20 THE HUNTER AXD TEAPPER. 



inches in diameter wliich had been gnawed down by the 

 beavers. I have seen botli asli and ehn of tliat size cut 

 down by them. These are cut in such a manner as to fall 

 into the Avater, and then floated toAvards the site of tbe 

 dam. The figure of the dam varies, according as the 

 stream has a gentle or a rapid current. Along Vv^ith the 

 trunks and branches of trees, tliey intermingle mud and 

 stones, to give greater security, and the dams remain long 

 after the beavers liave been exterminated. The d\velIinG;s 

 of the beavers are formed of the same material as the dam, 

 and are adapted in size to the number of inhabitants ; 

 there are seldom more than four old ones, and six or eight 

 young ones. The walls are very skillfully and strongly 

 constructed, and tlie whole fabric is a curious evidence 

 of the sagacity of the animal. To capture beavers resid- 

 ing on a small river or creek, the Indians find it necessary 

 to stake the stream across, to prevent the animals from es- 

 caping, and then they try to ascertain where tlie vaults or 

 washes in the banks are situated. This can only be done by 

 those who are very experienced in suck explorations. The 

 hunter is furnislied v/itli' an ice-cMsel, lashed to a handle 

 four or five feet in length. With this instrument he 

 strikes against the ice, as he goes along the edge of th 

 banks. The sound produced by the blow informs him 

 v\'hen he is opposite one of these vaults. When one is 

 discovered, a hole is cut througli tlie ice sufiiciently large 

 to admit a full-grown beaver, and the search is continued 

 until as many of the places of retreat are discovered as 



