THE BEAVER. 217 
^oose like a dog, He fed him ^vith bread and 
Sometimes fish, of which he was very fond. 
He was supplied with as much water as he 
Required in a bowl. All the rags and soft 
things he could meet with he dragged into 
^ corner where he was accustomed to sleep, 
^nd made a bed of them. The cat, having 
kittens, took possession of his bed ; he did not 
disturb her ; and when she went out he would 
often take up the kitten that was preserved 
l^etween his fore-paws, hold it to his breast as 
ft to warm it, and seemingly doat upon it : as 
®oon as the cat returned he always gave her 
^ack the kitten. Sometimes he grumbled, 
^Ut never did any harm, nor attempted to bite. 
The skin of the beaver has hair of two 
iods ; the lower, close to the hide, is short, 
^^d as fine as down ; the upper, which grows 
^ore sparingly, is both thicker and longer. 
^ he latter is of no value, but the fine hair is 
'''I’ought into hats, and other articles of dress. 
