RODENTIA. 



147 



Castor* the Beaver. 



In many respects the Beaver is an interesting 

 animal. Its habits are typical of the order: its 

 anatomical structure, in some respects, allies it to 

 the monotrematous animals of New Holland ; a 

 secretion from its body is used in medicine, its fur 

 is very valuable, and of all animals it exhibits the 



THE BEAVER (Castor Fiber). 



greatest ingenuity, skill, and perseverance, in con- 

 structing its habitations. Dull and stupid in ap- 

 pearance, it resembles a monstrous rat, distinguished, 

 however, by a broad flat tail of very peculiar struc- 



* Its Greek name. 



H 2 



