3n 



an ordinary wind or water - current and which 

 quickly sink to the bottom. 



Among enemies of this fur-clad fellow are the 

 wolverine, the otter, the lion, the lynx, the coyote, 

 the wolf, and the bear. Hawks and owls occasion- 

 ally capture a young beaver. Beaver spend much 

 time dressing their fur and bathing, as they are 

 harassed by lice and other parasites. At rare in- 

 tervals they are afflicted with disease. They live 

 from twelve to fifteen years and sometimes longer. 

 Man is the worst enemy of the beaver. 



A thousand trappers unite to tell the same 

 pitiable tale of a trapped beaver's last moments. 

 If the animal has not succeeded in drowning him- 

 self or tearing off a foot and escaping, the trapper 

 smashes the beaver's head with his hatchet. The 

 beaver, instead of trying to rend the man with 

 sharp cutting teeth, raises himself and with up- 

 raised hand tries to ward off the death-blow. In- 

 stead of one blow, a young trapper frequently has 

 to give two or three, but the beaver receives them 

 without a struggle or a sound, and dies while 

 vainly trying to shield his head with both hands. 



Justly renowned for his industry, the beaver 



