THE BEAVER. 



The genus of Beavers (Castor) is ap- 

 parently represented by a single living 

 species. By some authorities the Ameri- 

 can form is considered a distinct species 

 and is given the technical name Castor 

 canadeu'sis, while the European form is 

 called Castor fiber. In external charac- 

 teristics the two resemble each other very 

 closely, and it is in the study of the struc- 

 ture of the skeleton that the differences 

 appear. However, though there is this 

 diversity of opinion, it is sufBcient for the 

 reader to look upon the two forms as 

 merely geographical races of the same 

 species, and that the Beaver is a native of 

 the greater part of the northern hemis- 

 phere. Though its home covered this ex- 

 tensive area, it has disappeared from the 

 larger number of localities that it once fre- 

 quented. Speaking of its range as a 

 whole, it may now be considered rare ex- 

 cept in certain isolated localities. This 

 extermination is due to the advance of 

 civilization upon its natural haunts, and 

 the commercial zeal that has stimulated 

 the hunter to greater efforts to effect its 

 capture. Within recent years the Beaver 

 was common in some of the Gulf States. 

 In 1876 it was reported as abundant in 

 Virginia. It is evident from an examina- 

 tion of the numerous writings regarding 

 its distribution that the Beaver formerly 

 existed in great numbers not only in the 

 Atlantic States, but also to the westward 

 as far as the Pacific coast. 



The Beaver is a member of that large 

 order of gnawing mammals called the 

 Rodentia, from the Latin- word meaning 

 to gnaw. In this order are classed all 

 those animals that have tliose peculiar 

 long incisor teeth which are constantly 

 renewed ])y growth from the roots and 

 as constantly worn to a cliisel vd^^c, at the 

 outer end, by gnawing. Such animals arc 

 sc|iu'rrcls. the gojoliers, tlie mice, tlic rats, 

 the inuskrats, the j)ort-upines, the hares 

 and llic ral)bits. 



The habits of the Beaver are very inter- 

 esting. Several years are required before 

 its growth is fully attained, and it will in- 

 crease^in size after the teeth are fully ma- 

 ture. ''Two-year-old Beavers generally 

 weigh about thirty-five to forty pounds, 

 while very old ones occasionally attain a 

 weight of upwards of sixty. Morgan re- 

 cords the capture of one which weighed 

 sixty-three pounds. The increase in the 

 size of the skull seems to continue nearly 

 through life ; in old age the skull not only 

 acquires larger dimensions, but the 

 weight is relatively greater in conse- 

 quence of the increased thickness and 

 density of the bones. The ridges for the 

 attachment of muscles also become more 

 strongly developed in old age." 



The general color of the back of the 

 Beaver is a reddish brown. The shade 

 varies both with the seasons and with the 

 geographical location. Those found far- 

 ther to the northward are usually darker. 

 Albinos, either pure white, nearly white 

 or with white blotches, have been ob- 

 served. 



''The fur consists of an exceedingly 

 thick, flaky, woolly coat of silky softness 

 and a thin, long outer coat composed of 

 strong, stiff, shining hair, short on the 

 head and rear part of the back and over 

 two inches long on the rest of the body.'' 

 The tail, which is rounded at the base, 

 much flattened and very broad, bears 

 horny, dark-colored scales. 



The fore legs are short and the feet are 

 unwebbed. The hind legs are much 

 stronger, the feet are fully webbed and 

 they, alone, are used, with the aid of the 

 tail, to propel the Beaver through tl^e 

 water. In the water it is graceful in its 

 motions, l)ut on the land, like nearly all 

 animals that are fitted for a partially 

 acpiatic life, it is clumsy- and awkward and 

 its motions are neither rapid nor uniform. 



I Usually it is only in those districts that 

 are remote from the habitations of man 



