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216.
RODENTIA.—CASTORIDÆ .
divided into regular scales, resembling those of fishes.
The Beaver (Castor fiber, Linn.) is found both in Europe and North America: and, as late as the twelfth century, was an inhabitant of Great Britain. On the continent of Europe it has become scarce, but in the northern parts of America it is still numerous, though immense numbers are killed annually for their skins. Formerly from 100,000 to 200,000 beaver skins were im-
THE BEAVER.
ported yearly into Europe, but the present amount is much diminished.
The most interesting point in the history of this animal, as has been already mentioned, is its
