This timid animal, (says Van der Donck,) ''always constructed its dwellings over running streams, having apertures in the lower stories which communicated with the water, from which they could more easily retreat under water to places of safety which they have always prepared near their houses; these consist of a hollow or hole entwining under water from the side of the stream whereon their house is erected, and adjoining under the bank into which they retreat on the approach of danger, wherein they seem to be so safe and secure that no person can molest them. Eighty thousand beavers (the same authority asserts.) were

killed annually, during his residence of nine years in the New Netherlands.""

The beaver's favorite food was the bark of the willow, birch and maple trees, which still nourish on the banks of the Cisqua, (Beaver dam). Rising above the banks of this stream on the west is an extensive ridge called the "Deer's Delight."

It appears that the old road laid out to the vineyard purchase in 1759, "extended north from Harris's mill at the west side of Cantatoe ridge on the east side of the "Deer's Delight," and so through to the purchase.d

a llth May, 1772, John Farnam conveys to James Holmes a lot of laud ljuig iu Bedford near a place called Aspetonjr. b Report of Water Commissioners.

< Van der Donk's Hist. N. N. New York Hist. Sec collect. d Book of Co. Roads, Co. Clerk s office, lib. L. A. D. 1728.