12 On the Fur-bearing Animals 



butt of the bait stick wbich is about 18 inches long with a piece 

 of fish or meat fixed on the point, and is placed inside the trap. 

 The weights are then replaced and some pine brush thrown loose- 

 ly on the top. This fashion of catching wolves is not very suc- 

 cessful, except in the fall and beginning of winter. 



Bt/ the Set-gun. — This is a very sure method though rather 

 dangerous to the hunter, if he do not take great care. The gun 

 is tied upon two saplings or stakes, set on purpose, opposite the 

 trigger is another thinner stick firmly planted on the ground, a 

 piece of wood is laid across this stick one end pressing the trigger, 

 the other attached to a line to the other extremity of which the 

 bait is afiixed. This line is carried under the snow by boring 

 holes in pieces of board and passing it through them ; this also 

 prevents the animal from pulling the bait out of the aim of the 

 gun, which he discharges as soon as he hauls upon the line to 

 obtain the meat. Instances have been known of wolves cutting 

 the line close to the trigger of the gun, after which they eat the 

 bait in safety. 



By Poison. — In this case strychnine is used, which is an infal- 

 lible method, though the animals sometimes go to such a distance 

 that it is diflScult 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. But as this 

 article is already too long, I will defer the detailed account of the 

 effect of strychnia on wild animals, until I write the article upon 

 Foxes. 



CaNIS FAMILIARI8. LlUU. 



Var. Borealis, or Esquimaux Dog, 

 et Lagopus^ or Hare Indian Dog. 



Sp. ch, (of both). Size, about that of a pointer ; ears small and 

 pointed; head broad between ears, and tapering towards muzzle ; 

 colour varied, but whites and greys predominate ; hair long and 

 fine mixed, with thick under fur ; tail long and bushy ; general 

 appearance that of a wolf. 



In comprising the Hare Indian and Esquimaux dogs among the 

 fur-bearing animals of this district, I am perfectly aware that, in 

 a commercial point of view, they are not included among them; 

 still, from their wild nature, as well as their long and thick fur, I 

 consider that I may with strict propriety class them in the branch 



