THAI-, n. METHODS OF POISONING ANIMALS. 27 



they reached the little sandy beach at the landing-place 

 opposite the spruce-bark lodge. 



No one will be surprised at the solicitude exhibited by 

 Louis' father respecting the quantity of medicine to be 

 taken at a dose, when it is known that the strongest 

 poisons are employed by the fur-traders to kill wild 

 animals, and the effects of these poisons are known to 

 the Indians and greatly feared by them. Strychnine is now 

 very generally employed, and even in the far-off wilds of 

 Mackenzie Eiver it is one of the most successful agents 

 in the hands of the trapper, or rather the poisoner, of 

 some of the fur-bearing animals. 



In a paper presented to the Natural History Society of 

 Montreal on the fur-bearing animals of the Mackenzie 

 Ptiver District, by Mr. Bernard E. Eoss, C.T. of the' 

 Hudson's Bay Company's Service,* the effect of strychnine 

 on different animals is noticed. The Gray or Strongwood 

 Wolf (Canis occidentalis, var. Griseus, Eich.) is killed by 

 this poison. It is described as an ' infallible method, 

 though the animals sometimes go to such a distance that 

 it is difficult to follow their tracks ; and if a fall of snow 

 come after they have eaten the bait, their bodies are 

 often lost. About two grains are required to kill a wolf 

 quickly.' 



In poisoning foxes Mr. Eoss says : ' I have tried aconi- 

 tine, atropine, and corrosive sublimate without success. 



* A Popular Treatise on the Fur-bearing Animals of the Mackenzie River 

 District, by Bernard Eogan Ross, Chief Trader. Presented to the Natural 

 History Society of Montreal. Published in the ' Canadian Naturalist and 

 Geologist/ February 1801. 



