REPAIRING THE DAM. 263 
work in the earth, and clay and grasses are 
stuffed and plastered in between the sticks, 
roots, and branches, in so workmanlike a way 
as to render the structure quite water-tight. 
The dams are sometimes seven or eight fect 
high, and are from ten to twelve feet wide at 
the bottom, but are built up with the sides 
inclining towards each other, so as to form a 
narrow surface on the top. They are occa- 
sionally as much as three hundred yards in 
length, and often extend beyond the bed of 
the stream, in a circular form, so as to over. 
flow all the tiraber near the margin, which the 
beavers cut down for food during winter, heap 
together in large quantities, and so fasten to the 
shore under the surface of the water, that even 
a strong current cannot tear it away; although 
they generally place it in such a position that 
the current does not pass over it. These piles 
or heaps of wood are placed in front of the 
lodges, and when the animal wishes to feed, he 
proceeds to them, takes a piece of wood, and 
drags it to cne of the small holes near the 
principal entrance running above the water, 
although beneath the surface of the ground. 
Here the bark is devoured at leisure, and the 
wood is afterwards thrust out, or used in re- 
pairing the dam. These small galleries are 
more or less abundant according to the num 
