24: ^ THE IIUXTEE AND TRAPPER. 



in length. Behind these, and between the skin and root 

 of the tail, are found two other oval cists, lying together, 

 which contain a pure, strong oil of a rancid smell. 



During the winter season the beaver becomes very fat, 

 and its flesh is esteemed by the hunters as excellent food, 

 but those occasionally caught in the summer are very thin 

 and unfit for the table. They lead so wandering a life at 

 tliis season, and are so much exhausted by the collection 

 of materials for building, or the winter stock of provisions, 

 as well as by suckling their young, as to be generally, at 

 that time, in a very poor condition. Their fiu', during the 

 summer, is of little value, and it is only in winter that it 

 is to be obtained in that state vfhich renders it so desira- 

 ble to the fur traders. 



Beaver hunting is a laborious occupation. With your 

 beaver traps on your back you start into the wild woods 

 and go to some small branches or creeks that empty into 

 lakes or large streams. Follow these up until you dis- 

 cover small trees, cut down by the beaver. It is not ex- 

 actly like chopping done with an axe, but it is fairly 

 chopped after all, — cut smoothly from above and below, 

 lengthv/ise with the grain. If the cut seems fresh and 

 new, the beavers are close by. Don't make much noise, 

 nor leave much sign behind you, if you intend to catch 

 them in a trap. 



We will suppose this is late in the fall, just before the 

 winter sets in, and that you suddenly come upon a dam 

 as you travel up the little stream, and it proves to be an 



