MAMMIFEROUS ANIMALS. 379 



tail so effectually, that not the least particle of 

 air or water ran penetrate, and so strong- and du- 

 rable, that only by the application of the greatest 

 force they can be destroyed; to give to their habi- 

 tations floors, roofs, and separate apartments for 

 their winter stores and for sleeping, and to plas- 

 ter them over with all the nicety and effect of 

 the most expert mason, and to live harmonious- 

 ly in considerable numbers of both sexes in one 

 chamber, as interestingly detailed in Buffon's 

 Natural History, and confirmed by the most au- 

 thentic testimonies which local experience can 

 afford ; are certainly most wonderful circumstan- 

 ces, and such as strikingly to illustrate the diversi- 

 fied means by which the Creation is regulated, so 

 as to preserve a due unity,and yet each performing, 

 a distinct and separate part. 



But however such phenomena may excite our 

 warmest admiration, as proofs of the care which 

 has been bestowed on each portion of the Natural 

 World; yet when we come to reflect, that the 

 Beaver, so ingenious, and so provident in this 

 particular instance, when brought to the test of 

 domestication, (for it is susceptible of being ren- 

 dered completely tame,) has proved totally inca- 

 pable of being instructed in any other operations 

 beyond those we have detailed, and certainly 

 much less so, than many other animals under 

 similar circumstances ; we can only consider 

 ks actions as a perfection of instincts which are 



