LAKE DWELLERS. 176 



tlio Province, it is evident from the numerous l)(\iver 

 meadows now left dry, that tlicy took advantage not 

 only of valleys traversed by small brooks, hut even of 

 swampy lands occasionally inundated hy heavy rains. 



The beaver-house is constructed of the same materials 

 as the dam. Branches of trees and bushes, partially 

 trimmed and closely interwoven, are mixinl with stones, 

 gravel or mud, according to the nature of the soil ; and 

 on the outside are strewed the barked sticks of willow, 

 poplar, or birch, on which the animal feeds. As before 

 stated, it looks like a huge bird's nest, turned upside 

 down, and is generally located in the grassy coves of 

 lakes, by the edge of still-water runs or of artificial 

 ponds, and, less frequently, by a river side, where a bend 

 or jutting rocks afford a deep eddying pool near the 

 bank. The house rests on the bank, but always overlaps 

 the water, into which the front part is immersed ; and, 

 as a general rule, the bottom of the stream or lake is 

 deepened in the channel approaching the entrance by 

 dredging, thereby ensuring a free passage below the ice. 

 In these channels or canals, easily found by probing 

 with the paddle, the hunter sets his iron spring-traps. 

 The following passages from my camp notes describe the 

 construction of the beaver-house, as diown in all the 

 habitations w^hich we examined in these waters : — • 



" Foot of Rossignol, September 4. 

 " Camped on a be.'iutiful spot, the eftiuence of the 

 river from the lake, in Indian parlance, the ' segedwick,' 

 always a favourite camping ground. It was a decided 

 oak opening, an open grove of white oaks, with a soft 

 sward underneath ; the trees were grouped as in a park. 



