HISTORY OF VERMONT. 11^ 



preserve their commnnlcation with the pond. 

 If this, at any time begins to be coA'ered with 

 ice, the ice is immediately broken, that the 

 communication may not be cut ofF with the air. 

 In these huts, th!t families of the beaver* 

 have their residence. The smallest of their 

 cabins, contain one family, consisting generally 

 of five or six beavers ; and the largest of the 

 buildings will contain from twenty to thirty. 

 No society of animals, can ever appear better 

 regulated, or more happy, tlian the family of 

 beavers. The male and the female, always 

 pair. Their selection is not a matter of chance, 

 or accident ; but appears to be derived from 

 taste, and mutual affection. In September, the 

 happy couple lay up their store of provisions, 

 for winter. This consists of bark, the tender 

 twigs of trees, and various kinds of soft wood- 

 When their provisions are prepared, the season 

 of love and repose commences : And during 

 the winter tliey remain in their cabins, enjoy- 

 ing the fruits of their labours, and partaking in 

 the sweets of domestic happiness. Tow^ards 

 the end of winter, the females bring forth their 

 young, to the number of three or four. Soon 

 after, the male retires to gather fish, and vegeta- 

 bles, as the spring opens ; but the mother re- 

 mains at home, to nurse, and rear up the off- 

 spring, until they are able to follow their dams. 

 The male occasionally returns, but not to tarry, 

 until the fall of the year. But if any injury is 

 done to their public works, the whole society 

 are soon collected, and join all their forces to 

 repair the injury, which affects their common- 

 wealth. 



