NATURALISTS CABINET. 



Beavers at Exeter 'Change. 



to be handled ; but when approached by any one 

 they utter a small plaintive cry, exactly like that 

 of a new-born child. They are sometimes re- 

 markably lively and frolicsome, wrestling and 

 playing with each other, and if any thing be 

 given them to play with, they seem greatly de- 

 lighted, and drag it about as far as the limits of 

 their small apartment will admit. The keeper 

 informs me, that they will frequently build a kind 

 of stage of the willow branches given them for 

 food, and the straw which forms their litter; and 

 that unless checked in their progress, they would 

 soon escape, by this method, from their confine* 

 ment. They also gnaw the wood work about 

 them so incessantly, that it is necessary to covei ? 

 it in many parts with plates of tin or iron. 



Their food consists of willow-bark, cabbage- 

 leaves, and bread ; the latter of which they inva- 

 riably sop in their trough before they use it, 

 They often sit upright in the act of eating, and 

 are sometimes observed to wash their feet, and 

 pick their teeth. In a word, their disposition ig 

 perfectly gentle, and all their manners are pecu 

 liarly clean. 



