RODENTIA. 149 



except in the interior, and in high latitudes, though 

 they are still found even as far south as the Gulf of 

 Mexico. The author of this work has seen the 

 Beaver on the Alabama River, and in the streams of 

 Newfoundland, and can from experience confirm the 

 testimony of Cartwright to the delicious flavour of 

 its flesh, at least in the latter locality. 



Of its amusing, though sober manners in a state 

 of captivity, we are happy to be able to quote again 

 from the pleasant pen of Mr. Broderip : " The ani- 

 mal arrived in this country in the winter of 1825, 

 very young, being small and woolly, and without the 

 covering of long hair which marks the adult Beaver. 

 It was the sole survivor of five or six which were 

 shipped at the same time, and it was in a very piti- 

 able condition. Good treatment quickly restored it 

 to health, and kindness soon made it familiar. When 

 called by its name, 'Binny,' it generally answered 

 with a little cry, and came to its owner. The hearth- 

 rug was its favourite haunt, and thereon it would lie 

 stretched out, sometimes on its back, sometimes on 

 its side, and sometimes flat on its belly, but always 

 near its master. The building instinct shewed itself 

 immediately it was let out of its cage, and materials 

 were placed in its way ; and this before it had been 

 a week in its new quarters. Its strength even before 

 it was half -grown, was great. It would drag along 

 a large sweeping-brush, or a warming-pan, grasping 

 the handle with its teeth so that the load came over 

 its shoulder, and advancing in an oblique direction 

 till it arrived at the point where it wished to place it. 



