1897] Bæveren i Norge, dens Udbredelse og Levemaade. 119 



The fellecl trees lie pointing every way, and it cannot be proved 

 that they were calculated to fall in any given direction (Pl. VII). 

 All parts of small trees are used for food, or building materials, 

 and are cut up into suitable lengths. 



The Construction of the Lodge. The Lodges are occasion- 

 ally constructed at no great distance from inhabitecl places. One 

 lodge which I broke into in May 1896, and which contained young 

 Beaver, lay close to the navigable water, where the lumber men 

 were wont to pass daily in boats at a distance of some 30 métres. 



The current of the river is used for transport purposes when- 

 ever this is possible. Most lodges are situated on still waters, and 

 there the Beaver must itself convey the materials to the lodge, 

 holding the logs between its fore paws, while swimming is effected 

 soleiy by means of the hind legs. 



It builds almost exclusively during Autumn, from September 

 till far on in November, and chiefly at night. 



The construction of a lodge occupies at least two years, and 

 it is repaired annually. 



The shape of the Lodge. In Norway, the lodges are of 

 two kinds, round (conical) or elongated. 



With us most of the lodges are of the latter shape. The 

 rounded, conical lodges are rare, and are situated on the banks 

 of a pond with a steady level of water, either natural, or formed 

 by the Beaver itself by means of a dam. 



These forms of lodges were more frequent formerly than now. 



One such lodge which I examined at Vehus in Aamli, in July 

 1895, was situated out on a flat marsh adjoining a pond. The 

 lodge resembled a gigantic ant hill, and lay a little way above the 

 edge of the water. Its height exceeded 2 métres, and its circum- 

 ference was about 14 métres (Pl. X). 



The same year I examined another similar lodge at Hellers- 

 lien in Treungen, which was situated by a pond dammed up by 

 the Beaver itself. It was high and round, but lay with one edge 

 supported on the bank which was quite narrow, while the other 

 went down steeply into the water. (Pl. VI). 



The elongated lodges, which are the most common, are 

 always formed on the banks of a river with a changing level, and 

 running water. They may be up to 50 feet in length (15 métres), 



