THE CANADIAN BEAVER. 35 



of Canada. In one of these interesting remains near 

 Niagara, called " Beaver Town," the dam which they 

 invariably erect across streams in which the supply of 

 water is liable to be cut off is of such large dimension 

 and regular workmanship that at first I could hardly be 

 persuaded it was not the work of human hands. 



The skill and sagacity of these animals in the erection 

 of their dwellings can hardly be over-rated ; for the 

 ingenuity shown in the prosecution of their labours 

 appears to be rather the result of thought and reflection 

 than of mere instinct. But many plans and devices 

 have been attributed to them of which they are 

 perfectly innocent. For instance, it is a fallacy to 

 suppose, as many do, that the Beaver drives in stakes, 

 or that it first forms a framework of wood, and then 

 plasters it ; neither is it a fact that its hut is made with 

 back and front doors, or that in finishing its house it 

 uses its tail as a trowel, constantly dipping it into the 

 water, and smoothing the clay surface like a plasterer. 



The flapping of the tail, which has given rise to this 

 vulgar error, is a habit which the Beaver indulges in as 

 much on the dry ground or tree-trunk as on its own 

 house-top. The exterior of the hut is certainly most 

 neatly plastered over, and the wonderful sagacity of the 

 animal teaches it annually to replaster the structure 

 before the setting in of winter ; but the original build- 



D2 



