THE BEAVERS OF NORTH AMERICA 21 
thoroughly interlaced accounts for the strength ot 
the whole structure, which is arched over with 
a perfect network, so that when in perfect condi- 
tion it will bear the combined weight of as many 
men as could find foothold on it. Even an old 
lodge may be torn apart so that only a thin shell 
of the woodwork remains, and yet it will readily 
bear the weight of a man. In very exceptional 
cases the domed roof will have a central support 
built up from the floor, and it is this support 
which has probably given rise to the stories of 
many-roomed lodges, for the support is not neces- 
sarily a smooth circular column of mud and sticks, 
but may be an irregular mass which, being added 
to from time to time, eventually becomes a sort of 
wall or even a complete partition with one or more 
openings to allow of communication. 
In confirmation of this explanation, there is the 
following description by Samuel Hearne written 
between the years 1769 and 1772: ‘Those who 
have undertaken to describe the inside of beaver 
houses, as having several apartments appropriated 
to various uses, such as eating, sleeping, store- 
houses for provisions, and one for their natural 
occasions, etc., must have been very little acquainted 
with the subject.” ... “Many years constant 
residence among the Indians, during which | had 
an opportunity of seeing several hundreds of these 
houses, has enabled me to affirm that everything 
of the kind is entirely void of truth.” ... “It 
