112 THE BEAVER. 



ger but from the fire of the angry heavens, or from the 

 weapons of man, and which no animal dares attempt to 

 open or to overturn. 



These asylums are not only secure, but also very neat 

 and commodious. The floor is covered with verdure, 

 young and tender branches of trees serving them as a car- 

 pet, on which they never permit any of their excrements to 

 be left. The window which fronts the water serves them 

 as a balcony, from which they enjoy the fresh air, and 

 bathe themselves the greatest part of the day. In the 

 water they remain in an upright posture, the head and fore 

 parts only being visible. 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 

 immersions in it. Sometimes they go to a considerable 

 distance under the ice ; and then they are easily taken, by 

 attacking the dwelling on one hand, and laying in wait for 

 them, at the same time, at a hole which is purposely formed 

 a little way off in the ice, and to which they are obliged 

 to come for breath. 



The habit which this animal has, of continually keeping 

 the tail and all the hind parts of the body in the water, 

 seems to have changed the nature of its flesh. That of the 

 fore parts, till we come to the reins, is of the same quality, 

 taste, and consistency as the flesh of land animals ; that 

 of the tail, and of the hind legs and thighs, has the smell, 

 the savor, and all the qualities of fish. As for the tail, in 

 particular, it is even an extremity, an actual portion, of a 

 fish fixed to the body of a quadruped. In length it gene- 

 rally measures a foot, in thickness an inch, and in breadth 

 five or six inches. It is entirely covered over with scales, 

 and has a skin altogether the same as that of a large fish. 



The females are said to go four months with young. 

 They bring forth about the close of winter, and their num- 

 ber generally consists of two or three at a time. Nearly 

 at this period the males leave them, and go forth into the 



