8 On the Fur-bearing Animals 



proacli of the hunter when it endeavours rather to spring at him 

 than to take to flight. 



By the simple snare. — A running noose of platted sinew, thread, 

 or deer-hide thongs, is set in the track that the animal usually 

 follows ; this snare is attached to a pole of sufficient weight to 

 toss up the body, and it remains hanging until the hunter passes. 

 The body is sometimes found devoured by crows, wolverines, and 

 Lynx. 



By the medicated Cahin. — This is the most efficacious method 

 of catching the Lynx. A round enclosure of some three feet in 

 diameter is made of small willows, or branches of trees, loosely 

 planted in the snow, and about four feet high. Two entrances are 

 left at the opposite sides, each fitted with a snare. In the 

 centre of the enclosure, the medicated skin is placed, inserted 

 in a cleft stick, about eight inches distant from the snow. 

 The snare is more commonly tied to the middle of a loose 

 stick, about 30 inches long, by 3 in diameter, and which is 

 supported on two pronged branches set on each side of the 

 entrance, when circumstances are favorable the tossing pole is 

 sometimes used, and it is the most certain fashion. The ani- 

 mal on scenting the castoreum, inserts its head, or sometimes 

 its forefoot into the noose, which, owing to the long tips on 

 the Lynx's ears, remains securely on the neck when once passed 

 there. After enjoying and rolling itself in the perfume, it moves 

 off"; but on finding the stick thumping after its heels, it becomes 

 alarmed and makes for the nearest woods ; the stick soon catches 

 in the bushes, and in a short time, the animal, instead of cutting 

 the line, strangles itself, or if caught by the paw remains fixed un- 

 til the hunter arrives to give it a " coup de grdce^'' if he does not 

 find it already frozen stifi". On some occasions it will gain the top 

 of a lofty tree, and on springing off to rid itself, as it fancies, of 

 the stick, it hangs, itself in a superior manner, and puts the trap- 

 per to the trouble of cutting down the tree, which is generally a 

 large one. 



As an article of food, the flesh of the Lynx, is highly esteemed 

 both by the natives and the white residents. It is of a light 

 colour, and well flavored, the fat, which is soft like that of the 

 bear, lying mostly on the ribs. 



