THE LIFE OF A BEAVER COLONY 137 
it is in our own relations with them, while when 
they are in their wild and natural state we know 
next to nothing of the intimacy of their lives. It 
is sometimes said that it is our influence that has 
developed in dogs their sense of shame at doing 
anything which they know to be wrong, and that 
it is not actual shame so much as fear of punish- 
ment which actuates their behaviour. Toacertain 
extent this may be true, but what about the wild 
animals which punish offenders who are guilty of 
violating the laws of the pack or the herd? If 
they had no sense of right or wrong this would 
never happen, for punishment of one creature by 
another can only result from a knowledge that 
wrong has been done, and with the realisation of 
wrong there must be an equal understanding of 
right. In the beaver’s life we see many instances 
of the observing of their unwritten laws. The 
right of possession is seldom questioned, thieving 
is not allowed, or at least not indulged in. Com- 
munity interests are understood, so that all 
members of a colony, whether comprising one 
family or many, will assist in work which is 
obviously for the benefit of all, such as building 
and repairing the dams, which are apparently 
common property, while in contrast to this they 
do not help in building each other’s lodges. Each 
lodge belongs to those who expect to occupy it, 
and by them alone is it erected and repaired. In 
case of danger the one who first suspects it has 
