252 EXPLORATIONS IN THE FAR NORTH 



Fifteen years ago the York boats, which carried the Com- 

 pany's freight on Peace River, depended upon the beavers killed 

 en route for provision, now they are so rare that only occasional 

 beavertails reach the posts as presents from the Indians. The 

 beaverskin was originally the standard in bartering with the 

 Indians. 1 



Five to eight MB are paid for a beaverskin at the present time- 



The beaver occurs throughout the wooded portions of this 

 region, excepting those localities where it has been recently 

 exterminated. They are not known to occur in the Barren 

 Ground. 



1 See p. 59, ante. 



