138 THE BEAVER. 



raft, the poles were missing ; so, cutting fresh ones, he started 

 with the Indians towards the beaver village. On reaching 

 their abodes, one of the poles was found deposited on the top 

 of the houses. 



In a community of beavers there are frequently some who 

 appear to do no work, and are called by the Canadian trappers 

 Les paresseux, or Idlers. They live apart from the rest, tak- 

 ing up their abodes in long tunnels, which they excavate. 

 Several inhabit the same burrow ; and being males, the idea 

 is that they have been conquered in the combats which take 

 place among the males when seeking their mates, and thus, 

 like monks of old, have retired from the world, — or perhaps it 

 may be only for a period, till they have regained sufficient 

 courage and strength to sally forth, and commence a happier 

 existence with the partner of their choice. They are far more 

 careless of their safety than the other beavers, and are thus 

 easily caught by the trappers. 



The body of the beaver contains a curious odoriferous sub- 

 stance, called by the trappers barkstone, but more scientifically 

 "castor," or "castoreum." It is contained in two little bags 

 about the size of a hen's egg, and is of a brownish, unctuous 

 consistency. At one time it was supposed to possess valu- 

 able medicinal properties. It is now, however, chiefly em- 

 ployed by perfumers. The beavers themselves are strangely 

 attracted by this substance, and when scenting it at a distance 

 will invariably make their way to it. It is said that the in- 

 habitants of a particular lodge go forth, and having rid them- 

 selves of their superabundant castoreum at a little distance, 

 return home ; when the beavers of another lodge, scenting 

 the castoreum, proceed to the same spot, and covering it over 

 with a layer of earth and leaves, deposit their own castoreum 



