BEAVER. 
Beaver lives retired; and it is then styled, by- 
furriers, a Hermit. They say it is turned out 
from the family, because it is lazy, and will not 
work ; and, what is very singular, — for, let the 
cause be what it will, the fact is certain — all 
Hermit Beavers have a black mark on the in- 
side of the skin, on their backs, called a saddle, 
which distinguishes them. I rather think the 
cause of Hermit Beavers to be fidelity to a lost 
mate, as they are very faithful creatures. 
4< Whether Beavers do, or do not, make use 
of their tails, as trowels to plaister their houses 
with, I cannot say; though I am inclined to 
believe, that they do not: because their tail is 
so heavy, and the tendons of it are so weak, 
though numerous, that I do not think they can 
use it to that effect; and that, therefore, they 
daub the earth on with their hands, for I must 
call them so. When they dive, they give a 
smack in the water with their tails, as they go 
down ; but that appears to me, to proceed from 
the tail falling over with it's own weight. 
They move very slowly on land ; and being, 
also, very cowardly creatures, are easily killed 
there by any man or beast that chances to meet 
with them. When met on shore by a Man, 
they 
