256 AMPHIBIOUS QUADRUPEDS. 



be so easily accomplished as by water ; and there- 

 fore they take the advantage of its increase, and 

 swim with their mortar on their tails, and their 

 stakes between their teeth, to the places where 

 there is most occasion for them. If their works 

 are, either by the force of the water, or the feet 

 of the huntsmen who run over them, in the least 

 damnified, the breach is instantly made up ; every 

 nook and corner of the habitation is reviewed, 

 and, with the utmost diligence and application, 

 perfectly repaired. But when they find the hunts- 

 men visit them too often, they work only in the 

 night-time, or else abandon their works entirely, 

 and seek out for some safer situation. 



The dike or mole being thus completed, their 

 next care is to erect their several apartments, 

 which are either round or oval, and divided into 

 three stories, one raised above the other : the first 

 below the level of the causey, which is for the 

 most part full of water ; the other two above it. 

 This little fabric is built in a very firm and sub- 

 stantial manner, on the edge of their reservoir, 

 and always in such divisions or apartments as 

 above-mentioned ; that in case of the water's in- 

 crease, they may move up a story higher, and be 

 no ways incommoded. If they find any little 

 island contiguous to their reservoir, they fix their 

 mansion there, which is then more solid, and not 

 so frequently exposed to the overflowing of the 

 water, in which they are not able to continue for 

 any length of time. In case they cannot pitch 

 upon so commodious a situation, they drive piles 

 into the earth, in order to fence and fortify their 



