228 
1974. 
es 
a 
December. 
A JOURNEY TO THE 
pairing, become a folid bank, capable of refitting — 
a great force both of water and ice; and as the 
willow, poplar, and birch generally take root 
and fhoot up, they by degrees form a kind of re- 
gular-planted hedge, which I have feen in fome | 
places fo tall, that birds have built their nefts — 
among the branches. 
Though the beaver which build their houfes in — 
lakes and other ftanding waters, may enjoy a fuffi- | 
cient quantity of their favourite element~with- — 
out the affiftance of adam, the trouble of getting — 
wood and other neceffaries to their habitations — 
without the help of a current, muft in fome mea- 
fure counterbalance the other advantages which © 
are reaped from fuch a fituation; for it muft be | 
obferved, that the beaver which build in rivers | 
and creeks, always cut their wood above their 
houfes, fo that the current, with little trouble, 
conveys it to the place required. 
The beaver-houfes are built of the fame mate- 
tials as their dams, and are always proportioned in 
fize to the number of inhabitants, which feldom 
exceed four old, and fix or eight young ones; _ 
though, by chance, I have feen above double that 
number. | 
Thefe houfes, though not altogether unwor- 
thy of admiration, fall very fhort of the general 
defcription given of them; for inftead of order 
or regulation being obferved in rearing them, | 
they are of a much ruder ftructure than their 
dams. %. 
! 
—— 
Thofe 
