HARDY — ON THE BEAVER IN NOVA SCOTIA. 23 



plunges into the water, and brings up the mud and small stones 

 from the bottom to the work in progress, carrying them closely 

 under the chin in its fore-paws. The vulgar opinion that the 

 broad tail was used to plaster down the mud in its work, has 

 long since been pronounced as erroneous. Its real use is 

 evidently to counterpoise, by an action against the water in an 

 upward direction, the tendency to sink head foremost (which 

 the animal would otherwise have) when propelling itself by its 

 powerful webbed hind feet, at the same time supporting the 

 load of mud or stones in its fore-paws under the chin. 



We had but two opportunities of seeing these animals at 

 Lake Rossignol; once, when passing a steep bank covered with 

 rank ferns and foliage, a rush through the bushes and a splash 

 proclaimed that we had suddenly disturbed beaver — a rare 

 thing during the day-time. The Indians traced his wake to 

 another position on the opposite bank, where we perceived an 

 old house, whence we again heard him plunge into the water 

 as we approached in the canoes. 



Another and more interesting sight was aiforded us one calm 

 summer evening, on silently paddling up a picturesque cove 

 filled with lilies, at the head of which was a beaver house built 

 at the foot of a large maple. Ensconcing the canoes in the tall 

 ferns which overhung the water, we remained motionless for 

 some time, during which the twilight so deepened that I began 

 to despair of seeing the animals. Presently, however, the 

 Indian's paddle was quietly pointed out on the lake, and follow- 

 ing the direction we saw a beaver's head circling round amongst 

 the lilies, and then the back rolling round like that of the por- 

 poise, as he noiselessly dived to the bottom to feed on the lily 

 roots. Then we started with strong though quiet sweeps 

 towards the spot, and again resting motionless saw the animal 

 re-appear and dive without having discovered us. Two or three 

 times was this repeated, until within range, and I fired. " Too 

 low," said the Indian, quickly, to our disappointment, and as it 

 proved. The daylight was too far gone. 



One of the principal causes which have nearly led to the 

 extermination of the Beaver,* was the demand for the castoreum, 



"^The primary cause was doubtless the demand for the fur for hat-making by the 

 Parisians. 



