NATURAL HISTORY. 275 



However numerous the republic of beavers may be, 

 peace and good order are uniformly maintained in it. 

 A common series of toil has cemented their, union. 

 The conveniences which they have procured for each 

 other, and the abundance of provisions which, after 

 having amassed, they continue to consume together, 

 render them happy within themselves. Having mo- 

 derate appetites, entertaining even an aversion to 

 blood and carnage, they have not the smallest propen- 

 sity to hostility or rapine, but actually enjoy all the 

 blessings which man is only born to desire. Friends 

 to each other, if threatened by any enemies from abroad, 

 they know how to avoid them; and for this purpose, 

 on the first alarm, they give notice of their mutual 

 danger, by striking the water with their tail, which 

 emits a sound that is heard in their most distant 

 dwellings. On this occasion, each beaver as he thinks 

 most expedient, plunges into the water, or conceals 

 himself within the walls of his own habitation, which 

 is in no danger but from the tire of the heavens, or 

 from the weapons of man. 



These asylums are not only secure, but also very 

 neat and commodious : the floor is covered with ver- 

 dure. Young and tender branches of trees serve them 

 for a carpet, on which they never permit any of their 

 excrements to be left. The window which fronts the 

 water serves them for a balcony, from which they en- 

 joy the fresh air, and bathe themselves the greatest 

 part of the day. In the water they remain in an up- 

 right posture, the head and fore parts only being visi- 

 ble. This element is, indeed, so necessary to them, 

 or rather gives them so much pleasure, that they 

 seem unable, as it were, to live without frequent im- 

 mersions in it. Sometimes they go to a considerable 



