THE BEAVER 137 
Lions and tigers sometimes kill human beings. Weasels, 
skunks, and mink do harm by killing poultry. 
108. The Beaver. — The beaver is one of our most 
interesting mammals because of its social habits and archi¬ 
tectural ability. The demand for its fur and oil has led to 
its extermination in many parts of the country. In the 
Adirondacks they were trapped and hunted with such vigor 
that for a few years previous to 1905 none was to be found. 
Figure 129 . — Young Poplar Trees Cut Down by Beavers. 
Notice the top of the stump. 
In 1905 several pairs were obtained from Yellowstone Na¬ 
tional Park and liberated near the old beaver haunts in the 
Adirondacks, and at the same time laws were passed pro¬ 
tecting them. Now they are numerous throughout the 
Adirondacks wherever natural conditions are favorable. 
The beaver is frequently selected as an emblem of industry. 
Some of the interesting facts in connection with the life of 
the beaver follow. 
1. With their strong teeth they are able to cut down trees 
more than a foot in diameter. 
