136 The Home of the Wolverene and Beaver. 



The fox and wolf traps are exactly alike in every 

 particular except size, and the method of setting 

 one applies perfectly to the other ; the springs are 

 so po\\'erful that it requires a man's ivhole strength 

 to open them. When set, the jaws of the trap are 

 exactly on a level with the snow, under which both 

 chain and stick are perfectly concealed, and the 

 bait is scattered around. No mark is made by the 

 trapper to denote the presence of his snares, and 

 one of the chief difficulties under which the novice 

 labours is to find their whereabouts in the pathless 

 forest. 



Of wolves there are several kinds in America, the 

 black, grey, red, and Arctic. Except in their colour 

 these all resemble each other very closely, and are 

 seldom dangerous to man unless driven by hunger. 

 One instance, however, is mentioned in which the 

 black wolf showed determined ferocity. Two young 

 negroes, who resided near the banks of the Ohio 

 River, in Kentucky, had sweethearts living on 

 another plantation about four miles distant, and 

 after their work was over for the day the young 

 men were in the habit of visiting the ladies of their 

 love ; the nearest way to whose dwelling lay across 

 a large cane brake, and as to the lovers every 

 moment was of consequence, they usually took this 

 lonely route to save time. Winter had set in cold, 



