THE COMMON BEAVER. 425 



have been sold by the Hudson's Bay Company at 

 one sale : and in the year 1798, a hundred and six 

 thousand skins were collected in Canada and sent 

 into Europe and China *. Those of a black colour 

 are preferred ; and such as are taken during winter ; 

 especially if they have been worn for some time by 

 the Indians, by wliich the long hairs fall off, leaving 

 the fine downy fur perfectly free, and better fitted 

 for every purpose of manufacture ^. A good skin 

 will weigh about two pounds. 



The medicinal substance called cas/or, is pro_ 

 duced in the inguinal glands of these animals; and 

 each individual, both male and female, has usually 

 about two ounces. That produced by the Russian 

 JBeavcrs is more valuable, and sells at a much higher 

 price, than what is imported from America J. — The 

 flesh is good eating. It is usually preserved (the 

 bones being first taken out) by drying it in the 

 smoke. 



It frequently happens that single Beavers live by 

 themselves in holes, which they make in the banks 

 of rivers, considerably under the surface of the wa- 

 ter, working their way upward to the height of 

 many feet. These are called by the hunters ILr- 

 ?}ii/s, or Terriers. Like the rest, they by up a 

 store of provisions for the winter. It is supposed by 

 Capt. Cartwright, that their separation from society 

 orio-inates in attachment and fidelity ; that, having. 



* Mackenzie's Travels, j). xxv. 

 t These bkins arc called <j,rfcn Hr./c/r.': ; the others dry Bearers. 

 X K.err, i. 221. 



