THE BEAVER. 57 
These are all forest trees, besides a great many smaller 
bushes. Before cutting down a tree, they mark it 
all round at the height at which they wish to cut it. 
They begin to cut at the opposite side to which they 
intend the tree shall fall, invariably making it fall 
with the top to the water. Where they grow near 
enough, they make them fall across the stream or 
dam, causing many to suppose that they are so 
placed to form a bridge, whereby they may cross 
from one side of the water to another. They do not 
require a bridge, they can swim, and rather than 
cross over a prostrate tree they dive under it. My 
impression is they are so placed to break the current 
of the water when the stream is flooded ; also if con- 
venient they take advantage of building a dam where 
some of the trees he across the water. Those lying 
across In their principal dam are utilized in storing up 
their winter food, these stores being built on the 
upper side of the trees, so that they cannot be swept 
away with the winter flood. 
‘“When cutting the trees they use their teeth, on 
the same principle that a forester does an axe, always 
keeping plenty of open space, so that they can cut 
past the centre of the tree on one side before begin- 
ning on the other. It is in the latter end of autumn 
they commence to cut down trees for winter food. 
Having cut them down, they speedily strip off the 
branches, cutting them into lengths to suit their 
strength for dragging them away to the dam, where 
they store them in different places near their house, 
so that they may have sufficient food, although the 
