4 7l) BULLETIN OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 
shows not only the wonderful skill and ingenuity, but most extra- 
ordinary industry on the part of this animal. Their houses, too, are 
built on the same substantial plan. They are found usually on the 
borders of the lake, at some distance behind the dam, the water stored 
by the latter means being necessary to secure free entrance and exit 
at all seasons of the year. The beaver house is a broadly conical 
structui-e, built strongly of small logs placed deep in the ground and 
slanting upwards, secured by stones, the interstices being filled with 
moss, twigs and clay, forming a fortress absolutely invulnerable to all 
predatory animals. 
Our approach to this, our first beaver house, was slow and cautious,, 
with the hope of obtaining a sight of one of these interesting animals,, 
and we were not disappointed. Just as we rounded a point and the 
house came in view, we saw a beaver basking in the rays of the after- 
noon sun, or perhaps taking in the beauties of the purple pitcher 
plants which bordered the avenue of water that led up to the house. 
On becoming aware of our approach, he greeted us with a grunt of 
displeasure, then dived and entered his castle through its only portal. 
There was a communication to those below in the same grunting tones, 
sounding more like regret than anger ; then all was still. We 
lingered about the house for a time awaiting some sign of that hospi- 
tality due to strangers in a strange land. But no sound came, nor did 
we get sight of another beaver on that whole trip. 
