Some of these structures were of great size, measuring two or three hundred yards in length and ten or twelve feet in thickness, and their form exactly corresponded with the force of the stream. They made their houses close to the water and communicated with them by means of subterranean passages, one entrance of which passed into the house, or lodge -- as it was technically named -- and the other into the water, so far below the surface that it could not be closed by ice. The " lodges " were nearly circular in form, and closely resembled the well-known snow houses of the Esquimaux ; being domed, and about half as high as they were wide, the average height being three feet, and the diameter six or seven feet. They were so thick and well lined that, during severe frosts, they were nearly as hard as solid stone."a The last beaver seen in this vicinity was in the summer of 1790.

Vast quantities of trout, roach, suckers and other fresh water fish, are bred yearly in the Bronx.

In 1825 Canvas White, Esq., engineer, employed by the New York Water Works' Company, reported to the directors of that corporation, that he would recommend taking the waters of the Bronx at Underbill's Bridge, estimating that 9,100,000 gallons of water might be delivered in a Harper's New Monthly Magazine.

252 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

the city daily, and that the whole expense would not exceed $1,450,000."

The mill and adjoining property, at an early period, belonged to the late Lancaster Underhill,who lived to the remarkable age of 98. Throughout the trying period of the Revolution, this individual resided on his farm, and appears to have suffered severely both in person and estate. During many a severe winter night he lay concealed beneath the body of an ox cart -- which he had taken the precaution to cover with hay -- and on each returning day blessed his good fortune that his house had escaped the flames.