Uy Py nes} * 
i 
8 P a 
Nora sw 
THE ZOOLOGIST. 
THIRD SERIES. 
Vou. X./ JULY, 1886. 
BEAVERS AND THEIR WAYS.« 
By J. EH. Hartine, F.L.S., F.Z.S. 
Ir is always unwise to attempt to generalise from insufficient 
data, as it is to draw conclusions solely from personal experience. 
It is only from a study of the united testimony of competent 
observers that we can hope or expect to arrive at the truth ; and 
this holds good not only of Zoology, but, it may be said, of all 
human affairs. Hence we should by no means neglect to peruse 
what has been written by the ancients, as well as by the best 
modern authorities, on any subject that we may take up. 
It is true that in the early literature of Zoology, as, for 
example, in the works of Herodotus, Aristotle, Pliny, lian, 
and even much later, in those of Gesner, and Aldrovandus, 
we find very much that is fabulous, mingled with a little 
that is true; reminding us forcibly of Falstaff’s ‘ ha’p’worth 
of bread’ to his “‘ intolerable deal of sack.” But the ha’p’worth 
of truth that is to be found amidst so much fable is well 
worth looking for; and it should be borne in mind that the 
old writers who collected information for their works on Natural 
History laboured under very great difficulties, with none of 
the advantages which we now enjoy in the shape of railway 
travelling, postal communication, and printed books. They had 
to rely upon their own individual researches, local traditions, 
* An abstract of one of the ‘‘ Davis Lectures,” delivered at the Zoological 
Gardens, June 24th, 1886. 
ZOOLOGIST.— JULY, 1886. x 
