. Castorologia, or The history and traditions of the Canadian beaver. Beavers. CASTOROLOGIA. I75 shorter and broader. The eyes are dark blue and verj- small in pro- portion to the size of the animal—about half an inch in diameter is the maximum measurement—and highly convexed to enable them to be used under water ; they are, according to M. Sarrasin, fur- nished with three separate lids. The ears are also small, quite round and concealed in the fur and hair. When the pellage is prime, that is in its perfect stage, a shaggy, loose growth of long hair covers the entire head and body to the butt
. Castorologia, or The history and traditions of the Canadian beaver. Beavers. CASTOROLOGIA. I75 shorter and broader. The eyes are dark blue and verj- small in pro- portion to the size of the animal—about half an inch in diameter is the maximum measurement—and highly convexed to enable them to be used under water ; they are, according to M. Sarrasin, fur- nished with three separate lids. The ears are also small, quite round and concealed in the fur and hair. When the pellage is prime, that is in its perfect stage, a shaggy, loose growth of long hair covers the entire head and body to the butt or base of the tail, diminishing on the lips, eyelids, feet and legs ; the colors and textures of both hair and fur or wool have already been discussed. The anterior feet or hands, as they have not inappropriately been termed, are so dexterous as to favor compar- ison with the hands of the monkey ; with them the creature builds the dam and the lodge, and excavates the burrow, and they are also used to convey food to the mouth in a truly astonishing manner. Though the front feet are not usually employed in swim- ming there is a very perceptible web joining ^.^^^^'"^ZTstII^i^^.) the third and fourth digits, which does not seem fitted for any apparent purpose, unless it might be to facilitate the handling of mud in the plastering of the lodges or dams. The powerful hind feet, with their development of web extending to the extreme points, afford the perfect model for aquatic life and ma}' be likened to the feet of the turtle. The large heel-pad and strong nails enable the creature when on land to stand upright firmly on the hind feet, a position very generally assumed when at work. On the second toe there is a most remarkable double claw or nail, which apparently is only used for combing the fur. Owing to the inequality in the proportions of the legs to the feet, and also partly- to the fact that the toes have a very appreciable inward curve, the gait of the beaver is wadd
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectbeavers, bookyear1892
