74 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



In the summer of 1840, we traversed those almost interminable forests on the highlands 

 separating the sources of the Hudson and the St. Lawrence, and included in Hamilton, Her- 

 kimer and a part of Essex counties. In the course of our journey we saw several beaver 

 signs, as they are termed by the hunters. The Beaver has been so much harassed in this 

 State, that it has ceased making dams, and contents itself with making large excavations in 

 the banks of streams. Within the past year, (1841,) they have been seen on Indian and 

 Cedar rivers, and at Paskungameh or Tupper's lake ; and although they are not numerous, 

 yet they are still found in scattered families in the northern part of Hamilton, the southern 

 part of St. Lawrence and the western part of Essex counties. Through the considerate 

 attention of Mr. A. Mclntyre, those yet existing in the southern part of Franklin county are 

 carefully preserved from the avidity of the hunter, and there probably the last of the species 

 in the Atlantic States will be found. We noticed the remains of an old and large beaver dam 

 at the outlet of Lake Fourth in Herkimer county, but it is now nearly covered up by the 

 drift sand from the lake. 



The Beaver exercises great ingenuity in the construction of its dwelling ; but this ingenuity 

 has been much exaggerated, and perhaps no animal has served for the foundation of so many 

 fables. The instinct of self-preservation is doubtless very strong, and its sagacity is such, 

 that were it not for the signs near its abode made evident by the stout twigs and trees gnawed 

 and cut down, it would never be discovered. Whenever these chips are noted, the wary 

 hunter proceeds to examine the bank, in order to detect at what particular spot the beaver 

 takes to the water. The castor bags of the beaver, or barkstone, as it is termed by the hun- 

 ters, is then rubbed on twigs near the spot, and a common steel trap is so placed under the 

 water as to spring when the animal dives against it. 



The Beaver is strictly a nocturnal animal, and is exceedingly active in its movements. It 

 advances on land by a series of successive leaps of ten or twelve feet, in which it is powerfully 

 assisted by its tail, which it brings down with a resounding noise. It brings forth from two 

 to four at a birth. It feeds chiefly upon the roots of aquatic plants, and the bark of soft- 

 wooded trees, such as the birch, poplar, willow and alder. We have been assured by hunters 

 that they also feed on fish ; and for this, their aquatic abodes and habits would appear well 

 adapted. It may be, that in the selection of their dwellings, they design to protect themselves 

 against carnivorous animals. 



The geographical range of the Beaver, now so much restricted, once extended from the 

 sixty-eighth to the thirtieth parallel. In the United States, its southern boundary does not 

 extend beyond the districts already mentioned in the State of New-York. 



It has been attempted to separate the Beaver of Europe and America into two species. We 

 coincide entirely with Cuvier, who made the most scrupulous comparisons, and was unable to 

 ascertain the existence of any specific differences. 



