an ordinary wind or water - current and which 

 quickly sink to the bottom. 



Among enemies of this fur-clad fellow are the 

 wolverine, the otter, the lion, the lynx, the coyote, 

 the wolf, and the bear. Hawks and owls occasion- 

 ally capture a young beaver. Beaver spend much 

 time dressing their fur and bathing, as they are 

 harassed by lice and other parasites. At rare in- 

 tervals they are afflicted with disease. They live 

 from twelve to fifteen years and sometimes longer. 

 Man is the worst enemy of the beaver. 



A thousand trappers unite to tell the same 

 pitiable tale of a trapped beaver's last moments. 

 If the animal has not succeeded in drowning him- 

 self or tearing off afoot and escaping, the trapper 

 smashes the beaver's head with his hatchet. The 

 beaver, instead of trying to rend the man with 

 sharp cutting teeth, raises himself and with up- 

 raised hand tries to ward off the death-blow. In- 

 stead of one blow, a young trapper frequently has 

 to give two or three, but the beaver receives them 

 without a struggle or a sound, and dies while 

 vainly trying to shield his head with both hands. 



Justly renowned for his industry, the beaver 

 M 



