64 CASTOROLOGIA. 



lacked not the power of illustrating. It is almost necessary to point 

 out some of the nice details to ensure an appreciation of the work, 

 hence the following short explanation : 



The three mounds in the distance are supposed to represent 

 beaver lodges, for the accommodation of say half a dozen beavers 

 each, and the highly finished surface, intended to show the result of 

 plastering, is overdone in a most exaggerated degree. Of the various 

 expressions given to the beavers as they sport about in the water 

 (not to speak of those in the foreground) it is only necessary to quote 

 L,eBeau's description of the appearance of the animal : "Its body 

 much longer than thick, is nearly the size of our large terrier dogs, 

 with its stomach flattened ; the shape of its head is like that of the 

 rat, having eyes and ears, if they were not flattened, almost like 

 that of a cat, and about three times as large as the latter ; it has also 

 the cheeks and mouth of a hare." 



The dam naturally forms a very important feature in the picture, 

 and the marvellous trellis work which divides the distant from the 

 near water, is intended to enlighten those who seek for first-hand 

 information, whereas nothing could be more remote from the truth. 

 As to the group in the foreground, we will let LeBeau tell the story 

 himself: — 



" One hour was spent while our repast was being prepared, 

 whilst I decided against the wishes of my savages to go for a walk 

 on the banks of the river, in the hope of perhaps seeing some beavers 

 at work there. 



" I was not mistaken in this idea, but, in order to approach 

 more closely a place where on landing I had remarked some large 

 trees half cut through, I advanced quietly on all fours, to see with- 

 out being seen, these beautiful born architects, of whom I had heard 

 so many marvels. I was already quite close when a certain noise 

 that I heard, exciting my curiosity more and more, induced me to 

 stand upright behind a large tree, to see more at my ease what 

 caused it. 



