12 BEAVERS—THEIR WAYS. 
The fur is of two sorts all over the body, except at 
the feet, where it is very short; that which is the long- 
est, is generally inlength about an inch, but onthe back 
it sometimes extends to two inches, gradually diminish- 
ing towards the head and tail. This part of the fur is 
harsh,coarse and shining, and of little use; the other part 
consists of a very thick and fine down, so soft that it © 
feels almost like silk, about three quarters of an inch 
in length, and is what is commonly manufactured. 
Castor, which is useful in medicine, is produced from 
the body of this creature; it was formerly believed to be 
its testicles, but later discoveries have shown that it is 
contained ia four bags, situated in the lower belly. 
Two of which, that are calledthe superior, from their 
being more elevated than the others, are filled with a 
soft, resinous, adhesive matter, mixed with small fibres, 
greyish without, and yellow within, of a strong, dis- 
agreeable, and penetrating scent, and very inflammable. 
This is the true castoreum; it hardens in the air, and 
becomes brown, brittle, and friable. The inferior bags 
contain an unctuous liquor like honey; the color of which 
is a pale yellow, and its odor somewhat different from 
the other, being rather weaker and more disagreeable; it 
* however thickens as it grows older, and at length be- 
comes about the consistence of tallow. This has also 
its particular use in medicine; butit is not so valuable 
as the true castoreum. 
The ingenuity of these creatures in building their cab- 
ins and providing for their subsistence, is truly won- 
derful. When they are about to choose themselves a 
habitation, they assemble in companies sometimes two 
or three hundred and after mature deliberation fix on a 
