THE BEAVER. 



THE beaver is one of the animals that appear fated 

 to die out under the encroachment of man. It has 

 already all but if not quite, disappeared in Europe, and is 

 rapidly dying out in America, although its final extinction 

 has been greatly delayed by the substitution of silk for 

 beaver skin in the manufacture of hats, whereby the value 

 of the beaver has greatly decreased. In some respects the 

 beaver is the most human of animals. It constructs houses, 

 fells trees, and builds dams, and although it dwells in 

 communities, each family has its own abode, separate and 

 distinct from that of others. The sagacity of the beaver, 

 and its resemblance to man in its actions and gestures, 

 naturally cause it to be held in considerable veneration by 

 the Indians, and it shares with the bear the first place in 

 their esteem, although this feeling in no way prevents 

 them from killing it when opportunity offers. It may 

 be remarked parenthetically as somewhat singular that the 

 Indians, although they have had the beaver always among 

 them, have never taken to the wearing of high hats. It was 

 for its flesh that they hunted it ; this was considered one of 

 their greatest dainties. Whether the beaver entertains the 

 same admiration for the sagacity of man as the latter does 

 for that of the beaver, is a point that has not been 

 determined. There can, however, be no doubt that it 



