136 MARVELS OP THE ANIMAL WORLD 



wood by felling the trees in the immediate vicinity 

 of their abodes with the aid of their chisel-like teeth, 

 after which they cut it up into suitable lengths. 

 Much credit has been bestowed upon the beaver 

 for the clever manner in which it is supposed to 

 arrange that the trees shall fall into or towards 

 the water, and thus enable the animal the more 

 readily to float them along to their required destina- 

 tion ; but, in reaUty, the reason why they usually 

 drop in that direction is explained by the fact that 

 those which grow upon the banks of streams invari- 

 ably have a tendency to lean over towards the 

 water, and away from those behind them, so that 

 their branches shall obtain more light, air, and 

 room for their development than they otherwise 

 would do. 



