far enough to take a peep without dis


 tufbing them at all.

 Different materials, wood, stone, and a kind of sandy earth, were used in the construction Of these houses; the wood was principally that of elders, willows, and peplars, which grew on the bank of the river, and were most easily cut, stripped of their bark, and transported, than heavier and more solid trees could have been. The beavers cut them of about foot from the ground. They do this Ill sitting posture, and enjoyat the same time the pleasure of gnawing the bark and wood, which is their favorite food. After the cabins are finished, the beavers employ themselves in laying lin ample stores of provisions. This seemed to be done in exact proportion to the size of the cabin and the number of its inhabitants; and the Indians told us that they never pillaged from one another. Some families consisted of three CT four individuals; the largest cabins contained thirty, but generally there were from ten to fourteen inhablt- ing one dwelling.

 They never quarrel with one another; when danger approaches, they give mo- tice by striking their tails Oil the water. Some, on such occasions, plunge into the water for security; others conceal themselves within thei;. wall walls, which no animal will attempt either to enter or O. yerturn.

 was charmed with the neatnessz Of their houses; the floors were spread with green branches of the box and fir trees, andWere alwaysquite clean. The window that faces the water answers for balcony to receive the fresh air, and for the purpose ofbathing. Those windows are made high enough to pre- vent being stopped up with ice, which is often two or three feet thick on the river; its very important to the beavers to keep up free communication with the water; they often swim for a con- siderable distance under the ice; and their fayorite position, when in thein houses, seemed to be sitting on aR end at their windows, with the lower part of the body in water.

 In September, they collect their pro- visions. From this time till the close of winter, they remain in their cabins, enjoying the fruits of their labors, and the pleasure of society. This is their time of repose. in the spring they se- parate; the males retire into the coun- try to enjoy the pleasure and the fruits of the season. They return, however, occasionally, 10 their cabins, but dwell there no more. The females continue in the cabins, and are occupied in nufs- ing, protecting and rearing their young. which are in a few weeks in a condition to follow their dams. The beavers do not assemble again till autumn, unless tlleir banks or cabins be einjured by inun- dations, for whenthis happens, they sud- denly collect their forces and repair the breaches that have been made.