RESULTS OF BEAVERS’ WORK 171 
might well be called, proceeded to make a meal 
therefrom. It required but a few minutes to strip 
the stick of its bark, after which it served no 
further use and was left in the water while the 
animal swam around making a tour of investiga- 
tion, which resulted in his not finding anything 
more suited to his taste. So coming ashore near 
where I stood, he commenced his evening toilet, 
which was interesting to watch. To begin with, 
instead of sitting with his large flat-ribbed tail 
protruding behind him he tucked it forward between 
his hind legs and sat upon it. Then with his hands 
he carefully combed his long fur, using both hands 
at the same time. There were, however, many 
places that he could not reach in this way, for his 
arms are very short. So with one hind foot at a 
time he combed these otherwise inaccessible parts ; 
the entire operation was performed with the utmost 
deliberation and care, and occupied nearly twenty 
minutes, so that by the time it was completed 
the daylight had almost vanished. My presence 
did not appear to disturb him in the very least, 
though I sat quite close that I might the better 
note his various attitudes, for it is not often one 
has an opportunity of watching a beaver at such 
close range. Suddenly the night watchman, whose 
duty it is to feed the nocturnal animals, arrived 
with a basket of stale bread and vegetables. These 
he threw into the enclosure, the vegetables on the 
bank and the bread into the pond. Mr. Beaver well 
