ANIMALS. 333 



pile up these materials in the form of a dome, some- 

 times to the height of six or seven feet above the 

 level of the ground, but commonly not more than 

 four. The base is generally of an oval form ; the 

 height ten or twelve feet, and eight or nine in width. 

 As they raise this pile above, they hollow it out 

 below, taking care that their bed, or lodging place 

 shall be above the reach of floods, and sufficiently 

 roomy to contain the whole family. From the 

 fore part of the house, they build a projection into 

 the pond, sloping downwards all the way, and 

 under this they enter into their house. This en- 

 trance is called by the furriers, the angle; nor do they 

 always content themselves with one, but more com- 

 monly will have two, and sometimes three. They 

 have but one apartment, which is termed the lodg- 

 ing, and is always shaped in the inside like an oven, 

 the bottom of which is covered with the shreds of 

 sticks, resembling fine narrow shavings. At a little 

 distance from the angle, is their magazine of provi- 

 sions, which consists of the roots of water-lilly, and 

 the branches of trees; tfie butt-ends of the latter 

 they stick into the mud, w^here there is any. The 

 whole is termed writh^ and I have seen as much 

 as a cart would hold, great part appearing above 

 water. They are very industrious creatures, for 

 even amidst a superabundance of provisions, they 

 will continue to add to the store; and though their 

 house be completely built, they will still carry on 

 fresh works, until the pond is frozen firm over; 

 they will even keep a hole open to work on the 

 house for some nights after, provided the frost is 

 not very severe : and as they will enter every old 



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