
REVIEWS. 
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THE AMERICAN BEAVER AND HIS Works.*—Mr. Morgan has, in 
elaborate work, given us a thoroughly accurate and most entertaining at 
count of an animal whose instincts and habits and economical value h 
attracted universal attention. The work is illustrated by lithograj 
d their surroundi 
a { 
part of North America,” offering a rare opportunity for a careful study 
this creature. 
An anatomical chapter by Dr. W. W. Ely, and a geological accol 
precedes the history of beaver-dams, lodges, burrows, canals, mea 
trails, and their means of subsistence, which are followed by chapters 
the mode of trapping the beaver, and its psychology. 
Besides the common brown beaver, there occasionally occur a ™ 
form and albinos. “In form the beaver is short between the fore 
hind legs, head heavy and clumsy, and his motions are slow and awk’ 
He walks with a waddling gait, with his back slightly arched, wit 
body barely clearing the ground, and his tail dragging upon it;” 
s 
` i 
animal. It uses its tail to assist variously in swimming and diving 
give an alarm by striking the surface of the water, giving a reper x 
can be heard half a mile; and also as a trowel to “pack and je 
mud and earth while constructing a lodge or dam, which he m 
heavy and repeated down strokes.” ‘They pair, and, with their ofSP $ 
live in the family relation until the latter attain maturity, when ee 
forced to leave the parent lodge.” But they do not live in 
though two or more such families inhabit the same pond, and ti 
years; carries its young from three to four months, bringing them” 
usually in May, “and from two to five and sometimes six at 4 


* The American Beaver and his Works. By Lewis H. Morgan. P = 
xi, 330. With plates and illustrations, ‘ 
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