812 



THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



(1562). He attributed to it most disgusting habits and applied 

 the supposed appropriate name of gulo a "glutton." Judging 

 the animal by its external appearances, it was classed with the 

 UrsidcB, or bear family; and its gluttony made it at once con- 

 spicuous in comparison with its less voracious relatives. That 

 the " glutton " is grossly carnivorous is a fact, but the stories of 

 its insatiable appetite, and its reputed habits of gorging till dis- 

 tended like a balloon, and the consequent method of obtaining 

 relief, are purely fabulous. 



With the discovery of America a magnificent field was opened 

 to adventurers, and " travelers' tales " found extraordinary inspi- 

 ration. In 1663 Pierre Bouchet, the Governor of Three Rivers, 

 in New France, described an animal " smaller than a fox, that 

 climbs up trees ; it is called ' child of the devil/ " and rapidly fol- 

 lowing this account came the most astounding stories. Not so 

 repulsive but quite as improbable accomplishments were freely 



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The shaded portion shows the distribution of the beaver eater, while the lines mark 



the northern and southern limits of the beaver. 



recounted. The animal, it was said, killed the moose and caribou, 

 and was more than a match for bear or wolf ; but as for the timid 

 beaver, the appellation " beaver eater " significantly suggests the 

 fate of this defenseless rodent. It is important to remember that 

 during almost the entire period in which these fables were so cur- 

 rent the object of the chase was beaver pelts. Giant monopolies 



