34. ZOOLOGY. 
where they place a trap. They then remove the sticks, and drive 
the beaver into the trap. 
Another method, very successfully practised by the Indians, is 
to make a breach in the dam, well knowing that the beaver will — 
turn out, and repair it as quickly as possible. Along this breach 
the Indians place their traps, in such a manner, that the beaver is 
sure to be taken, being, through excitement, rendered less wary 
and watchful. The castoreum of the beaver is contained in two 
glands, near the Anal Canal. It is of a brownish yellow color, 
having a strong peculiar odor, and was considered by the ancients 
to possess strong medical virtues. It is now generally used to de- 
‘coy animals into traps. 
The otter, although-a few are still found in the wild northern 
part of Canadian forests, are scarce in all the front Townships. 
The last that I have seen were in Lake Scugog, about twelve 
years ago, while engaged in duck shooting, on which occasion 
three came swimming within gun-shot, I was at this time stand- 
ing on a piece of bog, below Staley’s landing. This animal fur- 
nishes a very fine article of fur, but its flesh is never eaten, even 
by the Indians, being dark, and giving off a very foetid odour. 
They are very tractable when young, and make nice pets. One 
that a squaw brought down the river and sold to a gentleman in 
Ottawa, was remarkably clever at catching fish, He was some- 
times taken in a boat to a place in the river, where the red fin 
suckers would run in shoals. On approaching them he was al- 
ways on the alert, and certain to capture some of the first that 
tempted to pass the boat, apparently enjoying the sport as much 
as/any of the parties present. The principal food of this animal 
is fish, but they will eat, if occasion requires, all kind of molusks, 
crawfish, and even carrion. 
The Pine Martin, once as plentiful through the country as the 
squirrels have been of later years, have been exterminated, and 
are now completely extinct. ; 
The Mink is still very highly esteemed, on account of its fur, 
and are so prolific, that they still remain in considerable numbers 
along the creeks and swamps. These animals have from five or 
six, to eight or nine young at a litter, each season, and in some 
places in the United States they are propagated in a partially do- 
