successive dry years had greatly reduced 

 the water-level of Lily Lake, and the con- 

 sequent shallowness of the water made a serious 

 situation for its beaver inhabitants. This lake 

 covered about ten acres, and was four feet deep 

 in the deepest part, while over nine tenths of the 

 area the water was two feet or less in depth. It 

 was supplied by springs. Early in the autumn of 

 1911 the water completely disappeared from about 

 one half of the area, and most of the remainder 

 became so shallow that beaver could no longer 

 swim beneath the surface. This condition exposed 

 them to the attack of enemies and made the 

 transportation of supplies to the house slow 

 and difficult. 



In the lake the beaver had dug an extensive 

 system of deep canals, the work of years. By 

 means of these deep canals the beaver were able 

 to use the place until the last, for these were full 

 of water even after the lake-bed was completely 



101 



