will indicate that they have examined the entire 

 brook and then selected the best place. 



As soon as the beaver's brush dam is com- 

 pleted, it begins to accumulate trash and mud. 

 In a little while, usually, it is covered with a mass 

 of soil, shrubs of willow begin to grow upon it, 

 and after a few years it is a strong, earthy, willow- 

 covered dam. The dams vary in length from a 

 few feet to several hundred feet. I measured one 

 on the South Platte River that was eleven hun- 

 dred feet long. 



The influence of a beaver-dam is astounding. 

 As soon as completed, it becomes a highway for 

 the folk of the wild. It is used day and night. 

 Mice and porcupines, bears and rabbits, lions and 

 wolves, make a bridge of it. From it, in the even- 

 ing, the graceful deer cast their reflections in the 

 quiet pond. Over it dash pursuer and pursued ; 

 and on it take place battles and courtships. It is 

 often torn by hoof and claw of animals locked in 

 death-struggles, and often, very often, it is stained 

 with blood. Many a drama, picturesque, fierce, 

 and wild, is staged upon a beaver-dam. 



An interesting and valuable book could be 



61 



