The beaver is the largest of the rodents except the capybara or water-hog of South America. The beaver is sometimes three feet long, exclusive of the tail, and a very large beaver will occasionally weigh as much as sixty pounds. The oval, flattened tail is about ten inches long, and is covered with scales. About this tail, as about the habits of the beaver, many foolish stories have been repeated. It has been stated that he uses it as a little cart whereon to drag loads of stone and mud for his dam; also that he uses it as a trowel to smooth in nicest mason-fashion the earth walls of his house. Neither of these tales of a tail is true. The scaly tail of the beaver is of especial use in helping to support his body when he stands on his hind-legs cutting down trees. One of its uses is that of sounding an alarm when disturbed in his retreats: then the beaver rounds up his back, and brings down his tail on the water with a blow which can be heard for a long distance. The hind feet of the beaver are webbed up to the toe nails, like those of a duck or gull. In swimming the beaver uses only the hind feet, the front feet, which are small and serve almost exclusively as hands, are kept hanging close by his side while he moves in the water. The head of the beaver is short and rounded, and its upper lip is cleft, probably for convenience in using its powerful incisors in cutting down trees and stripping off bark. The front teeth of the beaver are very remarkable; they are long and chisel-shaped, with a sharp, cutting edge. The outer layer is made of very hard orange-colored enamel; the inner portion is softer and wears away by the constant use of the teeth; and thus a chisel-like edge is left. As the four front teeth wear down they are reproduced, growing up constantly from the roots. The teeth of the beaver are so sharp and hard that the Indians formerly used them, fastened into handles, for cutting their bone implements. The eyes of the beaver are small, and the ears are inconspicuous. When swimming or diving the beaver can draw its ears close to its head, closing the orifice against the admission of water. The whole appearance of the animal is without beauty, as the soft, silky brownish fur is hidden by a growth of long coarse reddish-brown hairs. In America the beavers still live in communities and build homes, but in Europe, where they cannot find secluded and undisturbed ponds and rivers, they have changed their habit and live solitary and in burrows, their huts and dams being now known only in one place in Europe. In America there are found some few beavers living alone in burrows; these are called “idlers,” or “bachelors.” They are supposed to have left the colony because their mates have been killed.