^IS THE COMMON BEAVER. 



The houses have each no more than one open- 

 ing * ; which is under the water, and always be* 

 low the thickness of the ice. By this means they are 

 secured from the effects of frost. 



The Beavers seldom quit their residence unless 

 they are disturbed, or their provisions fail. When 

 they have continued in the same place three or four 

 years, they frequently erect a new house annually ; 

 but sometimes merely repair their old one. It often 

 happens that they build a new house so close to the 

 old, that they cut a communication from one to the 

 other ; and this may have given rise to tlie idea of 

 their having several apartments. When their houses 

 are completely finished, they still carry on fresh 

 works : nor do they desist even when the pond is 

 frozen over; but continue their employment for 

 some nights after, (if the frost is not too severe,) 

 through a liole in the ice, which they keep open fojr 

 the purpose. 



During the summer, they forsake their houses, 

 and ramble about trom place to place ; sleeping un- 

 der the covert of bushes, near the water-side. On 

 the least noise, they betake themselves into the water 

 for security : and they have sentinels, who, by a 

 certain cry, give notice of the approach of danger. 

 In the winter they never stir out, except to their 

 magazines under the water; and during that season, 

 they become excessively fat. 



In one of his excursions into tiie Northern parts 

 of Louisiana, M. Du Pratz gives us an account of 



* Cartwriiiiht. 



