THE QUADRUPEDS OF ARIZONA. 363 
old trappers, its numbers seem even to have increased 
of late; owing, doubtless, both to the diminished value 
of its fur, of which so many articles now take the place, 
and to the Indian difficulties, which prevent the penetra- 
tion of the hunter to its abodes. Particularly upon the 
Rios Salado and San Francisco is it very abundant; and 
its dams occur, in some places, every few hundred yards. 
The almost unbroken seclusion of these retreats gives the 
animals such a sense of security, that they are less strictly 
nocturnal in working or playing than in most localities. 
I have frequently seen them swimming about in broad 
daylight. 
An Indian name of this animal, which I do not recall, 
signifies “little brother,” and is given in recognition of 
that sagacity, or instinct, or reason, as it may be called, 
` which is displayed in its social and domestic economy. 
But as one writer has well remarked, all that ‘has been 
said concerning the wonderful intelligence, or even appa- 
rent “forethought” of the Beaver, only argues an instinc- 
tive knowledge to a degree possessed by a multitude of 
other animals; and far outrivalled by that required for 
the construction of many a bird’s or insect’s nest. Even 
the humble and despised muskrat builds habitations re- 
quiring almost as much constructive dexterity; and, in 
Many of its habits, evinces a “forethought” quite equal 
to that of the Beaver. The keen pursuit of the Beaver 
for its money value, and the conspicuousness of some of 
its works, are the main causes of its unusual notoriety, 
and of the admiration with which it is always mentioned 
-in trappers’ narratives, and naturalists’ embellishments of 
them. — To be continued. 
