258 AN ACCOUNT OF THE ANIMALS USEFUL IN AN ECONOMIC 



must at present restrict myself to the first of these great sections, hoping, 

 at some future period, to have the pleasure of noticing the others. 



In the manufactures of the Indians, no articles hold a more important 

 or more conspicuous position than those drawn from animals ; but this 

 must naturally be expected in a people who subsist almost solely on the 

 products of the chase. The climate of these regions, moreover, in a manner 

 prohibits agriculture, even were the natives willing to turn their attention 

 to such pursuits, which they are not. 



I shall pass briefly in review all the species of animals from which they 

 derive any material, noting with each the various purposes to which it is. 

 applied. 



Foxes. (Vulpes.) — The various species of foxes found in this district 

 are the red, cross, silver, white, and blue. The latter is not, as some 

 writers affirm, the young of the white, nor is it that animal in its summer 

 garb, though it is closely allied to it. The only article furnished by these 

 animals is a fine sinew thread for bead-work, and is taken from the tail. 



Black, Grizzly, and Barren-ground Bears. {Ursus Americanus, U. 

 Jiorribilis, and U. arctos) — The black bear is found throughout the wooded 

 portions of the districts ; but is replaced, on the barren grounds, by a 

 species bearing a strong resemblance to the U. arctos of Europe. The 

 grizzly bear dwells among the rocky mountains. From the black, and 

 indeed from all, the natives derive food ; they also cut the summer hides 

 into cords. The prepared fat is extensively used as a pomatum ; but I 

 cannot coincide with those who state bear's grease to be a good hair reno- 

 vator ; on the contrary, it will in all likelihood, if used pure, cause the 

 hairs to split and fall out. Grizzly and barren-ground bears' claws are 

 much prized for necklaces and coronets by the Indians. 



Marmots. (Arctomys.) — There are three, if not four, species of this 

 animal in the McKenzie's River District — viz., A. pruinosus — inhabiting the 

 northern Rocky Mountains and Nehaunay Hills — A. Kennicotii — dwelling 

 in the same localities, with a more northern range, and extending eastward 

 to the Anderson River — and A. monax coming as far north, though rare, as 

 the Liard's River. Out of all of these, the mountain tribes make robes, and 

 the flesh is counted sweet and fat. 



Beaver. (Castor Canadensis.') — The beaver exists some distance within 

 the arctic circle ; and the darkest-coloured pelts that I have seen are from 

 Fort Good Hope. The Slave and Dog-rib tribes make capotes and robes 

 out of the skin ; and the castoreum is extensively used in the manufacture 

 of a medicine or perfume for enticing the lynx to enter into the snaring 

 cabins. The flesh and tail are among the most prized dainties of Indian 

 epicures. 



Porcupines. (EritJiezon.) — These animals are scattered all over the dis- 

 trict, principally in the vicinity of the Rocky Mountain ranges, but I dp 

 not think that they are often found around the shores of Great Slave Lake. 

 The flesh is considered a great treat, and the quills furnish the materials 

 for embroidering the only really tasteful articles to be found among the 



