LABRADOR JOURNAL 299 



ground, but coiniiionly not more than four. The 

 base is generally of an oval form; the height ten 

 or twelve feet, and eight or nine in width. As 

 they raise this pile above, they hollow it out below, 

 taking care that their bed, or lodging place, shall 

 be above the reach of the floods, and sufficiently 

 roomv to contain the whole familv. From the 

 fore part of the house, they build a projection into 

 the pond, sloping downwards all the way, and 

 under this they enter into their house. This en- 

 trance is called by the furriers, the Angle; nor 

 do they always content themselves with one, but 

 more commonly will have two, and sometimes 

 three. They have but one apartment, which is 

 tenned the lodging, and which is shaped in the 

 inside like an oven, the bottom of which is cov- 

 ered with the shreds of sticks, resembling fine 

 narrow shavings. At a little distance from the 

 angle, is their magazine of provisions, which con- 

 sists of the roots of water-lilly, and the branches 

 of trees; the but-ends of the latter they stick into 

 the mud, where there is any. The whole is tenned 

 (crith, and T have seen as much as a cart would 

 hold; great part appearing above water. They 

 are verv industrious creatures, for even amidst 

 a superabundance of provisions, they will con- 

 tinue to add to the store; and though their house 

 be completely built, they will still carry on fresh 

 works, until the pond is fi-ozen Hi-ni oNcr; they will 

 even keep a hole open to \\(ii-l< on the house for 

 some nights after, provided tlie frost is not very 

 severe: and as they will enter every old house 



