THE BEAVER. 



255 



"give it a throw forward." Beavers are very social, work- 

 ing together and storing up wood in common. "A beaver 

 family consists of a male and female, and their offspring 

 of the first and second years, or more properly, under two 

 years old. The females bring forth their young from two 



Alpine Hare of the Rocky Mountains 



to five at a time, in the month of JVIay, and nurse them for 

 a few weeks, after wliich the latter take to bank." They 

 attain their full growth at two years and six months, and 

 live from twelve to fifteen years.* 



Allied to the beaver, but forming the type of a distinct 



* The American Beaver and his Worlis. By Lewis H. Morgan. 1868. 



