202 
THE BEAVER. 
The aspect of this animal conveys no ii®' 
pression of the extraordinary sagacity whic^’ 
has been attributed to it. The body is abou*^ 
three feet long; and the tail, which distiW' 
guishes it from all other quadrupeds, being 
an oval form, nearly flat, except on the upp®’^ 
surface, where it is slightly convex, destitute 
of hair, but covered with scales, like those 
a fish, is about a foot in length and thr^^ 
inches broad. Its ears are short, its 
blunt ; its fore-feet are small, but the hind'^’^ 
large and strong, with membranes connectiP^ 
the toes, as in water-fowl. The body is 
vered with a thick soft fur, which is in.genei'^^ 
of a deep chesnut colour, but sometimes qiid^ 
black, white, cream-coloured, and spotted' 
The cutting teeth of the beaver are remarJ"' 
