MAMMALIA — BEAVER. 227 



from which they enjoy the fresh air, and hathe themselves the greater part 

 of the day. In the water they remain in an upright posture, the head and 

 fore parts only being visible. This element is, indeed, so necessary to them, 

 or rather gives them so much pleasure, that they seem unable, as it v/ere, 

 to live without frequent immersions in it. Sometimes they go to a con- 

 siderable distance under the ice ; and then they are easily taken, by attack- 

 ing the dwelling on one hand, and laying in wait for them, at the same 

 time, at a hole which is purposely formed a little way off in the ice, and to 

 which they are obliged to come for breath. 



The habit which this animal has, of continually keeping the tail and all the 

 hind parts of the body in the water, seems to have changed the nature of its 

 flesh. That of the fore parts, till we come to the reins, is of the same quality 

 taste, and consistency, as the flesh of land animals ; that of the tail, and 

 of the hind legs and thighs, has the smell, the savor, and all the qualities 

 of fish. As for the tail, in particular, it is even an extremity, and actual 

 portion of a fish fixed to the body of a quadruped. In length, it generally 

 measures a foot, in thickness an inch, and in breadth five or six inches. It 

 is entirely covered* over with scales, and has a skin altogether the same as 

 that of a large fish. The largest beavers weigh from fifty to sixty pounds, 

 and in length are little more than three feet from the tip of the snout to the 

 insertion of the tail. The females are said to go four months with young. 

 They bring forth about the close of winter, and their number generally 

 consists of two or three at a time. Nearly at this period the males leave 

 them, and go forth into the fields, where they enjoy all the sweets of the 

 spring. In this season, they pay occasional visits to their habitation, but 

 never reside in it. There, however, the females remain employed in suck- 

 ling, tending, and rearing their little ones, who are in a condition to follow 

 them at the expiration of a few weeks. They then, in their turn, go abroad, 

 where they feed on fish, or on the bark of young trees, and pass the whole 

 of their time upon the water, or among the woods. 



Winter is the season which is principally allotted for hunting them, as it 

 is then only that their fur is in perfection ; and when, after their fabrics 

 are demolished, a great number happen to be taken, their society is never 

 restored ; the few that have escaped captivity or death disperse themselves, 

 and become houseless wanderers ; or, concealed in some hole under ground, 

 and reduced to the condition of other animals, they lead a timid life, no 

 longer employ themselves but to satisfy their immediate and most urgent 

 wants, no longer retain those faculties and qualities which they eminently 

 possess in a state of society. 



To capture beavers residing on a small river or creek, the Indians of 

 America find it necessary to stake the stream across, to prevent the animals 

 from escaping, and then they try to ascertain where the vaults or washes 

 in the banks are situated. This can only be done by those who are very 

 experienced in such explorations, and is thus performed: — The hunter is 



