202 ROMANCE OF THE BEAVER 



premises, however, the ultimate extermination of 

 the Canadian beaver is merely a question of time. 

 It has already disappeared for good from many 

 sections in which it was formerly present. It is 

 becoming very scarce in certain localities where it 

 should receive immediate protection in the way of 

 several legally-assured years of rest and full exemp- 

 tion from disturbance by hunters. In other 

 districts, where it is generally but surely diminish- 

 ing in numbers, its killing should be restricted on 

 lines similar to those pursued by the Company for 

 many years subsequent to 1821. Greater latitude 

 might be accorded to hunting in now unknown and 

 not easily accessible parts where it probably 

 abounds ; but except for food absolutely required 

 no one should be permitted to trap or shoot beaver 

 out of season. It is useless making rules and regu- 

 lations, however, unless they be strictly enforced. 

 The woodland buffalo is now receiving some well- 

 deserved attention in this regard, and it is about 

 time that the musk ox should be protected from 

 indiscriminate slaughter solely for the sake of his 

 head or hide : there should be a seasonable limit 

 imposed upon hunters thereof. Neither should the 

 mountain goat and sheep, the elk, and the valuable 

 food animals — the moose and woodland caribou — 

 be neglected in this connection. And although the 

 Barren Ground reindeer is still abundant, yet the 

 northern Indian should not be permitted to con- 

 tinue or resume their ancient vicious course of reck- 



