ANIMALS. 



S35 



enemies might enter thereat and kill them ; and the 

 cold would be greater than they could bear. For, 

 although they are provided with a thick skin, co» 

 vered with plenty of long, warm fur, they cannot 

 endure severe frost, and die if exposed to it for a 

 short time. They are, however, not endued with 

 unerring sagacity, for they have been known to build 

 their house in a pond, where there was such a scar- 

 city of food, that they have all died for want. 



They are always killed by staking their houses, 

 by guns, or by traps; and not by hunting them with 

 dogs, by mm on horseback with spears, as ridicu- 

 lously described in prints. Nor do they ever cas- 

 trate themselves to escape their pursuers. If their 

 flesh were not such excellent eating, very few bea- 

 ver skins would ever come to market. Beavers 

 generally bring forth two young ones at a time, which 

 are most commonly male and female ; yet they will 

 cfften have but one, especially the first time of breed- 

 ing; and sometimes three or four. The young ones 

 continue to live with their parents until they are full 

 three years old; then pair off, build a house for 

 themselves, and begin to breed. Yet sometimes, 

 and not uncommonly, if they are undisturbed and 

 have plenty of provisions, they will continue longer 

 with the old ones, and breed in the same house. 



Whether they do, or do not make use of their 

 tails as trowels to plaster their houses with, Mr. 

 Cartwright cannot say, though he is inclined to be- 

 lieve they do not ; because their tail is so heavy, and 

 the tendons of it weak, though numerous. When 

 they dive, they give a smack on the water with 

 their tails as they go down: but that appears to 



