LETTER XXXIX. 



conveniency. If we contemplate this animal in its 

 solitary state, we shall not find it distinguished by any 

 superiority of instinctive sagacity above the rest of 

 the quadruped race. It is by viewing it in his social 

 condition that we shall find its pre-eminence. 



In the month of June, or at the latest in July, the 

 beavers begin to assemble, in order to form a society, 

 which continues the greatest ptirt of the year. A com- 

 pany of two or three hundred is immediately collect- 

 ed. These arrive from diiierent parts, and seem to 

 be directed by an irresistible impulse, to one particu- 

 lar place, where they fix their abode. This is always 

 by the siile of some river or lake. If it be a fanning 

 stream, of which the waters are liable to rise and fail 

 their first undertaking is to construct a pier or dam 

 quite across, so as to. form a dead water above and be- 

 low. In some situations the length of this dam is not 

 less than a hundred feet, and frequently ten or twelve 

 feet thick at the base. If we compare the magnitude 

 of the work with the powers of the architect, it Mill 

 appear enormous, but the solidity with which it is 

 constructed is still more astonishing. That part 01 

 the river where the water is the shallowest is com- 

 monly chosen, especially if there be a large tree 

 growing on its. bank. This tree they immediately set 

 .about gnawing down with their teeth, which is per- 

 formed with astonishing speed and dexterity. Other 

 trees are then cut down in the same manner, higher 

 up the stream, which they float down by water to the 

 dam, where having, with their teeth, cut oil' the 

 branches, they place them upright against the large 

 tree, which constitutes the foundation of the whole 

 work. While some are thus busied in fixing the 

 stakes, others are employed in collecting twigs, inter- 

 weaving and twisting them into the jetty work, and a 

 numerous party is occupied in collecting, large quan- 

 tities of earth, stones, clay and other solid, materials, 

 which they place on that side of the piles next th<> 

 stream. By these joint efforts they construct a 

 mouud .of great strength and capable of supporting 

 the pressure of a considerable weight of water. 



