CANADIAN BEAVER 51 



parts; tail flat, scaled, paddle-shaped, black in color; claw on sec- 

 ond toe of hind foot divided. 



The fine or true fur varies in length from one-half to three-fourths 

 inch while the coarse bristle-like hairs are from; one and three- 

 fourths to two and one-half inches in length, and are dense enough 

 to entirely or almost entirely conceal the fur proper. 



Measurements. Total length, 42.00 inches; tail vertebrae, 16.25 

 inches ; hind foot, 6.75 inches. The bare scaly portion of the tail is 

 about 9.00 inches long, by 4.50 inches wide, and 1.50 inches through 

 the thickest part. 



The beaver is somewhat variable as to both size and coloration, 

 reddish brown, however, being the prevailing color; adults weigh 

 from thirty to sixty pounds though the latter weight is attained 

 only in rare instances. 



FIG. 10'. Pet Beavers. (From U. S. Department of Agriculture.) 



Although in early days beavers were very common in almost all 

 parts of the state, they have been entirely exterminated, the last 

 individuals apparently having been killed in the early nineties. 

 John A. Spurrell of Wall Lake, informs the writer that the last 

 beavers trapped on the Boyer river in Sac county were taken in 

 1886. M. P. Somes reports that a beaver was killed on Lizard creek, 

 about five miles northwest of Fort Dodge by J. T. Somes about 1887. 

 "A family of beavers is reported by Sirrine as having worked on 



