THE CANADIAN BEAVER. 37 



than the European one, and the coat is generally darker, 

 though the colour varies considerably in different indi- 

 viduals, even from the same colony ; the form and position 

 of the nasal bones also constitute an important osteo- 

 logical distinction between the two. Numerous fossil 

 remains of the American Beaver have been discovered 

 in different parts of the country, which do not differ at all 

 from the existing species. The ear of the Beaver is very 

 curious, being so formed as to lie flat when the animal is 

 diving, thereby covering the orifice so completely as to 

 exclude the water. 



The "pelt" or fur is still in request among the trappers 

 and Indians, who kill a great number of these animals 

 in the course of the year. Some of the native tribes use 

 the skins in the manufacture of their winter clothing, 

 others merely as an article of barter and commerce. 



The trap is baited, not with food, but with a scented 

 oil, taken from the animal itself, and is set under water, 

 fastened, like a common rabbit trap, by a chain to the 

 bank, and having a float attached, by means of which, 

 in the event of its being carried off by the Beaver's 

 struggles, its whereabouts may be discovered. This oil, 

 or " castoreum," as it is properly called, is also used as a 

 bait for attracting the Ij'nx and other animals. 



The trappers esteem the tail a great delicacj'-, and 

 the flesh of the young Beaver is really excellent, 



