238 A JOURNEY TO THE 



1771. in the animal, of approaching evils, as is little inferior to 

 ecem er. ^j^^^ ^^ ^|^^ human spccies, and is certainly peculiar to those 

 animals. 



The beaver-dams differ in shape according to the nature of 

 the place in which they are built. If the water in the river or 

 creek have but little motion, the dam is almost straight ; but 

 when the current is more rapid, it is always made with a con- 

 siderable curve, convex towards the stream. The materials 

 made use of in those dams are drift-wood, green willows, 

 birch, and poplars, if they can be got ; also mud and stones, 

 intermixed in such a manner as must evidently contribute to 

 the strength of the dam ; but in these dams there is no other 

 order or method observed, [228] except that of the work 

 being carried on with a regular sweep, and all the parts being 

 made of equal strength. 



In places which have been long frequented by beaver 

 undisturbed, their dams, by frequent repairing, become a solid 

 bank, capable of resisting a great force both of water and ice ; 

 and as the willow, poplar, and birch generally take root and 

 shoot up, they by degrees form a kind of regular-planted hedge, 

 which I have seen in some places so tall, that birds have built 

 their nests among the branches. 



Though the beaver which build their houses in lakes and 

 other standing waters, may enjoy a sufficient quantity of their 

 favourite element without the assistance of a dam, the trouble 

 of getting wood and other necessaries to their habitations 

 without the help of a current, must in some measure counter- 

 balance the other advantages which are reaped from such a 

 situation ; for it must be observed, that the beaver which 

 build in rivers and creeks, always cut their wood above their 

 houses, so that the current, with little trouble, conveys it to 

 the place required. 



The beaver-houses are built of the same materials as their 

 dams, and are always proportioned in size to the number of 

 inhabitants, which seldom exceed four old, and six or eight 



