SUBSISTENCE OF BEAVERS. 167 



As cutting instruments, they are armed with power- 

 ful incisive teeth, by means of which they are able to 

 cut down forest trees of surprising size in comparison 

 with their own diminutive forms. Their teeth are 

 chisels in form and structure, and also in efficiency. 

 When at the age of eighteen months, and from that 

 on to two and three years old, their teeth, which 

 during these periods are in a rapidly growing state, 

 are in the best condition for cutting. After this, as 

 they grow older, their teeth file down with constant 

 use, and growing less rapidly, become dull and inef- 

 ficient in cutting. It is said that the diminution of 

 cutting power is so great that very old beavers are 

 often unable to provide themselves with food suffi- 

 cient for their sustenance during the winter, and, in 

 consequence, become poor and feeble, A beaver of 

 this description was caught, in the fall of 1864, on 

 one of the dams of the Esconauba, and upon being 

 shown to William Bass (Ah-she-gos), an Ojibwa trap- 

 per extremely well versed in the habits of the beaver, 

 he remarked that, "had he escaped the trap, he would 

 have been killed by other beavers, before the winter 

 closed, for stealing cuttings." Such beavers are often 

 found dead, with gashes in their bodies, showing that 

 they had been attacked by their associates, which oc- 

 currences the Indians explain in this way. 



The thick bark upon the trunks of large trees, and 

 even upon those of medium size, is unsuitable for 

 food; but the smaller limbs, the bark of which is 

 tender and nutritious, afibrd the aliment which they 

 prefer. To cut down a tree, by persevering labor, in 

 order to reach its limbs and branches, is of itself an 

 act of intelligence and knowledge of no ordinary 



