Haplodon

Haplodon (lit. 'simple toothed'), a terrestrial rodent peculiar enough to be formed into a family by itself, and regarded as a connecting-link between beavers and squirrels. It is represented by a single species (H. rufus), restricted to 'a small area on the west coast of North America, in Washington and Oregon territories, and a portion of California.' The aborigines called it 'Show'l' or 'Sewellel,' the trappers the 'Boomer' or 'Mountain Beaver.' The animal is plump, with broad head, short limbs, and hardly any tail; measures about a foot in length; and has a brownish colour. It lives socially in colonies, burrows underground, and lives on vegetable matter. As a connecting-link Haplodon is of much interest to naturalists, while the Indians use its skin and probably also its flesh.