, BEAVER. 255 



Sentinel, and in the Winter keeps open the Water from 

 freezing, by continual moving of his Tail, which is flat 

 ■without hair, and the most delicious Meat that can be 

 had." 



BEAVEE EAT. 

 Hydroniys chrysogaster. 



The Beaver Eat, or, as it is sometimes called, the 

 Golden- bellied Beaver Eat, is one of the few mammals 

 of Australia which possesses a thick under fur. It is 

 of a grizzly colour, like a Eat ; the belly is either of a 

 golden colour, like a Musk-rat, or of a light grey. The 

 hair or fur is short, and the under fur abundant. 



The tail is about 6 inches long, dark or black in colour, 

 and the part nearest the top is white. 



The length of the body is from 6 to 8 inches. 



This animal inhabits Australia, and from 50 to a 100 

 skins are imported amongst sundry other skins from 

 that continent; but they are not of much value owing 

 to their scarceness. 



HAMSTEE. 



Cricetus frwmentarius. 

 French : Hamster. German : Hamster. 



The Hamster inhabits Germany and Eussia, where 

 it is found in considerable numbers, causing great 

 destruction to crops by the amount of grain it consumes. 



