HAEDY ON THE BEAVER IN NOVA SCOTIA. 19 



Shortly afterwards we passed a slight obstruction in the stream, 

 formed of a quautitj of poles and brush-wood, which proved to 

 be an old beaver-dam, partially carried away. Two days after- 

 wards, on the Tobiaduc river, which we ascended after crossing 

 lake Rossignol, we had a better opportunity of examining a 

 dam, as we camped in its neighbourhood for two nights. We 

 had arrived nearly at the head waters of the stream, and were 

 paddling up the narrow channel, enjoying the exquisite scenery 

 presented as we turned the frequent bends, when our progress 

 was suddenly opposed by what appeared an artificially constructed 

 waterfall, about three feet in height. It was a perfect beaver- 

 dam, over which the water poured in an even sheet. The 

 clumps of king-fern on either side were much beaten down by 

 the paths of the animals, whose recent works were fully attested 

 by some fresh bushes with the leaves quite bright, which had 

 been thrown on the top of the dam. The water above, as far 

 as we could see, was still, with a strip of wild meadow grass on 

 either side. Their houses, as the Indians said, were at some 

 distance above. The clifiiculty experienced in removing a por- 

 tion of the dam, to allow of the canoes being dragged over, gave 

 evidence to the solidity of its construction, which appeared to 

 be as follows : — poles of poplar, willow, and alder, 8 to 15 feet 

 in length, laid and woven together across the stream, formed 

 the frame, which was stuffed and plastered, especially on the 

 side supporting the water, with mud, grass tufts, stones and 

 leaves. The breadth at the top was three feet, and appeared to 

 increase considerably towards the bottom. The front of the 

 dam was supported by stakes and bushes leaning against it. their 

 ends planted in the bottom of the stream. The whole structure 

 was a model of solidity and strength, capable of supporting as 

 many men as could stand together on the top, and adapted to 

 resist the heaviest freshet. It was apparently kept in constant 

 repair ; piles of old decayed poles lay on the bank, which had 

 evidently been removed and replaced ; the fresh bushes laid on 

 the top had been cut but a few days. This clam, and one or two 

 others which I had an opportunity of observing, was built 

 straight across the stream ; but it is a well-authenticated fact 



