(993)
new particulars, touching the motion of his Eyes and Tongue, and the manner of altering his Colour according to his passions, which are no less capable to employ their Witt; as is at large and learnedly deduce by the Authors of these Observations.
In the Castor they note;
First, his two sorts of Hair, one short, soft and fine, to defend him from cold; the other long and thick, to receive the mire, in which they often wallow, and to hinder it from getting to the skin.
Secondly, his Teeth, formed after a peculiar manner, exceeding fit to cut Trees, which they doe to build themselves lodgings to breed their Young ones in; for which purpose Nature hath also furnisht them with such forefeet as exactly resemble the hands of a man; the hind-feet, proper for swimming, being formed like those of a Goose.
Thirdly, his Bladders containing the Castoreum (distinct from the Testicles) of which they found four great ones about the lower part of the Os pubis, of which two were above the other two, but closely joyn'd to one another, the two upper being likely to prepare that matter, and the two other, to bring itto the perfection of more consistence, and unctuousness, as also of a stronger sent and deeper yellow colour; for which purpose the two latter are of glandular composition. But under this second sort of sacks they found yet another long one, full of liquor, more yellow and liquid, and more elaborate, then that in the former; of a different smell, and like to the yolk of an egg; of which they write from Canada, that Castors use it to make themselves an appetite, when they want it, and that they squeese it out by pressing with their paws the bladder, which contains it; and that the Savages anoint with it the Gins they set for these animals, to draw them thither.
Fourthly, his Testicles not fastned to the Back-bone, as several Authors affirme, but on the sides of the Os pubis about the groyne, altogether hid, and not appearing at all, no more than the penis, before the skin was remov'd. The Penis contrary to that of a Dogg, which goes from the Os pubis to the Navil, descended here downward to the vent of the excrements, at which hole it did terminate.
Fiftly
