SOME TIMBER CUTTERS 
99 
across the stream, the chinks are filled with 
branches, sticks, stones, grasses, and mud, until 
the dam is firmly wedged in place. It is not so 
tight, however, but that the water trickles 
through it instead of running over the top. The 
beavers walk on their hind legs and carry the mud 
from the bottom of the stream in their fore-paws, 
holding it pressed against their chests with the 
aid of their chins. They work only in the late 
evening and at night, and while there is no 
‘ boss 5 in charge, each mason is so apt in plan¬ 
ning and executing that not a single move seems 
to be wasted. As the industrious creatures are 
always adding material to their dam, so that it 
will not become weakened and go down in a 
freshet, it often happens that in cases where a 
dam has stood for some years its dimensions be¬ 
come very large and thick. Shrubs and trees 
sprout upon it, and it has every appearance of a 
green hedge stretching across the water. A large 
proportion of the marshy ponds and bogs of our 
country are supposed to owe their origin to the 
constructive energy of the beavers. Who knows, 
perhaps some of our west marsh may have been 
built by a colony of beavers? In truth, it is 
highly probable. I have even thought some of 
trying to found a colony there again. Eh? 
What do you say, boys? Wouldn’t it be great 
fun to watch them getting down to business? ” 
