S8 COMMON BEAVER. 



and it is then that they are most easily taken, by 

 attacking the cabin on one hand, and at the same 

 time watching at a hole made at some distance, 

 where they are obliged to repair for the pm'pose 

 of respiration. The continual habit of keeping 

 their tail and posterior part in the water, appears 

 to have changed the nature of their flesh. That 

 of their anterior parts, as far as the reins, has the 

 taste and consistence of the flesh of land or air 

 animals ; but that of the tail and hinder parts, has 

 the odour and all other qualities of fish. The 

 tail, which is a foot long, an inch thick, and five or 

 six inches broad, is even an extremity or genuine 

 proportion of a fish attached to the body of a 

 quadruped ; it is entirely covered with scales, and 

 Avith a skin perfectly similar to those of large fishes ; 

 they may be scraped off with a knife, and after 

 falling, they leave an impression on the skin, as 

 in the case with all fishes. 



''It is in the beginning of summer that the Bea- 

 vers assemble. They employ the months of July 

 and August in the construction of their bank and 

 cabins. They collect in September their provi- 

 sions of bark and wood ; after which they enjoy 

 the fruits of their labours, and taste the sweets 

 of domestic happiness : knowing and loving one 

 another from habit, from the pleasures and fa- 

 tigues of a common labour, each couple join not 

 by chance, nor by the pressing necessities of na- 

 ture, but unite from choice and from taste. 

 They pass together the autumn and the winter. 

 Perfectly satisfied with each other, they never 



