NATURAL HISTORY. 79 



the king-, or ruler, to call his workmen. It 

 may be so, but I do not believe it, because they 

 almost always dive as soon as they have 

 slapped the water ; and I think it is probably 

 a part of their motion in diving. In the 

 autumn they cover the outside of their houses 

 with mud, and they walk over it as they are 

 at work, and their tails drag along upon 

 it ; and this I expect made persons first sup- 

 pose that they were plastering it, with the 

 tail for a trowel. When they are caught and 

 kept, boys, they still keep' up this fashion of 

 slapping with the tail ; so that I rather think 

 it is part of the nature of the animal. 



" At another time, perhaps, I will tell you 

 more about the beaver ; but it is now late, 

 and I must bid you good morning." 



" Good day, Uncle Philip." 



