THE BEAVERS OF NORTH AMERICA 25 
different members coming in and going out at the 
same time, as the tunnels are scarcely large enough 
for the animals to pass each other. Where these 
tunnels enter the pond, they are more or less 
arched over with a network of sticks, evidently put 
there to prevent the burrow falling in. In some 
instances there is quite a long passage-way cut 
through a compressed, tangled mass of brush, 
which was probably originally the remains of a 
winter food pile. In planning these entrances to 
the lodge, it is clearly shown that the beaver know 
what they are about and make provision for their 
needs with great thoroughness. No sharp bends 
are made, for that would make it difficult if not 
impossible, to carry in the sticks which they take 
into the house to feed on. After all the bark is 
eaten the bare stick is taken out to be used in the 
future for building and repairing lodges and dams. 
Some very small twigs when peeled are worked 
into the earth for flooring in order to allow for the 
wear and tear, and keep the floor as dry as 
possible. 
Cleanliness is of course essential where so many 
animals are confined in such restricted quarters. 
The beaver are model housekeepers and they allow 
no dirt or rubbish to accumulate. Everything is 
neat and tidy, whether the number of inmates is 
small or large. How they manage to keep it as 
dry as they do is a marvel when one considers 
that each time a beaver goes into the lodge he 
