Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-01-12

ted this interruption, He had heard much
Of the sagacl'y Of the beaver in cutting
down trees, in which it is said they manage
to make them fall into the water, aud in
such position and dircc ion as may be
most favorable for conveyance to the de.
sired point. In the present instance, The
tree was tall straight pine, and as It grew
pcrpendCu'arly, and there was not breath
of air stirring, the beaver could have fcllcd
it IN any direction he pleased it really
capable OF exercising discretion in the
matter. lie was evidently engaged in
'beltng" the tree, and his first lncison
had been on the side nearest TO the water.
Captain Bonneville, however, discredlts
on tho whole, the alleged sagaciy of the
beaver in This particular, and thinks the
animal has no other aim than to get The
tree down, without any Of the subtle cal.
cula,ion as to its mode or direction Of fall.
ing. This attribute, he thinks, has been
ascribed 10 them rrotn he circumstances
thai most trees growing near water cour-
scs, either lean bodily towards the stream
or stretch thor lorcesl limbs in rha, dlrcc
ton, to benefit by The space, the light aud
the air to be found there. The beaver, of
course, attacks those trees which are near
est at hand, aud on The banks of streams
or ponds. He makes inc,sons round them
or, IN technical phrase, belts them with his
teeth, aud when they fall they naturally
t Ike The direction in which their trunks or
branches prepOndorate.
i have often says Captain Bonneville,
| seen trees, measuring eighteen inches in
diameter, at the places where they had
been cu' through by the beaver; but they
lay in all directions, and often very incon
venlcnty Tor the after purposes Of the
animal. IN fact, SO little ingenuity do they
at times display in this particular, that OF
one of our camps on Sake River, beaver
was found with his head wedged into the
cut which he had made, the tree having
fallen upon him and held him prisoner
until he G,cd.
Great choice, according to the captain,
is certainly displayed by the beaver in
selecting the wood which is to furnish bark
for winter provision. The whole beaver
household. Old and young. set out upon this
business, and will often make long journeys
before they are suited. Sometimes they
cut down trees of the largest SIZE, and then
Gull the branches, the bark Of which l.
most to their taste. These they cut into
lengths OF about three feet, convey them
t. the water, and float them TO their lod
gngs, where they are stored away for the
winter. They are studous of cleanlincs,
and comfort IN their lodges, and after their
rcpasts will carry on, the sticks from wheel
they have eaten the bark, and throw then
inlo She current beyond the bcarler. They
arc Jealous, too, o: their territories, ant
.virrmc!@ aaaNac!-,=, "evcr permitting
strange beaver 10 enter their premises, an,
often fight with such violence as amcs
to tear each other TO pieces. In tn,
spring, which is The breeding season, The
male leaves the female at home. and set
off on tour Of pleasure, rambling Otter
to great distance, recrca'ng himself i!
every clear and quiet cXpnnse of water OF
his way, and climbing the banks occasion
ally to !eas, upon the tender sprouts of tn
young willows. As summer advances, h.
gives up his bachelor rambles, and be,hnK
ing himself Of housekeeping duties, return
home to his mate and his new progeny, an,
marshals them all for the foraging cxpedi
ton in quest Of winter provisions.