RESULTS OF BEAVERS' WORK 171 



might well be called, proceeded to make a meal 

 therefrom. It required but a few minutes to strip 

 the stick of its bark, after which it served no 

 further use and was left in the water while the 

 animal swam around making a tour of investiga- 

 tion, which resulted in his not finding anything 

 more suited to his taste. So coming ashore near 

 where I stood, he commenced his evening toilet, 

 which was interesting to watch. To begin with, 

 instead of sitting with his large flat-ribbed tail 

 protruding behind him he tucked it forward between 

 his hind legs and sat upon it. Then with his hands 

 he carefully combed his long fur, using both hands 

 at the same time. There were, however, many 

 places that he could not reach in this way, for his 

 arms are very short. So with one hind foot at a 

 time he combed these otherwise inaccessible parts ; 

 the entire operation was performed with the utmost 

 deliberation and care, and occupied nearly twenty 

 minutes, so that by the time it was completed 

 the daylight had almost vanished. My presence 

 did not appear to disturb him in the very least, 

 though I sat quite close that I might the better 

 note his various attitudes, for it is not often one 

 has an opportunity of watching a beaver at such 

 close range. Suddenly the night watchman, whose 

 duty it is to feed the nocturnal animals, arrived 

 with a basket of stale bread and vegetables. These 

 he threw into the enclosure, the vegetables on the 

 bank and the bread into the pond. Mr. Beaver well 



