the northward of Fort Franklin ; and from the swampy and impracticable nature of
the country, they are not likely to be soon eradicated from thence. The Iroquois
are the greatest Beaver takers in Canada, and their hunters now allot the beaver
districts amongst themselves, and endeavour to preserve these animals from extinction,
by trenching the beaver-dams of any one quarter only once in four or
five years, and taking care to leave1 always a pair at least in a dam to breed.
Further north the Indians, when they break up a beaver lodge, destroy, as far as
they are able, both young and old, and the numbers of Beaver are consequently
now very much reduced. Gangs of Iroquois were also introduced into the fur countries
to the north some years ago; and by setting traps, which destroyed indiscriminately
Beaver of all sizes, they almost extirpated the species from their hunting
grounds. The Hudson’s Bay Company are, however, endeavouring to remedy this
evil, by laying plans to insure an adequate supply of the very useful beaver-fur,
although it is not likely that it can ever be so plentiful as it was formerly. In the
year 1743, the imports of beaver-skins into the ports of London and Rochelle,
amounted to upwards of 150,000; and there is reason to suppose that a considerable
additional quantity was at that period introduced, illicitly, into Great
Britain. In 1827, the importation of beaver-skins into London, from more than
four times the extent of fur country than that which was occupied in 1743, did not
much exceed 50,000.-
In some seasons a great mortality occurs amongst the Beavers from some
unknown cause, many being found dead in their lodges. Towards the north, the
fur of the Beaver is better, and continues in prime order through a greater portion
of the year. At Great Slave Lake, in latitude 61°, July, August, and September,
are the only months in which the beaver-fur of inferior quality is procured. In
commerce, beaver-skins, cut open, stretched to a hoop, and dried in the ordinary
manner, are named beaver-parchment, and form by far the greatest part of the
importation. When the beaver-skins have been made into dresses, and worn by
the Indians, it is termed beaver-coat; and, though it may have been in use a whole
season, it still brings a good price. Inferior sized skins are named beaver-cub.
An incisor tooth of a beaver is fixed in a wooden handle by the northern Indians,
and used with great dexterity to cut bone. This was the instrument with which
that people fashioned the horns of the rein-deer into spear-heads and fish-gigs ;
but these bone weapons are now generally replaced by iron, and the beaver tooth
has been supplanted by an English file.
The best account of the manners of the Beaver, and the most free of extravagancies,
is that given by Hearne; and it agrees so exactly with the information I
received from the Indian hunters, that were I to record the latter it would appear
to be borrowed almost entirely from that traveller. I therefore prefer giving it
in Hearne s own words.
“ The beaver being so plentiful, the attention of my companions was chiefly
engaged on them, as they not only furnished delicious food, but their skins proved
a valuable acquisition, being a principal article of trade as well as a serviceable one
for clothing. The situation of the beaver-houses is various. Where the beavers
are numerous, they are found to inhabit lakes, ponds, and rivers, as well as those
narrow creeks which connect the numerous lakes with which this country abounds ;
but the two latter are generally chosen by them when the depth of water and other
circumstances are suitable, as they have then the advantage of a current to
convey wood and other necessaries to their habitations, and because in general
they are more difficult to be taken than those that are built in standing-
water. They always choose those parts that have such a depth of water as
will resist the frost in winter, and prevent it from freezing to the bottom.
The beavers that build their houses in small rivers or creeks, in which water
is liable to be drained off when the back supplies are dried up by the frost, are
wonderfully taught by instinct to provide against that evil, by making a dam
quite across the river, at a convenient distance from their houses. The beaver
dams differ in shape according to the nature of the place in which they are built.
If the water in the river or creek have but little motion, the dam is almost
straight; but when the current is more rapid, it is always made with a considerable
curve, convex toward the stream. The materials made use of are
drift-wood, green willows, birch, and poplars, if they can be got; also, mud
and stones intermixed in such a manner as must evidently contribute to the
strength of the dam; but there is no other order or method observed in the dams,
except that of the work being carried on with a regular sweep, and all the parts
being made of equal strength. In places which have been long frequented by
beavers undisturbed, their dams, by frequent repairing, become a solid bank,
capable of resisting a great force both of water and ice ; and as the willow,
poplar, and birch generally take root and shoot up, they by degrees form a kind
of regular planted hedge, which I have seen in some places so tall, that birds
have built their nests among the branches.
“ The beaver-houses are built of the same materials as their dams, and are
always proportioned in size to the number of inhabitants, which seldom exceeds
four old, and six or eight young ones; though, by chance, I have seen above