X PREFACE. 



ciently ample to illustrate other branches of the subject, consist- 

 ing of mounted specimens of the beaver, and of his skeleton, skulls, 

 pelts, tree cuttings, and limb and pole cuttings, of all sizes and 

 kinds, engravings of specimens of which are given in the following 

 pages. 



It has been my aim to speak in all cases, in which it was pos- 

 sible, from original specimens. In this manner, truth and cer- 

 tainty are both secured, and the amount of necessary description 

 is greatly abridged. It will be found, in the sequel, that this 

 account of the beaver rests essentially upon actual works repro- 

 duced by the photograph and copied by the engraver. Whatever 

 value it may possess is chiefly referable to this fact. 



Marquette, which in 1853 consisted of a few scattering houses, 

 now contains twenty-eight hundred inhabitants. Situated upor 

 a bay of Lake Superior, and prosperous upon the large business 

 of the iron region, it is not too much to say that it is the mojt 

 beautiful village of the Northwest. The large investments made 

 for the development of the mineral wealth, and for the prosecu- 

 tion of the constantly increasing trade of the iron district, lave 

 drawn to it a higher and more intelligent class of businessmen 

 than is usually found in villages of its size; and this, in tun, has 

 given to Marquette, in a social sense, its superior and attnctive 

 character. The climate also — a fact not suspected until th( coun- 

 try was opened — is one of the finest, in the summer, to b) found 

 within the limits of the United States ; while in the winter, 

 from its steadiness and uniformity, it is less trying thai that of 

 New England or New York. Marquette is destined tooecome a 

 city; and the principal centre of business on Lake Suprior.^ 



Besides the persons previously named, I am under ^^ery great 

 obligations to many others for co-operation, infornation, and 

 assistance, in various ways, while engaged upon ths investiga- 



1 This railroad, which was first known as the " Iron Momtain," then as 

 the "Bay de Noquet and Marquette," and now as the " Marquette and On- 

 tonagon Railroad," has carried down from the mines to 'lai'quette the fol- 

 lowing amounts of iron oi'e : 



In 1858 31,000 Tons. 



1859 65,000 " 



1860 116,000 " 



1861 45,000 " 



1862 115.000 " 



In 1863 200,000 Tons. 



1864 250,000 " 



1865 200,000 " 



1866 210,000 " 



1867 270,000 " 



