HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 411 



THE BEAVER. 



(Castor Fiber, Linn. Lc Castor, ou Le Bievrc, BuiF.) 



THE Beaver is amphibious, and is remarkable for 

 its sagacity and foresight in building houses to shel- 

 ter and protect itself in winter, and dams to supply 

 them with water. The great size and strength of 

 its cutting teeth, of which it has two in each jaw, 

 enable it to cut or gnaw down trees of considerable 

 magnitude, with ease. Its ears are short and almost 

 hid in the fur; its nose is blunt; tail broad and flat, 

 nearly of an oval form, and covered with scales ; it 

 serves as a rudder to guide its motions in the water; 

 and by flapping it on the surface, as well as on the 

 ground, serves as a signal to apprise the community 

 of danger. Its fore feet are small, not unlike those 

 of a Rat ; the hinder feet are large and strong, with 

 membranes between each toe ; it has five toes on 

 each foot. Its length from nose to tail is about two 

 feet: the tail, which they cannot raise upwards over 

 their backs, is eleven inches long, and three broad. 

 The Beavers vary in colour. The most valuable 



