BOOK OF NATURAL HISTORY. 49 
THE BEAVER. 
There are many animals 
which build nests for them- 
selves and their young ones ; 
but there is only one that builds 
itself a house with wood, stones 
and mud, and that is the 
beaver. Beavers are very fond 
of the water, so they make their 
houses, often many together, by 
the side of a river or lake. 
They cut down young trees 
with their sharp teeth, and 
carry the pieces in their mouths 
to the water s edge, where they 
lay them in order, and fill up 
