THE BEAVER^S HOUSE 61 



that it was rainproof. A small opening was made 

 in the roof for purposes of ventilation. The domicile 

 was solid all round, with the exception of the venti- 

 lation shaft, so that the entrance had to be effected 

 from the river. Callers could therefore only gain 

 access by diving. 



In this house the beaver and their young take up 

 their abode. Monogamy is the recognized principle 

 of domestic life. In the case of the death of the 

 female the male is said to espouse perpetual widower- 

 hood. It is not quite clear whether, in the reverse 

 circumstance, the wife reciprocates this touching 

 example of conjugal devotion. 



The beaver is well fitted to his environment. 

 Being amphibious, his feet are adapted both for 

 swimming and carrying. The hind toes are webbed, 

 the fore toes divided. There is a double claw on each 

 of the second toes of the hind feet, which aids the 

 animal in dragging the timber to the river. In 

 addition to what is used in construction, a plentiful 

 store of branches is laid up for winter food. When 

 berries and roots are not procurable the beaver lives 

 on bark. They begin to lay in the stock in the 

 early autumn. We noticed high banks denuded of 

 every bit of vegetation and deeply scored by the 

 branches that in a single night had been felled and 

 dragged into the river. The wood was floating near 

 the bank, arranged in an orderly fashion, so that it 

 could not be carried away by the current. The 



