72 CASTOROLOGIA. 



accomplished by a most higlih^ finished steel cutting tool, wielded 

 by a muscular human arm. 



The primar^^ object of felling trees is to secure a supply of branches 

 for the winter, when no other vegetable substance is obtainable. 

 The fallen tree is stripped of its branches, and the stem is then cut 

 into sections and rolled in good lumbering fashion into the pond ; 

 the site of the roll -way is generally a well marked feature in the 

 landscape. The use to which these logs and the " whittle sticks" 

 are turned, introduces the next accomplishment, the building of the 

 lodge. 



The beaver lodge is generally included in the list of marvels re- 

 served for the investigation of those who visit beaver districts, and 

 yet no greater disappointment awaits the enquirer than the first 

 inspection of one. Somehow the minds of all lovers of Natural 

 History become affected by the fabulous accounts concerning this 

 structure, and it is a shock to stand for the first time before a pile of 

 twigs, branches and logs, heaped in disorder on a small dome of 

 mud, and to learn that this constitutes the famous lodge. Of course 

 the superficial glance does not convey all that can be learnt in con- 

 nection with this work, but it does most completely disillusionize 

 the mind. On breaking through the upper walls, the interior is 

 found to be similar to the general type of an animal's sleeping apart- 

 ment, and has scarcely a distinguishing characteristic. 



The theory is now generally accepted that the lodge is a deve- 

 lopment of the burrow or ' ' wash ' ' in the banks, and this gives 

 another evidence of a close relationship between the beaver and 

 the musquash. Starting with the simple burrow, the next step is 

 the accumulation of logs and branches about its entrance, form- 

 ing what is called a "bank-lodge." In places where the water 

 is shallow towards the shores, a great advantage would be derived 

 from extending this artificial covering of brush-wood, so that in 

 time a natural evolution of the lodge disconnected entirely from 

 the shore would take place, and form an independent and 

 very convenient refuge from its landward enemies. Before leav- 



