3U 



Bear skins are used in the manufacture of fur c »its, sleigh robes 

 and other useful articles, not forgetting the formidable looking head- 

 gear of many regiments of the British army, which so of;;en has terrified 

 the enemies of Britain. The deep, glossy skin of the black bear renders 

 it peculiarly beautiful, and its warmth, arising from its thick coat of 

 fur, is highly desirable in the cold weather of our Canadian winter. 



A few words in conclusion. It it is not my intention to moralize 

 at any great length upon the want of jiractical adaptability so painfitUy 

 appai-ent in much of the legislation enacted for the preservation of game 

 and fur bearing animals, game birds and fish. To be practically useful 

 atid effective, all such laws ought to be founded upon a sound knowledge 

 of the haunts and habits of the animals intended to be protected, with- 

 out regard to sectional prejudices or mere local influences. I cannot 

 but regret that the public mind has not yet been adequately, aroused 

 respecting the national necessity lor the complete, stringent an 1 

 practical pi'otection and legal preservation of our animals. The stable 

 will probably be locked after the steed has been stolen. This will be 

 but a poor consolation to the coming generation which, I much fear,will 

 hare tangible cause to regret the apathy, neglect and dcstructiveness of 

 to-day, which leads to the lamentable exteiraination of game and denu- 

 dation of otxr forests. In an agricultural point of view, Canada would 

 be much better off with a larger area of standing timber, and not a bit 

 the worse of having double as many wild birds and wild animals as can 

 now be found within its borders. Even the black bear, which is ruth- 

 lessly slaughtered in all seasons, is, in my opinion, of sufficient 

 importance to entitle him to that degree of legal protection which he 

 has never had. No moie utterly forsaken and desolate prospect can be 

 imagined than that of a countiy unwisely stripped of its forest trees, 

 and without the wild animals and birds, which contribute so materially 

 to the value, interest and beauty of the wilderness. 



