1958 Tbe Zoologist — January, 1870. 



during the summer months consists in a great measure of the stems 

 and roots of the pond lily* [Nupliar advena, Aiton), which is called 

 "beaver root" by the settlers. In the fall of the year the beavers 

 generally migrate up-stream to a more favourable situation for procur- 

 ing a supply of winter food ; and as soon as the house is rebuilt or 

 repaired, these industrious animals are very assiduous in cutting down 

 small birch and willow, on the bark of which they subsist in winter. 

 Although birch trees as large as a man's thigh are frequently cut 

 down, the beavers appear only to make use of the smaller branches, 

 which are cut into suitable lengths and carried to the house, around 

 which they are sunk by means of mud, to be used as food after the 

 brook is frozen over. Until this takes place the beavers feed on the 

 land, or on browse collected on the top of the house. Every house 

 appears to have two passages from the exterior to the interior, which 

 are termed "angles" by the natives. Whilst the winter house is 

 building the beavers frequently live in a deep hole in the bank : this 

 domicile, pro tern., is called a " hovel." 



In trapping the beaver the same devices appear to be employed 

 both east and west of the Rocky Mountains. Mr. Green informs us 

 that "the traps generally used in securing the beaver are large steel 

 traps with a strong spring at each end, and fastened with a chain, from 

 four to six feet long, to a pole, which is stuck in the bottom of the 

 water as far out as the chain will allow, so that the beaver, when he 

 feels the trap, may run into deep water, and as he gets tired, the 

 weight of trap taking him down, he drowns. A beaver, wheu trapped, 

 never tries to gel to land, but makes a dive for the deepest water, and 

 should the water be shallower than four feet, he will, in a short time, 

 amputate his foot so as to relieve himself. He always takes his foot 

 oflF at a joint, and draws the sinews out of his shoulder, instead of 

 biting them through. * * * * A beaver is generally caught by 

 his fore foot, and should the trap be set too deep below water his toe- 

 nail only gets caught. The trap is set in the beaver-run, or just 

 where it springs into a hole in the bank. It must not be set in too 

 shallow water, for then he amputates his foot, or in too deep, for in 

 that case he does not get caught at all, but swims over the trap. The 

 proper depth to set a trap is five inches. The beaver is then caught 

 by his fore foot. * * * * A full-grown beaver weighs about 



* Mr. Green alludes to ihe beavers feeding on this plant and also on alder 

 {Alnus oregana), but I never could find a " whitlled " alder slick, allhough alder is 

 someiimes largely used in building the "stent." 



