RODENTIA. 151 



between his right fore leg and his chin, walking on 

 the other three legs ; and large masses which he 

 could not grasp readily with his teeth, he pushed 

 forwards, leaning against them with his right fore 

 paw and his chin. He never carried anything 

 on his tail, which he liked to dip in water, but 

 he was not fond of plunging in the whole of his 

 body. If his tail was kept moist, he never cared 

 to drink ; but if it was kept dry, it became hot, and 

 the animal appeared distressed and would drink a 

 great deal. 



" Bread, and bread and milk, and sugar, formed 

 the principal part of Binny's food ; but he was very 

 fond of succulent fruits and roots. He was a most 

 entertaining creature, and some highly comic scenes 

 occurred between the worthy, but slow, Beaver, and 

 a light and airy Macauco that was kept in the same 

 apartment."* 



The Beaver is affectionate and constant in his at- 

 tachment : several instances are recorded in which 

 one pined away, in consequence of the loss of a 

 companion. 



There is an animal of South America which much 

 resembles the Beaver in appearance and habits, but 

 with a rat-like tail. It is the Couia (Myopotamus f 

 Coipus). Its fur is equally valuable. 



* Gardens and Men. of Zool. Society, vol. i. p. 167. 

 t Mt5? , mys, a mouse, and v'oTa,pos, potamus, a river. 



