82 RODENTIA. 



The female brings forth in -winter, producing only one 

 young at a birth, about the size of a pig of a year old. 



The "Walrus has, in two instances at least, been taken on 

 the Scotch coasts. It inhabits the northern frozen seas, is 

 especially numerous at Spitzbergen ; is found in Iceland 

 and Greenland, generally associating in herds. 



Order RODENTIA. 



Two large incisors in each jaw, remote from the 

 molars ; no canines ; toes distinct, with conical claws of 

 small size. 



Division I. RODENTS PROVIDED WITH PEREECT 

 CLAVICLES. 



Genus CASTOR. BEAVEE. 

 Teeth. — Incisors, -|- ; molars compound, with flat sum- 

 mits, f~f • Toes of the hind-feet palmated ; tail oval, de- 

 pressed, and covered with scales. 



Castor fiber. 



Castor fiber, Desm. Mamm. Sp. 432. 

 Common Beaver. 



Description. — Head short and thick, somewhat flattened 

 at the top ; muzzle blunt ; eyes small and black ; ears short, 

 rounded at the ends ; neck short ; body thick, very convex 

 on the back ; tail depressed, broad, oval, the surface naked 

 and scaly. Fur composed of two sorts of hairs, the one 

 short, thick, fine and soft, the other long, rather stiff and 

 elastic ; the general colour of the animal is deep chestnut- 

 brown, smooth and glossy on the upper parts, duller be- 

 neath. 



