castor, of so much 

 use in medicine, is produced from the body of 

 the beaver. It is contained in four bags, ill the 

 lower belly. 



The largest of these animals, of which I have 

 any certain information, weighed sixty three 

 pounds and an half : But it is only in a situa- 

 tion remote from, and undisturbed by the fre- 

 quent appearances of men, that they attain their 

 greatest magnitude, or their highest perfection 

 of society. The beaver has deserted all the 

 southern parts of Vermont, and is now to be 

 found only in the most nprthern, and uncultiva^ 

 te^ p^ts of the state. 



