HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 



287 



of an animal so much in request, but we shall notice 

 these very briefly. 



The skin of the cub-beaver is more highly prized 

 than that of older animals, as being darker and more 

 glossy ; the winter season is preferred for capturing 

 them, on account of the superiority of their coat at 

 that time. There are various means employed in 

 taking them. One of the ways in which they are 

 captured is, by boring a number of holes in the ice, 

 when they are driven from their habitations, which 

 are then destroyed. They remain under water a 

 short time (as they are incapable of remaining in 

 that element for any very protracted period,) then by 

 rising to the surface where the ice is broken, they are 

 easily taken. At these times many of them retreat 

 to the holes in the banks, where they lodge in sum 

 mer ; but these vaults are soon discovered by expe 

 rienced hunters, by striking on the ice with chisels, 

 and they select such spots for their openings as they 

 know will readily lead to the capture of their victims, 

 and they are seldom mistaken. Another way in 

 which they are taken is, to cut the ice both above 

 and below their dwellings, nets are then thrown across, 

 and the animals are driven from their abodes and 

 compelled to enter the nets. It is usual, in summer, 

 to take them in their houses, by what is called staking 

 them. To effect this purpose the hunters first make 

 an opening in the roof, in order to discover the exact 

 position of the angle, and having adapted a number 

 of stakes to the opening, so as to completely blockade 

 it, they cover in the top, and leave the stakes on one 

 side ready for use. This done, they drive the Beavers, 

 by means of dogs, from all parts- of the pond or river ; 

 and when the affrighted and hunted animals have sue- 



