74 Tlic Hone of the Wolverene and Beaver. 



consists in being physically weaker than their breth- 

 ren, for the paresseux are always males, and it is 

 not at all improbable, that, as is common with the 

 males of many species of animals, they have fought 

 with rivals, been conquered and driven forth by the 

 victors, thus taking up the role of paresseux more 

 from necessity than inclination ; and this theory 

 would satisfactorily account for the marks of 

 violence they always carry about them. 



Beavers are in good condition for the trapper 

 from September to May in the greater part of 

 America, though in the Rocl<v Mountains there is 

 no close season, the cold causing the coat to remain 

 thick all the year round. They are often eaten, the 

 sides of the belly, the rump, the liver, and the tail 

 being highly esteemed ; indeed the last-mentioned 

 meml .r is considered a peculiar delicacy, possessing 

 nearl\ tlie taste of beef marrow; but it is so oily that 

 only a very small quantity can be eaten, and no 

 sto'^iach less omnivorous than a trapper's could pos- 

 si'oly digest it. At the approach of autumn beavers 

 become very fat, but fall off gradually during the 

 winter, so that when spring comes they are little 

 better than skin and bone. The bark of young 

 trees, and the white, tender, juicy roots of certain 

 aquatic plants which are then in season, soon fill them 

 out again, and they become a great size. Cartwright 



