144 FUR FACTS 



off, and if he does not leave in a hurry, a battle will take place im- 

 mediately. The female apparently remains an unconcerned spec- 

 tator, and to all appearances it makes little difference to her which 

 one of the males comes out winner. At any rate the female does not 

 take any part in the fight in defense of the family lodge house. It 

 is said that the male beaver is just as constant as he is jealous, never 

 taking to himself more than one female, but that on the other hand 

 the female is not so particular, but is rather fond of strange company. 



If the lodge house of the beaver is disturbed in any way, the whole 

 family will leave by the lower entrance and make a break for the 

 holes in the bank, which they use as a haven of refuge in times of 

 trouble. The flesh of the beaver is often used as food, the tail es- 

 pecially being considered a great delicacy. The beaver attains its 

 full size when about three years old, although it breeds somewhat 

 before that. It usually mates in February, and brings forth its young 

 some time in May. The large beaver will weigh about sixty pounds 

 and will measure about three feet long and about thirty inches wide. 

 The skin after it is thoroughly cleaned and dried will weigh about 

 two pounds. 



The beaver spends its life in the water and its underfur is very 

 dense and heavy. On account of its light weight, and beautiful 

 color, its richness and softness, the beaver has been one of the leading 

 furs for generations. In some parts of Canada in recent years, as 

 well as in the United States, laws have been passed protecting beaver 

 for a period of years. In one section of Canada where this has been 

 done they have become so numerous that the farmers have petitioned 

 the state authorities to modify the law so that they could be killed 

 as they have really become a pest. Beaver are protected in nearly 

 every province of Canada as well as all of the States and may only 

 be taken at certain seasons of the year. Most states have laws pro- 

 tecting their lodges and dams, which can not be destroyed, and the 

 beaver can only be taken in traps. 



At one time most of the beaver pelts taken were used by hat manu- 

 facturers in the making of silk hats, but the pelts have become so ex- 

 pensive that rabbit skins are used instead, and beaver are used al- 

 most exclusively by the furriers, nearly all of them being used natural 

 for trimming on coats for both men and women. There are many 

 other furs that are higher priced than beaver, but all in all, the beaver 

 is one of the most staple as well as one of the best known of all furs. Its 

 wearing qualities are splendid and it usually gives good satisfaction. 



