MOOSE-HUNTING IN CANADA 107 



describe is the best that can be built. An ordinary- 

 camp is constructed in the same way, but with 

 this difference, that instead of being in the form 

 of a square it is in the shape of a circle, and the 

 poles on which the bark is laid are stuck into the 

 ground instead of into low walls. There is not 

 half so much room in such a camp as in the 

 former, although the amount of material em- 

 ployed is in both cases the same. It may be 

 objected that the sleeping arrangements cannot 

 be very luxurious in camp. A good bed is 

 certainly an excellent thing, but it is very hard 

 to find a better bed than Nature has provided 

 in the wilderness. It would appear as if Provi- 

 dence had specially designed the Canada-balsam 

 fir for the purpose of making a soft couch for 

 tired hunters. It is the only one, so far as I am 

 aware, of the coniferous trees of North America 

 in which the leaves or spculcs lie perfectly fiat. 

 The consequence of that excellent arrangement is 

 that a bed made of the short tender tips of the 

 Canada balsam, spread evenly to the depth of 

 about a foot, is one of the softest, most elastic, 

 and most pleasant couches that can be imagined ; 

 and as the scent of the sap of the Canada balsam 

 is absolutely delicious, it is always sweet and 



