376 



HUNTING ADVENTURES. 



TI1E OPOSSUM. 



CHAPTER LXI. 



HUNTING THE BEAVER AND OPOSSUM. 



URING the greater part of the 

 time since the settlement of Ame- 

 rica by Europeans the Beaver 

 has been a favorite object with 

 hunters. The general aspect of 

 the Beaver is that of a very large 

 musk-rat. But the greater size 

 of the beaver, the thickness and 

 breadth of its head, and its hori- 

 zontally flattened, broad and scaly 

 tail, render it impossible to mistake it for any other creature when 

 closely examined. In its movements both on shore and in the 

 water, it also closely resembles the musk-rat, having the same 

 quick step, with gretit vigor and celerity, either on the surface, 01 

 in the depths of the water. 



