THE BEAVER. 149 



loving mammals, they have a double coating of 

 differently formed hairs. Next to the skin comes the 

 close, soft hair, of which beaver-hats are made, and 

 over that is a thatching of longer and coarser hair. 



So effectual is this double protection that the Beaver 

 seems to be absolutely indifferent to temperature. 

 Some years ago, when I had the curiosity to visit the 

 Zoological Gardens in the depth of a severe winter, I 

 was greatly interested in the behaviour of the Beaver. 

 It was one of the nastiest and most uncomfortable days 

 that could be imagined. There was ice, there was 

 sleet, and there was a north-east wind which seemed 

 to drive through the thickest and stoutest garments as 

 if they were mere cobwebs. 



For myself, though never caring very much for 

 weather, I was so completely chilled to the very bone 

 that I could hardly have patience to watch any animal, 

 however interesting, and was quite unable to make 

 notes, my fingers being incapable of even feeling the 

 pencil. Yet, the Beaver seemed to be in the full 

 exultation of an enjoyable existence. He was popping 

 in and out of his house, running round the edge of his 

 little pond, biting a stick or two with his chisel-like 

 teeth, and ever and anon plunging into the water with 

 a loud slap of his tail, and disappearing below the sur- 

 face. Presently, he would reappear, scramble upon 

 land, and resume his walk, apparently unconscious of 

 the fact that he was trailing with him a number of 

 lumps of ice that had become entangled with his fur. 

 I felt horribly envious of a creature who could enjoy 

 itself by swimming about in water that almost froze 

 one to look at. 



