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 lie 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 



