OEDEE OF EODENTIA. 473 



in proportion as the latter began to improve his weapons and his 

 method of hunting, the Beavers increased in prudence, in cunning, 

 and in sagacity. A communal life entailed too great dangers, 

 and it was necessary to renounce the amenities of association. 

 The families dispersed, and no longer finding security in those 

 huts which attract the notice of their enemies, the Beavers have 

 taken refuge in the rocky crevices that overhang streams. 



" Thus it is that this animal has given up a social existence, 

 that it has adopted manners and customs which are altogether 

 novel to it, that it has created a new occupation for itself, and 

 that the builder has become a miner. In this way it has acted 

 in quite a contrary fashion to Man, who at first hid himself 

 underground in caverns, but at a later period constructed huts on 

 the surface as soon as he had no longer to fear the attacks of 

 ferocious beasts." 



Many people are not aware that Beavers are still to be 

 found in France ; and yet such is the case. Certainly they are 

 very few, but their existence nevertheless cannot be contested. 

 The southern portion of the Rhone, and accidentally the entrance 

 of its principal affluents, such as the Isere, the Gardon, and the 

 Durance, are where French Beavers are to be found. Un- 

 fortunately, everything leads to the belief that they will not 

 long enjoy this privilege ; the avidity excited in Man for pos- 

 session of these creatures will infallibly bring about their com- 

 plete annihilation. 



The Beavers of the Ehone chiefly frequent islets. As these are, 

 for the most part, uninhabited, they find themselves more secure 

 there than on the banks. Their burrow communicates with the 

 stream by a long gallery, which always opens below the surface of 

 the water, so as to hide their dwelling from malevolent eyes. 

 This burrow is sometimes very large, and affords an asylum to 

 many individuals. On a property in the department of the 

 Gard, a bank having fallen in, exposed one of these subterranean 

 abodes. It measured fifty feet in length, and was partitioned off 

 into several compartments. 



Colonies of Constructive Beavers are yet to be found in Europe. 

 This fact was noted in 1787 by a German observer, not far from 

 Magdeburg, on one of the affluents of the Elbe. A number 

 had collected in this place, and had built huts in every respect 



