Many surprising stories have been told of the sagacity with which this animal suits the form of its habitation, retreats, and dam, to local circumstances; and I compared the account of its manners, given by Cuvier, in his _Regne Animal_, with the reports of the Indians, and found them to agree exactly.

They have been often seen in the act of constructing their houses in the moon-light nights, and the observers agree, that the stones, wood, or other materials, are carried in their teeth, and generally leaning against the shoulder.

When they have placed it to their mind, they turn round and give it a smart blow with their flat tail.

In the act of diving they give a similar stroke to the surface of the water.

They keep their provision of wood under water in front of the house.