THE BEAVER. 



Generic Characters. 

 Two cutting teeth in each jaw. 

 Five toes on each foot. 

 Tail comprelfed, and covered with Icales. 



Synonims. 

 KatTTug, Arijl. Hijl. Ann. lib. viii. c. 5. 

 Castor Fiber, Linn. Syjt. 78. 

 Castor, Gefner Quad. 3 09. Brijfon Quad, go. 

 Fiber, Plin. lib. viii. c. 30. 

 Bafwer, Biur, Faun. Suec. No. 27. 

 Biber, Klein Quad. 91. 

 B o b r, Rzaczinjki Pol. 215. 



Beaver, Brit. Zool. 1. 70. tab. ii. Raii Syn, Quad. 209. 

 Le Castor, ou le Bievre, de Buffbn, viii. 282. tab, xxxvi. 



THERE is nothing very remarkable in the general external appearance 

 of the Beaver, except that its tail is very broad, flat, and covered with fcales 

 like a Mi ; and that its hinder feet alone are furnilhed with membranes 

 which conneci the toes : in other refpects, it greatly refembles a very large 

 Rat. Confidered as an individual, it does not exhibit any linking inftinciive 

 qualities; but, on the contrary, is perfectly harmlefs and inorFenflve, and 

 feems hardly to polfefs cunning enough for its own defence and prefervation. 

 But if we view it living in a ftate of fociety with others of its own fpecies, 

 and uniting its efforts with theirs to the attainment of one great end, 

 combining the important objects of the fafety, welfare, and maintenance of 



