CHAPTER VII. 



THE BEAVEE (Castor Fiber). 



AT the head of the rodent water trespass era, the 

 Beaver at once takes its place as being one of the best 

 swimmers, and possessing the most interesting habits, 

 besides being one of the largest of the whole group. 

 It is rather remarkable that the largest of all the 

 rodent animals, the capybara, is also a water tres- 

 passer, though not to such an extent as the Beaver. 



The history of the Beaver is a very wonderful one, 

 and there are few animals about whom so many strange 

 stories have been told, some being true and some 

 false, and the former more wonderful than the latter. 

 In the present case, we are only concerned with those 

 details of the animal's economy which enable it to 

 become a trespasser in the water. 



The most remarkable part of the Beaver's history is 

 the manner in which it keeps itself supplied with 

 a sufficient depth of water for its purpose when it 

 inhabits a shallow stream. This purpose it fulfils by 

 making a dam, constructed on exactly the same prin- 



