136 



THE BEAVER. 



being caught by its neighbours. But the beaver is not to 

 be disappointed ; he sets to work and gnaws away a little 

 above the first place, thus giving it a fresh start, in order that 

 the impetus may disengage it from the branches which keep 

 it up. The tree being cut up, the beavers, uniting, tow the 



pieces down to the dam. 

 They then plunge into the 

 water and bring up the 

 mud and small stones with 

 which to keep it sunk. A 

 long constructed dam, by 

 being frequently repaired 

 with fresh mud, becomes 

 at length a solid bank, cap- 

 able of resisting a heavy 

 rush, either of water or 

 ice ; and as the willow, 

 poplar, and birch generally 

 take root and shoot up, 

 they by degrees form a 

 regularly planted hedge, 

 which in some places be- 

 comes so tall that birds 

 have been known to build 

 their nests among the 

 branches. These beaver 

 dams also form bridges, over which two or three men may 

 pass abreast, and lead their horses, without risk of breaking 

 through. So rapidly do the members of the industrious 

 community labour, that even the most serious damage to their 

 dams, or habitations, is quickly repaired. They always carry 



TUB BEAVER AT WORK. 



