BEAVER LODGES AND BURROWS. 139 



to the same expedient, but I have not been able to 

 verify the fact. 



The body of the beaver is nearly, if not perfectly, 

 balanced upon his hip joints. From these points as 

 fulcrums, and by means of his hind legs, feet, and 

 tail, he has the full command of his bodily motions, 

 particularly in the water, without depending upon his 

 fore feet. In swimming, the propelling power is in 

 the hind feet and legs, which are so furnished and 

 articulated as to make him a rapid and powerful 

 swimmer. For the same reason, when on land, his 

 paws become liberated, and he is thus enabled to take 

 up earth and stones, and, holding them under his 

 throat, to carry them short distances, walking upon 

 his hind feet; and also to handle sticks and limbs of 

 trees. It is thus in his structural organization that 

 we discover the possibility of his architectural skill.^ 



It is another characteristic of the beaver that he is 

 a burrowing animal. Indulging this propensity, he 

 excavates chambers under ground, and constructs 

 artificial lodges upon its surface, both of which are 

 indispensable to his security and happiness. The 

 lodge is but a burrow above ground, covered with an 

 artificial roof, and possesses some advantages over the 

 latter as a place for rearing their young. There are 



^ The otter is balanced much in the same manner, but he is 

 smaller, more slender, and more agile in his movements. As a 

 swimmer he is superior to the beaver. He will pursue and cap- 

 ture a fish with ease and certainty. In swimming, his fore feet are 

 not used, but are pressed back against his body, as in the case of 

 the beaver. His bite sustains the statement of Aristotle with 

 reference to the European otter, minus the fancy for hearing the 

 cracking of the bones. (Supra, p. 36.) 



