Beaver 477 



It does not cut or carry large logs or use them in the dam. 

 When caught in a steel trap it does not deliberately ampu- 

 tate the foot, but twists about and pulls until it is torn off. 



This animal has always been a staple of food and raiment uses 

 to the natives of America. Its wonderful coat of fur is prime 

 for half of the year, it is backed by a very strong skin, and is 

 one of the peltries most highly prized. Trapping is carried 

 on chiefly by means of the steel traps, but I do not here propose 

 to detail the methods. Already they are too successful, and 

 the harmless Beaver has disappeared from half its range and 

 become comparatively scarce in the rest. 



At one time, the last quarter of the eighteenth century, 

 about 150,000 skins were exported annually by the American 

 Companies, besides which the Hudson's Bay Company marketed 

 about 50,000 per annum. 



In 1 89 1 the American supply had dwindled to 11,693 and 

 the Hudson's Bay Company's was 57,260, really a bad year 

 for the Company, as in 1887 its export had been 102,745, and 

 in 1 87 1 had reached 174,461. 



In 1905, the latest year for which I have complete figures, 

 the Hudson's Bay Company's returns were 54,119. 



At the London Annual Fur Sales held at Lampson's, 

 March, 1906, 8,414 Beaver were sold. The highest price 

 reached was 62 shillings ($14.88) each, for 41 first-class black 

 skins; 30 shillings i$'j.2o) to 35 shillings ($8.40) were ruling 

 prices for first-class skins, from which they graded down to 

 about 15 shillings ($3.60) for thirds. 



As a food supply the Beaver takes a prominent place. 

 The flesh is good and the tail is considered a delicacy. In 

 taste it is like "calf's head" with marrow dressing, is de- 

 cidedly rich and heavy, but I thought it delicious eating. In 

 a vast portion of the Mackenzie Valley the Beaver serves the 

 Indians as the Buffalo did those of the Plains. It is their 

 staff of life, it feeds and clothes them, as well as supplies the 

 necessary peltry to barter with traders for other things desired. 

 These tribes are very naturally known as the " Beaver Indians." 



