Bodentia. MAMMALIA. Rodentia. xci 
most of those which, with it, iiiliabit the region it 
fifty-eight pounds, measured over four feet from nose 
occupies. In Washington Territory it is found from 
to end of tail. 'I’he form is so short that he runs 
the coast to the Rocky Mountains.” It is doubtful 
with difficulty. He walks with a waddling gait, his 
whetlier it is found south of the Columbia River, 
body barely clearing the ground, and his tail drag- 
although it is reported from California. Very little 
ging. In the water he is at ease, and his movements 
is known of its habits. According- to certain few 
rapid. While swimming, he uses the hind-legs ex- 
observations it is not an hibernating animal. Mr. 
clusively, the fore-paws being drawn up under the 
Geo. Gibbs, the ethnographer, says of it : “Its name 
chest. He is a burrowing animal; deep excavations 
in the Nisqually language is Showt'l [Showhurll). 
are made in the banks of streams, where he may re- 
It burrows extensively in the ground. Near their 
treat for safety, preferring this to the “lodges,” 
abodes were small bundles of some herb or plant, cut 
which are constructed above water for the luirpose 
with nicety, and laid out on logs to dry or wilt, d'he 
of rearing the young. 'J’he female brings forth her 
Indians trap them, and value their flesh very much 
litter early in May, from two to five at a birth, 'i’he 
as food.” If this habit of cutting food in parcels for 
habitat is remarkably extended : from the borders of 
future use is theirs truly, it is exceedingly curious. 
the Arctic Seas to Mexico and the Gila River, and 
The Yakima Indians call the animal Sqiiallah. ilr. 
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Beavers are now 
Gibbs says that the statement that it climbs trees is 
seldom found east of the Mississippi River; occa- 
probably an error. It lives in communities, like the 
sionally one is captured in Maine, New York and 
Prairie Dog, sitting upon the mounds at the burrows 
Virginia. In some portions of Canada and in Cali- 
and whistling as those little creatures do in the early 
fornia they are yet numerous. 'I’here are marked 
morning. Dr. Suck ley says : “It is probable that it 
differences in the habits of the two varieties. 'The 
has several litters of young in a season. The Sewellel 
European Beaver is said to lead a solitary life in 
is about as large as the Musk-rat, and is said to 
burrows, rarely constructing dams, while the Ameri- 
somewhat resemble that Rodent. Its color is brown- 
can form is notably a skilful builder of dams and 
ish, mixed with black, lighter and more grayish 
lodges, as well as burrows. Canals of remarkable 
below.” 
construction and purpose are also the work of this 
Family— CASTORIDaE. 
interesting creature. 'I'he European animal was 
once abundant in the region around the Black Sea 
'I'here are many points of resemblance between 
during the Classical Period. Pliny calls it the 
this family and the Sciuridat. There is but one 
“ Pontic Beaver.” He gives a brief account of its 
genus representing the living species. 'I'lie molars in 
habit of cutting down trees, but does not mention 
this family have a long, persistent pulp, the teeth 
any instance of dam building, though a few examples 
continuing to grow for a long time, and only becom- 
are known. It is a remarkable fact that the reputed 
ing truly rooted late in life. 'I’he incisors are very 
sagacity and intelligence of the Beaver is not ex- 
large, the Beavers being the typical gnawers. 'I’he 
plained by the size or development of brain. 'I’liis 
general structure of the skull indicates great incisive 
organ is but a step in advance of that of the bird, as 
power. 
the Beaver is a monotrematous animal, that is : it 
Castok. — Linn. 
has but one opening at the anal region, which indi- 
cates a low rank among IMammals. 'The great com- 
The characters are seen in the four-toed feet, the 
missure, or corqnis callosum, is absent in the brain. 
palmate hind-feet, the double-clawed second toe, the 
'The brain is, also, entirely smooth on the surface. 
broad, flat and scaly tail, and in the broad and heavy 
'I’he Beaver is noted for a peculiar secretion, called 
body, which is most powerfully developed posteriorly. 
castoreum, which has long been reputed as a medi- 
The molars are single-rooted, the pulp being 
cine. It has two sets of secreting organs situated in 
j)ersistent until late in life. 'I'he skull lacks the post- 
the anal region, the upper pair furnishing the cas- 
orbital processes ; otherwise it has the general form 
toreum, and the lower an oily secretion. A remark- 
of Sciuridm. 
able provision against the possible harm resulting 
THE BEAVER [Castor Jib er, Linn.) — Plate 15, fig. 
from too long immersion in water, is seen in an 
50.— One species only is known, yet two well-marked 
enlarged portion of the great vein, or vena cava, 
varieties are noticed, one inhabiting North Ameri- 
where it passes through the liver. As in birds, this 
ca, and the other Europe and Western Asia. The 
receives an extra sup|)ly of blood, which serves when 
American form is regarded as rather larger than the 
respiration is temporarily suspended, as while passing 
other. Some difference is seen in the nasal bones. 
under water to its various works. Mr. Lewis H. 
and some less important features are said to vary in 
jMorgan, in a very complete and exhaustive treatise. 
the two. 'I'he European Beaver does not perform 
The American Beaver and his Worhs, has given most 
the work of building dams and houses to that extent 
entertaining accounts of the dams, canals and other 
seen in the case of the American animal. 'J'he Beaver 
works of this animal, from which we take certain 
is the largest Rodent living, with the one exception, 
facts. Around the south-west shores of Lake Su- 
the Capybara, of South America, which is about a 
perior, Mr. ilorgan, in his profession as civil-engineer. 
third larger. 'I’he color is a rich reddish-brown. 
had most unusual opportunities of viewing and watch- 
Black varieties are sometimes seen, and albinos are 
ing the skill of the Beaver. 'J’hrongh this entire 
not rare. When full-grown, the Beaver weighs from 
area the Beavers are now abundant, and undisturbed 
thirty to sixty pounds. A specimen, which weighed 
in their works. 'I’he dam, called by the natives 
