344 THE BEAVER'S LODGE. 



The beaver next proceeds to cut it up into lengths of about a 

 yard or so, employing a similar method of severing the wood. The 

 next part of the task is to make these rounded and pointed logs into 

 a dam. For this purpose the logs are laid horizontally, and covered 

 with stones and earth until they can resist the force of the water. 

 Vast numbers are thus laid ; and as fast as the water rises, fresh 

 materials are added, being obtained mostly from the trunks and 

 branches of trees which have been stripped of their bark by the 

 beavers. 



In those places where the stream runs slowly the dam is carried 

 straight across the river ; but where the current is strong, a convex 

 shape is given to it, so as to resist the force of the rushing water. 

 The dam is frequently of great size, measuring two or three hundred 

 yards in length, and ten or twelve feet in thickness. In many 

 localities the streams have been diverted by these erections into 

 entirely different channels. 



It is in this manner that the beavers keep the water to the required 

 level ; we must next see how they make use of it. They build their 

 houses close to the water, and communicating with it by means of 

 subterranean passages, one entrance of which passes into the house, or 

 "lodge," as it is technically named, and the other into the water, so 

 far below the surface that it cannot be closed by ice. It is, therefore, 

 always possible for the beaver to gain access to the provision stores, 

 and to return to its house, without being perceived from the land. 



" The lodges," says Mr. Wood, " are nearly circular in form, and 

 much resemble the well-known snow-houses of the Esquimaux, being 

 domed, and about half as high as they are wide the average height 

 being three feet, and the diameter six or seven feet. These are the 

 interior dominions, the exterior measurement being much greater, on 

 account of the great thickness of the walls, which are continually 

 strengthened with mud and branches, so that during the severe frosts 

 they are nearly as hard as solid stone. Each lodge will accommodate 

 several inhabitants, whose beds are arranged round the walls." 



There is no animal, however, whose sagacity can foil human 



