useJuL to the Chipewyans, 435 



It is in size as large as a small musk-rat, and in color a silvery 

 grey, interspersed with orange hairs on the back, but changing 

 on the flanks into a decided yellow, palest on the belly ; the tail is 

 short. It has cheek-pouches, and is decidedly smaller than A, 

 monax. In habits, so far as is known, it assimilates closely to the 

 other marmots. It is a social animal, and digs its den on the 

 mountain's side, or in the banks of rivers. When these animals 

 are outside, a sentinel is placed at a short distance from their ha- 

 bitations, where it sits on its hams, and will, when surprised, lower 

 itself, uttering a peculiar cry or whistle, that when twice repeated, 

 causes all the party to seek for shelter in their holes. They lay 

 up stores of winter provender. Very far north there is a variety 

 which is perfectly black, instead of hoary and yellow. The robes 

 made from the skins of this species, smell very badly. 



Beaver. — (Castor Canadensis), 



The Beaver exists some distance within the arctic circle ; and 

 the darkest colored pelts that I have seen are from Fort Good 

 Hope. The Slave and Dog-rib tribes make capotes and robes out 

 of the skin ; and the castoreum is extensively used in the manu- 

 facture of a medicine or perfume for enticing the lynx to enter 

 into the snaring cabins. The flesh and tail are among the most 

 prized dainties of Indian epicures. 



Porcupines. — (Erithezon). 



These animals are scattered all over the District, principally in 

 the vicinity of the Rocky Mountain ranges, but I do not think 

 that they are often found around the shores of Great Slave Lake 

 The flesh is considered a great treat, and the quills furnish the 

 materials for embroidering the only really tasteful articles to be 

 found among the natives of these regions. The Slave Indians, 

 dwelling along the McKenzie and Liard's Rivers, are reckoned the 

 most skilful fabricators of this manufacture. The things made 

 out of them consist of belts, bands, garters, bracelets ; and they 

 are also used for ornamenting bark-work, dresses, and shoes. la 

 manufacturing belts, &c., a frame-work of sinew thread is first 

 laid, through which the quills are interwoven in squares, some- 

 thing in the manner of Berlin-wool work. The articles when 

 finished are very pretty, and some of the women are sufficiently 

 adepts, to follow any angular pattern which may be set them. 

 The dyes used are procured principally from the vegetable king- 



