HISTORY OF CALIFORNLV. 287 



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

 these very briefly. 



The skin of the cub-beaver is more hi^^hly prized 

 than that of older animals, as bein^x darker and more 

 glossy ; the winter season is preferred for capturing 

 them, on account of the superiority of their coat at 1 



that time. There are various menns employed in ; 



taking them. One of the ways in which they are j 



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



when they are driven from their habitations, which ! 



I 



are then destroyed. They remain under water a i 



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 opening.s 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 lirst 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 tlie stakes on one 

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

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

 and when the affrighted and hunted animals have sue- 



